Bay Area News (BETA)

The San Francisco Medical Examiner hopes Monday to determine the precise cause of death for a 39-year-old San Mateo resident found badly beaten in his car in the city's Crocker-Amazon neighborhood. Police officers found Alfonso Rodriguez at 9:50 p.m. Friday...

A North Richmond man was killed and his son injured outside their home Saturday after the father came outside to see the source of gunshots, police said. Lathel Williams, 59, died from gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at his home. His 29-year-old son,...

The annual Taurids meteor showers put on a show in the Bay Area on Saturday evening, with one especially spectacular fireball wowing residents from around the region. April Orcutt caught a glimpse of the slow-moving meteor in the western sky from her home in...

The Alameda County judge who presided over the dispute between UC Berkeley and tree-sitters seeking to block a construction project, Barbara J. Miller, was found dead Friday at her home in Oakland. She was 58. Judge Miller was found a little after 6 p.m.,...

- Four thousand years ago, a government bureaucrat in Mesopotamia jotted down a tally of slave laborers on a clay tablet. The bureaucrat left behind the count in wedge-shaped symbols that proved hard to fully decipher with the naked eye. Until now....

For 63 years, the Marines' Memorial Club has served as a living reminder of the sacrifice made by America's war heroes, and by those who loved them. As the nation nears Veterans Day '” uncertain as ever about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan '” the club provides sanctuary to both the living and the dead.

Starting in the wee hours of Saturday morning, thousands of eager people spilled out of the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in a determined effort to receive one of 5,400 doses of the coveted swine flu vaccine.    Special section: Swine flu | More health

Several food-related green initiatives are on council’s Tuesday agenda

Three months ago, I wrote that Santa Clara County District Attorney Dolores Carr had squandered her right to automatic re-election and deserved a vigorous opponent in next June's election. Now she's drawn one in Jeff Rosen, a veteran homicide prosecutor.

Will on-ramp lights from Palo Alto to San Jose help ease the South Bay's toughest commute?

The U.S. Geological Survey reported an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 2.6 struck Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara County near the Calaveras Reservoir.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office was investigating four vehicle fires that happened at about the same time Saturday night in El Sobrante and Richmond.

A man who was shot to death in front of a home in North Richmond early Saturday morning has been identified by a Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office spokesman Sunday as 59-year-old Lathel Douglas.

California tailback Jahvid Best sustained a concussion and was taken to the emergency room after he leapt high into the air, flipped over a defender and landed on the back of his head in the end zone.

Livermore police this month will be focusing education and enforcement efforts on drivers who are more than 70 years old.

SANTA CLARA Co. -- The U.S. Geological Survey reported that an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 2.6 struck Sunday afternoon in Santa Clara County near the Calaveras Reservoir.

SAN JOSE -- San Jose officials are expected to take another step to improve the environment by restricting the use of plastic foam at public events.

CONTRA COSTA CO. -- The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office is investigating three vehicle fires that happened at about the same time Saturday night in El Sobrante and Richmond.

FAIRFAX, Calif -- Authorities in Marin County have been busy lately looking for lost hikers. Seven Marin County deputies, a water district ranger and a California Highway Patrol air crew were all called out to locate two hikers who were lost after dark Saturday in the hills above Fairfax.

After striking for three days, San Francisco hotel workers went back to work Sunday morning and received a cold reception from at least one major employer.

The Bay Area is all about the environment, but what about the more intimate aspects of life?

It you felt a little giggle Sunday afternoon, blame it on a small earthquake.

For a second time in a week, East Bay investigaors are investigating a string of vehicle fires.

The FDA issues a health alert regarding pet treats made by a Central California company.

UC Berkeley students will try to best the world's largest sushi roll.

The Titans got their second straight win with a 34-27 victory over the stumbling 49ers on Sunday.

Investigators are searching for suspects after finding a man beaten to death Friday night in the Excelsior District.

The San Francisco cold case unit is solving cases with the help of DNA evidence.

Conflicting stories are emerging over a Muni station agent fight involving two girls.

A same-sex ballroom dance competition, California Dreaming, comes to San Francisco.

Will on-ramp lights from Palo Alto to San Jose help ease the South Bay's toughest commute?

State officials pledge to open dialogue after a surprise announcement.

Chica is a tiny baby kitten found wandering outside in the cold. With a heating pad and some TLC from Valley Humane Society, she warmed right up and will be available for adoption soon.

academicsThree local students have graduated from California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks: Marissa Payne, Alamo, bachelor's degree in communications; Travis Becker, Livermore, bachelor's in marketing communication; and Andrew Jensen, Livermore, bachelor's in exercise science/sports medicine.

Eden Medical CenterDakotah Tirado and Daniel Wuelfing, Castro Valley, Oct. 9, boyElicia Medina, Castro Valley, Oct. 9, girlSophon and Samuth Ean, Castro Valley, Oct.

Americans arrested on a hiking path that crossed the Iran-Iraq border released public statements through their families.

Blazes occur close to the scene of six similar fires last week

Career coaching helps job seekers hone resumes, skills and confidence

Two victims suffer cuts but are expected to survive.

One of Fremont's busiest thoroughfares returned to full strength last week, signaling that the city's largest-ever public works endeavor is nearly finished.

Will on-ramp lights from Palo Alto to San Jose help ease the South Bay's toughest commute?

A Fremont fire captain and a pastor take an ailing retiree on a nostalgic ride.

Program provides firsthand experience of firefighter's duties

Pay increase for Farber is less than consultant's recommendation

HaywardParent resource center: The latest parent resource center on a Hayward campus opened last week at Longwood Elementary School.As part of a directive by the school board, all campuses eventually will have the facilities, which provide meeting spaces for parents involved in the schools, as well

Will on-ramp lights from Palo Alto to San Jose help ease the South Bay's toughest commute?

STUDENTS FROM Notre Dame de Namur University, in Belmont, helped set up a safe Halloween environment for 400 underprivileged children in San Francisco's tough Tenderloin neighborhood.

Images to be displayed through Nov. 30 at five locations.

n Daly City council set to consider ordinance at Nov. 23 meeting

A Burlingame man still had a license after 8 convictions, data show.

Will on-ramp lights from Palo Alto to San Jose help ease the South Bay's toughest commute?

An optional monthly fee means no due dates or late charges.

Photo slide shows of local high school football teams on the gridiron

A group of former Oakland Raiders will take on members of the San Leandro Police Department in a charity basketball game beginning at 5 p.m. Sunday at Chabot College.

Democrats would love to have a shot at the Republicans' moderate Senate district to get closer to a two-thirds majority.