Weekend catch-up: 7 stories you don’t want to miss

Here are seven stories from the weekend that you will want to catch up on before the work week hits.

1. Nearly burned off map, Mountain Ranch fights back

Mountain Ranch has endured hardship before, but never peril such as the massive firestorm that tore through the Calaveras County enclave. In this fiercely independent place – an aging community where many people distrust the government and prefer to take matters into their own hands – their response fit with the renowned resiliency of the old Gold Rush mining camp.

2. UC Davis cuts PR post that drew criticism for its $260,000 salary

By paying Luanne Lawrence a higher salary than any other communications official in the University of California system, UC Davis revived longstanding complaints about executive pay.

3. Woman speaks publicly about her Phoenix molestation allegations against Kevin Johnson

The woman who accused Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson of molesting her when she was a teenager nearly two decades ago in Phoenix has come forward, telling the sports website Deadspin she has now decided “to say what I want” after previously declining comment.

4. A talker: Freeport Bakery plans major expansion

“It’s going to be paradise,” said Freeport’s co-owner, Marlene Goetzeler. “We’ve been maxed out on our space here for more than 20 years.”

Using your hands meaningfully triggers healthy engagement and activity in about 60 percent of your brain, says Dr. Alton Barron.

Sacramento Bee 49ers beat writer Matt Barrows: The 49ers are dragging an albatross from last season. They’re not good at scoring touchdowns from short distance.

Read the story: UC Davis veterinarians treating dozens of pets badly burned in California wildfires

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Weekend catch-up: 7 stories you don’t want to miss."

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