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Review: Five Nights at Freddy’s

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

Director Emma Tammi has done the unexpected. She made a tasty meal out of pre-packaged pizza dough when most folks were expecting Chuck E. Cheese-level quality. Five Nights at Freddy’s is a movie better than anyone could expect from a point-and-click video game dependent on jumpscares, plushy animal robots, and a music box version of the “Toreador Song” from Carmen. But, by George, they did it. They made a family-friendly horror film out of Freddy’s.Based on the video game franchise with a simple premise and a surprisingly layered backstory, the goal of Five Nights at Freddy’s is straightforward enough: stay alive. As a nightshift security guard, you have the unpleasant job of guarding Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria, a former family fun-time restaurant that has gone by the wayside thanks to a few unpleasant events caused by wayward animatronics. However, your task is not as easy as it sounds. To keep from decaying, the animatronics roam freely at night, and ...

US Businesses are Bouncing Back by Diversifying Reach

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

Sponsored ContentIn the last few years, there have been a host of economic factors that have caused US businesses to take a significant hit in both market sentiment and operations. With rising fuelprices, the effects of the global pandemic, and even political issues making waves throughout the country, the face of modern business and the modern consumer is entirely different from what it was just a few years ago. While many establishments had no choice but to overhaul their operations to stay in the red, they have since seen the advantages and capabilities of entering online portals – and many are now bouncing back by applying the lessons learned across the internet and diversifying their reach.How can the internet support US businesses?While the internet has been around for quite some time, many US businesses were dragging their heels when it came to setting up websites and getting established online. As stores closed down and people were forced to stay at home during the pan...

49ers’ Brock Purdy practicing again Friday, availability uncertain for Sunday

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy is responding well enough to practice Friday for a second consecutive day, but that does not guarantee he’ll be medically cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol to play in the 49ers’ home game Sunday against the Bengals.In 2012, for example, Alex Smith practiced throughout the week after a concussion forced him from a 49ers’ home game with the Rams. Doctors subsequently did not clear him for the following Monday night game against the Chicago Bears,resulting in Colin Kaepernick’s first career start. “I tried to push it and went out and practiced and, you know, it just wasn’t right,” Smith said in November 2012 of his post-concussion symptoms.Purdy, because he remains in the protocol, is prohibited from speaking with reporters. Sam Darnold, his understudy, is to address the media after practice, which did not include left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) or receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder).Purdy played throughout Monday night’s 22-17 loss at Minnesota...

Trump and daughter Ivanka set to testify in civil fraud trial

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

By Jennifer Peltz | Associated PressNEW YORK — Donald Trump is set to testify Nov. 6 at his New York civil fraud trial, following his three eldest children to the witness stand in a case that threatens to disrupt their family’s real estate empire, state lawyers said Friday.It was already expected that the former president and sons Donald Jr. and Eric would testify. The timing became clear Friday, after Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that daughter Ivanka Trump also must appear, rejecting her bid to avoid testifying.The schedule sets up a blockbuster stretch in the trial of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit. She alleges that the former president, now the Republican front-runner for 2024, overstated his wealth for years on financial statements that were given to banks, insurers and others to help secure loans and deals.Trump denies any wrongdoing and has called the trial a politically motivated sham. The case could strip Trump of some of his corporate holdings an...

California officials delay start of 2023 Dungeness crab season to protect whales

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

For the fifth consecutive year, California officials are delaying the Bay Area’s commercial Dungeness crab season to decrease the chances of migrating whales currently off the coast getting ensnarled by the crab-pot fishing lines.The season was scheduled to start Nov. 15 in the waters from the Sonoma/Mendocino County line south to the Mexican border.The order came down Friday afternoon from Charlton H. Bonham, director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.Although another assessment will take place on or around Nov. 17, an opening date in time for California residents to enjoy Dungeness for the Nov. 23 Thanksgiving holiday is unlikely.The recreational Dungeness season will be allowed to start as scheduled on Nov. 4 – but with restrictions. Crabbers may not use trap gear, according to the state order; only hoop nets and crab snares will be allowed until further assessment.This is a developing story; come back for updates.

High school football: Why Sobrato’s senior day moved to rival Live Oak

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

Sobrato is in contention for a division championship. It has a big game Saturday at home against division leader Leigh.It is Sobrato’s senior day.But the home game for the Morgan Hill school will not be played at home as scheduled. It has been moved to crosstown rival Live Oak because Sobrato’s natural grass field is not safe to play.Too many potholes, Sobrato coach Joel Rueda told the Bay Area News Group on Friday.The poor field condition and subsequent move have broken the hearts of the Sobrato community, which was hoping to celebrate a special senior class on the school’s campus.The seniors include running back Noah Taylor, who ranks 10th nationally in rushing yards this season with 2,113, according to stats reported to MaxPreps.“We have a pretty foundational group of seniors,” said Rueda, who graduated from Sobrato in 2010. “It’s unfortunate.”Kickoff on Saturday is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.Rueda said the Sobrato field has been an issue over the years but has gotten worse this fall...

Five-bedroom home in Pleasanton sells for $1.6 million

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

3962 Fairlands Drive – Google Street ViewThe spacious property located in the 3900 block of Fairlands Drive in Pleasanton was sold on Sept. 18, 2023. The $1,600,000 purchase price works out to $650 per square foot. The house, built in 1969, has an interior space of 2,460 square feet. This two-story home offers a spacious layout with five bedrooms and three baths. Additionally, the house features a two-car garage, providing ample room for vehicles and storage needs.Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:In July 2023, a 2,140-square-foot home on Fairlands Drive in Pleasanton sold for $1,700,000, a price per square foot of $794. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 1,584-square-foot home on the 4100 block of Fairlands Drive in Pleasanton sold in February 2023, for $1,320,000, a price per square foot of $833. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Fairlands Drive, Pleasanton, in September 2023, a 2,140-square-foot home was sold for $1,900,000, a price p...

Gilroy school district and teachers union reach tentative deal

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

The Gilroy Teachers Association and Gilroy Unified School District have announced a tentative agreement over a new contract.If approved, the deal will mark the end to over a year of negotiations and months of impasse.“The Gilroy Unified School District is pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the Gilroy Teachers Association,” said Superintendent Anisha Munshi in a press release. “We value the work of our staff members and we look forward to improved outcomes for all students as a result of this agreement.”Negotiations between the two parties began in September 2022. Gilroy Teachers Association asked for higher pay and smaller class sizes in elementary schools. In addition, the group voiced concerns that high school academic advisors were being asked to supervise students, a task that the association argued was inappropriate for the role.After early discussions failed to produce a deal, the teachers union called for an impasse, which resulted in mediated talks. The most ...

Mailbag: What the ‘Pac-10’ want in the legal dispute, the Apple factor, night games in new leagues and more

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

The Hotline mailbag publishes each Friday. Send questions to [email protected] and include ‘mailbag’ in the subject line. Or hit me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline.Please note: Some questions have been edited for clarity and brevity.Is it possible the 10 departing schools are just stalling to ensure they receive their full payments for 2023-24, then quietly leave after realizing they don’t really have a case for future payments? — @Xman689It seems the ‘Pac-10’ realized they left money behind and now want to come back to get it. In mediation, what would they reasonably be asking for and what, if anything, would the two be willing to give? — @pfnnewmediaBoth questions target a central issue in the intra-conference dispute: What do the 10 outgoing schools want? What do they hope to accomplish, either through mediation or the legal proceedings in Washington? What’s the endgame?First, let’s outline the Hotline’s overarching view.We do ...

Former deputy alleges sheriff's office covered up molestation allegation against sergeant

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 05:12:53 GMT

(BCN) -- A former guard at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin is alleging that internal affairs for the Alameda County Sheriff's Office refused to investigate when he reported a colleague for sexually abusing two minors, according to a new lawsuit against the sheriff's office. Chris McMann joined the sheriff's office as a recruit in 2017. McMann was working in the jail in November 2020, when he found out two of his daughters had allegedly been "molested by their uncle, Sgt. Kevin Estep," the lawsuit alleges. Red Flag Warning issued Saturday and Sunday McMann's attorney, Denise Eaton-May, did not respond to a request for an interview, but the complaint says McMann obtained inappropriate text messages from Estep, including one in which the sergeant told a minor to "let me see your ass."McMann then reported the suspected crime to the Brentwood Police Department, where investigators allegedly documented a "pre-text" call in which Estep made incriminating statements.McMann's lawsuit alleges...