Dozens of protesters shook police barricades and chanted “drop the charges” outside UC Berkeley’s Krutch Auditorium Monday as student conduct hearings began for 32 pro-Palestinian activists who took over a campus building in April. -more-

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OAKLAND — Oakland Athletics bench coach Ken Macha, one of the most sought-after managerial candidates in the major leagues, has been contacted by the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs for their open managerial jobs. -more-

Tuesday, Oct. 1 -more-

At least 139 Berkeley High School juniors will have to retake a state exam if they hope to earn a diploma next year, according to administrators of the California High School Exit Exam. -more-

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SAN FRANCISCO— The San Francisco 49ers returned Monday from their bye week a bit wary of the winless opponent they will meet next. -more-

As expected, Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation Sunday forgiving a $1.16 million fine the Berkeley Unified School District owed the state for filing late paperwork in 1999. -more-

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ALAMEDA — Almost everything has gone right for the Oakland Raiders, yet coach Bill Callahan is aggravated with one aspect — all the senseless penalties. -more-

Consistent with Berkeley City Council’s practice of international politicking and with anti-war discussions nearby cities, council is considering asking the President to go through the United Nations to resolve Iraq’s military threat. -more-

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VIENNA, Austria – U.N. weapons inspectors demanded the right to roam freely around Saddam Hussein's palaces and other suspect sites when they opened talks with the Iraqis Monday on the logistics of a possible return to Baghdad. -more-

Police are investigating two “suspicious” fires that caused $50,000 in structural damage this weekend, fire officials said. -more-

OAKLAND – Oakland police are investigating a drive-by shooting in which a homeless man was wounded outside St. Francis Bakery early Monday. -more-

n Student Fall -more-

An ambitious experiment by the University of California at Berkeley is making it possible for Internet users to explore any museum in the state for free. -more-

Coast Guard says Luckenback oil-removal work completed -more-

FRESNO — At least two people died and dozens of bus passengers were injured Monday night after a Greyhound driver’s throat was slashed and his bus overturned while traveling 70 miles-per-hour on Interstate 5 near western Fresno. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Cargo ships laden with Christmas presents lay at anchor offshore, waiting to be unloaded, and trucks with fresh produce lined up outside West Coast ports Monday after dockworkers were locked out in a dispute that could cost the U.S. economy $1 billion a day. -more-

SAN JOSE – On a typically sultry summer afternoon in the nation’s capital, eBay attorney Andrew Kumamoto walked into a conference room to talk patents with a Virginia inventor. -more-

REDWOOD CITY — Internet music software maker Liquid Audio Inc. said Monday it has agreed to sell its patents rights to Microsoft Corp. for $7 million in cash. -more-

Berkeley’s biggest, bawdiest and barest festival went off without a hitch Sunday. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Jason Gesser wasn’t going to miss this game. No sir. But the Golden Bears sure wish he had. -more-

Tuesday, Oct. 1 -more-

Berkeley Unified’s Board of Education decided last week to leave an anti-discrimination policy in place that may conflict with federal law. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

OAKLAND – It took fewer than four minutes for rookie Phillip Buchanon to show he’s ready to be an NFL starter – perhaps at three positions. -more-

Vijay Lakireddy, 32, remains free on $500,000 bond after a federal judge postponed his sentencing in connection with a family sex smuggling ring. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

OAKLAND – Oakland Raiders receiver Jerry Rice caught an 11-yard fourth-quarter pass from Rich Gannon on Sunday against Tennessee, making Rice the NFL’s career leader in yards from scrimmage. -more-

Construction of playing fields in the bayfront Eastshore State Park appears more likely after a City Council vote last week put the Council’s support behind a regional drive for park fields. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Hartford upsets Cal women’s soccer -more-

ORANGE – Little Christopher Ibarra’s mother wants her son disconnected from the machine keeping him alive so he can rest in peace. His father, who authorities say violently shook him into a coma, is holding out for a miracle recovery. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Cross Country – St. Mary’s sophomore Gabriela Rios-Sotelo won the high school girls’ race at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday. Tino Rodriguez finished 30th in the boys’ race for the Panthers. -more-

n Drug Arrest -more-

No. 13 Washington 41, Idaho 27 -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – As the drumbeat for war grows louder, demonstrators from across the state and beyond turned out in the thousands Saturday to make their own music, protesting possible U.S. military action in Iraq. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – Now that San Francisco is close recycling 50 percent of its waste, environmentalists say they are hoping the Board of Supervisors will raise the official goal on Monday to 75 percent. -more-

Oakland cops arrested for soliciting on duty -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – West Coast ports will remain shut indefinitely, the association representing shipping lines announced Sunday evening. -more-

SUNNYVALE – For much of its 33-year history, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. prospered by making cheaper, sometimes faster versions of microprocessors pioneered by Intel Corp. -more-

SANTA CLARA – California Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed suit against Internet marketer PW Marketing LLC, accusing the company of illegally spamming millions of Californians. -more-

SACRAMENTO – With just two days to clear the dozens of bills still sitting on his desk, Gov. Gray Davis Sunday signed legislation that would give Mexican farm workers brought to the United States during World War II more time to file legal action for payment. -more-

The plain, boxy appearance of Fantasy Building on 10th Street conceals the glamorous work that goes on inside. Most recently, the building’s studios have contributed to this month’s release of three films on DVD. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Saturday, Sept. 28 -more-

A stir of excitement sparked Oakland Ballet’s season opener this month. While the East Bay’s other major dance company, Diablo Ballet, struggles on life support because of recent economic times, the Oakland troupe is thriving. Its success is due largely to artistic director Karen Brown’s energetic leadership and a dedicated board of directors. -more-

A 43-7 win is usually a cause for celebration. But the Berkeley High coaches tore into their players after winning by that score over Kennedy High on Friday, citing a lackluster performance and poor discipline. -more-

Student conduct hearings for 32 pro-Palestinian protesters who participated in the April takeover of UC Berkeley’s Wheeler Hall start Monday amid controversy over the public’s right to observe them. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

It took a couple of crooked numbers on the scoreboard for St. Mary’s High to get rid of a round number on its record. -more-

For more than a quarter century native American Rosemary Cambra has provided a voice for her people. This week, Cambra, chairwoman for the Bay Area's Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, brought her message to Berkeley, where she urged the city to preserve and protect local burial grounds under University Avenue at the train tracks near Fourth Street. -more-

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PHILADELPHIA - No. 4 Cal twice came back from one-goal deficits to defeat Pennsylvania, 4-2, Friday afternoon at Rhodes Field. The Bears improved to 6-1-1, while the Quakers dropped to 5-3-0. -more-

Berkeley mayor Shirley Dean and challenger Tom Bates, a former state Assemblyman, are within a few percentage points in the race for voter support, according to a poll commissioned by the mayor’s office. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Cal men upset Santa Clara in Stanford Invitational -more-

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 760 people were believed dead Friday after an ocean ferry capsized off West Africa in a fierce gale, with 88 victims recovered and bodies of others spotted trapped inside. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

A local cat owner says her kitty with 29 toes surely beats a many-toed Maine cat for a spot in the Guinness Book of Records. -more-

n Drug bust -more-

OAKLAND – A rookie Oakland police officer was in stable condition at Highland Hospital Friday after being shot in the head by a unknown man in area of city known for having problems with drugs and prostitution, police say. -more-

In 1906 The West Berkeley Development Company, whose partners were involved with the Claremont and Northbrae subdivisions and were later part of the Mason McDuffie Company, subdivided the San Pablo Park tract in south west Berkeley. The residential subdivision begins one block east of San Pablo Avenue and is located between Russell and Ward streets. -more-

Man receives 15 stitches in ear after BART knifing -more-

MORGAN HILL — Foggy, cooler weather helped hundreds of firefighters grapple with a 3,142-acre blaze roaring through rural neighborhoods along the Santa Cruz Mountains and threatening at least 300 homes. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The association representing shipping lines on Friday locked out longshoremen at all West Coast ports until Sunday morning as contract negotiations with the dock worker’s union deteriorated into a labor disruption that will immediately curtail the flow of Asian goods across the United States. -more-

Treasurer announces schedule -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Michael Newdow, the California father who convinced a federal appeals court to declare the Pledge of Allegiance an unconstitutional endorsement of religion when recited in public classrooms, urged that court Friday to let its June 26 ruling stand. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The case of a Missouri man who stormed an airplane cockpit two years ago ended in a San Francisco federal courtroom. -more-

GARDEN GROVE — Republicans gathered for the first day of their semiannual state convention Friday hoping to give their beleaguered gubernatorial nominee, Bill Simon, a push to Election Day Nov. 5. -more-

DENVER — In a scene reminiscent of anti-war protests of the 1960s, at least 2,000 people gathered Friday outside a fund-raiser featuring President Bush to rally against a possible war in Iraq. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The Mexican Consulate hopes to serve its visitors better from their new quarters in the South of Market starting October. -more-

LOS ANGELES — Taiwan’s first lady Wu Shu-jen has canceled three events on the last leg of her trip to the United States because of exhaustion, a spokesman said Friday. -more-

The plain, boxy appearance of Fantasy Building on 10th Street conceals the glamorous work that goes on inside. Most recently, the building’s studios have contributed to this month’s release of three films on DVD. -more-

Student conduct hearings for 32 pro-Palestinian protesters who participated in the April takeover of UC Berkeley’s Wheeler Hall start Monday amid controversy over the public’s right to observe them. -more-

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Berkeley mayor Shirley Dean and challenger Tom Bates, a former state Assemblyman, are within a few percentage points in the race for voter support, according to a poll commissioned by the mayor’s office. -more-

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 760 people were believed dead Friday after an ocean ferry capsized off West Africa in a fierce gale, with 88 victims recovered and bodies of others spotted trapped inside. -more-

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 760 people were believed dead Friday after an ocean ferry capsized off West Africa in a fierce gale, with 88 victims recovered and bodies of others spotted trapped inside. -more-

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 760 people were believed dead Friday after an ocean ferry capsized off West Africa in a fierce gale, with 88 victims recovered and bodies of others spotted trapped inside. -more-

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 760 people were believed dead Friday after an ocean ferry capsized off West Africa in a fierce gale, with 88 victims recovered and bodies of others spotted trapped inside. -more-

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 760 people were believed dead Friday after an ocean ferry capsized off West Africa in a fierce gale, with 88 victims recovered and bodies of others spotted trapped inside. -more-

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 760 people were believed dead Friday after an ocean ferry capsized off West Africa in a fierce gale, with 88 victims recovered and bodies of others spotted trapped inside. -more-

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To the Editor: -more-

Transparent Theater strides into its second season sure-footedly with Alex Johnston’s two-person drama “Deep Space.” -more-

Saturday, Sept. 28 -more-

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Red light runners and speeders beware: What the police don’t see, the camera surely will. -more-

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Girls tennis - Salesian 4, St. Mary’s 3 -more-

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israel tried to kill the mastermind of the Hamas bombing campaign Thursday, firing two missiles into a car in crowded Gaza City. Two bodyguards died and 35 bystanders were wounded in the helicopter attack, but the fate of the Palestinian militant remained uncertain. Hamas promised revenge. -more-

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Drug Arrest -more-

OAKLAND – A leader in Oakland's Nation of Islam community appeared briefly in Alameda County Superior Court this morning but did not enter plea to a charge that he allegedly molested a 13-year-old girl 20 years ago. -more-

LIVERMORE – Federal officials announced today that four Bay Area scientists have been recognized with awards for their work in atomic energy. -more-

East Bay parks slated for -more-

Report: Changing conditions could hurt U.S. housing market -more-

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The Associated Press -more-

Jury orders Philip Morris to pay smoker $850,000 -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Slumping retailer Gap Inc. is turning to an executive who ran Disneyland to make its turnaround dreams come true. -more-

WALL, S.D.— For nearly three decades, an 80-foot hole dubbed Delta Nine played a vital role in the nation’s defense. -more-

Hail to the haggis king -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco city officials gathered outside City Hall Thursday to unveil a brand new electronic parking meter system that is expected to add millions to city coffers. -more-

Berkeley resident Harrod Blank, 39, was embarrassed to be seen driving a plain white 1965 Volkswagen bug. So he painted a rooster on it. It reminded him of the chickens he grew up with near the Santa Cruz Mountains. But he didn’t stop there. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

They come from Canada, they do fantastic things with trapezes and the human body, they use no animals in their act—and no, they are not Cirque du Soleil. The performance troupe that has descended on Zellerbach Hall is Cirque Eloize, and it is a phenomenon all its own. -more-

Thursday, Sept. 26 -more-

A decade of dominance ended Wednesday as the Berkeley High cross country boys defeated Alameda High, the first time the Hornets have failed to win a league meet in more than 10 years. -more-

Berkeley High School’s African-American studies department has been reinstatement, said department Chairman Robert McKnight to wild cheers at a dramatic Board of Education meeting Wednesday night. -more-

To the Editor, -more-

The Cal football team is facing adversity for the first time this season following a 23-21 loss to Air Force last weekend. But the Bears haven’t lost any confidence following their first setback of the season. -more-

Green Party candidate for governor Peter Miguel Camejo racked up 9 percent of the statewide vote in the latest polls. Despite growing support, though, Gov. Gray Davis is unwilling to recognize his opponent in a formal debate. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

YAMOUSSOUKRO, Ivory Coast — Waving U.S. flags and shouting ’Vive la France!,” American schoolchildren escaped a rebel-held Ivory Coast city under siege Wednesday, as U.S. special forces and French troops moved in to rescue Westerners caught in the West African nation’s bloodiest uprising. -more-

To the Editor, -more-

A dozen protesters picketed outside the Oxford Street Starbucks Wednesday as part of an international campaign urging the chain to buy more “Fair Trade” coffee from farmers. -more-

SANTA CRUZ — Upholding its famously liberal leanings, the Santa Cruz City Council has passed a resolution denouncing any pending military strike on Iraq led by U.S. forces. -more-

MORGAN HILL — Flames burned toward dozens of homes nestled in remote neighborhoods of the lushly forested Santa Cruz Mountains on Wednesday, with firefighters struggling in 90-degree heat to control one of the area’s largest wildfires in decades. -more-

5,000 acre additon to Golden Gate recreation area approved -more-

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BERKELEY — University of California, Berkeley, was awarded a $2.1 million federal grant Wednesday to study the economic impact of smoking prevention efforts in China, the largest consumer of tobacco products in the world. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Gray Davis cleared the way Wednesday for Californians to sue gun manufacturers if they believe the companies have been negligent in the advertising or production of firearms. -more-

Accounting stripped of license it voluntarily gave up -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Businesses and institutions who bypassed their local utilities to buy cheaper electricity from power sellers would have to pay a surcharge to help the state repay its energy debts, under a plan put forward by the state’s energy regulators Wednesday. -more-

NEW YORK — Sales for Sept. 11 books have dropped substantially since the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, although a handful of titles remain best sellers. -more-

OAKLAND — A couple accused of abducting, raping and murdering a 22-year-old Pleasanton woman in a minivan rigged for torture was sentenced to death Wednesday. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — A television news report that a major component of the city’s emergency water system had been neglected for more than a decade is prompting changes and a fire department investigation into how the system came to be neglected. -more-

Young people are more conservative than their parents on school prayer, abortion and federal aid to faith-based charities, according to a new nationwide poll by UC Berkeley researchers. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Although the Berkeley High girls volleyball team had a rough preseason, there’s one thing the Yellowjackets know they can count on: dominating the Alameda Contra-Costa Athletic League. -more-

A proposal by Mayor Shirley Dean to consider moving the UC Berkeley football stadium from under an earthquake fault on the eastern side of campus has caused some pre-election rumblings. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Teachers and activists expressed concern Tuesday about cost-cutting moves that combine Berkeley High School’s visual and performing arts departments and fold the English Language Learners department into other, undetermined programs. -more-

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NEW ORLEANS — Cajun fishing towns cleared out, Navy ships steamed out for the open sea and inland hotels began filling up as Tropical Storm Isidore strengthened Tuesday and headed toward the Gulf Coast. -more-

City Council passed a measure Tuesday guaranteeing continued shelter for the 69 residents of the UA Homes left homeless by an Aug. 26 fire. -more-

NEW YORK - The faces said it all. No beaming smiles, only frozen stares. The 252 performers standing on stage at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City had just completed the world premiere of John Adams' “On the Transmigration of Souls,” a meditative tribute to the victims, survivors and heroes of Sept. 11. -more-

RICHMOND – Police say an argument between teenagers on Monday night resulted in two children and an animal control officer being bitten by a pair of pit bulls. -more-

OAKLAND – An attorney for one of three former Oakland police officers on trial for criminal misconduct began his attempt Tuesday to chip away at the credibility of a key prosecution witness in Alameda County Superior Court. -more-

OAKLAND – Preliminary statistics culled from U.S. Department of Justice records show that Oakland ranked fourth last year in the number of homicides among cities approximately the same size and could place higher next year given the rash of recent killings. -more-

SAN LEANDRO – A rookie Oakland police officer is set to be arraigned Friday on charges that he allegedly had sexual relations with two high school students, police said. -more-

School promotes peace with Guinness record handshake -more-

SAN JOSE — Democratic Gov. Gray Davis postponed a second fund-raiser amid sharpened attacks from Republican opponent Bill Simon slamming him for raising money from special interests while considering legislation important to those groups. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Next month, some of the best minds in stem cell science will gather at a conference in San Diego to exchange notes, opinions and suggestions on how to invigorate a promising but struggling research field. -more-

DAVIS – Just in time for the fall harvest, the University of California has published a guide that could help farmers and ranchers solve each others' problems. -more-

WASHINGTON – Iraq's bioweapons program that President Bush wants to eradicate got its start with help from Uncle Sam two decades ago, according to government records getting new scrutiny in light of the discussion of war against Iraq. -more-

Berkeley High School students will not be getting gourmet organic lunches anymore. -more-

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Oakland Athletics will go with a three-man starting rotation in the first round of the AL playoff series against Minnesota. -more-

Berkeley will celebrate its seventh annual “How Berkeley Can You Be?” parade and festival Sunday. -more-

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n Egging -more-

LA VERNE — A wildfire in the foothills above Los Angeles jumped from 8,000 acres to 12,000 acres in just a few hours Tuesday, sending smoke pouring over the sprawling metropolitan area and triggering public health warnings. -more-