SAN FRANCISCO—On Friday, April 19, the San Francisco Police Department announced a suspect was arrested in connection to a child pornography investigation. The SFPD reported that in January 2024, members of the SFPD Special Victims Unit-Internet Crime Against Children (ICAC) obtained information and discovered evidence that Peter Sherman, 43, was in possession of Child Sexual Assault Material (CSAM), commonly referred to as child pornography. Based on the ICAC investigation, investigators developed probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Sherman for possessing child pornography (311.11 ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, April 17, the SFPD reported that a juvenile was arrested for their role in a arson of an autonomous vehicle. The SFPD reported on February 10, at approximately 8:50 p.m. officers responded to the 700 block of Jackson St. regarding a vehicle fire. Officers arrived on scene and located an unoccupied vehicle that was ablaze. The vehicle fire was extinguished, and it was determined that the vehicle fire was the result of arson. There were no reports of injuries during the incident. The SFPD Arson Task Force took over the investigation. Through the course of the investig ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, April 17, Alan Fuentes-Miranda, 44, of San Francisco was convicted in court for driving under the influence in the Mission District. The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office indicated that Fuentes-Miranda was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (VC 23152(a)) with an allegation of driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent (Pen. Code. 23578) found true and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater (VC 23152(b)) with an allegation of driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.15 percent (Pen. Code. 23578) found true. A ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO—On Friday, April 12, 2024 Mellanie Vargas, 24, of Antioch was convicted after a trial by jury by the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office for driving under the influence in SOMA. She was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (VC 23152(a)) and driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater (VC 23152(b). According to testimony and other evidence presented at trial, on October 21, 2023, after a night of drinking, dancing, and partying at the Halcyon Club, Vargas attempted to drive herself and some friends home. She was spotted by CHP after making an ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO—On April 12, 2024, the SFDA’s Office disclosed a conviction was obtained against Cody Baldrige, 34, after a trial by jury for burglarizing two businesses in Fisherman’s Wharf and vandalism at Ghirardelli Square. He was convicted of two counts of second-degree commercial burglary (PC 459) and one count of felony vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)). According to a news release, in court testimony and other evidence presented at trial, Baldridge committed two commercial burglaries and a felony vandalism in the Fisherman’s Wharf area over the course of a month. On January 18, 2023, footage capt ..read more

Bloom is bountiful for spring. It is more abundant now than it will be at any other time of year. Early bloom has more time to produce more seed prior to autumn and winter. Also, it can most efficiently exploit its pollinators who are also most active in spring. The most prominent blooms appeal to such pollinators with floral color. Their effort is remarkable. Most bloom within most natural ecosystems here relies on wind for pollination. Although very efficient, it lacks prominence. Some grasses seem to produce seed without evident bloom. Because such vegetation does not rely on pollinators, i ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO—On Monday, April 15, the SFPD announced that a $125,000 reward is being offered for information regarding an August 2023 homicide. The SFPD reported that on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at approximately 9:43 p.m., dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a person advising they had been shot. Officers arrived on scene at the unit block of Kelloch Street and located Relondo Jacori Bell, 22, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Officers rendered aid and medics responded to the scene, where he later died after being treated at a hospital for life-threatening injuries. The investigation is ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO—On Thursday, April 11, the San Francisco Police Department disclosed that made 42 arrests – including 30 wanted fugitives – while seizing narcotics during a one-day, multi-agency law enforcement operation in the Tenderloin and surrounding areas on April 10. “Our officers will continue to make arrests and hold individuals committing crimes accountable for their actions,” said Chief Scott. “I truly appreciate our hard-working officers and our city partners for their commitment to this effort.”The SFPD reported that the operation, which occurred throughout the day Wednesday, was the ..read more

SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, April 10, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced charges against Anell Medrano in connection to a hate crime attack on Polk and Vallejo Streets. Medrano was arraigned on April 1. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. He is charged with one count of assault with a deadly weapon (PC 245(a)(1)), with a special allegation that this was a hate crime (PC 422.75(a)). The SFDA’s Office reported on March 28, it is alleged that the defendant committed a felony assault and that the assault was motivated in part by racial animus, based on the racial statements m ..read more

HOLLYWOOD—Well, we have a winner after roughly 2 months of competition on the Food Network, the competition series “Tournament of Champions V.” Yes, this series premiered during the height of the pandemic and it was unlike anything ever witnessed people. I thought it was simply genius in a way as it coincided with the chaos that is known as March Madness. The only difference is that it involved culinary titans in the industry. We have had a different champion every single season with them all being women, but the question for season 5 is rather we would have our first two-time champion or woul ..read more