After an 12-day break for finals, California (3-5) visits San Diego State (3-5), Friday, Dec. 22, for a 7 p.m. contest. The Aztecs lead the series, 3-1, including a win in the last meeting in 1995-96 (82-70). The SDSU game marks the return home of Cal's Becky Staubes and Janet Franey. -more-
A toxicologist has determined that groundwater contaminated with chromium 6, which caused the city to halt construction work on the Harrison Street skate park, poses a minimal health risk. -more-
The lawyer for a Berkeley teenager who was charged with battery on a police officer and resisting arrest in connection with a June 2 traffic stop that allegedly escalated into violence said after a court hearing Wednesday he had worked out a deal with prosecutors to have the charges dismissed if his client maintains a clean record for the next year. -more-
Susan Brooks smiles when she talks about her move to Berkeley nearly 30 years ago from her native New York. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Despite hefty increases in child-care funding as part of welfare reform, a new study says the supply of centers and preschools is faltering – particularly in poor, Hispanic neighborhoods. -more-
WASHINGTON — Victory secured, President-elect Bush invited a Democratic senator to Texas for a job interview and tinkered Thursday with the final components of his White House and national security teams. -more-
ENCINITAS — Every year around the holidays, there’s one question Paul Ecke III gets a lot: How exactly do you pronounce “poinsettia”? -more-
Q: I recently replaced the old galvanized storage tank from my well pumping system with one that has an air bag to separate the water from the air. Since then, whenever I turn on the water faucet, air spurts out of the spout along with the water. Do you know what’s wrong? -more-
BERKELEY— Deann Borshay Liem lived an all-American life. Family trips to Disneyland. Class president. Cheerleader. Homecoming queen. -more-
NEW YORK — Twenty years after the broadcast of “Cosmos,” Carl Sagan’s love letter to the universe, Ann Druyan remembers it all. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Customer service employees at etown.com have become the first dot-com workers to file for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Computer software giant Oracle Corp. reported Thursday a 62 percent surge in its quarterly profit, defying a recent trend of earnings letdowns that have ravaged technology stocks. -more-
By George Thomas -more-
In the 1960s and ’70s Berkeley leaders in the civil rights movement for people with disabilities fought for accessibility to public spaces and the opportunity to live independently. And in Berkeley today, new leaders are still struggling for the rights of people with disabilities. Last week one of these, Tamar Michai Freeman received the Paul G. Hearne award for leaders in the movement for disability rights. -more-
Schools superintendent Jack McLaughlin told the school board in closed session Wednesday that he accepted a post as Nevada’s state superintendent of public instruction. -more-
The City Council got an earful Tuesday from residents concerned about potential health risks from radiation-emitting satellite antennae that support cell-phone use, that are increasingly being located in residential neighborhoods. -more-
Some 8,000 people have died of smoking-related heart disease in California as a result of the state’s weakened anti-smoking campaign, a study found Wednesday. -more-
LOS ANGELES — A hacker infiltrated an Internet company’s database of credit card numbers and posted them online in a failed extortion attempt. -more-
NEW YORK — Yet another round of profit warnings brought high-tech stocks sharply lower and quashed a blue chip advance Wednesday. The prospect of another disappointing quarter outweighed investors’ short-lived relief over an apparent end to the presidential election deadlock. -more-
Come Friday, school’s out. For two weeks, instead of memorizing the names of dinosaurs and the life-cycle of a butterfly, students will be set free. But not parents who may be hard-pressed to find child care. -more-
Rights guarantees don’t come from the Constitution -more-
The family hearth, a traditional winter gathering place for warmth and good cheer, has been deemed a public health threat and the City Council will soon consider measures to curtail its use. -more-
While hospital workers gear up for their Thursday walk-out – the fourth since the spring – the Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center administration staffs up to replace the hundreds of employees expected to go on strike. -more-
SAN JOSE — City officials agreed Tuesday to contribute nearly $3 million of tobacco settlement money over the next three years to a new and unprecedented county plan aimed at providing health coverage for all uninsured children. -more-
EMERYVILLE— Internet company Ask Jeeves Inc. on Tuesday said it will cut 25 percent of its workforce and take a fourth quarter charge of $10 million to $12 million for a restructuring that follows a recent earnings warning. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Strains on the state’s power grid prompted more calls for energy conservation Tuesday, just hours after a Stage Two alert ended. -more-
With over 100 new vendors and live musical entertainment, the 17th annual Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair hits the street this weekend. -more-
Berkeley’s talented 10-year-old Shotgun Players theater group, which grew out of repeated performances at LaVal’s Subterranean to play other venues in Berkeley and San Francisco, has now developed a new producing arm of its organization called Black Box Productions. -more-
This year Berkeley High School teachers and administrators decided to approach issues of violence and conflict from a new direction. -more-
The superintendent’s not going to “cut and run,” if he decides to take the job offered him heading up the Nevada state school system. -more-
At its meeting tonight the City Council will consider authorizing the city manager to contract with a hazardous waste disposal company for the cleanup and removal of hazardous spills that may occur in the future. -more-
The power crunch in California eased slightly Monday after a nuclear power plant that was closed for repairs returned to service ahead of schedule, but officials declared a power alert by late afternoon and asked some commercial customers to cut back on their use. -more-
LOS ANGELES — A $100 million wrongful death claim was filed against the city Monday by the sister of an actor who was fatally shot in the back by a police officer while holding a fake gun at a Halloween party. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The often-delayed case of former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson took another unexpected turn Monday with announcement that the trial judge has been transferred and a three-month delay will be needed. -more-
SAN JOSE — Palm Inc., hoping to retain its dominant position in the fast-growing market of handheld personal digital assistants, is promoting its wireless strategy and new applications in store for next year at its annual developers conference. -more-
NEW YORK — The possibility of future interest rate cuts sent tech stocks surging Monday, lifting the Nasdaq composite index back above 3,000. -more-
“We’re going to remodel our kitchen!” I said excitedly to my friend Gloria. -more-
Berkeley Superintendent of Schools Jack McLaughlin has five days to decide if wants to accept an offer to take over Nevada’s top education post this weekend. -more-
We need full investigation of Netanyahu incident -more-
Sean Lampley went missing in the first half, but he turned up time to help California get an easy win against a tough opponent. -more-
A prosecutor says a third sexual assault happened in Berkeley’s middle schools during a two-week period. -more-
It’s rare that the Berkeley Lady Yellowjackets face a test in their own gym. For the past decade, most of the close games the team has played have been at national tournaments far from home. But facing a talented team from Las Vegas in the championship game of the First Annual Lady Yellowjacket Tournament, head coach Gene Nakamura’s squad showed that they have the heart of a champion, beating Bishop Gorman 67-58. -more-
Despite possible legal challenges, the Berkeley Unified School District Board of Directors voted Wednesday to continue using the school’s current desegregation system — which assigns students to schools based upon a combined choice and lottery system. -more-
Santa Clara fought hard to escape Haas Pavilion Sunday afternoon with a win, answering California’s every effort throughout the game to pull out a 77-73 victory over the Bears. Senior guard Courtney Johnson scored a career-high 32 points for the Bears in the effort. The contest marked a reunion of sorts for California head coach Caren Horstmeyer, who left Santa Clara last year to take over coaching duties at Cal this season. -more-
Berkeley residents are concerned about health risks from the radiation-emitting wireless antennas sprouting up around town but city officials say there’s nothing they can do as long as the antennas look good. -more-
Overcoming fatigue and an early deficit, the Berkeley Yellowjackets won the consolation championship game of the Chris Vontoure Classic at De La Salle Saturday, beating Castlemont (Oakland) 69-60. -more-
All night study sessions. Nails bitten to the quick. Dark circles under the eyes. Final exams are next week, and students at UC Berkeley are gearing up for the most stressful time of the semester. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – It’s horrifying animal lovers and baffling scientists — two sea otters are sexually assaulting and then drowning harbor seal pups in an area about 80 miles south of San Francisco. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – A three-year-old boy originally thought to have died Wednesday from scooter injuries was actually killed by another person, a coroner’s report revealed. -more-
SAN JOSE — More than 50 people were hospitalized Sunday after pepper spray was released in four stores, police said. -more-
MODESTO – Detectives have found the remains of a five-year-old girl in the backyard of her guardians’ home. -more-
ONTARIO – Police rescued a teen-ager Saturday after a roughly 10-hour standoff that ended with the death of a federal police officer accused of kidnapping the boy a day earlier. -more-
PASADENA – Dozens of picketers lined the sidewalk in front of a local Target store Saturday, claiming that garments sold in the chain stores are made under sweatshop conditions in Nicaragua and that workers are not paid a living wage. -more-
LOS ANGELES – Farm labor leader Dolores Huerta was recovering in fair condition Sunday from pneumonia and an infection. -more-
ORLAND – The parish hall at St. Dominic Catholic Church is packed on a Thursday night — some 70 parents want to learn about the gangs on their streets. -more-
The Associated Press -more-
VALLEJO – One year ago, 7-year-old Xiana Fairchild left home for school and never came back. -more-
HOLLISTER – For two lesbian women who started a small-town weekly newspaper in rural Hollister, it seemed like a simple and sweet idea: Leave the daily grind of the big city behind and take on a slower pace while being your own boss. -more-
BERKELEY – To James Vander Putten, it’s somewhere he can laugh about the time his blue collar slipped out at a fancy faculty do. -more-
SAN JOSE – The world’s largest manufacturer of computer chips can’t stop making them faster. -more-
SAN DIEGO – A shareholder has filed an investor lawsuit against Gateway alleging the computer seller misled investors in the fall about financial statements. -more-
LOS ANGELES – Managing chads, hanging and otherwise, is a regular part of business for BigBallot Inc., the company that runs the All-Star balloting for Major League Baseball and other sports leagues. -more-
Focus on risks of 170-foot antenna tower -more-
It’s not your ordinary medical clinic. No doctors in white lab coats, and they don’t ask for your insurance information at the door. But for more than 30 years, the Berkeley Free Clinic has provided thousands of clients with basic health services. -more-
Demonstration began, did not squelch Middle East discussion -more-
California sophomore forward Laura Schott was one of 12 players selected to the 2000 NSCAA/adidas first team All-America team announced Wednesday at the NCAA Men’s College Cup in Charlotte, N.C. -more-
Adelia Lines was a lover of words. Director of the Berkeley Public Library, Lines died Dec. 7 of brain cancer at her home in Richmond. The 56-year-old library advocate, known as Dede to her friends, was a champion of literacy and of bringing resources to the under-served. She was also a wicked punster who, according to friends, could use humor to ease tension in the most stressful of situations. -more-
Guard scores 20 as defense stifles Dons -more-
Protests that caused cancellation of a lecture by former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Community Theater last week have sparked heated debate around free speech issues. -more-
Backcourt comes through in victory -more-
Interested in learning more about the Votomatic? Now a household word, the vote-counting machine spawned numerous similar machines, including the one at center stage in the Al Gore-George Bush battle for the presidency. -more-
From a D- to a B+ in one day. That’s pretty impressive. -more-
Bruce Vogel’s been putting on a lecture series for 10 years. “I’m in the business of providing people with intellectual entertainment,” he said. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Federal agents have arrested five employees of a San Fernando Valley telemarketing firm that sold initial public offering shares of a company that never existed. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Socially conscious rockers Rage Against the Machine have apologized to their fans after Napster Inc. blocked access for users swapping the band’s mosh-rock favorites. -more-
LOS ANGELES — As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, violence abroad against Jews and Muslims is rising, say leaders of civil rights groups that track hate crimes. -more-
LOS ANGELES — In a move that alarmed environmentalists but failed to placate automakers, staff for the state’s air-quality board proposed Friday to sharply scale back a rule that would put thousands of battery-powered vehicles on California roads by 2003. -more-
LOS ANGELES — A 77-year-old Echo Park apartment building partially collapsed Friday, killing a man and causing minor injuries to 36 other people. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Energetic fourth grader Fredrika Keefer glides across a rehearsal floor, showing off some of the moves the San Francisco Ballet School refused to watch when it rejected her, apparently for being too short and too chubby. -more-
With a Stage Two power emergency declared almost every day recently, Californians are being asked to turn off lights and bundle up instead of cranking their heaters – and they have. -more-
NEW YORK — Wall Street went on a buying spree Friday, encouraged by a government employment report that could bolster the case for an interest rate cut early next year. Investors were so optimistic they shrugged off an earnings warning from Intel. -more-
WASHINGTON — Rep. Julian Dixon, a senior member of the Congressional Black Caucus who represented his west Los Angeles district for 22 years, has died. He was 66. -more-
In a stunning decision that resurrected Al Gore’s presidential candidacy, the Florida Supreme Court ordered an immediate count of the “undervote” across Florida and put the vice president within a razor-thin 154 votes of George W. Bush’s in the race for the White House. -more-
WASHINGTON — Floridians who believe they were denied their right to vote because of discrimination, fraud or other illegal practices will get a chance to testify next year before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. -more-
NEW YORK — Hundreds of John Lennon devotees made their annual pilgrimage to Central Park on Friday to sing and reminisce about the former Beatle 20 years after he was shot to death by an obsessed fan. -more-
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — Denver Gray remembers the carnage created by a bomb dropped at Hickam Air Field. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors in the case of former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson accused her and her attorneys Thursday of stalling to avoid trial and said the lawyers should be removed for failing to adequately prepare. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Energy Secretary Bill Richardson ordered Northwest generators to sell electricity to power-strapped California utilities Wednesday, a move that appeared to avert the immediate threat of rolling blackouts. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The state sued 18 school districts Tuesday in a bid to force them to fix allegedly shoddy classrooms, issue textbooks and hire credentialed teachers as required under state law. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The city holds a runoff election for nine supervisors Tuesday that could determine the future of dot-com expansions and other projects that some say are robbing San Francisco of its bohemian character. -more-
Berkeley police say another shooting took place yesterday morning in a city that has seen a rash of violence in the past several weeks. -more-
BERMUDA DUNES — Authorities were hunting Friday for a federal police officer who allegedly abducted a middle school student from a bus stop and escaped after a high-speed freeway chase. -more-
