Top Daily Review Headlines

Slide show: Week 10 of high school football action

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 23:12:06 PST

Photo slide shows of local high school football teams on the gridiron

Slide show: Week 9 of high school football action

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 22:42:48 PST

Photo slide shows of local high school football teams on the gridiron

Ex-Oakland Raiders to play San Leandro Police in benefit basketball game Sunday

Bay Area News Group — Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:56:12 PST

A group of former Oakland Raiders will take on members of the San Leandro Police Department in a charity basketball game beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday at Chabot College.

Maldonado said to be top choice for lieutenant governor

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 06:58:57 PST

Democrats would love to have a shot at the Republicans' moderate Senate district to get closer to a two-thirds majority.

Caltrans to close Bay Bridge lane daily to check steel beam

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 06:58:11 PST

Caltrans will close westbound lane in middle of day, non-peak hours to inspect eyebar

NOW wants Raiders coach Tom Cable suspended

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 06:54:25 PST

Women's group calls for action as team investigates abuse allegations against coach

East Bay officials rush to keep up with demand for swine flu vaccine

Fri, 6 Nov 2009 06:53:35 PST

November 14th clinic in Antioch has been canceled

Roadshow: Building a new bridge across the bay would cost billions

By Gary Richards grichards@mercurynews.com — Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:27:15 PST

But a six-lane span from Hayward to the Peninsula would ease delays on the San Mateo Bridge and the Bay Bridge.

Carol Thornberry:

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 19:03:30 PST

ALL THE FOLKS who attended the Oct. 25 jam session put on by the District 9 California State Old Time Fiddlers Association had a lively foot-stomping, hand-clapping time.

Roadshow: Wolfe Road overpass failed long before its time

By Gary Richards grichards@mercurynews.com — Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:32:21 PST

Bridge meant to last 75 to 100 years is shut down after 28. Sunnyvale officials are trying to determine what went wrong.

Two fatalities in separate Hayward accidents

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:43:51 PST

A bus kills a bicyclist and a train kills a pedestrian.

Restaurant and club pitched for downtown Hayward

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 14:43:32 PST

The Planning Commission will hear a plan for a B Street night spot.

Roadshow: Gas prices are unseasonably high

By Gary Richards grichards@mercurynews.com — Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:34:39 PST

Gas prices usually fall this time of year, but so far that isn't happening. Analysts blame the weak U.S. dollar.

Crossing guard program makes a comeback in San Leandro

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 18:34:21 PST

Safety concerns raised by parents prompt the return of paid crosswalk assistants at 11 schools.

Bay Bridge reopens

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 11:28:32 PST

Caltrans reopens Bay Bridge Tuesday morning, but looks for another fix that may trigger another closure.

Best reader photos: Beautiful brown spider (open to interpretation), a cat's "morning after" and more

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 09:05:11 PST

With so many wonderful reader photos, we showcase some of the best. Upload your favorites.

Golden State's green future

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 07:35:32 PST

Where some see tax revenue and cannabis bliss, others see legal tangles and an excuse for abuse.

Marijuana laws spur small businesses in Oakland, elsewhere

Record your thoughts on marijuana legalization efforts in California

UCSF scientists track swine flu virus for tiny changes that would cause big problems

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:51:21 PST

Flu fighters study whether H1N1 is becoming a bigger threat. At their Mission Bay lab, they collect, analyze and store hundreds of viral specimens from California, Canada and Mexico. The goal is to detect and stop a super-killer epidemic.

Special section: Swine flu | More health

Man struck and killed by BART train at Union City station

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:49:48 PST

A 55 year old Fremont man was struck and killed by a BART train Sunday morning at the Union City station.

Crews clean up oil slick on Alameda and Bay Farm Island

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:46:40 PST

Ship Dubai Star moved from anchorage to San Francisco pier

Roadshow: Bay Bridge closing strains region's transportation system

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 06:32:00 PST

Calls for higher taxes are circulating to fix potholes and improve transit.

No parents at Richmond dance where girl raped

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 21:23:47 PST

While many schools get parent volunteers to help at school dances, Richmond High struggles perennially to engage its families. Three years ago, a principal even tried a doorbell campaign.

Family of Richmond rape victim speaks out for first time

3.7-magnitude quake rattles central California

The Associated Press — Sun, 1 Nov 2009 09:52:16 PST

SAN JOSE, Calif.—A mild earthquake has rattled parts of central California. The U.S. Geological Survey says a 3.

Tar balls spotted on Alameda shores, birds found covered in oil

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 09:15:04 PST

As many as 18 skimmers and 53,000 feet of boom have been deployed to contain the 400 to 800 gallons of oil spilled from an oil tanker during refueling operations two miles south of the Bay Bridge.

Give 'Em Hill: Bearable darkness, and, living it up with the dead

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 07:08:54 PST

Happy Day of the Dead and merry return to Pacific Standard Time.I find it fitting these events should coincide because I'm sure that, if polled, the dead would favor earlier evenings, hands down.

Fremont man ordered to pay more than $242,000 in housing discrimination case

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 07:08:06 PST

Brother says defendant wouldn't rent apartment to family because of safety concerns

Ice Age: East Bay sees an increase in outdoor skating rinks

Sun, 1 Nov 2009 07:06:45 PST

Ice skaters have a choice between four outdoor rinks this holiday season, in Brentwood, Dublin, Pleasanton and Walnut Creek.

Roadshow: On right turns and bike lanes

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:44:11 PDT

For the safety of bicyclists, you should first merge into the bicycle lane before making a right turn.

Bay Area could lose congressional seat

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:06:06 PDT

Rep. Jerry McNerney's district may be on the chopping block. Plus, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi leads in independent poll and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger displays prowess in word search puzzles.

Hearings set on proposed bridge toll hike

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:14:31 PDT

Drivers may pay $5 per car beginning next summer on seven Bay Area spans.

Carjack suspect arrested after high-speed chase across closed Bay Bridge

Bay City News Service — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 08:47:22 PDT

A carjacking suspect led authorities on a pursuit at speeds of over 100 mph across the closed Bay Bridge Friday night, a California Highway Patrol officer said.

One more held, one cleared in rape of Richmond teen girl

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:45:40 PDT

As police interrogated a sixth person arrested on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old Richmond High School student outside a homecoming dance, prosecutors declined Friday to file criminal charges against a 21-year-old man previously arrested.

Brown under fire for 'gift' to Mercury Insurance

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:34:00 PDT

Attorney General Jerry Brown is facing accusations that he cleared the way for a ballot measure summary that was favorable to an insurance company that has contributed to his campaign coffers.

Southwest to mom: No regrets, but sorry, here's refund

Mercury News — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:32:39 PDT

Southwest Airlines has given a $300 travel voucher to the San Jose mom who was booted off a flight from Texas because her 2-year-old Adam was unruly.

Obama lifts HIV travel ban

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:25:50 PDT

President says ban was "rooted in fear rather than fact"

Dictionary days at Hayward schools

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:00:27 PDT

Rotary effort gives every third-grader a word book

Old theater returns as a downtown movie house

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:30:25 PDT

Dan Dillman brings San Leandro's Bal Theatre back to life

Name suggestions sought for San Leandro school

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:18:36 PDT

A $38 million facility for ninth-graders is set to open in fall 2010.

Tanker spills oil into San Francisco Bay

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:18:32 PDT

Mishap sends slick into Bay, reminiscent of '07 Mechanical failure during fuel transfer causes two-mile slick; response time worries environmentalists

Preliminary hearing begins for downtown Hayward rape suspect

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:18:17 PDT

Six victims to testify against Damon D. Williams

No money for adult-oriented programs, Hayward district says

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 19:18:07 PDT

Hedco and other programs would cost $900,000 annually, officials say.

Sixth arrest in connection to Richmond gang rape

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:42:41 PDT

Richmond police arrested a sixth suspect Thursday evening in connection to a gang rape of a 15-year-old Richmond High School student outside of her homecoming dance Saturday.

Tickets still available for Hasanni Campbell fundraiser

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:36:28 PDT

To keep his name in the news and raise money for search efforts, organizers are planning a fundraising dinner from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Garre Vineyard and Winery, 7986 Tesla Road in Livermore.

New California law clamps down on pimps trafficking children

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:21:15 PDT

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley and state Sen. Sandré Swanson celebrated a legislative and prosecutorial victory Thursday in an ongoing effort to combat what they described as a proliferating crime of human trafficking in children.

Book 'em, Kamala -- S.F. District Attorney Harris adds author to list of credits

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:04:21 PDT

'Smart on Crime' sums up her strategies for making us safer

Police arrest second teen in connection with gang rape on 15-year-old girl

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:03:24 PDT

Richmond police release details of 'horrific' assault on 15-year-old outside high school dance

Richmond High gang rape, lack of action from onlookers outrages community

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:02:05 PDT

Police expect to make more arrests in assault outside school's homecoming dance.

Call us: Phone 510-495-1442 to comment

Four charged in Richmond High rape case

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:01:06 PDT

Three minors -- ages 15, 16 and 17 -- are each charged with felony rape with a foreign object. The charges all carry an enhancement that they acted in concert, which could make them eligible for life in prison if convicted, deputy district attorney Dara Cashman said

Reminder: Vasco Road closed through weekend for construction

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:53:56 PDT

A portion of Vasco Road, the popular commute route between Contra Costa and Alameda counties will be closed to traffic for the entire weekend for road construction.

Quake risk topples region's safety rating

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:10:57 PDT

Forbes ranks San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area in the midrange among 40 metro areas.

'White pages' wasteful, state senator says

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:04:33 PDT

Yee's bill would limit deliveries of residential phone directories.

San Jose mom and cranky 2-year-old kicked off Southwest flight

By Lisa Fernandez lfernandez@mercurynews.com — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:46:05 PDT

With her luggage heading back home without her, Pamela Root was stuck in Amarillo, Texas, and forced to buy a portable crib and diapers and stay another night with her parents. Still fuming, she wants Southwest to apologize and compensate her for the flight and things she bought. Southwest is investigating.

Bay Area police increase patrols for DUI enforcement during Halloween weekend

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:54:03 PDT

AAA of Northern California offering free tow service for intoxicated drivers

Carol Thornberry: The magic of a lot of music boxes

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:35:01 PDT

AMONG THE JOYFUL sounds of childhood, most of us remember the magic of a music box. Celia Ator traced the history of such magical and memorable treasures when she recently entertained the Estudillo Chapter No.

San Lorenzo rejects crematory plan

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:34:53 PDT

Discovery of an obscure section of the county code helps nix the project at the last minute.

Crews make progress on Bay Bridge repair

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 17:06:53 PDT

Caltrans still has no estimated time for reopening the Bay Bridge, but calmers winds have enabled crews to make progress on repairs.

Call us: Record your thoughts on the Bay Bridge closure

Slide show | Chat transcripts

Live video | Traffic report

High-tech leaders back Barbara Boxer for re-election

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:15:11 PDT

The endorsements from Silicon Valley executives come as former high-tech chief and Republican Carly Fiorina is expected to announce her bid to take Boxer's seat.

Barnidge: Get ready for the darkness -- daylight saving time is ending

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:55:13 PDT

It's believed that Benjamin Franklin was the first to conceive of daylight saving time. One day when he wasn't otherwise occupied flying kites or inventing bifocals, he penned an essay, "An Economical Project," that addressed the energy savings to be had from extending daylight into the evening

First step taken to put government reform in hands of citizens

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:51:56 PDT

Backers of constitutional convention submit ballot language to attorney general

Five Bay Area people rescued after sailboat capsizes during race to Mexico

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:50:43 PDT

A helicopter crew from U.S. Coast Guard Air Station San Diego rescued five Bay Area sailors after their sailboat capsized 197 miles southwest of San Diego this morning.

Burning home fires will be a crime on bad-air nights in Bay Area

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:47:55 PDT

Bay Area Air Quality Management District to fine home fire burners $400 during Spare the Air alerts

California marijuana legalization debate at Capitol

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:46:16 PDT

Marijuana legalization advocates and law enforcement officials duked it out in a three-hour legislative hearing Wednesday on whether making the drug legal under state law would be good public policy.

Poll: Should marijuana be legalized, regulated and taxed?

South Hayward BART station closed after explosion killed power

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:48:53 PDT

Power restored to surrounding neighborhoods in Union City and Hayward

El Cerrito man sentenced in slaying of San Leandro resident in 2008

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:16:09 PDT

Victim was riding in vehicle on Highway 101 in Mill Valley when shooting occurred

Sweeping cuts imposed on more than half of California state parks

By Paul Rogers progers@mercurynews.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:44:25 PDT

Closed campgrounds, cancelled school field trips, reduced hours announced Tuesday as a budget cutting measure instead of full closures as Gov. Schwarzenegger had considered earlier

Alameda County declares local emergency, seeks funds to stop spread of H1N1

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:52:24 PDT

Three days after the federal government declared a national emergency due to swine flu, Alameda County supervisors declared a local emergency regarding the virus.

Suspect held in groping of Castro Valley teenager

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:34:30 PDT

A girl eluded a man's grasp, then ran to her high school for help, authorities say.

Roadshow: Why Fremont police are watching the freeway

By Gary Richards grichards@mercurynews.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:33:59 PDT

It's not to catch speeders, but to look for crooks fleeing town.

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital receives gift of up to $100 million

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:45:34 PDT

The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital will receive a gift of up to $100 million toward its major expansion project from the foundation of the donor who gave the hospital its name, the hospital has announced.

'Possessive' ex-fiance sought in stabbing

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:50:22 PDT

San Leandro police continue search for Richmond man. Lee Earnest Walker is described as a black male, 6 feet 3 inches tall, 260 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt and pants.

Residents cry 'scam' over San Lorenzo's flood-insurance claims after FEMA mapping

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:46:20 PDT

Flood insurance will cost homeowners up to $1,500 a year.

Democrats go back to the (oil) well for taxes

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:42:28 PDT

A pair of bills would tap into profits of oil companies to help relieve pressure for more program cuts.

Delta plan unveiled

Barnidge: There's a reason for legislators' low approval ratings

Temper could cost Pete Stark a chance at one of the most prestigious seats in Congress

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:39:11 PDT

WASHINGTON — Fortney "Pete" Stark is sitting in a gilded meeting room in the House of Representatives. It is home to the powerful Ways and Means Committee that the California Democrat might never chair, precisely because of the sort of verbal exchange he is attempting to explain at the

California water bill emerges for public consumption

By Denis C. Theriault dtheriault@mercurynews.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:33:49 PDT

Lawmakers held their first hearing on a sweeping new water bill introduced last week, with many expressing support for a proposal many deemed promising but imperfect.

DOE funds Bay Area energy research

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:14:37 PDT

A $15.1 million package to five firms will help further technologies in fields such as energy efficiency.

California's first lady caught parking illegally

Associated Press — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:13:39 PDT

First lady Maria Shriver appears to need a refresher on California traffic laws, based on a video posted today that shows her parking in a red zone.

High-speed chase from Castro Valley to Oakland ends in crash

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:10:37 PDT

A 33-year-old man suspected of leading an Alameda County sheriff's deputy on a high-speed chase Monday from Castro Valley to Oakland was in extremely critical condition after the vehicle crashed into a bushy slope, authorities said.

High winds expected until Wednesday

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:09:51 PDT

The National Weather Service has issued gale force and high wind warnings throughout the Bay Area through Wednesday night.Winds are expected to reach anywhere from 30 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph in the hill areas above 100 feet.

Salwan: Dangers in our backyard

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:09:06 PDT

FOR MANY PEOPLE, the sight of deer in their backyard on a brisk autumn morning is a wonderful start to the day. But, as we continue to encroach into formerly wild areas, are we putting ourselves and our pets at risk?

State buys vehicles, then lets them sit idle

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:59:30 PDT

Purchases were made while lawmakers were slashing the budget