• A China Air 747 cargo plane hit a bird shortly after taking off from SFO yesterday and, due to FAA regulations, had to immediately return to the airport. The plane was found to have suffered no damage from the avian collision — but the bird "met its maker." [Chronicle]
• An early morning homicide in the Tenderloin is being investigated by San Francisco police. The act of violence occurred round 3:51 a.m. at Larkin and O’Farrell, and police are asking anyone with information to contact (415) 575-4444. [KRON4]
• This past Thursday saw three pedestrians struck and injured in San Francisco, a lackluster way to kick off the New Year. Here's hoping an impending car-free Market Street will help such incidences from being the new normal. [KTVU / SFist]
• A candlelight vigil will be held today for Shuo Zeng — the man who was struck and killed, chasing after his stolen laptop, by the criminals’ getaway car — around 11:30 a.m. at the Montclair Starbucks he was at on New Year’s Eve. Attendees are encouraged to write warm, endearing notes, which will be sent to his family ... who are flying in from China to identify his body. [ABC7]
• Australian comedian Celeste Barber's Facebook Fundraiser to help with wildfire relief has raised over $20M in just a few days. Nearly 730,000 people have donated to the cause since January 2nd. [NZ Herald]
• The 89-year-old grandmother who was severely beaten at Visitacion Valley Park last year died Friday at Laguna Honda Hospital, having "clung on to life" for some time. [ABC7]
• New data shows that there's probably thousands of empty homes in the Bay Area. [Mercury News]
• The story of how one immigrant filmmaker found his home (and made his mark) in San Francisco is a wild, inspiring ride. [SF Examiner]

Image: Flickr via Michael Estigoy