Articles by Eileen Vargas

Business

T&T Supermarket Expands Bay Area Presence with New Millbrae Location, Bringing Jobs and Diverse Food Staples

T&T Supermarket, Canada's premier Asian grocery chain, is establishing a strong presence in Millbrae with the opening of its third Bay Area location, scheduled for winter 2026. According to a PR Newswire, the new storefront is slated to span 52,000 square feet at Friendship Plaza (95 Murchison Dr. and 135–143 South El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA), aiming to serve a diverse clientele, including the communities of San Bruno, San Mateo, and Palo Alto. CEO Tina Lee underscored the strategic choice of Millbrae, noting, per PR Newswire, "Finding large retail format real estate in the Bay Area takes time. I have had my eye on Millbrae for awhile – it's a great spot to serve families living in the peninsula and well spaced between our San Francisco and San Jose locations." T&T's blueprint for expansion doesn't stop there; upcoming stores in San Jose, San Francisco, Irvine, and Chino Hills are also on the docket, as a milestone in the company's US growth trajectory. The hybrid grocery-restaurant concept promises to offer patrons not only a variety of Asian food staples but also a gastronomic experience akin to dining out. Shoppers can expect a self-serve hot food bar, a made-to-order street food section with fresh Chinese crepes and Taiwanese-style rice rolls, and a bakery boasting over 200 types of freshly baked goods and desserts. Additionally, an exclusive selection of Asian spirits, including Korean soju and Japanese sake, will cater to beverage enthusiasts. In an Instagram post by the T&T Supermarket, excitement buzzes around the "unique shopping experience" arriving in Millbrae. "Millbrae (and San Bruno, San Mateo, and Palo Alto) friends, get excited because we are bringing T&T's unique shopping experience right to your neighbourhood," the post reads. While the physical store is under construction, customers can get a jumpstart on their grocery shopping by visiting tntsupermarket.us, highlighting the online availability of dried goods, with fresh delivery options coming soon.

Technology

San Francisco Zoo Bids Farewell to Last Chimpanzees, Shifts Focus to Orangutan Conservation

The San Francisco Zoo has announced it will be rehoming its last three chimpanzees, marking the end of an era for the program. The decision to move "Twiggy" to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore was influenced by the belief that she would integrate well with two chimps she already knew, as detailed in a social media post from the San Francisco Zoo. According to the zoo's statement, Twiggy's departure will be followed by the future relocation of the bonded pair, "Gombus" and "Michael." Zoo officials have also decided to temporarily pause the chimpanzee program as they shift their focus heavily towards the conservation of the critically endangered Bornean orangutan. This pivot follows the losses of three chimpanzees over the past few years, leaving the zoo with a diminished troop. Cobby, a celebrated male chimpanzee, passed away in 2021 at the age of 61, followed by Minnie in 2024, and Maggie this year, as KRON4 reported. Senior Curator of Mammals at SF Zoo, Robbie Graham, outlined the emotional impact of Twiggy's move, stating, "Twiggy has become a favorite among staff and guests here, but when a request of this nature comes in, we want to do what is best for the animal," which KRON4 reported. The zoo is now actively seeking a new home for the bonded chimp pair, Gombus and Michael, while planning to bring in another female orangutan to participate in the Species Survival Plan for Orangutans’ breeding program.

Health

Petaluma Man Accused of Vandalism and Trespassing in Studio Complex Disturbance

Following a tumultuous incident at a local housing complex, the Petaluma Police Department responded to a report of vandalism and trespassing at the Studios at Montero. The disturbance, which occurred yesterday, involved Zeno Salinas-Rurales, a 28-year-old from Petaluma, who had a previous run-in with the law earlier this year at the same location, according to the Petaluma Police Department. Authorities were summoned to the scene around 5:22 PM after the property manager requested prosecution for Salinas-Rurales's attempted unauthorized entry into a room and vandalism. Despite the previous arrest, Salinas-Rurales was again involved in an altercation, for which, as a non-resident, he had no legal reason to participate. Prior encounter records indicated that the suspect, Salinas-Rurales, was known for assaulting an officer, resisting arrest, and methamphetamine possession on a separate occasion on July 30. On the recent occasion, he had barricaded himself in a room and was reportedly arming himself with whatever he could find, including scissors, a chair, and a bicycle frame. Officers found themselves a mere stone's throw from danger as Salinas-Rurales allegedly threw a lamp out of a window, nearly missing the officers outside. He continued to cause severe damage within the room, hurling more items and ignoring verbal commands. His resistance took about 30 minutes before he approached the officers with a broken chair, resulting in a Taser's deployment which incapacitated him for arrest. Salinas-Rurales's subsequent resistance required restraint for transport, with the Petaluma Fire Department taking him to the hospital for medical clearance before his booking at the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility. He faces charges including felony vandalism, trespassing, and obstruction/threats against officers.