Postal worker robbed of mail in Stockton
STOCKTON (AP) — Stockton police say three men duct-taped a U.S. mail carrier at gunpoint and robbed him of about 3,500 pieces of mail.
The robbery occurred around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Police say the carrier was adjusting his cargo when the unidentified men approached.
One pushed his head down and held a gun to him while another taped his hands behind his back. The third man served as a lookout.
The men then made off with the mail, leaving the carrier in his truck.
Snow expected in Sierra this weekend
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — People heading into the Sierra for the holiday weekend can expect to experience a bit of winter weather this weekend.
Forecasters say as a cold weather system moves into the region, rain showers, hail and snow is expected Friday night through Saturday.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Friday night, with snow showers in the lower elevations and up three inches of snow expected in the higher elevations.
Temperatures are expected to be unseasonably cold as well, dropping into the mid to upper 20s to 30s late Friday and early Saturday.
As the weather system moves out of the area, forecasters say temperatures will warm up a bit Sunday and Monday, but are still expected to remain below normal for this time of year.
2 toddlers killed in Bakersfield trailer fire
BAKERSFIELD (AP) — Two toddlers were killed Friday in a trailer fire in Central California that was accidentally started by two older children playing with matches, authorities said.
Two girls, believed to be about 2 or 3, died when the fire consumed the empty trailer on a vacant lot on the edge of Bakersfield around 2 p.m., said Kern County Fire Department Capt. Tommy Brown.
The girls were playing in the trailer with two boys, believed to be 4 or 5, Brown said. The boys were playing with matches when the trailer caught on fire, he said.
The boys were able to escape the flames, but the two girls were trapped inside as the fire spread through the trailer.
"Somehow the two toddlers were left in the trailer," Brown said. "When our firefighters arrived on scene the trailer was totally involved."
After fire crews doused the fire and were able to enter, they found the two girls dead in the back area of the trailer.
Bill would end lawmakers' discount vanity plates
SACRAMENTO (AP) — The Assembly has approved a bill to end discounted vanity license plates for current and retired lawmakers.
AB2068 by Democratic Assemblyman Anthony Portantino passed the Assembly 63-0 Friday.
Currently, members of the state Legislature and California's congressional delegation can get personalized license plates for $12, much less than the typical $48 fee. They also do not pay annual registration fees.
Portantino's bill would make lawmakers pay the same amount that others do for personalized plates. It raises their fees to $48 and adds a $38 annual renewal fee.
The state estimates the fees would generate less than $30,000 a year. But Portantino, of La Canada- Flintridge, says it's important to end special treatment for lawmakers.
