Friday, May 9, 2008

Auburn dam may be dealt death blow

A long-stalled Auburn dam on the American River has suffered many defeats. But the next could be truly fatal. The State Water Resources Control Board plans to revoke the water rights held by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the project. The unfinished dam, in other words, would no longer have any water to hold back....(more)

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State cracks down on electronic bingo machines in Sacramento County

The future of electronic bingo games and the local charities supported by them in Sacramento County is being thrown into question as a number of the bingo operators have been ordered by the state attorney general's office to stop using slot-machine look-alikes....(more)

Central Valley residents poorer and sicker than state average, report says

Central Valley residents lack doctors and other medical specialists, are more likely to die of diabetes and heart attacks, and face diminished well-being because of poverty, according to a sweeping report released Thursday....(more)

Trial to begin in Vietnam for Sacramento-based activist

After six months in a Vietnamese prison, Sacramento pro-democracy activist Nguyen Quoc Quan will finally get his day in court Tuesday....(more)

Rancho Cordova says no more beer, wine sales in high-crime area

Allowing a neighborhood grocery store to add beer and wine to its inventory would only aggravate problems in a high-crime area, Rancho Cordova officials say....(more)

Social services are focus of Saturday festival in Fruitridge

A festival meant to raise awareness about social services available to the community will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Rainbow Park in the Fruitridge area....(more)

Bird-calling workshop offered in June

Learn to perfectly capture the plaintive screech of a bald eagle, the mutted hoot of a northern pygmy owl and other birds during a workshop in the Tahoe National Forest sponsored by Cornell University's Lab of Ornithology....(more)

Sutterville ramps to be closed on weekend for paving

North and southbound ramps of Interstate 5 at Sutterville Road will be closed Saturday, and possibly Sunday, for construction....(more)

Sacramento-area man sentenced to 19 years in terrorism plot

Eric McDavid, who went on the road to learn what was beyond his middle-class, suburban Sacramento upbringing and returned a prisoner, was sentenced Thursday to 19 years and seven months in prison....(more)

Johnson's comment on same-sex marriage riles Sacramento's gay and lesbian community

Mayoral challenger Kevin Johnson has riled Sacramento's gay community with his statement at a televised candidate forum that "marriage is between a man and a woman."...(more)

Passages: Blind teen charts independent course in sea of drugstore aisles

Christina Parra brushed her red-tipped cane across the carpet at the entrance to Walgreens. She tapped her way past the shopping carts, past fake nails and lipsticks in pinks and mauves she could only imagine....(more)

Fund drive to save Davis school jobs tops $1 million

A campaign to raise money for Davis schools has blown past the million-dollar mark....(more)

Davis doctor has close brush with Myanmar's deadly cyclone

Dark clouds rolled in, then a drenching rain. But there were no obvious signs that a catastrophe – wrought by a cyclone sweeping in with deadly force – would soon hit Myanmar....(more)

Woman who allegedly drove SUV at deputies is shot in both legs

In a wild scene in the pre-dawn hours Thursday, a 23-year-old woman who barreled a sport-utility vehicle at two Sacramento County sheriff's deputies was shot in both legs, authorities said....(more)

Motorcyclist found dead; info sought

A motorcyclist died early Thursday from what police believe were accident-related injuries....(more)

Funds OK'd for signs promoting Galt

The city authorized $15,000 in redevelopment money Wednesday for the design and development of signs to help attract people and businesses to the city....(more)

Bill may boost capital-S.F. train service

Sacramento-to-San Francisco commuter train service could get a boost from a five-year, $14.4 billion reauthorization of Amtrak introduced Thursday in the House, Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, said....(more)

Area teens to compete in international science fair

Four area teens will travel to Atlanta this weekend to participate in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair....(more)

Man shot on Valley Hi street dies

A 27-year-old man shot on a Valley Hi street corner last month has died, police said....(more)

Mexico firefighters to train with crews

Thirty-five firefighters from Mexico are scheduled to be in the Sacramento area this fall as part of the Bombero Program, a partnership between firefighters in the United States and Mexico, according to Cosumnes Community Services District spokesman Steve Capps....(more)

Colfax teacher wins science award, grant

Colfax High School teacher Suzanna Gough Johnson was recognized Thursday as a recipient of the 2008 Amgen Award for Science Teaching Excellence in California....(more)

Input sought on teaching school subjects

Anyone interested in weighing in on how California public schools should teach history and social sciences can attend a meeting today at the state Department of Education....(more)

Former Placer supervisor to be laid to rest Monday

A private burial service is planned Monday for former Roseville Mayor and Placer County Supervisor Bill Santucci....(more)

Obituary: Allan English launched self-taught rocket career

Allan Joseph English, the son of a chicken rancher who went on to become a self-taught rocket propulsion expert, has died at age 83....(more)

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Thursday, May 8, 2008

• Seven candidates meet in freewheeling debate

• Nevada City man honors Bataan march with book, re-enactment

• Fuel tank ignites; man hospitalized with burns

• Man shot on Valley Hi street corner dies

• Private service set for former Placer leader Bill Santucci

• Sacramento man's conviction credited to DNA cold hit

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