🌱 Were you near Soto and Jackson during Friday’s attempted kidnapping?

Hello Hayward! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Hayward PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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In today's newsletter:

• Were you near Soto and Jackson during Friday’s attempted kidnapping?
• Who actually greenlit Hayward’s massive data center—and what changes now?
• How will Hayward’s new police drone plan affect your neighborhood?

Also on today's calendar: SkeptiCal Conference and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: Why don't eggs tell Jokes? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, with a high of 73 and low of 55 degrees.
• Wednesday: Areas of low clouds, then sun, temps: high: 74, low: 57.
• Thursday: Pleasant with sunshine, with a high of 78 and low of 56 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. 'Justin Bieber Look-Alike' Tries To Kidnap Woman In East Bay: Police (patch.com) — Hayward police are asking for your help identifying a man described as a “Justin Bieber look-alike” who allegedly tried to kidnap a woman near Soto Road and Jackson Street on Friday afternoon. Two bystanders intervened and the woman was not physically hurt, but the suspect escaped southbound on Soto Road. Anyone who saw anything is urged to call Hayward police at 510-293-7176.
   

2. Who approved Hayward's largest data center? (tricityvoice.com) — Hayward’s largest data center, a 300,000-square-foot Stack Infrastructure facility, advanced through city approvals with little city council oversight, sparking concern about its huge power and water demands. This piece walks residents through how zoning rules, planning commission decisions and a classification loophole allowed the project, and how councilmembers now insist future data centers face full public review.
   

3. Hayward City Council approves military equipment use policy (tricityvoice.com) — Hayward residents should know the City Council has approved the police department’s annual military equipment use policy, including plans to expand a drone-as-first-responder program across the city. The report details HPD’s rifles, armored vehicle and drones, how often they were deployed, and the nearly $590,000 yearly cost of adding eight more drones. Supporters and critics raised sharp questions about safety, privacy and police militarization.
   

4. California Felon Gets 15 Years After Using Ohio Dating App Match In 2,500-Mile Gun Scheme (tampafp.com) — A Hayward man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for convincing an Ohio woman he met on a dating app to illegally buy four semi-automatic pistols for him. Prosecutors said he traveled cross-country by bus, had her purchase the guns at two Ohio shops, then returned to California, where one of the weapons was later recovered. The case highlights how local residents can be tied to interstate gun trafficking schemes.
   

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📸 Around Hayward

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Hayward

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday June 27

• SkeptiCal Conference →
  Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St, Oakland
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Wednesday June 24

• Business Services (Training for Budgets)
  Performing Arts Center C700 722D Event Center (Large Side), C700 722 Event Center Foy
  9:00 am
• Board Meeting - Closed Session
  Castro Valley Unified Castro Valley, CA 94546
  5:00 pm
• Board Meeting - Open Session
  Castro Valley Unified Castro Valley, CA 94546
  6:00 pm

Thursday June 25

• Classified Appreciation - Kick Ball
  Performing Arts Center Softball Field CPHED SBFLD
  8:00 am
• VIRTUAL ADVISING: CSU East Bay
  Performing Arts Center ONLINE
  10:00 am
• Summer Chamber Music Concert
  Performing Arts Center C1200 1224 Recital Hall
  7:00 pm

Friday June 26

• 12:15pm ALL Students in K-5th
  Castro Valley Unified Castro Valley, CA 94546
• VIRTUAL ADVISING: CSU East Bay
  Performing Arts Center ONLINE
  10:00 am

Tuesday June 30

• Techfootin #126 Online Auction →
  , Hayward
  9:00 am

Friday July 10

• Free Outdoor Movie Nights - Elios at San Lorenzo →
  San Lorenzo Community Park, 1970 Via Buena Vista, San Lorenzo
  7:00 pm

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📣 Hayward Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday June 24

• Board Meeting - Closed Session
  Castro Valley Unified Castro Valley, CA 94546
  5:00 pm
• Board Meeting - Open Session
  Castro Valley Unified Castro Valley, CA 94546
  6:00 pm

Friday June 26

• 12:15pm ALL Students in K-5th
  Castro Valley Unified Castro Valley, CA 94546

Saturday June 27

• Strategies for Adaptation Along the Hayward Eden Area - Community Workshop →
  San Lorenzo Community Park, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District Dog Park, 1970 Via Buena Vista, San Lorenzo
  2:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• OWNER FOUND.
  I walked down the street and looked and asked around. Luckyly this fur baby didn't stay far too long from his family This dog was about to walk on… (Nextdoor Mission/Foothill)
• Hello neighbors,
  If anyone recognizes this person please let me know. They went inside the home at 5:30 am and left with a scooter. Please beware of this person near… (Nextdoor Fairview)

• ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Warehouse Handyman in Hayward. Apply here.
• Fish Window Cleaning posted a job opening for Seasonal Summer Window Cleaner in Hayward. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hayward here.

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Ok Hayward! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: They might crack up... (Thank you Cat R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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