Long list of candidates for Tuesday's Alamo town council vote

Alamo voters will have 15 candidates to pick from when they vote for a Town Council Tuesday.

But first the ballot's main issue — Measure A — will have to pass. That measure will determine if the area incorporates as a town.

Sixteen names will appear on the ballot for five council spots. They are Diane Barley, Bob Connelly, Dennis Johnson, Vicki Koc, Karen McPherson, Steve Mick, Vish More, Kevin Morrow, John Morrow, Randall Nahas, Karl Niyati, Joe Rubay, Grace Schmidt, Roger Smith, Brad Stribling and Brad Waite. Stribling has since dropped out.

Long list of candidates for Tuesday's Alamo town council vote

Alamo voters will have 15 candidates to pick from when they vote for a Town Council Tuesday.

But first the ballot's main issue — Measure A — will have to pass. That measure will determine if the area incorporates as a town.

Sixteen names will appear on the ballot for five council spots. They are Diane Barley, Bob Connelly, Dennis Johnson, Vicki Koc, Karen McPherson, Steve Mick, Vish More, Kevin Morrow, John Morrow, Randall Nahas, Karl Niyati, Joe Rubay, Grace Schmidt, Roger Smith, Brad Stribling and Brad Waite. Stribling has since dropped out.

Campus to celebrate 50 years of John Searle

At 76, not much has slowed for UC Berkeley philosophy professor John Searle.

"I'm in fine shape," he said in a recent phone interview, as he took a break from skiing at Squaw Valley. "I've lost a couple of seconds on my giant slalom, I'll admit."

Searle, a key figure in the Free Speech Movement, has zipped around his share of obstacles in 50 years on the UC Berkeley faculty. On Monday, the philosophy department will honor his half-century with a reception featuring stories about his career.

Long list of candidates for Tuesday's Alamo town council vote

Alamo voters will have 15 candidates to pick from when they vote for a Town Council Tuesday.

But first the ballot's main issue — Measure A — will have to pass. That measure will determine if the area incorporates as a town.

Sixteen names will appear on the ballot for five council spots. They are Diane Barley, Bob Connelly, Dennis Johnson, Vicki Koc, Karen McPherson, Steve Mick, Vish More, Kevin Morrow, John Morrow, Randall Nahas, Karl Niyati, Joe Rubay, Grace Schmidt, Roger Smith, Brad Stribling and Brad Waite. Stribling has since dropped out.

Campus to celebrate 50 years of John Searle

At 76, not much has slowed for UC Berkeley philosophy professor John Searle.

"I'm in fine shape," he said in a recent phone interview, as he took a break from skiing at Squaw Valley. "I've lost a couple of seconds on my giant slalom, I'll admit."

Searle, a key figure in the Free Speech Movement, has zipped around his share of obstacles in 50 years on the UC Berkeley faculty. On Monday, the philosophy department will honor his half-century with a reception featuring stories about his career.

Long list of candidates for Tuesday's Alamo town council vote

Alamo voters will have 15 candidates to pick from when they vote for a Town Council Tuesday.

But first the ballot's main issue — Measure A — will have to pass. That measure will determine if the area incorporates as a town.

Sixteen names will appear on the ballot for five council spots. They are Diane Barley, Bob Connelly, Dennis Johnson, Vicki Koc, Karen McPherson, Steve Mick, Vish More, Kevin Morrow, John Morrow, Randall Nahas, Karl Niyati, Joe Rubay, Grace Schmidt, Roger Smith, Brad Stribling and Brad Waite. Stribling has since dropped out.

Campus to celebrate 50 years of John Searle

At 76, not much has slowed for UC Berkeley philosophy professor John Searle.

"I'm in fine shape," he said in a recent phone interview, as he took a break from skiing at Squaw Valley. "I've lost a couple of seconds on my giant slalom, I'll admit."

Searle, a key figure in the Free Speech Movement, has zipped around his share of obstacles in 50 years on the UC Berkeley faculty. On Monday, the philosophy department will honor his half-century with a reception featuring stories about his career.

State budget: Done deal at last

SACRAMENTO — After all the theatrics at the state Capitol over California's new budget plan, you're probably wondering what the upshot is. Here are some answers:

Q When will the "temporary" sales tax increase take effect, and when will it end?

A The 1-cent-on-the-dollar increase begins April 1, but when it ends depends on the outcome of a ballot measure calling for a cap on state spending. If the spending cap fails, the tax increase ends June 30, 2011. If the cap passes, the tax ends June 30, 2012.

State budget: Done deal at last

SACRAMENTO — After all the theatrics at the state Capitol over California's new budget plan, you're probably wondering what the upshot is. Here are some answers:

Q When will the "temporary" sales tax increase take effect, and when will it end?

A The 1-cent-on-the-dollar increase begins April 1, but when it ends depends on the outcome of a ballot measure calling for a cap on state spending. If the spending cap fails, the tax increase ends June 30, 2011. If the cap passes, the tax ends June 30, 2012.

UC employees to contribute to pension after 20-year hiatus

University of California employees next year will start contributing at least 2 percent of their pay to the UC pension fund, marking an end to a 20-year contribution hiatus.

UC leaders ended contributions in 1990, saying the retirement fund was gaining enough value on its own. But UC regents this week said economic troubles had led to investment declines, making it time to reverse course.

On April 15, 2010, employees will start contributing 2 percent to the fund. That percentage is expected to increase gradually.

UC employees to contribute to pension after 20-year hiatus

University of California employees next year will start contributing at least 2 percent of their pay to the UC pension fund, marking an end to a 20-year contribution hiatus.

UC leaders ended contributions in 1990, saying the retirement fund was gaining enough value on its own. But UC regents this week said economic troubles had led to investment declines, making it time to reverse course.

On April 15, 2010, employees will start contributing 2 percent to the fund. That percentage is expected to increase gradually.

UC employees to contribute to pension after 20-year hiatus

University of California employees next year will start contributing at least 2 percent of their pay to the UC pension fund, marking an end to a 20-year contribution hiatus.

UC leaders ended contributions in 1990, saying the retirement fund was gaining enough value on its own. But UC regents this week said economic troubles had led to investment declines, making it time to reverse course.

On April 15, 2010, employees will start contributing 2 percent to the fund. That percentage is expected to increase gradually.

UC employees to contribute to pension after 20-year hiatus

University of California employees next year will start contributing at least 2 percent of their pay to the UC pension fund, marking an end to a 20-year contribution hiatus.

UC leaders ended contributions in 1990, saying the retirement fund was gaining enough value on its own. But UC regents this week said economic troubles had led to investment declines, making it time to reverse course.

On April 15, 2010, employees will start contributing 2 percent to the fund. That percentage is expected to increase gradually.

UC employees to contribute to pension after 20-year hiatus

University of California employees next year will start contributing at least 2 percent of their pay to the UC pension fund, marking an end to a 20-year contribution hiatus.

UC leaders ended contributions in 1990, saying the retirement fund was gaining enough value on its own. But UC regents this week said economic troubles had led to investment declines, making it time to reverse course.

On April 15, 2010, employees will start contributing 2 percent to the fund. That percentage is expected to increase gradually.

UC employees to contribute to pension after 20-year hiatus

University of California employees next year will start contributing at least 2 percent of their pay to the UC pension fund, marking an end to a 20-year contribution hiatus.

UC leaders ended contributions in 1990, saying the retirement fund was gaining enough value on its own. But UC regents this week said economic troubles had led to investment declines, making it time to reverse course.

On April 15, 2010, employees will start contributing 2 percent to the fund. That percentage is expected to increase gradually.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

UC employees to contribute to pension after 20-year hiatus

University of California employees next year will start contributing at least 2 percent of their pay to the UC pension fund, marking an end to a 20-year contribution hiatus.

UC leaders ended contributions in 1990, saying the retirement fund was gaining enough value on its own. But UC regents this week said economic troubles had led to investment declines, making it time to reverse course.

On April 15, 2010, employees will start contributing 2 percent to the fund. That percentage is expected to increase gradually.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

Contra Costa concerned over state budget issues

If the state decides to further defer payments to California counties, Contra Costa's programs and services would be jeopardized, according to the county administrator.

Contra Costa supervisors have cut more than $90 million from the county budget since May, so the governor's proposal of delaying payments by as long as seven months — resulting in a $3.5 billion deferment for the state's 58 counties — could be devastating, David Twa said.

Discovery Bay residents to offer input on increased law enforcement funding

With more than $1 million available for additional law enforcement, Discovery Bay residents will meet tonight to offer their suggestions on how the money should be spent.

The meeting will focus on how Contra Costa Sheriff Warren Rupf should propose to spend a portion of $1.2 million in P-6 District funds — a special tax on certain areas within the county for increased sheriff's services.

Rupf frustrated a number of residents when he made a proposal to the county board of supervisors without consulting the community, Discovery Bay resident Bob Mankin said.

Budget bear takes a bite out of high-tech crime fighting

A regional team of law enforcement specialists that helped crack some high-profile Bay Area crimes by digging into cell phones and computer hard drives shut its doors Friday, another victim of severe state budget cuts that threaten similar teams across the state.

The Northern California Computer Crimes Task Force, which included agencies from Contra Costa, Solano and 11 other counties north to the Oregon border, was among five teams statewide that lost more than 40 percent of their funding in a freeze on public safety grants that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger ordered this month. No new funding was projected for next fiscal year.

Colleges working on own economic stimulus

As Congress works out the details of its economic pick-us-up, community colleges are figuring out how to provide a stimulus of their own.

Enrollment is soaring as tens of thousands of unemployed California workers return to school, and the two-year colleges are renewing efforts to train a relevant work force. But they're trying to do it with the same meager funding that has come to characterize the poor segment of California higher education.