The Governor Gavin Newsom anunció este lunes un acuerdo histórico que fortalece la asociación de California con México y promueve proyectos e iniciativas fronterizas clave. 

En la Ciudad de México, representantes estatales y una delegación de líderes regionales se unieron a la Asociación de Gobiernos de San Diego ‒SANDAG‒ para firmar el nuevo Acuerdo de Participación en los Ingresos de Peaje con México que apoya la construcción del Puerto de Entrada Este de Otay Mesa en la ruta San Diego-Tijuana.

El nuevo cruce fronterizo de última generación reducirá los tiempos de espera, frenará las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, impulsará el crecimiento económico y reforzará el comercio binacional a lo largo de la región fronteriza más activa del hemisferio occidental.

«México es uno de los socios internacionales más importantes de California y compartimos un vínculo profundo que se remonta a generaciones», señaló el gobernador Newsom. 

«Nuestro estado es un líder nacional en lo que respecta a la cooperación internacional y las inversiones en infraestructura limpia e inteligente que son fundamentales para la cadena de suministro de EE. UU. En un momento en que los estados están usando la frontera como un tema de cuña para dividir a las personas, California y México están mostrando cómo los acuerdos transfronterizos pueden fortalecer a nuestras comunidades mientras hacen crecer nuestra economía y brindan una gran cantidad de beneficios compartidos», agregó.

El congresista Scott Peters, la vicegobernadora de California, Eleni Kounalakis, y los asambleístas David Alvarez y Chris Ward fueron testigos de la firma del Acuerdo de participación en los ingresos por peaje, que se produce inmediatamente después del Proyecto del puerto de entrada este de Otay Mesa que recibió una subvención INFRA de 150 millones de dólares del Departamento de Transporte de EE. UU.

El nuevo puerto de entrada está programado para completarse a fines de 2024.

«Este nuevo acuerdo, que firmé hoy como testigo, traerá prosperidad económica a nuestra región transfronteriza», refirió el vicegobernador Kounalakis. «El Puerto de Entrada Este de Otay Mesa es un eslabón vital en la cadena de suministro de nuestra nación y en la creación de miles de empleos. Este histórico acuerdo de distribución de ingresos solidifica el compromiso conjunto de California y el Gobierno de México para impulsar el comercio y crear empleos».

El embajador de EE. UU. en México, Ken Salazar, destacó la importancia de la firma en el «Día de California» con una recepción local para reconocer a Caltrans, SANDAG y los socios locales que han construido la infraestructura de transporte de apoyo necesaria y han planificado y desarrollado el proyecto prioritario Otay Mesa East durante los últimos varias décadas.

«California y México comparten solo 140 de las 2 mil millas de nuestra frontera, pero Cali-Baja está muy por encima de su peso en términos de sus contribuciones a nuestra economía y familia binacional», dijo el embajador Salazar. «El Puerto de Entrada Este de Otay Mesa es una prueba del dinamismo y la creatividad de nuestra relación y un símbolo de la frontera del siglo XXI que queremos crear».

El proyecto State Route 11 Otay Mesa East Port of Entry es una empresa conjunta entre SANDAG y Caltrans en colaboración con socios estatales y federales en EE. UU. y México para crear un cruce fronterizo del siglo XXI para la megaregión de San Diego-Baja California que mejorará la movilidad regional e impulsará el crecimiento económico y el comercio binacional.

Las mejoras fronterizas propuestas proporcionarán cruces fronterizos rápidos, predecibles y seguros mediante la construcción de una carretera con peaje de cuatro carriles que se conectará directamente con un puerto de entrada terrestre de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de última generación y un Control de Vehículos Comerciales de las instalaciones de la Patrulla de Caminos de California.

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A 17-year-old boy was arrested last Saturday, October 22, after he dangerously skidded his car inside the Hillsdale Shopping Center and a firearm was found inside, said the San Mateo County Police Department - SMPD.

Authorities detailed in a statement that at approximately 10:45 p.m., the SMPD officer heard screeching tires at the Hillsdale Mall. As the officer approached the sound, he observed a large amount of smoke coming from the upper level of one of the mall's parking lots. 

When he reached the upper level, the officer discovered the source of the smoke. A 2005 Jaguar was moving in a tight circular motion and emitting smoke from friction. Several people and vehicles were dangerously close to the continuously spinning vehicle. 

The officer immediately conducted a vehicle stop for reckless driving. When the car stopped, the officer contacted and identified a 17-year-old male driver and a male passenger of the same age.

Officers conducted an inventory search before seizing the Jaguar and discovered a red shoulder bag on the driver’s side containing a loaded Ruger 9mm pistol with an extended magazine and an extra magazine. 

Through an investigation at the scene, officers learned that the gun had been stolen, but had not been reported. Because a firearm was located in the vehicle, officers conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located marijuana joints and a loose bag of cannabis. 

The juvenile driver was arrested and transported to Hillcrest Juvenile Hall and booked on multiple charges. 

SMPD reminded residents that “If you see something, say something,” while encouraging the community to utilize security cameras. “They are especially helpful in identifying suspicious activity in neighborhoods when the cameras are facing the street. Our officers request surveillance regularly and you can help us by notifying SMPD where cameras are located in your neighborhood at www.cityofsanmateo.org/Nest", he said.

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The end of October is approaching and with it the celebration of the Day of the Dead. For now, here is the local news from October 15 to 21 that you should know to stay up to date.

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This Thursday, October 20, the mega seismic drill “Shakeout” was held, which seeks to unite and help people around the world to raise awareness and practice earthquake safety, an event that several cities in California have joined.

Great ShakeOut earthquake drills serve as a community practice for getting to safety during an earthquake, and organize the community, school or organization to update emergency plans and supplies to prevent damage and injuries.

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The San FranDISCO pop-up skating rink made its debut at the San Francisco Civic Center last Saturday.

It will be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Admission fees are $5 for those under 18 and $15 for those 18 and older.

The pilot program will be evaluated after 3 months and there is a possibility of time extension after the results of such evaluation.

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A house fire in San Francisco's Inner Sunset neighborhood Friday morning left two people injured.

The fire, according to Jonathan Baxter, lieutenant of the San Francisco Fire Department, started in the garage and spread throughout the house and was recorded at 1600 Eighth Avenue.

The resident was rescued and treated at the scene, but is in critical condition, while a second person suffered minor injuries. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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San Mateo County leaders launched the “San Mateo County Gun Violence Prevention Program.”

The program seeks to remove firearms from the hands of people charged with serious crimes, domestic violence restraining orders, hate crime convictions and other charges that pose a risk and to expedite requests for gun restrictions.

San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said in a statement that the program "will save lives."

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Redwood City residents Gerardo Ortiz and his son Joaquin Ortiz participated in the 35th edition of the Carrera Panamericana with the Ortiz team.

The Pan-American Race takes place in Mexico and began last Friday, October 14 in Veracruz and ended on Thursday, October 20 in Durango.

The Ortiz team won first place in the Historic A category of the race.

With information from Bay City News

You may be interested in: Craps, roulette and online gambling, will California bet on them?

The midterm elections in the US will be held on November 8, followed by the general election in California, and once voters have started receiving their ballots, this time, voters will be able to decide whether to allow online betting in addition to roulette, dice games and sports betting.

Measures 26 and 27 are part of the 7 state propositions in which Californians will have to make a decision to vote for or against, here we explain what they are both about.

And knowing and staying informed about electoral decisions that may affect the lives of residents in the state is of utmost importance. Recently, the session "Pros and cons electoral initiatives presented by the League of Women Voters of San Mateo County" was held through the organization Thrive.

But what are electoral measures?

League members Linda Atkinson and Kathy Wheeler, who led the briefing, noted that ballot measures, or propositions, are proposed laws that are presented to the public for a vote. 

Propositions can change existing laws and sometimes amend the California Constitution. Propositions can be placed on the ballot either by individuals who gather enough signatures on a petition or by state legislators.

The League of Women Voters of San Mateo County suggests asking yourself some important questions about each proposition when casting your vote: Does the ballot measure address a real problem? Is it the best solution to the problem or is it too complex? Who are the stakeholders and what do they gain? and What are the tax implications? 

Measure 26 seeks to allow roulette, dice games and sports betting on tribal lands. 

The ballot question is: Should California legalize sports betting roulette and craps games at tribal casinos? 

Currently, California allows the Lottery, horse racing betting parlors, gambling, and Native American-owned casinos in California. However, craps, casino-style gambling, and betting on sporting events are illegal in the state.

If Proposition 26 passes, it would allow tribal casinos to run roulette and craps games on-site for sports betting for people 21 and older.

 The ballot measure would define sports betting as wagering on the outcomes of professional, collegiate or amateur sporting and athletic events, with the exception of high school sports and events involving a California varsity team. Individuals would have to be 21 years of age to participate in legal sports betting.

The ballot measure would enact a 10 percent tax on profits derived from sports betting at racetracks. The state government would be required to distribute the revenue as follows: 15 percent to the California Department of Health to research, develop, and implement programs for problem gambling and mental health prevention and to provide grants to local governments to address problem gambling and mental health; 15 percent to the Bureau of Gaming Control to enforce and implement sports betting and other forms of gambling within the state; and 70 percent to the General Fund.

The ballot measure would also legalize roulette and craps games at tribal casinos; however, compacts between tribes and states would need to be amended before these games could be offered.

Supporters of Prop 26 say it would continue the 20-year legacy of allowing closely regulated profiteering to support Native American economies. They also believe it is the most responsible approach to authorizing sports betting and would promote self-sufficiency for Native American tribes. 

Opponents say the proposition would massively expand gambling in California to benefit large tribal casinos, leave casino workers unprotected from wage and hour security, harassment and anti-discrimination laws. They say gambling is addictive and that legalizing more gambling is bad for public health. 

Measure 27, meanwhile, seeks to legalize sports betting and raise money for the homeless prevention fund initiative.

The question is: Should California allow online and mobile sports betting for people 21 and older?

Proposition 27 seeks a constitutional amendment and statute to authorize a gaming tribe, an online sports betting platform with an operating agreement with a gaming tribe, or a qualified gaming business with a market access agreement with a gaming tribe to operate online sports betting for individuals 21 years of age or older in the state, but off of tribal lands. 

The amendment would ban online sports betting on youth sports. The proposed law would create the Online Sports Betting Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice. The bill would give the division authority to regulate the online sports betting industry and investigate illegal sports betting activities. The amendment would take effect on January 1, 2023.

In turn, the proposed law would establish the California Online Sports Betting Trust Fund. Revenue from licensing fees, renewals, and the sports betting tax would be deposited into the fund. After deducting regulatory costs, 85 percent of the fund’s revenue would be allocated to the California Mental Health Support and Homeless Solutions Account for permanent and interim housing and 15 percent of the revenue to the Tribal Economic Development Account, which would be established by the initiative to provide funding to Indian tribes to expand tribal government, public health, education, infrastructure, and economic development.

Currently, mobile and in-person sports betting are illegal in California.

Supporters of Prop 27 say the measure will provide hundreds of millions of dollars to support programs that help people with mental health issues, homelessness and addiction in California. They also say it will benefit all tribes in the state, especially rural and economically disadvantaged tribes that do not own large casinos.

Opponents say it is a deceptive measure promoted by out-of-state companies to legalize online and mobile sports betting. They also point out that online gambling is not a solution to homelessness or other social ills and will open more people up to gambling addictions.

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