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Are you happy now that we’ll be in the dark? -more-

Tuesday, May 15

An aggressive public information campaign spurred by the recent hospitalization of a 19-year-old woman with bacterial meningitis seems to be working as hundreds of west Berkeley residents and scores of students attended clinics to be screened and treated. -more-

The U.S. Supreme Court dealt medical marijuana users a blow Monday with a unanimous decision that a medical necessity defense can not be used against federal marijuana charges. -more-

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With opening night nearing, things were a bit hectic at Willard Middle School’s Metal Shop Theater last week. -more-

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is ordinarily filled with the sounds of hymns and prayers, but lately the rafters have been ringing with the sounds of saws and jackhammers. -more-

SACRAMENTO — Blaming a plunging stock market and slipping economy, Gov. Gray Davis said Monday he will abandon almost $3.2 billion in new programs, tax cuts and spending increases he proposed in January. -more-

SACRAMENTO — Slowing growth in the state’s inmate population due to a new drug treatment initiative allowed Gov. Gray Davis to cut $54 million in Department of Corrections spending in the revised budget proposal he released Monday. -more-

LONG BEACH — California State University, the nation’s largest public university system, is considering a sweeping alcohol policy for its 23 campuses following the drinking-related death of a student. -more-

JERUSALEM — Israeli troops killed five Palestinian policemen in the West Bank and rocketed security targets in the Gaza Strip on Monday – part of an emerging strategy of taking the offensive against Palestinian security forces, rather than retaliating for specific attacks. -more-

NEW YORK — Anxiety over interest rates made for a quiet Monday on Wall Street, with investors reluctant to make any big moves on the eve of an important Federal Reserve meeting. Blue chips rose moderately, while technology stocks drifted lower, giving the Nasdaq composite its fourth straight decline. -more-

NEW YORK — If you have a decent memory, you will experience the sensation of reliving events, including such diverse public drives as conserving energy, saving for retirement and simplifying taxes. -more-

The newly renovated and seismically upgraded Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Building was dedicated Friday during a ceremony attended by 300 people and a slew of city and state dignitaries who praised the $37.7 million remodel. -more-

Monday, May 14

Comparison is ‘dishonest and disrespectful’ -more-

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels like an earthworm, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins, and become little “dump” workers. $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day) Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 647-1111 or www.habitot.org -more-

St. Mary’s girls win league meet in last race -more-

It’s a bit like meeting your disapproving future in-laws, a bit like third-degree interrogation, and a bit like the Miss Universe Pageant. -more-

The No. 7-ranked California Golden Bears (16-6), struggled early, yet managed to pull off a tough 4-1 victory over the No. 20-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (16-7), Sunday at the Hellman Tennis Courts. -more-

Faced with escalating operating costs — and little hope that the now cash-starved state government would come up with extra education dollars at the final hour — the Berkeley Unified School District board cut millions of dollars from its budget earlier this month. -more-

Women finish eighth at regional, headed to championship -more-

A Berkeley inventor has started a company to harness the power in ocean waves to provide renewable energy to coastal communities. -more-

PROVO, UTAH - In the final match of men's regional tennis action at BYU, No. 1 seed Cal defeated No. 2 seeded Fresno State, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon at the BYU Outdoor Tennis Courts. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Much-anticipated new drugs intended to stop cancer by cutting off its blood supply show only slight benefit in early testing on terminally ill patients, although experts say the medicines still may prove useful. -more-

SAN JOSE – A federal judge has dramatically expanded a racial profiling lawsuit against the California Highway Patrol. -more-

Property owners going from powerful to desperate in economic downturn -more-

SUNNYVALE – Advanced Micro Devices Inc. is introducing new chips in a move to catch up with rival Intel Corp. in the mobile computer market. -more-

Boy shot by cops could get $1 million -more-

Ten days after the bacterial meningitis death of 9-year-old Nambi Phelps, Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Poki Namkung held a press conference Friday to announce a second case of the contagious disease. -more-

Saturday, May 12

Berkeley needs to clean up -more-

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José-Luis Orozco, a long time Berkeley musician, is an expert in bilingual education through music and song. -more-

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – No. 25 Cal shot a 312 in the second round of the NCAA Central Regional Friday to drop from eighth to 10th place (621) with the final round of the 21-team tournament slated for Saturday. The Bears are only one stroke back of being one of eight teams to advance to the NCAA Championship, May 23-26, in Florida. -more-

The huge galaxy of volunteer committees that serve Berkeley public schools give parents a chance to bring professional expertise to bear on a baffling range of problems. -more-

The Cal women’s tennis team heads into the postseason today with two leaders: one senior and one freshman. -more-

It took Griffin Dix a year to get over the initial shock that his 15-year-old son Kenzo was shot and killed by a friend with a gun that the friend’s father left loaded and unlocked. -more-

EUGENE, Ore. - The No. 6 California Golden Bears scored three times in the top of the seventh to break a 4-4 tie to eventually defeat the Oregon Ducks, 7-4, at Howe Field on Friday afternoon. -more-

The John Woolley House stands forlornly between a weedy empty lot and a large parking lot. -more-

A Berkeley inventor has started a company to harness the power in ocean waves to provide renewable energy to coastal communities. -more-

SAN DIEGO — Hispanics and blacks are over-represented in traffic stops, but there isn’t enough evidence to conclude racism is the cause, the police chief said Friday. -more-

SACRAMENTO — California’s unemployment rate jumped slightly in April, but the number of people with jobs also increased, state officials said Friday. -more-

SACRAMENTO — Republicans from the state Legislature to the White House are standing back as California’s Democratic leaders, including Gov. Gray Davis, sweat out the power crisis. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Like prisoners before a judge, lawyers representing farmers, manufacturers and small businesses appealed for leniency Friday as California’s top power regulators mulled who will suffer most under the largest electricity rate hike in state history. -more-

SACRAMENTO — With a sagging economy and billions of state dollars flowing to buy power, Gov. Gray Davis is facing tough budget choices and possible cuts for the first time since he took office. -more-

IRVINE — Kia Motors America on Friday voluntarily recalled 9,461 Optima mid-sized sedans built this year because of problems with wire harnesses that might prevent air bags from working properly. -more-

ASTORIA, Ore. — Fingers moved frantically through 35 feet of nylon netting, seeking the wild spring chinook salmon trapped inside. -more-

PHOENIX — With the first significant number of wild-born pups expected this spring, scientists say a program aimed at restoring the Mexican gray wolf to its native Southwest is at a turning point. -more-

WASHINGTON — Over the past decade, the government paid a total of $4.1 million to cover future medical costs for patients who had already died, government inspectors said Friday. -more-

WASHINGTON — With the Nigerian president and the United Nations secretary-general at his side, President Bush on Friday pledged $200 million – and promised more money later – for fighting AIDS and other diseases ravaging Africa. -more-

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency settled a case Friday in a Detroit federal court requiring seven petroleum refineries to reduce smokestack pollutants by more than 23,000 tons per year. -more-

WASHINGTON — For an agency still reeling from the discovery of an alleged spy in its ranks, the last thing the FBI needed was the disclosure that it withheld evidence from lawyers representing the man convicted of the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history. -more-

Is a caterpillar a butterfly? Yes and no: Although a caterpillar has no wings, it is only a different life stage of the same animal. -more-

WASHINGTON — When computer users install the next generation of Microsoft’s Windows operating system this fall, they will get an Internet chat program automatically. Plus a new security program, a DVD player and software to make personal CDs. -more-

GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Three popular allergy medications are safe enough to be sold without prescription, a federal advisory panel ruled Friday in an unprecedented case that could save the health insurance industry billions of dollars but increase costs for many consumers. -more-

WASHINGTON — Timothy McVeigh’s countdown to execution was suddenly interrupted Friday, five days before he was to die, as Attorney General John Ashcroft ordered an investigation into the FBI’s bungling of records in the Oklahoma City bombing. -more-

WASHINGTON — President Bush criticized the House vote to withhold some overdue payments to the United Nations in a display of anger over the ouster of the United States from the U.N. Human Rights Commission. -more-

José-Luis Orozco, a long time Berkeley musician, is an expert in bilingual education through music and song. -more-

If Americans appear to be not fully sold on the idea of saving for their retirement, the explanation might lie in two very broad and different possibilities: -more-

SANTA BARBARA — A co-founder of EarthLink, one of the nation’s largest Internet service providers, could face claims of $600 million or more for alleged investment fraud that netted Internet moguls, Santa Barbara socialites, venture capitalists and Hollywood producers. -more-

NEW YORK — With the stock market appearing its firmest in months, investors looking for the best bets for profitability when the economy and corporate profits begin improving will find little consensus among analysts. -more-

Alameda gets 16 hits, rolls over Berkeley -more-

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By Lt. Governor Cruz M. Bustamante -more-

Thursday, May 10

The City Council approved a recommendation Tuesday asking the city manager to develop procedures for issuing permits and licenses to Medical Marijuana cooperatives. -more-

After nearly firing a pick-off attempt into left field and sustaining some heckling from the St. Mary’s bench, Piedmont catcher Drew Olson assured the Panthers that he wouldn’t throw the ball away. -more-

A loss all of us can feel -more-

About 100 Berkeley High School students turned out over the course of Wednesday morning to hear a panel of prosecutors and student representatives discuss the impact of Proposition 21. -more-

Eric and Erica Bachman’s three children seem to represent the indecision of their interfaith marriage. One child had a baptism. One had a bris. And for one child they held no ceremony at all. -more-

Answering an invitation from students, former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno delivered the keynote address at UC Berkeley’s 2001 Commencement Convocation Wednesday. -more-

BERKELEY — University of California regents appear ready to withdraw their much-protested, and moot, 1995 vote banning affirmative action. -more-

SAN JOSE — At least 53 people intentionally have killed themselves on Caltrain tracks since 1992, and another man died Tuesday night. Now, the commuter train system hopes to make life along the rails safer by installing more than 400 signs seeking to deter potential suicides. -more-

LOS ANGELES — Flush with a new appreciation for the beauty of Earth and weightless sleep, space tourist Dennis Tito arrived home Wednesday on a flight from Moscow, completing the last leg of his round trip to the international space station. -more-

SACRAMENTO — In the past five years, 28 California hospitals have closed and mounting financial pressure could cause many more to follow suit, according to a study released Wednesday. -more-

LOS ANGELES — The state Department of Education has filed a civil suit against a Hispanic immigrants rights group alleging that it failed to account for $7 million in federal funds intended for citizenship and English classes for immigrants. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — California Supreme Court justices peppered the makers of an assault pistol Wednesday, calling the weapon “socially useless” and demanding to know why the gun was fingerprint resistant. -more-

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LOS ANGELES — Prosecutors said Wednesday they will challenge an appeals court order delaying the trial of former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson until Sept. 4, but her attorneys argued they can’t proceed because they now face charges. -more-

DAVIS — Federal investigators have been called in to investigate a suspected hate crime directed at a Jewish organization near the University of California, Davis campus. -more-

WASHINGTON — President Bush’s high-priority legislation to improve public schools sailed through a House committee Wednesday as Republicans and Democrats alike backed a plan that includes annual testing for millions of elementary and junior high school students. -more-

BOSTON — A natural bone-building hormone appears to be the most effective treatment ever for osteoporosis, the brittle bone disease that afflicts millions of older Americans. -more-

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WASHINGTON — Federal employees who complain about discrimination or report fraud at their agencies routinely suffer reprisals and continued abuse from their supervisors, the NAACP’s president told lawmakers Wednesday. -more-

WASHINGTON — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman is preparing a series of civil rights initiatives for her agency, including mandatory two-day training for 1,600 supervisors and managers nationwide. -more-

WASHINGTON — The cellular phone: The newest terror on the highways, or a minor distraction that has saved lives? -more-

WASHINGTON — President Bush nominated 11 lawyers to federal appeals courts Wednesday, urging the Senate to “rise above the bitterness of the past” and rapidly confirm his diverse, mostly conservative first slate of judicial candidates. -more-

In a surprise reversal, Stephen Goldstone, interim superintendent of the Berkeley Unified School District, has withdrawn his name from consideration for the permanent position. -more-

Wednesday, May 9

Israel discriminates -more-

The Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra usually performs mainstream classics, the so-called “workhorses,” the core of the classical music tradition. -more-

The City Council accepted a federal grant for about $50,000 Tuesday that it will turn over to the nonprofit that runs the popular Youth Court in which juvenile offenders are tried by juvenile attorneys and sentenced by juvenile juries. -more-

A Berkeley City Council ordinance says 10 cannabis plants per patient is enough medicine, but some 200 protesters demonstrating outside a City Council meeting Tuesday said it’s not. -more-

Richard C. Atkinson, president of the University of California system has announced the creation of a lecture series to honor Clark Kerr, who served as UC president from 1958 to 1967. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Eight years after a mentally disturbed man killed eight people in a skyscraper massacre, the California Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday focusing on whether crime victims can sue a gun’s manufacturer. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court has upheld the U.S. Forest Service decision to bar natural gas exploration on the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — A disability rights group has sued California’s Education Department for failing to accommodate children with disabilities during the state’s newly implemented high school exit exam. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The rich are getting richer in California – but so too are the poor, and they’re getting there faster. -more-

LOS ANGELES — Mayoral candidates James Hahn and Antonio Villaraigosa met Tuesday in the first debate of their runoff campaign, arguing over who would be better at fighting crime and boosting morale in the understaffed Police Department. -more-

LOS ANGELES — A self-described advocate for nursing home reform sued a national nursing home chain Tuesday for allegedly providing substandard care at nine facilities in California. -more-

SACRAMENTO — California grid operators cut power to nearly 300,000 customers Tuesday, saying hot temperatures and scarce supplies left the state short of electricity for a second straight day. -more-

SACRAMENTO — Despite dodging Republican opposition to $13.4 billion in bonds for power buys, Democratic lawmakers have opened the potential for a referendum and delays in repaying the state treasury. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Secret power deals Gov. Gray Davis is making with power generators to buy electricity eventually could wind up costing customers more money, a newspaper reported Tuesday. -more-

LOS ANGELES — Songwriters Randy Newman, Tom Waits and members of the rock band Heart have filed a $40.5 million copyright infringement lawsuit against Internet music site MP3.com. -more-

LOS ANGELES — A state appeals court on Tuesday ordered another lengthy delay in the attempted-murder trial of former Symbionese Liberation Army fugitive Sara Jane Olson. -more-

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE — NASA successfully completed the fifth flight test of its unmanned X-40A on Tuesday, dropping the prototype reusable spacecraft from a helicopter in a 75-second fall to Earth. -more-

CHICAGO — A 15-year study of a Head Start-style preschool program for poor children bolsters the idea that early childhood education yields big benefits later in life, reducing crime and dropout rates. -more-

CHICAGO — Summer vacations are just around the corner, and once again soaring gasoline prices are driving some motorists around the bend. -more-

NEW ORLEANS — An explosive new study says some gay people can turn straight if they really want to. -more-

WASHINGTON — The Bush administration’s turn to nuclear power as a long-term energy strategy will necessitate a permanent nuclear waste dump, Vice President Dick Cheney said Tuesday. -more-

WASHINGTON — The Senate is considering an amendment that would give states enough money to hire 58,000 teachers next year and help schools reduce class sizes. -more-

SAN JOSE — In the latest sign of how the New Economy has faltered, Cisco Systems Inc. on Tuesday posted the first net loss in its history, though its third-quarter results beat analysts’ reduced expectations. -more-

DALLAS — The slumping personal computer business was hit by more bad news as Dell Computer Corp. executives announced another round of layoffs, this time cutting 3,000 to 4,000 jobs. -more-

Skittishness about future earnings sent financial issues lower Tuesday, while technology stocks advanced modestly in subdued trading. -more-

BEIJING — China on Tuesday protested the resumption of U.S. surveillance flights and said it would refuse to let the United States fly out a crippled Navy spy plane. The Bush administration responded by stepping up its drive to get the plane back. -more-

JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Ariel Sharon charged Tuesday that the Palestinians were knowingly endangering children in their struggle with Israel, as anguished Gazans laid to rest a 4-month-old Palestinian girl killed by Israeli fire. -more-

Just after 11 p.m. Saturday Berkeley police received a flurry of calls from witnesses saying they heard a man screaming and a dog howling outside their windows. -more-

OAKLAND — Supporters of the Oakland Cannabis Buyers’ Cooperative say a Supreme Court ruling against them was a blow, but not a fatal one. -more-

Californians living with higher rates, rolling blackouts; utilities struggling -more-

SAN JOSE— A San Jose middle school student is hospitalized after being diagnosed with what doctors say is probably meningococcal meningitis. -more-

Funeral services will be held Friday for Nandi Phelps, the 9 year old Oxford School student who was stricken by bacterial meningitis and died last week. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Millions of dollars in missing grant money, shoddy bookkeeping and poor management are at the center of an FBI investigation into San Francisco schools focusing on the mishandling of federal grants and bond funds. -more-