Former Los Angeles Lakers star Earvin “Magic” Johnson endorsed Gov. Gray Davis in an East Bay appearance Monday afternoon. -more-
Wrestlers Christie Ravera and Regina Alexander wrapped up their Berkeley High careers in high style this weekend, finishing second and sixth in the nation at the United States Girls’ Wrestling Association high school tournament held in Lake Orion, Mich. -more-
Editor: -more-
LOS ANGELES — Denzel Washington and Halle Berry made history with their Academy Award wins, but minority groups say diversity must extend beyond Hollywood’s glamour night — and include other groups such as Asians, Hispanics and American Indians. -more-
The King Tsin restaurant, a neighborhood favorite for spicy Chinese food on Solano Avenue, has been closed for weeks. But the only notice to passersby and would-be diners is a padlock on the front door. -more-
PHOENIX — Luis Gonzalez hit his major league-leading eighth home run as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Oakland Athletics 7-1 Monday. -more-
NEW YORK — Denzel Washington, Halle Berry and the makers of “A Beautiful Mind” may have been celebrating on Monday. But ABC wasn’t. -more-
According to a December report issued by U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, obesity is reaching “epidemic proportions” and approaching tobacco as the most lethal killer in America. -more-
ALAMEDA — Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Darrell Russell pleaded innocent to sexual assault charges on Monday. -more-
Tuesday, March 26, is the 85th day of 2002. There are 280 days left in the year. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Police pulled a body out of a lake at Golden Gate Park on Monday. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Crime in California’s most populous cities and counties rose 5.8 percent in 2001, and homicides rose more than 9 percent, according to preliminary state figures released Monday. -more-
LONG BEACH — Cardinal Roger Mahony on Monday defended his handling of alleged child abuse by priests, while calling on Catholic clergy to renew their vows of celibacy. -more-
CAMARILLO — Gas prices surged a record 14 cents over the past two weeks as factors combined to increase demand and lower supply, according to an industry analyst. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The number of previously owned homes sold in California hit an all-time high in February, jumping 25.5 percent from a year earlier and lifting prices by a robust 19.8 percent. -more-
With her huge almond-shaped eyes and vulture wing headdress, she could draw a crowd in any room. But it’s been years since she had the opportunity. -more-
The California women’s track and field team opened its home season by winning the Cal Invitational with 179 points Saturday at Edwards Stadium. Top-ranked Tennessee easily won the men’s competition with 227.5 points. The Golden Bear men placed fourth with 102. -more-
Jeanine Magill shared in the disbelief when she first heard news of the September 11th attack. -more-
Novice boats finish second -more-
Today is Monday, March 25, the 84th day of 2002. There are 281 days left in the year. -more-
Customers unknowingly frighten away armed drugstore thief -more-
Possible changes include writing test, putting Algebra II questions on math section of test -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – When the natural gas and electricity bill arrives each month, Jenny Lovrin splits the cost between herself and five roommates. She used to rip open the envelope and find they owed less than $100. This winter’s bills have hit $225, making her cringe. -more-
SACRAMENTO – Two of California’s richest and most venerable family foundations face profound questions as the deal they most feared may come to pass: the merger of Hewlett-Packard Co. and Compaq Computer Corp. -more-
When Councilmember Kriss Worthington made a proposal on the March 19 City Council agenda to lower residential speed limits to 20 mph, he did not expect the amount of media attention and ridicule that resulted. -more-
The University of California was established in 1868, and classes were initially held in Oakland. When the Berkeley campus opened in 1873 there were only 10 professors or instructors and less than 200 students. By 1900 the university had grown to 4,000 students, one of the largest in the country, and attracted visitors from around the world. -more-
‘Stolen Summer” clearly is the work of a first-time filmmaker who has a lot to learn. That was supposed to be its charm; instead, it’s the film’s downfall. -more-
The Berkeley High swimming team got a shot at some big-time competition on Friday, and the ’Jackets showed up well at the first day of the De La Salle Invitational. -more-
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a videotape is worth $35,000. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The Oscars’ new home is smaller than last year’s digs, leaving more people who wanted to attend the Academy Awards ceremony without seats this year. -more-
LEWISTON, Idaho - Led by the pitching of senior right-hander Trevor Hutchinson, the Cal baseball team defeated Washington State, 5-1 Friday in the Pac-10 opener at Harris Field in Lewiston, ID. The Bears improve to 17-11 (1-0) on the year and the Cougars go to 10-11 (0-1). -more-
A small group of Berkeley High School students met with Superintendent Michele Lawrence on Friday afternoon, after complaints that they had been left out of the district’s budget-cutting process. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Television has become less infused with sex and violence over the past few years but movies are unchanged, according to a study released Thursday by a Washington think tank. -more-
Saturday, March 23, is the 82nd day of 2002. There are 283 days left in the year. -more-
The “car-free” day in “try-transit” week is no joke. It's not just a bunch of bike people trying to make trouble for the car culture. -more-
NEW YORK — Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings will both anchor their evening news programs from Beirut, Lebanon next week, where the Arab League is holding its summit. -more-
Editor: -more-
ATHENS, Greece — The head of Greece’s television regulatory agency suspended broadcasts Thursday of two popular reality television shows, including “Big Brother,” for violating laws on public decency and dignity. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Bay Area dog owners applaud the guilty verdicts in the high-profile mauling trial of two San Francisco attorneys, but fear a backlash against responsible dog owners. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The case of two lawyers convicted after their dogs mauled and killed a San Francisco lesbian has opened the door to new legal rights for gays in California. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Mention Iran, and most Americans are likely to think of President Bush’s “axis of evil.” -more-
ALEXANDRIA, Va.— An American who fought with the Taliban spoke with the FBI in Afghanistan only to escape horrible prison conditions, his lawyers said Friday. -more-
SANTA ROSA — Testifying against her former priest, a woman said the man molested her when she was 13 and came to him seeking advice on a romantic dilemma. -more-
About now is when many gardeners go through their annual ritual of overseeding their lawns, often sprinkling grass seed right on top of snow. The snow does make it easier to see the seed, so you can spread it more evenly. And snow provides moisture. -more-
Now, when enthusiasm for any gardening activity is high, is a good time to approach the problem of weeds. Most gardeners begin their annual attack by turning the soil with a rototiller or garden fork. But think back to last summer: didn’t weeds still eventually get the upper hand, drowning out beets and zinnias in a sea of green? -more-
What the cars say about the man -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The state is increasing efforts to get companies with 50 or more employees to comply with a little-known 1992 law that says if the company pays for parking it must also offer cash to those employees who opt not to drive to work. -more-
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers may issue subpoenas in an effort to force Enron Corp. to disclose the names of investors in its numerous partnerships, a senator involved in Congress’ investigation said Friday. -more-
PALO ALTO — Shares of Hewlett-Packard Co. dropped nearly 2 percent Friday after an internal memo surfaced saying revenue and profit in the company’s services division were “well below plan.” -more-
District budget deficit revised to $5.4 million -more-
Berkeley’s adventurous Shotgun Players were scheduled to open their season Saturday in the new 99-seat Allston Street Theater in the Gaia building in downtown Berkeley. -more-
New scoring system has coaches wondering who they’re running against at league’s first meet -more-
Little leaguers in uniform, soccer dads, windsurfers, dog-lovers and conservationists crowded into the Florence Schwimley Little Theatre Thursday night to tell the planning team for the proposed Eastshore State Park how they want the 1,800 acres to be used. -more-
Cal freshman Jamal Sampson announced today that he is declaring himself eligible for the 2002 NBA Draft. A 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward from Inglewood, Sampson averaged 6.4 points and 6.5 rebounds while blocking 54 shots for the Bears during the 2001-02 season. -more-
Julia Butterfly Hill, who gained international attention with her two-year tree-sit in an ancient redwood in Northern California, gets Katherine Yoshii’s signature for a Heritage Tree Preservation Ballot Initiative outside the Berkeley Bowl Thursday. The initiative, organized by Citizens Campaign for Old Growth and the Sierra Club Bay Chapter, aims to protect trees older than the state of California. -more-
Editor: -more-
LOS ANGELES — Halle Berry hopes this year’s three Academy Award nominations for black actors will be a source of optimism for minorities. Denzel Washington just figures academy voters went for the actors they felt turned in the best performances. -more-
El Cerrito aiming at third straight title -more-
Friday, March 22, is the 81st day of 2002. There are 284 days left in the year. -more-
Two men were repeatedly stabbed by a robber on Acton Street in South Berkeley Monday at around 11:30 p.m., according to the Berkeley Police Department. Both victims are in stable condition at home and at Highland Hospital. -more-
SACRAMENTO — By an overwhelming margin, the state Assembly Thursday approved placing $25.3 billion worth of education bonds before voters this November and in 2004, sending the issue to the state Senate. -more-
SACRAMENTO — With the SAT 9, the High School Exit Exam, Golden State Exams, SAT I and SAT II, California students face too long of a required list of standardized tests, a group of students told the California Teacher’s Association and legislators on Thursday. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Five people whose bodies were pulled from a reservoir near Sacramento were Los Angeles area residents who were abducted, blackmailed and killed by Russian mobsters, the U.S. attorney said Thursday. -more-
STOCKTON — Prosecutors charged a Sacramento student with first-degree murder Thursday for her alleged role in helping a woman poison her husband. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Jurors who convicted a San Francisco couple in the dog mauling death of a neighbor said Thursday they did not believe chief defendant Marjorie Knoller and were surprised that she took the witness stand at all. -more-
Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel are scheduled to be sentenced May 10 in San Francisco for their convictions in the January 2001 death of Diane Whipple. After the verdicts, the state Supreme Court, acting through the state Bar of California, suspended Knoller and Noel from practicing law. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — All was quiet in front of Diane Whipple’s apartment house Thursday — no flowers, no cards, just a handwritten note taped near the front entrance. -more-
For all the homeowners for whom yearly deck upkeep is a fate worse than taking out the trash, note that composite deck materials are here, and here to stay, according to a deck pro at Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Two friends who bought lottery tickets at a downtown smoke shop came forward Thursday to claim one-third of Wednesday’s $87 million California Lottery jackpot. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Embattled credit card issuer Providian Financial Corp. has agreed to pay $38 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by shareholders alleging the company inflated its profits by gouging its customers in the late 1990s. -more-
WASHINGTON — Officials of the bankrupt fiber optics giant Global Crossing denied Thursday that deceptive accounting practices were part of their company’s financial collapse. “Global Crossing is no Enron,” they told skeptical lawmakers. -more-
District budget deficit revised to $5.4 million -more-
Berkeley’s adventurous Shotgun Players were scheduled to open their season Saturday in the new 99-seat Allston Street Theater in the Gaia building in downtown Berkeley. -more-
New scoring system has coaches wondering who they’re running against at league’s first meet -more-
Little leaguers in uniform, soccer dads, windsurfers, dog-lovers and conservationists crowded into the Florence Schwimley Little Theatre Thursday night to tell the planning team for the proposed Eastshore State Park how they want the 1,800 acres to be used. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The wrinkly, crinkly munchkin from outer space is coming back to Earth, his fairy-tale journey a bit longer and more benign than when he first landed in theaters 20 years ago. -more-
Cal freshman Jamal Sampson announced today that he is declaring himself eligible for the 2002 NBA Draft. A 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward from Inglewood, Sampson averaged 6.4 points and 6.5 rebounds while blocking 54 shots for the Bears during the 2001-02 season. -more-
El Cerrito aiming at third straight title -more-
Julia Butterfly Hill, who gained international attention with her two-year tree-sit in an ancient redwood in Northern California, gets Katherine Yoshii’s signature for a Heritage Tree Preservation Ballot Initiative outside the Berkeley Bowl Thursday. The initiative, organized by Citizens Campaign for Old Growth and the Sierra Club Bay Chapter, aims to protect trees older than the state of California. -more-
Editor: -more-
LOS ANGELES — Halle Berry hopes this year’s three Academy Award nominations for black actors will be a source of optimism for minorities. Denzel Washington just figures academy voters went for the actors they felt turned in the best performances. -more-
Friday, March 22, is the 81st day of 2002. There are 284 days left in the year. -more-
Two men were repeatedly stabbed by a robber on Acton Street in South Berkeley Monday at around 11:30 p.m., according to the Berkeley Police Department. Both victims are in stable condition at home and at Highland Hospital. -more-
SACRAMENTO — By an overwhelming margin, the state Assembly Thursday approved placing $25.3 billion worth of education bonds before voters this November and in 2004, sending the issue to the state Senate. -more-
SACRAMENTO — With the SAT 9, the High School Exit Exam, Golden State Exams, SAT I and SAT II, California students face too long of a required list of standardized tests, a group of students told the California Teacher’s Association and legislators on Thursday. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Five people whose bodies were pulled from a reservoir near Sacramento were Los Angeles area residents who were abducted, blackmailed and killed by Russian mobsters, the U.S. attorney said Thursday. -more-
STOCKTON — Prosecutors charged a Sacramento student with first-degree murder Thursday for her alleged role in helping a woman poison her husband. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Jurors who convicted a San Francisco couple in the dog mauling death of a neighbor said Thursday they did not believe chief defendant Marjorie Knoller and were surprised that she took the witness stand at all. -more-
Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel are scheduled to be sentenced May 10 in San Francisco for their convictions in the January 2001 death of Diane Whipple. After the verdicts, the state Supreme Court, acting through the state Bar of California, suspended Knoller and Noel from practicing law. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — All was quiet in front of Diane Whipple’s apartment house Thursday — no flowers, no cards, just a handwritten note taped near the front entrance. -more-
For all the homeowners for whom yearly deck upkeep is a fate worse than taking out the trash, note that composite deck materials are here, and here to stay, according to a deck pro at Lowes Home Improvement Warehouse. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Two friends who bought lottery tickets at a downtown smoke shop came forward Thursday to claim one-third of Wednesday’s $87 million California Lottery jackpot. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Embattled credit card issuer Providian Financial Corp. has agreed to pay $38 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by shareholders alleging the company inflated its profits by gouging its customers in the late 1990s. -more-
WASHINGTON — Officials of the bankrupt fiber optics giant Global Crossing denied Thursday that deceptive accounting practices were part of their company’s financial collapse. “Global Crossing is no Enron,” they told skeptical lawmakers. -more-
It’s been a struggle, but they’re finding peace. -more-
After winning their first four games by scores like 17-1 and 15-0, the Berkeley High boys’ lacrosse team may have felt invincible until Tuesday. But a tough game with University High (San Francisco) that ended in a last-minute loss may have brought the Yellowjackets back to earth. -more-
At a meeting in which residents were unclear about what they could talk about, whether city officials could respond to their letters and how they could add items to the agenda, Tuesday night’s City Council meeting was all about fair process. -more-
Editor: -more-
Wednesday, March 20 is the 79th day of 2002. There are 286 days left in the year. Spring arrives in the northern hemisphere at 2:16 p.m. Eastern time. -more-
Editor: -more-
One of the defining moments for Wanusa Pereira Dos Santos was when a heavily armed police force rushed a settlement of 300 families, chased them up a hill and then set fire to their homes. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The dog-mauling trial that began with a defense attorney crawling on the courtroom floor during her opening statement neared its end with a judge threatening to lock her up if she didn’t sit down and keep quiet. -more-
MONTERREY, Mexico — Days after the United States promised a 50 percent increase in foreign aid, the Bush administration is coming under fire for not doing enough — and not doing it right. -more-
SACRAMENTO — A bound, strangled body pulled from a Sierra foothill lake last fall was identified Tuesday as that of a Los Angeles-area real estate developer. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — For decades, the Musee Mecanique, a beloved collection of mechanical games once played in saloons, carnivals and boardwalk arcades, has been one of the most authentic and bizarre tourist attractions on the West Coast. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — A woman suspected of animal cruelty for hoarding cats in Petaluma is now under scrutiny in Sausalito, where police are investigating a batch of 50 felines living in squalid conditions. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The federal government fined an Oakland metal finishing company $385,000 and sentenced the owner to six months house arrest Tuesday for diverting wastewater directly into the sewer. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Authorities shut down two BART stations and stopped all trains into and out of the city for about an hour Tuesday after white powder was found in one of the cars. -more-
CUPERTINO — Hewlett-Packard Co. chief Carly Fiorina claimed victory Tuesday in the nasty proxy fight over the $20 billion purchase of Compaq Computer Corp., saying shareholders narrowly approved what would be the computer industry’s biggest merger. -more-
SALT LAKE CITY — Software company Siebel Systems will expand its business in Utah by building a data center and hiring about 600 employees by 2005, the company said Tuesday. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Senators criticized Department of Health Services officials Tuesday for their recent regulation that allows the dumping of radioactive debris in regular landfills. -more-
Police are still investigating a Saturday night shooting that occurred at the intersection of Russell and McGee streets. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Environmentalists are suing the federal government to have it re-protect the habitat of a songbird found in the Southwest that has been reduced to about 500 pairs. -more-
BERKELEY — Those outspoken Berkeley residents are at it again. The problem this time? Nasty used coffee-cup sleeves. -more-
BERKELEY — Those outspoken Berkeley residents are at it again. The problem this time? Nasty used coffee-cup sleeves. -more-
OAKLAND — The city and port have hired a private security guard to block Caltrans contractors from the planned staging site for the first section of the long-awaited new span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. -more-
