SACRAMENTO

Pleasant weather continues

It's time to dig out those sweaters. This week chilly evenings and crisp mornings are harbingers that fall is on the way.

Expect warm, pleasant days in the mid- to high 80s with low temperatures hitting the low 50s or high 40s, said Steve Goldstein, a forecaster for the National Weather Service in Sacramento.

Longer nights and a cool air mass over the area have meant some early-morning fog and haze, Goldstein said.

"It's telling us that fall is coming," Goldstein said. "It's that time of year people like so much. It gets a little hot during the day, but you can leave the windows open at night and cool down the house."

On Tuesday, a mass of cold air from the Gulf of Alaska is expected to move across the Pacific and then over the Sacramento region, dropping temperatures a few degrees, Goldstein said.

In the mountains, forecasters said to expect some thunderstorms or dry lightning – thunderstorms with little or no rain – on Tuesday.

Another dry cold-air mass is expected to settle over the region Thursday and bring brisk north winds, Goldstein said.

– Terri Hardy

SACRAMENTO

Four home invasions linked

Four home invasions in the Natomas area have been linked to the same person, Sacramento law enforcement officials said.

The home invasions, which happened during a one-year period, have been linked by physical evidence, police said Sunday. Victims at two of the crimes were sexually assaulted.

Officials declined to release more information about the linking of several crimes until later today. Police and the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department will hold a joint news conference to discuss the break-ins. Handouts with specifics and composite sketches of the suspect will be made available.

Natomas has been plagued by a rise in home invasions this year. Through July, police have responded to reports of 22 such crimes, more than double the 10 reported during the same period last year, police data show. About one-third of the home invasions were in North Natomas; the rest were in South Natomas. Most of the home invasions happened during a June spree.

Also, police have responded to 13 reports of sexual assaults in Natomas this year, roughly similar to the 14 sexual assaults reported by this time last year. Among the city's six police districts, only Natomas has not seen a significant drop in sexual assaults so far this year.

– Jennifer Garza and Phillip Reese

ROSEVILLE

Area residents snag Emmys

Five Sacramento-area residents won Emmy Awards Saturday night for their cinematography on the hit television show, "The Deadliest Catch."

"It's fabulous," said Doug Stanley, producer and director of photography who lives in Roseville. "I'm sitting here with my Emmy and I can't believe it.

The show chronicles the lives of crab fishermen in the Bering Straits, one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. The show is among the most popular for the Discovery channel.

Winners include Stanley's wife, Rhea Meyers Stanley, and his brother, Todd Stanley of Lotus. Zac McFarlane of Sacramento and Ben Zupo of Sacramento are also on the team.

The group won the award for outstanding cinematography at the Primetime Creative Arts Emmys, which were held in Los Angeles.

– Jennifer Garza

SHINGLE SPRINGS

Man facing assault charges

A Shingle Springs resident was arrested Friday for allegedly brandishing a weapon and making threats toward two separate groups of people during the same day.

Authorities say Geoffrey Hayes, of El Caminito Lane, first got into a fight Thursday with two friends, Kenneth Dubrel and Charles Sinclair. The three had been riding together in Dubrel's car, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office. When they got to Hayes' house, Hayes allegedly went inside, grabbed a gun and fired toward Dubrel and Sinclair, who then fled, shaken but unhurt.

A few minutes later, Hayes' ex-wife, Lela Hayes, and her boyfriend, Robert Bradley, arrived at Hayes' home, hoping to pick up some medication. While they were there, Hayes allegedly got angry, picked up a shovel and hit Bradley with it. After a struggle over the shovel, Hayes pulled out a pistol and threatened to shoot the two, sheriff's officials said. His ex-wife calmed Hayes down, and she and Bradley left.

The sheriff's SWAT team picked up Hayes. He was in jail without bail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder, sheriff's officials said.

– Phillip Reese