Sigh. San Francisco Film Society just announced that beloved Executive Director Bingham Ray died today, January 23, while attending the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. In addition to manning the noted SF Film Society, Ray cofounded October Films. October, billed as "one of the foremost independent film companies of the 1990s," snagged two Oscars and scored 13 Oscar nominations and other cinema prizes at the Cannes Film Festival. Some of October Films' credits include Secrets & Lies, The Apostle, Cookie's Fortune, The Celebration, Lost Highway, The Last Seduction, and Breaking the Waves. more ›

In a new set of data just out from the CDC, culled from 2010, homicide is no longer one of the top 15 causes of death for Americans. This is the first time since 1965 that murder hasn't made the list, which the CDC has been publishing since 1949. More popular causes of death these days are things that affect the elderly, like chronic liver disease, Parkinson's disease, and pneumonitis (lung damage caused by people who have choked on their food or who have lost the ability to swallow). more ›

Deanna Despain, Berkeley's city clerk, was found dead inside her Oakland home (at on the 4100 block of Lyman Road) on Saturday morning. According to Berkeleyside, who broke the story, "The coroner’s office is not yet releasing any information about the death, referring enquiries to the Oakland Police Department." more ›

The Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco Network Ministries, and the general public will gather tonight to honor those who died while homeless. The memorial will happen at 5:30 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza across from City Hall. "The memorial is traditionally held on the winter solstice because, according to organizers, it represents the coldest, darkest time for the homeless population," notes BCN. more ›

Before he sold his soul to Beelzebub by appearing in the UK's Celebrity Big Brother in the UK, noted director Ken Russell had made some of the most visually jarring yet controversial films of the 1970s. His death was announced Monday. He was 84. more ›

Sunday's New York Times features the eulogy Steve Jobs' sister, writer Mona Simpson, delivered at his funeral. Describing her brother's last hours, she reveals his simple yet touching final words: more ›

Hey, what are you doing tomorrow? Dentist appointment, lunch with your boss, seeing a movie? Forget it. We told you earlier this week there was only one thing you needed on your schedule for October 21, 2011: The End of the World. more ›

And just like that, the death and surrounding melee of noted Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has sparked a minor backlash. As we mentioned earlier, several people took umbrage with the fact that a few spunky nerds held an iPhone vigil for Jobs in Dolores Park last night. Heated words for mourning Mac fans hit hard: more ›

Via our sister site Shanghaiist, this poster was found outside an Android store (possibly a fake/imitation store or open source OS) in Sichuan, China. The poster reads, "Steve Jobs has kicked the bucket. Why would you still be buying Apple?" There also appears to be an Android critter kicking a black Apple logo. Charming. more ›

Gunfire broke out at an employee meeting at the Hanson Permanente Quarry in Cupertino this morning, killing two and leaving four wounded. KTVU reports, "The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department said an employee apparently became upset during a shift change meeting after 4 a.m., pulled out a weapon and opened fire at the company located near Stevens Creek Blvd. and Foothill." more ›

Fifteen years ago today, Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas. His murder remains steeped in questions and controversy. However, while the Oakland artist was alive, he tossed off the following quote regarding a police brutality lawsuit he filed against the Oakland Police Department. more ›

An inspiration for artists like John Waters, among others, local filmmaker George Kuchar died on September 6 following a battle with cancer. The San Francisco Art Institute released the following statement today: "It is with great sadness that the San Francisco Art Institute announces that George Kuchar, a longtime professor and influential figure in experimental and underground filmmaking, died on September 6, 2011 following a battle with cancer." more ›

Authorities released the name of the 23-year-old woman struck and killed by a Muni bus on Friday afternoon. San Franciscan Emily Dunn was at the end of the crosswalk at the intersection of 18th and Hartford streets at around at 2:30 p.m. "when a bus that was making a left turn struck her." more ›

A woman was struck and killed by a Muni shuttle in Castro District this afternoon. According to reports "Police say the woman was at the corner of 18th and Hartford when she was hit by the 33 shuttle bus. They are currently at the scene of the accident." Expect transit delays. more ›

All that is good and true seems to have just (just?) slipped through our fingers, folks. You see, the SF Giants continue their plummet into the abyss, possibly falling far away from the safety net known as the playoffs. They blew it in the ninth inning against the Braves on Tuesday, losing 2-1. Worst of all? Loads of injures abound. Bruce Jenkins reports: more ›

Dionette Cherney, the 67-year-old woman critically injured on July 15 after being struck by a bicyclist in a crosswalk at Mission Street and The Embarcadero, died this morning. "Police were called to the intersection around 8:30 a.m. and found the woman suffering from a life-threatening head injury," reports SF Appeal. "An investigation revealed that the bicyclist had run a red light, hitting the woman as she was crossing the street legally." Though the cyclist was questioned before being released, he could (and should) face the same charges that would be befall to a regular driver. more ›

A deceased and bloody goat's corpse was found on Capp Street today. Mission Mission picked up on the story today. SFist talked to San Francisco Animal Care and Control who revealed that, in addition to the goat, "a few other animals were picked up" as well on the same street today. However, they could not elaborate as to the type or the amount of animal corpses recovered. more ›

John Toomey, the Santa Claus who was fired by Macy's last Christmas for telling off-color jokes, was found dead today at the Budget Inn on Market Street. The cause of death appears to be natural causes but has not been determined. more ›

Nancy Ho, the 25-year-old helmetless cyclist who was crashed into a truck at Fremont and Mission on Tuesday morning, succumbed to her injuries and died. If you recall, "Nancy Ho, of San Francisco, was traveling east on Mission Street when she was struck by a westbound Berkeley Farms truck as she turned left onto Fremont street around 8 a.m." Even though Ho and the driver saw a green lights ahead of them, "she was making an illegal left turn." [SFAppeal] more ›

After news broke yesterday that local transgender/drag icon Miss Vicki Marlane died, many folks in the queer community were taken aback. To say the least. Given the moniker "The Lady With the Liquid Spine" due to her trademark flexibility while lip syncing, Marlane was profiled in the New York Times two years ago, presumed to be the oldest, continuously performing, transgender performer in the U.S. at the time of her death. We asked a few local drag luminaries to give us their thoughts on Marlane's passing and her legacy. Here are there responses. more ›

Police identified the body of the man who was discovered in the Marina on Tuesday as 20-year-old Dennis Knowlton. According to reports, police "have not released a cause of death, however police are saying the fully clothed man had multiple stab wounds." It is believed that Knowlton was killed onMonday night. more ›

An unidentified man committed suicide outside the SFPD MIssion station Monday morning. "The incident was reported at about 9 a.m. outside the doors of the police station at 630 Valencia," reports SF Appeal. "The victim apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound." No word yet why, exactly, the victim wanted to take his life in front of a police station. Very sad. more ›

Firefighter and paramedic Anthony "Tony" Valerio, 53, one of the three firefighters involved in the deadly fire in Diamond Heights on Friday, died on Saturday morning at about 7:30 a.m. Valerio, a Bay Area native, spent 13 years with the city's Department of Public Health and 14 years with the fire department. more ›

Matt Fong, California State Treasurer from 1995 through 1999, died today. Current Treasurer Bill Lockyer released the following statement: "Our state has lost a fine leader and a great example of the Asian-Pacific community's tremendous contributions to the California family. As Treasurer, Matt never forgot he was managing taxpayers' money, and never failed to put their interests first. I try to live up to that standard. My heart goes out to Matt's family. I hope they find strength in his courage, and that their grief quickly fades into the quiet joy of memories." more ›

The Oakland Tribune (via Mercury News) reports on a tragic story of a 57-year-old man who drowned in the bay in Alameda on Monday after wading chest-high in the water fully clothed for nearly an hour before rescuers could reach him. more ›

A 22-year-old male pedestrian was struck and killed by a car at around 1:20 a.m. this morning in the city's Marina district. The incident occurred at Lombard and Pierce. "The vehicle was driving eastbound on Pierce when the crash occurred," reports BCN. "The driver, a 30-year-old man, reportedly told officers that he did not see the pedestrian before the crash." more ›

Three-time Emmy winner Daryl Hawks, a former NBC Bay Area Sports anchorperson, was found dead inside an Atlanta hotel room Thursday morning. Rich Lieberman reports: "Atlanta police called Hawks' death a medical emergency and not a police call. His body was discovered after he did not appear for the Bulls' morning shoot around. Paramedics were called and he was taken to a local hospital at about 10:30 a.m., according to Atlanta police Sgt. Curtis Davenport." more ›

Three people were shot and killed last night at around 8:30 p.m. in the 10th Street parking garage at San Jose State University, including the alleged shooter. A weapon was recovered at the scene, and police are investigating the crime as a double murder-suicide. They believe the victims were all known to each other, and that the incident was not gang-related. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, and police are still determining whether any of the victims were students. more ›