SAN FRANCISCO — If the Valkyries reach the postseason in their inaugural year, one of the biggest questions will be where they will actually play.
A scheduling conflict with the Laver Cup — an international tennis tournament that includes stars Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz as well as legend Andre Agassi as a coach — presents Chase Center’s biggest hurdle in trying to accommodate a Valkyries playoff game.
In all likelihood, the Valkyries will not get a Top 4 seed in order to host two games in the first round, meaning their possible lone postseason game will take place either on Sept. 16 or 17.
The Laver Cup runs from Sept. 19-21, but setting up the state-of-the-art tennis court and allowing players time to practice before the tournament starts is the biggest challenge. The event was booked before the Valkyries became a franchise.
Golden State officials said an update on a decision on where the team will play will be coming in the next few days.
“We are finalizing details regarding our potential playoff venue and will share a comprehensive update with fans and season ticket holders in the coming days,” the Valkyries said in a statement sent to this news organization on Thursday. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through the logistics of the possibility of a historic inaugural playoff run and pre-existing scheduling conflict at Chase Center.”
A Golden State Valkyries fan wears a winged helmet while sitting courtside in the fourth quarter of their WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. The Golden State Valkyries defeated the Washington Mystics 99-62. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
The Valkyries’ issues with scheduling their playoff game hasn’t gone unnoticed by the rest of the league.
“You want to think that you’re past it,” Stewart told SFGATE on Monday. “We want to think that we’re, like, better than this. Listen, sometimes it’s out of the control of everyone involved. But it’s just … You don’t see it happening with the NBA.”
The Valkyries will have other venues to consider should Chase Center not be available.
Oakland Arena, formerly known as Oracle Arena, would be an easy option as it was the Golden State Warriors’ former home. The venue does not have anything on its schedule the week of Sept. 15. SAP Center in San Jose has a concert scheduled on Sept. 15, but will have openings in the four days after.
Seating capacity won’t be a problem for Oakland Arena (19,200) and SAP Center (17,562) as they both seat over 17,000 fans.
Some reports have floated Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, home of the Sacramento Kings, as a possible venue as it is a current NBA Arena, though it would be the farthest trek for Bay Area fans.
Golden State Valkyries fans dress like the female warriors the name represents while cheering for their strong, bold and fierce Valkyries as they battle the Dallas Wings at the Chase Center in San Francisco on July 25, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
When reached for comment last week, Sacramento officials did not respond to questions about if Golden 1 Center would welcome the Valkyries for a home playoff game.
The Laver Cup is a relatively new tennis tournament, holding its inaugural event in 2017. The tournament pits some of the best international players against the best players from the United States.
According to the Laver Cup website, the unique black playing surface is the largest known court in the world at 49 meters long and 23 meters wide. The website claims the court is portable and can be set up in tight time frames.
Golden State has exceeded expectations this season.
BetMGM had their win total odds at 8.5 before the season started, finishing last in the league. The Valkyries eclipsed the previous highest win total set by an expansion team, previously held by the 1998 Detroit Shock, who had 17 wins in their inaugural season.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Valkyries looked as connected as they have all year on Tuesday night.
Playing the star-studded New York Liberty, Golden State made all the right plays, hit all the necessary shots and kept the visiting team’s high-powered offense in check.
The result: The expansion team played perhaps its best game of the season, defeating the defending champion Liberty 66-58 in front of its 20th consecutive sellout crowd of the season.
“I think when we’re communicating and we’re executing the game plan, I think, like I said, we’re pretty dangerous,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “Credit to our players for believing, trusting and executing.”
Temi Fágbénlé led the Valkyries with 16 points and five rebounds. Janelle Salaun had 10 points. Kate Martin came off the bench and scored 11 points.
Monique Billings made her return to the lineup after missing the last 14 games with a right ankle sprain. She played 20 minutes, scored five points and grabbed three rebounds.
Guard Natasha Cloud was a bright spot for the Liberty, leading New York with 19 points. Walnut Creek native Sabrina Ionescu missed Friday’s game with a toe injury.
The Valkyries held the Liberty to 31.6% shooting and didn’t allow the Liberty to get to the line consistently in the first half, holding the visiting team to two free throw attempts. Breanna Stewart saw only four of her 15 shots go through the basket, but got most of her points at the free throw line.
“We stayed very connected throughout the whole game, through the ups and downs, through the runs. That’s the main thing,” Fágbénlé said. “Communicating throughout the whole game really helped us, and sticking with the schemes.”
With the win, the Valkyries now have a one-game lead over the Indiana Fever for the sixth seed. A Los Angeles Sparks loss against the Atlanta Dream on Wednesday and a Valkyries win over the Dallas Wings on Thursday would clinch a playoff spot for Golden State. The Valkyries are also a game and a half behind the Liberty for the fifth seed.
Golden State fell behind by four points after the first quarter, but an offensive explosion in the second period gave the Valkyries a comfortable halftime lead.
Martin scored all 11 of her points in the second quarter, hitting 3-of-6 of her 3-point attempts to lead the Valkyries in the first half.
The Valkyries held the Liberty to 32.3% shooting through the first two quarters and led 40-26 going into the intermission.
New York’s eight second-quarter points is tied for the fewest points a Valkyries’ opponent has scored all season.
Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün (13) celebrates her 3-point basket against the New York Liberty in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Kaila Charles (6) dribbles against New York Liberty’s Natasha Cloud (9) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Carla Leite (0) ights for the ball against New York Liberty’s Emma Meesseman (33) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) defends against New York Liberty’s Kennedy Burke (22) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Carla Leite (0) dribbles against New York Liberty’s Rebekah Gardner (7) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün (13) scores a basket against New York Liberty’s Leonie Fiebich (13) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Monique Billings (25) talks to teammates during their game against the New York Liberty in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle (14) tries to steal the ball away against New York Liberty’s Kennedy Burke (22) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu (20) sits on the bench during their game against the Golden State Valkyries in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Monique Billings (25) takes a shot against the New York Liberty in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase (35) reacts to a call during their game against the New York Liberty in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün (13) dribbles against New York Liberty’s Emma Meesseman (33) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22), Golden State Valkyries’ Kaila Charles (6) and Golden State Valkyries’ Monique Billings (25) celebrate their 66-58 win over the New York Liberty at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Monique Billings (25) celebrates their 66-58 win over the New York Liberty at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
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Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün (13) celebrates her 3-point basket against the New York Liberty in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State ballooned its lead to 24 early in the third period, but the Liberty finished the quarter strong by forcing seven Valkyries turnovers. The home team went into the final 10 minutes of play with a 12-point lead.
But much like they have done during this home stand, the Valkyries didn’t let up in the fourth quarter.
Golden State’s inside-out attack paced its offense against a more athletic Liberty defense. On the other end, the Valkyries got timely stops and didn’t allow New York’s trio of post players consisting of Stewart, Emma Meesseman and last year’s Finals MVP Jonquel Jones to get going.
During this home stand, the Valkyries have beaten teams by average of 19 points.
The Valkyries will play their final two home games on Thursday and Saturday, starting with a matchup with the Dallas Wings followed by the regular season finale against the Minnesota Lynx two days later.
After Week 1, the top three teams in the Bay Area News Group rankings solidified their spots.
De La Salle came away with a gritty win over Florida powerhouse Lakeland, Archbishop Riordan cruised past Oakland heavyweight McClymonds and Pittsburg lit up the scoreboard and then held off Granite Bay, a respected program from the Sac-Joaquin Section.
San Ramon Valley found its way into the Top 5 after beating El Cerrito in a close game.
Though Serra lost to Folsom in a 56-42 thriller, the San Mateo school proved HSRatings’ computer dead wrong. The computer had Serra losing 40-0. For that, the Padres moved up two spots, to No. 5.
Liberty defeated last year’s Division 3-AA state champion Frontier-Bakersfield and rose to the 10th spot in the rankings.
Sacred Heart Cathedral moved into the rankings following an impressive win over Sacred Heart Prep. The West Catholic Athletic League has six teams in the Top 25, the most of any league in the Bay Area News Group’s coverage area.
Editor’s note: Teams eligible for the Bay Area News Group rankings come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school staff chooses the teams.
Welcome back to Monday Morning Lights, our weekly feature that sheds more light on the high school football weekend and peeks ahead to the new week. If you haven’t already, please subscribe. Your contributions keep us going.
No matter what happens, Serra and Folsom know that most seasons, they will be in position to compete for section championships at the end of the year.
Which is why both teams go out of their way to schedule exceptionally tough nonleague opponents in September.
This year, Sacramento area power Folsom visited another top team from its area (Grant), bussed to San Mateo to play Serra on Saturday and will fly to Southern California this week to face Mission Viejo.
Serra opened with Folsom and will also take on De La Salle in San Mateo this Saturday. The Padres will finish their nonleague schedule with a trip to face Southern Section powerhouse St. John Bosco.
After beating Serra 56-42, Folsom coach Paul Doherty admitted that earning Northern California’s berth in the CIF Open Division state championship game is the Bulldogs’ goal this season.
Testing themselves – and winning – against the best teams in the state is an important part of making that a reality.
“Every time you go through it, you’re like, ‘This is a bad idea,’” Doherty said. “Tough schedule, that’s the only way to do it. We’ve won four section (championships) in a row. We were in four NorCals in a row. We’ve won two of them, and we lost two by a total of four points. If we’re going to get better, we have to schedule and we have to plan. That’s the DNA or the blueprint of what we’re trying to do.”
Doherty noted that the programs in SoCal especially are “better than ours,” and playing them gives Folsom something to aspire to moving forward.
Serra, meanwhile, is trying to recapture the form that powered the Padres to a 25-0 record against NorCal foes in 2022 and 2023. That stretch came during a run in which the San Mateo school represented Northern California in the Open state title game three consecutive seasons.
Serra’s strong showing against Folsom on Saturday could be the first sign that the Padres are on their way back to being a top NorCal contender.
“There’s a Nelson Mandela quote that says, ‘I either win or I learn,’” Walsh said. “I want to know what we got and what we don’t have. I’m not trying to stack up wins around here. What we’re trying to do is be WCAL champions and CCS champions. And my philosophy has always been to schedule the best, be a part of the best. Challenge yourself against the best coaches and players, and then you know exactly where you are.”
— Christian Babcock
RIORDAN: FAMILY BUSINESS
Early in the first quarter, Riordan quarterback Mike Mitchell Jr. scanned the field for openings in McClymonds’ defense. After going through his reads, Mitchell locked in on a target he is very familiar with.
Younger brother Maxwell, a sophomore receiver, found the soft spot in the defense on a crossing route, pulled in the pass, and ran in for a 27-yard touchdown.
It was a play that the two had informally rehearsed in the backyard for years, and drilled on the practice field all summer.
“It was unreal,” Max Mitchell told the Bay Area News Group. “We did that every day in the summer, so the work definitely paid off.”
– Joseph Dycus
ACALANES: NEW POSITION … SORT OF
After Grant Ricker grabbed three interceptions in Acalanes’ emotional 33-12 victory, he noted that it was his first start ever at defensive back. He had started at receiver last season for Acalanes’ North Coast Section Division III championship team.
“I have to thank my coaches for teaching me on the fly,” Ricker said.
According to teammate Deonte Littlejohn, that isn’t quite true.
“Actually, Ricker played DB freshman year … and he wasn’t the best,” Littlejohn said. “He had a complete turnaround, and now he’s a dog out there. Playing receiver just helps him track that ball down.”
– Joseph Dycus
DE LA SALLE: JEFFERSON CAN SCOOT
Jaden Jefferson is a fast runner.
De La Salle’s two-way speedster reset the state record in the 100-meter dash last spring, clocking a time of 10.01 seconds at the CIF state meet in Clovis.
But his time caused some controversy.
It was widely speculated by those including Arcadia Invitational meet director Rich Gonzalez that the record-breaking time resulted in part because, he suspected, the starter fired the gun too far from the electronic timing sensor, causing a clock delay.
But CIF stood by its time, and so is Jefferson.
“CIF, they confirmed it, they said they had two clocks running,” Jefferson said. “So I’m not really arguing with the people who don’t believe it. I know what I ran, and I came back a second day to run another time. They said they had two clocks running, and they approved it. So I’m not sure what the other people are talking about.”
De La Salle football coach Justin Alumbaugh isn’t too concerned, either. He knows what Jefferson’s wheels do for his team.
“I think he could have broken 10,” Alumbaugh said. “He slowed up at the end. What I know is he was moving. And football-wise, he passes the eye test for speed. You’ll see him out there. He can scoot. No matter what the exact time is, that dude can run. You get under a 10.3, you’re scooting pretty well.”
— Christian Babcock
NORCAL COMMIT FROM FLORIDA ENJOYS TIME IN GOLDEN STATE
Lakeland-Florida running back and Sacramento State commit Ja’darious Dobie got a little taste of the Cali life when the Dreadnaughts played De La Salle on Friday.
Though Lakeland didn’t get the results it wanted, Dobie said he enjoyed his time in NorCal.
“It was beautiful weather out here and it’s just beautiful scenery,” Dobie said. “I wish we could have come out here and dominated better, but at least we lost in Cali. So it feels good to be home.”
Dobie picked Sacramento State over FBS schools Wake Forest, UNLV, Pittsburgh and Georgia Tech. New Sacramento State coach Brennan Marion is a former Bay Area resident, coaching at St. Patrick-St. Vincent in Vallejo, and playing at Foothill and De Anza colleges in the South Bay.
– Nathan Canilao
MENLO SCHOOL: OPENER SHARED CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
It’s not every year you see a California high school team play a season opener against a squad from New Mexico.
Menlo School welcomed Hózhó Academy, a charter school from Gallup, N.M., on Saturday in Atherton. The unusual matchup brought together two small schools with a number of differences but similar values.
Hózhó Academy is located on the edge of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico, a Native American reservation home to the Diné people. Most of the Hózhó Academy players had not traveled off the reservation before coming to the Bay Area this weekend.
“Coach (Todd) Smith and I really clicked when we talked about our coaching philosophies and the bigger picture of helping shape good, young men,” Hózhó Academy coach Cyle Balok said in a release. “We thought this game could be a special opportunity for both of our teams to meet and use the game as a bridge between two vastly different parts of the country.”
Hózhó Academy traveled to Atherton by bus and made the trip thanks to fundraising from local businesses near Gallup. The two teams shared a pregame dinner Friday, and Menlo hopes the connections they make through the game last beyond Week 1.
“We come from very different parts of the country,” said Smith, Menlo’s head coach. “But we started this friendship and knew this could be much more than a regular game.”
— Christian Babcock
PEEK AHEAD TO WEEK 2
Friday
Campolindo (1-0) at Northgate (1-0), 7 p.m.: Campo was in midseason form last week at Granada.
Los Gatos (0-1) at Liberty (1-0), 7 p.m.: Los Gatos will try to tighten its defense before the long trip to Brentwood.
Menlo-Atherton (0-1) at Acalanes (1-0), 7 p.m.: Acalanes aiming to beat CCS school for second week in a row.
St. Francis (0-1) at McClymonds (0-1), 7 p.m.: Tough trip for St. Francis as Lancers try to bounce back from loss to Cathedral Catholic.
San Jose (1-0) vs. Lincoln-San Jose (1-0) at San Jose City College, 7 p.m.: Will Lincoln’s dominance continue in Big Bone game?
Windsor (1-0) at Hayward (1-0), 7 p.m.: Both teams had impressive season-opening wins.
Saturday
De La Salle (1-0) at Serra (0-1), 2 p.m.: DLS remembers its last visit to Serra, a 28-0 loss two seasons ago.
The basketball game almost seemed like background noise as fans were asked to dance to a mix of Bay Area classics and new age pop music with each game stoppage. Both the Valkyries and the visiting Indiana Fever were both visibly frustrated by the start-stop nature of Sunday’s game that took two hours and 38 minutes to complete.
But what mattered most is that the Valkyries gave the sold out crowd of 18,064 something to dance for after the game ended.
Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) scores a 3-point basket against Indiana Fever’s Aerial Powers (23) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
The Valkyries won their third straight game, beating the injury-plagued Indiana Fever 75-63 behind a hot shooting start. The 158-minute game was the longest contest that ended in regulation since the Chicago Sky played the Dallas Wings in a two-hour, 41-minute game on Aug. 6, 2023, per Elias Sports Bureau. Sunday’s game had five clock stoppages in the first half.
The Valkyries attributed the clock malfunctions to a power outage that occurred at Chase Center on Sunday morning.
Iliana Rupert posted a career-high 21 points and hit 5-of-8 shots from the 3-point line. Rookie Janelle Salaün had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists. Veronica Burton finished with eight points, 13 assists and seven rebounds.
“I think it was the first time in all of our lives that we had so much stuff (go on), but it’s not stuff that you can control,” Rupert said after the game. “We really just tried to stay together. The fans obviously helped a lot because you can lose energy really quickly, and they were pushing us.”
A broken shot clock above a basket during the Golden State Valkyries game against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
The Fever were without superstar Caitlin Clark, who missed her 18th straight game with a left groin injury. Former Valkyries guard Aerial Powers scored 17 points off the bench and Kelsey Mitchell had 14 points in the loss.
The Valkyries held the Fever’s other star, Aliyah Boston, to just four points.
“We really tried to be physical with her and try to make the night hard,” Rupert said. “I think we did that really well. So yeah, I’m happy of the work because it was really a team effort to stop her.”
After two different clock stoppages forced a 25-minute delay in the first quarter, the Valkyries went on a run. Golden State hit seven of its eight 3-pointers and took a 25-14 lead after the first 10 minutes.
More stoppages allowed Indiana to get back within striking distance, but Golden State kept the high-paced offense at bay.
The Valkyries led by as much as 20 in the first half behind a 75% shooting quarter from beyond the arc. Rupert and Salaün accounted for 21 of the Valkyries’ 44 first-half points, and the home team led 44-32 after two quarters.
With all the stoppages, the first half lasted a whopping 92 minutes but Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said the breaks in action helped the Valkyries regroup.
Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase (35) talks to Golden State Valkyries’ Temi Fagbenle (14) during their game against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
“We did get to talk about defensively, continuing to focus on our game plan and our execution in terms of the defense and what was hurting us,” Nakase said. “We just tried to make it an advantage as best we can.”
Indiana made headway in the third quarter, cutting the Valkyries’ lead to seven going into the final 10 minutes.
Powers cut the Golden State advantage to just five with a layup at the 7:37 mark of the fourth quarter, giving the Fever a much-needed momentum swing.
But just as Indiana was on the verge of cutting the lead to a single possession, Powers fouled Clark’s former Iowa teammate Kate Martin on a 3-pointer right in front of Indiana’s bench and the second-year guard swished the shot to erupt the Chase Center crowd.
Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) heads to the basket against Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull (10) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Martin finished with 10 points.
Indiana never got back into the game after Powers’ foul. Carla Leite iced the game when she hit a wild circus shot while getting fouled from the left wing with just over 90 seconds left in the game.
Despite the odd breaks in the game, Nakase credited the crowd for keeping the energy high.
“That’s just great that our crowd doesn’t just get frustrated. They don’t leave. They stay behind us,” Nakase said. “Credit to our fans for just keeping it lively, keeping it entertaining because at the end of the day, we do want to enjoy this time. When we’re all together for two hours and like 45 minutes, we want to put on a show. We want to entertain people, and we want to have almost like a party.”
The Valkyries will return to Chase Center on Tuesday when they play the New York Liberty (7 p.m., KPIX+).
Golden State Valkyries’ Carla Leite (0) scores a basket and a foul against Indiana Fever’s Natasha Howard (6) in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group) Golden State Valkyries’ Kaila Charles (6) takes a shot against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) celebrates her 3-point basket against the Indiana Fever in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Laeticia Amihere (3) and Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün (13) fight for a rebound against Indiana Fever’s Shey Peddy (5) in the third quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Kate Martin (20) hugs San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle after their 75-63 win over the Indiana Fever at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) waits for the start of their game against the Golden State Valkyries in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) takes a shot against Indiana Fever’s Lexie Hull (10) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco 49ers’ George Kittle and 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall celebrate a 3-point basket during the Golden State Valkyries game against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Indiana Fever’s Brianna Turner (11) blocks a shot against Golden State Valkyries’ Kaila Charles (6) in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) looks to pass against Indiana Fever’s Kelsey Mitchell (0) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Janelle Salaün (13) takes a shot against Indiana Fever’s Brianna Turner (11) in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) takes a shot against the Indiana Fever in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
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Golden State Valkyries’ Iliana Rupert (12) celebrates her 3-point basket against the Indiana Fever in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
REDWOOD CITY – A man suffered serious injuries in a stabbing Wednesday afternoon at the Redwood City Caltrain station, authorities said.
The attack happened just before 5 p.m. on the station platform, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The victim, identified as a San Mateo resident, was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
The sheriff’s office said the stabbing appeared to be an “isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the community.”
Deputies were working Wednesday night to identify a suspect.
Anyone with information related to the case can contact Detective N. Kostielney at nkostielney@smcgov.org or 650-418-0094.
San Mateo County in a lawsuit filed this week claims the State of California “shorted” it and its 20 cities $38 million in funds distributed annually under a decades-old deal involving vehicle-license fees that is now enshrined in law.
California’s unprecedented “raid” on the funding stream deprived San Mateo County and cities from East Palo Alto to Daly City of “critical” funds for serving residents, while giving a “windfall” to the state, the lawsuit filed Monday in San Francisco County Superior Court claimed.
The lawsuit accuses California of breaking a legal requirement to provide the funding, and seeks a court order mandating payment of the $38 million, plus unspecified damages.
Named as defendants are the State of California along with state Finance Department Director Joe Stephenshaw and State Controller Malia Cohen. A spokesperson for the Finance Department said the department had not seen the lawsuit yet and couldn’t comment on it.
“Once we receive it and review it we will obviously have a filing with the court in response,” said department spokesman H.D. Palmer.
State Controller’s office spokesman Bismarck Obando said none of the lawsuit’s allegations “pertain to the State Controller in her official capacity.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the lawsuit.
The lawsuit revolves around a complicated compensation scheme for counties and cities, based in part on how far property taxes in a county’s school districts go toward meeting education-funding requirements. The process dates back to 2004, when local governments agreed to receive a reduced share of vehicle-licensing fees, in exchange for annual payments from the state to compensate them for the loss.
“The funding formula was supposed to treat every county the same, but because of how our schools are structured, San Mateo gets left out — and our residents pay the price,” said San Mateo County Executive Mike Callagy.
Under the arrangement, San Mateo County gets about 60% of the compensatory funds for the county region, with the rest shared among its 20 cities.
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus faced her sixth day of her removal hearing Monday as the county called one of its most anticipated witnesses.
Deputy Carlos Tapia, a 16-year veteran of the sheriff’s office and president of the 500-member deputies’ union, alleged that Corpus retaliated against employees who criticized her and abused her powers leading the agency.
On the stand, Tapia recounted his arrest last November, when he was taken into custody without a warrant on allegations of timecard fraud. He told a judge he had been scheduled to attend a labor negotiation that day but instead was fingerprinted and photographed like a suspect.
Corpus has insisted the arrest was conducted under probable cause. But other witnesses testified their disagreement with the arrest order. One deputy resigned instead of conducting the arrest.
Legal analyst Steve Clark described the incident as part of a broader theme.
“This is the most egregious example of Sheriff Corpus’ vindictiveness against her enemies, and I think that’s why the county is highlighting it so prominently in their case. But it’s not the only one and they’re saying this was a pattern of behavior, that Sheriff Corpus would go after her enemies and either transfer or retaliate. Or in the case of Tapia, arrest him and publicly humiliate him,” Clark told CBS News Bay Area.
Attorneys for Corpus pressed Tapia about discrepancies with pay codes used to track his hours between the county and union work, a practice he insisted was done in good faith.
“We think we have presented and effective cross examination and we will continue to do so,” Wilson Leung, an attorney for Corpus, said Monday. “And when we start with our case, hopefully tomorrow, there will be additional evidence and the truth will come out.”
Tapia also described how his relationship with the sheriff deteriorated following disputes over overtime and the influence of her chief of staff, Victor Aenlle. The county has alleged Aenlle had a romantic relationship with Corpus, an allegation she has repeatedly denied.
Tensions within the department came to a head with a union vote of no confidence in Aenlle, with more than 96% of deputies signaling distrust after complaints that he wore a deputy’s uniform and displayed a badge reserved for sworn officers despite limited law enforcement experience.
One email entered into evidence from June 2024 referenced Aenlle’s role in weakening morale. Corpus’ attorneys countered that complaints were tied to resistance against reform.
A notice to members of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association dated June 21, 2024 read in part: “We all know that with morale being incredibly low, this uncertainty and change makes morale go even lower,” referencing the unexpected departure of Chris Hsuing a former assistant sheriff and described ally of the union, and complaints of Aenlle.
“What you see in terms of allegations against the sheriff is largely due to resistance to her reforms that should be kept in mind I think other witnesses have reiterated the theme of culture change and that’s important to keep in mind that an agency set in its way that had a recruiting issue that had a moral problem is difficult to turn around and is reluctant to do so there is often extensive complacency and happiness with the status quo and any change in that will result in anger especially if the status quo was comfortable for incumbents,” Leung said.
The hearing has run longer than expected, delaying Corpus’ defense by at least a day. Her attorneys are preparing to call their own witnesses, including Aenlle himself.
On Monday, a judge admonished one of Corpus’ attorneys for prolonged questioning of Tapia.
County spokesperson Effie Milionis Verducci said the schedule remains within court rules.
“The hearing gives each side five days to present evidence and witness testimony we are in the second week of that I’m in the process of getting a status update on how that time is being allocated but we are slated to finish up by this Friday,” she said.
Despite the setbacks, Corpus’ legal team projected confidence. “The sheriff is upbeat and we are going to prevail,” Leung said.
Her WNBA journey looked about finished for the 2025 season until the Valkyries gave her an opportunity just after the All-Star break after a plethora of injuries left the expansion team shorthanded. Now, the Valkyries can’t imagine a rotation without her.
On Sunday, she had her best game of the season as she locked up former teammate and rookie of the year candidate Paige Bueckers while tying a career-high 16 points in a 90-81 win over the Wings.
“I think it was a full circle moment,” Charles said after Sunday’s win. “I started the season here, and to be cut was sad, but it also gave me the opportunity to get film and get picked up by the (Valkyries). So even though it didn’t work out here like I wanted to, it gave me another opportunity where I fit in a little bit more.
“So it just shows that everything happens for a reason, and I’m really glad that I was able to win with my team and do well and help them.”
Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) loses control of the ball against Golden State Valkyries guard Kaila Charles during the second half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
When the Valkyries first signed Charles on Aug. 1, the former University of Maryland standout was tasked with learning a new system and teammates on a team that’s in the midst of trying to make a playoff push.
On the morning she joined the team, Charles boarded a plane to Chicago and had a few hours to learn the Valkyries’ playbook before a 7 p.m. tipoff against the Sky. The Valkyries coaching staff quickly briefed Charles before the game and the shooting guard was immediately in the rotation that night.
That night against, Charles played 17 minutes, scored five points, grabbed five rebounds and closed the fourth quarter in her first game with the team.
“Sometimes it’s on the fly,” assistant coach Landon Tatum told this news organization in a recent interview about how they fit players like Charles into their rotation the day of a game. “We know this person can do this really well. So, let’s see if this works. I wouldn’t necessarily say we know ahead of time going into games this is going to for sure work, but I think because we do a solid job of knowing what players do well, we can kind of plug and play specific people with certain people.”
Since then, Charles has been a rotation regular. She’s played in every game and been a valuable piece off the bench for Nakase as a defensive stopper and consistent catch-and-shoot player.
In her first start with the Valkyries on Sunday, Charles was tasked with guarding Bueckers, who came into the game with a streak of 30 consecutive double-digit scoring games.
Charles shadowed Bueckers for every minute she was in the game. Her active hands bothered the rookie star and her quick feet kept Bueckers away from the basket.
Charles held Bueckers scoreless in the first half and eventually limited her to just nine points on 3-of-12 shooting.
“Credit to Kaila for coming and doing what she does,” Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said. “Locking people up, and also on the offensive end, just being confident in her shot making. She makes quick decisions, taking it hard to the basket. Credit to Kaila because she’s really only had two practices with us.”
With the injuries the Valkyries have, Charles’ role will only get larger in the coming weeks as the Valkyries try to secure a playoff spot.
Golden State is currently in eighth place with a half-game lead over the ninth-place Los Angeles Sparks for the final playoff spot. The Valkyries are also a half game behind the sixth-place Indiana Fever and seventh-place Seattle Storm with matchups against both franchises in the coming weeks.
The battle to make the playoffs makes Charles’ presence, and her ability to step in when her team needs her most, all the more valuable.
“I think some people may limit or not understand the challenge that can come from being cut, but her ability to come in and affect everything, not just offensively but also defensively, says a lot about who she is as a person.” Valkyries point guard Veronica Burton said of Charles after Sunday’s win.
“It’s a major testament to come in, back to the team that waived you this season and play 35 minutes and impact the game.”
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 24: |Veronica Burton #22 of the Golden State Valkyries and Kaila Charles #6 celebrate the team’s win over the Dallas Wings following the game at College Park Center on August 24, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out previews of all leagues in our coverage area.
Today’s focus:
PENINSULA ATHLETIC LEAGUE DE ANZA DIVISION
(Predicted order of finish)
No. 1 THE KING’S ACADEMY
Coach: Dante Perez
2024 record: 5-6
What to expect: The Knights suffered a blow when highly-regarded receiver Kyle Welch transferred to Riordan. But there is sufficient talent on hand to make another run at the De Anza title, one they shared with Capuchino last season. In fact, even without Welch the wide receiver position is one of the team’s strengths. Perez identified three other wideouts, all juniors, among his top players: Jaiden Flores, a 6-3, 210-pounder; Adrian Barnett, a starter on the TKA basketball team that went to the state finals; and Aaron Duncan, whom Perez characterizes as a fast and skillful athlete. The team’s top overall returning player is LB Justin Turner, who was in on a staggering 186 tackles last year, 97 solo. Three-year starter Nathaniel Vargas is the top returning lineman. Sophomore Ricky Gutierrez is slated to start at quarterback. “Our strength is in our team unity,” Perez said. “We have playmakers who can impact the game in different ways, and the players trust each other to get the job done.”
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Aptos, 7 p.m.
No. 2 BURLINGAME
Coach: John Philipopoulos
2024 record: 8-5
What to expect: RB/FS Hayden Haba will be a primary ball carrier in Burlingame’s Wing-T offense and, in the words of Philipopoulos, “as good as any safety in our league.” Qasim Abutair will also get carries at running back and start at cornerback. Nick Armstrong, both a run and pass threat, will take over at quarterback. He will throw to his brother, Will Armstrong, who will pair with Abutair as the starting cornerbacks. ILB Ravi Krishnan, a team captain along with Haba, is the leader of the defense along with DE Quincy Yu. “We have a great mix of returning starters or contributors from the previous season (including 3 of 4 starters on our DL) combined with a strong group of players coming up from the JV,” Philipopoulos said “We expect to be in a lot of very close games against good teams and having enough depth while staying healthy will be critical.”
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Half Moon Bay, 7 p.m.
No. 3 CAPUCHINO
Coach: Jay Oca
2024 record: 8-3
What to expect: The Mustangs tied TKA for the division title a year ago in their first year after moving up to the De Anza from the PAL Ocean. “We lost a lot but have a lot of guys waiting in the wings ready to step up,” Oca said. There is certainly some size on hand in Lealofi Tofaeono (6-1, 320). DE Rome Iosia has an offer from Portland State. Oca says RB/LB Melo Villareal will be an impact player. Returnee Kevin Hernandez is competing with sophomore Logan Arceo for the quarterback job.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Sequoia, 7 p.m.
No. 4 MOUNTAIN VIEW
Coach: Rick Esparza
2024 record: 2-8
What to expect:Ishan Devarapalli returns at quarterback. He threw for 1,403 yards and eight touchdowns last season as a sophomore. Braden Greene, “pound for pound the strongest player on the team,” is the top returning running back. He led the team in receptions a year ago with 35. RB/LB Sam Ford will also be called on in the ground game. TE/LB Brigham Robinson is a three-year varsity performer and team leader. WR/DB Micah Perkins provides speed and athleticism. Three-year starter Erick Brito and Evan Luedke are the team’s top linemen. “We’ve had a strong offseason with regard to our physical preparation and a good group of leaders on this team that look to carry that momentum throughout the season,” Esparza said.
Season opener: Aug. 29 at Palo Alto, 7 p.m.
No. 5 SAN MATEO
Coach: Jeff Scheller
2024 record: 8-3
What to expect: The Bearcats moved up after finishing in a tie for first place last season in the PAL Ocean. Yianni Fitzgerald, a standout at linebacker a year ago, will attempt to replace his brother, Emmanuel Fitzgerald, who rushed for more than 2,500 yards the last two seasons, as a primary ball carrier in San Mateo’s triple option offense. He will share carries with Jovani Hernandez. A third Fitzgerald brother, Lukas, takes over at quarterback. Tyce Copus is a returning starter at slotback and all-league defensive back. “One of the smartest DBs in the league, always in the right position,” Scheller said. Roman Toki will also line up in the slot and play linebacker on defense. WR/FS Hamilton Pitney, the strong safety a year ago now at free safety, is another two-way starter. Logan Jandu is the top returning lineman.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Los Altos, 7 p.m.
No. 6 CARLMONT
Coach: Eric Rado
2024 record: 6-4
What to expect: The Scots are moving up after tying for third place in the PAL Ocean. Going into preseason practice Brody Zirelli and Adam Hyman were competing for the start at quarterback. Zirelli threw for 35 touchdowns on the JV team. Whichever player gets the nod will have WRs Lucas Robertson and Maximus Senechal as receiving targets. Both will also see time in the secondary on defense. There’s experience and depth on the line with center Hayden Tonga-Ma’ake, the anchor of the offensive line, Paul Taumalolo and guard Dante Navarra among the team’s top returning players.
Season opener: Aug. 29 vs. Lincoln-San Francisco, 7 p.m.
It might feel like autumn is approaching at lightning speed, but some local culinary events should help ease into September.
Taste of Los Gatos, on Saturday, Sept 6, noon-5 p.m., showcases bites from local restaurants, eateries and coffee shops such as Chez Phillipe, First Born, Gardino’s, Parkside, Los Gatos Roasting Company, Manresa Bread, We Olive and Wine Bar 107. Visit nearly 20 wineries tucked into retailers around town and sip on the latest from local wineries like 3P, Cooper Garrod, David Bruce, Gali Vineyards, Mount Eden and more while you shop. Tickets are $80.12 for food only and $101.22 for both food and libations at https://bit.ly/45lQnUm.
The Art of Food & Wine brings together a rich feast of local food and wine on Sunday, Sept 7, at Montalvo Center for the Arts in Saratoga. Meet iconic chefs like Peter Armellino of Plumed Horse, Scott Cooper of Le Papillon and Greg Kruzia-Carmel of Camper, along with rising talents like Julian Silvera of The Tasting House, Aubree Arndt of Emerald Hour and Broma and Sergio Box of Macarena. So many wines, so little time, but make sure you check out the auction table for some outrageous bargains this year. VIP admittance at 3:30 p.m. General admission tickets are sold out; VIP tickets are $440 at my.montalvoarts.org.
At Star Chefs 2025, top talent from local restaurants from San Martin to Palo Alto go skillet-to-skillet in the region’s most fun pairing taste-off. On Sept 21, 3-7 p.m., at The Glass House in downtown San Jose, sample the latest effort from Chef Patrick Capurro of Be.Steak.A, who was last year’s Judge’s Choice winner, as well as from Chef Jackie of Jackie’s Place, winner of last year’s People’s Choice award. These two will defend their aprons and honor against challengers like Chef Marcelino Hernandez of Asa Los Gatos, Chef Nicko Moulinos of Eos & Nyx, Julian Sivera of The Tasting House, Ross Hanson of Oak & Rye and Anthony Secviar of Protégé. Other stars in the constellation include Good Times Bar, Orchard City Kitchen, The Bywater, Forbes Mill, Oak and Rye, Silos, Alter Ego, Odeum, One Fish Raw Bar and Cordevalle’s Il Veneto. Dine and vote for a good cause. Tickets are $150 at https://momentumforhealth.org/starchefs-2025.
Taste of Half Moon Bay at The Ritz on Sept 19, 6:30 p.m., offers a four-course cliffside dinner on the dramatic Ocean Lawn. Award-winning wines and winemakers from Beauregard Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains take center stage. Tickets are $270 at https://bit.ly/45UxnMN.
And coming this fall, Ritual at Manresa welcomes a lineup of chefs from three different continents, beginning with HAŌMA and Chef Deepanker Khosla. In September, it’s Mayta of Perú with Chef Jaime Pesaque, and in October, Culler De Pau from Spain showcases Chef Javi Olleros. And there’s a rumor of more Manresa-related activity happening on the coast. Stay tuned.
Can you believe it’s been one year since Gardenia debuted on the dining scene in Los Gatos? This gorgeous property feels like a southern estate with its copious front lawn, dotted with tables. It continues to impress with charming décor and an ever-changing and improving brunch menu. Kudos for all the great choices and the always personal service.
Any way you slice it, people love pizza, and famed pizzaiola Tony Gemignani is set to open a new location of Slice House by Tony Gemignani, at 1286 Great Mall Parkway in the mixed-use complex across from the Great Mall. They are hiring for more than 30 new full and part-time jobs.
“As we continue to expand Slice House’s footprint across the country, it’s especially exciting for me to open doors throughout the Bay Area where I grew up and launched my pizza career – and this is true for Milpitas,” said Gemignani in a release.
Che Fico Menlo Park is now offering weekend brunch. The outdoor ambiance is lovely; it feels like vacationing at a Mediterranean resort. Brunch covers the bases of sweet and savory, with special treats from Little Sky Kitchen literally down the street. You can make a meal of the sides.
Also in Menlo Park, Flea Street is celebrating 45 years, and the fact that restauranteur Jesse Cool has stuck with this crazy business for this long is testament to her perseverance and her love of this business and this place. She invites you to toast this milestone Tuesday, Aug. 26-Saturday, Aug. 30, from 5-6:30 p.m. each evening.
Nobu in Palo Alto offers both brunch/breakfast, beginning at 8 a.m., and afternoon tea, beginning at noon, on weekends.
Brunch favorites include the house-cured salmon lox with yuzu cream cheese, a breakfast skillet of potatoes, chicken apple sausage, miso spinach and poached heirloom tomatoes with fried egg, and Bao Buns stuffed with applewood smoked bacon and sunny side up eggs. Don’t skip the Suntory whiskey-soaked date cake, topped with vanilla sorbet and served with candied walnuts, for dessert.
Nobu Hotel Palo Alto’s Afternoon Tea in the Garden offers myriad delights, among them stone fruit crispy prosciutto crostini, quiche and caviar with dashi, yuzu cream and chives, and grilled pineapple dulce cream puff.
As part of our high school football coverage to get you ready for the 2025 season, we are rolling out all-Bay Area News Group preseason recognition.
Today’s position:
KICKERS/PUNTERS
Nathan Bearrows, Pioneer, 6-1, 170, senior
Three-sport athlete also plays soccer and lacrosse. Holds multiple offers from smaller schools. Rated a four-star punter and 3.5-star kicker by ProKicker.com. Averaged 32 yards per punt with a long of 64, landing two inside the 20-yard line. Went 3 for 6 on field goals with a long of 30 yards.
Zach Brien, Bishop O’Dowd, 6-2, 175, junior
Five-star prospect finished first at the Chris Sailer Kicking NorCal training camp. Was 5 of 8 on field-goal attempts and 31 of 36 on PAT tries last season for O’Dowd.
Braden Clark, Branham, 5-9, 135, senior
Kicks, punts and also took a handoff for Branham last season. Has consistent 40-yard punt range with three-plus-second hangtime and 45-plus-yard field-goal range.
Brady Emry, Clayton Valley, 5-9, 170, senior
Four-star punter/kicker hybrid is committed to Minot State, a Division II school in North Dakota. Returning all-Diablo Athletic League honorable mention punter. Punted 27 times last season, averaging 33.8 yards per punt, landing seven punts inside the 20-yard line and hitting a long punt of 52 yards.
Nathan Fox, Sacred Heart Prep, 6-0, 155, senior
Plays soccer and football at SHP. PAL special teams player of the year and all-BANG honorable mention as a sophomore. Made 34 of 36 PAT and 5 of 9 field-goal attempts last season. Also contributes at defensive back.
Chase Graff, Archbishop Mitty, 5-11, 200, senior
Versatile player who was named all-WCAL honorable mention at both kicker and offensive line. Also plays defensive end. Has 60-yard range on field goals.
Aidan James, Heritage, 5-5, 135, senior
Returning all-BANG honorable mention. Hit two field goals in a narrow loss to Antioch last season. Converted 37 of 37 PAT and 5 of 5 on field-goal tries last season. Also plays soccer for Heritage.
Ben Kerrigan, Monte Vista, 5-11, 155, junior
A 4.5-star kicker and punter has 50-plus-yard field goal range and 40-plus-yard punt range as well as 70-yard kickoff range. Finished top four at The Punt Factory last man standing competition this August.
Saul Marks, Serra, 6-0, 160, senior
Five-star kicker and punter is the No. 1 prospect in California and No. 10 in the United States, according to Kohl’s Kicking. Holds offers from Idaho and Idaho State. Has 70-plus-yard range on kickoffs and 60-yard range on field goals.
Sebastian Miles, San Ramon Valley, 5-10, 180, senior
Five-star punter by Chris Sailer Kicking is committed to Northern Arizona. Has 60-plus yard range. Attended Chris Sailer Top 12 camp.
Ricky Miramontes, Milpitas, 6-3, 220, senior
Strong-legged specialist averaged 57.4 yards per kickoff last season. Converted a 46-field goal last year and has range up to 60 yards this year. Also punts for Milpitas.
Anthony Perez, Menlo-Atherton, 6-0, 230, senior
Returning all-BANG honorable mention. Named first-team all-PAL Bay as a punter last season.
Saxton Sinatra, Silver Creek, 5-9, 166, sophomore
Three-star kicker and four-star punter is a developing prospect who was named to the 2024 Sports Illustrated all-freshman team. Has 50-plus-yard range on placekicks.
Zach Tabibian, Campolindo, 5-10, 180, senior
A 4.5-star kicker and punter who has 60-plus-yard field-goal range and 70-plus kickoff range. Converted a 61-yard field goal at an MIT camp this summer and also knocked a 74-yard kickoff through the uprights during a practice session.
Justin Uribarri, De La Salle, 5-9, 180, senior
A 4.5-star kicker and punter by Chris Sailer Kicking. Has 50-plus-yard range on placekicks, 40-plus on punts and 70-plus on kickoffs.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Those eligible for all-BANG honors come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The news organization’s high school sports staff chooses the players.
In a nation that prides itself on being built by immigrants, North Fair Oaks — an unincorporated San Mateo County community informally known as “Little Mexico” by locals — is confronting a surge of intolerance toward immigrants, fueled by right-wing rhetoric.
As Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump intensifies his promise to carry out the largest mass deportation in American history at campaign rallies, residents gathered Thursday at Casa Circulo Cultural in North Fair Oaks to push back. Community members from this neighborhood of fewer than 15,000, predominantly Latino and Hispanic immigrants, united to advocate for enhanced protections in response to the escalating anti-immigrant pronouncements from the former president and his GOP allies.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 11 million people in the United States live without legal status. If Trump is elected and fulfills his promise to deport them all, it could have devastating consequences – including impacts on housing construction, farming and the economy as a whole.
North Fair Oaks is one of three areas in San Mateo County with a majority Hispanic or Latino population, alongside East Palo Alto in the south and Pescadero on the coast. Overall, at least 25% of San Mateo County’s 764,442 residents identify as Hispanic or Latino.
Maggie Cornejo, a first-generation Mexican American raised in North Fair Oaks, describes the current climate as reminiscent of the mid-2000s, when feared Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were a frequent presence in her neighborhood.
“A lot of people in my community are afraid of what could happen on Tuesday because one candidate is clearly more vocal about his views on the immigrant community,” Cornejo said.
Now a planning commissioner in nearby Redwood City, Cornejo reflected on her childhood trauma.
“I’m a native of North Fair Oaks, so I remember when many of my classmates’ parents were being deported,” Cornejo said. “That trauma still impacts our generation; we grew up with memories of ICE driving around here to pick people up.”
State Senator Josh Becker, a Democrat representing most of San Mateo County and parts of northern Santa Clara County, addressed community members who may feel demoralized or fearful due to rising anti-immigrant sentiment.
“We have thousands of immigrant farmworkers along the San Mateo coast supporting a vibrant agricultural ecosystem, but they weren’t heard, seen, or valued until the pandemic,” Becker said. “Suddenly, people acknowledged them as essential workers. We also have many Asian immigrants — Chinese, Korean, Japanese. To me, that diversity is what makes America great; it’s literally the melting pot.”
Becker also discussed Senate Bill 537, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September, which memorializes the deportation of U.S. citizens and legal residents of Mexican descent between 1929 and 1944. The bill mandates the construction of a memorial in the city of Los Angeles or the county to honor this historical event.
“President Herbert Hoover, during the 1930s, faced tough economic times and said, ‘We need these jobs for real Americans,’” Becker said. “He launched a mass deportation effort, resulting in the deportation of not only immigrants but also citizens.”
Becker cited government estimates indicating that 60% of those deported during that period were American citizens, totaling almost 2 million people.
“We’re here to say no; we’re not going to let that happen on our watch,” he asserted.
Becker and local leaders at Thursday’s press conference assured residents they would work to ensure California’s sanctuary protections of migrants would remain, despite Trump’s threats to defund law enforcement agencies that refuse to cooperate with ICE deportations.
“There are trainings on community responses to ICE; we can ensure people’s due process and rights are honored. We’ll bring community groups together if it comes to that,” Becker said.
Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, founder of the nonprofit Ayudando Latinos a Soñar, cautioned that the use of violent language can translate into real-world physical violence.
“For those fed this vile anti-immigrant rhetoric, they’re taking actions into their own hands to be vicious against immigrants,” Arriaga, a clinical mental health therapist, stated. “We’re seeing what happened in Springfield, and it’s heartbreaking.”
Arriaga referred to the increased threats against Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, following Trump’s unfounded claims that migrants were stealing and eating pets. According to a CNN report, two local Walmarts and several schools were evacuated due to threats stemming from Trump’s comments, prompting the deployment of additional security and bomb detection dogs to ensure the city’s safety.
Arriaga is all too familiar with violence against immigrants here at home.
As some recent political polls show growing approval for Trump among Latino voters, North Fair Oaks resident Rafael Avendaño, an immigrant from El Salvador and now a U.S. citizen, urged fellow Latinos to reconsider their support.
“The Republican Party that I know built NACARA, which allowed me to obtain documentation status. We’re very far from the Republican Party I remember,” Avendaño said, referring to the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, which was signed in 1997 under President Bill Clinton but received some bipartisan support. “I hope that however you vote, you lean toward a choice that respects and loves your community members because that’s how this nation was built.”
In San Mateo County, leaders have asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency over the home insurance crisis as homeowners scramble to find solutions.
In a remote part of the county, there’s a good chance you’ll find Patricia O’Coffey outside her home, working hard on a number of tasks to ensure it has enough defensible space.
“It is getting harder each year. It’s true of this whole community. A lot of us moved out here when we were much younger,” she said.
Keeping her home as fire-safe as possible is a routine task for her. But it’s not the threat of fire that causes her constant anxiety.
“We’re not going to renew you,” she said.
Those are the words she heard back in 2019 from her longtime insurance provider.
“We’d been with Allstate for 40 years – this house, a prior house, and all of our vehicles and homes. And just two weeks before it was time to pay the renewal, we get the letter saying they’re not going to renew us. No reason given. Just, ‘We’re not going to renew you,’” O’Coffey said. “I mean, when we got cancelled by Allstate, we were paying less than $4,000, I believe. And it went up to $20,000.”
She ultimately was able to get a new plan with State Farm, with a premium of around $6,000. But now, with insurers including State Farm leaving California, and others raising premiums sky high and limiting coverage, O’Coffey is nervous she will once again get dropped.
“Thousands of people are losing their insurance on a regular basis,” she said. “It’s very unnerving. You just never know. If you have a mortgage, you’ve got to have insurance.”
It’s not just people who live in some of the more fire-prone parts of the county and state that are at risk of losing their policies, or have already had their policies cancelled.
“People are facing this problem and they’re facing it every day,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller. “We need help.”
He says he routinely hears from people who live in his district who are experiencing the fallout of the insurance crisis.
“I just want to figure out how we can go ahead and bring resources to help them,” he said.
That’s why he and the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors joined the growing list of California counties to urge Governor Newsom to declare a state of emergency for California’s insurance crisis.
“Right now, we have an emergency taking place. It may not be visible to the eye, but people in our district are experiencing it every single day,” he said. “It allows the state to actually bypass the rulemaking process and go ahead and start implementing actions right now and requirements on the insurance market. That’s what we really need.”
Since 2022, seven of the top 12 insurance companies operating in California have either cut existing policies or stopped writing new ones, according to the Department of Insurance.
The Department is working on implementing a plan that it believes will expand coverage and bring insurance companies back to California. However, Mueller says there needs to be a solution sooner.
“What is happening right now, the state has embarked on a process through the Department of Insurance to address this crisis. But, the implementation of what comes out of that isn’t really set to take effect until 2026, which is far too off in the future,” he said. “If people have to wait until 2026, what it means is I’m going to have residents in my district who have to go without insurance.”
O’Coffey says she can understand why insurance companies are raising rates, to a degree. The climate is changing. Wildfires have ravaged California in recent years. However, she says the status quo is not acceptable.
Over the course of her 30 years living in the mountains, she says there have been two fires. She says the CZU division of Cal Fire made residents change their approaches to taking care of their properties.
“It did wake everybody up. Most people were not into home hardening and defensible space before that. They are now,” she said.
Her community has since taken major proactive steps to become a nationally recognized fire-wise community as well.
“It feels like the insurance companies are making these arbitrary decisions not based on the facts of the real situation on the ground,” she said. “They’re not going to come out here and inspect my property before they decide to renew me or cancel me.”
Worst case scenario, she’ll have to leave the place she never planned on leaving – something many people facing this threat may also be considering.
“If they can’t get insurance, they’re going to leave California. That affects the economy of California and our future,” she said.
The insurance issue is also having a significant impact on home sales. In a new survey by the California Association of Realtors, 13% of realtors, or one in seven, reported a sale falling out of escrow because the buyer couldn’t find insurance.
That number nearly doubled year-over-year. It’s gotten so bad that this past summer, the Association added a contingency to home sales that lets the buyer bail out of the contract if they aren’t satisfied with the insurance options available.
San Mateo County Sheriff Christina Corpus is speaking out after coming under fire from county administration and multiple unions.
“I’m not going to let people who are unhappy with themselves tear me down,” she said. “I am strong. And I had the courage to run against my boss, and I fought hard.”
Corpus’ comments come a little over a week since she announced she filed a formal complaint against the county’s executive, Mike Callagy, for what she describes as bullying. In that complaint, Corpus asked the Board of Supervisors to investigate Callagy, claiming he has undermined her ability to execute her duties as sheriff on various occasions since assuming her role in 2023.
Corpus’ claims against Callagy came amid rising tensions between union members, Corpus, and her Chief of Staff. The county’s board of Supervisors has also been investigating the Sheriff’s Office.
Early last month, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association and Organization of Sheriff’s Sergeants held a vote of no confidence in Corpus’ Chief of Staff, Victor Aenlle. The DSA overwhelmingly passed a vote of no confidence in Aenlle, with a margin of 306 to 12.
“The DSA welcomes change that supports our mission to protect and serve. Let’s be clear that our vote of no confidence is directed at Chief of Staff Victor Aenlle,” the DSA told NBC Bay Area on Friday. “We are disappointed the Sheriff has yet to address any of the significant allegations of retaliation and unfair labor practices that have been brought to her attention. Here is your statement. “
Damian Trujillo has more in his one-on-one conversation with Corpus in the video above.
PACIFICA — A third person was found dead on Saturday in a vehicle that went off a cliff along Highway 1 near Devil’s Slide in San Mateo County on Friday, according to a California Highway Patrol spokesperson.
The vehicle was recovered on Saturday, allowing lanes to reopen on Highway 1 in both directions.
Three people died when their car went off a cliff near Devil’s Slide on Highway 1 Friday.
Addie Delgado
The highway was closed after a gray, two-door sedan went off the road and down a cliff south of the Tom Lantos Tunnels at about 11:40 a.m. Friday.
He’s accused of trying to kill his family by driving their Tesla off a cliff. If convicted on attempted murder charges, he could have faced life in prison. Instead, he’ll skip the trial altogether and get two years of mental health treatment at home.
Dr. Dharmesh Patel is the first high-profile defendant charged with *attempted-murder* to get Mental Health Diversion under California’s recently revised law. His case is fueling a legal debate and raising questions at the capitol.
The unthinkable captured the country’s attention
A Tesla plunged more than 250ft off a cliff at Devil’s Slide on a winding stretch of Highway 1 in Northern California. The story initially captured the country’s attention because the family of four inside survived. First responders said it was “nothing short of a miracle.”
Extraordinary footage captured by rescuers showed what appeared to be Patel sticking his head out from the sheared-off top of the family Tesla as rescuers worked to free his wife and trapped children, a four-year-old boy and nine-year-old girl.
They used ropes to pull the two children up the cliff, and helicopters hoisted the parents out.
Then, the news broke that police were charging Dr. Patel with attempted murder and child abuse.
Prosecutors say he later admitted to intentionally trying to kill his family the day he drove his wife and two young children off the cliff. Therapists testified that Dr. Dharmesh Patel was having paranoid delusions about Jeffrey Epstein, the fentanyl crisis, and he feared that his kids could be sex trafficked. They said he told them he wanted to protect his family from a worse fate.
Treatment instead of trial
If any one of them had died that day, Dr. Patel would be standing trial for murder.
Because they survived against all odds, he’s facing attempted murder charges instead – and that makes him eligible for Mental Health Diversion under California law.
Instead of facing seven years to life in prison, the Pasadena doctor will get two years of mental health treatment while living at home with his parents in the Bay Area suburb of Belmont.
If he completes a two-year program, Dr. Patel’s record will be wiped clean. Legally, it will be as if the crash never happened.
Should attempted murder defendants be eligible for diversion?
“Doctor Patel did everything he could to carry out a murder,” argued San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. “It was just thatthey survived the crash of the car.”
Wagstaffe said he supports diversion in many cases but not for people charged with attempted murder. He opposed Mental Health Diversion for Dr. Patel.
“I’m more than happy to take that gamble when you’re dealing with low-level type of offenses,” Wagstaffe said. “We don’t think for a crime like attempted murder, that diversion out of the system, meaning no accountability, no punishment should exist.”
A newly revised law makes more Californians eligible for diversion. Defendants no longer have to prove a diagnosed mental illness was a “significant factor” causing them to commit the crime.
The list of eligible “mental disorders” ranges from Patel’s diagnosis – major depressive disorder – to ADHD, erectile disorder, anorexia, substance use disorder, and intoxication.
“Diversion programs have been proven over and over again to have much better outcomes than traditional prosecutions when it comes to (preventing) new crimes,” said Mona Sahaf, a prosecution reform advocate.
Sahaf is the director of the Reshaping Prosecution Initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice, which often advocates for criminal justice reform.
She points to national studies that show prosecutor-led diversion greatly reduced recidivism and the rate of rearrests after completing diversion.
“Really, the headline here is that a person’s getting the treatment they need to make sure that they can be a safe, thriving member of their community. And that this is aligning with the wishes of the survivors of this crime,” Sahaf said.
She points to emotional testimony from Dr. Patel’s wife asking for diversion instead of trial.
“I really miss my best friend … my partner in life,” Mrs. Patel said.
Mrs. Patel described how much her kids miss their father and she noted that her husband never had an episode like that before. She argued, “(His) mental health treatment … will not only restore him back to himself but … will restore the health and well-being of (their) entire family.”
By all accounts, Dr. Patel was a loving father and upstanding doctor before his sudden mental illness prompted him to drive his family off a cliff.
Doctors say, if properly medicated, he could go back to that life.
“A diversion program might be the absolute best antidote to making sure that this person never commits a crime again,” Sahaf said.
The two-year Mental Health Diversion program
“I would also disagree that you’re not being held accountable in diversion,” Sahaf said. “You have to go through a very rigorous program with lots of requirements, many, many more requirements indeed than being charged and put into jail,”
In Patel’s case, he must wear an ankle monitor and stay confined to his parent’s house except for weekly visits to court, doctors, and therapists. He’ll be tested to ensure he’s not using recreational drugs or alcohol and that he is taking his prescribed medication.
He turned over his driver’s license and passport and, for now, he can’t see his wife and kids, practice medicine, or own a gun.
“What do you say to the argument that he’s exactly the type of person that should get mental health diversion?” we asked Wagstaffe.
“Nobody saw it coming. So how are we going to know in the future whether it’s coming?” he said. “How do we know he’s going to stay on medication after two years?”
Wagstaffe also worries that Patel was misdiagnosed.
He’s being treated for major depression disorder, but doctors for the prosecution argued he has Schizoaffective disorder – which requires a different treatment that they say Patel opposed.
“You have to have the right medication,” Wagstaffe said. “That’s why we think that the court should only take the chance, gamble, in cases where you’re a minimal danger to the public.”
What happens after two years?
Wagstaffe notes mental health diversion programs run a maximum of two years.
“If mental health diversion were for 20 years, 30 years, that would be a different consideration. The maximum – the court has no discretion – is two years. That’s nowhere near enough to determine whether somebody has really changed,” Wagstaffe added.
In Patel’s case, the medical board could attempt to revoke his license. But, legally, in two years, Patel can return to practicing medicine, driving, and even owning a gun.
“He will be the same as you, me, and every other law-abiding citizen out there in our community,” Wagstaffe said. “At the end of two years, Mr. Patel can go out, on day one, and purchase a gun.”
Wagstaffe’s office sponsored a bill, which is now state law, that prohibits gun possession during the two-year mental health diversion period.
“Originally it was a lifetime ban that we proposed,” Wagstaffe said. “They would not even let it get to a vote in the committee unless we agreed to water it down …We decided to take that because that’s better than nothing.”
Wagstaffe points to a dichotomy under California law.
“If somebody has a mental illness and commits an attempted murder, at the end of the two years, we’re going to let them buy a gun,” Wagstaffe said.
That’s because at the end of diversion, the charges are dropped. There’s no felony and no record of a crime.
“But if it’s somebody who has no mental health issues – [and] they stole $1,500 worth of goods, a felony – they are prohibited from possessing the gun the rest of their life. There’s no logic.”
Questions at the Capitol
The DA is among many who argue Mental Health Diversion should not be allowed in cases of attempted murder.
At the state capitol earlier this year, a bipartisan bill with widespread support within the legislature would have added attempted murder to the short list of charges – murder and sex crimes – that are not eligible for diversion.
Defense attorneys and reform advocates opposed the bill, arguing that it is bad policy to categorically exclude one type of offense. “We want the best option to be available in every single case, no matter what the charges,” explained Shahf.
Still, the bill had 17 bipartisan co-authors and unanimously passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee, which is known for killing tough-on-crime legislation.
“It is extraordinarily hard to get, pro-criminal justice bills out of the public safety. And this one flew through,” Wagstaffe said.
Except, their analysis fails to mention how much it currently costs ($123k+) to put the same person through diversion for a year.
Our CBS News analysis of state data found that last year alone, California spent an estimated $67 million on people who failed to complete Mental Health Diversion programs and had charges reinstated anyway.
In the first quarter of 2024 year, state data indicated the failure rate jumped to more than 50%.
Neither the Appropriations Committee Chair, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, nor her committee staff responded to repeated requests for comment.
“Poster child” for both sides of the diversion debate
Patel is the first high-profile attempted murder defendant to get Mental Health Diversion since the bill died.
“For us, he’s the poster child. We will use him in our efforts to try and bring that bill back,” Wagstaffe said.
But Patel is also the so-called “poster child” for the other side.
“Unfortunately, so many people believe that punishment is the way to make sure people don’t commit any crimes. But that’s not what the evidence shows,” Sahaf said.
Dr. Patel’s defense attorney declined an interview, but they hope Patel will be the model for how mental health diversion is supposed to work — even for those charged with attempted murder.
SAN MATEO – Three men from Virginia are under arrest in San Mateo County after police said they took part in a roofing scam that defrauded elderly residents on the Peninsula.
According to the San Mateo Police Department, officers launched an investigation in Nov. 2023. Investigators learned that a group of men who purportedly had “Irish accents” operated a fake construction company called “Statewide Roofing and Siding.”
Police said the suspects used a fake contractor’s license, performed work that was likely not needed and overcharged for work that was not completed.
Investigators worked with other police departments in San Mateo County and found additional victims of similar scams, police said.
On May 7, San Mateo police received a report from another victim who said that he believed that the company he hired to fix the roof of his mother’s home was scamming him.
The victim said after a “free” inspection, the company initially determined that minor repairs were needed. Eventually, the company said that additional work was needed and finally suggested that the entire roof needed replacement.
Investigators learned that the suspects had used fake names and used another company name “Teco Roofing and Masonry”. All three suspects were contacted by police the next day and were arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail.
(L-R) Charlie Anderson, David Anderson and Darren Temple are accused of a roofing scam in San Mateo County. All three were arrested on May 8, 2024.
San Mateo Police Department
The suspects are identified as 22-year-old Charlie Anderson, 39-year-old David Anderson and 40-year-old Darren Temple. All three men are residents of Herndon, Virginia, a suburb in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
Police said the suspects are facing charges of theft from an elder or dependent adult, obtaining money by false pretenses, fraudulent use of a contractor’s license and conspiracy.
Jail records show that all three men remain in the San Mateo County Jail as of Thursday, with their next court appearance set for May 22.
Police said Thursday that they are searching for additional victims. Anyone who may have had roofing work done with the companies are asked to contact Officer Thornburg of the San Mateo Police Department at 650-522-7650.
The wife of the man accused of driving her and their children off a cliff at Devil’s Slide near Pacifica last year pleaded in court Thursday for her husband to be released.
Investigators say Dharmesh Patel, a doctor from Southern California, purposely plunged his Tesla off a 300-foot cliff with his family in the car. Everyone managed to survive.
His wife told the court Thursday that his actions were due to a mental health episode.
The judge is weighing if Patel should be criminally tried or diverted to a mental health program.
Patel, who is facing three charges of attempted murder, is being held without bail.
SAN JOSE – Jim Irizarry, Assistant Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder of San Mateo County, has seen his fair share of elections during his 11-year tenure.
However, today marks a first for him — a tied election. Nearly a month after the March primary, the race for the 16th Congressional District in Silicon Valley took another unexpected turn as both second-place candidates tied.
“Today, we’re in the process of certifying the election to report to the Secretary of State tomorrow the final results for the 16th Congressional District,” Irizarry said.
According to unofficial results posted Tuesday, both Assemblymember Evan Low and Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian have 30,249 votes. Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is in first place with 38,489 votes.
“The last cured ballots that we received was yesterday at approximately 3:45, and that ballot voted for Supervisor Joe Smith, and then went into the count and basically tied the election according to the Secretary of State,” Irizarry told KPIX.
Election officials in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, where the 16th District is located, announced Tuesday that all ballots have been processed. Both San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties are set to issue their official results by 5 p.m. Thursday.
“It’s in the ballpark of the candidates. At this point in time, the campaigns need to decide whether they are satisfied with the results. If they are not, they have five days to file for a recount,” Irizarry states. “At this juncture, because there is a tie, state law basically says that when there is a tie for the two positions that we’re talking about right now, the two will go to the November election, so they will be at three-way race for the congressional seat.”
The Secretary of State has until April 12 to certify the results, giving candidates the opportunity to challenge them.
For weeks, the race for second place has taken multiple turns, with Simitian and Low both holding the place spot, often by razor-thin margins. Tuesday was the last day voters were able to correct issues with their ballots.
The contest will determine who will replace Rep. Anna Eshoo, who is retiring after more than three decades in Congress.
