Federal crackdown hurts Oakland pot-growing school
OAKLAND (AP) — A federal crackdown on medical marijuana clinics has been a buzzkill for an Oakland school dubbed the "Princeton of Pot."
The Sacramento Bee reports that enrollment has plummeted at Oaksterdam University, which teaches marijuana cultivation and pot-related careers.
Since 2007, the school has attracted 15,000 students, who pay hundreds of dollars to learn the ins and outs of pot.
But enrollment plunged after U.S. attorneys last fall began warning medical marijuana dispensaries they're illegal under federal law. Some dispensary owners have been criminally charged.
Currently, Oaksterdam has only one semester-long class of 50 students, with some weekend programs and other seminars.
Oaksterdam founder Richard Lee says despite the pressure, he believes the enrollment dip is a blip and he's confident that pot will be legalized.
Man killed by Muni bus in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco police say a Muni bus has struck and killed a man near Fillmore Street.
The San Francisco Chronicle says the accident occurred Sunday morning. Witnesses told police that he walked into the street from between two parked cars.
He was pronounced dead at a hospital. His name hasn't been released.
The bus driver has been removed from duty while the accident is under investigation
Volunteers planning search for missing teen
MORGAN HILL (AP) — Volunteers are preparing to fan out across Morgan Hill to look for clues in the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl who went missing 10 days ago.
The KlaasKids Foundation for Children is organizing the community searches that will be conducted starting Tuesday in the case of Sierra LaMar. Authorities say the Ann Sobrato High School student hasn't been seen since the morning of March 16, when she failed to catch her regular school bus.
The girl's cell phone and her purse with folded clothes inside were discovered not far from the bus stop. But authorities have found no other signs of Sierra after a 12-square mile law enforcement search on Saturday.
The KlassKids Foundation was founded by Marc Klaas, whose 12-year-old daughter Polly was kidnapped from her Petaluma home and murdered in 1993.
3 convicted in deadly hit-and-run in Daly City
DALY CITY, Calif. (AP) — Three suspected gang members have been convicted in the death of a man who was deliberately run over outside a pizza restaurant in Daly City.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports the defendants pleaded no contest Friday to charges stemming from the slaying of 21-year-old Jessie Wiley of South San Francisco on Feb. 7, 2010.
Authorities say Matthew Mouton ran over Wiley with his SUV after the victim and a friend got into a fight with the defendants in the restaurant.
San Mateo County prosecutors say the 22-year-old Mouton was sentenced to 16 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and a gang enhancement.
Rene Castro and Horacio Vega were convicted of assault and a gang enhancement. Castro was sentenced to four years in prison, and Vegas will be sentenced in November.
___
