Secret buyouts at state parks HQ

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A high-ranking official at the California Department of Parks and Recreation carried out a secret vacation buyout program last year for himself and other employees at the department's headquarters, just as the agency was planning to close 70 state parks due to budget cuts.

State news briefs

CALIFORNIA TOBACCO TAX SUPPORTERS CALL FOR RECOUNT: SACRAMENTO (AP) - Tobacco tax supporters want a recount of ballots in parts of Los Angeles County to see if California's barely-defeated Proposition 29 might swing the other way.

Next SF target: Banning plastic water bottles

Feds to reroute SF Bay ships to protect whales

Two-thirds of voters cast ballots by mail

Solar storm barreling toward Earth this weekend

Oscar-winning producer Richard Zanuck dies

Gov. calls in more resources for north state blaze

FORESTHILL (AP) - Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday called in more firefighters and the California National Guard to help battle a Placer County wildfire that has forced the evacuation of 300 people. Brown said he is sending in a state incident management team to help coordinate the attack on the Robbers Fire, which has grown to nearly two square miles and threatens ...

209 News

2 infants contract salmonella in Modesto : MODESTO . (AP) - The California Department of Public Health is investigating after two babies contracted salmonella poisoning while at a Stanislaus County hospital, county officials said Wednesday. The first infant salmonella case at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto was reported on April 19, and the second case on May ...

State news briefs

NEW SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT USED COPS AS CHAUFFEURS: MCCLELLAN, (AP) - A newly-elected Northern California school board president reportedly used police officers to chauffeur him on personal trips and errands.

California teacher pension posts low investment return, adds to shortfall

Wet Seal workers sue retailer for discrimination

80 homes evacuated in Placer County due to fast moving fire instep terrain

FORESTHILL (AP) - About 300 people in Placer County remained under evacuation orders as a fire burning in a steep, heavily wooded area grew in size and intensity Thursday, fueled by hot weather and wind. About 80 homes and structures were threatened by the blaze, and evacuated residents were staying at a Red Cross center in Foresthill, said Daniel Berlant, a spokesman ...

Bay Area briefs

ATTORNEY HIRED IN FIGHT OVER 49ERS STADIUM FUNDS: SANTA CLARA (AP) - A Santa Clara County board has hired a lawyer to defend its decision to pull $30 million in taxpayer funds from the San Francisco 49ers stadium project.

So. Cal to swap some heat for thunderstorms

Chris Brown’s scary curbside art irks LA neighbors; city cites him for ‘signage’

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Grammy-winning musician Chris Brown's neighbors are unhappy with what some are calling frightening art he's chosen to have painted along the curb of his Hollywood Hills home.

Bay Bridge base rods can’t be easily inspected

OAKLAND (AP) - More than 400 seismic safety rods that may be vulnerable to cracking or breaking are embedded in the base of the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and may be difficult to inspect, remove or replace, according to a newspaper report.

One by one, homes in subdivision sinking

LAKEPORT (AP) - Scott and Robin Spivey had a sinking feeling that something was wrong with their home when cracks began snaking across their walls in March.

Judge denies bid to block Dorner reward payout plan

Immigrant raid rumor fuels fear in SJ Valley

Nevada high school choir will back Rolling Stones at concert

Acting Oakland chief replaced after 2 days

4 pit bulls blamed for SoCal jogger's killing

State. moves to comply with 2011 gay history law

Bold turkey: woman hits cop in bid to kick smoking habit

Compton teen convicted in killing mom, stepfather

Judge: No auction yet of Kobe Bryant's stuff

State news briefs

DRIVER REACHING FOR DRINK HITS WOMAN, 3 CHILDREN: SAN DIEGO (AP) - Authorities say an unlicensed driver reaching for a spilled drink ran onto a sidewalk in San Diego and struck a mother and three children.

Deadly America's Cup boat mishap

Oil industry: BLM prevents job creation