Oakland faces telling murder toll
OAKLAND – A 55-year-old woman died after a scuffle in her home, Oakland Police said, and they are investigating the death as a homicide. -more-
OAKLAND – A 55-year-old woman died after a scuffle in her home, Oakland Police said, and they are investigating the death as a homicide. -more-
Last week, there were rumors several Arizona players would boycott Saturday’s game against Cal after a near-mutiny against head coach John Mackovic. But in the end, it was the Cal secondary that didn’t show up to play. -more-
STANFORD – Last week, Stanford midfielder Marcie Ward said that Sunday’s NCAA tournament match with Cal would “be more exciting than the football [Big] game.” She was probably right. -more-
OAKLAND – Flags flew quietly at half-mast last week in Alameda County for Oakland homicide victim number 97 – high school student Tamellia Cobbs, who was shot to death in East Oakland last Monday. -more-
As the St. Mary’s High Panthers took their two final timeouts of the regular season on Saturday with five seconds remaining in a tied game, they could only hope that Piedmont kicker Evan Lindenmayer would stay true to form. The junior kicker had not made a field goal all season, and had been inconsistent in his attempts to convert extra points. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
Lynne Stewart’s attorney tells Stewart she’s a client from hell. -more-
The Berkeley High football team was given the No. 5 seed in the North Coast Section 4A playoffs on Sunday. The Yellowjackets will face No. 4 Hayward on Saturday at 7 p.m. In an unusual twist, Berkeley will get a home game despite being the lower seed, thanks to its status as a league champion. Hayward came in second in the HAAL this season. -more-
A Berkeley police officer shot an armed suspect Friday in a botched robbery of a south Berkeley hair salon. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – Sen. Dianne Feinstein says she wants a congressional hearing to find out whether the FBI used unlawful methods of obtaining information from the UC Berkeley five decades ago, a newspaper reported Sunday. -more-
OAKLAND – Students in kindergarten through 12th grade will learn about the proposed war in Iraq at 1960s-style “teach-ins,” the school board decided Wednesday night. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – More than 7,500 of the state’s public school buildings may be vulnerable to collapse in a major earthquake, a new study has found. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – A fourth suspect has been arrested in the beating and strangling of a Newark transgender youth killed at a party last month after it was discovered the teen was male instead of female, police announced Sunday. -more-
OSEVILLE – A split decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is fueling a hot new trend on school campuses — but one not particularly popular with students. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – They’ve trained for the past 19 months, scouring legal documents, calculating data, hunting for the best witnesses. Most have logged more hours at work than at home during the last few weeks. -more-
Before taking the field against the University of Arizona Wildcats today the Cal football team, as it does before every home game, spent a night at the exclusive Claremont Resort and Spa discussing strategy and focusing its attention on the game. -more-
Murder and big-time bloody mayhem are what Medea commits when her husband starts fooling around with another woman. Cal Performances opened an ingenious and powerful modern-dress rethinking of the Greek classic Thursday at Zellerbach Playhouse on the UC Berkeley campus. -more-
For 47 minutes, Sean Young was a goat. But he needed just 10 seconds to make himself a hero. -more-
A deal struck to publicly acquire a swath of private Berkeley waterfront property could be a home run for local playing field advocates and environmentalists. -more-
“Sacrifice is not a bad thing,” said the opinionated and vociferous Bill Maher on how people should change in response to 9/11. He ardently reiterates this point and many others with vivid pictures and straightforward, thought-invoking prose in his new book “When You Ride Alone, You are Riding with Bin Laden.” Maher’s points are made through the book’s pictures of World War II-style U.S. propaganda posters, as well as 33 new eye-opening posters created to hoist American citizens to action against terrorism. He takes his book on a tour of the United States, which stops in Berkeley next Tuesday. -more-
STANFORD – Cal finally won a postseason game in women’s soccer, and Laura Schott finally got her record. -more-
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge issued a sweeping ban Friday on a section of the Aviation and Transportation Security Act that barred non-citizens from being airport security screeners. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Polluters are getting off way too easy under the Bush administration, according to the former chief of civil enforcement for the Environmental Protection Agency. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — They’re still not free, but they’re getting closer. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — California’s largest local phone service company has asked state regulators to more than double the rates it charges competitors to lease its phone lines, a change consumer advocates say could lead to fewer choices for customers. -more-
TOKETEE, Ore. — Eleven-year-old Will Allen watched with a mixture of pride and regret Thursday as his favorite climbing tree was carefully cut to serve as the congressional Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. -more-
The nine-campus University of California, expecting millions in state funding cuts next year, may have to raise student fees by as much as 10 percent, officials said Thursday. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
I had misgivings when I heard the title of Transparent Theater’s second play of the season – “Eternity Is in Love with the Productions of Time.” What a mouthful. I prayed that Transparent would unsort this knot of rhetoric and unravel its mystery by means of an absorbing play. -more-
Berkeley’s Alta Bates Medical Center was one of several Bay Area hospitals that responded Wednesday night to a vague FBI warning of a possible terrorist attack at local hospitals. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
HELENA, Mont. – Despite their best efforts, Sacramento State players have gotten themselves into a sticky situation. -more-
Owning a business is supposed to be the pinnacle of the American dream. But for many south and west Berkeley entrepreneurs in the midst of recession, being self employed has been a tough and lonely occupation. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
The Berkeley High football team is just one win away from the school’s first perfect season in nearly 30 years. The weight that accomplishment isn’t lost on head coach Matt Bissell. -more-
Conservative activist Ward Connerly appeared to back off on a request for an independent study of the University of California's controversial, racially-sensitive “comprehensive review” admissions policy Thursday. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Nine gay linguists, including six trained to speak Arabic, have been discharged from a U.S. Army language institute despite the threat of war in the Middle East and a critical shortage of language specialists in the military and intelligence agencies. -more-
Henry May, the Emmy Award-winning set designer who collaborated with artistic luminaries such as Orson Welles and Leonard Bernstein, has died at a nursing home. He was 81. -more-
OAKLAND — Two parolees arrested in connection with the drive-by killing of a 15-year-old girl and the wounding of two boys in East Oakland on Monday were arraigned in Alameda County Superior Court Thursday. -more-
For the second straight year, an overwhelming number of Californians told pollsters they prefer to drive alone to work and live in a single-family home, two desires that often confound lawmakers trying to steer growth back into cities. -more-
OAKLAND — Alameda County prosecutors Thursday filed an expanded set of felony sex charges against Yusef Bey, a leader in Oakland's Nation of Islam community. -more-
BERKELEY — Family, friends and University of California, Berkeley students remembered former Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien as a leader with infectious optimism and a professor with high expectations. -more-
SANTA CRUZ — The city of Santa Cruz has joined Berkeley, Cambridge, Mass., and Denver, Colo. in opposing parts of the USA Patriot Act, passed by Congress last year shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Pressplay and MusicNet signed deals Thursday that give both online music companies the licenses to distribute content from all five major record labels. -more-
WASHINGTON — Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a California liberal, easily won election Thursday as leader of minority House Democrats and swiftly set a goal of crafting a “down the center” program for economic growth. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Harry Potter’s got his work cut out for him to match his box-office grades from freshman year. -more-
SACRAMENTO — California faces a budget deficit of more than $20 billion for the second straight year, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill said Thursday. -more-
SAN JOSE — Advanced Micro Devices Inc., battered by weak demand for computer chips and tough competition, said Thursday it will cut 2,000 jobs, or 15 percent of its work force. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Failed online credit card issuer NextCard Inc. sought bankruptcy protection Thursday in a last-ditch attempt to come back as a financial services consultant. -more-
JARRATT, Va. — A Pakistani man who killed two CIA employees in a 1993 shooting rampage outside the agency’s headquarters was executed Thursday as the State Department warned of global retaliation against Americans. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Authorities on Thursday raided the record label and homes of rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight, a figure in an East Coast-West Coast rap feud that some believe led to the killings of two major stars. -more-
“Grand Theft Auto: Vice City” is the game your parents warned you about. -more-
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Laser lights are being tested at an Anchorage airport to help prevent pilots from making a sometimes fatal error — crossing in the path of other aircraft. -more-
ST. LOUIS — Women in St. Louis will be among the first in the nation to try a new method of birth control approved by the government last week. -more-
LAS VEGAS — Nevada’s two public universities last year released the academic records of thousands students to a regent whose review of two files prompted calls for her resignation last month. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The federal government has denied a petition by environmentalists to list a type of Pacific red snapper as “threatened,” despite government estimates the population is at less than 4 percent of its unfished level and has a 50 percent chance of rebuilding in the next 170 years. -more-
City officials are still trying to determine the cause of a fish kill two weeks ago that struck down approximately 50 fish at Aquatic Park. -more-
As Berkeley residents revel in their own eccentricities, annually asking each other “how Berkeley can you be,” the same question can be posed to neighbors in Livermore. A new documentary film about the weirdness over the hill premieres this weekend at the Film Arts Festival in Berkeley. -more-
Although the Cal men’s basketball team is two days away from kicking off its season, the big news on Wednesday was a group of players who won’t suit up in a Golden Bear uniform for at least another year. -more-
University of California President Richard Atkinson, who pushed for SAT reform and campus diversity in the post-affirmative action era, announced his retirement Wednesday and will step down Oct. 1, 2003 after eight years in office. -more-
Enforce the laws we have -more-
It’s one of the most vexing questions in town-gown politics: how much is the city spending on fire, sewer and other services provided to UC Berkeley? The city has decided to spend $50,000 to answer it. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
UNITED NATIONS — Saddam Hussein’s government agreed to a tough U.N. resolution on weapons inspections Wednesday, declaring it wants to save the Iraqi people from war. But the harsh tone of Iraq’s acceptance letter raised questions about how it would treat the arms inspectors. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Hospital workers at Stanford and Lucile Packard Children’s hospitals walked off the job Wednesday to protest the last offer in their contract negotiations. -more-
SACRAMENTO — California’s racial subgroups have been showing big improvements in math and reading, although black and Hispanic students continue to score below national standards, according to a report by the state Department of Education. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — A gate that got stuck days ago, when workers repaired a pipeline hole spewing millions of gallons of Hetch Hetchy reservoir water into the air, is reducing the water supply to the San Francisco Bay area. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — PG&E Corp. on Wednesday reported a 40 percent drop in its third-quarter profit, dragged down by the bankruptcy costs of its utility and deepening troubles at the company’s unregulated energy trading division. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — EMI Recorded Music announced Wednesday it has expanded its online music distribution program to offer more CD burning options and “permanent” song downloads that can be transported to some portable devices. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Days before the premiere of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” the film’s producer said it fears pirated copies are showing up on the Internet. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Many Iraqi-Americans fear that war is inevitable despite Saddam Hussein’s decision to allow U.N. weapons inspectors into the country. -more-
DENVER — State biologists are hoping to introduce 150 more Canada lynx to Colorado in an effort to get the endangered cats to reproduce. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court has dismissed a lawsuit from environmentalists challenging the federal government’s approval of the San Francisco Bay area’s plan to reduce vehicle emissions. -more-
In a lot of ways, it was just one more Berkeley peace march. Some 50 or so anti-war activists chanted “peace, not war” and carried their “No fighting” protest signs proudly through city streets Tuesday afternoon. -more-
Vanessa Williams and Amalia Jarvis can’t completely replace Desiree Guilliard-Young, but the Berkeley High seniors are doing their best to make up for the production of the former Yellowjacket star. -more-
They’re back, and the question now is how long will they stay. -more-
Now that most neighborhood concerns have been alleviated, a first-of-its-kind disabled center appears headed for city approval. -more-
Despite delays caused by contentious labor issues and the recent heavy rains, 20 stores are set to open next week at a new retail and residential mega-development which promises to be a cash cow for the city of Emeryville. -more-
CAIRO, Egypt — An Arab TV station broadcast an audiotape Tuesday of a voice that a U.S. official said sounded like Osama bin Laden’s. If confirmed, it would provide hard evidence that the al-Qaida leader was alive as recently as last month. -more-
Dogs rescued from Bay Area pounds are being trained by the California Highway Patrol to assist with homeland security. -more-
RICHMOND — Police are seeking the help of volunteers to protect the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge and the shoreline, home to the Chevron Richmond refinery and other oil storage facilities. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — An army of airport security screeners arrived at San Francisco International Airport Tuesday morning as part of a federally sponsored project to employ private contractors. -more-
Pacifica police, CHP respond to stinky traffic situation -more-
SAN DIEGO — A former coroner’s toxicologist was found guilty Tuesday in the death of her husband, who died two years ago of an overdose of the painkiller fentanyl. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court reinstated Gennifer Flowers’ defamation and conspiracy suit against Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former presidential aides George Stephanopoulos and James Carville. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Both sides in the West Coast ports dispute resume bargaining Wednesday wondering whether progress in their contract dispute is the new rule — or the exception that proves labor peace remains beyond the horizon. -more-
SACRAMENTO — The recent reworking of some of California’s long-term energy contracts has shaved nearly $5 billion from the more than 50 deals, but consumers won’t immediately see the savings on their own energy bills. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Three people were shot, including a 14-year-old boy, as a black stretch Hummer limousine stopped in a residential neighborhood to pick up a 40-year-old man for a birthday party, police said. -more-
NEW YORK — Miguel Tejada beat all those more famous American League shortstops to the Most Valuable Player award. -more-
LINDSAY — As Rob Hilarides drives his red Dodge truck along a dusty road to his 1,400-acre property, he pulls up to a sign that reads: “Future Home of Hilarides Dairy and Three Sisters Farmstead Cheese.” -more-
Berkeley may lower the boom on car stereo systems that some residents say have gotten out of hand. -more-
NEW YORK — Barry Bonds became baseball’s first five-time Most Valuable Player, winning the NL award unanimously Monday. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
Despite critics’ fears, the University of California’s “comprehensive review” admissions policy has not lowered academic standards or skirted a ban on the consideration of race in admissions, according to a new study. -more-
A week after voters narrowly defeated a $1.05 billion bond to seismically retrofit BART facilities, the transit agency is searching for new sources of funding. -more-
DENVER — The Oakland Raiders turned Monday Night Football’s anniversary celebration into a record-setting show for their old folks. -more-
Berkeley voters last Tuesday were in keeping with the statewide trend of avoiding election polls in record numbers. -more-
To the Editor: -more-
BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi lawmakers denounced a tough, new U.N. resolution on weapons inspections Monday as dishonest, provocative and worthy of rejection — despite the risk of war. But parliament said it ultimately will trust whatever President Saddam Hussein decides. -more-
The East Bay Regional Park District is seeking written proposals for livestock grazing on 2,860 acres at Black Diamond Regional Preserve in Antioch. -more-
OAKLAND — A 12-year-old girl missing since last week was found unharmed Monday morning in Oakland, police said. -more-
HAVANA — A rejected epilogue for Ernest Hemingway’s “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” a 1941 letter from Ingrid Bergman and more than 20 letters from the 19-year-old Italian contessa he was in love with are among thousands of the author’s documents Cuba is making available to outside scholars. -more-
LONG BEACH — A man believed to be the serial rapist who terrorized women in California and Washington state for more than eight years was arrested three days after police stopped him on an unrelated drug charge and performed DNA tests. -more-
LOS ANGELES — It was no trifle truffle. -more-
SUNSPOT, N.M. — Scientists say they have made the unprecedented discovery of solar flares erupting almost simultaneously on opposite sides of the sun. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The turnaround time for container ships at the West Coast’s largest ports has returned to normal but fewer container ships are showing up, scared away by a shutdown that resulted in a month of congestion and delays. -more-
SACRAMENTO — California has reached its first settlement with an energy producer it accused of overcharging the state last year, trimming $1.4 billion from a $4.3 billion long-term contract with an Oklahoma energy producer and reaping about $400 million more in refunds. -more-
DENVER — The haze over Colorado’s national parks dissipated throughout the 1990s thanks to cooperation among Western states and cleaner power plants and fuels, a federal study shows. -more-
ORTLAND, Ore. — What’s left of the wreck of the New Carissa could finally be removed from the Oregon coast if the state wins a lawsuit expected to go to jury this week. -more-
ISTANBUL, Turkey – Security guards on Israel’s national airline El Al overpowered a man who tried to hijack a flight from Tel Aviv to Istanbul on Sunday. -more-
t takes the average immigrant 15 years to earn an income comparable to the average non-immigrant, according to the Berkeley-based New America Foundation (NAF). Sylvia Rosales-Fike, executive director of the Berkeley nonprofit, is helping immigrants, what she calls “new Americans,” speed up that process. -more-
PASADENA — Former United Nations weapons inspector Scott Ritter says the U.N. resolution to disarm Iraq makes war inevitable. -more-
The Alameda County Commission of the Status of Women is asking county residents to submit nominations for the Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame. -more-
How does it feel to be a hero? Just ask Arthur Feinstein, a Bay Area resident of 22 years who was recently named one of 30 Clean Water Act heroes nationwide. The honor, which he shares with the likes of Senator Barbara Boxer and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., was bestowed upon him by the Clean Water Network in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. -more-