Warner Freeman knew when he was in the eighth grade – the same grade he taught science to for 32 years at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School – that he would someday be | -more-
We, members of Citizens for Responsible Fire Protection, would like to respond to the article of Sept. 16, regarding the construction of a new fire station in the hills. It is unquestionable that a new fire station is needed. What we do question is whether or not the city’s plan actually meets the extraordinary demands of disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes. The voters approved the funding the city seeks to use for this project in 1992. After eight years we should all be certain that what we are accepting is the best possible solution. After all, it is our money, our homes, and our lives. -more-
Since losing his sister and parents to a home fire nearly one month ago, Jason Jusay is crusading for home safety in Berkeley. Appearing at last week’s City Council meeting, Jusay said, “We need more stringent and better procedural processes to inspect buildings for safety.” -more-
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gray Davis has vetoed a bill strengthening requirements that California retailers collect taxes on Internet sales, saying it would send the wrong message to a fledgling industry. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Far from their image as beach-loving fitness freaks, California’s high schoolers are growing alarmingly fat and lazy on a steady diet of potato chips and video games, according to a study released Monday by the Berkeley-based Public Health Institute. -more-
OAKLAND — Assemblywoman Dion Aroner today accused Children's Hospital in Oakland of creating a threatening workplace for some 150 hospital technicians who on Wednesday, will vote on whether or not to unionize. -more-
OAKLAND — Time forgot Gene McKinney, the former Black Panther who died in relative obscurity this month. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Calling it a nationwide model, local, state and federal officials signed an agreement Monday to balance development with preservation in one of the nation’s fastest growing regions. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently set precedents defining gray areas of technology law, but none of the three judges announced Monday to preside over the Napster Inc. case was involved in those decisions. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Due to a high rate of loan defaults, federal Housing and Urban Development officials are expected to mandate a 90-day freeze on foreclosure proceedings against area homeowners behind on payments of government-backed mortgages, it was reported. -more-
KELSEYVILLE — As many as a dozen people luxuriating in the “spiritual, healing” effervescence of Northern California’s Soda Springs may have been asphyxiated over the years by carbon dioxide that bubbled out of the hot spring’s water. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Children under the age of 6 or weighing less than 60 pounds will be required to ride in booster seats, under a bill signed by Gov. Gray Davis. -more-
SAN QUENTIN — A convicted sex offender who scaled a razor-wire fence in a pre-dawn escape from San Quentin State Prison remained on the loose Monday after authorities – in a case of mistaken identity – arrested his brother and prematurely reported his recapture. -more-
When naked people, cheerleaders, fire breathers, motorized couches, Darth Vader and the mayor all get together it can only mean one thing: the annual How Berkeley Can You Be? parade. -more-
The pollsters have already stolen this year’s presidential election. -more-
Total systematic failure. -more-
The agenda of this week’s City Council meeting will have an unusual item – the agenda itself, and whether meeting procedures can be improved. -more-
Cutting the defense budget and investing in local communities is the best way to ensure that the United States remains the world’s most powerful nation, a group of national and local activists said at a public policy forum Saturday. -more-
Broncos gain 396 yards on the ground in 48-7 win -more-
Kids romped and jumped on inflated trampolines, while their elders strolled about – hundreds of them – hugging neighbors, moving to music, shelling out a few greenbacks here and for the latest in African garb, or a few dollars there for barbecue, noodles or even a psychic reading. -more-
If people judge you by the car you drive, the jury is out on Philo Northup. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Guitars screeched from the rooftops and street corners across the city in protest Saturday as somber musicians inside the Downtown Rehearsal building packed up their guitars and gear, eviction notices in hand. -more-
LOS ANGELES — President Clinton predicted Sunday that Democrats could win a slim majority in the House but still will have to get along with the Republicans. -more-
SANTA ANA — In an effort to keep its lines moving, the Department of Motor Vehicles has ignored safeguards and issued fraudulent drivers’ licenses, allowing thieves to steal identities and borrow money in the name of unsuspecting victims, investigators said. -more-
SACRAMENTO — For the first time, Gov. Gray Davis has allowed the release of a convicted murderer, a battered woman who shot her boyfriend in 1986 after he threatened to kill her, her son and her unborn child. -more-
WEST SACRAMENTO — Rarely a day goes by that Victoria Williams’ two children, ages 1 and 2, do not try to wriggle out of their car seats. -more-
In June, the School Board threw its weight behind a $116.5 million bond measure. And Wednesday night it detailed plans for how the district plans to spend the Measure AA funds, if the voters approve the ballot measure in November. -more-
Cal kept pace with No. 7 UCLA for one game on Friday night, but the Bears couldn’t sustain the momentum, losing to the Bruins in four games, 8-15, 15-9, 15-4 and 15-7. -more-
Candidates from almost every local race spoke in front of a packed house at the East Bay Lesbian/Gay Democratic Club’s endorsement meeting Thursday night at the the North Berkeley Senior Center. -more-
The St. Mary’s Panthers marched into De Anza on Friday night to play a Dons team that the Panthers eliminated from the NCS 2A East Bay Semifinal playoffs with a thrilling 34-26 overtime victory just a year ago. After Friday night’s 43-0 victory, the Panthers appear headed back to the playoffs, while the De Anza Dons are going back to the drawing board. -more-
A housing crisis is looming in Berkeley, especially for people whose rent is subsidized under the federal government’s Section 8 housing plan. -more-
SYDNEY, Australia – Americans Anthony Ervin and Gary Hall Jr. shared Olympic gold in the 50-meter freestyle Friday, tying in 21.98 seconds. -more-
While the council approved funding towards a youth center and spending funds for new fire engines, it put off a number of other decisions. -more-
Its 10 a.m. on a recent Friday at the Berkeley public library. The computers are humming as elderly residents try to learn the skills their grandchildren already know: how to move a mouse and click, how to send an e-mail and search for information. -more-
OAKLAND – It’s 9 a.m. and Virgil Luckett is taking one of his first take out orders of the day. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Tired of years of taunts and disruptions, local AIDS professionals and activists announced they’ve decided to fight back against the activities of a radical AIDS group by boycotting its $1.6 million-a-year pot club. -more-
Bay City News Service -more-
SACRAMENTO – A bill designed to fight bicycle theft by allowing the registration of bikes on the Internet has been vetoed by Gov. Gray Davis, who said the measure raises privacy concerns. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – The long, hot summer is ending for San Diego’s electricity customers. But millions of other Californians fear they could face the same kind of misery when deregulation reaches their part of state. -more-
Pitchfork murders, a teen-ager accused of decapitating his mother among grisly stories -more-
LOS ANGELES – California should end its ban on human cloning so that researchers can realize the disease-fighting potential of growing organs, an advisory committee was told Friday. -more-
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Supporters of Wen Ho Lee said Friday they are seeking a presidential pardon for the Los Alamos scientist who was freed last week in a plea agreement. -more-
LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas dentist has admitted he provided free dental work to an IRS revenue officer in exchange for reductions of his $100,000 tax debt. -more-
NEW ORLEANS – A California man who sold marijuana over the Internet to customers in 35 states was fined $200,000 Friday and sentenced to five months in a halfway house and five months under house arrest. -more-
NEW YORK – Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s new television show made it on the air despite advertiser boycotts and protests by gay rights groups. Now, viewer apathy may knock it off. -more-
SACRAMENTO – Sacramento Valley tomato growers parked three big rigs at a downtown park Friday and offered 75 tons of free tomatoes to the public and charities to protest the cent-per-pound price their crop is bringing in. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal appeals court Friday barred a Los Angeles anti-panhandling ordinance pending the outcome of a federal trial on whether the law violates beggars’ free-speech rights. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Roughly 100 protesters sounded off outside the National Association of Broadcaster’s convention at Moscone Center Thursday morning, mocking those inside, and protesting what they called “corporate control” of the media. -more-
FRESNO – When Cal comes to town Saturday to face Fresno State’s Bulldogs, both teams will likely lean heavily on their defensive game in what’s shaping up to be a battle of whose offense will make the least mistakes. -more-
Cal sophomore swimmer Anthony Ervin qualified for the finals of the 50 meter freestyle at the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, recording the third-best time in the qualifying heats. -more-
OAKLAND — Driving under the influence of cell phones is a growing highway epidemic, according to Frances Bents, the lead investigator for a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study. While incidents of car accidents caused by driver inattention due to cell phone use are largely unreported, there is enough evidence, she says, to warrant state legislation to curtail such use. -more-
Each year the crowds get bigger, the entries more outrageous and the music livelier at the annual How Berkeley Can You Be? parade and festival. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Trading in their faded jeans for three-piece grays and the raunchy “camp KPFA” tents that straggled along Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Berkeley last summer for the more sedate environs of San Francisco’s Commonwealth Club, community-radio activists once again went on the offensive. -more-
Who wants to be the Berkeley’s Tiger Woods? -more-
An emotional Jonas Jusay, who lost his parents and his sister in the tragic Aug. 20 fire at 2160 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, gave a stirring plea to the City Council Tuesday in support of a resolution from the Associated Students of the University of California asking the city to regularly inspect apartment buildings and rent houses to ensure compliance with building codes. -more-
Establishing a Youth Center in Berkeley has been talked about for many years. -more-
The voices of south and west Berkeley residents were in the house at Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. -more-
You could call H.H. Bliss a pioneer. No, he didn’t cross the Mississippi in a covered wagon. And he didn’t break any longstanding racial barriers. And, for that matter, he didn’t manage to revolutionize the fields of science, medicine or sport. On September 14, 1899 the 68-year-old New York City real estate broker was helping a woman off a streetcar when a cabdriver cut a corner a little too tightly and ran him over. -more-
A man was stabbed for no apparent reason at the corner of Adeline Street and Ashby Avenue Tuesday night about 10:20 p.m. -more-
A revised water pact between California and the U.S. government was approved Wednesday in a House committee, but both administrations oppose the bill, leaving its fate uncertain. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The median price of a single-family home in California will hit a record $269,200 in 2001, according to a forecast by the California Association of Realtors. -more-
JOLO, Philippines — An American held hostage by Muslim rebels appealed to the Philippine government to halt its massive rescue effort so that negotiations for his release can resume. -more-
SAN DIEGO — American authorities detained 45 Iraqi Christians on Wednesday after they tried to walk across the Mexican border and into the United States. -more-
There were few surprises at the Berkeley Democratic Club endorsement meeting Monday night at the Northbrae Community Church in north Berkeley. -more-
Although Berkeley residents have refused to take up speed radar guns as residents did in Arlington, Va., they are nonetheless determined to slow and decrease traffic on their streets. -more-
UC Berkeley students Grace Abiko and Maureen Johnson take advantage of Jose Perez’s Popsicle cart on campus Tuesday during one of the hottest days this summer, with the high hovering around 95 degrees. Red flag warnings remain in effect due to high fire danger. As a result of the warning, the City of Berkeley announced that no barbecues will be permitted in city parks, probably for the next two to three days. For more -more-
Who would dispute the merit of an annual, discount bus pass for senior citizens, students and Berkeley residents valid within the city limits of Berkeley? No one. But the scramble to take credit for the program almost left the proposed pass spinning in bureaucratic limbo. -more-
Board of Education President Joaquin Rivera will deliver this school year’s first State of the Schools address 15 minutes prior to the regularly scheduled School Board meeting at 7:30 p.m. -more-
The Associated Press -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Federal appellate judges showed contempt Tuesday for a government policy allowing the eviction of low-income housing tenants for their family members’ drug activities even if the tenant was unaware of such illegalities. -more-
SACRAMENTO — California will spend $75 million to take air-polluting diesel buses off the road in the Central Valley under a bill signed by the governor Tuesday. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Insurance companies and law enforcement agencies say that air bag theft is on the rise, leaving victims with an expensive part to replace. -more-
SACRAMENTO — State water officials are promising more water than they can deliver, a state appeals court has ruled. -more-
ZAMBOANGA, Philippines — Muslim guerrillas continued to elude thousands of military troops seeking to rescue 19 hostages from a southern Philippine jungle Tuesday, despite reports that some of the captives had been seen alive. -more-
Berkeley Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred Saturday night around 8 p.m. at the Exxon gas station at 950 University Ave. -more-
James Elliott, the former director of the University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive has died. He was 76. -more-
OAKLAND – Before the sun came up, Grace Manawatao had driven more than 45 minutes to Nancy’s home in East Oakland. She donned rubber gloves almost as soon as she walked through the door, and went to work stripping the bed linens and scrubbing the floors with disinfectant. -more-
After a three-week investigation, it is still not known whether there was a smoke detector in the central Berkeley house that burned last month and took the lives of three people, Fire Chief Reginald Garcia said Wednesday. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Citywide voucher programs for low-income students in other states have shown “somewhat promising” results but raise questions about whether a statewide plan in California would do the same, a new study says. -more-
