SF SUPE SEEKS ANTI-ABORTION PROTESTER BUFFER ZONES: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A San Francisco supervisor wants to create a 25-foot buffer zone around Planned Parenthood and other clinics that are the target of anti-abortion protesters.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Supervisor David Campos is scheduled to introduce the legislation Tuesday.
The new zones would apply to the entrances, exits and driveways of the facilities. Hospitals would be excluded.
Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Adrienne Verrilli says abortions account for less than 2 percent of patient visits, but the group's only San Francisco location has seen activists taking video of patients and staff and yelling slogans.
Anti-abortion protester Ron Konopaski says neither he nor the other demonstrators harass anyone, and are there to distribute information to women.
Violating the new ordinance could result in three months in jail or a $500 fine.
FORMER CA SUPERVISOR PLEAD GUILTY TO FELONIES: SAN JOSE (AP) — A former Santa Clara County supervisor has pleaded guilty to a dozen charges that he used that he used campaign donations and taxpayer funds to fuel what has been described as a gambling addiction.
George Shirakawa Jr., entered his pleas to five felony and seven misdemeanor charges including perjury and misappropriation of public funds during an appearance in a San Jose courtroom on Monday.
After repeatedly denying allegations, the 51-year-old Shirakawa admitted earlier this month that he used campaign and county funds for personal use.
Shirakawa resigned as county supervisor on March 1 as part of a deal with county prosecutors that will have him sentenced to jail for one year. As part of the deal, he will also be banned from holding public office.
Prosecutors say Shirakawa moved $130,000 in and out of campaign accounts and public funds and spent most of it
JUDGE: CALIFORNIA INMATES' LAWSUIT CAN PROCEED: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal judge says a lawsuit filed by inmates in a Northern California prison alleging their solitary confinement conditions are unconstitutional can proceed.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken announced her decision during a hearing in Oakland on Thursday. She said she would issue a written ruling later.
A group of Pelican Bay State Prison inmates held in isolation in the so-called security housing unit alleged that their indefinite and often years-long stints in the isolation cells amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.
Lawyers representing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation had urged Wilken to dismiss the lawsuit. The CDCR argued that the conditions met constitutional standards and that prison officials have wide latitude in housing inmates.
