Where they are and how regular folks can help weigh in on who gets the job and now attend the east bay becoming a hospital desert. Whats being planned that could leave many residents without a nearby hospital. When fun time from the bay areas local news station. Youre watching kron. 4 news. And thanks so much for joining us at 10. Im vicki liviakis. Im grant lotus tonight on the heels of macys announcement that its closing its location in San Franciscos union square. Walgreens says it is also closing up a Downtown Location people who live in the area have been trying to prevent this from happening. But those efforts did not succeed. Our kron fours. Sara stinson joins us now live in the studio after talking to neighbors. Sarah. And many are worried about seniors who are now without access to a nearby pharmacy. Doesnt dozens gathered outside the downtown walgreens location rallying for the company to change its mind. But unfortunately, the company has moved forward with the closure. In the final hours of operation, more than 2 dozen people who live in downtown San Francisco gathered outside the walgreens. At 2, 7, 5, sacramento street hoping their voices will be heard. At first just total shock and surprise. You know, a pharmacy like a grocery store. They you know, theyre oftentimes the center of the community. Theyre really important needs. Diana taylor has organized efforts to plea with walgreens and the city to stop the closure. But unfortunately, theyve had no look what we found out that it wasnt about. Human needs or what the community needs. It was all about the numbers. A spokesperson for walgreens tells kron 4 the locations closure is due to a significant decrease in foot traffic since the pandemic. But thats not what we saw while walking in the area with alec bash who lives just blocks away. I think weve got put your foot traffic in this area and we have more and more every fashion taylor are among those worried about seniors not having access to a nearby pharmacy. The new years walgreens will now be a half mile away on montgomery street. Taylor says this closure will take away their independence in terms of the seniors. They feel. Theyre terrified. They feel like they dont have any choice. So does it mean going to assisted living good people on walkers . Warren wheelchairs, houston, to cage walking along and the thought of having to walk into. Larger downtown area to get prescription drugs is sort of hard to conceive. Other longtime residents worry this will only hurt the progress the city is making in the downtown area. Well, things closing thats taken away or amenities. And i worry that people start start moving out of the because what we have. A spokesperson for walgreens says all pharmacy files are being transferred to the location on montgomery street. The company also says theyre offering free and reduced prescription delivery for the next 90 days. The group of neighbors. I talked with rally today. Obviously the stories close. But they havent given up hope. Theyre still trying to work with the city supervisor. Aaron peskin walgreens. So we may not understand this, but for those folks, this is an essential service. Its a lifeline for them. Yes, its very true. And they need their pharmacy within walking distance and we say walking, i mean, a block away. So the the alternative for them is what . Half a mile away, half mile away. But thats a huge fee. Should if youre on a win in a wheelchair or you have your walker came so bus or take a taxi it will take for a orchestrate. Yeah, just 6 now. And this is also kind of a center point of a neighborhood. You have grocery store. You have pharmacy for these folks. So it really does strike at the heart of things. Well, hopefully. Maybe some attention will be brought. Thats what doing this story. Thank you, sarah. Another big story were following downtown since the 1940s union square has been home to macys. But now. Those days are numbered. Today, macys executives announced they are closing 150 Stores Nationwide and the San Francisco landmark is among them. For many, its iconic macys Christmas Tree did it for others. They love the puppies in the holiday windows. Whatever. The case may be, there were plenty of traditions and a lot of people who love them. A lot of people got their first job that that macys, the owner of macys neighbor johns grill says shopping at macys eating at his restaurant is a tradition. Folks around the world have come to enjoy and to lose the crown. Jewel is tough. Its going to be sad to see them go. Its progress. Its going to really tough for the downtown San Francisco area where, but we will come back from this. Another story were following for you tonight to on the heels of the news of ne sees a plant closure. Its not hard to believe that low foot traffic and crime in union square lead macys to decide to close its stores. But San Francisco mayor london breed says this is not about retail theft. She join our kron fours justine waltman in our studios a little earlier today. Well, to be crime in 2023 was down to the lowest. Its been in 10 years and in particular during the holiday season, it was down by over 50 larcenies which include retail theft and car breakin. So crime trends are going down. When i talked to the folks from macys that was not mentioned in its factors to close because it was about its entire portfolio. Its about the profitability of the changes in retail and how people are shopping, how their online businesses is definitely doing very well. And they had to make some really hard decisions. And and the real estate that this macys is setting in is extremely valuable. And so its really about profits and marketability other things. But to be clear, this is an iconic location similar to the transamerica building. Thats a billion dollar investment where it is not only the person who purchased the building, but theyre transforming the entire area around that area. Union square is already that iconic destination. So the ability to attract and retain other uses are possible. This is going to be a lot different than what we experience with. Nordstrom were northams close. This macys is not closing any time soon and it presents us with some incredible opportunities. Even the possibility of some component of macys still being a part of downtown opportunities and certainly challenges that in the east bay, the macys in walnut creek. Well stay open. Shockers at that. We talked to there were surprised to hear about the blow to San Francisco. The creek and smaller when the wind, San Francisco warning looks like macys of all time. You know where its a look at. And its a shame. I love the city and i grew up there and i just here 2 years its a city still. But what i miss in the city is an existing anymore. On the upside, the Union Square Location is not expected to shut down and tell next year. Gorgeous weather around the bay area today and the check out your wakeup Weather Forecast as we head toward tomorrow morning, a little chilly overnight tonight. Lows going to be dropping off in the 30s and the 40s and thats how will start tomorrow morning. But its going to be cleared to begin with temperatures warming up as we head through the middle of the morning, youll see plenty of sunshine throughout. In fact, by 08 00am. If youre headed out the door for the commute should be sunny and bright, depending where youre at 40s around much of the bay area. And then by 10 00am lots of sunshine all the way from the coastal valleys. Temperatures warming up back tomorrow. Going to be a really nice day. Big changes coming after that. Well talk more about that in a few minutes. Thanks its new tonight at 10, the Oakland Police commission revealed tonight is top candidates to be the new police chief. The city of oakland has now been without a chief for more than a year after mayor sheng thao made the controversial decision to fire lauren armstrong. That was back in february of last year. One candidate that has been submitted by the police commission, probably the most controversial is abdul pretty good here he was the police chief in san leandro. The only local person on this list. He was the police chief for about 2 years before he was placed on administrative leave last september. Officials from the city of san leandro say that is due to policy violations. Specifics, though, are not very clear. He resigned from the Department Last year. Another name on the Oakland Police commissions list is floyd mitchell. He has 30 years of Law Enforcement experience and was hired to be the chief of police in temple, texas, most recently 3rd candidate, lisa davis. She is currently the Investigations Bureau commander with the Cincinnati Police department in ohio. She specializes in addressing crime in cities and Building Community relationships and then the final name is luis molina. He is the assistant deputy mayor for Public Safety for the city of new york. He is known for Community Engagement and improving conditions for residents. By the way, folks who live in oaklands can influence the decision. This thursday, the Oakland Police commission, well be holding an open forum where folks can hear from the candidates. What are their ideas and plans . This will be from 6. 30, to 9 oclock at night oakland city hall. Francisco supervisors are apologizing to africanamericans and their descendants for decades of what they call racist laws and policies by the city. All 11 members of the board sponsored the declaration. Francisco is the first major u. S. City to issue such an apology so far theres been no movement on any of the committees monetary proposals, including a lump sum cash payment to residents or a guaranteed income. Still ahead, the danger microplastics to a push tonight. The push tonight to clean up our oceans and Drinking Water. From the many plastics less bringing new life to the coliseum. What Community Leaders want to see happen now that say theyre heading out of town, the east bay becoming a hospital desert. What is being planned that could leave many resident is it possible to count on my internet like my Customers Count on me . It is with comcast business. Keeping you up and running with our 99. 9 network reliability. And security that helps outsmart threats to your data. Moaire dida twoo . Your data, too. Theres even roundtheclock customer support. So you can be there for your customers. With comcast business, reliability isnt just possible. Its happening. Get started for 49 a month. Plus, ask how to get up to a 800 prepaid card with a qualifying internet package. Dont wait, call and switch today what do i see in peter dixon . I see my husband. The father of our girls. I see a public servant. A man who served under secretary clinton in the state department. Where he took on the epidemic of violence against women in the congo. I see a fighter, a tenacious problemsolver. Who will go to congress and protect abortion rights and our democracy. Because he sees a Better Future for all of us. Im peter dixon and i approved this message. To john fisher sell your state in the coliseum, make your profit and allow to flourish and thrive. If you cant do that, then its time to play ball with the community and join us at the negotiating table Community Leaders in oakland calling on Alameda County supervisors to pressure as owner john fisher to allow the Oakland Coliseum to be used for things besides as baseball. The as recently blocked an effort by the upstart oakland bees to play at the coliseum. A move that the group says robs the community of financial benefit. Even though the as have expressed an interest in leaving oakland, the team has had talks with the city and Alameda County about extending their stay at the coliseum. But no deals so far has been reached. Chilling information now out of the hearing thats hosted by u. S. Senators over plastics in water. Classics everywhere. Not just in these bodies of water like the ocean, but also in the water. We drink kron fours. Catherine heenan has the story. Microplastics is a problem. We know that ingesting plastic in any form is bad, but it is becoming increasingly clear these days that avoiding the problem is just about impossible. One macro plastic item can for millions of microplastics which break into billions of nano plastics. Particles so small they can easily move across the gastrointestinal tract, be carried by the blood and up in our livers. Kidneys springs, even crossing the placental boundary into embryos. Formulations of plastics are estimated to use upwards of 13,000 chemicals. And microplastics are widely documented to harm aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Its Common Knowledge that many of the chemicals can cause cancer. But these experts point out theyve been linked to everything from alzheimers to obesity, these chemicals within plastics are linked to fertility issues. As well as being associated with obesity rates, autism and other developmental issues. It was interesting to watch as it dawned on various senate Panel Members that they are in fact, surrounded by dangerous microplastics. My understanding is our paper cups like the one senator loomis history can feel at this moment are also lined with plastic. My daughters, a little obsessive about the containers that she uses in her house for my grandchildren. And i thought she was being a little obsessive compulsive. And now i know shes not. The hearing is intended to lead to better ideas on how to ease the problem. That wont be easy. The testimony today included the fact the u. S. Has the highest prevalence of micro fibers in our Drinking Water than any other nation. And the u. S. Is not set up to handle the problem. Right now. The recycling infrastructure is awful things you can do to minimize health risks. Aside from using fewer Plastic Products include. Filter in your water, vacuuming regularly that talked about that. Although microplastics are just about everywhere, including your clothing. One of the senate bills being considered meantime would pay for a National Study on the presence of micro plastics. All right, those Catherine Heenan reporting for us tonight is were heading up to the hhgh country. A live look here along interstate 80 at soda springs. Smooth sailing. If youre driving up to the sierra tonight, if youre trying to do this. So i dont know. Friday best of luck. Right. Good idea to play a little hooky, right . Is recommendation, lawrence . Yeah. Get out. There are say, oh, sorry, i cant make it back to your stuck up in the sierra for a good or so to see if your boss like that in my business, we rent skis. We rent equipment, things like that. Weve already had some people moving around the reservations for the weekend. So thats not going to happen. Yeah. So people are changing around their plans and rightfully so because this storm headed our way is no joke. There. Getting ready the chain up in the days ahead. Chief meteorologist Lawrence Karnow is with us now to talk about when this storm is expected to hit and how bad expected to be. A lot this is going to be a wicked the storm. Its going to be a series of these impulses coming in with lots of snow. Some very gusty winds and blizzard conditions across the Sierra Nevada and very low snow levels to go along with that. So dangerous driving conditions. No getting around that right now. Its really kind of nice out there. Were drier, looking at 50 in 80 with the doppler radar. Theyre dry up. Theyre not even the clouds out there right now. I think tomorrow if youre headed up tomorrow, i think its a good day to go. But after that, things really begin to deteriorate as we get into thursday as that storm system begins to move in. So weve got a major winter storm developing. Blizzard conditions expected thursday through saturday. And that might even get extended until sunday morning snow. Yeah, a ton of it. Still level 2 to 4,000 feet. But i think thats going to drop on saturday may be down to 1000 feet or so. And so you get upwards of 5,000 feet in the sierra. We could be talking as much as 5, maybe as much as 10 feet of snow across some of the higher peaks. So that go along with all that snow and some very gusty winds. Some of the wind gusts forecast to be between 80 and maybe 100 miles per hour. Youre looking some whiteout conditions. You can expect that and possible road closures there. Just not to be able to keep the roads open. If we have that kind of snow coming down. So all these areas shaded in orange, north other great lake tahoe area all the way down to miami talking blizzard a warning. So going up there. So forecast models showing you that snow begin to move in as we head through friday and saturday. Youll notice cold enough. We start to see some of that snow popup over so of our mountains, too. So this is going to be quite the storm up there. But you got to be careful. Dangerous conditions head up. The sierra. Thanks, lawrence. The mayor of berkeley says hes concerned about the city and the space hold becoming. Something of a hospital desert kron fours amanda hari spoke with the mayor about his attempt to ensure his area has emergency medical care. Ulta bates is berkeleys only fullservice hospital. It also supports people albany and elsa rita. The mayor of berkeley says leaders need to take action now to prevent Health Care Crisis in the future. Were absolutely im committed to trying to anything we can to keep all to bits berkeley mayor Jesse Arreguin announcing a new partnership to address the impacts of alta. Bates Summit Medical center scheduled closure summit. Health has announced the hospital