DEAR MISS MANNERS: I’m the author of three published books. I came to writing late in life but enjoy excellent reviews and decent sales. I have managed to secure an agent, an editor and a publishing contract. I met a slightly older writer at a conference a few years ago. My colleague has more books to their name, and their success seems to have come earlier in their career. Related Articles Advice | Miss Manners: How can I make a guest commit to her RSVP? Advice | Miss Manners: How am I supposed to plan a shower with all these gay friends? Advice | Miss Manners: We are stung that the ‘cool ..read more

DEAR ABBY: When our mom died, one of her siblings took selfie photos with her in the casket. They did it the whole time at the funeral. We were taught by our mom and grandma never to take photos of someone in their casket. Several family members were beyond shocked, as were we. Related Articles Advice | Dear Abby: He learned things in kindergarten that made him cry Advice | Dear Abby: My husband is upset that I find his new look mortifying Advice | Dear Abby: I have news about my co-worker that his girlfriend should know Advice | Dear Abby: What the bridesmaid told me sent my wedding stre ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO – Streamers were released, and a large banner was unfurled in the centerfield bleachers in the first inning after Lamonte Wade Jr. recorded the 100th splash hit by a San Francisco Giants player in the 23-year history of their ballpark at China Basin. But the most significant moment of the Giants’ game Friday against the Baltimore Orioles wouldn’t take place until the seventh inning. Logan Webb gave up a solo home run to Gunnar Henderson, who drove a changeup 410 feet over the right-center field wall for the go-ahead run as the Orioles earned a 3-2 win over the Giants before an an ..read more

Alana Vawter and NiJaree Canady combined for a one-hitter, and No. 9 seed Stanford defeated No. 5 seed Alabama 2-0 in a Women’s College World Series elimination game in Oklahoma City on Friday night. Vawter allowed one hit in 5 1/3 innings. Canady stuck out three in 1 2/3 innings for the save. Sydney Steele hit a solo homer in the seventh and knocked in both runs to help Stanford claim its first World Series win since 2004. The Cardinal (46-14) will play the loser of today’s Florida State-Washington matchup in an elimination game on Sunday. Montana Fouts delivered a gutsy performance in the ci ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO – Lamonte Wade Jr. recorded the 100th splash hit by a San Francisco Giants player in the 23-year history of what is now Oracle Park, crushing a first-pitch fastball from Baltimore Orioles starter Dean Kremer over the right field wall, past the walkway, and into McCovey Cove. Wade’s home run, his eighth of the season, came in the first inning and gave the Giants a 1-0 lead as they played the first game of a three-game set against the Orioles. Per StatCast, Wade’s homer traveled 385 feet and had an exit velocity of 106.6 mph. After the conclusion of the inning, the splash hit count ..read more

OAKLAND — A suspected Oakland gang member was sentenced to seven years in juvenile detention for killing a man in a drive-by shooting last year, though police say they asked county prosecutors to charge the then-17-year-old as an adult. Sergio Morales-Jacquez, 18, of Oakland, was sentenced in the Sept. 18, 2022 shooting death of 30-year-old Rienheart “Tiago” Asuncion, according to a Friday news release by the Alameda County Sheriff’s office. The news release says police petitioned the Alameda County District Attorney’s office to try Morales-Jacquez as an adult, where criminal penalties are muc ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO – After enjoying a four-plus week stretch that ranked among the best for any closer in Giants history, Camilo Doval on Friday was named the National League’s Reliever of the Month for May. Doval, 25, appeared in 14 games for San Francisco from May 2-31 and had a 1.32 ERA in 13.2 innings. He had a Major League-best 11 saves in May, tied for the third-most by a Giants pitcher in a single month, trailing only Robb Nen, who had a franchise-best 14 saves in July 2000 and 13 saves in June 2001. Brian Wilson had 11 saves for the Giants in September/October 2010. Doval is one of two Gian ..read more

Alberto Rios hit a grand slam to ignite a six-run third inning and top-seeded Stanford breezed to a 13-2 victory over San Jose State at home Friday in the Stanford Regional. It was the only hit of the game for Rios, but it erased a 2-1 deficit and gave the Cardinal (39-16), ranked eighth in the coaches poll, the lead for good. Former Los Gatos High standout Tommy Troy had three hits for Stanford, raising his average to .401. He had a two-run homer in the fifth, an RBI single in the 7th and scored three runs. Leadoff batter and ex-Valley Christian star Eddie Park had three hits, including a sol ..read more

By Scott McFetridge, Hannah Fingerhut and Ryan J. Foley | Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — A structural engineer’s report issued last week indicated a wall of a century-old apartment building in Iowa was at imminent risk of crumbling, yet neither the owner nor city officials warned residents of the danger days before the building partially collapsed, leaving three people missing and feared dead. The revelation is the latest flashpoint after Sunday’s partial collapse of the building in Davenport, where residents have lashed out at city leaders over what they see as an inept response.”Do I ha ..read more

Visitors will get a chance to see what the Dutch Slough Restoration Project will look like at a special opening of one trail on Saturday. River Partners, a nonprofit, and the California Department of Water Resources will be stationed along the trail to answers questions about the multi-agency project. Anyone interested in seeing the slough, which is now under construction, should meet at Marsh Creek Trail where it mees Big Break Trail in Oakley. The new trail will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Begin in 2018, the project is one of the first major tidal wetlands restoration sites in the Sacramen ..read more