Man charged after body found in motor home freezer Oct 31, 2008
Schroeder said Eugene Butterfield will return to California to face the murder charge, but did not know if prosecutors would seek to extradite him before a trial in Las Vegas. . (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Judge considers dismissal in suicide over hoax Oct 31, 2008
A judge says California is "in gross violation" of court orders by taking too long to reform its juvenile prison system but is delaying appointment of a receiver to allow the new head of Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation time to speed up improvements. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jon Tigar said in a sharply worded ruling made public Thursday that many of the "deplorable" conditions that prompted a court settlement four years ago remain today in the Division of Juvenile Justice. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Schwab Cup Championship Oct 31, 2008
(10-30) 19:13 PDT -- The last time Tim Simpson played in a Champions Tour event in Northern California, at Pebble Beach in August 2007, he candidly reflected on his long journey back to competitive golf - overcoming Lyme disease, spinal fusion surgery, triple hernia surgery, four eye surgeries and life-changing brain surgery. Images. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Election drinking game: After the polls close Oct 31, 2008
Sure, results will start dripping in at 5 p.m. California time, when polls close on the East Coast, but that leaves you three full hours before the polls close here. And then another two or three hours until they all close - uh, unofficially - in San Francisco. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Goodall, Nishida win Leakey Prize Oct 31, 2008
" The Leakey Prize itself will be awarded to Goodall and Nishida at a sold-out gala at the California Academy of Sciences Saturday night. Humans and chimps: Exploring the links The Leakey Foundation will hold a two-day event exploring how the origins and nature of humans can be better understood through the study of their closest living relatives. The events A lecture by primatologists Jane Goodall and Toshisada Nishida When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Treat as adults, not just 'the youth vote' Oct 31, 2008
Although I live in Democratic California, and I am fully aware that I could "free-ride" the election, I recognize that by voting, I am becoming part of history ... And although it would be irrational of me to forget that I live in California, where I am one of millions voting for the senator from Illinois, I still cannot help but feel that being part of the group of young voters in this historic election is my right and duty ... After moving to California from India in 1998, my family was thrown... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Intense meteor shower could illuminate Bay Area skies early Jan. 4 Oct 31, 2008
A little-known meteor shower, caused by fragments from a comet that exploded more than 500 years ago, will soon flash across the predawn skies over California, a comet expert predicts. More News. (Yahoo News -- Meteors and Asteroids)
Organized gangs of thieves hit retailers hard Oct 31, 2008
Organized retail crime, which FBI officials estimate accounts for as much as $30 billion in losses a year nationwide, is on the rise and expected to increase in the holiday season and as the economy worsens, according to experts speaking Wednesday at the Northern California Organized Retail Crime Conference and Symposium in Newark ... "The ingenuity is amazing. If it were only being put to use for something legitimate," said Bill Dombrowski, president and chief executive officer of the... (San Francisco Chronicle)
Bay Area plans election celebration parties Oct 31, 2008
All eyes at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center in San Jose will be on Proposition 8, the measure that will ban same-sex marriage in California if it passes. "We hope to be dancing on the tables at some point to celebrate our liberation," said center staff member Gloria Nieto, who promised "a killer pot of popcorn - and it won't be microwaved.". (San Francisco Chronicle)
Prosecutor says feds take over Nev. abduction case Oct 30, 2008
The grandfather, 51-year-old Clemens Fred Tinnemeyer, and his companion, Terri Leavy, 42, remain in federal custody in California as material witnesses, authorities said ... Lori Haley, an ICE spokeswoman in California, said Lopez-Buelna could remain at the Clark County jail for up to 72 hours pending a deportation interview. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Judge reduces charges in attack on Hispanic man Oct 30, 2008
Prosecutors say 27-year-old Kelly of California City, 24-year-old Mullins of Garden Grove and 26-year-old Wilson of Hesperia yelled racial slurs during the beating. District attorney's office spokeswoman Susan Kang Schroeder says the trio targeted a Hispanic man because of his race and Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals shouldn't have reduced the charges. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
State defers to feds in Vegas child abduction case Oct 30, 2008
Tinnemeyer, 51, and a woman identified as Tinnemeyer's companion, Terri Leavy, 42, remained in federal custody in California as material witnesses, authorities said. Federal law allows material witnesses to be held for a "reasonable amount of time." Neither has been charged with a crime. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
State-by-state glance at the Electoral College map Oct 30, 2008
California (55 electoral votes), Connecticut (7), District of Columbia (3), Delaware (3), Hawaii (4), Illinois (21), Massachusetts (12), Maryland (10), New Jersey (15), New York (31), Oregon (7), Rhode Island (4), Vermont (3), Washington (11). Electoral votes: 186. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Racial overtones mar race for state superintendent Oct 30, 2008
She taught elementary school in Washington state, California and Guam in the late 1960s and early '70s, and in Head Start's Home Start program in Helena from 1974-1975. Juneau earned a master's degree from Harvard University, a law degree from the University of Montana, clerked for the Montana Supreme Court, taught high school students, worked in a law firm and now leads the Indian education department at the Office of Public Instruction. (Missoulian, MT)
Visitors time-travel at Ancient Plant Garden Oct 30, 2008
The neighborly California Academy of Sciences provided the hadrosaur footprints, and the inimitable Carol Tang, its director of visitor interpretive programs, was involved in the planning process. The designers take special pride in the garden's cycads, the stars of the Jurassic collection. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
Using kids in Prop. 8 ads Oct 30, 2008
I urge the people of California to reject the lies and shameful manipulation of the Yes on 8 campaign and vote a resounding "no" on Prop ... I can only hope that California voters reject this type of politics and the campaign's entire agenda come Nov. 4 ... We Californians should be ashamed that our public education system is ranked near the bottom of the 50 states. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Samhain: Pagan celebration honoring the dead Oct 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008. Word on the street's been pretty kind to witches in recent years, what with kids embracing the sorcery of the Harry Potter novels and Broadway glorifying blond Glinda and green Elphaba in the fluffy "Wicked," loosely based on the smart and rather dark novel by Gregory Maguire. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Firefighters gain ground in Malibu: Conditions help tame wind, fire Oct 30, 2008
The wind subsided Sunday to more typical 25-mph breezes, said California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman Daniel Berlant ... The Southern California blaze had some eerie connections with Northern California ... Fire crews from throughout California helped fight the blaze, including a 22-person team from stations in San Ramon Valley, Orinda, Moraga, Rodeo and Hercules. (Yahoo News -- Wildfires & Forest Fires)
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Visits Innovative Collaborative Classroom for Students with Special Needs Oct 29, 2008
Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today visited Mt. Diablo Unified School District's Northgate High School to observe students with special needs in a classroom taught in collaboration with Spectrum Center Schools, one of the state's leading providers of special education programs and services. Mt. Diablo is one of more than 100 public school districts in California that partner with Spectrum ... "Mt. Diablo is one of many California districts... (PR Newswire)
Faith-based effort to avert foreclosures Oct 29, 2008
Kevin Stein, associate director of the California Reinvestment Coalition, said the growing momentum behind the idea of streamlined loan modifications comes in tandem with the continued growth of foreclosures and their ripple effect ... Paul Leonard, director of the California office of the Center for Responsible Lending, said the involvement of the faith-based community is "natural and welcome.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Hate's last stand It's racism and homophobia, neck and neck, down to the... Oct 29, 2008
Let's not go so far as to suggest we're about to enter into some sort of fluffy utopian tofu puppy happyland where nipples fly free and consciousness expands and the fetid rivers of racism and homophobia that course through the American heartland like acidic sewage somehow magically vanish, somehow become dramatically curtailed, should the twin forces of progress known as President Obama and a vanquished California Proposition 8 somehow come to pass ... But they do know one thing: If California... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Newsom's high-tech city car sideswiped Oct 29, 2008
Wilson has gotten $319,000 from the California Chamber of Commerce and other business interests. The 15th is one of handful of seats that could change sides this year - it's now held by Republican Assemblyman Guy Houston - and the only one in the Bay Area. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Thelen LLP: Chronicle of a death foretold Oct 29, 2008
Californians appears to be somewhat more rational ... -- California Academy of Sciences ... -- J. David Gladstone Institutes, "the biomedical 'jewel' of San Francisco; and the California Institute for Quantitative Bioscience, "a leader in scientific research, (and) incubator of new companies based on that research. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
State Budget Deficit Estimate: $10 Billion Oct 29, 2008
California could face a $10 billion budget shortfall this year, far worse than the deficit projected only three weeks ago, officials from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office warned education leaders on Tuesday, according to several schools representatives ... In a special closed-door meeting between the governor and educators, Schwarzenegger warned that education funding could be cut by $2 billion to $4 billion to help bridge the looming budget deficit, Scott Plotkin, executive director of the... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
California Democrats push bills to fight spread of autism Oct 29, 2008
Capitol and California ... California Credit Union League ... Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, looks on as Assemblywoman Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, speaks about the eight-bill package on autism in California. (Yahoo News -- Autism)
Talk About Lactose Intolerance Oct 29, 2008
Seven fire engines responded to California Dairies Inc., where an explosion Monday blew a hole in the side of a powdered milk processing building and forced the evacuation of 200 employees. One employee suffered heat exhaustion while helping firefighters navigate the building. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Weird News)
Rocket fuel found in milk in California Oct 29, 2008
CLARIFICATION: This story's headline misstated the contaminant recently found in California's milk supply ... A toxic chemical in rocket fuel has been detected in California's milk supply, although environmentalists and toxicologists disagree over whether the levels are high enough to pose a health threat to infants and young children ... Tests by the California Department of Food and Agriculture found perchlorate, a rocket fuel component widely used by the defense industry, in 32 samples of... (Yahoo News -- Food Safety)
'Quest' probes Bay Area science classes Oct 29, 2008
Statewide, in a 2006 National Assessment of Educational Progress study, California ranked second to last - the worst besides Mississippi - in science test scores for fourth-graders ... While the study focused on elementary school students, "Quest" provides a broad look at science education in California ... One of the goals of the show, "Quest" series executive producer Sue Ellen McCann said, was to put science teaching in context with California history and with global economic trends. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
• East Minico teacher applies new special ed methods Oct 29, 2008
Roundy began studying neurolinguistics at the University of Southern California in a master's level course in the summer of 2007. When she returned to East Minico she began developing a curriculum for her students using the principals. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
Teens' abuse of cough medications soaring Oct 29, 2008
In the teenage subculture of DXM abuse, the most common drug of choice is Coricidin HBP Cough tablets, which was implicated in two-thirds of the 1,382 calls to the California Poison Control System reviewed in the study ... They've dubbed the hallucinatory experience "skittling'' or "robo-tripping" -- an allusion to another common cough medicine, Robitussin, that contains dextromethorphan. "Many teenagers already know about it, but their parents may not know about it,'' said Ilene Anderson, a... (Yahoo News -- Substance Use)
Pepperdine professor's advocacy for Proposition 8 stirs controversy Oct 29, 2008
"The controversy prompted Pepperdine to issue a press release emphasizing the university's neutrality on the initiative, as well as to publish a statement on its Web site and send out an e-mail to California alumni."We requested to have the Pepperdine name removed from the ad and the Yes on 8 Campaign accommodated the request for only a couple of days," Derloshon said. "When a second ad came out, a small, very small disclaimer was inserted along with the Pepperdine name that said title for... (Malibu Times, CA)
Polygraphs tested mettle of agents in biker case Oct 28, 2008
California polygraph examiners do not require any state certification, so Gelb wondered how much experience the Mongols' tester had ... The gang is based in Southern California, but federal and local agents arrested members is six states from the West Coast to the Midwest. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Fatal Stabbing Could Be Death Penalty Case Oct 28, 2008
Under California law, these include the slaying of a police officer or a witness, an unnecessarily torturous killing, or a killing that is done during the commission of certain violent felonies such as kidnapping or rape. Caldwell's family members believe she was kidnapped Saturday from her Oakland home, perhaps by someone other than Woods. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Chase Ends In Death Of Innocent Woman Oct 28, 2008
Two parked cars were damaged in the crash, said California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Yox. Connie Qualls, a yard supervisor at nearby Sheldon Elementary School on May Road, saw the wreckage. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Crime)
Gas prices in U.S. averaging $2.66 a gallon Oct 28, 2008
In California, the price of a gallon of gas dropped 8 cents over the weekend to an average of $3. 13 Monday, according to the AAA auto club, and in San Francisco the average price dropped 5 cents to $3. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Dems have chance for two-thirds Legislature majority Oct 28, 2008
State legislative seats switching hands between parties is extremely rare in California - it hasn't happened since the legislative district lines were redrawn in the beginning of the decade ... But even if Democrats succeed in winning nearly half a dozen hotly contested seats in the Bay Area and Southern California, they still won't be able to reach the coveted two-thirds majority ... "You can approach (GOP) lawmakers facing term limits ... and you can start the good ol' fashioned question: 'How... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Mormons Under Fire For Prop. 8 Support Oct 28, 2008
All of California's Catholic bishops have all come out in favor of the measure ... But California is a bellwether, said LDS spokesman Mike Otterson ... "If same-gender marriage is approved in California... other states will follow suit.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Guv Wants A Post-Election Budget Session Oct 28, 2008
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Baldwin Vista (Los Angeles County), said California is in dire financial straits and legislators cannot wait to take action. She said the governor and lawmakers will announce this week a new tax commission to take a look at revising the state's tax code. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Affable, emotional TV host turned viewers on to late-night talk Oct 28, 2008
Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. DTL Article:JACK PAAR / 1918-2004 / Affable, emotional TV host turn:/c/a/2004/01/28/MNGQ04JDB91. (Yahoo News -- Jack Parr)
Editiorial: For Natomas, Folsom Cordova Oct 28, 2008
California Credit Union League. UC Davis MBA. (Sacramento Bee -- Opinion)
Creationists defeated in Kansas school vote on science teaching Oct 28, 2008
Despite this latest setback proponents of intelligent design remain active across the US. In the last five years, anti-evolution legislation has been introduced in 24 state legislatures and similar policies were under consideration in at least 20 states, according to the National Centre for Science Education in California. Given the deep passions surrounding the teaching of evolution in Kansas, it is widely expected that proponents of intelligent design will not let up in their campaign over... (Yahoo News -- Church-State Issues)
In House, Dems expected to gain 20 to 30 seats Oct 28, 2008
The changing tide has flipped the calculus in several key races in California ... "We've said all along no Republican should take their seat for granted this year," said Karen Hanretty, the NRCC's communications director and a former spokeswoman for the California Republican Party ... California District 11: Freshman Democratic Rep. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Low oil prices take wind out of renewable fuels Oct 28, 2008
Most power plants in California, and most new plants nationwide, burn natural gas ... "They bounce crazily around. And Californians know this better than anyone - you don't want to be a victim of the next bad bounce." ... Estimates from the California Energy Commission show that wind power can cost a little less than electricity from a natural gas plant, 8 cents per kilowatt hour for wind versus 9 to 10 cents for gas. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Jerry Brown's wording may trip up Prop. 8 Oct 27, 2008
8 asks voters to affirm that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California" - a concept that voters overwhelmingly backed when they approved Proposition 22 in 2000. Voters still favor the traditional definition of marriage, 49 to 47 percent, according to the most recent Public Policy Institute of California poll ... And indeed, the Gold Sponsors list reads like a Who's Who of former Davis contributors, including lobbyist Darius Anderson, consultant Jason Kenny -... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Saint Laurent retrospective comes to de Young Oct 27, 2008
"I think this is the most important fashion exhibition San Francisco - and California - has ever had, and we deserve it.". Learning more about YSL. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Saunders: Stark challenger couldn't let him run unopposed Oct 27, 2008
The Gentleman from California doesn't behave like a gentleman. Chui told me that he has never run before for office, but decided to pay the $1,552 filing fee and throw his hat in the ring, because, "To be honest, just because nobody else was doing it, and I can't believe it." How can the Republican Party not put up an opponent. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Classic Italian food in close quarters at Scopa Oct 27, 2008
The 62 bottles give strong nods to Italian-style selections from California, with varietals such as Arneis, Sangiovese and Barbera; there's even a 2004 Negro Amaro from Chiarito in Mendocino ($40). However, the heart of the list is in Italy. (San Francisco Chronicle)
San Francisco Chronicle Best-Sellers Oct. 26 Oct 27, 2008
95): Two teenage sisters initiate a letter-writing campaign to help lift the spirits of a taunted Northern California girl. . (San Francisco Chronicle)
Lloyd Dean, Catholic Healthcare West Oct 26, 2008
Affiliations: Chairman of the board of trustees of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, chairman of the Bay Area Council's Healthcare Committee, co-architect of Healthy San Francisco, and member of other organizations including the California Commission of Jobs and Economic Growth. Personal: Married for 34 years to Suzanne; two grown children, Nathan, 32, and Nicole, 25. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Prop. 8 opponents take lead in money race Oct 26, 2008
A tsunami of new money has poured into the campaign to defeat Proposition 8, as Hollywood celebrities, deep-pocketed donors and thousands of people from across the country wrote checks to block the proposed ban on same-sex marriage in California ... The California Teachers Association added $1 million, bringing its total contribution to $1 ... Opponents, led by the California Democratic Party and public employee unions, have collected just under $1 million, with $2,697 in the bank and $269,000... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
A nation's issues seen through Nevada's eyes Oct 26, 2008
Now, as one of the fastest-growing states in the union, especially with an influx of new residents from neighboring California, views from the Battle Born State could be changing ... Both are life members of the National Rifle Association, and despite the fact that they came to Nevada from California 30 years apart, it appears they came for same reasons: fresh air, good weather and guns ... Brown spent 40 years on the other side of the state line in California's Nevada County before moving to... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Nevada voters play crucial role Oct 26, 2008
"What you are seeing is the second installment - California being the first - of the impact of the changing Latino vote, the empowering of a changing demographic," said Antonio Gonzalez, president of the William C. Velasquez Institute, a nonpartisan group concerned with public policy and Latino issues ... Though polls show Obama leading and volunteers from California are pouring into the overflowing campaign offices, Democrats like Xiomara Rodriquez said they still aren't celebrating, because in... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
McCain sows doubts on Obama in campaign end game Oct 26, 2008
"If Barack Obama were running to succeed a Democratic president with the numbers we've had, we'd see the McCain campaign in places like New York state and California.". To maneuver a win, McCain's strategists have keyed in on the tale of "Joe the plumber," which they say gave McCain a credible economic argument against Obama. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
Pair of quakes strike off northern Calif. Oct 26, 2008
A pair of minor-to-moderate offshore earthquakes have struck the northern California coast, but there are no reports of any damage or injury. More News. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Small Town, Big Options Oct 26, 2008
Today's visitors pass not only rows of artichokes, Brussels sprouts and other produce, but swaths of land scribbled with crayon hues in spring: blooms from local flower fields supply nurseries all over Northern California. Checking in: Of the three lodgings in town, only Pescadero Creek Inn offers more than one room for rent. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
Readers respond: How to save money Oct 26, 2008
Along with Alison Rood's story about how five California families are coping, readers weigh in today with their own suggestions in the readers tip boxes below and on Page F4. We're still interested in hearing any new ideas you may have for helping families get through the coming hard times intact, and we'll feature more readers' tips next Saturday. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Thumbs up, thumbs down Oct 25, 2008
Thumbs down to the state of California, which still hasn't distributed $800 million that was put on hold during the record- setting budget impasse that ended nearly a month ago. Although Valley school districts didn't report having to make any cuts as a result, it has been more difficult for Fresno County's Office of Education, which provides support to local schools and runs special education programs. (Fresno Bee)
Schwarzenegger visits state's Capitol Hill Dems Oct 25, 2008
(02-28) 04:00 PDT Washington -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, 3 1/2 years into his tenure in Sacramento, pressed anew Tuesday for California to get what he calls its fair share of federal money -- and found a warm reception from the state's newly empowered Democrats in Congress ... "We are eager to work with the governor under the leadership of the first Californian to be speaker," added Rep ... The governor also met with California's two Democratic senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein,... (Yahoo News -- Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Depressed astronauts might get computerized solace Oct 25, 2008
The new program is a compelling idea, and it's important step to improve quality of life in space, said Al Harrison, a psychologist at the University of California at Davis who has studied psychology in space flight and worked with NASA.. But Harrison added that because of the absolute need for privacy, it will be hard to determine how many astronauts actually use the program and whether it works. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
TECH CHRONICLES Oct 25, 2008
Apple Inc. is donating $100,000 to fight Proposition 8, which seeks to end same-sex marriage in California by amending the Constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman ... "Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees' same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person's fundamental rights - including the right to marry - should not be affected by their sexual orientation," the company said Friday in a statement on its... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Smith rides two winners at the Breeders' Cup Oct 25, 2008
She developed rapidly, winning both races in New York before heading to California. "The whole Breeders' Cup thing happened very fast," Brown said. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
GOP open seats boost Democrats House chances Oct 25, 2008
Another 13 in Alabama, California, Louisiana, Maryland, Ramstad's in Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Ohio and Wyoming are toss-ups that could go either way on Election Day. By contrast, just two of Democrats' six open seats are considered competitive, and only one of them, in Alabama, is considered a toss-up. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
VISTA: Dog works his charm in special ed classroom Oct 25, 2008
HotJobs Local Search. Fairfax, a 2-year-old Labrador/ golden retriever mix facility canine, takes a treat offered by students in Robin Hooper's class at Hannalei Elementary School in Vista. (North County Times)
SoCal animal hoarding suspect arrested Oct 25, 2008
A woman sought for allegedly hoarding scores of animals in squalid homes throughout Southern California was arrested after a bail bondsman tracked her to a cat-filled hotel room. More News. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Hawaii's Caffeine Coast Oct 25, 2008
Our last stop was at the smallest and newest farm on our list, , where friendly California transplants Al and Donna Woolley grow coffee on three acres shaded by monkeypod trees (and visited by wild turkeys). 2. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Travel)
