Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

Old rules for lighting up in Contra Costa may be up in smoke

Apartment landlords would have to alert prospective tenants of which neighbors smoke and how they handle cigarette complaints under an updated secondhand smoking ordinance Contra Costa supervisors will discuss today.

The supervisors will vote on recommendations that add teeth to already strict smoking regulations in unincorporated Contra Costa County. The ordinance could also hold restaurant owners liable for smoking in outdoor dining areas, a regulation that some proprietors have been ignoring, said Wendel Brunner, Contra Costa's public health director.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

U.S. Supreme Court lets medical pot law stand

The U.S. Supreme Court has killed a lawsuit that sought to challenge the validity of one of California's key medical marijuana laws.

By refusing Monday to review the lawsuit brought in 2006 by San Diego County and later joined by San Bernardino County, the court let stand the state law requiring counties to issue identification cards to qualified medical marijuana patients. The ID card program was adopted in 2004 under SB420, the Medical Marijuana Program Act; the cards are meant to protect patients by helping law enforcement officers discern protected medical marijuana use from illicit recreational use.

Plan for East County fire board fails

MARTINEZ — Supervisors' plan to create an East Contra Costa County fire board to solve financial and staffing issues has failed, a fire chief said Tuesday.

The cities of Oakley and Brentwood have balked at joining the alliance, saying the economics and timing won't work, according to acting East Contra Costa Fire Protection District chief Hugh Henderson.

"We don't want to force government on cities that don't want it," said Supervisor Mary Piepho, of Discovery Bay, whose district includes that department.

Lawmakers to scrutinize accounting firms

SACRAMENTO — Experts are urging California lawmakers to aggressively scrutinize major accounting firms, under fire for their part in the collapse of financial institutions around the country.

They called for stricter penalties for firms that turn in fraudulent audits that favor their clients over the public — including banning them from practicing in California.

The trail of financial deception — from Bernie Madoff's so-called Ponzi scheme that ripped off investors of $50 billion to alleged fraudulent accounting by KPMG in its handling of failed California subprime mortgage lender New Century — "can lead one to believe the public can't rely on the accuracy of financial documents of publicly traded companies," said Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, the chairman of the Assembly Banking and Finance committee.

Brown, Newsom foreshadow age-vs.-youth battle

SACRAMENTO — The 2010 Democratic primary campaign for governor hasn't quite kicked off, given that two of the top three prospects have yet to declare their candidacies. But Saturday, state party delegates got a foreshadowing of what could emerge as competing themes among Democrats over the next year: age and experience versus youth and change.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who announced his candidacy last week, played up the change part at the Democrats' convention, and took some glancing, if coded, blows at a presumptive candidate, state Attorney General Jerry Brown, saying, "California can't keep returning to the same old, tired ideas and expect a different result."

Brown, Newsom foreshadow age-vs.-youth battle

SACRAMENTO — The 2010 Democratic primary campaign for governor hasn't quite kicked off, given that two of the top three prospects have yet to declare their candidacies. But Saturday, state party delegates got a foreshadowing of what could emerge as competing themes among Democrats over the next year: age and experience versus youth and change.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who announced his candidacy last week, played up the change part at the Democrats' convention, and took some glancing, if coded, blows at a presumptive candidate, state Attorney General Jerry Brown, saying, "California can't keep returning to the same old, tired ideas and expect a different result."

Brown, Newsom foreshadow age-vs.-youth battle

SACRAMENTO — The 2010 Democratic primary campaign for governor hasn't quite kicked off, given that two of the top three prospects have yet to declare their candidacies. But Saturday, state party delegates got a foreshadowing of what could emerge as competing themes among Democrats over the next year: age and experience versus youth and change.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who announced his candidacy last week, played up the change part at the Democrats' convention, and took some glancing, if coded, blows at a presumptive candidate, state Attorney General Jerry Brown, saying, "California can't keep returning to the same old, tired ideas and expect a different result."

Antioch urging county to maintain misdemeanor prosecutions

Fearing a surge in criminal activity, Antioch leaders agreed this week to send a letter to Contra Costa County supervisors protesting funding cuts to the District Attorney's Office.

Those cuts prompted District Attorney Robert Kochly to announce earlier this month that his office would forgo prosecuting many misdemeanor offenses.

Originally expected to go into effect next week, that policy was put off for the foreseeable future earlier this week at an emergency public safety hearing before the board of supervisors. Kochly announced developments that would allow normal prosecutions to continue through the fall.

Antioch urging county to maintain misdemeanor prosecutions

Fearing a surge in criminal activity, Antioch leaders agreed this week to send a letter to Contra Costa County supervisors protesting funding cuts to the District Attorney's Office.

Those cuts prompted District Attorney Robert Kochly to announce earlier this month that his office would forgo prosecuting many misdemeanor offenses.

Originally expected to go into effect next week, that policy was put off for the foreseeable future earlier this week at an emergency public safety hearing before the board of supervisors. Kochly announced developments that would allow normal prosecutions to continue through the fall.

Antioch urging county to maintain misdemeanor prosecutions

Fearing a surge in criminal activity, Antioch leaders agreed this week to send a letter to Contra Costa County supervisors protesting funding cuts to the District Attorney's Office.

Those cuts prompted District Attorney Robert Kochly to announce earlier this month that his office would forgo prosecuting many misdemeanor offenses.

Originally expected to go into effect next week, that policy was put off for the foreseeable future earlier this week at an emergency public safety hearing before the board of supervisors. Kochly announced developments that would allow normal prosecutions to continue through the fall.

Antioch urging county to maintain misdemeanor prosecutions

Fearing a surge in criminal activity, Antioch leaders agreed this week to send a letter to Contra Costa County supervisors protesting funding cuts to the District Attorney's Office.

Those cuts prompted District Attorney Robert Kochly to announce earlier this month that his office would forgo prosecuting many misdemeanor offenses.

Originally expected to go into effect next week, that policy was put off for the foreseeable future earlier this week at an emergency public safety hearing before the board of supervisors. Kochly announced developments that would allow normal prosecutions to continue through the fall.