johns abc 7 news abc 7 news has received word that the long-awaited environmental impact report for the howard terminal ballpark proposal will be released tomorrow to key step in the effort to keep the a's in oakland the 3,500 page document is set to be released to 8 am. it will be available online a draft version was released in february since then the city has since worked through all the public concerns. mayor libby schaaf issued a statement saying the report will ensure the project is environmentally safe and sustainable final approval is expected next year. well, we are getting a break in the rain, but it is getting mighty cold out there tonight. so let's get to abc 7 news meteorologist, sandhya patel sandia. yeah tonight. you'll need those flannel pjs because you can feel that chill in the air winter is here a little earlier. let me show you the temperatures right now in the 30s and 40. is our coldest spot is 38 in santa rosa as you check out. what's ahead by tomorrow morning many areas. the valleys of the north bay will be dropping down to the low and upper 30s, so it is goin

tim: the city council will hold a special meeting on combating violence. , abc 7 abc 7 tim johns news. ama: in the south bay, san jose police are investigating a smash and grab robbery tonight at quick service jewelry design in east san jose. officers say four mast suspects entered the business with hammers and started smashing display cases. they took several items and then left on foot. no one was hurt. we are learning 14 people were arrested in los angeles for smash and grab robberies, all released from custom meat -- custody. one of them was a minor and released to parents. the other were released in county jail to release the debts reduce the jail population during covid. several had criminal records. eric garcetti and michael morse says this needs to change. >> there are people who need to be behind bars and they need to be there -- how many times does the same person have to steal a car 3, 4, five times after being released before we realized we opened up a lot of part of the city because we are in a better place with covid? we should also be able to open gels. ama: they knew t

with in petaluma tim johns abc 7 news air committed that is great. isn't that right? nice weather today, but it is beginning to change. yeah, it is. let's get to abc 7 news meteorologist sandia patel for what's coming sandia? yeah. we have a lot more rain coming and that's going to be starting this weekend. so dan and alma. let me show you live doppler 7. it is actually a lot of green on there, but not all of this is hitting the ground. so let's get you down to street level radar where we are seeing some showers right around santa rosa sebastopol grayton occidental road as we head into the east bay right around livermore heading into concannon boulevard the altamonte pass. it is slippery out there and one last stop san jose west hedding street lincoln avenue. willow glens seeing some wet weather. all right, how much have we received 500 or less from sonoma to san francisco? you will notice santa rosa 300 of an inch. this is so far. we're not expecting a lot under 1500 snow showers mixing in with rain over the mountains as you will notice here on nevada radar here as w

tim: tim johns, abc 7 news. ama: still ahead, demanding justice for valentina. the mother of a 14-year-old girl who was shot and killed by los angeles police detailed the horrifying moment her daughter died in her arms while the two hisd in a -- hid in a dressing room. dan: we have the latest on the (music) ♪ ♪ dan: the jury in the elizabeth holmes fraud trial is about to wrap up its fifth day of deliberations without a verdict. the panel has a mountain of estimate -- of testimony to wade through after 14 weeks. she allegedly duped investors by haley her company's blood testing technology as a medical breakthrough, when in fact it was prone to wild errors. she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years on each count if convicted. ama: the family of a 14-year-old girl who was killed by an officer's stray bullet in los angeles is demanding answers. the girl was in a dressing room as police were searching for someone they thought was an armed suspect. valentina died in her mother's arms. >> valentina's life mattered. we demand justice. if it was your baby girl, will

with in petaluma tim johns abc 7 news air committed that is great. isn't that right? nice weather today, but it is beginning to change. yeah, it is. let's get to abc 7 news meteorologist sandia patel for what's coming sandia? yeah. we have a lot more rain coming and that's going to be starting this weekend. so dan and alma. let me show you live doppler 7. it is actually a lot of green on there, but not all of this is hitting the ground. so let's get you down to street level radar where we are seeing some showers right around santa rosa sebastopol grayton occidental road as we head into the east bay right around livermore heading into concannon boulevard the altamonte pass. it is slippery out there and one last stop san jose west hedding street lincoln avenue. willow glens seeing some wet weather. all right, how much have we received 500 or less from sonoma to san francisco? you will notice santa rosa 300 of an inch. this is so far. we're not expecting a lot under 1500 snow showers mixing in with rain over the mountains as you will notice here on nevada radar here as w

tim: the city council will hold a special meeting on combating violence. , abc 7 abc 7 tim johns news. ama: in the south bay, san jose police are investigating a smash and grab robbery tonight at quick service jewelry design in east san jose. officers say four mast suspects entered the business with hammers and started smashing display cases. they took several items and then left on foot. no one was hurt. we are learning 14 people were arrested in los angeles for smash and grab robberies, all released from custom meat -- custody. one of them was a minor and released to parents. the other were released in county jail to release the debts reduce the jail population during covid. several had criminal records. eric garcetti and michael morse says this needs to change. >> there are people who need to be behind bars and they need to be there -- how many times does the same person have to steal a car 3, 4, five times after being released before we realized we opened up a lot of part of the city because we are in a better place with covid? we should also be able to open gels. ama: they knew t

we have to come up with sloughs that are grounded in making oakland safer. >> in oakland, tim johns, abc 7 news. >> next at 4:00, over 1,000 catalytic converters and cash recovered, now 15 people have been arrested. what we're learning about a ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ visit your volvo retailer for special offers during our holiday safely sales event. hey, angie! you forgot your phone! hey lou! angie forget her phone again? yep. lou! mom said she could save up to $400 on her wireless bill by switching to xfinity internet and mobile. with nationwide 5g at no extra cost. and lou! on the most reliable network, lou! smart kid, bill... [laughs] so true. and now, the moon christmas special... gotta go! get a great offer on xfinity internet, and you'll get 12 times the speed for the same price when you add xfinity mobile. switch today. sing 2. people everywhere living with type 2 diabetes are waking up to what's possible with rybelsus®. ♪ you are my sunshine ♪ ♪ my only sunshine... ♪ rybelsus® is a pill that lowers blood sugar in three ways. increases insulin when you need it... dec

johns abc 7 news abc 7 news has received word that the long-awaited environmental impact report for the howard terminal ballpark proposal will be released tomorrow to key step in the effort to keep the a's in oakland the 3,500 page document is set to be released to 8 am. it will be available online a draft version was released in february since then the city has since worked through all the public concerns. mayor libby schaaf issued a statement saying the report will ensure the project is environmentally safe and sustainable final approval is expected next year. well, we are getting a break in the rain, but it is getting mighty cold out there tonight. so let's get to abc 7 news meteorologist, sandhya patel sandia. yeah tonight. you'll need those flannel pjs because you can feel that chill in the air winter is here a little earlier. let me show you the temperatures right now in the 30s and 40. is our coldest spot is 38 in santa rosa as you check out. what's ahead by tomorrow morning many areas. the valleys of the north bay will be dropping down to the low and upper 30s, so it is goin

abc 7 reporter tim johns spoke with an attorney representing the dollars's son -- gonzales's. the family says they not -- want to not only justice, but reform. tim: family of mario gonzalez has filed a lawsuit against the officers involved and the city of alameda/ the suit, which is being filed on behalf of gonzales's five-year-old son, comes one week after the corners office ruled gonzales's death a homicide. the incident took place back in april when three alameda police officers attempted to arrest him. they thought he was under the influence and might have been involved in a theft. >> they forced him facedown on the ground. they got on top of him with their weight. tim: julia sherborn is one of the attorneys filing the suit. >> little mario has just been missing his father terribly. he still asks his mother why his poppy doesn't wake up. tim: the lasso is asking for financial damages to be paid out to gonzales's. family but sherwood says aside from the lawsuit, they are calling for the district attorney to bring criminal charges against the officers involved, as well as re

abc 7 reporter tim johns spoke with an attorney representing the dollars's son -- gonzales's. the family says they not -- want to not only justice, but reform. tim: family of mario gonzalez has filed a lawsuit against the officers involved and the city of alameda/ the suit, which is being filed on behalf of gonzales's five-year-old son, comes one week after the corners office ruled gonzales's death a homicide. the incident took place back in april when three alameda police officers attempted to arrest him. they thought he was under the influence and might have been involved in a theft. >> they forced him facedown on the ground. they got on top of him with their weight. tim: julia sherborn is one of the attorneys filing the suit. >> little mario has just been missing his father terribly. he still asks his mother why his poppy doesn't wake up. tim: the lasso is asking for financial damages to be paid out to gonzales's. family but sherwood says aside from the lawsuit, they are calling for the district attorney to bring criminal charges against the officers involved, as well as re

ama: let's get to tim johns live in the newsroom with more on steps the airport is taking. reporter: internati travelers are of particular concern because while omicron is not in the u.s. yet, it has been detected in 20 countries. just a couple hours ago, we learned that testing requirements for international travelers could soon be changing. as the world awaits more answers about the omicron variant, officials nationally and in the bay area aren't wasting any time. speaking during a press briefing on tuesday, the cdc director said the u.s. is considering stricter testing requirements for foreign travelers. >> this edc is evaluating how to make international travel as safe as possible including predeparture testing and considerations around additional post arrival testing and quarantine. reporter: it's one of four airports already participating in a pilot testing program for international travelers. >> it invites them to participate in one of two different types of tests. one is a pooled pcr test. the other is an individual, at home test kit. reporter: the program is volunt

ama: let's get to tim johns live in the newsroom with more on steps the airport is taking. reporter: international travelers are of particular concern because while omicron is not in the u.s. yet, it has been detected in 20 countries. just a couple hours ago, we learned that testing requirements for international travelers could soon be changing. as the world awaits more answers about the omicron variant, officials nationally and in the bay area aren't wasting any time. speaking during a press briefing on tuesday, the cdc director said the u.s. is considering stricter testing requirements for foreign travelers. >> this edc is evaluating how to make international travel as safe as possible including predeparture testing and considerations around additional post arrival testing and quarantine. reporter: it's one of four airports already participating in a pilot testing program for international travelers. >> it invites them to participate in one of two different types of tests. one is a pooled pcr test. the other is an individual, at home test kit. reporter: the program is vo

let's get right abc 7 news reporter tim johns live in antioch. this all started about 1:00. reporter: as you can imagine, this is been an active day here in antioch. police say the man died after being shot by officers. that following the hours on standoff that took place in this neighborhood, just behind me. antioch police initially responded to calls of shots fired near dove court. when officers arrived on scene, it was confirmed that the suspect was armed with a rifle. he was actively shooting at cars and houses. nearby residents were told to shelter -- shelter-in-place. antioch pd said they attempted to make contact with the suspect several times, but the suspect continued firing. even bringing down a police drone. >> over the course of those hours, the suspect repeatedly fired shots from inside the house, outside in the direction of officers, as well as of the residence. reporter: terry bunting lives one block over. she says several officers came to her house in thefternoon, asking for access to her backyard to try and get a better vantage point. she tells me she never

in hayward, tim johns, abc 7 news. reggie: if you or someone you know needs access to mental health resources, we have a guide on our website. go to abc7news.com/takeackton. -- abc 7.com/takeacti kumasi: it is the first approved to treat an age-related condition that makes close objects appear blurry. this affects 120 million americans. most people deal with it by getting reading glasses are making the font bigger. one drop improves eyesight for up to 10 hours. a deliveryman was so happy to find a bowl of snacks he broke into song, thanking the family who put it out there. >> ♪ delivery yourselves. ha. ♪ thank you much, thank you much, got some trail mix ♪ kumasi: [laughter] >> ♪ kumasi: listen, he was singing about the granola bar, the powerade. basically, just improvising. the homeowner shared the video. not only was he entertaining. he has a pretty good voice. reggie: ups powerade is a bop, certified. it is already good. ♪ powerade ♪ kumasi: you have to do the hand too. [laughter] reggie: that completes

reporter: tim johns, abc 7 news. julian: now, live look at the lake tahoe region where snow has been falling for days. this is in kingsbury on the southeastern edge of lake tahoe. i-80 is still closed due to the winter storm, there is no timetable on when that may change. highway 50 is closed at echo summit where several cars have been stuck in the snow. accidents have been causing major delays. chp posted this video yesterday showing i-80 after it closed in both directions. the interstate is currently shut down from the nevada state line to colfax. in this video, youideo, youideoo skiers enjoying the snow. they say they have been hammered with it this weekend. the national weather service issued a winter storm warning through tuesday morning for lake tahoe. holiday travelers say it has been a frustrating couple of days. >> it is already known, we are going to head home may be in an hour or two. julian: if you are us it took him seven hours to get from south lake tahoe to san francisco yesterday. you can see why. he

tim johns has more the details. tim: antioch police initially responded to calls of shots fired friday afternoon. when officers arrived, it was confirmed that the suspect was armed with a rifle and was actively shooting at cars and houses. nearby residents were told to shelter-in-place and police created a perimeter several blocks wide around the house. antioch pd says they attempted to make contact with the suspect several times, but the suspect continued firing, even in down a police drone. >> over the course of those hours, the suspect fired shots from inside the house come outside in the direction of officers, as well as other residents. tim: terri lives one block over from where the events were unfolding. she says several officers came to her house in the afternoon asking for access to her backyard to get a better vantage point. she tells me she never expected anything like this to happen in her neighborhood. >> it is really quiet. a lot of older people, people with kids, grandkids. we don't have a lot of probl

tim johns abc 7 news terrible we see there turning now to the pandemic and the omicron variant which continues to spread it is now been detected in at least 29 states a study out of the united kingdom is found boosters add a significant layer of protection against the variant substantially raising the efficacy officials are predicting omicron will overtake delta as the dominant variant in some european countries as early as next week. well, it is not a decision of if but when warrior star stephan curry chases the nba record for three-pointers tonight in philadelphia. he fell short his next chance is monday in indianapolis is the warriors road trip continues abc 7 sports anchor chris alvarez was in philly tonight and spoke to curry after the game. jr. stephen curry's run at history. he's gonna have to wait another night curry going three or fourteen from deep. he did score 18 as the warriors lose by nine to the 7. ears. it was a playoff atmosphere from the jump and while it wasn't his best shooting night. he's now seven from breaking ray. all-time three-point record now all eyes turn

tim: tim johns, abc 7 news. liz: it has been two weeks since those brazen smash and grab robberies rocked san francisco's union square. the city has launched a traffic control measures and stepped up police presence to deter crime. the question is, will it be enough to bring holiday shoppers back? abc 7 news reporter cornell barnard went to union square to find out. ♪ returning to san francisco's union square, and so were the crowds. >> people were out today. it is really good. it is making me feel like we are into christmas now. jesse were taking in the sights but being careful after those into miss smash and grab robberies several weeks ago. >> we are being cautious. watching ourselves. i have my purse where i can see it. cornell: since the robberies, police have several arrests and increased police presence around the square, including this mobile command center. >> it is a safe environment now. we have got lots of police officers securing the perimeter. you start to see a lot of families down here enjoying

but as abc 7 news reporter tim johns tells us it was more than just gifts on people's minds. as the holiday shopping season enters the final stretch shoppers are hitting the stores all around the bay area. one of the most popular spots is the village at corte madera. i found it definitely more busy than it was last year while some bought many items. so i got i'm actually sort of like sparkly sweaters others right now. i have a bag of chips for myself. not so much. i don't really have a plan of what i'm gonna get. i'm just here. trying to find stuff. after a hard holiday season last year many retailers say they're happy to see shoppers back at it again. it's been bananas today is just been. ongoing traffic back and forth. we really haven't had any down times despite not having the restrictions of 2020 many shoppers told us the new omicron. variant was still on their mind. i have older grandparents and people that i want to look out for one of this season's hottest items are at home covid tests. this cbs in marain county told us they sold out of about 1500 tests in less than 24

let's get right abc 7 news reporter tim johns live in antioch. this all started about 1:00. reporter: as you can imagine, this is been an active day here in antioch. police say the man died after being shot by officers. that following the hours on standoff that took place in this neighborhood, just behind me. antioch police initially responded to calls of shots fired near dove court. when officers arrived on scene, it was confirmed that the suspect was armed with a rifle. he was actively shooting at cars and houses. nearby residents were told to shelter -- shelter-in-place. antioch pd said they attempted to make contact with the suspect several times, but the suspect continued firing. even bringing down a police drone. >> over the course of those hours, the suspect repeatedly fired shots from inside the house, outside in the direction of officers, as well as of the residence. reporter: terry bunting lives one block over. several officere to her house in the afternoon, asking for access to her backyard to try and get a better vantage point. she tells me she never expected a t

but as tim johns explains, shopping was not the only thing on their minds. tim: amid the giant trees, wreaths, union square was packed with people, many people hitting shops, picking up last-minute items. >> we had lunch at neiman marcus, and we did some shopping at macy's. last-minute. we forgot a few things. tim: others had their shopping list already completed and came out only to see the decorations. >> i always come for the last years. tim: she came with her family. >> last year, we were not out . but this year, very lightly. tim: she says she and her daughter waited in line to see santa. >> what did you give to santa? >> a card. >> she wrote a letter to santa and said what she wanted as a christmas present. tim: shopping was not the only thing on people's minds. after smash and grab robberies happened, safety was also a consideration. law enforcement has been a notable presence this holiday season after smash and grab robberies rocked the area several weeks ago. their presence giving many shoppers we talked to a sense of security. >> it is well lit. th

and i love this community. >> in millbrae, tim johns, abc 7 news. julian: happening now snow is hitting the sierra hard in the lake tahoe region. i-80 is still closed and there is no timetable on when that may change. highway 50 is also closed at echo summit where several cars are stuck in the snow there. accidents have caused major delays. c.h.p. posted this video showing i-80 after it closed in both directions. the interstate is shut down from the nevada state line to colfax. you can see in this video all of the skiers having a good time. the national weather service has issued a winter storm warning through tuesday morning for lake tahoe. holiday travelers say it's been a frustrating couple of days. >> it's already like noon and we are going to head back to home neighbor an hour or two. >> an abc 7 news viewer told us it took him seven hours to get from south lake tahoe to san francisco yesterday. st rained the entire trip back. it's been a stormy weekend all across the bay area. that is the unmistakable sound of hail pummeling the santa cruz mou

tim johns spoke to some store owners. >> walk up to french tulip flowers in san francisco's noah valley neighborhood, and you will be greeted by this sign. >> i will take anyone willing to learn and stay with us. >> he's the owner of the store. he says right now, he and his girlfriend are the only people employed at the shop, working all day, every day. a few weeks ago, he put the sign in the front window to attract anyone willing to help out. >> we have two employers, one of them is retired. one just opened his own shop. >> this isn't the only shop having trouble getting employees. several hearsay it is a persistent problem. a few feet down the road, jose rodriguez says his team has been shortstaffed for months. something he fears could potentially get worse with the emergence of the new omicron variant. >> very worried about it. there is a lot of people who don't want to get the vaccine. >> issues have been popping up around the country like this, says the chief economist at zip recruiter. the pandemic effects on the labor force are still being widely felt, but especially pronounced f

tim: the three officers involved are currently on administrative leave. tim johns, abc 7 news. liz: a low status mom accused of throwing secret drunken sex parties for teenagers will try to get out on bail for a second time. shannon o'connor was denied bail back in october when she was arrested. according to our media partner "the mercury news" she has not entered a plea to 39 criminal counts. if convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison. her court lawyer said he would file a motion for bail and the hearing is set for january 18. today, fallen u.s. soldiers will be remembered with holiday wreaths as part of the annual wreaths across america event. headstones of thousands of fallen soldiers of the san francisco national cemetery at the presidio will be decorated with remembrance wreaths. los gatos memorial park will hold a similar event. they both start at 11:00 this morning. if you wake up in sonoma county this morning, bundled up before going outside. a freeze warning is in effect tomorrow morning and this morning is expected to be the coldest of the weekend. sonoma county

but as tim johns explains, shopping was not the only thing on their minds. tim: amid the giant trees, wreaths, union square was packed with people, many people hitting shops, picking up last-minute items. >> we had lunch at neiman marcus, and we did some shopping at macy's. last-minute. we forgot a few things. tim: others had their shopping list already completed and came out only to see the decorations. >> i always come for the last years. tim: she came with her family. >> last year, we were not out . but this year, very lightly. tim: she says she and her daughter waited in line to see santa. >> what did you give to santa? >> a card. >> she wrote a letter to santa and said what she wanted as a christmas present. tim: shopping was not the only thing on people's minds. after smash and grab robberies happened, safety was also a consideration. law enforcement has been a notable presence this holiday season after smash and grab robberies rocked the area several weeks ago. their presence giving many shoppers we talked to a sense of security. >> it is well lit. th

and i love this community in millbrae tim johns abc 7 news. happening now snow is hitting the sierra horde in the lake tahoe region. i-80 is still closed and there is no time table on when that may change highway 50 is closed at echo summit where several cars are stuck in the snow there accidents have caused some major delays chp posted this video yesterday showing i-80 after it closed in both directions. the interstate currently shut down from the about a state line to colfax palisades tahoe previously known as squaw valley alpine meadows sent us this video. you can see all of the skiers out there. they say the snow has been hammering them this weekend the national weather service has issued a winter storm warning through tuesday morning for lake tahoe holiday traveler say it's been a frustrating couple of days. it's already like noon and we're gonna head back to whom maybe in an hour or two. and abc viewer told us it took him seven hours to get from south lake tahoe to san francisco yesterday. ouch. he said it was slow going in the snow and

reporter: tim johns, abc 7 news. kumasi: i know we are trying to enjoy december am about the new year is right around the color and color and design experts have announced a new color to best represent 2022. let's see what it is. it is called very perri and it is a mix of dynamic pair wrinkle blue with red. it symbolizes change, innovation, and a feeling of newness. every year, the institute selects a color based on local trends and it is the first time ever that the institute has created a mix of colors. expect to see this color on microsoft apps, windows, and possibly your neck powerpoint presentation. reggie: i like that. kumasi: i will see how this makes me feel. reggie: it is coming over you. kumasi: by file sense of newness. i feel -- i do feel a sense of newness. i feel calm. reggie: i am into it. i tend to like blues anyway. blues and purples i am into. are you thinking of that is the same color? no? that is blue. kumasi: it is close. reggie: we are going in that direction. mike: i'm trying. let's talk about

abc 7 news reporter tim johns spoke with an attorney representing gonzalez's son. the family says they want not only justice, but reform. >> the family of mario gonzalez, who died earlier this year and an incident with alameda police has filed a lawsuit against the officers involved and the city of alameda. the suit has been filed on behalf of his five-year-old son after the gonzalez death was ruled a homicide. the incident took place in april. three alameda police officers attempted to arrest him. they thought he was under the influence and bite of been involved in that. >> they forced him facedown on the ground. they got on top of him. this is one of the attorneys. >> mario had just been missing his father terribly. he still asked his mother why is father does wake up. >> the lawsuit is asking for financial damages to be paid out to the family. irwin says, sides the lawsuit, they are calling for the district attorney to bring criminal charges against the officers involved. that is as well as reforms, including all law enforcement to undergo crisis intervention tr

tim johns spoke to some store owners. tim: walk up to french tulip flowers in the snowy valley neighborhood and you'll will be greeted by this sign. >> we will take anyone who is willing to learn and stay with us. tim: andre is the owner of the store. he says right now, he and his girlfriend are the only two people employed at the shop, working all day every day. a few weeks ago, he put this sign in the front window to try and attract anyone willing to help out. >> we have two employees and one of our employees retired and one guy started his own shop. tim: this isn't the only shop having trouble getting employees. several owners say this is a problem. just a few feet down the road, jose rodriguez says his restaurant has been shortstaffed for months, something he fears could potentially get worse with the emergence of the new omicron variant. >> i worry about it. tim: issues like these have been popping up for businesses all around the country, according to the chief economist at zip recruiter. the pandemic affects on the

as tim johns tells us, it was more than just gifts on people's minds. tim: at the holiday shopping season enters the final stretch, shoppers are hitting the stores all around the bay area. one of the most popular spots is the village. >> i found it more busy than it was last year. tim: while some bought many items. >> i'm so excited. i got some sparkly sweaters. tim: the others, not so much. >> i don't have a plan of what i'm going to get. i just here -- i'm just here trying to find stuff. tim: after a hard season last year, many retailers say they are happy to see shoppers at it again. >> it has been bananas. today has just been ongoing traffic back and forth. tim: despite not having the restrictions of 20/20, many shoppers told us the new omicron variant was still on their minds. >> i have all the grandparents and people i want to look out for. tim: one of the season's hottest items are at home covid-19 tests. >> you get together with people, you don't know where they were, and you just want to have it on hand. tim: covid isn't the only factor. some t

as tim johns tells us, it was more than just gifts on people's minds. >> as the holiday shopping season enters the final stretch, shoppers are hitting the stores around the bay area. one of the most popular spots is the village. >> i found it more busy than i was last year. >> i am so excited. some sparkly sweaters. >> i do not have a plan of what i am going to get. i am just here trying to find stuff. >> after a hard holiday season last year, many retailers say they are happy to see shoppers at it again. >> it has been bananas. today has been ongoing traffic back-and-forth. we have not had any down time. >> many shoppers told us they knew omicron variant was still on their mind. >> i have my parents and people i want to look out for. >> one of the hottest items are at home covid tests. the cvs told us they sold out of tests within 24 hours. >> you just want to have it on hand. >> covid is not the only factor on shoppers' minds. some tell us the prices are playing a role. >> in comparison to years past, it is 10% to 15% higher. >> despite the challenges this season may bring, many say t

tim johns tells us how this is affecting people traveling to and from the area over the holiday weekend. tim: the sierra has been blanketed in feet of fresh snow. >> as far as christmas, this is the most snow we have had in 12 years. tim: so much has come down that caltrans closed portions of both interstates 80 and 50 on christmas day, saying they were too dangerous to drive on. >> there were some spinouts and crews were able to get a lot of the cars out. we saw some chp officers also having problems. tim: white out conditions on many roads and caltrans officials are urging people not to try and go around the closures. >> they will hav hav getting to you if you are stuck in those country roads. think twice before trying to go around the closures. tim: caltrans will reassess road conditions on monday morning at the openings might take a little while longer. >> it is not looking good because this is a very heavy storm. tim: even when it does open back up, a little patients will still be required. set your expectations. resorts will need time to open. julian: a rockslide has closed highwa

tim johns talked with some local venues to see how this is impacting them. tim: after lockdowns canceled them in 2020, holiday parties have made a comeback this december. >> very busy. we've had a couple buyouts, about five parties per week. tim: it's a trend being seen industrywide but one that has lost some steam over the past few weeks. the ceo of a bay events company says the new omicron variant is already impacting business. >> i would say about 25% of our orders have been canceled this week. tim: besides canceling altogether, her company has also seen a lot of parties modify their plans. >> we've also seen a lot of orders for tents. i think people are switching their holiday parties to their backyards. tim: making the reservation is only one part of the process. christopher rivera works at -- he says his restaurant has hosted several holiday parties were only a fraction of those meant to come actually showed up. >> we had a lot of events where -- let's say it was a party of 20 coming in and then six would show up because five of them got covid and the

tim johns spoke to some residents tonight. who worry that the upcoming storms could cause more problems. for residents of landing lane in millbrae flooding has become a persistent worry in the last few months their street has severely flooded twice once back in october and again earlier this week. we were sleeping and all the sun. i woke up about like seven o'clock. i found all my garage was flooded nor a song has lived on this street for over 20 years. he says this past thursday his home flooded with about 22 inches of sewage water. just clean up the whole thing. last time but i have to clean up again song says his family's christmas has largely been ruined. thanks to the devastation. the recent flooding has caused. he estimates that the damage to his property this week totals in the thousands of dollars. my car has been damaged and my washer and dryer my refrigerator. my wine my my food, but residents here say it's not just the flooding that they're sick of. it's also the lack of solutions. favor irwin also lives on landing

tim johns spoke with one of the organizers who say at first, the thief tried to fool them. >> for the past 28 years, the organization has partnered with the dominic hoskins black history museum too annual toy drive in redwood city. this year had been no different. that is, until saturday afternoon. >> and then all of a sudden she started screaming saying we are being robbed. >> carolyn hoskins is the director of the drive which collects both toys and monetary donations to help buy better christmases for children in need. she tells me around 3:00 p.m. saturday afternoon a man walked into the group storefront on jefferson avenue. hoskins says the man was friendly and chatted with several members of her team including herself. all of a sudden as he was near the door, he smashed his hands into the donation box and ran off with the money the group had been raising for the past two days. >> it was going to go to to buy gift cards and things that were much-needed for kids. so now, that money is gone. >> about $500 was stolen. she says she is heartbroken that someone would steal money from th

tim: tim johns, abc 7 news. liz: it has been two weeks since those brazen smash and grab robberies rocked san francisco's union square. the question is will it be enough to bring holiday shoppers back? reporter cornell barnard went to union square to find out. reporter: holiday cheer is is is returning to san francisco's union square, and so were the crowds. >> it is really good. it is making me feel like we are into christmas. reporter: lydia and her fiancÉ jesse were taking in the sights but being careful after those into miss smash and grab robberies several weeks ago. >> we are being cautious. i got my purse where i can see it. reporter: since the robberies, police have made several arrests and increased police presence around the square, including this mobile command center. >> it is a safe environment. we have got lots of police officers securing the perimeter. you are seeing lots of families down here. reporter: this family from daly city came to shop. >> a lot of cops around the neighborhood guarding th