High school principal may be out the door
Berkeley High School held its breath Tuesday over the prospect of losing its latest principal – after only 13 months on the job. -more-
Berkeley High School held its breath Tuesday over the prospect of losing its latest principal – after only 13 months on the job. -more-
By Walter Geist -more-
Neighbors of a proposed fire station in the north Berkeley hills are charging that the city is inappropriately using money earmarked to build the station for a multi-jurisdictional wildfire “command center.” -more-
Friday, the Arts Access Network held a preview exhibition of a festival set for next year that will present work by disabled artists as well as offer opportunities for the disabled to be creative. -more-
A City Council super-majority refused to hear a motion Tuesday that would have placed the city on record, asking their representatives in Congress to “cease the bombing of Afghanistan (and) seek a legal, nonmilitary resolution” to the conflict there. It also called for the council meeting to be “closed in memory of the innocent civilians in Afghanistan being harmed and made refugees due to the bombing.” -more-
As more than 400 anti-war protesters faced off with a smaller group of war-supporters on UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza Monday, the professors and students who study peace and conflict at the university were divided about which group to join. -more-
SACRAMENTO — A teacher who burned a flag in front of his sixth-graders and referred to the nation as “United Snakes” in what he called an example of “revolutionary teaching” could lose his job. -more-
The Associated Press -more-
OAKLAND – The political tug-of-war over the size of a juvenile detention facility in Alameda County shifted Tuesday once again in favor of those who advocate the construction of a larger facility in Dublin. -more-
SAN DIEGO — A school board president who sent an e-mail suggesting two colleagues be shot for prolonging meetings with debate stepped down from the presidency but rejected demands that she resign from the board. -more-
With prayers and flickering candles, to the sound of bagpipes and police sirens and patriotic hymns, Americans by the millions will break from their routines Thursday to mark the passage of one month since the Sept. 11 terror attacks. -more-
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Embarrassed by anti-U.S. protests, Yasser Arafat’s government took two unprecedented steps Tuesday: it closed Gaza City’s universities to silence Islamic militants and barred foreign reporters from the Gaza Strip to prevent coverage of the events. -more-
WASHINGTON — The United States hit Afghanistan with a third day of airstrikes, crushing Taliban air defenses, radars and airports to the extent that American warplanes can fly virtually unchallenged night and day, the Pentagon said Tuesday. “The skies are now free,” President Bush said. -more-
STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Three U.S.-based scientists shared the 2001 Nobel Prize in physics on Tuesday for creating a new state of matter: an ultra-cold gas that could aid in developing smaller and faster electronics. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — California’s largest utility is finding that the state Public Utilities Commission remains among the tallest of obstacles standing between it and a speedy resolution of its bankruptcy woes. -more-
WASHINGTON — A 2001 Pontiac Aztek got four of five stars in the government’s rating of rollover risk, the best score given yet to a sport utility vehicle. -more-
HOUSTON — Texaco Inc. is selling its interests in two gas stations and refinery joint ventures to Shell Oil Co. and another partner for about $2.1 billion, paving the way for completion of Texaco’s $38.6 billion sale to Chevron Corp. -more-
WASHINGTON — Microsoft Corp. lost a longshot appeal to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, and all sides said they will focus on settling the government’s long-running antitrust case against the software company. -more-
WASHINGTON — Less than 6 percent of the 2002 model cars and trucks arriving in showrooms get better than 30 miles per gallon, and new cars on average get slightly less gas mileage than the 2001 models. -more-
Berkeley High football coaches call him “Mr. Everything.” It’s hard to argue with them. -more-
Aurora Levins Morales’ cousin died in the World Trade Center attacks, but the poet told a crowd of about 500 people outside the downtown BART station late Monday afternoon that she refused to vent her rage on the Afghani people. -more-
School Superintendent Michele Lawrence told parents and community advocates of Latino students that she opposes the breakup of Berkeley High School into small schools within the 3,400-student school. -more-
One day after Afghanistan became the first military theater of the Bush Administration’s “war on terrorism,” hundreds of UC Berkeley students took to Sproul Plaza to denounce the American and British bombing campaign, while a few dozen dissenters held -more-
The City Council will consider taking advantage of a new state law that allows sharing information between the Franchise Tax Board and city to make sure that local businesses are paying their full share of taxes. -more-
WASHINGTON — There were problems with address lists and some people were counted without proof they were there, but last year’s national census was “well executed in many respects,” the National Research Council said Monday. -more-
BOCA RATON, Fla. — The FBI on Monday took over the investigation into the anthrax death of a Florida man after the germ was found in the nose of a co-worker and on a computer keyboard in their office. Hundreds of people who worked near the men lined up to get medical tests. -more-
BERLIN — European nations threw their support behind U.S.-British attacks on Osama bin Laden and the Afghan rulers who protect him, but the military strikes sparked protests and sharp criticism across the Muslim world. -more-
JERUSALEM — Islamic militant leaders said Monday they were summoned by the Palestinian Authority over the weekend and warned there would be a tough response if they did not stop attacks on Israelis. -more-
NEW YORK — The stock market greeted news of U.S. military attacks on the Taliban in Afghanistan quietly Monday, with prices falling moderately as investors tried to discern what the action would mean for the country and the economy. -more-
STAMFORD, Conn. — A federal court has reinstated a suit by Xerox Corp. charging that Palm Inc. infringed its patent in the development of the handwriting recognition system for the Palm handheld computer. -more-
SAN JOSE — Intel Corp.’s chief executive urged chip-makers Monday to continue innovating and competing despite the sour economy and pressure to fall back on industrywide standards. -more-
Mecca Hassas of Oakland, 20, woke up Sunday morning to the news of the military strikes against Afghanistan, her homeland. -more-
Mike Munoz is fast becoming an impact player for the Cal men’s soccer team. The freshman leads the team with six assists on the season, and on Sunday he scored a spectacular overtime goal, giving the Bears a 1-0 overtime win over Santa Clara. -more-
The City Council will hear an information report tomorrow from the city manager about what the Community Environmental Advisory Board calls selective enforcement of the city’s environmental laws. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO - Sixth-ranked California surrendered a 3-1 second half lead in a 3-3 double overtime tie against unranked San Francisco Sunday afternoon at Negoesco Stadium. -more-
The city’s Planning Commission will again open hearings Wednesday on a controversial plan to temporarily halt the conversion of industrial space to office space in parts of west Berkeley. -more-
Editor: -more-
Cal men’s water polo team, currently ranked fifth in the country, chalked up it’s fifth win of the season and second in conference play today, soundly defeating tenth-ranked Pacific, in Spieker Aquatics Complex in Berkeley. -more-
Denisee Chabarria, 16, sat at home on a blue couch late last month with her 1-year-old son Randy in her lap, and tried to explain to him that they would be going to school together. -more-
Editor: -more-
SAN FRANCISCO – The $36,500 that John Reese earns annually checking and stocking groceries at an Albertson’s supermarket in San Jose makes him one of the best-paid retail clerks in the country. -more-
About 150 people attended the Vista Community College Teach In on Friday that provided alternative perspectives of the events of Sept. 11 as well as better understanding of potential impacts of any future U.S. military actions. -more-
Between 1895 and 1915 Berkeley established itself as a city with a distinctive architectural character. As Mission Revival is to Santa Barbara, and Pueblo Style is to Santa Fe, in the early decades of the 20th century, unpainted wood shingles were identified with Berkeley. -more-
Three thousand miles away from the smoldering ruins that were once the World Trade Center, and the talk of war and terrorism in Washington, DC, Bay Area poet, Ishmael Reed, reminded a rapt Berkeley audience on Thursday that even in a time of crisis, it is OK to laugh at political absurdity. -more-
Three thousand miles away from the smoldering ruins that were once the World Trade Center, and the talk of war and terrorism in Washington, DC, Bay Area poet, Ishmael Reed, reminded a rapt Berkeley audience on Thursday that even in a time of crisis, it is OK to laugh at political absurdity. -more-
Cal women’s soccer head coach Kevin Boyd wants his team to be the best in the country. But on Friday afternoon, they weren’t even the best in the county. -more-
The owners of the Berkeley Motel, who wish to replace their small building with a three-story hotel, received rough treatment at the hands of the Zoning Adjustments Board Thursday night. -more-
MacFarland runs for 235 yards in Spartans’ victory -more-
SAN FRANCISCO - Junior midfielder Patrick Fisher kicked a rebound of a shot by teammate Carl Acosta seven minutes into the second half to lift California (5-3-1) to a 2-1 nonconference victory over San Francisco Friday night at Negoesco Stadium. -more-
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Oil continued to spew like a geyser from the trans-Alaska oil pipeline for a second day Friday, the result of a bullet hole shot in the line. -more-
DETROIT — A judge refused Friday to force a Ford Motor Co. employee to hand over confidential human resources documents the automaker says he stole. -more-
The Berkeley High football team was supposed to play a game at De Anza on Friday night, but the officials never showed up, forcing the teams to cancel the game. -more-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stevie Wonder’s ex-girlfriend has filed a $30 million palimony lawsuit accusing the singer of giving her a sexually transmitted disease. -more-
SACRAMENTO (AP) — Only 44 percent of doctors’ groups met state solvency standards in the first three months of this year, an indication that many are struggling financially. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Southern California Edison said Friday it hopes to pay all its creditors by February after a federal judge approved a settlement agreement designed to keep the state’s second-largest utility out of bankruptcy. -more-
WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said Friday she is prepared to drop her call for a six-month suspension of foreign student visas after worried education officials promised to do a better job of working with immigration authorities. -more-
OAKLAND — Two former vault manager for Loomis, Fargo & Co. pleaded innocent Friday in U.S. District Court to charges they stole $12.7 million. -more-
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — A structural engineer examining the twisted bones of the World Trade Center said Friday he has tentatively concluded the towers collapsed because of intense fires fanned by jet fuel. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Dozens of armed California National Guard troops were deployed Friday at Los Angeles and San Francisco international airports to strengthen security and reassure travelers returning to the skies in the aftermath of last month’s terrorist attacks. -more-
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada’s new medical marijuana law took effect on Monday — and since then the state has received only one completed application. -more-
SAN JOSE — An attack helicopter used during the Gulf War is up for sale on eBay, with bids starting at $800,000. -more-
Refrigerators that diagnose their own ills and microwaves that download recipes and cooking instructions from the Internet? Ready or not, here they come. -more-
ALBUQUERQUE — Documents unsealed in the Wen Ho Lee case reveal that his plea bargain with the government last year nearly fell apart when his lawyers disclosed he actually copied more tapes than prosecutors had believed. -more-
Dear Tom and Ray: -more-
SACRAMENTO — State departments were paring down budgets. Dot-coms were doling out pink slips. And a statewide power crisis left consumers nervous about spending their extra cash. -more-
SAN JOSE — Network computer maker Sun Microsystems Inc. plans to cut 3,900 jobs and said Friday its quarterly losses will be wider than expected in part because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. -more-
f -more-
Rumitones, Stamenphones and Orbitones have no place alongside violins, trombones and tympanis in a traditional orchestra or band. Yet these experimental instruments, the creative offspring of sound sculptor Ela Lamblin, play their own strains of beautiful music. -more-
924 Gilman Street Oct 5: Subincision, Gary’s Agenda, Eugene (+ tba); Oct 6: Tight Brothers from Way Back When, Smash Your Face, Cherry Valence, Bare Bones; Oct 12: One Line Drawing, Funeral Dinner, Diefenbaker, Till 7 Years Pass Over Him; Oct 13: Dead and Gone, Cattle Decapitation, Vulgar Pigeons, Wormwood, Antagony; Most shows are $5 and start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. -more-
Prep of the week -more-
Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Michele Lawrence told the school board Wednesday that staff layoffs or a hiring freeze may be necessary by the end of 2001 to protect the district’s finances from revenue shortfalls due to state budget constraints and deficits expected to be uncovered in this year’s trouble-plagued budget. -more-
Hornets sweep doubles, stay undefeated in league play -more-
•See related story, “Domestic Violence,” Page 3. -more-
Editor: -more-
OAKLAND – -more-
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A 63-year-old Florida man lay near death Thursday with an extremely rare and lethal form of anthrax that could be a weapon in the hands of terrorists. U.S. health officials said there was no evidence of terrorism, but the FBI and CDC were called in to investigate. -more-
SAN DIEGO — The U.S. terror investigation that has hauled in hundreds of Middle Easterners is being conducted with closed court hearings and sealed documents on a scale legal experts say may be unprecedented. -more-
MOJAVE — A rocket-powered plane with famed pilot Dick Rutan at the controls soared over the Mojave Desert Thursday in the first major flight for an aerospace company developing engines for orbital launches. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Victims of hate crimes arising from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have a new hotline for help in California. -more-
SACRAMENTO — Seven California counties are not requiring drug testing for offenders who avoid jail under the state’s sweeping drug treatment program, according to a new report. -more-
SANTA CRUZ — A Santa Cruz middle school student who used his home economics skills to bake brownies for a school trip added an extra ingredient — marijuana. -more-
Autumn is the perfect time for renewing your home, because it’s so easy to do it in a natural way. Take a walk in your yard and gather the materials to get started. Leaves, berries, and late-season flowers are perfect for adding natural detail. -more-
It’s among the worst surprises to confront homeowners: a contractor files a lien to collect unpaid money on a home improvement or remodeling job. -more-
Hydrotherapy dates back to the Roman Empire. In the beginning, pools filled with warm water were crafted of stone. -more-
FRESNO — More than 300 people attended Thursday the funeral of a slain Arab-American shopkeeper whose relatives believe was the victim of a hate crime. -more-
NEW YORK — Investors newly enthusiastic about tech stocks extended the sector’s rally Thursday after Dell Computer became the second big high-tech firm in as many days to issue a positive earnings outlook. Blue chip stocks had a modest retreat. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — It didn’t take long after Napster went offline in July for a crop of upstarts to fill the online song-swapping void. -more-
Kass Schwin, president of Vital Vittles, has gradually evolved from a baker to a problem solver. Over the past 25 years operating Berkeley’s homegrown organic bread business, she thought she had been through it all. -more-
After trailing 13-9 in the first game Tuesday, the Berkeley Yellowjackets women’s volleyball team scored 14 unanswered points on their way to a three-game victory over the Alameda Hornets. -more-
Following is Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek's statement delivered at the Congressional Black Caucus Convention last week in Washington, D.C. -more-
MUSIC
The progressive faction on the City Council prevailed Tuesday by approving a controversial redistricting plan that one moderate councilmember called “the most outrageous public policy” she had seen since being elected to the council. -more-
The Cal women’s volleyball team (4-5) broke a four-match losing streak by defeating visiting Saint Mary’s (2-9), 3-0 (30-24, 30-28, 30-25), Tuesday evening at Haas Pavilion. -more-
Editor: -more-
A major makeover of one of the city’s most central downtown blocks will be on the agenda when the city’s Zoning Adjustments Board meets tonight. -more-
Editor: -more-
Faced with slim pickings in the search for a new associate superintendent for finances, the Berkeley School Board on Wednesday was expected to approve a $23,000-per-month contract with a Southern California consulting firm to carry out the district’s financial functions in the short term. -more-
At midnight on Saturday, the Shattuck Down Low Lounge, Berkeley’s newest downtown nightclub, pulsed with activity. But outside, the streets stood silent. Theatergoers exiting Shattuck Cinemas bee-lined to their cars, and the manager at nearby Original Mel’s Diner closed up for the night. Even Starbucks, a bastion of insomnia, slumbered in the dark. -more-
LOS ANGELES — The Senate may have moved to normalize trade relations between this country and Vietnam, but lingering hostility and the current state of trade with the Asian nation may block any windfalls for California firms looking to cash in on the agreement. -more-
LOS ANGELES — Walt Disney Co. took big financial hits at its theme parks and ABC television network after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but has seen steady recovery during the past two weeks, a company executive said Wednesday. -more-
CHICAGO (AP) — In its latest concession to the severe dropoff in air travel, United Airlines said Wednesday it is discontinuing its United Shuttle brand at the end of October and incorporating at least some of those flights into United and United Express flights. -more-
OAKLAND — Kaiser Permanente won the bidding war to assume the lease for a high-tech warehouse formerly used by Webvan, the now bankrupt online grocer. -more-
SAUSALITO — Like many on the West Coast, amateur radio operator Robert Sanford was roused from his bed around 6 a.m. on Sept. 11. -more-
SACRAMENTO (AP) — Citing the increased costs, Gov. Gray Davis vetoed bills Wednesday that would have encouraged medical students to practice in underserved areas and discouraged mothers from abandoning newborns. -more-
SACRAMENTO — State agencies filed more than $1 billion in claims against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. in federal bankruptcy court Wednesday, the deadline for seeking such payments. -more-
SAN FRANCISCO — Emergency closure of offshore state rockfish and lingcod fisheries is necessary to offset high early season catches and protect the species from dangerous overfishing, state Department of Fish and Game officials said Wednesday. -more-
A large Texas energy company did not illegally drive up the price of natural gas in California during the height of the state’s energy crisis last year, a federal regulatory judge ruled Tuesday. -more-
As lazy autumn days fade into chilly winter nights, one can almost hear the clicking of thermostats around the Bay. Last winter’s dearth of electricity and skyrocketing gas prices sent many consumers into shock when they opened their utility bills to find that their bills may have doubled, or even tripled. -more-
WASHINGTON – American and British forces unleashed a punishing air attack Sunday against military targets and Osama bin Laden’s training camps inside Afghanistan, striking at terrorists blamed for the attacks that murdered thousands in New York and Washington. -more-
On Tuesday, at about 12:30 p.m., a Shattuck Avenue bank was robbed, according to police. -more-
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — State officials ruled Wednesday that adults at Orchard Elementary School improperly interfered with student exams to boost test scores and declared the small school ineligible for thousands of dollars in test-related bonuses. -more-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Strom Thurmond returned to his job Wednesday, one day after fainting in the chamber and being taken to a hospital. -more-