Patrick Allen Bournes was among a violent mob that confronted law enforcement officers near the Lower West Terrace Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

On the eve of Valentine’s Day, the FBI warned that scammers take advantage of people looking for romantic partners on dating websites, apps, or social media by obtaining access to their financial or personal identifying information. 

Valley Water Director Rebecca Eisenberg turns up the heat in battle with water district staff one week after its CEO accused her of stealing sensitive documents about her and asked police to investigate.

Valley Water CEO Rick Callender said videos confirmed that Director Rebecca Eisenberg illegally took a report on allegations that she had discriminated against male Valley Water staff and insulted water district officials.

The Food and Drug Administration also announced that California-based Trader Joe's earlier this month has recalled four products as part of a nationwide, multi-year dairy recall that has left two dead and over two-dozen sickened by listeria. The products are several salad kits and a pre-made enchilada dish.

Tesla admitted it illegally disposed of hazardous waste at its service centers in Bay Area cities including San Jose, Gilroy, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Berkeley, Dublin, Fremont, Burlingame, San Francisco and San Rafael, its energy centers, and its Fremont factory.

The faculty union had sought a 12% raise, but instead settled Monday on one 5% raise retroactive to July 1, 2023, and another to begin this July 1.

A San Mateo County jury convicted Scott Peterson in November 2004 of killing his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son, Conner.

The city praised Anthony Mata for his 28 years of service with the city, listing as his accomplishments the department’s first strategic plan, increased diversity through the sworn officer ranks and managing police reform initiatives.

Srinivasa Kakkera of Pleasanton was sentenced to 18 months in prison for insider trading, and ordered to pay $2.4 million and Abbas Saeedi of Fremont was sentenced to five months in prison for insider trading and ordered to pay $691,000.

The strike in the first week of a new semester could be called off if both sides reach an agreement in contract talks Jan. 8-12, the union said.

The Plaza Conservancy foresees an expanded park with fewer surrounding traffic lanes, a new stage and renovation of the more than century-old greenspace where the majestic old City Hall once stood.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan now has a primary opponent, Tyrone Wade, but past elections provide strong evidence the two-year incumbent will sail to an early victory in the March 5 primary.

Tech security entrepreneur Peter Dixon of Portola Valley filed his FEC candidate statement on Thursday and announced he already had raised $350,000; and Palo Alto Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims became the seventh Democrat – and first woman – to announce as a candidate for the seat held for 16 terms by Rep. Anna Eshoo.

The combination of the new early primary date, March 5, plus the prospect of the most hotly contested congressional primary in the Bay Area in decades boosts the likelihood of campaign war chests in the millions.

With the March 5 primary just three months away and a campaign period interrupted by the holidays, the candidates – a total of five Democrats and two Republicans so far – have a big fundraising challenge ahead of them.