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State news briefs
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SF sheriff sentenced for false imprisonment

 

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A contrite and emotional San Francisco sheriff apologized Monday for a domestic violence incident with his wife after a judge sentenced him to three years of probation and ordered him to attend an anti-domestic violence program.

"There are no excuses and I accept full responsibility," Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi said outside court. He read a prepared statement and appeared to choke up several times when he mentioned his longing to reunite with his wife and 3-year-old son.

San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon said he accepted Mirkarimi's statement as sincere and believes the sheriff is accepting responsibility for his actions.

Last week, Gascon said he had been upset while reading comments from Mirkarimi and his supporters suggesting the plea was made because of rising attorney fees and the sheriff's desire to simply put the embarrassing incident behind him.

Study: Decline seen in Calif. high graduation rate

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A new study shows California is among the states that are falling behind in graduating high school students.

The study released Monday by a children's advocacy coalition led by former Secretary of State Colin Powell named the state as one of 10 where graduation rates declined between 2002 and 2009.

California had a 72.7 percent graduation rate in 2002, when the national average was 72.6 percent. By 2009, it had graduated 8,913 fewer students and the rate had fallen to 71 percent, while the national average climbed to 75.5 percent.

But the report found that fewer California students are attending what its authors term "dropout factories" — schools that fail to graduate more than 60 percent of students on time.

Searchers for missing teen found cellphone

MORGAN HILL  (AP) — Authorities looking for a 15-year-old Northern California girl who disappeared last week on her way to school say they found her cellphone on the side of a road.

Santa Clara County sheriff's officials say Sierra Lamar was last seen around 6 a.m. Friday when she left her Morgan Hill home.

Sierra's mother says she was notified by Sobrato High School that the girl did not attend classes that day. She hasn't been seen since.

Seatrchers found the cellphone about a half-mile from Sierra's home on Saturday night. They say it appeared as if it were tossed from a vehicle.

Authorities say it's unclear if Sierra ran away or was abducted. They say there's no evidence to show that she had a troubled home life or had planned her disappearance.

Apple has sold 3 million iPads just since Friday’s release

CUPERTINO  (AP) — Apple Inc. says it has sold 3 million iPads since Friday when it released the latest version of the tablet computer.

The new, third model comes with a faster processor, a much sharper screen and an improved camera. As with the previous models, prices start at $499 in the U.S.

Apple said Monday that this is its strongest launch for an iPad yet.

The Cupertino  company began selling the latest tablet computer in the U.S. and nine other countries Friday and will begin selling it in 24 more countries at the end of this week.