Features

State to pay $75 for appliances 

SAN JOSE — An ambitious program to slash electric use will pay Californians $75 for their extra refrigerators and freezers. 

There’s no charge for the pickup and everyone gets a check as long as the appliance works. 

Energy analysts say refrigerators are the single largest energy-consuming appliance in most homes. It’s responsible for 9 percent of a household’s total electric bill. 

Appliance Recycling Centers of America has already picked up 8,000 freezers and fridges in the San Francisco Bay area. There’s enough $75 checks left to pick up 15,000 more. 

To schedule a pickup, call 800-599-5798 or go online at www.8005995798.com. 

Golden Gate U. to cut programs 

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden Gate University will keep its schools of law, business and technology. But it will shed most of its other programs in the next year. 

The 148-year-old school has fought dwindling enrollment. About 5,400 students are now enrolled. That’s a 20 percent drop during the last seven years. 

Ninety percent of the school’s students attend the schools of law, business and technology. 

University President Philip Friedman will discuss the changes at a staffwide meeting Monday. 

Emeryville gets rid of billboards 

EMERYVILLE — In exchange for one large freeway billboard near Ikea, Eller Media removed 15 smaller signs in downtown Emeryville. 

Eller’s competitor Infinity still has a couple billboards along the San Pablo corridor, but Eller’s absence will go a long way toward making Emeryville nearly billboard free. 

Both Berkeley and Oakland have tried and failed to trade billboards for billboards or for self-cleaning toilets or bus shelters. 

Eller says it’s loathe to remove billboards, but it was worth it to keep the exposure on large freeway sign brings. 

The smaller signs were expected to be removed Saturday. 

Murder trial off to rocky start 

REDWOOD CITY — The trial for the man accused of killing Tracey Biletnikoff has gotten off to a rocky start. 

Lawyers for Mohammed Haroon Ali called for a mistrial three times in four days. The chief deputy district attorney also was admonished for telling jurors that Ali has a prior conviction for kidnapping. 

San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Carl Holm said he will decide whether the trial needs to start over.