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Bay Area briefs
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NO BACKPACKS ALLOWED AT 2013 BAY TO BREAKERS IN SF: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — No backpacks, large bags or containers will be allowed at this year's Bay to Breakers footrace in San Francisco as officials heighten security in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the race on May 19 is expected to draw 30,000 runners and walkers.

San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr says the Boston bombings have raised awareness of potential attacks, and is asking observers and runners to report unattended items like backpacks and packages.

The event is known for its colorful costumes, nude runners and party-like atmosphere.

Still, the floats, coolers and ice chests filled with alcoholic beverages that once characterized Bay to Breakers have been banned in recent years, and will continue to be prohibited this year, Suhr said.

BART CAN BEGIN BANNING UNRULY NEXT WEEK

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Starting next week, unruly passengers on Bay Area Rapid Transit trains won't just get the boot, they'll get the ban.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/ZPzCLi ) a new policy going into effect will allow BART to issue stay-away orders for a month to a year.

Among the offenses that can lead to a ban are acts or threats of violence on passengers or employees, lewd or lascivious behavior, or possession of a controlled substance. Anyone cited three times within three consecutive months for defacing BART property, carrying hazardous materials, or urinating or defecating on a train or in a station can also be banned.

Kenton Rainey, BART police chief, tells the newspaper officers have been trained on how to use the new law, including working with homeless persons or those with mental illnesses.

4 CONVICTED OF MURDER IN BERKELEY, OAKLAND DEATHS: BERKELEY (AP) — Four men are facing life behind bars after a jury found them guilty of murder in the fatal shooting of a man in Berkeley and the deaths of two other men during a subsequent police chase.

Stephon Anthony, Rafael Campbell, Samuel Flowers and Anthony Price were convicted on Monday. They range in age from 26 to 30.

Authorities say the men were looking for revenge on a rival gang when they shot and killed 25-year-old Charles Davis, the brother of a rival gang member. They then led police on a high-speed chase that ended when they crashed into a car driven by 27-year-old Todd Perea in Oakland, killing him instantly. Perea's car was pushed onto a sidewalk, where it struck and killed 37-year-old Floyd Ross, Jr.

SISTERS PLEAD NOT GUILTY IN CALIF. SWADDLING CASE: PLEASANTON (AP) — Two sisters in Northern California facing charges that they endangered infants' lives by binding them too tightly in swaddling blankets have pleaded not guilty.

The Oakland Tribune reports that Nazila and Lida Sharaf entered their pleas Monday in Alameda County Superior Court.

The sisters have been released from custody after posting $340,000 bail each. They are each charged with three counts of felony child abuse and neglect and four counts of misdemeanor child abuse and neglect.

Authorities say the women wrapped seven babies up like boa constrictors at their Livermore preschool, impairing the children's ability to move and breathe.

Their attorney says the women did not intend to hurt the babies.

Both sisters are pregnant and expecting their second child.

JUDGE RULES KIDS HAVE CLAIM ON KUMRA ESTATE: SAN JOSE (AP) — Two children whom slain Silicon Valley venture capitalist Raveesh "Ravi" Kumra fathered with a former prostitute have a valid claim on the millionaire's estate, a judge ruled Tuesday.

A Santa Clara County judge found "clear and convincing evidence" that the 7- and 9-year-old girls are Kumra's children, the San Jose Mercury News reported.

Kumra was killed five months ago in his mansion after suspected gang members with alleged ties to some of Kumra's prostitute girlfriends broke in, bound and gagged him, and made off with valuables. His ex-wife, who still lived in the mansion with Kumra, was also beaten and bound.

Kumra died of asphyxiation on his kitchen floor.

Three men and two suspected prostitutes are awaiting trial for the slaying.

SAN BRUNO SIGHTSEER CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING COP: SAN BRUNO (AP) — A man who said he rode his motorcycle into a San Bruno neighborhood to view the devastation caused by the September 2010 pipeline explosion has been sentenced to more than 14 years in prison for assaulting a police officer who was on the lookout for possible looters.

Paul Anthony Lee was stopped by officers when he rode into the area to view the devastation after the explosion had incinerated 38 homes.

Prosecutors say the 36-year-old Millbrae man rode away after officers asked for identification, and in the process ran over an officer's foot. Lee then sped off, leading police on a chase onto U.S. Highway 101.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports Judge Lisa Novak sentenced Lee to 14 years and eight months in prison Friday after he was convicted by a San Mateo County Superior Court jury of battery and assault on an officer and evading police.

SUIT SEEKS $3.25 MILLION OVER HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK : SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A television station is reporting that a Southern California woman is seeking $3.25 million over the hantavirus outbreak at Yosemite National Park last year.

a a suit filed by Cathy Carrillo, she alleges that she became sick with the virus while staying in Curry Village last June.

In her suit against DNC Parks and Resorts at Yosemite, Carrillo claims that she now has a million dollars in medical bills and suffers from diminished lung capacity and low energy.

Three park visitors died and several others were sickened during the outbreak.

Investigators later determined that deer mice, the most common carrier of the illness, were nesting inside the insulated walls of the new tents and likely were drawn by food guests brought with them.

Yosemite officials did not immediately return messages left late Monday night seeking comment about the suit.