Latest news with #Escobedo
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
State Attorney, St. Lucie Sheriff announce reopening of 2006 Florida's Turnpike murders case
ST. LUCIE COUNTY −Sheriff Richard Del Toro and 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Thomas Bakkedahl announced the reopening of the 2006 Escobedo family murder case during a morning news conference May 27. State and local officials plan to begin proceedings to prosecute and seek the death penalty against Daniel "Homer" Troya, 42, and Ricardo 'Ricky' Sanchez, Jr., 41, whose federal death sentences for the 2006 drug-related slayings of a family on Florida's Turnpike in St. Lucie County were commuted by former President Joe Biden The federal death sentences of Daniel "Homer" Troya, 42, and Ricardo 'Ricky' Sanchez, Jr., 41, were commuted in December 2024." "We're up to the task and we're going to do it," Bakkedahl said. "We will leave no stone unturned, no avenue unpursued. Our pursuit of justice for Damien and Julian." The men were sentenced to death in 2009 for their involvement in the drug-related slaughter of the Escobedo family - Jose, 28, and Yessica Escobedo, 25, who were living in Greenacres in Palm Beach County with their two sons, Luis Damien, 3, and Luis Julian, 4. "It is a pursuit of justice," Bakkedahl said. "This is not political." This story will be updated. Escobedo murders: Prosecutors to pursue death penalty Editorial: Trump, Biden undermine justice with Florida Turnpike killers Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of "Uncertain Terms," a true-crime podcast. Reach her at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: State death penalty sought in 2006 Escobedo turnpike murders in SLC
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Francisco food truck opening pop-up shop thanks to downtown revitalization
The Brief A program that seeks to revitalize downtown San Francisco by activating vacant spaces is expanding this summer. One of the recipients is a popular taco truck that will get a pop-up in the Union Square area. Al Pastor Papi was once received honors for 'Top Bay Area Burrito'. They offer Mexico City-style tacos and flavor. SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco's Vacant to Vibrant program is expanding once more with plans for a Union Square restaurant and other businesses that will fill once-vacant properties in the city's downtown. One of the recipients is bringing their authentic tacos to the area in their first brick and mortar. The revitalization effort, which is a partnership between the nonprofit SF New Deal that supports small businesses and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, seeks to transform downtown and boost the economy. Vacant to Vibrant started in 2023. This week, officials behind this partnership said this summer's openings will mark a significant milestone for the program. They've seen their 21st storefront opening since the program's launch and another 25 businesses are slated to open over the next year, they said. Miguel Escobedo, founder and chef of Al Pastor Papi, is one of the recipients of the program. He's no stranger to the Bay Area's culinary scene. In 1999, he and his brother founded Papalote. That endeavor put him on the map and got him exposure on the Food Network. "I left that in 2017," he said. His brother still runs Papalote, but Escobedo went on to run Al Pastor Papi, founding the food truck in 2018. "I was a food truck for six years," said Escobedo. He went on to get recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as having the "Top Bay Area Burrito." KTVU caught up with Escobedo back in 2022 where he demonstrated what it takes to make his burrito. At the time, he told us he went to a culinary institute in Mexico City to learn the art of al pastor. He was born in Mexico City. He said Mexico City-style tacos got a little lost in the whole birria craze (those are the cheesy, juicy tacos you dip in a consome.) He reminds us of this very important detail: "The original Mexico City-style taco is a corn tortilla, protein, onion, cilantro and salsa." He says 'El Trompo', the vertical spit roast, makes all the difference to his al pastor, the spit-roasted pork used in his dishes. The turnaround in getting this brick and mortar opportunity is pretty fast. Escobedo said Vacant to Vibrant reached out to him in early March. The space for his pop-up is reportedly in a former Chipotle franchise. "We're truly a block from Union Square. That was the beauty of the project," said Escobedo. "This is a unique experience for both of us. They were looking for an established brand in San Francisco." He said he's seeing tremendous support from SF New Deal. "Vacant to Vibrant is a movement that proves small businesses are the heartbeat of a thriving city," said Simon Bertrang, executive director of SF New Deal, the nonprofit that runs Vacant to Vibrant. He said they are working hand in hand with local small businesses, property owners and key partners like JPMorganChase on building a downtown that reflects the diverse spirit of San Francisco. "These long-term leases downtown and new pop-ups in Union Square signal real momentum, showing that when we invest in small businesses, we invest in the future of our city," Bertrang said. Escobedo said it's an honor to bring his authentic flavor to what he undeniably considers an "iconic neighborhood." He was enthused to be just two blocks from the Powell Street Cable Car Turnaround. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie said the Vacant to Vibrant program is reinvigorating downtown. "Every time a new business takes over a vacant space, it breathes new life into our commercial corridors," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "By breaking down barriers for small business owners, Vacant to Vibrant is fueling San Francisco's comeback. Lurie thanked JPMorganChase for their support of the public-private partnership. The firm is furthering its commitment to the program with an additional $500,000 in funding. One of their representatives said they believe small and mid-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy. What's next You can expect Al Pastor Papi to make its debut at 232 O'Farrell Street near Union Square this summer. Other downtown pop-ups included in this summer's Vacant to Vibrant expansion include: Nooworks, a Mission-based apparel brand, at 236 Powell Street in the Union Square area. Craftivity, a hands-on arts and crafts studio that specializes in team-building experiences and creative group events, will pop-up at 215 Fremont Suite 1. In addition to new pop-ups, four businesses that opened last summer through the program will get long-term leases. Businesses that have now signed multi-year lease agreements include: Hungry Crumbs at 215 Fremont Street, 5B, Koolfi Creamery at 50 Fremont Street, Paper Son Cafe at 303 2nd Street, N102, and Studio Aurora at 302 Valencia Street. These businesses join seven others that were previous recipients of the Vacant to Vibrant program in securing long-term leases. Andre Torrez is a digital content producer for KTVU. Email Andre at or call him at 510-874-0579.
CBS News
22-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
San Francisco Union Square getting new food and fashion pop-up stores
Al Pastor Papi and Nooworks will be opening Union Square locations as part of San Francisco's Vacant to Vibrant program, the mayor's office said. The pop-up store will be Al Pastor Papi's first brick-and-mortar. Founder and chef Miguel Escobedo operated out of a pink food truck which closed in mid-January after six and a half years. "After taking time to focus on my health and family, I'm excited to share our beloved al pastor menu with the community once again. This pop-up represents a new chapter for us, and I can't wait to welcome both longtime fans and new customers to our O'Farrell Street location," Escobedo said. His new location will be at 232 O'Farrell Street. Nooworks is a women-owned fashion brand based in the Mission. The company describes their fashion as "wildly fun, quirky, cute and sometimes totally over the top." "We opened our first storefront in the Mission over a decade ago, and this pop-up is a chance for new folks to discover the art, color, and community that define Nooworks," said founder Jen D'Angelo. Their location will be at 236 Powell Street. As for opening dates, Mayor Daniel Lurie's office said Nooworks and Al Pastor Papi will open in early summer 2025. A third pop-up store will be opened but not at Union Square. Craftivity, which describes itself as a crafts and team building business will be located at 215 Fremont Street. According to the mayor's office, Vacant to Vibrant is going to be working toward launching new pop-ups every month after it got support from JPMorgan Chase. "Vacant to Vibrant has recently expanded its work with JPMorganChase, which looks to further its commitment to small local businesses in San Francisco with philanthropic support of $500,000 for Vacant to Vibrant," the mayor's office said.
San Francisco Chronicle
21-04-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Downtown S.F. is getting hit Mexico City-style tacos
A Bay Area taco specialist known for his marinated pork sliced from a spinning spit is making a comeback. After shuttering his food truck earlier this year, Al Pastor Papi will be opening a fixed location in San Francisco's Union Square through the city's Vacant to Vibrant program, which offers temporary leases in downtown San Francisco. Chef-owner Miguel Escobedo will be shaving his flame-roasted pork off the trompo and onto tortillas and tortas at 232 O'Farrell St., formerly the site of a Chipotle franchise. Escobedo, who co-founded Papalote Mexican Grill with his brother over 25 years ago, first launched Al Pastor Papi in late 2018 to compensate for a lack of taquerias roasting pork on a trompo, or vertical spit, as is ubiquitous in Mexico City. His signature pink trailer was a common sight around Bay Area food truck hubs like Parklab Gardens in Mission Bay. 'I'm combining everything I've learned into this new location,' Escobedo said. The space will soon begin a quick remodel, and the chef hopes to open no later than the first week of June. The new location will be offering Escobedo's in-demand tacos, tortas and burritos along with lunch bowls and salads. The new kitchen space has a grill, meaning carne asada, shrimp, chicken and nopales will be made fresh. Escobedo plans to include more vegetarian options like jackfruit, soy and Impossible plant-based 'meat' products. 'The grill being part of the menu will make it more exciting. It's a great flavor,' he said. In January, Escobedo put an end to the Al Pastor Papi trailer after six years in business. In an Instagram post, he said that we would be planning the next phase of Al Pastor Papi, and cited the need for time to care for his physical and mental health. Al Pastor Papi isn't the only business taking part in the latest cohort of Vacant to Vibrant. Apparel company Nooworks and craft workshop company Craftivity are also opening in formerly vacant downtown spaces, while three previous Vacant to Vibrant popups — Koolfi Creamery, Hungry Crumbs and Paper Son Coffee — have just signed long-term leases downtown. The program, a partnership between the nonprofit SF New Deal and the city's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, launched in 2023; support from private donors includes a recent $500,000 in funding from JPMorgan Chase. Escobedo hopes this next chapter catapults Al Pastor Papi back into the center of the city's taco scene. He is happy to see other local businesses find support in landing what could become a permanent location.
