West

Blue state hotel near major airport hub closes its doors after 56 years amid crime crisis

Published

1 year ago

September 26, 2024

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Blue state hotel near major airport hub closes its doors after 56 years amid crime crisis

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The Hilton hotel next to the Oakland, California, airport has closed its doors after 56 years, after many other neighboring businesses have already closed and residents have moved away due to ongoing crime in the area.

On Aug. 28, the hotel’s final customer was checked out, and it was officially shut down.

“We thought we were all going to retire there, but we were heartbroken,” Egigu Lemma, known as “Gigi” by his colleagues, told Fox News Digital about the closure of the hotel, where he dedicated over 35 years as a bellman and guest service agent.

Over 150 workers lost their jobs, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

KAMALA HARRIS PLAYED ‘CRITICAL ROLE’ IN CALIFORNIA CRIME LAW

The Hilton sign at the entrance of the Oakland airport hotel, which has shut down after 56 years. (Google Street View)

“When I started working at the Hilton, I was 19 years old, originally from Ethiopia. I came to this country as a refugee,” Lemma said, adding that he spent more time at the hotel than at his own house. “I loved the job, I really loved the job.”

Hilton officials did not say why they closed the Oakland airport hotel, but former workers believe it was the result of ongoing crime in the area.

“Hotel ownership reached a decision to permanently close Hilton Oakland Airport,” a Hilton spokesperson told Fox News Digital, in part, adding, “Hilton continues to welcome guests across the Bay Area where Hilton and our franchise partners operate nearly 50 hotels.”

“Businesses slowed down after COVID, but we were OK, at least the hotel was up in business, but after COVID, the crime was high, vehicles were broken into, catalytic converters were taken, they stole the ATM from the hotel,” Lemma explained about the ongoing difficulties in the area.

Oakland police investigate the scene after shooting an armed carjacking suspect on International Boulevard and 105th Avenue in East Oakland, California, on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)

The Hilton hotel at 1 Hegenberger Road in Oakland stood for over half a century in business, spread across 20 acres, with 360 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of event space.

Lemma shared fond memories of the hotel and its character with Fox News Digital.

“We had a hotel cat. Her name was Parris Hilton, and she was there for the last 16 years, greeting the hotel guests,” he said.

Earlier this year, the only In-N-Out Burger restaurant in Oakland closed, and the popular West Coast fast-food chain company previously told Fox Business that regular car break-ins, property damage, theft and armed robberies of customers and employees led to the decision to shut down in March.

CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATS ‘PLAYING DIRTY TRICKS’ TO KEEP PROP 47 REFORM OFF BALLOT, GOP LEADER SAYS

In-N-Out Burger in Oakland closed in March due to crime in the area. (Google Street View)

A neighboring Denny’s also shut down in January after 54 years, citing safety concerns. Two Starbucks locations and a local diner in the area have closed too.

“Closing a restaurant location is never an easy decision or one taken lightly. However, the safety and well-being of Denny’s team members and valued guests is our top priority,” Denny’s said in a statement on the closure.

Violent crime in Oakland was up 21% in 2023 from the previous year, with 120 homicides, 3,531 aggravated assaults and 3,690 robberies, according to the Oakland Police Department’s annual citywide end of year crime report.

The crime surge in Oakland prompted Blue Shield and Clorox to provide security guards for their workers.

Blue Shield previously told Fox News Digital that it “recognizes the public safety challenges in the City of Oakland, and we are committed to fully supporting our employees’ safety.”

Some residents of Oakland have even left their homes in the city due to fear of crime, while 60-year-old retiree Dave Schneider was shot to death last summer while trimming his front tree during the day.

OAKLAND VIOLENT CRIME SURGE LEADS LIFELONG RESIDENT TO FLEE CITY: ‘I CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE’

Fortunately for Lemma, he managed to find another position after the Hilton hotel’s closure.

“I’m one of the luckiest ones…but most of them didn’t get a job,” he said about the other hotel employees. “I found a job, but my mind is still at the Hilton.”

He confessed that sometimes on his way to work in the mornings, he makes the wrong turn, thinking he’s still going back to the Hilton Oakland Airport hotel.

“When you think about all those memories, it’s very sad. After 56 years, it’s very sad,” Lemma said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Oakland Police Department and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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West

Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

Published

3 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Las Vegas first responders conduct seven-hour rescue of injured climber stranded 600 feet up rock face

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First responders in Nevada carried out a dramatic seven-hour rescue after a climber was seriously injured while stranded roughly 600 feet up a steep rock face near Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) said search and rescue teams were notified around noon Saturday about an injured climber on the “Dream Safari” route along Dark Shadows Wall in Pine Creek.

Authorities said the climber had fallen an estimated 40 to 50 feet, suffering severe head and back injuries.

The victim’s climbing partner and a guide from another climbing party reached the injured climber and controlled the bleeding while awaiting rescue crews.

Rescuers secured the climber in a titanium litter and lowered the patient in stages down the rock face. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Four search and rescue officers and a lead climb volunteer were inserted by the department’s AIR3 helicopter several hundred feet above the victim at the top of the route.

Rescuers then rappelled down the rock face, provided medical treatment while suspended mid-face, and secured the patient in a titanium litter.

Crews constructed a lowering system and brought the climber several hundred feet down to the ground through three separate lowering stations, with a rescuer attending to the patient during the descent.

RAFTER VANISHES IN OREGON WILDERNESS, SURVIVES FIVE-DAY ORDEAL BEFORE HELICOPTER RESCUE

Las Vegas police search and rescue teams spent seven hours lowering an injured climber 600 feet to safety. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

Once at the base, additional volunteers carried the litter to an extraction point where the helicopter returned to airlift the victim to a Bureau of Land Management helipad.

The climber was then transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to a local hospital.

NORWEGIAN CLIMBER LOOKING TO BECOME FASTEST PERSON TO CLIMB WORLD’S 14 HIGHEST MOUNTAINS

The climber’s helmet was destroyed in the fall but likely saved the person’s life, officials said. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department)

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LVMPD wrote on Facebook that the entire operation lasted about seven hours from initial insertion to final extraction.

“Although the victim’s helmet was destroyed during the fall, it likely saved their life,” police said.

Ashley Carnahan is a writer at Fox News Digital.

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San Francisco, CA

Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches

Published

5 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Floats for San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade get finishing touches

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — ABC7 Eyewitness News got a sneak peak as crews put the finishing touches on the floats you’ll see at Saturday’s San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade.

Since it’s the year of the fire horse, you’ll see a lot of horses and fire symbolism on the floats, housed at Pier 19.

“So Year of the Horse, it’s energy, it’s passion, it’s momentum so a lot of things that we’re really hoping to embody in the new year,” said Stephanie Mufson, owner of San Francisco-based The Parade Guys, which designs and constructs the floats.

She said they’ve been building them for about three months, with the designs starting in November.

MORE: Bay Area artist brings Year of the Horse statue to life for Golden State Warriors

“We’re in the home stretch,” she said. “We’ve got a couple of days left and we’ve got a nice little team that’s cranking out all the finishing work that needs to go into it.”

Derrick Shavers was sanding some wood that will be painted and become cherry blossom trees on a float.

“It’s exciting,” Shavers said. “I look forward to coming every year and just creating and making things shine and sparkle.”

Bon was painting mountains for a float, making sure everything is perfect in time for the parade.

MORE: Meet the 2026 San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade mascot, Maverick

“It’s one of the few parades that actually happens at night still,” Bon said. “So we got to make sure all the lighting is in check, and people are safe on the float. It’s all in the details, just for it to walk by you for 10 seconds.”

Ten seconds that bring so much joy to those watching the parade.

Here’s how you can watch the parade on ABC7 Eyewitness News on Saturday, March 7.

Coverage starts at 5 p.m. wherever you stream ABC7.

SF Chinese New Year Parade 2026: How to watch ABC7 Eyewitness News live coverage

If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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Denver, CO

Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver

Published

6 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Grand Junction, Palisade reach Great Eight in Denver

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — The Class 5A Sweet 16 has arrived, and both Grand Junction and Palisade are still standing with trips to the Great Eight in Denver on the line.

At The Jungle, the No. 2 seed Grand Junction Tigers set the tone early against No. 18 Golden. Defense carried the Tigers from the opening tip as they held the Demons to nine first quarter points while scoring 16 of their own.

Grand Junction added eight points in the second quarter while Golden managed six, sending the Tigers into halftime with a nine point lead.

Golden responded in the third quarter, outscoring Grand Junction 16 to 11 to cut the deficit to five entering the fourth. The Tigers answered in the final period, attacking the rim and converting key shots to win the quarter 19 to 10. Grand Junction secured a 54 to 41 victory to protect its home court and advance to the Great Eight in Denver.

Top seeded Palisade also defended its home floor with a trip to Denver at stake. The Bulldogs opened with nine straight points to energize a packed gym, but Frederick settled in and closed the first quarter on a run to tie the game at nine.

Frederick continued to respond in the second quarter and took an eight point lead into halftime.

Palisade shifted momentum after the break. The Bulldogs tightened defensively, holding Frederick to 21 points in the second half while scoring 39 of their own. Palisade completed the comeback to advance to the Great Eight.

Colorado Mesa University Women Deliver Historic RMAC Tournament Win

In collegiate action, the top seeded Colorado Mesa University women’s basketball team defeated Colorado School of Mines 96 to 51 in the RMAC Tournament, marking the largest margin of victory in the tournament this century.

Olivia Reed-Thyne led the Mavericks with 34 points on 11 of 15 shooting, her third 30 point performance this season. Mason Rowland added 22 points and Hallie Clark contributed 10 as Colorado Mesa matched a program record with its 31st win. The Mavericks will host the semifinals Friday with a berth in the championship game at stake.

Colorado Mesa University Men Survive Overtime Thriller

The Colorado Mesa University men’s basketball team faced New Mexico Highlands University for the third time this season. The Mavericks scored 36 first half points and led by four at the break.

New Mexico Highlands shot 50 percent in the second half, received 21 bench points and outscored Colorado Mesa 43 to 39 to force a late push. With the season in the balance, Ty Allred hit a game tying 3 pointer to make it 75 and send the game to overtime. Allred scored seven points in the extra period as Colorado Mesa earned a 91 to 90 victory to advance to the next round.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.

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