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TV producer Marty Krofft dies at 86; was behind such hits as ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’ and ‘Land of the Lost’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

By Jennifer Peltz | Associated PressNEW YORK — Marty Krofft, a TV producer known for imaginative children’s shows such as “H.R. Pufnstuf” and primetime hits including “Donny & Marie” in the 1970s, has died in Los Angeles, his publicist said. Krofft was 86.He died Saturday of kidney failure, publicist Harlan Boll said.Krofft and his brother Sid were puppeteers who broke into television and ended up getting stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Along the way, they brought a trippy sensibility to children’s TV and brought singing siblings Donny and Marie Osmond and Barbara Mandrell and her sisters to primetime.The Osmonds’ clean-cut variety show, featuring television’s youngest-ever hosts at the time, became a lasting piece of ‘70s cultural memorabilia, rebooted as a daytime talk show in the 1990s and a Broadway Christmas show in 2010. The Kroffts followed up with “Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters,” centered on the country music star; it ran from 1980-82.L...

San Jose State University will buy downtown tower around end of 2025

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

SAN JOSE — San Jose State University says it will buy a one-time hotel tower by the end of 2025 as part of a game-changing deal to create student housing in the highrise and widen SJSU’s commitment to the downtown.Newly reviewed public documents show SJSU has signed a lease that expires in 2056 for a former hotel highrise next to the Signia by Hilton San Jose hotel tower at 170 South Market Street in downtown San Jose, part of a $113 million deal to convert the building into student housing.Lobby area of Spartan Village on the Paseo, a San Jose State University student housing complex on South Market Street in downtown San Jose, concept. (San Jose State University)The university will use the empty tower to house 700 to 800 of its students starting in the fall of 2024 in a new Spartan Village that’s expected to bring greater vibrancy and lively activations to downtown San Jose.The rental agreement began on Nov. 16. Documents outlining the lease were filed the n...

At some of Louisiana’s unapproved schools, $465 buys you a diploma

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

By Sharon Lurye | Associated PressSPRINGFIELD, La. — Arliya Martin accepted her high school diploma with relief and gratitude.It was her ticket to better-paying work, she felt, after getting kicked out of high school and toiling for eight years at factory jobs to support her children.But Martin didn’t take any classes or pass any tests to receive her degree. She got it in July from a school where students can get a high school diploma for $465.Unlike public schools, formal homeschooling programs or traditional private schools, nearly 9,000 private schools in Louisiana don’t need state approval to grant degrees. Nearly every one of those unapproved schools was created to serve a single homeschooling family, but some have buildings, classrooms, teachers and dozens of students.While unapproved schools account for a small percentage of the state’s students, those in Louisiana’s off-the-grid school system are a rapidly growing example of the nation’s continu...

Walnut Creek man gets two years for ‘eavesdropping’ with hidden camera in Starbucks bathroom

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

MARTINEZ — A Walnut Creek man was sentenced to two years behind bars after pleading no contest to setting up hidden cameras in a Starbucks bathroom, court records show.Steven John Novelli, 55, pleaded no contest to three counts of eavesdropping with invasion of privacy in exchange for the two-year prison term. He received credit for time spent in jail before the deal was reached.The deal, finalized in late August, also required Novelli to register as a sex offender for 10 years and submit to post-release supervision. He is also ordered to stay away from the Starbucks in Walnut Creek where the hidden cameras were discovered.Novelli was originally charged with 83 counts, including child pornography production, after staff at the Starbucks discovered hidden cameras in the bathroom in separate incidents. The police investigation was aided by the fact that Novelli inadvertently caught himself on camera while adjusting the device, giving detectives a clear picture of his face in bot...

The 10 most expensive homes that reported sold in San Jose the week of Nov. 20

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

A house that sold for $2.8 million tops the list of the most expensive residential real estate sales in San Jose in the past week.In total, 19 residential real estate sales were recorded in the area during the past week, with an average price of $2 million. The average price per square foot was $964.The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Nov. 20 even if the property may have been sold earlier.10. $1.8 million, single-family house in the 2000 block of Jonathan Ave.The sale of the single-family house in the 2000 block of Jonathan Ave., San Jose, has been finalized. The price was $1,826,000, and the new owners took over the house in November. The house was built in 1949 and has a living area of 1,240 square feet. The price per square foot was $1,473. The house features three bedrooms and one bathrooms.Jonathan Avenue9. $1.9 million, detached house in the 800 block of Buchser WayThe property in the 800 block of Buchser Way ...

Mountain West power ratings: Boise State on top, SJSU climbs as the coaching carousel continues to spin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

Last season, the Hotline published weekly ‘Best of the West’ power ratings that considered not only Pac-12 teams but those in the Mountain West and Brigham Young. The exercise was so popular that we’re adding a MW-specific column to our array of offerings this season.And New Mexico makes three.The Lobos fired coach Danny Gonzales on Sunday, becoming the third Mountain West program to initiate a change. San Diego State and Boise State made in-season moves, while the Lobos waited until Gonzales’ fourth consecutive losing year was complete.We suspect there will be more moves to come in the conference.Nevada, for example, must consider its future under Ken Wilson.Could Fresno State’s Jeff Tedford or Wyoming’s Craig Bohl decide it’s time for retirement? (Both are in their 60s.)Could San Jose State’s Brent Brennan or UNLV’s Barry Odom get poached by Oregon State?More broadly, schools across the Mountain West are facing existential pressures in the after...

Former President Carter expected to attend wife’s memorial

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

By Eva McKend, Nick Valencia and Devon M. Sayers | CNNFormer President Jimmy Carter is expected to attend the memorial service for his late wife, Rosalynn Carter, on Tuesday, his grandson told CNN.Carter’s grandson Jason Carter told CNN his grandfather is planning on traveling to Atlanta to attend the tribute service for the former first lady.A tribute service for Rosalynn Carter is scheduled to take place Tuesday at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church at the Emory University campus. President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff are expected to attend.Other expected guests include former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as former first ladies Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.Rosalynn Carter died peacefully at her Plains, Georgia, home on November 19 at the age of 96, two days after the Carter Center announced she was entering hospice care at home. Jimmy Carter, who...

San Jose Sharks sign one forward, send another to injured reserve

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks on Monday signed forward Justin Bailey to a one-year, two-way contract,  and added him to their 23-man roster, and placed winger Filip Zadina on injured reserve.Bailey was with the Sharks on Monday morning and will be available to play against the Washington Capitals at SAP Center.Zadina had been considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury as he missed Saturday’s game with the Vancouver Canucks. Zadina, per Sharks coach David Quinn, had been dealing with the injury for some time before he left Friday’s game with the Montreal Canadiens after one period.Zadina had three goals and two assists in 20 and was averaging 14:00 of ice time per game, and his plus-minus rating was an unsightly -19 mark.“Under the circumstances, he’s done a really good job,” Quinn said of Zadina on Saturday. “I think every player is trying to find out what they’re going to be in the National Hockey League. No matter how old you are, as your career goes on from year...

Crash on 880 in Hayward blocks center lanes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

(KRON) -- A crash is blocking the center lanes of southbound Interstate 880 in Hayward Monday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The CHP says that a severe traffic alert has been issued for the incident. Mob of armed robbers hold-up two individuals walking in Oakland Lanes are blocked north of West A Street in Hayward. Drivers are advised to expect delays and use alternate routes if possible. There is no estimated time for the roadway to reopen, according to the CHP.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

California gas prices going down, study shows 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:12 GMT

(KRON) -- It’s the perfect time to fill the tank. California gas prices exceed the national average, however, California gas prices are declining.  According to the American Automobile Association, the national average as of Monday is $3.25 and the California average is $4.90. Coastal flood advisory issued for parts of Bay Area California Gas Prices as of Nov. 27Regular: $4.90Mid-Grade: $5.11Premium: $5.27Diesel: $5.85California gas prices have declined significantly even within a month. The price of regular gas has dropped three cents since last week. In October, the average regular price in California was $5.33. The premium gas average price has reduced from $5.72 in October to $5.27 now. Diesel has gas dropped from $6.18 last month to $5.85 now. According to AAA, Mono County currently has the highest California gas price of $6.17. The AAA study reports that Sonoma County and San Francisco have the highest gas price average in the Bay Area. San Francisco’s average is $...