Breast Cancer MemorialBy iHeartRadioMay 5 provides a serene space for reflection and remembrance with room for more as the toll of the disease increases who is undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer Meaghan Calcari Campbell co-lead of the project and a breast cancer survivor highlighted the memorial's importance as a place for grieving and gathering includes a circular seating area made of durable Ipe wood symbolizing the resilience needed to battle breast cancer initiated by the Bay Area Young Survivors (BAYS) in collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department took seven years to finalize the location and four years to construct The memorial's opening was attended by about 500 people including San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie who expressed hope that the garden would inspire others to support cancer research and awareness The memorial garden serves as a poignant reminder of lives lost and offers comfort to those affected by breast cancer It is located at 205 Conservatory Drive West providing a space for contemplation and connection within the park — No one is injured after a driver crashed into a building over the weekend according to the Greater Naples Fire Department crews were called about an SUV that crashed into two apartment buildings that had people inside at Mer Soleil Apartments The second has significant structural damage to a load-bearing wall The Greater Naples Fire Rescue USAR Team responded and crews quickly stabilized the structure using a temporary Paratech T-Spot Shore inside a bedroom they installed a more secure shoring system and sealed the damaged wall with blue tarps to protect the building Red Cross was called and responded for family support The Bay Area's home for the world's finest films and filmmakers SFFILM announced the winners of the juried Golden Gate Awards competition and the Audience Awards at the 68th San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) Since the Festival’s first edition in 1957 the prestigious Golden Gate Awards have served as a launching pad for internationally renowned filmmakers who are early in their careers and have grown to include Audience Awards as well as serving as a qualifier for films under 40 minutes for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) Academy Award-qualifying honors presented at the Festival included Narrative Short “I‘m very proud of this year’s lineup and the incredible craft and stories shared by the 2025 Festival filmmakers,” said Jessie Fairbanks “We had an amazing group of dedicated jurors who watched films alongside Festival audiences in San Francisco Their selected winners for the GGA Awards embody the spirit and legacy of our Festival as well as the innovative style and form we seek as curators It is an honor to introduce exceptionally talented filmmakers to audiences here in the Bay Area We can’t wait to see where these films go next.” The winners of the 68th Annual SFFILM Golden Gate Awards Competition are as follows: the jury said: “The jury awards Sarra Tsorakidis’s stark a character study examining a Romanian artist’s days working in a new hotel under construction coming off of a difficult breakup while exploring new connections The gorgeous yet lonely setting fits seamlessly with the story which was brought to life by the brilliant star Ilinca Harnut and an excellent supporting cast Drenched in the beauty of nature and evoking questions around intimacy and solitude the film lingers with you long after you’ve watched Tsorakidis’s exacting compositions reflect the work of its subject gradually granting us profound access into her interior life—her journey is familiar and quiet but realized on screen with consistently thorny An auspicious introduction to a bold new filmmaker Ink Wash represents a model winner of the New Directors Award We can’t wait to see more from Tsorakidis.” the jury said: “Director Cherien Dabis has accomplished quite a feat with her generation-spanning story of Palestinian life that explores the emotional ramifications of the occupation and its horrors upon a single family Framed by the story of a Palestinian teenager at a West Bank protest who experiences violence that rocks his family and leads to his mother recounting the familial threads all the way back to the 1948 Nakba and onward toward the present day that brought her son to that fateful event Dabis has not only written and directed the film she is amongst its wonderful cast playing the mother whose evocative emotion provides the film its structure All That’s Left of You is a triumph demonstrating the connective powers of the medium itself It is brimming with historical detail and minute lived-in moments that imbue the film with emotional complexity This is embodied by a tremendous cast anchored by a raw-nerved The film doesn’t argue for Palestinian humanity which engenders audiences to think deeply and act more precisely when it comes to the watershed political and humanitarian crisis of our time.” The jury stated: “With a potently insightful touch writer-director Ana Endara reveals the pain of loss tied to the complexities of motherhood and life transitions Two distinct perspectives converge for a nuanced and affecting portrait of an unexpected friendship Endara’s delicate direction of her two lead actresses creates moments of tenderness and mutual appreciation that always feel organically brought to life the artist’s portrayal on the Panamanian social strata by focusing on two immigrants with unique experiences broadens our understanding of a country with a particular history and place in Latin America.” The jury also acknowledged “the extraordinary work of actress Paulina García in both Beloved Tropic and Horizon whose emotional precision and dramatic range become crucial in both complex narratives.” the jury said: “For its poetic pace and patient Seeds is our unanimous selection for the inaugural Kirby Walker Documentary Award Brittany Shyne’s stunning directorial debut immerses audiences in the stories of Black farmers in the South rendered with reverence and deep intention in every frame An essential film by an exciting new talent Seeds is an unforgettable portrait of the power of generational love and healing in the face of systemic inequities.” the jury said: “Two People Exchanging Saliva is a wonderfully creative and sneakily clever film about power and forbidden love told amidst an imaginatively dystopic economy of pain directors Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh have made a film I will be telling cinephiles to find and watch for some time.” The jury stated:: “The Narrative Short category was quite competitive this year with nineteen films but we all felt drawn to the same standout work of Stomach Bug Matty Crawford’s film so viscerally depicts the ‘too real’ horror of aging as an immigrant single parent contending with an escalating and overwhelming level of loneliness and discomfort Crawford accomplishes the near-impossible balancing act of depicting repulsive body horror side by side with emotionally vulnerable exchanges in such a succinct film The intentionality of how and when to employ language is exemplary.” the jury said: “All three jurors agreed instantly about awarding Best Documentary Short to the wildly creative The Hemingway very generously walks the audience through his colorful internal life as well as his gratitude for producing the titular Hemingway After seeing the amount of focus and labor that Patrick has to put into writing just the opening sentence of the film we were blown away by the range of emotions and scale of world that Patrick and Evan were able to build and squeeze into an eight minute short The jury stated: “For its beautifully crafted and imaginatively rendered exploration of memory and family dynamics seen through the mirrored eyes of identical twins Its hybrid style and deeply nuanced storytelling set it apart in a remarkably rich field of animated works.” the jury said: “The jury awards the Bay Area Shorts Award to Birdy Wei-Ting Hung for her film A Brighter Summer Day for the Lady Avengers Hung interlaces the rich tapestry of Taiwanese history with haunting meditations on gender and state violence Created during Hung’s time at San Francisco State University this poignant work of art pulses with the spirit of resistance and dreams that define the Bay Area ethos.” the jury said: “The Girl with the Occupied Eyes captivates with its appealing character designs and a beautifully matched musical score that enhances the film’s universal message Its use of expressive colors and engaging animation resonates warmly with audiences of all ages.” The jury stated: “We selected a film that we thought had incredible performances from child actors offers complete character arcs for multiple characters in little time and transported us to a part of the world we do not know but felt connected to the jury said: “Cactus Pears is a profoundly tender film about a thirty-year old living in Mumbai returning to his rural hometown in Western India for the funeral rituals occuring in the wake of his father’s death Director-writer Rohan Kanawade utilizes this premise as a portal into deep love and connection as the lead character navigates his extended family’s questioning about his unmarried stature and the gentle beginnings of a relationship with a local farmer It is a film that lovingly portrays complex connections and cultural ideas — about death The film charmed each jury member with its carefully embodied performances and meditative pacing that we wanted to highlight it for the festival with a special mention.” Kirby Walker Documentary Honorable Mention The jury stated: “We honorably recognize How to Build a Library for its powerful and instructive exploration of the unfinished work of decolonization in Kenya Directors Maia Lekow and Christopher King document the courage and resilience of Shiro and Angela as they reclaim a colonial institution for their community How to Build a Library reminds us that meaningful change is possible through collective action.” the jury said: “Our honorable mention is Why Can’t We Just Be Ghosts? we felt a connection to the topic and it balanced a lighthearted style and serious commentary.” SFFILM is committed to providing accessible experiences at all events whether in-person or online Event pages will be updated with accessibility information as it becomes available All public screening venues are equipped with individual closed captioning To request a closed caption or assisted listening device Our Major Sponsors are Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and Lucasfilm Our Signature Sponsors are Citizens Private Bank Our media sponsors are The Hollywood Reporter Special thanks to our programs and venue partners at the Premier Theater at One Letterman Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA) San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) the San Francisco Parks Alliance (SF Parks Alliance) The San Francisco International Film Festival presented by SFFILM runs April 17–27 at venues in San Francisco and Berkeley The official program—curated from nearly 4,500 submissions and invitations—includes premieres international narrative and documentary films and the Golden Gate Award juried competition Filmmakers will be networking at industry meetings and talks and everyone will get to celebrate the magic of cinema with SFFILM’s prestigious Persistence of Vision The SFFILM Festival always centers the Bay Area with selections by local creators and crews and educational screenings through Schools at the Festival that reaches thousands of students each year SFFILM is a nonprofit organization whose mission ensures independent voices in film are welcomed Annual public film programs presented by SFFILM include the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) which is the longest running film festival in the Americas special events with the best and brightest in contemporary film SFFILM Education serves more than 15,000 students and educators with learning opportunities designed to cultivate media literacy SFFILM Makers supports the careers of independent filmmakers from the Bay Area and beyond with grants For further information and press inquiries please contact Jessie Cohen PR & Consulting Filed Under: Festival, Press Release Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application Randall Lee Bridgewater passed away peacefully on April 27 Randy was the firstborn son of Richard and Karen Bridgewater in Hutchinson He is survived by Karen Bridgewater (mother) Nathan Bridgewater (son) and Sara Elmer (daughter) and five grandchildren He always spent way too long in the Carlson's bait shop Randy became the 13th heart transplant recipient at KU Medical Center He survived 32 years longer than the doctors had anticipated Probably because he always did his own thing but passed away comfortably and peacefully at the Kansas City Hospice House on Sunday This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors the San Francisco 49ers made sure to prioritize the unit in the 2025 NFL Draft the 49ers used their first five on the defensive side of the ball After seeing a mass exodus in free agency on defense in March specifically Mykel Williams (first round) and Alfred Collins (second round) will become instant contributors this upcoming season San Francisco spending a lot of draft capital on defense doesn’t inspire hope and playing time for some of the current players on the roster The 26-year-old defender missed his rookie season because of a knee injury he suffered in his last year at the University of Central Florida Davis appeared in three games but was ultimately placed on injured reserve in December 2023 Even though his first two years didn’t go as planned the former Florida State defensive lineman appeared in 13 games last season (career-high) due to the injuries on the front seven He spent the first part of the 2024 season on IR because of a knee injury Davis had a 53.8 pass rush grade (174th among 219 defensive linemen) and a 42.5 run defense grade (170th) with the 49ers taking two defensive linemen in the draft (Collins and CJ West in the fourth round) and signing former University of Washington defender Sebastian Valdez as an undrafted free agent Davis could be in danger of getting cut in the near future Since Davis is entering the last year of his rookie deal with a $1.13 million cap hit it won’t hurt the 49ers to cut the former sixth-round pick especially if Valdez looks good in rookie minicamp or if a tryout player surprises the 49ers’ coaching staff With the 49ers looking to get younger and more explosive on the defensive line fans will watch to see what happens with Davis and the other players at the bottom of the roster © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"60","src":"61","url":"62"},{"type":"5z","value":"63"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"66","url":"67"},{"type":"65","value":"68"},"All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands The 49ers hope that these rookies, specifically Mykel Williams (first round) and Alfred Collins (second round), will become instant contributors this upcoming season.  San Francisco spending a lot of draft capital on defense doesn’t inspire hope and playing time for some of the current players on the roster, like defensive tackle Kalia Davis. The 26-year-old defender missed his rookie season because of a knee injury he suffered in his last year at the University of Central Florida. However, in his second year with the squad, Davis appeared in three games but was ultimately placed on injured reserve in December 2023. Even though his first two years didn’t go as planned, the former Florida State defensive lineman appeared in 13 games last season (career-high) due to the injuries on the front seven. He spent the first part of the 2024 season on IR because of a knee injury, but in his return to the field, he racked up 12 combined tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection. According to PFF, Davis had a 53.8 pass rush grade (174th among 219 defensive linemen) and a 42.5 run defense grade (170th), which weren’t anything special.  Therefore, with the 49ers taking two defensive linemen in the draft (Collins and CJ West in the fourth round) and signing former University of Washington defender Sebastian Valdez as an undrafted free agent, Davis could be in danger of getting cut in the near future. Since Davis is entering the last year of his rookie deal with a $1.13 million cap hit, it won’t hurt the 49ers to cut the former sixth-round pick, especially if Valdez looks good in rookie minicamp or if a tryout player surprises the 49ers’ coaching staff. With the 49ers looking to get younger and more explosive on the defensive line, fans will watch to see what happens with Davis and the other players at the bottom of the roster. With the 49ers spending two picks on the defensive line in the 2025 NFL draft, it could put a former sixth-round pick on the chopping block. COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Several fire crews are battling a brush fire east of Golden Gate Estates. According to Greater Naples Fire, the fire started near 15th Street NW, just north of Golden Gate Boulevard. As of Wednesday afternoon, the fire is 85% contained and has burned roughly 1.2 acres. A spokesperson said at least three homes, one being vacant, were threatened. Flames were about 50 to 70 feet behind some houses. To prevent the risk of damages, the district called in a strike team to protect the homes. No evacuations were ordered, but deputies were called in to help with traffic control. The Collier County Sheriff's Office brought in its helicopter to drop water on the fire. Marco Island Fire, North Collier Fire and the Florida Forest Service are on scene. A cause has not been determined. The spokesperson said the area is super dry and humidity is low, which is contributing to the risk of fires and containment. After the disappointing 2024 campaign that saw them go 7-10 and miss the playoffs 49ers fans saw several key contributors leave San Francisco in free agency and Dre Greenlaw were only a part of a long list of departed Niners Few teams in the NFL had as big an exodus as the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 offseason The biggest reason for GM John Lynch's decision to let key free agents walk is obviously financial. The 49ers were already an expensive team, and the looming contract extensions for George Kittle and Brock Purdy made it difficult for the team to retain everyone they wanted to keep around Another underrated aspect of letting players leave in free agency is the compensatory picks a team gets teams may value a compensatory pick they will get when one of their important players leaves over giving them a lucrative One benefit the 49ers will have after this offseason is the additional picks they will get in the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL.com's draft analyst Lance Zierlein revealed his projections for compensatory picks for next season Zierlein projected three compensatory picks for the 49ers Considering that no team can receive more than four compensatory picks in a single draft and the highest pick you can get is a third-rounder San Francisco's haul is one of the best you can receive It's important to note that these are projections and compensatory picks will not be finalized by the NFL Management Council until after the 2025 season The 49ers could get an even better return if the likes of Banks and Ward play more and better than expected Depending on how these veterans perform and how well the 49ers do with the compensatory picks will determine whether it was the right decision to let them walk this offseason ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"5u","src":"5v","url":"5w"},{"type":"5t","value":"5x"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"60","url":"61"},{"type":"5z","value":"62"},"All Rights Reserved The biggest reason for GM John Lynch's decision to let key free agents walk is obviously financial. The 49ers were already an expensive team, and the looming contract extensions for George Kittle and Brock Purdy made it difficult for the team to retain everyone they wanted to keep around One benefit the 49ers will have after this offseason is the additional picks they will get in the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL.com's draft analyst Lance Zierlein revealed his projections for compensatory picks for next season. Zierlein projected three compensatory picks for the 49ers, two in Round 4 and one in Round 5. Considering that no team can receive more than four compensatory picks in a single draft, and the highest pick you can get is a third-rounder, San Francisco's haul is one of the best you can receive. It's important to note that these are projections and compensatory picks will not be finalized by the NFL Management Council until after the 2025 season. The 49ers could get an even better return if the likes of Banks, Hufanga, and Ward play more and better than expected. Depending on how these veterans perform and how well the 49ers do with the compensatory picks will determine whether it was the right decision to let them walk this offseason. Open navigationClose navigationHome All the major chapters in the American story from Indigenous beginnings to the present day History from countries and communities across the globe On January 5, 1933, construction begins on the Golden Gate Bridge as workers began excavating 3.25 million cubic feet of dirt for the structure’s huge anchorages a plan was hatched to build a bridge that would span the Golden Gate 400-foot deep strait that serves as the mouth of the San Francisco Bay connecting the San Francisco Peninsula with the southern end of Marin County Although the idea went back as far as 1869 working as a journalist with the San Francisco Bulletin called for a suspension bridge with a center span of 3,000 feet nearly twice the length of any in existence Wilkins’ idea was estimated to cost an astounding $100 million O’Shaughnessy (he’s also credited with coming up with the name Golden Gate Bridge) began asking bridge engineers whether they could do it for less Get the facts about one of the world's most beautiful bridges so officials convinced voters to support $35 million in bonded indebtedness citing the jobs that would be created for the project when San-Francisco based Bank of America agreed to buy the entire project in order to help the local economy The Golden Gate Bridge officially opened on May 27 the longest bridge span in the world at the time The first public crossing had taken place the day before ran and even roller skated over the new bridge With its tall towers and famous trademarked "international orange" paint job the bridge quickly became a famous American landmark Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on January 5th On January 5, 1531, Pope Clement VII sends a letter to King Henry VIII of England forbidding him to remarry under penalty of excommunication. Henry, who was looking for a way out of his marriage to his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, ignored the pope’s warning. He went on to marry Anne Boleyn (and four […] American traitor and British Brigadier General Benedict Arnold enjoys his greatest success as a British commander on January 5, 1781 . Arnold’s 1,600 largely Loyalist troops sailed up the James River at the beginning of January, eventually landing in Westover, Virginia. Leaving Westover on the afternoon of January 4, Arnold and his men arrived at […] French officer Alfred Dreyfus, condemned for passing military secrets to the Germans, is stripped of his rank in a humiliating public ceremony in the courtyard of Paris’ Ecole Militaire. The Jewish artillery captain, convicted on flimsy evidence in a highly irregular trial, began his life sentence on the notorious Devil’s Island Prison in French Guyana […] With the Great War edging into its third calendar year, British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith introduces the first military conscription bill in his country’s history to the House of Commons on January 5, 1916. Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Britain’s secretary of state for war, had warned from the beginning that the war would be decided […] On January 5, 1920, the New York Yankees major league baseball club announces its purchase of the heavy-hitting outfielder George Herman “Babe” Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for the sum of $125,000. In all, Ruth had played six seasons with the Red Sox, leading them to three World Series victories. On the mound, Ruth […] On January 5, 1949, President Harry S. Truman announces, in his State of the Union address, that every American has a right to expect from our government a fair deal. In a reference to Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, Truman announced his plans for domestic policy reforms including national health insurance, public housing, civil rights […] 1953 Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot” premieres in Paris, to mixed reviews. Despite audiences’ initial reaction, the play becomes a landmark of modern theater. In a 1998 poll of more than 800 theater professionals conducted by the UK’s Royal National Theatre, “Godot” was voted the most important English-language play of the 20th century. “Godot” opened in […] In response to the increasingly tense situation in the Middle East, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers a proposal to Congress that calls for a new and more proactive U.S. policy in the region. The “Eisenhower Doctrine,” as the proposal soon came to be known, established the Middle East as a Cold War battlefield. The United […] Antonin Novotny, the Stalinist ruler of Czechoslovakia, is succeeded as first secretary by Alexander Dubcek, a Slovak who supports liberal reforms. In the first few months of his rule, Dubcek introduced a series of far-reaching political and economic reforms, including increased freedom of speech and the rehabilitation of political dissidents. Dubcek’s effort to establish “communism […] The bodies of dissident union leader Joseph “Jock” Yablonski, his wife, and daughter are discovered in their Clarksville, Pennsylvania, farmhouse by Yablonski’s son Kenneth. The family had been dead for nearly a week, killed on New Year’s Eve by killers hired by the United Mine Workers (UMW) union leadership. Yablonski’s murder eventually brought down the […] Richard Nixon signs a bill authorizing $5.5 million in funding to develop a space shuttle. The space shuttle represented a giant leap forward in the technology of space travel. Designed to function more like a cost-efficient “reusable” airplane than a one-use-only rocket-launched capsules, the shuttle afforded NASA pilots and scientists more time in space with […] On January 5, 1972, President Richard Nixon warns South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu in a private letter that his refusal to sign any negotiated peace agreement would render it impossible for the United States to continue assistance to South Vietnam. Nixon’s National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger had been working behind the scenes in secret […] On January 5, 1976, Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot announces a new constitution changing the name of Cambodia to Kampuchea and legalizing its Communist government. During the next three years his brutal regime was responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1 to 2 million Cambodians. Pol Pot, who was born Saloth Sar in 1925 […] Hip hop’s roots as a musical phenomenon are subject to debate, but its roots as a commercial phenomenon are much clearer. They trace back directly to January 5, 1980, when the song “Rapper’s Delight” hit #37, becoming the first hip hop single ever to reach the Billboard top 40. Prior to the success of “Rapper’s […] On January 5, 1998, Sonny Bono, best known as half of the 1960s singing and acting husband-and-wife duo Sonny & Cher, is killed in a skiing accident while on vacation with his family in South Lake Tahoe, California. In his characteristically blunt and self-deprecating manner, Sonny Bono transformed himself relatively late in his life, morphing […] The Mariana Trench remained undiscovered until a crew from the HMS Challenger unsuspectingly lowered a weighted rope into its immense depths. These iconic structures showcase the sleek geometry and lavish detail that defined early 20th-century architecture. In 1934, wind gusts of 231 miles per hour roared over the top of Mount Washington, rattling the weathermen who managed to record it. Get the story behind Dwight Eisenhower’s grueling, 62-day cross-country road trip that inspired the creation of the Interstate Highway System. We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day Learn something new with key events in history from the American Revolution to pop culture you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Golden Gate BridgeCredit: Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District What you need to know: For the second year in a row California’s Department of Finance released data showing the Golden State’s population grew the state added more than 100,000 residents Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California’s population grew by 108,000 people in calendar year 2024 reaching 39,529,000 people as of January 1st 2025 — according to new data from the California Department of Finance This increase marks the second consecutive calendar year of population growth this report reflects an upward revision of California’s January 2024 population which saw a growth of 192,219 people (year over year) — up from the previously estimated increase of 67,104 people And an upward revision of California’s January 2023 population which saw a growth of 48,764 people (year over year) — up from the previously estimated decrease of 53,727 people Higher 2024 K-8 enrollment by 13,890 compared to 2023 An increase in the 65-and-older population of 25,298 people in 2024 up from 6,622,031 people reported last year Natural increase — the net result of births minus deaths — contributed 114,805 to overall population growth in 2024 largely in line with the growth of 105,550 in 2023 More data sources to better estimate California’s share of recent increases in legal immigration to the U.S showing 277,468 more immigrants to the state during this period than in the 2023 estimate The report contains preliminary year-over-year January 2025 and revised January 2021 through January 2024 population data for California cities It’s important to note that these estimates are based on information as of January 1 and therefore do not include data for the Los Angeles County wildfires later that month California’s 58 counties range in size from Alpine County to Los Angeles County with 9.9 million residents. The population increased in 35 counties Population gains reflect natural increase exceeding losses in net total migration The state’s ten largest counties remain Los Angeles with each having more than one million residents These ten counties represent 72 percent of California’s population.  Nine of the ten counties with one million or more people have positive population growth leaving Contra Costa as the only county with a very small population loss of 24 people Los Angeles led with an increase of 28,000 persons.  Population growth rates ranged from a high of 2.88 percent in Lassen County to a low of -1.58 percent in Mono County The next five largest in percentage growth were Glenn (1.35 percent) California’s population increased by more than 225,000 people 2023: California’s population increased by more than 50,000 people NOTE: This was revised up from the originally reported 75,000+ decrease 2022: California’s population decreased by just 151 people NOTE: This was revised up from the originally reported 100,000+ decrease Despite the common myth of a continually declining population California has only saw a short period of population loss in its 174 year history — during the peak of the COVID pandemic when it decreased by 379,544 people (which represents about 1% decrease over those two years) 2022, 10 states saw larger population decreases with Louisiana — led by a Republican Governor and legislature — seeing the largest percent decrease And 13 states also saw population decreases from July 1 More information hereSource: Office of the Governor Q: What is being constructed on the west side of Collier Boulevard about a quarter mile south of Golden Gate Parkway Q: Any news on the Arthrex/Golden Gate Golf Course I thought construction would have started by now A: The future use for the 54-year-old Golden Gate Golf Course was still unknown in 2019 when the property was purchased by Collier County government for $29.1 million Few people could have envisioned everything planned for the 167 acres at Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard but a series of groundbreaking redevelopment projects now underway there are opening eyes It was the last large piece of open space in the urban area of Collier County You won’t find another piece of property in the urban area like this,” Collier County Commissioner Burt L and the board had the foresight to do that.” Time was ticking at the time of the purchase six years ago because the former owner of the golf course had applied to build about 750 residential units on the property “That’s when I jumped in and basically said for the benefit of the Golden Gate community we can do something better with this property,” Saunders said considering what is in store for that land the former 18-hole golf course will become The Gate par-35 community course that will operate as a nonprofit entity with discounted rates for Collier residents The dynamic new course is designed by professional golfer Peter Jacobsen and his Jacobsen-Hardy Golf Course Design The county and its community partners broke ground Feb they are also designing an area where kids can tee off but they won’t be in the play of the main course MHK Architecture has designed about 18,000 square feet of amenities situated in a campus-style setting high-tech driving range and an illuminated 18-hole Himalayas-style putting course available for both day and nighttime practice scenic environment; and an events pavilion will have spaces for community gatherings and dining “The golf course will remain a Collier County golf course operated by the Arthrex Foundation through contracts with their operator,” Saunders said they are facilitating all the construction of the First Tee facility run by Cindy Darland It’s going to be a very fine facility for our kids.” Targeted to open with the new course in 2026 the First Tee Academy and learning center is expected to be among the nicest in the country Its nonprofit youth golf programs help build a strong foundation for skills character and confidence on and off the course First Tee plans to double its enrollment here to serve 2,000 young people executive director of First Tee of Naples/Collier “We’re just grateful to be a part of The Gate Golf Club and we can’t wait to open our doors in 15 months and welcome all the kids and the community of Naples,” she said Adjacent to First Tee and the golf center will be the high-tech driving range “They can order food from there and there will be a sitting area behind each hitting bay and it will have technology so that you’ll get some kind of a reading as to how good your shot was after you hit the ball,” Saunders said The old golf course will have many other community components including a 120-bed veterans nursing home that the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs said will be a model for the nation it will be a long-term healthcare community with rehabilitation and adult day care services “We are putting stuff into this nursing home that you don’t find in veterans nursing homes anywhere in the country,” he said The county is providing the land and some of the funding for the veterans home but the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs will own and operate the facility The project still needs federal funding from the U.S which the county is confident it will receive this year More attainable housing also is part of the former golf course in two multifamily residential projects already under construction at opposite ends of the county acreage a workforce housing project with some units reserved for seniors and veterans is being built along Collier Boulevard on more than 25 acres on the southeastern leg of the golf course property Rural Neighborhoods has contracted with DeAngelis Diamond to build the three-story residential structures Abutting the old golf course along Golden Gate Parkway the former Golden Gate Inn and Quality Inn & Suites Golf Resort is being transformed into more than 200 rent-restricted contemporary studio apartments by Styx Cos. two-story building at 4110 Golden Gate Parkway that formerly was home to JD Jags Ribhouse & Grill and banquet center space is planned to be remodeled into a veterans community center “It will house numerous veterans organizations and provide numerous veterans services to the entire veteran community,” Saunders said The Naples Museum of Military History was going to relocate from the Naples Airport to this golf course property but it is now planned to move to the county’s Freedom Park farther west on Golden Gate Parkway in Naples The existing Golf Crest of Naples Condominium buildings near the corner of Golden Gate Parkway and Collier Boulevard are privately owned residences and not part of the county redevelopment projects The “Tim Aten Knows” weekly column answers local questions from readers Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy.. Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road marking the final phase in the redevelopment of.. slipped into eternity in the early hours of March 13 We like to remember her as the "center" of our family She cherished our family gatherings and always found a way to stir the pot Becky loved animals and was known for bringing home stray dogs and she gave them the best days of their lives Cooking and baking goodies were more than just a hobby for Becky—they were a way of life She would often deliver food to Ken at work Neighbors became friends over a pot of stew delivered to their door Becky never knew a stranger; she was known for adopting people and making them part of her family Becky started a youth dart league in Sioux City What began with just eight children quickly grew to well over 100 kids Psalm 27:1"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Q: Did the gas station at the corner of Everglades and Oil Well ever get approved Did the gas station at Oil Well and Hawthorn by the new Publix get final approval and Any more information about other tenants that might occupy the area by Hawthorn and Oil Well besides Publix 5/3 bank and the apartments would also be greatly appreciated Thanks again for all your knowledge about what is being built in Collier County A: New gas stations planned along Oil Well Road in Golden Gate Estates have not been formally proposed yet but preliminary plans show that a couple of them are being considered for new development projects 7-Eleven purchased three residential lots on the northwest corner of Oil Well and Everglades Boulevard but the Texas-based company has yet to file documents to rezone the property for commercial use or to propose a site development plan for a convenience store and gas pumps there a conceptual plan showed that Circle K had planned a 5,200-square-foot store 125-foot tunnel car wash and a stormwater pond While the property has been acquired by 7-Eleven Circle K is looking to land about 1.5 miles west at an outparcel at the Shoppes at Orange Blossom an early conceptual site plan shows that Circle K proposes a 2.13-acre outparcel site on the northeast corner of Oil Well Road and Big Corkscrew Drive a new intersection that will lead to the entrance of Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park The preliminary plan shows a 4,000-square-foot convenience store fronted by six dual-sided gasoline fueling dispensers East of the proposed site for the gas station plans for a few other outparcels already are under review by the county Plans submitted for three buildings include a restaurant drive-thru Architectural plans filed with the county in February show that those proposed businesses are Chipotle Mexican Grill Heartland Dental and Mavis Tires & Brakes Plans for a more than 2,300-square-foot Chipotle freestanding restaurant show indoor and outdoor seating and a “Chipotlane” pick-up window Plans submitted for Mavis Tires & Brakes include a 3,124-square-foot service area a 1,886-square-foot tire storage area and a 1,377-square-foot showroom in a freestanding building A third building will be shared by a 2,313-square-foot Starbucks drive-thru and a 4,260-square-foot dental office A 1,300-square foot Tropical Smoothie Cafe is one of two restaurant spaces expected for the eastern end of an inline retail strip that adjoins the future Publix supermarket at 1715 Oil Well Road immediately east of the football field at Palmetto Ridge High School The exterior shell nears completion for Publix and the adjoining retail shops Great Clips hair salon and Encore Nail Bar Two other units are still available and Fifth Third Bank has signed on for a future outparcel building in front of the strip Since Florida-based WMG Development broke ground last summer on The Shoppes at Orange Blossom a major construction zone consumes the entire acreage with the building of a lift station and the development’s infrastructure a new public road off Oil Well that will run between the new Publix supermarket and a future apartment complex while eventually connecting to Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park Interior roads under construction are Workman Way and Champs Avenue Workman will run east-west from Big Corkscrew Drive to Hawthorn Road the approach to Orange Blossom Ranch’s entrance; Champs will run north-south from Oil Well to Workman splitting the outparcel lots fronting the future luxury apartments: the 384-unit Emblem at Orange Blossom Q: I heard a rumor that RaceTrac backed out of the new Tractor Supply location and a Wawa is going in A: Plans for the gas station outparcel still aren’t ready for prime time in front of the new Tractor Supply Co store readying to launch on the northwest corner of Golden Gate Boulevard and Wilson Boulevard in Golden Gate Estates a convenience store with gas pumps still is a proposed use on one of two outparcels on that corner development of about 10 acres owned by HSC Orangetree LLC During a pre-application meeting last August with Collier County Growth Management the developer proposed a Circle K project consisting of a 5,200-square-foot convenience store with 12 fueling positions on the corner of Wilson and Golden Gate boulevards A specific commercial tenant has not been named yet for the other outparcel lot on the northeast corner of Golden Gate Boulevard and First Street Northwest but Hix believes it could be an auto parts store Tractor Supply is targeted to have a soft opening near the end of March and a grand opening in April for its nearly 24,000-square-foot store at 77 Golden Gate Blvd. said a corporate communications representative for the Tennessee-based company that operates a chain of stores selling products for agriculture The new store features the rural lifestyle retailer’s latest prototype with an outdoor garden area a feed center and a fenced outdoor display area The only other Tractor Supply store in Collier County has operated since 2008 at 13235 Tamiami Trail E The publicly traded company has more than 2,200 retail stores nationwide including regional locations in Fort Myers Brandie Hudgens Guilbeau was born December 13th 1967 in Kansas City Worked at Zurich for 25 years as a business analyst and went back for some college education Brandie met and married Randy blessed with 2 children Adam and Kara Brandie loved to have fun and had a sense of humor like nobody else Deanna Hudgens and Steve Vendee her best friend Brandie leaves to cherish her memory children Adam and Kara Collier County commissioners got a glimpse of plans for The Gate Golf Club, which will transform the 60-year-old Golden Gate Golf Course, provide discounted golf, add a village and First Tee Learning Academy to teach kids golf and other skills to succeed in life. The club, a nonprofit established by Arthrex founder Reinhold Schmieding, broke ground last month on the county-owned property at 4100 Golden Gate Parkway. The course, which will offer discounted rates to the public, is set to open in spring 2026. During a Board of County Commissioners update on March 25, Chair Burt Saunders noted the project began in 2019, when the county purchased the 165-acre property for $29.1 million, and there have been “a lot of delays, a lot of disappointments,” a reference to an earlier deal with BigShots Golf that fell through in 2023. “But what we ultimately wound up with is the perfect solution to providing golf to the community at a very low price … a facility that all of us can be proud of,” Saunders said after the update and video presentation by David Bumpous, Arthrex’s vice president of operations. The public golf course, facilities and county park wouldn’t have been possible without Bumpous, Arthrex and Schmieding, Saunders said, adding, “It’s going to be top-notch, but it’s also going to be very affordable, especially for our youngsters who want to get out and play some golf.” Plans include a nine-hole, par-35 course designed by professional golfer Peter Jacobsen and Jacobsen-Hardy Golf Course Design; a high-tech driving range with 30 covered, state-of-the-art hitting bays featuring lounge seating; an 18-hole Himalayas-style putting course for day and night practice; a 175-seat Oakwood Grill restaurant; an events pavilion; and First Tee Naples/Collier’s First Tee Academy for golf and life-skills instruction. “This is not a renovation of the old Golden Gate Golf Course. This is a transformation of the property from top to bottom,” Bumpous said, adding it’s being done in three concurrent phases, starting with demolition, which began in January. “Only Mother Nature can really disrupt our plans.” The team also includes Bonita Springs-based Glase Golf Inc. and architect Matthew Kragh of MHK Architecture, which is building a village that surrounds the course. A video presentation showed First Tee Learning Center will offer the most advanced interactive technology and learning facilities to inspire youth to continue the program through high school, providing a foundation to build strong character and core values while learning golf. Staff will manage more than 1,000 participants and 30 in-school programs, teaching children to “be the best they can be on and off the course.” Bumpous said the MHK-designed village comprises First Tee Academy, training center, offices, gathering spaces, restaurant and driving range. “It’s going to be a beautiful facility, well equipped and accessible to all with deep discounts,” he said. In April 2024, commissioners approved a 40-year lease and operating agreement for the more than $21 million public golf course. First Tee Learning Center will operate under a yearly $1 sublease by nonprofit First Tee-Naples/Collier. The county will pay The Gate $6 million to redevelop the former golf course, and The Gate will pay the county a $130,000 yearly rental fee, except during construction, with rent adjusted yearly based on the Consumer Price Index. “We have over 15 permits that have been working their way through the processes, some approved, some still working,” Bumpous said of the county, state and South Florida Water Management District, adding more than 30 contractors are involved, including architects, engineers, consultants, suppliers and building contractors. “It’s the ‘Who’s Who’ of the best in the game of both Collier County, Southwest Florida — and quite frankly the golf industry.” Grass has been killed, and Glase is removing old cart paths and grinding that material on-site to reuse in existing buildings’ foundations. Vegetation, including invasive species, is being cleared, while trees are being removed or transplanted elsewhere on the site, and new trees are being added. The course will be open daily, 365 days, from dawn to dusk, and the driving range and practice area will operate 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday, with adjustments for holidays and golf course maintenance. The course will operate as a nonprofit, with discounted rates for county residents and juniors. Residents will get a 40% discount off seasonal rates, from Nov. 1 through April 30, and 20% off nonpeak season rates, from May 1 through Oct. 31. A noncounty resident playing nine holes in peak season would pay $89, while the cost for a county resident would be $53.40. To play nine holes offseason, nonresidents would pay $39, while residents would be charged $31.20. Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra, high-end... Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm... For Naples Comprehensive Health, the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care... Not only has Chef Brian Roland physically and emotionally returned to public life in Southwest Florida after his life-altering tragedy... Beeline is counting on thirsty folks making a beeline to its new upscale cocktail bar at Mercato in North Naples.... The 72-unit Verandas III opened and is fully occupied on Airport Road, marking the final phase in the redevelopment of... San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge a stunning technological and artistic achievement opens to the public after five years of construction On opening day—“Pedestrian Day”—some 200,000 bridge walkers marveled at the 4,200-foot-long suspension bridge which spans the Golden Gate Strait at the entrance to San Francisco Bay and connects San Francisco and Marin County the Golden Gate Bridge opened to vehicular traffic The concept of bridging the nearly mile-wide Golden Gate Strait was proposed as early as 1872 but it was not until the early 1920s that public opinion in San Francisco began to favor such an undertaking Cincinnati-born bridge engineer Joseph Strauss submitted a preliminary proposal: a combination suspension-cantilever that could be built for $27 million Although unsightly compared with the final result and Strauss became the recognized leader of the effort to bridge the Golden Gate Strait In this "This Day in History" video clip learn about different events that have occurred on January 5th Some of these events include Benedict Arnold leading British troops and Nixon starting the space shuttle program Elian Gonzales returns to Cuba and construction on the Golden Gate Bridge begins thanks to the contributions of consulting engineer Leon S Moisseiff’s concept of a simple suspension bridge was accepted by Strauss developed the Golden Gate Bridge’s elegant Art Deco design Morrow would later help choose the bridge’s trademark color: “international orange,” a brilliant vermilion color that resists rust and fading and suits the natural beauty of San Francisco and its picturesque sunsets the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District was formed in 1928 These counties agreed to collectively take out a large bond which would then be paid back through bridge tolls residents of the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway District voted 3-1 to put their homes and businesses up as collateral to support a $35 million bond to build Strauss’ Golden Gate Bridge The 1.7-mile-long bridge has endured earthquakes, lead paint and record crowds since its historic construction in 1937. By: Lindsey Konkel Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on May 27th After winning access to the Baltic Sea through his victories in the Great Northern War, Czar Peter I founds the city of St. Petersburg as the new Russian capital on May 27, 1703. The reign of Peter, who became sole czar in 1696, was characterized by a series of sweeping military, political, economic, and cultural […] On May 27, 1813, former President Thomas Jefferson writes former President John Adams to let him know that their mutual friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush, has died. Rush’s passing caused Jefferson to meditate upon the departure of the Revolutionary generation. He wrote, We too must go; and that ere long. I believe we are under half […] Jedediah Smith, one of the nation’s most important trapper-explorers, is killed by Comanche tribesman on the Santa Fe Trail. Smith’s role in exploring the Far West was not fully realized until modern scholars examined the records of his far-ranging journeys. As with all of the mountain men, Smith ventured west as a practical businessman working […] In May 1887, around 30 Chinese laborers were mining gold in an isolated part of northeast Oregon, when the entire group was gunned down by a white gang of horse thieves. Initially referred to as the “Hells Canyon Massacre” or “Snake River Massacre” and the “Chinese Massacre at Deep Creek,” the event is considered one of the deadliest attacks against Chinese-Americans in U.S. history. The first copies of the classic vampire novel "Dracula," by Irish writer Bram Stoker, appear in London bookshops on May 26, 1897. During the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian Baltic Fleet is nearly destroyed at the Battle of Tsushima. The decisive defeat, in which only 10 of 45 Russian warships escaped to safety, convinced Russian leaders that further resistance against Japan’s imperial designs for East Asia was hopeless. On February 8, 1904, following the Russian rejection of a […] A boat carrying 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution is turned away from Havana, Cuba, on May 27, 1939. Only 28 immigrants are admitted into the country; the rest are forced to return to Europe. 1940 On May 27, 1940, units from Germany’s SS Death’s Head division battle British troops just 50 miles from the port at Dunkirk, in northern France, as Britain’s Expeditionary Force continues to fight to evacuate France. After holding off an SS company until their ammo was spent, 99 Royal Norfolk Regiment soldiers retreated to a farmhouse […] President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces a state of unlimited national emergency in response to Nazi Germany’s threats of world domination on May 27, 1941. In a speech on this day, he repeated his famous remark from a speech he made in 1933 during the Great Depression: the only thing we have to fear is fear […] On May 27, 1941, the British navy sinks the German battleship Bismarck in the North Atlantic near France. The German death toll was more than 2,000. 1943 On May 27, 1943, a B-24 carrying U.S. airman and former Olympic runner Louis Zamperini crashes into the Pacific Ocean. After surviving the crash, Zamperini floated on a raft in shark-infested waters for more than a month before being picked up by the Japanese and spending the next two years in a series of brutal […] On May 27, 1949, unemployed 22-year-old model-actress Marilyn Monroe receives $50 for posing nude for a Los Angeles photographer against a red velvet backdrop. The picture will go on to become the most famous calendar photo in history and the principal attraction in the first issue of Playboy magazine. It will also risk destroying Monroe’s […] On May 27, 1963, Bob Dylan releases his second album, The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan, which goes on to transform him from a popular local act to a global phenomenon. “Of all the precipitously emergent singers of folk songs in the continuing renascence of that self-assertive tradition,” wrote journalist and critic Nat Hentoff, “none has equaled […] In Sweden, Foreign Minister Torsten Nilsson reveals that Sweden has been providing assistance to the Viet Cong, including some $550,000 worth of medical supplies. Similar Swedish aid was to go to Cambodian and Laotian civilians affected by the Indochinese fighting. This support was primarily humanitarian in nature and included no military aid. On May 27, 1986, the U.S. Patent Office grants a patent to African American inventor Lonnie Johnson for his toy design simply titled ”Squirt Gun.” After a few name changes and additional patents, Johnson’s invention—ultimately re-named the “Super Soaker®”—would become the best-selling water toy of all time, eventually earning its rightful place in the American […] Two decades after being expelled from the USSR, Nobel laureate Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn returns to Russia in an emotional homecoming. In 1945, Solzhenitsyn was sentenced to eight years of hard labor for criticizing Stalin in a letter to a friend. His prison experiences formed the basis for One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, his […] We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us Melcher known affectionately as Jeannie to her family and friends passed away peacefully on March 15 Jeanie was born to her late father David Melcher Sr Jeannie was proceeded in death by her sister Judy Melcher Madison and has one brother David Melcher Jr Jeannie will be remembered for her love of animals especially her horse Bailey spending time with friends and going for motorcycle rides with her boyfriend Joel As we say goodbye to Jeannie we do so with great gratitude for the time we had with her and the assurance that her spirit will remain with us always A memorial Service will begin @ 10:30am Saturday April 5 Jefferson Assembly of God (JAG) Church 8640 Clark Rd The family relocated to the Lee’s Summit area in 1962 Tavish attended and graduated from Lee’s Summit High School class of 67 After high school he went into a electrician apprenticeship becoming a Journeyman He worked for IBEW Local 124 and retired in 2011.Tavish passed away on March 14 2025 at the age of 75 with family by his side.Tavish enjoyed martial arts in his younger days was an instructor and participated in full contact karate competitions through out the U.S He attended monthly fishing tournaments at Table Rock Pomme De Terre and Stockton with his fishing buddies Tavish always looked forward to his yearly Christmas yard decorating much to the teasing of family and friends He had a fun sense of humor and enjoyed cooking BBQ for family events He enjoyed being with his grand kids and attending their events Tavish will be greatly missed; we will never forget many memories of family gatherings which will be held dear.Tavish is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife Sheree Twiford Mother-in-law Josephine Yunger “Nana Jo” of the home his daughter Tarie Merideth and husband Brad his daughter Andrea Roemig and husband Mike His grandchildren Tavarie & Michael Knight Josie Roemig and Titus Twiford.Tavish is also survived by one brother Talby and Joleen Twiford Tammy and Jeff Keys.A “Celebration of Life” will be held May 4th at Lake Jacomo Shelter No Cremation was held at Golden Gate Funeral Cremation Service who will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him Matt’s life was filled with laughter and dedication to his family He liked being outdoors and enjoying fishing He also had a deep love for sports; wrestling alongside his twin brother Mark in Highschool and College Matt received a full ride scholarship to the University of Missouri and was later inducted in 98 into the William Chrisman High School Hall of Fame Class of 79 for wrestling.Above all Matt was a devoted father to his four children and a proud papa to his five grandchildren He found great joy in coaching his kids in sports he cheered on his grandchildren in their activities always there with a smile and encouraging them to do their best.Matt’s playful spirit and kind heart will live on in the memories he leaves behind.  He will be remembered not only for his love of family which brightened every room he entered but also his caring and willfulness to always lend a helping hand to others.He is survived by his siblings Mark (Louann) Sauls and Annette (Scott) Chapman; his sons Matthew (Jamie) Sauls and Jimmy (Amethyst) Workman; his daughter Natalie Sauls; and five grandchildren Matthew He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Lucille; his brother 2025 a interment of ashes ceremony will be held at Buckner Hill Cemetery at Noon followed by a celebration of life to honor Matt's memory at 1:00pm at the VFW – 1002 E US HWY 24 If you thought car-free JFK Drive was controversial wait til you see the next dispute coming down the promenade as free parking might soon be eliminated in Golden Gate Park to chip away at the city’s budget deficit Golden Gate Park is more than 1,000 square acres in size, and so it should not be surprising that the park is also home to more than 3,000 parking spaces. And most of them are free! But as the City of SF struggles with a massive budget deficit, the Chronicle reports that SF Rec and Parks Department officials are considering charging money to park in Golden Gate Park potentially creating about $10 million a year that would help the department avoid making cuts to maintenance “Our focus is making sure that we can protect our core services,” SF Rec and Parks Department director Phil Ginsburg told the Chronicle we need to better align the money we earn with the costs of what we deliver.” it’s just one thing the department included on a list of recommended cuts or revenue increases that the park’s oversight commission agreed to send to Mayor Daniel Lurie Other items on that list include a $5-an-hour fee for using tennis courts or leasing out the city’s golf courses to private operators The proposed parking fee would be "up to" $3 an hour And some people on the Rec and Parks Commission are not happy with this idea at all “We already closed roads in Golden Gate Park,” Commissioner Larry Mazzola said at last week’s meeting This proposal might be as controversial as those car-free thoroughfare efforts and there could be some more serious anger from the motorists of SF Related: Big Eucalyptus Tree Comes Crashing Down On Cars In Golden Gate Park [SFist] Image: SFMTA which is the tennis world's equivalent of golf's Ryder Cup pitting European players against Americans and others from the rest of the world is headed for the first time to SF's Chase Center at the end of the summer The brutalist and not particularly well-liked Villaincourt Fountain at the Embarcadero Plaza might be getting demolished and removed including the designer Villaincourt himself Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox editor / reporter who has been published in almost every San Francisco publication Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox Allie Ann ("Sac of Tators"); sister Sicily Mathenia and Lilly Mathenia; step-brothers Val Mathenia and Remy Mathenia; grandparents He was preceded in death by his grandparents Jeremy loved fishing and spending time at the lake but his true passion was working in the car industry alongside his grandpa and uncle He worked as a car detailer for most of his life and was employed as an inspector at a car auction He called her his "Sac of Tators"—she was his world and his smile was infectious to those around him We will miss you every day and carry you in our hearts forever and always