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Bay Area briefs
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Occupy the Farm protesters won't face charges

ALBANY  (AP) — The last two of nine protesters arrested last month during an occupation of UC Berkeley land will also not face charges.

Alameda County prosecutors said on Tuesday they have decided not to file charges against the two women, who were arrested on suspicion of trespassing.

Prosecutors have previously said the other seven Occupy the Farm protesters arrested on May 14 will also not face charges. A spokesman for the district attorney's office said at the time the decision was in the interest of justice.

Those seven protesters were arrested on suspicion of unlawful assembly. The arrests at the 10-acre plot in Albany owned by the university came after a three-week standoff.

Federal officials OK larger crowd for Burning Man

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ten thousand more people are expected to be on hand in the Nevada desert for this year's Burning Man festival after federal officials increased the event's attendance cap.

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management issued a special recreation permit to San Francisco-based Black Rock City LLC, the nonprofit group behind Burning Man. The permit allows 60,900 people to attend the arts festival, up from 50,000 last year. Officials announced the increase Tuesday.

Organizers had requested the change in the face of growing demand for tickets. The request was met with little opposition.

The annual arts and music gathering takes place in the sprawling Black Rock Desert, about 100 miles north of Reno, during the week leading up to Labor Day. It's overseen by federal officials because it takes place on public land.

Reward in Sierra LaMar case increased to $35K

MORGAN HILL . (AP) — The family of missing Morgan Hill teenager Sierra LaMar has increased the reward for her safe return or the prosecution of anyone involved in her disappearance.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that the reward was raised from $25,000 to $35,000 on Wednesday. The funding increase came from fundraisers and community donations.

Volunteers are continuing to search for the missing 15-year-old on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Sierra was last seen March 16 as she was getting ready for school at her Morgan Hill home. Investigators believe she was kidnapped on her way to catch the bus.

Antolin Garcia-Torres, a 21-year-old from Morgan Hill, was charged with her murder and kidnapping after authorities said Sierra's DNA was found in his car and his DNA was found inside her handbag. He has yet to enter a plea.

17-year-old gunned down near San Jose school

SAN JOSE  (AP) — San Jose police are asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect after a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed near an elementary school.

Police say Leonel Garcia Farias was gunned in what they're terming a gang-related shooting near Rocketship Mosaic Elementary School a little after 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Farias was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made and no suspect information has been released.

Police say the killing of the teen was the 19th homicide of the year in San Jose.