In its last meeting of the year, the City Council will consider a request by Easy Does It Emergency Services Programs to increase its annual contract by $50,000. -more-
In conceding defeat, Al Gore made a gracious and humorous speech. But it was what he didn’t say that pinpointed the limitations of his leadership and the frustration of his followers. -more-
The homeless mentally ill are often the most critically in need of basic services such as housing and medical treatment. But, in what social workers call a cruel twist, they are also the hardest to reach. -more-
It’s 12:51 a.m. Thursday morning, Dec. 14 and I’m angry and I can’t sleep. My stomach roils when I imagine that on Jan. 20, I will be the citizen of a country whose president is George W. Bush. Oh my God! Oh my God! -more-
Run-off elections are costly, voters stay away from the polls in droves, and they don’t serve third-party candidates well. -more-
Carolyn Haydu, a recent graduate from UC Berkeley’s art program, shows off a section of her art piece that will be embedded in the sidewalk in front of the new Berkeley Repertory Theater on Addison Street. The final project will be approximately 84 square feet and will give pedestrians the sensation of walking on air, she said. Haydu who plans to attend graduate school after she completes the project said: “This almost like a graduate project but in the real world.” -more-
Aimee Fisher got pregnant her senior year of high school, and the Christian day care she worked for fired her when she wouldn’t marry her baby’s father. -more-
A sociologist from the University of Berkeley at California has been named a recipient of the National Humanities Medal, to be awarded by President Bill Clinton in the nation's capital later this month. Robert Bellah joins the heady company of novelists Toni Morrison and Barbara Kingsolver, along with musician and composer Quincy Jones, in this year'’ list of 12 honorees, according to a UC Berkeley spokeswoman. -more-
U.S. Rep Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, has announced that more than $1 million in federal funding has been earmarked for three East Bay community projects. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Tsunamis generated by underwater landslides pose a serious threat to coastal communities in California and elsewhere, say researchers who are trying to determine where submarine slips are most likely occur. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Randolph Apperson Hearst, the last surviving son of newspaper billionaire William Randolph Hearst, died Monday at a New York hospital following a massive stroke. He was 85. -more-
California could keep about $350 million in federal funds to subsidize low-cost health insurance for children, under a bill approved by Congress. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Sara Jane Olson’s lead attorney was ordered Monday to appear in court and explain why he should not be taken off the Symbionese Liberation Army attempted-bombing case for failing to prepare for trial. -more-
LOS ANGELES — An arsonist torched a car during a hot, dry Southern California windstorm, sparking a fire perilously close to dozens of homes, and a 480-acre wildfire in a condor refuge burned untamed Monday, although the birds weren’t in danger. -more-
DANA POINT — Sworn to serve and protect, Sheriff’s Deputy Russ Chilton never figured that pledge would extend to mussels, crabs and starfish. -more-
Happy holidays. Just not for everyone. -more-
NEW YORK — Optimism that interest rates might soon be lowered sent blue chip stocks soaring Monday, while earnings worries again dogged the tech sector. -more-
With unwavering support Monday from the electors who had pledged to vote for him, George W. Bush secured the Electoral College majority needed to become the 43rd president. -more-
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military said Monday it won’t revive negotiations for the release of an Oakland man being held hostage and instead plans to fight his captors until they “surrender or are wiped out.” -more-
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Scientists at Texas A&M University unveiled a disease-resistant black Angus bull Monday, a feat they said could lead to safer beef and more efficient ranching worldwide. -more-
I heard local schools were looking for substitute teachers, so I registered to take the California Basic Educational Skills Test. -more-
Concerns about electromagnetic radiation prompted directors of the Jewish Community Center on Walnut Street to temporarily withdraw its application for rooftop wireless communications antennae. -more-
The University of California baseball team has signed seven athletes to national letters of intent, including four players who are listed on TeamOneBaseball.com Top-100 High School Prospects List -more-
Every school day at 11:24 a.m., a line of students streams out of Berkeley High School toward downtown Berkeley food vendors. -more-
Alameda County Supervisors are today interviewing five people who want to fill the District 3 seat left vacant by Wilma Chan's election to the California Assembly. -more-
Gasoline prices during the past two weeks fell more than 51/2 cents on average, according to an industry survey released Sunday. -more-
BERKELEY — University of California officials played down a report that they have developed preliminary proposals for major changes in admissions, including eliminating the SAT requirement. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The rock and dust kicked up by an asteroid impact 65 million years ago was not enough to kill the dinosaurs, according to researchers – but the debris may have sparked a deadly global chemical reaction in the atmosphere. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Bell should not be allowed to sell long distance service in California until it sorts through a tangle of service issues, a report to the state’s Public Utilities Commission concludes. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The six companies that bought power plants in California when the state deregulated its utilities have seen profits rise dramatically this year, according to the companies’ third-quarter statements. -more-
A government hearing into an Alaska Airlines crash that killed all 88 people aboard ended Saturday night with investigators questioning the safety of a critical part used in the popular MD-80 and DC-9 series of jetliners. -more-
SANTEE — Council members in Santee and Oceanside are the only city officials in San Diego County who receive free home Internet access – a perk that has some people concerned. -more-
LOS ANGELES — When she was arrested a year and a half ago, Sara Jane Olson was still legally known as Kathleen Soliah, a fugitive who had eluded authorities for 25 years. Much has changed since then, including her name. -more-
At 32, Brendon Mills was already a millionaire veteran of two start-up technology companies when he left Silicon Valley and holed up last year in a rented office in Austin, Texas, equipped with a computer and a supply of caffeinated soda. -more-
Students serve up annual meal -more-
By Jared Green -more-
The Zoning Adjustments Board approved on Thursday the controversial Final Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Beth El synagogue and school at 1301 Oxford St. -more-
When businesses on University Avenue have a problem, they turn to Dave Fogarty. -more-
There was Election 2000 fall out Berkeley style at the Thursday night Zoning Adjustments Board meeting, when a new ZAB commissioner tried to claim his seat. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The Arctic ozone layer will not bounce back as quickly as expected from damage caused by ozone-depleting chemicals despite recent cutbacks in their use, scientists said Friday. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The $5.5 billion Iridium global telephone system couldn’t attract enough customers to keep the company out of bankruptcy court, but its network of 66-plus satellites is paying off for scientists. -more-
SAN JOSE — Lifescan Inc., a leading maker of diabetes monitors, pleaded guilty Friday to federal charges and was ordered to pay $60 million in fines, ending a three-year government investigation of a defective blood-glucose meter. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Scientists are planning an ambitious mission to a new and barely explored world that isn’t far from the old one: the oceans. -more-
SAN DIEGO — A major earthquake would cause only minor damage to the massive concrete and steel columns that will support a portion of the new eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, a seismic test showed Friday. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Most Californians favor paying higher taxes to help everyone have affordable health care, according to a poll released Thursday. -more-
Federal regulators ordered an overhaul of California’s electricity market Friday to try to control skyrocketing prices that have pushed the state to the brink of blackouts this month. -more-
SANTA ANA — A 40-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison Friday for murdering two children and injuring four others and a teacher’s aide by intentionally driving his car onto a preschool playground last year. -more-
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — When an extortionist’s bomb ripped through Harveys Resort & Casino in 1980, the company found opportunity in the tragedy and rebuilt Tahoe’s first high-rise to match the glitter of its newer neighbors on the south shore. -more-
CORTE MADERA — A pair of mischievous middle-aged men has been stalking through shopping mall parking lots - the habitat of the mighty sports utility vehicle – doing a little civil disobedience in hopes that their prey will become extinct. -more-
WASHINGTON — Nearly 500 current and retired FBI agents marched to the White House Friday in an unprecedented protest, opposing any presidential clemency for an American Indian activist convicted of killing two FBI men. -more-
BRADENTON, Fla.— A Palestinian was ordered released from jail Friday after being locked up for three years on secret government evidence without ever being charged with a crime. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Online toy retailer eToys says it will cut its workforce and may run out of operating cash by the end of March because of weak holiday sales. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Shockwave.com says it will acquire Internet short film distributor AtomFilms to form a new company in an attempt to dominate the struggling Internet entertainment field. -more-
NEW YORK — Investors who thought the resolution of the presidential election would set off a rally on Wall Street found themselves instead in the midst of a huge selloff. -more-
After an 12-day break for finals, California (3-5) visits San Diego State (3-5), Friday, Dec. 22, for a 7 p.m. contest. The Aztecs lead the series, 3-1, including a win in the last meeting in 1995-96 (82-70). The SDSU game marks the return home of Cal's Becky Staubes and Janet Franey. -more-
A toxicologist has determined that groundwater contaminated with chromium 6, which caused the city to halt construction work on the Harrison Street skate park, poses a minimal health risk. -more-
The lawyer for a Berkeley teenager who was charged with battery on a police officer and resisting arrest in connection with a June 2 traffic stop that allegedly escalated into violence said after a court hearing Wednesday he had worked out a deal with prosecutors to have the charges dismissed if his client maintains a clean record for the next year. -more-
Susan Brooks smiles when she talks about her move to Berkeley nearly 30 years ago from her native New York. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Despite hefty increases in child-care funding as part of welfare reform, a new study says the supply of centers and preschools is faltering – particularly in poor, Hispanic neighborhoods. -more-
WASHINGTON — Victory secured, President-elect Bush invited a Democratic senator to Texas for a job interview and tinkered Thursday with the final components of his White House and national security teams. -more-
ENCINITAS — Every year around the holidays, there’s one question Paul Ecke III gets a lot: How exactly do you pronounce “poinsettia”? -more-
Q: I recently replaced the old galvanized storage tank from my well pumping system with one that has an air bag to separate the water from the air. Since then, whenever I turn on the water faucet, air spurts out of the spout along with the water. Do you know what’s wrong? -more-
BERKELEY— Deann Borshay Liem lived an all-American life. Family trips to Disneyland. Class president. Cheerleader. Homecoming queen. -more-
NEW YORK — Twenty years after the broadcast of “Cosmos,” Carl Sagan’s love letter to the universe, Ann Druyan remembers it all. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Customer service employees at etown.com have become the first dot-com workers to file for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Computer software giant Oracle Corp. reported Thursday a 62 percent surge in its quarterly profit, defying a recent trend of earnings letdowns that have ravaged technology stocks. -more-
By George Thomas -more-
In the 1960s and ’70s Berkeley leaders in the civil rights movement for people with disabilities fought for accessibility to public spaces and the opportunity to live independently. And in Berkeley today, new leaders are still struggling for the rights of people with disabilities. Last week one of these, Tamar Michai Freeman received the Paul G. Hearne award for leaders in the movement for disability rights. -more-
Schools superintendent Jack McLaughlin told the school board in closed session Wednesday that he accepted a post as Nevada’s state superintendent of public instruction. -more-
The City Council got an earful Tuesday from residents concerned about potential health risks from radiation-emitting satellite antennae that support cell-phone use, that are increasingly being located in residential neighborhoods. -more-
Some 8,000 people have died of smoking-related heart disease in California as a result of the state’s weakened anti-smoking campaign, a study found Wednesday. -more-
LOS ANGELES — A hacker infiltrated an Internet company’s database of credit card numbers and posted them online in a failed extortion attempt. -more-
NEW YORK — Yet another round of profit warnings brought high-tech stocks sharply lower and quashed a blue chip advance Wednesday. The prospect of another disappointing quarter outweighed investors’ short-lived relief over an apparent end to the presidential election deadlock. -more-
Come Friday, school’s out. For two weeks, instead of memorizing the names of dinosaurs and the life-cycle of a butterfly, students will be set free. But not parents who may be hard-pressed to find child care. -more-
Rights guarantees don’t come from the Constitution -more-
The family hearth, a traditional winter gathering place for warmth and good cheer, has been deemed a public health threat and the City Council will soon consider measures to curtail its use. -more-
While hospital workers gear up for their Thursday walk-out – the fourth since the spring – the Alta Bates/Summit Medical Center administration staffs up to replace the hundreds of employees expected to go on strike. -more-
SAN JOSE — City officials agreed Tuesday to contribute nearly $3 million of tobacco settlement money over the next three years to a new and unprecedented county plan aimed at providing health coverage for all uninsured children. -more-
EMERYVILLE— Internet company Ask Jeeves Inc. on Tuesday said it will cut 25 percent of its workforce and take a fourth quarter charge of $10 million to $12 million for a restructuring that follows a recent earnings warning. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Strains on the state’s power grid prompted more calls for energy conservation Tuesday, just hours after a Stage Two alert ended. -more-
With over 100 new vendors and live musical entertainment, the 17th annual Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair hits the street this weekend. -more-
In response to recent published reports, a University of California provost has denied that California's flagship system for higher education is considering scrapping the Scholastic Aptitude Test. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Two ancient Egyptian cities that mysteriously sank into the Mediterranean about 1,500 years ago could have fallen victim to floods or a major earthquake — or a combination of both, researchers said Sunday. -more-
SAN JOSE — A bizarre mystery unfolded Friday out of a usually routine corporate flight: Why did a Hewlett-Packard employee jump or fall from a small company plane at 2,000 feet, despite an attempt by another passenger to restrain her? -more-
LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors in the case of former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson accused her and her attorneys Thursday of stalling to avoid trial and said the lawyers should be removed for failing to adequately prepare. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Energy Secretary Bill Richardson ordered Northwest generators to sell electricity to power-strapped California utilities Wednesday, a move that appeared to avert the immediate threat of rolling blackouts. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — The state sued 18 school districts Tuesday in a bid to force them to fix allegedly shoddy classrooms, issue textbooks and hire credentialed teachers as required under state law. -more-
