Berkeley ranks second only to Treasure Island when it comes to Bay Area demand for a new ferry service, according to a recent state-commissioned study. The results make the city a leading candidate for commuter boats. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Tuesday, July 23 -more-

STOCKTON — The only things missing from the first day of the San Francisco 49ers’ training camp were the projected 100-degree temperatures — and first-round draft pick Mike Rumph. -more-

As the city’s need for more housing is pitted against a burgeoning slow-growth movement, City Council will consider appeals against three proposed developments tonight that could result in 179 housing units, 31 of which would be designated for low-income residents. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

BOSTON — Nine white doves took flight from home plate toward Fenway Park’s famous Green Monster, soaring over the outfield where Ted Williams once roamed before turning and climbing over the Red Sox dugout and out of the ballpark. -more-

Called “"Frankenfoods” by critics because they’re designed in a lab, genetically engineered foods are increasingly drawing attention and raising concerns among Berkeley residents. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

VAISON-LA-ROMAINE, France — Lance Armstrong is taking the suspense out of the Tour de France. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

OAKLAND – The Oakland City Council will vote Tuesday on an exclusive negotiating agreement with developer Forest City Residential West, which is looking to build on a plot of land that has been deemed as the most suitable location for a new baseball-only stadium. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Apartment rents remain in a holding pattern in most major Western markets except California, where the contrasting fortunes of the state’s northern and southern regions continue to push rates in opposite directions, according to a real estate survey released Monday. -more-

LIVERMORE — U.S. supercomputers have been the world’s most powerful since the first high-performance machines analyzed virtual nuclear blasts, climate change and the makeup of the universe. -more-

SANTA ANA — The factory worker arrested in the abduction and slaying of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion was charged Monday with murder and other counts that could bring the death penalty. -more-

OAKLAND — Negotiations over a new West Coast dock workers contract broke off late Sunday with longshoremen and shipping lines accusing each other of ignoring their good faith offers and ruining what had appeared to be a hopeful exchange of proposals. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The New York Stock Exchange and the National Association of Securities Dealers sought Monday to undo California’s strict arbitration standards when it comes to resolving securities disputes. -more-

EMIGRANT GAP — The U.S. Forest Service is considering allowing the first large rock quarry within the Tahoe National Forest, to provide granite for rebuilding Interstate 80. -more-

BYRON — On a grassy hillside a 30-minute drive from the 21st-century bustle of San Francisco lies a secret from California’s past — rock art left by the region’s original inhabitants. -more-

SAN JOSE — Yosemite killer Cary Stayner told FBI agents that he would have struck again if he hadn’t been caught. . -more-

ARGONNE, Ill — With Congress headed into summer recess, President Bush called on lawmakers Monday to make the Homeland Security Department a reality as he showcased new anti-terrorism technology at a national research lab. -more-

A few years ago, at the height of the swing dance revival, Bay Area hipsters could find live music for lindy-hops and rock-steps seven nights a week. But as its popularity ebbed, many hung up their zoot suits and saddle shoes for a different kind of dance. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Monday, July 22

Mexican Premier League teams Morelia and Atlas played in front of a raucous crowd at Cal’s Edwards Stadium on Sunday, giving Bay Area fans a rare glimpse at soccer tradition and passion. -more-

Scholars from around the globe come to Berkeley to study a variety of subjects. This month, one of those subjects was trash. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

By Greg Beacham -more-

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson made an official endorsement of Berkeley mayoral candidate Tom Bates at a rally Saturday. He told about 60 of the candidate’s supporters that he was endorsing the former state assemblyman because of their political like-mindedness and their long personal friendship. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Plastic pistol packer files suit -more-

By Katie Flynn -more-

LOS ANGELES — An unattended suitcase prompted the evacuation Sunday of part of a terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said. -more-

San Jose woman sentenced -more-

ACRAMENTO — There are plenty of ingredients easily accessible in California to assemble a “dirty bomb,” or explosives laced with radioactive material, according to a newspaper’s investigation. -more-

SACRAMENTO — California relies too heavily on natural gas to fuel the power plants that generate nearly half of its electricity, leaving the state’s consumers vulnerable to price swings, a new study has found. -more-

RIVERSIDE — A giant cane, the largest member of the grass family, swallows up gallons of water, grows up to a foot a day and is stubbornly resisting efforts around California to control it. -more-

LAKE ISABELLA— A 350-acre wildfire damaged or destroyed 10 homes Sunday afternoon and forced the evacuation of residents, officials said. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – As the stock market’s losses piled up last year, brokerage executive Charles Schwab began appearing in television commercials urging individual investors to remain calm. But by early last week, he realized people aren’t heeding his advice. -more-

LOS ANGELES – Acres of brown, blue, red and yellow 40-foot containers fill the shipyards. They run as far as the eye can see, stacked three high, forming long steel corridors down the length of the docks. -more-

The decision to add a written essay to the widely taken SAT college entrance exam has raised new questions. -more-

SACRAMENTO – A Gilroy high school’s move toward “academic tracking” that prompted the surprise resignation of the school’s top officials has stirred the debate among educators who say tracking unfairly excludes low-income and minority students. -more-

By Brian Melley -more-

By Chelsea J. Carter -more-

Doctors Without Borders -more-

To the Editor: -more-

‘Ripped from the News’ -more-

-more-

Thursday, July 18

Depleted Berkeley/Albany lineup can’t solve
Mountain View pitchers in state tournament -more-

Ten years after Berkeley voters supported a $55 million bond to improve fire protection, City Council approved a long-awaited plan for a fire station in the Berkeley hills. The unanimous decision came Tuesday night. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

NEW YORK — Concert grosses for the first half of the year were up 17 percent, but so were ticket prices — the average cost of a ticket for top tours was about $51, compared to $47 last year, according to an industry report. -more-

OAKLAND – Garret Anderson homered and doubled, and light-hitting Jorge Fabregas drove in the go-ahead run Wednesday night as the Anaheim Angels edged back ahead of Oakland in the AL West standings, beating the Athletics 10-4. -more-

Neighbors show mixed reactions -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Sure, summer is here. And even though the fog sometimes plays havoc with the concept of the perfect, dreamy summer dusk – you know the kind where you can sit on a porch and lazily watch the sun set, batting away flies and listening to deep, melodic tunes – the concept of dreamy isn't lost to musicians Paolo Giordano and Michael Manring. Their music, which swirls like a firefly out of reach, sets the perfect tone for a twilight of gazing, reflection and pure dreaminess, even if there is fog. To promote their new CD "Kids in a Toyshop (Step Musique)," Italian acoustic guitarist Paolo Giordano and Oakland bassist Michael Manring are playing a show at Berkeley's Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse this evening. -more-

This story is part of a series that will profile city election candidates. -more-

Brooklyn Bridge for sale? -more-

Michael Delacour, a four-time candidate for mayor, has joined the school board race. And he’s got a radical message. -more-

LONG BEACH — California State University’s board of trustees took its first step Wednesday toward adopting tougher policies for smokers at its 23 campuses. -more-

CORONADO — When a plane trailing a banner declaring “One Nation Under God” flew over the home of an appellate judge and demonstrators surrounded the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, the two jurists who sparked the reaction were surprised. -more-

WASHINGTON — Federal energy regulators on Wednesday capped electricity prices in California and other western states at $250 per megawatt hour, beginning on Oct. 1. -more-

NEW YORK — Apple Computer Inc. Wednesday announced Windows versions of the acclaimed iPod digital music players, moving Apple more firmly into the PC peripherals market. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — University of California officials are reacting warily to an ambitious proposal to bring the entire state education system, from preschool to Ph.D.s, under the same organizational framework. -more-

STANTON— The body of a kidnapped 5-year-old girl was dumped in the open near a rural highway like a “calling card” warning that the killer intends to strike again, investigators said Wednesday. -more-

SAN DIEGO — Tests detected the presence of coliform bacteria in the water supply of San Diego County’s main water provider, officials said Wednesday. -more-

Roy Meisner, Berkeley’s new interim police chief, inherited a pile of paperwork when he took over for retired chief Dash Butler this weekend. But he seems more interested in what he calls “people work.” -more-

To the Editor: -more-

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Bob Armstead was a gentle man in a rough profession. -more-

Wednesday, July 17

Pinguelo throws complete game as opponents make seven errors -more-

School had been told to make improvements School had been told to make improvements -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Cal head track & field coach Erv Hunt will move into an executive administrative role at the university, the Cal Athletic Department announced this week. -more-

Over the last year, three alternatives to high-cost, natural-food supermarkets have surfaced in Berkeley. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

One hundred and sixty parking meters wearing green hoods could be doomed for the gallows if a six-month study concludes that the meters cost more than they earn. -more-

Nuclear worms
threaten aquatic life -more-

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE— Drought-stricken Western states need to look to water banking, conservation, desalinization and recycling as ways to help increase water supplies, an Interior Department official said Tuesday. -more-

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee has been honored with an international service award for her AIDS advocacy at the Barcelona International HIV/AIDS Conference in Spain. -more-

LAS VEGAS — The majority of the nation’s charter schools have failed to improve student achievement, a report released Wednesday by the American Federation of Teachers concludes. -more-

State fell to16th when adjusted for cost of living -more-

FONTANA — Two men were arrested for allegedly trying to extort $92,000 from an Arizona nuclear power plant in exchange for $3 million worth of parts they were sent under a maintenance-related contract, authorities said. -more-

SAN JOSE — Intel Corp., which has managed to avoid mass layoffs during the technology downturn, said Tuesday it’s cutting 4,000 jobs as the chip-making giant posted disappointing second-quarter earnings. -more-

SAN JOSE — Apple Computer Inc. reported third-quarter results Tuesday that were in line with revised Wall Street expectations but did little to buoy the sagging personal computer industry. -more-

NEW YORK — State Farm Insurance Cos. said Tuesday that it plans to consolidate some offices in California, affecting more than 1,200 jobs. -more-

SACRAMENTO — Patrols around San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge by the California Highway Patrol doubled Tuesday and state officials claimed to have alerted local police near Disneyland and Universal Studios after the sites turned up in what are believed to be terrorist videos. -more-

CORONADO — Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher and former FBI and CIA chief William Webster challenged administration policies dealing with terrorism suspects Tuesday, and Christopher warned that secrecy threatens to lead America down a path to repression. -more-

State lawmakers reduced the incentive to conserve power as prices rose -more-

SAN DIEGO — A costly, nine-year effort to seal portions of the U.S.-Mexico border has failed to reduce illegal immigration, a new study has found. -more-

OAKLAND – Oakland police searching for the parents of an abandoned newborn baby girl said they will run out of leads unless someone who knows the mother steps forward. -more-

OAKLAND— Police were searching Sunday for the parents of a newborn baby who was found dehydrated but alive in a garbage bag in the city’s Fruitvale district. -more-

Today’s Highlight in History: -more-

Today’s Highlight in History:f -more-