The Week
News
Letters to the Editor
Consider the downside of high density development -more-
Calendar of Events & Activities
Fair trade coffee flourishes
Mighty Maite looking to end Cal career on a high note
Landmarks officials refuse city attorney advice, go to Council
Playoff spot still to be determined
Three billionaires set to push drug reform debate
Construct a compost pile that does wonders
The Associated Press -more-
Frosted refigerator problem probably an easy fix
Use in-home filters and devices to purify water
Few morning-after regrets for die-hard Greens
PORTLAND, Ore. — The TV monitors, tuned to network election coverage, didn’t even show the Green vote. It was always Democrats this, Republicans that. -more-
Bush still leads Gore by under 300 votes
The Associated Press -more-
Hispanic voters show they are a political force
Biologists hope to multiply condors
The Associated Press -more-
Progressives win in all local contested races
True to its left-of-center image, Berkeley voters chose the more progressive candidates and measures on Tuesday in every local race when they were presented with the choice. -more-
Three Cal players make All-Pac-10 teams
Braun inks top-10 recruiting class for next year
Race for president remains a question
California, four others soften drug laws; nation next?
Brown in danger of losing control
Democratic candidates rule the day in California
California left waiting for election results with the rest of the country
LOS ANGELES – Californians are hot-wired to the instant Information Age, with the Internet in their palms and cellphones in their ears. But that didn’t help much Wednesday as online Californians waited in line with everyone else to find out who will be president. -more-
Approval of Prop 39 eases school bond requirements
The glitch that stole Berkeley’s elections
There were only partial election results Tuesday night, but some folks partied anyway. -more-
Letters to the Editor
Landmarks Preservation Commission Suffers City Attorney Gag Order -more-
Measure Y, progressive rent board lead in polls
Despite some $55 million property owners poured into defeating Measure Y, the law was leading at 1 a.m. with 56.4 percent in favor to the no group’s 43.5 percent. The new law will protect senior, disabled and long-term renters. -more-
Not only did Joaquin Rivera win re-election to the Berkeley Unified School District’s Board of Education - winning 41 percent of the vote with 60 precincts reporting – but he predicted it as well. -more-
Presidential race still on
Texas Gov. George W. Bush fought Al Gore in an agonizingly close presidential election Tuesday that came down to one state and a few thousand votes. Gore called Bush with congratulations, then called back to say he wasn’t ready to concede. -more-
Poll workers report heavy turnout in southwest Berkeley
Long-time poll workers at south Berkeley polling places said last night they have never seen such a heavy turn voters. -more-
Daewoo motor declares bankruptcy
SEOUL, South Korea — Creditors of Daewoo Motor Co. officially declared the ailing automaker bankrupt on Wednesday after its labor union rejected a restructuring plan calling for layoffs. -more-
Lieberman’s neighbors watch returns anxiously
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — On each of the 28 trees along Joe Lieberman’s block, there was a large red, white and blue ribbon – good luck charms put up by his neighbors as he and Al Gore made their final push for the White House on Tuesday. -more-
Votes-for-sale Web site a hoax
NEW YORK — A Web site that purported to buy and sell votes in the presidential election came clean Tuesday and said it was all a piece of political satire. -more-
Voter survey shows demographic habits
Among the findings of Voter News Service exit polling of California voters in Tuesday's election: -more-
Man who bit his dog to stand trial
SAN FRANCISCO — A man has been ordered to stand trial on two counts of animal cruelty after biting his dog. -more-
Missing Oregon girl found after 15 years
PORTLAND, Ore. — When the sheriff’s car with Nevada markings drove up to her house in the foothills of the Coast Range, Evelee Strempel rushed to meet it. Inside was the daughter Strempel had not seen since she left the little girl with a babysitter in 1985. -more-
Another study shows Medicare no guarantee of adequate care
CHICAGO — Many Medicare beneficiaries are not getting the treatment they should be receiving, such as regular mammograms for breast cancer survivors and annual vision terts for diabetics, a rtudx found. -more-
Nebraska abortion doctor threatened with eviction
BELLEVUE, Neb. — The doctor at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case over what abortion foes call “partial-birth abortions” is trying to head off eviction from his clinic. -more-
Californians vote on schools, drugs, hot seats
LOS ANGELES — California awarded its massive electoral prize to Al Gore on Tuesday, sent Democrat Dianne Feinstein back to the Senate and rejected what would have been the nation’s biggest school voucher program. -more-
State House races come down to the wire
LOS ANGELES — The Republican Party’s best chance to wrest a California House seat from Democrats ended in failure late Tuesday, as Rep. Cal Dooley defeated Republican TV anchorman Rich Rodriguez to represent a Central Valley district. -more-
Voters approve measure on campaign finance
LOS ANGELES — Proposition 34, a plan to limit campaign spending crafted by politicians and denounced by good-government groups, was approved Tuesday by voters who faced their sixth campaign reform measure in 12 years. -more-
Mayor Willie Brown loses power in SF measures
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Willie Brown lost his majority on the city’s Board of Supervisors Tuesday as voters appeared to vent their anger over the wrenching changes the Internet economy has brought to their city. -more-
Voters priorities split
WASHINGTON — George W. Bush got strong backing Tuesday from voters who sought honesty and strong leadership in a candidate, exit polls say, while Al Gore drew solid support from those who wanted experience and understanding of complex issues. -more-
Legislative Dems keep majorities, Independent loses
SACRAMENTO — Democrats kept their majorities in the Legislature on Tuesday, giving them the chance to redraw district lines next year to keep control well into the future. -more-
First GOP Senate win in Nevada in a dozen years
RENO, Nev. — Former Republican Rep. John Ensign bounced back from a razor-thin loss two years ago Tuesday to become the first Republican to win a U.S. Senate race in Nevada in 12 years. -more-
Dead Missouri governor wins senate seat
ST. LOUIS — Missourians elected a dead man to the Senate on Tuesday, choosing Gov. Mel Carnahan – who perished three weeks ago in a plane crash – over Republican incumbent John Ashcroft. Carnahan’s widow had agreed to take her husband’s place. -more-
Voter polls conducted with interviews, telephone calls
Voter News Service, a cooperative of The Associated Press, ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox and NBC, conducted its exit poll in the California general election by interviewing 2,710 voters either as they left polling places in 50 precincts statewide Tuesday or by telephone during the past week. -more-
11 states vote on new governors
Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, under fire for supporting gay rights, won re-election Tuesday over a challenger opposed to the new law creating civil unions for same-sex couples. -more-
House, Senate still under GOP control
WASHINGTON — Republicans battled Democrats for continued control of the House Tuesday, winning four seats in the East but giving two back in New York and Oklahoma. Democrats looked to California for offsetting gains. – -more-
Tight election is ultimate TV
NEW YORK — It was the ultimate in reality television for grateful networks Tuesday: a presidential election with the final survivor a true mystery as the night wore on. -more-
Western voters decide ballot propositions
PHOENIX — Western voters on Tuesday rejected measures restricting development in two of the nation’s fastest-growing states but approved proposals toughening background checks at gun shows in states shaken by school shootings. -more-
Gore pulls support from moderates, women, Latinos
LOS ANGELES — Vice President Al Gore won support from self-described moderates and women, helping him take California’s 54 electorate votes. -more-
Call her senator: Hillary Clinton wins seat
NEW YORK — Hillary Rodham Clinton triumphed in her historic quest for the U.S. Senate, defeating homegrown GOP Rep. Rick Lazio on Tuesday to become the only first lady ever elected to public office. -more-
Sierra Club leader dies at 88
With his wife and children by his side, environmentalist and three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, David Brower, 88, died quietly Sunday afternoon in the Berkeley home he built a half-century ago. -more-
Letters to the Editor
Dear readers: to give a fair shot to last-minute letter-writers, we’re trying to include as many election missives as we can. We’ve cut them all, probably evoking equal anger among the writers. -more-
Measure Y proponents take aim
Supporters charge dirty tactics by opponents -more-
Signage war in District 6
A District 6 campaign war over signage, which has been brewing for several weeks, turned ugly early Saturday morning resulting in several hundred dollars worth of damage and a police investigation. -more-
Parties scrambling to get voters out to the polls
SACRAMENTO — With the presidential race and key congressional campaigns going down to the wire, tens of thousands of California political activists on Monday flooded phone lines, went door to door and cheered at rallies meant to mobilize voters. -more-
2000 spending for races may set records
SACRAMENTO — Spurred on by fights for control of Congress and redistricting, California candidates could set records this year for the number of $1 million-plus campaigns. -more-
New guidelines restrict movie trailers
LOS ANGELES — Theater owners have adopted new guidelines restricting the viewing of trailers for R-rated movies and strengthening policies to prevent children under 17 from seeing restricted films. -more-
Gas prices continue to drop nationwide
LOS ANGELES — The retail price of gasoline fell more than 1 cent per gallon nationwide due to a drop in crude oil prices, an analyst said Sunday. -more-
Whale watching mecca closes
RANCHO PALOS VERDES — One of the nation’s best spots for whale-watching is off-limits for at least the next 18 months as governments debate over who will pay a $2 million environmental cleanup bill. -more-
Closing arguments in police corruption case
LOS ANGELES — Jurors should believe gang members’ testimony and fear dishonest police more than gangs, a prosecutor said Monday during closing arguments in the trial of four officers accused of planting evidence and framing people. -more-
City Council backs community college bond
A broken promise ten years ago is prompting the Berkeley City Council to cautiously endorse a $153 million bond measure that would renovate five Peralta Community College district campuses. -more-
Women’s first game at Haas ends with a comeback win
The Cal women’s basketball team overcame a shaky start and defeated the Bay Area Pro-Am All-Stars 77-72 Sunday in its first of its two exhibition games at Haas Pavilion. -more-
Magnet school earns top honors
Despite undergoing a $14 million three-year renovation, officials at a Berkeley technology magnet school announced Friday that it received two prestigious honors. -more-
OSU attack shreds Cal defense
After going down 14-0 less than seven minutes into the game, the Cal Bears nearly pulled out a comeback win over No. 14 Oregon State Saturday, only to have the usually staunch defense let them down. -more-
Election reflects California’s growing pains
LOS ANGELES – California voters will rule on more than 50 city and county growth measures Tuesday – the most land-use decisions they have had to make in a decade. -more-
Bears down Ducks, get first-round bye
The Cal women’s soccer team doubled their pleasure Sunday, beating Oregon 4-0 to set the school record for victories with 17 on the year, then gathering to watch the NCAA Selection Show at night. There the Bears learned they earned a first-round bye and the No. 8 seed in the tournament, assuring them of at least two home games to start the post-season. -more-
Pot guru opposes drug rehab proposition
Dennis Peron’s 20-acre farm north of Napa is a marijuana sanctuary. Pipes, bongs and joints are scattered throughout the property. Pot grown here hangs drying by its branches from the ceilings of -more-
Train derails in Ventura County, kills truck driver
MOORPARK – An Amtrak train bound for Santa Barbara plowed into a gardening truck, killing the driver and critically injuring his passenger before jumping the tracks into a bean field. -more-
Immigration not an issue in this year’s election
TIERRA DEL SOL – Bob Maupin carries a gun and sometimes drives an Army surplus halftrack as he guards his family’s 250-acre ranch along the U.S.-Mexico border from what he calls an invasion of illegal immigrants from the south. -more-
Clinton rallies supporters
Democratic Party supporters, patiently waiting outside the Ronald E. Dellums Federal Building in downtown Oakland Friday, did their best to muster political fervor despite the early hour. But it wasn’t until shortly before President Clinton’s arrival that the crowd really came alive. -more-
Letters to the Editor
Breland should oppose the 2700 San Pablo project -more-
Great Schott! Cal striker ties school scoring record
Sophomore gets 23rd goal in win -more-
Election may result in shift in council power
As the booming economy drives home prices through redwood roof decks and developers dream of stately skyscrapers lining the city’s thoroughfares; while dot-comers search in vain for office space and fast-food operators pressure city officials for the right to ply their trade in town, the numbers of homeless and helpless on our streets doesn’t seem to diminish and the divisions in health and education outcomes between minorities who populate the flatlands and Caucasians living in the hills grows ever more stark. -more-
BHS celebrates homecoming with 12-7 win over El Cerrito
Everyone loves presents. Especially high school football coaches. First, the Berkeley High Yellowjackets (4-5, 4-1 ACCAL) gave their fans and student body a homecoming present with a grueling 12-7 victory over the El Cerrito Gauchos (5-4, 4-1). Then, just minutes after the emotional victory, senior linebacker Brian Everett gave head coach Gary Weaver a present of his own with a jumping high five and a hug. Most importantly, Berkeley finds itself in a tie for first place in the ACCAL... for the present. -more-
Pentagon Papers insider decries awaiting bill
SAN FRANCISCO — Daniel Ellsberg, the former defense worker who leaked the so-called Pentagon Papers to the New York Times in 1971, has said he is against a bill awaiting President Clinton’s signature that would expand criminal penalties for such acts by government employees. -more-
Class of ’00 inducted into Cal HOF
A pair of Olympic gold medalists, three Football All-Americans, two track and field standouts, an NCAA runner-up in women’s tennis and a long-time administrator are all represented in the 2000 class selected for induction into Cal’s Athletic Hall of Fame, the school announced this week. -more-
Attorney facing drug charges released on bail
Berkeley resident Michael Moore, who has been in police custody for seven days was released Friday on bail, said his attorney Robert Beles. -more-
District races are head-to-head
The fight to keep in tact the fragile liberal-progressive council faction majority is being played out in southwest Berkeley’s District 2, and, to a lesser degree, in South Berkeley’s District 3. -more-
State tax ruling sets a precedent for gay parents
Gay people who financially support their partner and their partner’s children can file as head of household on their state income taxes, under a ruling finalized by the state’s tax board. -more-
Faulty tires may be to blame in crash
VACAVILLE — A car crash that killed a 3-year-old boy and severely injured his mother has been blamed on recalled Firestone tires. -more-
Internet offers customized election coverage
NEW YORK — Want to keep tabs on the state legislative races across the nation, or perhaps find out more about how your county sided for the presidency? -more-
Bush says he doubts DUI will sway voters
George W. Bush says he regrets driving under the influence of alcohol 24 years ago but also says the revelation of his arrest just before Tuesday’s presidential election will do little to change voters’ minds about him. -more-
Mysterious space object has chance of striking Earth
LOS ANGELES — A small asteroid or piece of space junk recently discovered by scientists has a 1-in-500 chance of hitting the planet in 30 years, far greater odds than any similar object yet found, experts announced Friday. -more-
Mare Island cleanup will speed up transfer
VALLEJO — The City of Vallejo and the Navy reached an $80 million agreement for the environmental cleanup of Mare Island, which could allow part of the island to be transferred to the city ahead of schedule. -more-
Opinion
Editorials
Seven child suspects charged with rape
Mendocino County voters partially decriminalize marijuana
Schools, parks, pool bonds win vote
Bond measures for schools, libraries a warm pool, parks maintenance and lighting took off at full speed from the moment the absentee ballots were written and continued full tilt until after 1 a.m. when 83 precincts reported their ballots. -more-
Gunmen take hostages at L.A. area Target
CULVER CITY — Three gunmen stormed a Target store Monday, took dozens of employees hostage, then tried to elude police by blending in with their victims in a 2 1/2-hour standoff. -more-
Internet dial-up fees to continue
SAN FRANCISCO – State utilities regulators have tentatively agreed to continue charging California’s leading phone companies more than $150 million per year for the Internet dial-up calls their customers make. -more-
Review of medical misconduct charges
STANFORD — Stanford Medical School is convening a panel to investigate allegations of medical and academic misconduct involving two doctors accused of performing unnecessary surgeries and concealing complications that arose from them. -more-
Columns
President ‘proud of Hillary ’
For the first time in his political life, the label “candidate” did not apply to Bill Clinton and there was little for him to do on Election Day beyond root from afar for his vice president and in person for his wife – the only first lady ever elected to public office. -more-
Americans turnout to vote in droves
The national media polls? Suddenly irrelevant. The conventions, the debates, the homestretch fund-raisers? Mere memories. -more-
Some Web sites leak exit poll results early
NEW YORK — Some Web sites leaked early voting results from exit polls Tuesday afternoon despite efforts to keep them private until polls closed in the evening. -more-
Prosecutors argue Olson endangered police officers
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sara Jane Olson, who is charged with trying to bomb police cars 25 years ago, endangered the lives of police officers last month by placing their addresses and home telephone numbers on the Internet, prosecutors charge. -more-
See’s candymakers settle dispute
SAN FRANCISCO — Candymakers who picketed See’s Candies, Inc., for 45 days have agreed to a five-year contract that boosts wages and pension plans. -more-
Human waste used on San Joaquin crops causes stir
FRESNO — If it weren’t for the constant shipments of human waste from Southern California’s cities, Kern County farmer Shaen Magen says his farm would dry up and blow away. -more-