Sacramento high-rise death linked to graffiti

SACRAMENTO (AP) - A man who was found dead hanging by a rope off an 18-story Sacramento high-rise appears to have been a graffiti tagger, Sacramento police said Monday. Fire Battalion Chief Marc Bentovoja said the man appears to have died accidentally of asphyxiation when he created a harness from the rope and lowered himself down the east side of the office ...

Culver City launches Smart911 system

CULVER CITY (AP) - The city's new 911 system allows residents to set up profiles that provide specific information about medical conditions, location of bedrooms, language preferences and pets. City officials say the Smart911 database, launched last month, will help 911 operators respond faster and more precisely. It can be connected to a cellphone number or a landline. <p style="line-height: 18pt; background: ...

Symphony strike sounds as if it may end

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The sound of silence from the San Francisco Symphony appeared to be coming to an end as a tentative agreement was reached Sunday to end a 2&frac12;-week strike. The symphony announced in a statement that its negotiators and leaders of the musicians' union have agreed to terms on a 26-month contract, subject to the approval of the full ...

Bill seeks changes to prison realignment law regarding drug pushers’ release

State’s historic artifacts to get new home

SACRAMENTO (AP) - California's past is getting a new, safer home in a building built to survive a nuclear blast. A vast collection of heirlooms ranging from a Donner Party survivor's wedding dress to thousands of Native American baskets will be moved over the next three months to a building at the former McClellan Air Force Base north of Sacramento. <p style="line-height: ...

Bay Area briefs

POLICE SUSPECT DRUG USE IN SAN JOSE WALMART CRASH: SAN JOSE. (AP) - Police said Monday they suspect a man was on drugs when he rammed his car through the front of a California Walmart store and began assaulting customers, injuring four people.

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PASTOR TACKLES BURGLAR AT CHURCH: STOCKTON - A pastor in his 60s tackled a burglar to the ground as he allegedly tried to break in to the church. Pastor Steve Kihlthau, of Stockton Baptist Church along Highway 99, decided to camp out after the church was burglarized multiple times in the last week. While at the church ...

3 of 4 reptiles stolen from museum found

FRESNO (AP) - A Central California science museum has recovered three of four reptiles stolen in a burglary caught on surveillance video, and arrested a suspect in the heist. The Discovery Center's education coordinator Ian Goudelock says a 3 1/2-foot savannah monitor lizard, red-tailed boa constrictor and a ball python are back at the Fresno museum on Friday. A 3-foot-long ball python ...

Dozens of detectives investigate LA girl abduction from bedroom

Reward for murderous ex-cop triggers debate

State news briefs

PROSECUTORS: WOMAN SOLICITED UCSC ATTACKER ONLINE: SANTA CRUZ (AP) - Prosecutors say a 20-year-old Isla Vista woman who falsely reported that she was raped on the University of California, Santa Cruz campus solicited her attacker on Craigslist in exchange for sex.

Freeway chase led to arrest of former Nevada lawmaker

Court: Prosecutor to pay $50k for filing lawsuit

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A Northern California prosecutor must pay the attorney fees of a bank she sued after she was arrested in a case of mistaken identity. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday tossed out Sharon Henry's lawsuit, saying Bank of America employees called the police out of a reasonable belief that the San Mateo County deputy district ...

Facebook to hold Android event on next Thursday

MENLO PARK (AP) - Facebook has invited journalists to the unveiling of what it calls its "new home on Android." Next Thursday's event will take place at the company's Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters. Facebook isn't providing further details. There has been speculation about a "Facebook phone" for a few years. Facebook has long said it would not make its own phone. Rather, ...

Virtual reality, goggles & all, is back

Divers search reservoirs for murder clues

VALLEY SPRINGS (AP) - Divers are searching two reservoirs and detectives are knocking on doors in Calaveras County as the investigation continues into the killing of 8-year-old Leila Fowler.

Fourth abalone diver dies in NorCal waters

SANTA ROSA (AP) - A diver died Saturday in the quest for abalone that has claimed three other lives in the waters off Northern California the past week.

Cellphone thefts accounts for half of all SF robberies

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Disturbed by the nationwide epidemic of cellphone robberies and thefts, law enforcement officials across the country are looking to the wireless industry to help find a cure.

Beach bonfire spat gets hot in Southern California

HUNTINGTON BEACH (AP) - Anna Abderhalden and her siblings woke before dawn to stake a claim to a coveted beachfront spot where bonfires blaze each night as a rite of summer in this surf-crazy Southern California city.

Fever hits thousands in Valley

FRESNO (AP) - California and federal public health officials say valley fever, a potentially lethal but often misdiagnosed disease infecting more and more people around the nation, has been on the rise as warming climates and drought have kicked up the dust that spreads it.

Cooler weather aids fight against wildfire

CAMARILLO. (AP) - Cool, moist air moving into Southern California on Sunday helped firefighters build containment lines around a huge wildfire burning through coastal mountains.

5 women die in limo fire on San Mateo Bridge

HAYWARD (AP) - A limousine taking nine women to a bachelorette party erupted in flames, killing five of the passengers, including the bride-to-be, authorities and the mother of one of the survivors said Sunday.

State news briefs

SHEEN SUPPORTS SONS' REMOVAL FROM EX-WIFE'S CARE: LOS ANGELES (AP) - Charlie Sheen's spokesman says the actor supports a decision to remove his twin sons from the care of his ex-wife and have them live temporarily with another ex-wife, actress Denise Richards.

Crews seek more success saving homes

Experimental Air Force aircraft goes hypersonic

Drug find means hikers may be charged for search

Bay Area briefs

NO CHARGES FOR TEACHER ACCUSED OF TYING KID: PLEASANTON (AP) - Prosecutors in Northern California have decided not to pursue any criminal charges against a former teacher accused of tying up a 2-year-old girl when she worked at a preschool.

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CALIFORNIA ALMOND CROP TO SURPASS 2B LBS IN 2013: MODESTO (AP) - Federal agricultural officials are predicting another bumper crop for California's almonds this year.

Detectives study knives in girl's stabbing

Solar plane leaves NorCal on start of cross-country trip