Articles by Nik Wojcik's Profile | SFBay Journalist

Certified Contra Costa County election results: Solid Dem lean despite gerrymandered outlier – SFBay

Jul 01, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Nine days ahead of the July 7 deadline, Contra Costa County’s clerk-recorder certified final primary election results. The outcome of most races were unsurprising, but one in particular reflects the glaring impact of gerrymandering. In a press release issued Tuesday, Clerk-Recorder Debi Cooper said: Cooper added: Results of most races were as expected, with the area’s Democrat majority indicating in the primary that most incumbents will retain their seats by comfortable margins.

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Sedan driver flees after killing pedestrian on San Jose street – SFBay

Jun 28, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Another pedestrian has been killed by a motorist on San Jose streets, marking the city’s 35th traffic death of 2022. Police said they responded to the scene of the traffic collision near South Jackson Avenue and Kammerer Avenue around 4:46 a.m. Tuesday morning. Their investigation determined that a black sedan, described as possibly a 2018-2022 Honda Accord, traveling northbound on South Jackson Avenue struck a woman crossing the road in the eastbound direction.

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What the Supreme Court gun law ruling means for California – SFBay

Jun 23, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday morning struck down a New York law that strictly limits who can legally carry a gun outside the home. The ruling sets precedent that will ripple out to states with similar laws, including California.

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Police fatally shoot double homicide suspect in San Jose standoff – SFBay

Jun 22, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

San Jose police said a suspect shot during a standoff early Wednesday morning has died. The man suspected of two homicides in a 12-hour period barricaded himself in the 100 block of Bendorf Drive around 5 a.m. Officials said he’d shot at officers during a pursuit that led to the residential area near a community youth center. The San Jose Police Department said via Twitter the suspect fired additional shots at officers during the barricade, prompting evacuation of some residents.

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Train derailment halts BART service between Pleasant Hill, Concord – SFBay

Jun 21, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

BART has stopped running in both directions between Pleasant Hill and Concord due to what officials initially called an “equipment problem.” BART, County Connection and the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District all posted messages just before 5 p.m. confirming at least a partial derailment in Concord with resulting fires near David Avenue and Hastings Drive. BART officials said riders are being evacuated, though no injuries have been reported.

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Details sketchy after man killed in Vallejo with police, deputies at scene – SFBay

Jun 20, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

A man reportedly armed with a knife was killed by law enforcement in Vallejo Sunday in an incident stemming from a traffic accident. Vallejo police officers and Solano County deputies were both at the scene when the man was fatally shot. Murky incident details do not explain whether one or both agencies were involved in the shooting or how many shots were fired.

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From Lincoln to Luttig: 'Clear and present danger to American democracy' still looms – SFBay

Jun 16, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

On this day 164 years ago, Abraham Lincoln warned: The nation faces a crisis with the potential to fracture the Union. As a Senate candidate addressing the Illinois Republican Convention in Springfield, Lincoln paraphrased Mark 3:25 of the New Testament, saying: Thursday, in its third public hearing, the House Select Committee investigating the Jan.

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Managing Covid-19 vaccine expectations for young children – SFBay

Jun 15, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is poised to approve Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. If remaining hurdles are cleared, the vaccines could be rolled out for children early next week. Like vaccines approved for adults, the protection offered is far from perfect, but it’s something.

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Police report morning fatal hit-and-run, overnight deadly shooting – SFBay

Jun 14, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

One man was killed in a Bayview District shooting late Monday night, and another person died in hit-and-run crash early Tuesday morning in the Mission District. According to police, officers responded to the 1300 block of Ingalls Street around 10:41 p.m. on reports of a possible shooting. They were told at the scene that a 32-year-old male victim was privately transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts. The shooter remains at large.

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From MLK Park to seditious conspiracy: Berkeley’s bloody past with Proud Boys, Oath Keepers

Jun 09, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

The Jan. 6 House Select Committee will air its first public hearing Thursday night with a focus on how two far-right groups coordinated before the Capitol attack. Many became aware of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers in days leading up to and after the 2020 election, but those two groups had a presence in the Bay Area long before their leading members were charged with seditious conspiracy.

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Security guard fatally shoots man in Mission District – SFBay

Jun 01, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

An armed security guard fatally shot a man in the Mission District early Wednesday morning. Witnesses say the shooting was an act of self defense. In a statement released Wednesday, police said they responded to the area of Utah and 16th streets at about 4:07 a.m. after receiving reports of shots fired. They located the security guard, the wounded man and witnesses upon arrival. Despite medics at the site and life-saving efforts, the adult male subject was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Roof collapses in Pittsburg church fire – SFBay

May 27, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Firefighters are still at the scene of a predawn Pittsburg church fire, where flames tore through the two-story building and caused a partial roof collapse. Officials said the two-alarm fire was first reported around 2:45 a.m. at the fire at The Pentecostals of the Bay Area at 310 Central Ave. The roof had partially collapsed by 5:19 a.m. Crews maintained defensive operations as the sun came up.

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Police say one man attacked three women in less than 10 hours – SFBay

May 25, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

One man has been arrested and charged in connection with three violent attacks on women across San Francisco in less than 10 hours. We reported two weeks ago on the first of the three attacks, where a 28-year-old woman was accosted and strangled by a man at Sunnydale Avenue and Desmond Street around 3:13 p.m. on Saturday, May 7.

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Fire season arrives amid summer-like heat, red flag warnings, vegetation blazes – SFBay

May 24, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

The Highland Fire in Contra Costa County burned more than 90 acres Monday along both sides of Collier Canyon Road near Highland Road. San Ramon Valley Fire Department officials said the vegetation blaze was contained by 8:31 p.m. with the help of firefighters from Contra Costa and Alameda counties, and Cal Fire. Another 135 acres were scorched in the Solano County Quail Fire that began Saturday afternoon near Quail Canyon and Pleasant Valley roads.

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Bus stop homicide suspect convicted in two prior stabbing incidents – SFBay

May 23, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

San Mateo police say they arrested a suspect two days after a fatal stabbing at a SamTrans bus stop. In a statement released Monday, police say a 56-year-old man has been in custody since May 16 on suspicion of fatally stabbing Tedrick Towns, 48, at a bus stop located at 11 West Hillsdale Boulevard. According to police, the two men knew each other and had argued at the scene prior to the attack.

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Nik Wojcik, Author at SFBay

May 23, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

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Covid update: Hospitalization rates double, wastewater samples show alarming East Bay spike – SFBay

May 21, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

We took off masks, started going to bars and seeing friends and family. It felt like pandemic days were largely behind us. It was bliss, until it wasn’t. Case totals alone no longer paint a full picture due to the prevalence of home testing and failure of many to report results. Still, case rates are steadily ticking up across the country, with numbers all too similar to the August surge caused by the delta variant.

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Vallejo shop owner vows to rebuild after devastating arson attack – SFBay

May 17, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

A beloved gourmet grocery store in downtown Vallejo was destroyed early Tuesday morning in an arson attack. Just before 3:30 a.m., Vallejo firefighters and police responded to the scene of a two-alarm structure fire at Anchor Pantry located at 617 Marin Street. The Fire Department said they launched a quick offensive that contained the blaze to the front of the store. Frank, one of the shop owners, was already at the scene with police trying to extinguish the flames when firefighters arrived.

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Police investigate two San Jose homicides within 24 hours – SFBay

May 16, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

San Jose just recorded its ninth and tenth homicides of 2022 less than 24 hours apart. The most recent death stemmed from a double shooting incident in front of a San Jose State University student housing building on the 400 block of South 10th Street. The Police Department received a call about the shooting at 3:08 a.m. and responding officers found two victims, a male in critical condition and a female with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Judge orders one-year OPD 'sustainability' period beginning June – SFBay

May 13, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

A federal judge filed an official order Thursday that gives the Oakland Police Department one year to prove they can finally function without federal oversight. It was well over 20 years ago when a rookie cop blew the whistle on the infamous Riders, a group of four former night shift officers accused of terrorizing the community by beating suspects, planting drugs, making false arrests, falsifying reports and intimidating fellow officers who challenged their misconduct.

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Republicans, and Manchin, pose the greatest threat to American life. – SFBay

May 11, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

If the headline seems alarmist, good – it’s meant to be. You should be alarmed, and outright pissed off. This is not a drill. Fifty Senate Republicans, plus Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), just blocked the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation that would’ve codified the right to safe abortion access as the highest court in the land seems poised to unravel nearly 50 years of legal precedent.

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Police release suspect photos in weekend strangulation attack – SFBay

May 11, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

San Francisco police say that a female was accosted and physically assaulted Saturday afternoon by an erratic and incoherent man. According to the victim’s statement, the man began yelling and “acting erratically” toward her as she walked alone at Sunnydale Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard around 3:13 p.m. Despite an attempt to avoid him by the crossing street, he proceeded to follow her.

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Police believe man killed teen girlfriend before shooting self – SFBay

May 09, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Santa Rosa police believe a May 5 double fatal shooting was a case of murder-suicide. Officers responded late Thursday afternoon to reports that two people had been shot at a residence in the 1000 block of Aston Avenue. They discovered Anthony Guzman, 23, and Lesly Fierro-Noriega, 17, dead at the scene, both with gunshot wounds. Officers also located a Polymer 80 “ghost” handgun.

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Shotgun-wielding man terrorizes Emeryville hotel guests, staff – SFBay

May 08, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

A man with a modified shotgun terrorized guests and staff at an Emeryville hotel early Sunday morning. Police, with help from drone technology, were able to bring an end to the frightening situation with no injuries reported. According to police, 29-year-old Richmond resident Michael Valladareschirinos entered the Sonesta Hotel lobby early Sunday morning armed with a shotgun. Several 911 calls indicated the man was threatening guests and employees at the hotel at 5555 Shellmound Street.

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Scandal-ridden police department to install vehicle cameras – SFBay

May 05, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Forty Vallejo police vehicles will soon have in-car cameras installed, adding a layer of transparency for a department embroiled in seemingly endless scandal. The Axon Fleet 3 cameras will be in operation by June, according to a Wednesday department press release. The devices will capture visual and audio activity at the front of the vehicle and provide a view of the back seat, recording police interactions like traffic stops, vehicle pursuits, arrest transports and more.

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Apparent person in crisis incident brings Walnut Creek traffic to halt – SFBay

May 04, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

The California Highway Patrol will not confirm or deny reports of a man on the Highway 24/Interstate 680 connector ramp in Walnut Creek. However, the northbound ramp is closed and a Caltrans camera shows heavy police activity. The unconfirmed NEWS24/680 alert issued at 2:20 p.m. Wednesday said a man was asking police to shoot him.

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Alleged Concord couple charged for murder in death of woman's husband – SFBay

May 04, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

The Contra Costa County District Attorney is charging a Concord pair with murder for the death of the woman’s husband in January. In a statement released Wednesday, the DA alleges Ismael Alvarez, 34, and Francesca Charlene Lopez, 44, were involved in a relationship when Felipe Dejesus Lopez was killed in his Concord home on Jan. 31. The two are also accused of murdering the victim for financial gain and doing so in the course of a burglary, both special circumstance charges.

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Search continues for missing 15-year-old Fremont girl – SFBay

May 03, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Fremont police are searching for a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for nearly one week. Magaly Belen Flores Marquez was last seen in Fremont Wednesday around 7 p.m. near the 7-11 in the 4000 block of Central Avenue. The teen is about 5 feet 4 inches tall with straight dark brown hair and bangs, brown eyes and has scars on both of her arms, according to police. Marquez was last seen wearing a blue shirt, black pants, blue shoes and a gold necklace. She was also carrying a small black backpack.

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Crews stop forward progress on Pittsburg hills fire – SFBay

May 02, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Seven acres of grassy hills burned in Pittsburg Monday before forward progress was stopped on the two-alarm, early-season fire, fire officials said. Contra Costa County Fire Protection District crews were at the scene south of W. Leland and Golf Club roads and had reached 50 percent containment by 11:48 a.m., according to a statement issued on social media accounts. In an update provided about 20 minutes later, fire officials said forward progress had been stopped.

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Concord man who threatened to kill Jews, police sentenced for hate crime – SFBay

Apr 30, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

After three delays for mental health diversion hearings, Ross Anthony Farca was sentenced Friday for a 2019 hate crime involving threats to kill Jews and police officers. Farca, a Concord resident and Nazi sympather, was 23-years-old when he was arrested in June 2019. The FBI tipped local police about comments he’d made in chatrooms on Steam, an online video game platform.

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Two dead, one missing after car plunges into ocean at Pescadero State Beach – SFBay

Apr 30, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Cal Fire said Saturday morning that two people were found dead after a car plunged into the ocean at Pescadero State Beach in San Mateo County. The U.S. Coast Guard is searching the waters for a third victim. In a photo shared by Cal Fire, the car can be seen half submerged in water at the base of a rocky hillside.

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As OPD hits oversight milestone, Schaaf praises commission she was accused of interfering with – SFBay

Apr 29, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

For the first time in nearly two decades, the Oakland Police Department is close to being out from under federal oversight originally intended to last just five years. The reform momentum was born in response to the Riders scandal exposed by a rookie officer in 2000. The Riders, made up of four former Oakland officers, were accused of falsifying reports, beating suspects, planting drugs and using intimidation to keep other officers silent.

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Suspect arrested after allegedly ramming two police vehicles, injuring officer – SFBay

Apr 28, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Police arrested a 24-year-old San Francisco man Wednesday night after he allegedly rammed two police vehicles and injured an officer. The incident took place shortly after 9:30 p.m. when San Francisco police responded to a report of a stolen vehicle linked to multiple auto burglaries in the Grant Avenue and Green Street area.

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Baby boy kidnapped from San Jose found alive, three suspects in custody – SFBay

Apr 26, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Brandon Cueller, a 3-month-old baby boy who was kidnapped from San Jose home Monday afternoon, has been found alive and three suspects are in custody, police said Tuesday morning. News that the infant had been found came shortly after the California Highway Patrol released a description of a potential suspect vehicle on Tuesday morning. San Jose police announced via Twitter at 9:38 a.m. that Brandon had been located.

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East Bay Archives - SFBay

Apr 24, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik , Keith Burbank , Tony Hicks

| SFBay

San Francisco Bay Area news, sports and more #AllBayAllDay

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Transit agencies split on mask requirements in wake of CDC mandate ruling – SFBay

Apr 19, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

On Monday, a federal judge in Florida struck down the public transportation mask mandate imposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But mask requirements can and do exist outside the CDC policy, which was just last week extended to May 3. Federal and local transit agencies, and individual operators, are interpreting the ruling in different ways.

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West Portal building fire causes partial collapse, evacuation under way – SFBay

Apr 18, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Firefighters are responding to a growing fire in San Francisco’s West Portal neighborhood. Officials said the building at 309 West Portal Ave. has partially collapsed. A total of four addresses are affected by what began as a roof fire — all residents on the block are being evacuated and offered temporary shelter.

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Lanes reopen after crews contain brush fire near Carquinez Bridge – SFBay

Apr 09, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

All lanes of Interstate 80 near the Carquinez Bridge have been reopened after crews contained a brush fire at the east end Saturday morning. The three-alarm fire, located between Glen Cove and eastbound I-80 just west of the toll plaza, broke out around 8:40 a.m., according to the California Highway Patrol and Vallejo fire officials. A Sig-alert was called and motorists were advised to expect delays and use alternate routes due to the far right lane closure.

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Oakland encampment fire: Person found dead in RV, several vehicles burned – SFBay

Apr 05, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

One person was found dead inside an RV at the site of an Oakland encampment fire Tuesday afternoon. According to Oakland Fire Department, the fire was first reported at 1:25 p.m. and was under control in just over 30 minutes. Oakland fire officials said via Twitter at 1:38 p.m. that multiple units were responding to an RV fire at Wood Street and West Grand Avenue. The area is home to an encampment on Caltrans property.

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At least six people dead, 12 injured in downtown Sacramento mass shooting – SFBay

Apr 03, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Police say at least six people were killed and another 12 injured in a mass shooting in downtown Sacramento early Sunday morning. The shooter remains at large. Just before 4 a.m., police officials used social media platforms to warn the public of the shooting incident and investigation scene near 10th and K streets. Authorities quickly closed the area of 9th to 13th streets between L and J streets.

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Police urge public to keep eye out for missing 79-year-old man – SFBay

Mar 29, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Oakland police are asking for the public’s help to locate a missing 79-year-old man. Welde Woretu, who is considered at risk due to his age, was last seen Thursday around 7 p.m. in the 6000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Police describe Woretu as a 5-foot-6-inch Black man, weighing 120 pounds with a bald head and black eyes. He was last seen wearing a dark jacket and tan pants.

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Mar 21, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

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Three small earthquakes rattle South Bay – SFBay

Mar 19, 2022 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

A magnitude 3.6 earthquake struck about 2.5 miles east-northeast of Corralitos just before 10 a.m. Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS reports that people in San Jose, Gilroy, Los Gatos and Watsonville felt the shake. Two smaller earthquakes — magnitudes 2.2 and 2.7 — struck around 11 p.m. Friday about 7 miles southeast from the larger quake. At present, there are no reports of injuries or damage so far.

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Appeals Court Upholds California's High-Capacity Magazine Ban...for Now

Nov 30, 2021 |

By Nik Wojcik

| Broke-Ass Stuart

As of Tuesday, California’s ban on high-capacity magazines remains intact, at least for now. In a second review by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, an 11-judge panel overturned a lower-court ruling that nullified the ban passed by voters in 2016. The decision was split 7-4.

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Dishonest 'Defund' Messaging is Not Making Oakland Any Safer

Nov 30, 2021 |

By Nik Wojcik

| Broke-Ass Stuart

If you believe the Oakland Police Department and their union, the city’s rise in crime is a result of a slashed law enforcement budget. They commonly point to “defund” efforts as the bogeyman that draws out and emboldens a criminal element lurking and waiting for an opportune moment when progressive agendas weaken the power of the police. The problem with that narrative is that it’s not all that true.

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Governor Calls for End to Gun Violence After Teen Allegedly Kills Three, Injures Six in School Shooting

Nov 30, 2021 |

By Nik Wojcik

| Broke-Ass Stuart

A 15-year-old allegedly killed three people and injured another six Tuesday afternoon at a high school about 40 miles north of Detroit, Michigan. The Oxford High School sophomore opened fire at the campus Tuesday with a semiautomatic handgun, according to Oakland County undersheriff Michael McCabe during a press conference. The three people killed are believed to be students and one of the injured victims is thought to be a teacher.

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SFO Food Workers Will Protest Wednesday for Affordable Health Care

Nov 23, 2021 |

By Nik Wojcik

| Broke-Ass Stuart

About 200 San Francisco International Airport workers are planning to protest Wednesday in a call for affordable health care, and they’re likely to get a good deal of attention on one of the heaviest travel days in the past two years. The people protesting are cashiers and food service employees who work in terminals and on planes to prepare food and beverages for passengers.

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Tips and Test Locations for a COVID-Safe Thanksgiving

Nov 23, 2021 |

By Nik Wojcik

| Broke-Ass Stuart

This Thanksgiving is shaping up to be the first real holiday gathering since the pandemic hit the world upside the head in March 2020. People are planning to stuff themselves into kitchens and living rooms with loved ones as they stuff (and likely drink) themselves silly. But that pesky COVID-19 thing is still, unfortunately, very much a thing. However, 20 months later, we’re all a little more educated and have better resources to help keep ourselves and each other safe.

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Update: Suspect faces three charges after alleged unprovoked attack on elderly man – SFBay

Nov 18, 2021 |

By Nik Wojcik

| SFBay

Police arrested a 37-year-old man after an alleged unprovoked attack on an elderly Asian man in the Inner Sunset neighborhood Wednesday evening. As we reported from the scene Wednesday, the incident occurred around 7 p.m. near 9th Avenue and Irving Street, about a block south of Golden Gate Park. Police responded to reports of an assault and discovered an 81-year-old man suffering from non-life-threatening injuries and officers called for medical assistance.

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Police detain suspect after alleged assault on elderly Asian man – SFBay

Nov 17, 2021 |

By Nik Wojcik , Thomas K. Pendergast

| SFBay

An elderly Asian man was assaulted in San Francisco and is being evaluated by paramedics at the scene Wednesday evening. SFBay reporter Thomas Pendergast witnessed and captured the aftermath with cellphone footage. According to his account, it appeared a 37-year-old white man with a slender build had assaulted the elderly man near 9th Avenue and Irving Street, knocking him down to the ground.

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