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Following Prop. 8 ruling, Mayor Johnson will consider pledge to promote marriage equality

By Ryan Lillis - Updated: 5:07 pm

Following a federal appeals court ruling today that California's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional, Mayor Kevin Johnson said he would look at a petition signed by dozens of statewide politicians that promotes marriage equality.

Wandering toddlers reunited with mother

By Carlos Alcalá - Updated: 12:21 pm

Sacramento Sheriff's deputies returned a pair of toddlers to their mother after they were found wandering in Rancho Cordova.

Sacramento mayor says charter commission idea should be dumped

By Ryan Lillis - Updated: 7:14 pm

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's latest strong mayor plan goes head to head with a proposal to create an elected charter review commission at tonight's City Council meeting. And the mayor is making it pretty clear where he stands.

Sacramento arena talks expected to heat up

Rancho Cordova mom turns around big diabetes risk factor for Mexican Americans: Her diet

By Grace Rubenstein - Published: 12:00 am

The Mexican American community has some of the highest rates in a surge of diabetes nationwide. The disease can provoke heart attacks, high blood pressure, kidney failure and blindness, and is the seventh-leading cause of death nationwide.

Judge's reasons for imposing death penalty on Topete in deputy killing case

By Hudson Sangree - Updated: 4:10 pm

Yolo Superior Court Judge Paul K. Richardson imposed the death penalty today on Marco Antonio Topete for the assault-rifle slaying of sheriff's Deputy Jose Antonio Diaz in June 2008.

Marco Topete Sentenced to Death

Driver in fatal Highway 50 head-on crash had earlier DUI suspension, officials say

By Cathy Locke - Updated: 9:04 am

The man suspected of driving while drunk head-on into a van of five people early Monday – killing three and critically injuring two others – had previously had his license suspended for DUI, state officials said Monday.

'Jack Day' murder case now in hands of Sacramento jurors

By Andy Furillo - Updated: 9:49 am

They call it "Jack Day," and every year it's celebrated by a south Sacramento street gang to remember the murder of one of its own.

Waste Connections reports $1.5 billion in 2011 revenue as it prepares to depart Folsom

By Mark Glover - Updated: 3:00 pm

Trash hauler Waste Connections, making its last annual report that will include earnings amassed from its Folsom headquarters, today reported record revenue of $1.51 billion in 2011.

Manny Crisostomo / mcrisostomo@sacbee.com

Luda Ivanyuk gives Elisa Romandia a hand massage at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Ivanyukis a social worker at the San Juan School District volunteers evenings after work giving hand massages to patients at Kaiser. "I think for myself I always love to make a difference in people's lives and that is probably why I am in the teaching and social work field. I enjoy working with the patients because I like to make a difference in people's lives," Ivanyuk said.
Manny Crisostomo / mcrisostomo@sacbee.com

Luda Ivanyuk massages Kathleen Stringer who just had surgery at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Ivanyuka works for the San Juan School District social worker volunteers evenings after work giving hand massages to patients at Kaiser. I addition to her full time job at the school district Ivanyuk is also working on getting a master degree. "Sometimes after I get off work, I don't want to go. But I put on my uniform and once I go in there and start my first patient I am happy that I came," she said. "It always changes my mood."
Manny Crisostomo / mcrisostomo@sacbee.com

Luda Ivanyuk massages Kathleen Stringer who just had surgery at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Ivanyuka works for the San Juan School District social worker volunteers evenings after work giving hand massages to patients at Kaiser.
Manny Crisostomo / mcrisostomo@sacbee.com

Seventy-year-old Jim Utz, a retired animal health technician has been spending his Mondays the last eight years at Grace House a respite for homeless like Robert Orozco who receives a free lunch.
Manny Crisostomo / mcrisostomo@sacbee.com

Seventy-year-old Jim Utz, passes out refreshment to Gina Carmichael, 52, of Davis at Grace House. Utz, a retired UC Davis animal health technician has been spending his Mondays the last eight years volunteering at Grace House.

Sacramento chocolate entrepreneur has taste of Grammy excitement

Sacramento music producer Mitchell Koulouris has a new twist on rock candy, launching a company called Imagine Chocolate that makes gourmet treats with a rock 'n' roll vibe.

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Back-Seat Driver

Tragedies still haunt former train crews

Three people died last week in south Sacramento when a car cut past guard gates and was broadsided by a light-rail train. But there was a hidden victim too: the train operator.