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Twitter Files for Initial Public Offering
Microblogging Site Announces Confidential S-1 Filing in a Tweet; Goldman Sachs Is Lead Underwriter
In fewer than 140 characters, Twitter Inc. broke the news Thursday on its own short-message service that it has filed confidential paperwork to begin the process for its highly anticipated public offering.
An IPO would mark a business milestone for seven-year-old Twitter, which is used by more than 200 million people and created a global online communication culture, but has yet to prove itself as a big and lasting business in the mold of Google Inc. and Facebook Inc. FB -0.55 %
Since Twitter's filing was submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission under a new law that allows small companies to keep their IPO documents private, Twitter didn't reveal how fast it is growing or whether it is profitable.
Related Articles
- Meet Twitter's Founders
- A Brief History of Twitter IPO Denials
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- Twitter and the Very Public 'Confidential' Filing
- Twitter Filing Boosts Funds GSV Capital and Firsthand Tech
- Twitter Files IPO as Social-Media Stocks Storm Back
- Union Square Ventures, Jeff Bezos Firm Among Those That Stand to Gain
Twitter's Estimated Ad Revenue
Twitter's estimated advertising revenue:
- 2012: $288.3 million
- 2013: $582.8 million
- 2014: $950 million
- 2015: $1.33 billion
And comparison:
- Google revenue:
2012: $50.2 billion; 2011: $37.9 billion
- Facebook revenue:
2012: $5.1 billion; 2011: $3.7 billion
- Yahoo revenue:
2012: $5 billion; 2011: $5 billion
Source: eMarketer Inc.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. GS 1.90 % is the lead underwriter on the planned initial stock sale, people familiar with the matter said. One person familiar with the matter said other banks are expected to join Goldman in managing what is likely to be one of the highest-profile IPOs since Facebook went public in the spring of last year. A Twitter spokesman declined to comment.
Twitter has already achieved a valuation of more than $9 billion, as judged by private sales by employees of their stock to BlackRock Inc. BLK 0.59 % earlier this year, people familiar with that transaction have said. Such a valuation would still put Twitter well behind Facebook, which went public with a valuation of about $100 billion. After initially struggling, Facebook shares hit a new all-time high this week and now trade above their IPO price.
"It's maybe a little earlier than some people suspected. A lot of people suspected first quarter of next year," said Carter Mack, president of JMP Group Inc., a San Francisco investment banking and asset management firm. "It's been a terrific IPO market for technology-related companies this year."
Under the direction of CEO Dick Costolo for the past three years, Twitter made it a priority to turn its popularity into an ad business. Through ads on its service dubbed "promoted tweets," the company is expected to take in $583 million in ad revenue this year, says EMarketer Inc.
"Twitter has already become the pulse of the world for breaking news and information," said Josh Elman, a former Twitter executive, who owns shares in the company and now is a partner with venture-capital firm Greylock Partners. "I am excited for the business that has been built to support that."
A driver of the secret manner and possibly the timing of Twitter's filing could be the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act. An effort to spur corporate and economic growth in the wake of the financial crisis, the JOBS Act allowed for the first time some U.S. companies to initially file IPO paperwork confidentially, so that only regulators at the SEC can see it.
Only U.S. companies defined by the act as "emerging growth companies," which meet criteria including having less than $1 billion in revenues, can use confidential filings. The act also allows those that qualify for it less stringent disclosure requirements in areas including executive compensation, and enables them to quietly withdraw their filings if they don't find the demand they expect.
From the Archive
Companies don't have to have make their public filing until at least 21 days before they launch a "roadshow," which is when they actively shop the IPO to investors and price the deal. The filing doesn't obligate Twitter to set a timeline for selling its shares.
If it goes public soon, Twitter could capitalize on a buoyant market and a hot period of new stock offerings. The U.S. IPO market is on track to produce almost 200 debuts this year, which would be the most since 2007, according to Dealogic. The IPOs have also performed well for investors, jumping an average of 13.1% in their first day of trading.
Twitter has raised more than $1 billion in private financing so far, including money used to cash out some early investors or employees. Twitter's stock buyers have included venture-capital investors Charles River Ventures, Benchmark, Insight Venture Partners, Andreessen Horowitz and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Wealthy investors, including funds led by Russian billionaire Yuri Milner, and mutual-fund firm T. Rowe Price Group Inc., TROW 1.38 % bought private Twitter shares more recently.
Twitter will have to prove to investors that its ad business is more than just promise. Many big marketers still treat Twitter more as an experiment than a cornerstone of efforts to lure shoppers into a store or to pull people to their websites.
Part of the advertiser reluctance is the size of Twitter, which draws smaller numbers than TV networks or Facebook. Advertisers also say Twitter options for advertisers are crude compared with Facebook's.
"The appeal for advertisers is more than the amount of revenue they're getting at the moment because they don't have very good products," said Simon Mansell, chief executive of digital-advertising firm TBG and a Twitter ad partner.
Questions also remain about whether Twitter's popularity will prove lasting. New digital services, such as photo-sharing app Instagram and messaging service Snapchat, have emerged to challenge Twitter.
Twitter's decision to tweet about its confidential IPO filing is perhaps fitting for a company that gave people a platform to broadcast private moments. The company quickly followed its IPO disclosure tweet with another: "Now, back to work," the company wrote, with a photo from Twitter offices of employees working at their desks.
—Justin Baer and Sharon Terlep contributed to this article.
Write to Yoree Koh at firstname.lastname@example.com, Shira Ovide at email@example.com, Justin Baer at firstname.lastname@example.com and Sharon Terlep at firstname.lastname@example.com


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The San Jose State men's basketball team will participate in the Wooden Legacy during Thanksgiving weekend.
The ESPN family of networks will have live coverage of the eight-team tournament on Nov. 27-28 and Nov. 30. The opening two days will be at Cal State Fullerton's Titan Gym. The four games Nov. 30 will be at Anaheim's Honda Center.
"Our team is excited to be a part of the 2014 Wooden Legacy," Spartans coach Dave Wojcik said. "Year in and year out, the Wooden Legacy is one of the best tournaments in college basketball."
Other teams in the tournament will be Washington, San Diego, Long Beach State, Princeton, Western Michigan, UTEP and Xavier.

subset: commoncrawl


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TAHOE/TRUCKEE, Calif. - Twenty-nine elementary and middle school students from the Truckee and North Tahoe areas are excitedly preparing for a holiday concert with the Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus. The children, who range in age from 6-11, are looking forward to singing two songs this year with the adults in the chorus. Performances will take place on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. at the Resort at Squaw Creek. The adult program will include traditional carols, classical pieces, and some special numbers in honor of Founding Director Chris Nelson.
The children will sing "We Are the Children of Promise" with the Chorus; then they will take the stage alone to present "Around the World at Christmas Time," a beautiful song written for children's voices that promotes peace and understanding. Featured soloists will be Eva Baffone and Kaitlin Woodruff, with Lauren Tanner signing the second half of the number.
The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus is under the direction of conductors Susan Horst and Tom Acord. The children are part of the "Kids on Broadway" group directed by Courtney Simson, and are currently rehearsing their own holiday show to be presented the following weekend.
The program promises to be a wonderful holiday experience for all ages.
For more information visit www.singttcc.org or e-mail infottcc.org.


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Women's K-Swiss Whitburn Casual Shoes
Buy Online & Pick Up In-Store
For low-key kicks with plenty of athletic style, the K-Swiss Whitburn should be your first choice. Crafted out of soft, sumptuous leather and durable nylon, these sneakers offer superior support and waterproof style. The rubber outsole helps to give you traction on a variety of surfaces, while the low-profile silhouette ensures you have plenty of room to move.
- UPPER: Leather and nylon
- OUTSOLE: Rubber


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THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. Thank you all for your entries. We will be randomly selecting the grand prize winner shortly and announcing it here on the blog, as well as on Twitter and Facebook. Good luck to all!
We gave away the first Limited Edition "All-White" ZL Driver to come off the production line... here's your opportunity to win the last one!
GRAND PRIZE: Limited Edition "All-White" ZL #500 of 500. For this exclusive chance to take home the last ZL LE Driver ever made, leave a comment on this post and finish this sentence:
"I want the Limited Edition White ZL Driver because....."
CONSOLATION PRIZE: Be creative with your contest entries - Ian Poulter will pick his 5 favorites and winners will receive an Ian Poulter-autographed prize.
Open only to legal US residents 18 or older. Contest runs Dec. 1 - Dec. 15


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OAKLAND -- Residents, merchants and shoppers in the Piedmont Avenue, Rockridge, Grand Lake, Temescal and Lakeshore neighborhoods received the news this week that Oakland police will step up their presence in those neighborhoods.
The police department's announcement was good news in the wake of various parking lot vehicle break-ins, robberies, an armed mugging and store break-ins.
In a news release, the Oakland Police Department said it would use a variety of enforcement techniques in which officers will focus on intervention, prevention and enforcement. Police will also continue partnering with BART, the California Highway Patrol, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office, the state Department of Justice and community members to reduce crime, according to the release.
"We really need this," said Pamela Drake, director of the Lakeshore Improvement District. "The crime isn't particularly worse than before, it's just more recent. It's one of those things that comes and goes."
Drake said the additional police coverage will make people feel more comfortable about being out and about. Noella Teele, co-owner of the Issues magazines store on Glen Avenue and a member of the Piedmont Avenue Merchants Association, appreciates the coverage but thinks the area could do well to have a walking officer year-round.
"I live here and have been a merchant here a number of years," she said. "It's great that this is happening for the holidays, but it's something to take a look at throughout winter and beyond. I know there are monetary concerns that can hinder that, but if we can figure out how to do this a few weeks a year we may as well figure out how to do the same throughout the year."
Teele said walking officers would make a big difference in planning preventive efforts rather than dealing with problems crisis by crisis.
"They get familiar with the neighborhood and the people and can track problems and see trends to come up with solutions," she said.
Resident Ken Katz said while Lakeshore Avenue has private security seven days a week funded by the business improvement district, he is still happy about the increased police assistance and that they have heard the message from neighborhoods about crime problems.
Ronile Lahti, a member of the Piedmont Avenue Merchants Association, said while there is a current increase in crime in that area, and she is pleased about the increased police surveillance, she doesn't think it is a high-crime district.
"From what I've been hearing there has been of problem of people picking on folks who are not paying attention," she said. "I tell people all the time not to talk on the phone while they walk down the street. People can come by so quick and grab them."
Hoang Banh, a neighborhood services coordinator for the police department's Neighborhood Services Division, advises citizens to go to www.oakland.net/merchantwatch, a resource for crime prevention information for business districts.


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How supermarket chain Market Basket imploded from bad investments
To understand why a small north-east supermarket chain is giving Shakespeare a run for his money, you have to go back to an even bigger drama: the US financial crisis in 2008. That's when Arthur T Demoulas, the scion of the clan that controls Market Basket, joined two trustees in deciding to invest the entirety of the employees' $46m profit-sharing plan into the preferred stock of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
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Stephen Arbogast
Executive Professor
Stephen Arbogast served from 1999-2004 as the Treasurer of ExxonMobil Chemical Company and has over thirty years of experience in finance working with Exxon Corporation and ExxonMobil Chemical. While Treasurer of Chemicals, Mr. Arbogast held positions that included Director of Qenos (Australia's sole manufacturer of polyethylene, a joint venture with Orica PLC), Director of Dexco (a joint venture with Dow Chemical), and Director of Al Jubai Petrochemical Company in Saudi Arabia. Other former positions included Vice President of Finance for SeaRiver Maritime Inc. (an Exxon Shipping Company), Treasurer for Exxon Capital Corporation, Finance and Planning Manager for Esso Brasileira de Petroleo in Brazil, and Treasurer of Esso Central America, Panama, and Mexico.
Currently serving as an Executive Professor of Finance at the C.T. Bauer College of Business, Mr. Arbogast's teaching career has focused on International Finance and Project Financing. In addition to authoring over thirty case studies based on his experiences at ExxonMobil, he has previously taught at both Fordham University's Graduate School of Business in New York and Rice University's Jesse Jones Graduate School of Management in Houston.
Website: http://www.bauer.uh.edu/arbogast/
Publisher's website to purchase Prof. Stephen Arbogast's book: http://www.mmscrivenerpress.com/
Published Articles Website: http://www.bauer.uh.edu/arbogast/published-articles.htm
- Arbogast, Stephen. Resisting Corporate Corruption. M&M Scrivener Press. [December 2007]
- Arbogast, Stephen. Corporate Corruption and Resistance, Ethical Case Studies from the Enron File. M.M. Scrivener. [Summer 2007]
Contact Info
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Masters in Public Affairs
Princeton University
BA Government
Cornell University
Advanced Professional Certificate in Management of Financial Institutions
New York University


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Rug & Home owner named to governor's advisory council
Published: Friday, January 17, 2014 at 12:21 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 17, 2014 at 12:21 p.m.
Henderson County resident Rakesh Agarwal, CEO of Rug & Home Inc., has been named to Gov. Pat McCrory's Advisory Council of Small and Historically Underutilized Businesses.
Agarwal attended the Indian Institute of Technology in India and serves on the board of Four Seasons hospice. He also serves as the chairman of the board for Vision Express, which provides cataract operations for underprivileged women in rural India to preserve their vision.
The Advisory Council of Small and Historically Underutilized Businesses promotes the recruitment and utilization of small and minority businesses, according to a news release from the governor's office. The council assures access to purchase and contract opportunities for small businesses, and for businesses owned by a minority, or a woman, or a disabled person in an efficient and effective manner, the release states.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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- Aug 19:
- 12 fan arrests at 49ers' Levi's Stadium debut
- Aug 17:
- Purdy: Levi's Stadium isn't perfect, but it performed much better than 49ers
- Levi's Stadium welcomes 49ers for first time with few traffic jams, but there's a catch
- Fan photos: San Francisco 49ers vs. Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium
- Aug 16:
- 49ers get first crack at Levi's Stadium
- Aug 14:
- Levi's Stadium, ready for first 49ers game Sunday, rolls out beefed-up traffic plan
- Roadshow: What to expect at 49ers' first game at Levi's Stadium
- Aug 13:
- Sunnyvale, Santa Clara police weigh the after effects of Levi's Stadium event
- San Francisco 49ers: Levi's Stadium will use NFL's strict bag policy at all events
- Aug 12:
- Levi's Stadium makes its debut
- Aug 9:
- Levi's Stadium provides a much needed sense of place, but for whom?
The 49ers and their partners said Saturday night's Levi's Stadium opening sporting event was intended to be a practice run, and they sure found plenty of room for improvement before the NFL action starts in two weeks.
By halftime of the San Jose Earthquakes soccer match, the barbecue concessions stands ran out of sauce, and other vendors had no hot dogs left. Some bathroom lines snaked dozens deep while some of the automatic toilets that were meant to save water flushed continuously. The heralded Wi-Fi system didn't let everyone log on.
But the most irritating issue was transportation. First, a relatively small but very frustrated group of travelers had big trouble getting to the game in Santa Clara, with a couple of parking lots turning away prepaid, reserved customers while one chaotic scene unfolded on a train that lost power.
However, a lot more attendees had a nightmarish trip home, waiting an hour to get out of their parking lot, while the longest postgame journeys were by mass transit, where it took some more than two hours to get back to their original station.
Still, it seemed that most of the 48,765 in attendance had a fun time and either encountered no problems or were willing to overlook them in the face of all the high-tech and comfort upgrades the shiny new $1.3 billion stadium offered. But with the stadium hyped as one of the best in the world -- with the sky-high ticket prices to go with it -- the team knows it needs to improve before the first Niners preseason game on Aug. 17, when the crowd will reach 70,000.
"Is this what's to be expected to come? Absolutely not," said Jim Mercurio, the 49ers vice president of stadium operations and security. "Every single event, we will have an opportunity to get better, and we will review every aspect of every operation."
VTA delays
Perhaps the most furious complaints came from the 8,300 Valley Transportation Authority light rail riders to and from the stadium. Most raved about the pregame transit, where they arrived in a spread-out fashion with minimal waits. But the postgame crush was a different story, as it took up to 90 minutes for many just to get onto a train, VTA says, and then the rides took up to an hour.
Ruben Gonzalez, 61, of San Jose, had been waiting in line with his wife after the game for more than an hour when he took a call from his son, who drove to the game and said he was home in Santa Clara already and wanted to know if he should come back and get them. He wound up taking the train.
"Never again," Gonzalez said of VTA. "It was supposed to be traffic jam that kept people from getting home."
Others were so frustrated by the train lines they gave up: Chuck Konrad said he wound up taking an Uber back to Willow Glen in San Jose after walking a ways to a pick-up point. Another woman said she just walked a few miles to her car at a VTA lot -- and got there before some riders.
The good news? VTA is set to finish building a "pocket track" that will store extra postgame trains by the time the 49ers first hit the field in two weeks, allowing for quicker postgame service.
"I hope they'll give us another chance," VTA spokeswoman Colleen Valles said Sunday. "We're definitely looking at different ways we can make this better for people. I know long waits can be tough."
Dirt cover
On the roadways, more than 85 percent of soccer patrons entered the gates before the opening whistle, and most said they had little trouble driving in. But one major pregame problem stemmed from a medical issue aboard a stopped vehicle near the yellow lots, to which traffic coming off state Route 237 was sent. Compounding problems, some vehicles designated to park at those yellow lots were turned away after a miscommunication with team officials in the control tower, and drivers were sent to park on a neighboring golf course that covered some cars in dirt.
"Who had taken my spot that I had prepaid?" asked San Jose's Irene Tarter, who said it took her an hour to complete a drive that normally takes 5 minutes.
But the homebound problems were much broader. While the freeways -- Interstate 880 and highways 101 and 237 -- were smooth-sailing all night, many were stuck in traffic getting out of their lots, saying it took them around an hour just to get to the highway.
"It was the craziest thing I've ever seen. It was just chaos," said Christina Kolotouros of Woodside. "It's not going to work for a football game."
The extra 20,000 fans that will arrive for 49ers games could make the problems on the road significantly worse, but the Great America theme park next door was running a special discount day, with tens of thousands attendees that let out at the same time as the game. The amusement park will be mostly closed during the NFL season.
Elsewhere, the team is working on problems associated with scattered reports of poorly-stocked concessions, ill-informed stadium employees, spotty cell service, poor interior signage, covered beer taps and just about everything else that comes from a new business opening.
"All in all," Mercurio said, "it was a fairly good test."
* * *
Staff writers Bud Geracie, Katie Nelson, Daniel Brown and Elliott Almond contributed to this report.


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Letters to the Editor
Turtle Island
May we remember that we are 'occupiers' of a once vital, diverse country, filled with many different peoples with different languages, whom we in our greed destroyed. Can we ever ask them for forgiveness and reconcile with them for taking over their land and resources? I repent &... read more»
Climate Change
Just so you know everyone does not believe in climate change. If I recall correctly there were glaciers in the lower U.S. at one time and that was before anyone was here to talk about cliamte change. Why did those glaciers recede? Warmer climate. Due... read more»
sins of our fathers
Until I read a book recently about the history of the conflict between "my" people and the American Indians...I never realized that even "our country's father" George Washington took terrible advantage of the native people. We need to repent and the only way we may be... read more»
Climate Action
My family has a profound reverence for the world's resources and a deep appreciation for our role as stewards of this planet. That being said, I am displeased to see left-wing operatives of the Democratic Party use the church to advance a political agenda that is fundamentally... read more»
Okinawa issues
Thank you so much for addressing Okinawa's continued struggles with U.S. military expansion. I am a member of Pine UMC in San Francisco and even as a historic Japanese American church little is known of this conflict. As a hapa (Okinawan and Anglo American), the island of... read more»
Reforming Criminal Justice
Reforming the whole criminal justice system is a formidable undertakig but one that is desperately needed. Statistics show that 90% of inmates suffer with some form of substance abuse or addiction problem and 60% are diagnosbly mentally ill. Incarcerating people who are incapable of controlling their actions due to chemical imparement or... read more»
Another View
I offer a clarification and a response. The clarification is that Okinawa is a prefecture (state) within the nation of Japan. Whatever US military facilities are on Okinawa is because this is where the Japanese government wishes them to be as part of the treaty defense agreements with the US.... read more»
It Can Be Done
"Breaking News! 2 teens shot and killed in a north side home around 5:00 this evening.." No, it's not an episode of "Law and Order" or "Blue Bloods." It's just another night in Milwaukee. Milwaukee ranks right up towards the top of the list of the cities with the highest... read more»
What is the UMC doing to help refugees?
Bishop Wenner stated, " Even more people will come, We have to prepare ourselves for a new reality." What is the United Methodist Church doing to prepare itself to help the migrants to America?
Finally, yay! A Bishop Speaks Out
Thank you, Bishop Hoshibata! Finally someone in the UMC speaks out! We made international news when an Alabama church fired up a gun range in its backyard – never mind what the Book of Resolutions says. Pastors are afraid to mention anything from the pulpit for fear of offending giving... read more»


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- May 30:
- DA: No charges in fatal friendly-fire shooting of BART police detective
- Jan 29:
- BART police shooting: Family offers message of grief and gratitude
- BART police shooting: Thousands mourn at funeral for slain police sergeant
- Jan 28:
- BART police shooting: Hundreds come to pay respects to slain officer at visitation
- Jan 27:
- BART police shooting: Officers required to get written approval before future searches
- Jan 25:
- Police: Media reports on details of fatal shooting of BART sergeant last week 'inaccurate'
- Jan 24:
- BART officer shooting: Detective who killed partner was a 'by the book' careful cop, family says
- Herhold: Some thoughts about the BART police tragedy
- Jan 23:
- BART police shooting: Tom Smith killed by bullet that passed through gap in bulletproof vest, autopsy finds
- Jan 22:
- Reforms didn't prepare BART police for latest tragedy
- 'Stay safe': Brothers' last words to BART officer killed on duty
- Mercury News editorial: BART officer's tragic death cries out for answers
- BART officers mourn slain comrade; questions persist in shooting incident
- BART police sergeant shot and killed by fellow officer during search in Dublin
- Jan 21:
- BART police officer fatally shot by fellow officer during apartment search
DUBLIN -- BART Police Sgt. Tom Smith Jr. conducted many searches during his 23 years in law enforcement. So when the department's top detective on Tuesday entered a tiny one-bedroom apartment of a robbery suspect who was already in jail, there was no reason to believe this would be his last.
Smith wore a bulletproof vest beneath his plain clothes as he and four other officers found the door unlocked and stepped inside with guns drawn -- just in case someone was home.
Moments later, Smith lay dying, felled by another officer's bullet.
On Wednesday, while investigators explained more about what happened before Smith's tragic death, they refused to address what went so horribly wrong inside the Dublin apartment -- particularly whether the other officer mistook Smith for a threat or if his handgun went off accidentally. One expert deemed the latter unlikely.
One or more of the officers inside might have been wearing a camera, but investigators wouldn't say whether the shooting was recorded.
Only the terrible toll on Wednesday was clear: Smith, 42, was the first officer killed in the line of duty in the BART Police's 42-year history, leaving behind his wife, Kellie -- also a BART officer he met on the job -- and their 6-year-old daughter.
"The department is grieving, in shock. Please give us time," BART Police Chief Kenton Rainey said at a tearful news conference Wednesday in Oakland, describing Smith as a can-do, happy family man. "You just couldn't meet a nicer guy."
Ironically, Smith played a key role in helping the BART Police get better training and rebuild its community ties after the calamitous 2009 fatal shooting of prone, unarmed passenger Oscar Grant III at Oakland's Fruitvale station. He also was called on to explain another BART officer's fatal shooting of a homeless man in 2011 to a citizen advisory board.
Now BART Police will be left to explain how a man who spent more than half his life with the department was killed by a fellow officer.
BART officers were stationed outside Smith's San Ramon home early Wednesday and also at the East Bay home of Officer Michael Maes, who sources said is the colleague who shot Smith. An officer outside Maes' home said the family would not comment and asked that the family's privacy be respected.
Rainey refused Wednesday to name the officer who fired the fatal shot, in order to give him time to grieve. "He's extremely upset," Rainey said.
The Alameda County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the shooting, also refused to release the other officer's name but noted he had more than 10 years experience. Moraga Police confirmed Maes worked there from 1988 to 2000, when he left to join BART.
Sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson said seven BART officers and a Dublin police officer converged on the robbery suspect's apartment, in the Park Sierra complex at 6450 Dougherty Road, just before 2 p.m. Tuesday. They knocked twice on the door, but nobody answered; the door was unlocked, so five BART officers, including Smith, stepped in. Because the suspect was already on probation for another crime, police didn't need a warrant to search his home.
Nelson would not disclose what happened next, except to say one of the officers fired a single shot, wounding Smith in the upper body. Smith died later Tuesday at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley; an autopsy was performed Wednesday, but no details were immediately available.
Rainey said all uniformed BART officers up to the rank of sergeant must wear cameras on their lapels, but that's optional for plainclothes detectives. The cameras became mandatory as one of several reform measures adopted after the Oscar Grant shooting, but neither Rainey nor Nelson said whether those required to wear cameras had actually done so Tuesday.
"Our officers are trained to conduct this type of incident: going out, doing a probation search of an individual who was wanted for committing crimes on BART property," Rainey said, adding such searches aren't uncommon. "They're supposed to practice good officer safety and in accordance with their training ... because you never know what's on the other side of the door."
Entering a home is the "most dangerous" type of work police do, he added. "There is nothing routine about it."
Rainey said BART officers typically carry a 10 mm Glock or a .40-caliber Sig Sauer semi-automatic handgun, although some are authorized to carry other weapons. Nelson would not say what type was used in the shooting. Tom Nolan, criminal justice chairman at State Univeristy of New York at Plattsburgh, said police-issued firearms generally don't accidentally discharge.
"You don't just drop one on the floor and have it accidentally go off," said Nolan, who retired after 27 years as a Boston police officer. "You have to affirmatively pull the trigger, and it takes about five pounds of pressure to do so."
This could've been a case of target misidentification, poor communication, ineffective training or lack of coordinated effort, he said. "This is too rookie of a mistake for officers with that amount of experience on the job. These are routine searches. It's not something extraordinary."
The police were right to draw their guns if they didn't know who was inside, Nolan said, "but I would expect their fingers would be outside the trigger guard because that's what they're trained to do. You're trained to keep your finger outside the trigger guard to avoid certain situations like this tragic one."
Smith is the 36th on-duty officer killed by accidental gunfire in California since 1895, and the first since two Oakland police officers mistakenly shot and killed an undercover detective in January 2001. Gov. Jerry Brown and state Attorney General Kamala Harris offered their condolences Wednesday morning.
The robbery suspect, John Henry Lee, 20, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to one count of second-degree robbery with use of a handgun.
According to a declaration written by Maes and filed in Alameda County Superior Court, Lee leveled a gun as he robbed a man of his wallet, phone and laptop bag in Oakland's Fruitvale BART station's parking structure on the morning of Jan. 15. Less than a day later, a San Leandro officer saw Lee with a stolen car and burglarizing another car; Lee fled but later crashed and was caught with help from a police dog. He has been in jail since last Thursday.
On Wednesday morning, a trail of blood droplets led up to the front door of the apartment unit where Tuesday's shooting occurred. A man who answered the apartment's door refused to comment or identify himself.
Staff writers David DeBolt, Matt O'Brien, Malaika Fraley, Rick Hurd, Katie Nelson and Jeremy Thomas contributed to this report. Contact Josh Richman at 510-208-6428; follow him at Twitter.com/josh_richman.


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In honor of the most romantic day of the year, we are pitting our favorite TV couples of all time against each other in a 16-bracket contest. Think of it as March Madness, only Cupid style.
Best of all, you decide the winner -- the best TV couple of all time.
Who should advance in Round 2: Michael and Fiona ("Burn Notice") vs. Brennan and Booth ("Bones")?


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When Hurricane Sandy devastated much of the North East last month, it was a terrible natural disaster. In the 1930s, a disaster of a different kind tore through America and left its mark as the worst man-made ecological disaster: The Dust Bowl. Optimistic for a more fruitful future, Americans and European immigrants mistakenly (and regrettably) believed the Great Plains would serve as a profitable stomping ground for cultivating crops. When a succession of droughts plagued the Great Plains, the land that had once been a source of life for so many Americans was devastated and poor farming practices were to blame. With the grass gone, furious winds swept over the plains and produced dust storms that could have potentially eradicated the "breadbasket of America".
Presented Nationally by WETA through PBS, award-winning director and filmmaker Ken Burns takes on this major event in our history in his newest documentary Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl. Interviews with survivors, archival photographs, and rare film footage tell the stories of those who lived through the "Dirty Thirties". Survival, determination, human error, nature, and most importantly the relationship between humans and the land we live on, Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl shows how a nation overcame this catastrophe. Check out this interactive Dust Bowl experience on PBS.org!
Watch the two-part series of Ken Burns: The Dust Bowl Sunday, November 18 at 8:00pm and Monday, November 19 at 8:00pm on WETA TV26 and WETA HD.
Encore presentations of The Dust Bowl Part 1 on WETA TV26 & WETA HD:
November 18 at 10:00pm, November 19 at 2:30pm, November 22 at 2:00pm
Encore presentations of The Dust Bowl Part 2 on WETA TV26 & WETA HD:
November 19 at 10:00pm, November 20 at 2:30pm, November 22 at 4:00pm
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Simple Definition of devastate
: to destroy much or most of (something) : to cause great damage or harm to (something)
: to cause (someone) to feel extreme emotional pain
Full Definition of devastate
transitive verb
1 : to bring to ruin or desolation by violent action <a country devastated by war>
2 : to reduce to chaos, disorder, or helplessness : overwhelm <devastated by grief> <her wisecrack devastated the class>
devastatinglyplay \-ˌstā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb
devastationplay \ˌde-və-ˈstā-shən\ noun
devastativeplay \ˈde-və-ˌstā-tiv\ adjective
devastatorplay \-ˌstā-tər\ noun
Examples of devastate in a sentence
The flood devastated the town.
The disease has devastated the area's oak tree population.
The hurricane left the island completely devastated.
Origin and Etymology of devastate
Latin devastatus, past participle of devastare, from de- + vastare to lay waste — more at waste
First Known Use: 1638
Synonym Discussion of devastate
Rhymes with devastate
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DEVASTATE Defined for Kids
Definition of devastate for Students
1 : to destroy entirely or nearly entirely <The forest was devastated by fire.>
2 : to cause to suffer emotionally <He was devastated by the loss.>
Learn More about devastate
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for devastate Spanish Central: Translation of devastate Nglish: Translation of devastate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of devastate for Arabic speakers
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CORPUS CHRISTI — The Texas A&M – Corpus Christi men's and women's cross country teams have released their 2013 schedule today. The schedule is very challenging and will feature a variety of competitive courses and teams.
Islanders Head Coach Shawn Flanagan, who is entering his 13th season, is expecting good results from both teams.
"For the women's side, if we keep together and stay at it, then I think we are going to surprise a lot of people," Flanagan said. "It won't surprise me, but I think it will surprise some other people. On the men's side, we've got a nice, solid group of guys, and they've just got to keep their eyes on the prize, believe in themselves, run with confidence and be relentless in their pursuit of excellence.
"We must run with quality. That's the goal. If we do that then we are going to have some very good results this season. It's a challenging schedule, but I think it's one that will help us achieve all of our postseason goals."
The season will kickoff Friday, Aug. 30, as A&M – Corpus Christi will look to repeat its success at the Rio Grande Valley Relays, which is a dual meet with Texas – Pan American. Last season both the men and women had the top three finishes.
The Islanders will then head to Houston on Sept. 13 to run in the Rice Invitational, which will play host to several Southland Conference teams, giving the Islanders a chance to compete against their conference foes.
Both teams will then return to the Coastal Bend to compete in the 14th annual Islanders Splash, with the college meet taking place Friday, Sept. 27, while the high school and middle school meet will be the following day, Sept. 28. The Islanders Splash is a very important meet for A&M – Corpus Christi because it not only gives Islanders' fans a chance to see the team in action, but provides a challenging course as well.
"The home meet is important because you always want the hometown fans to have a chance to see you run," Flanagan said. "It's a challenging course though. You come to Corpus and you think it's going to be flat, but it's one of the more hilly courses in the state of Texas. I like that because this race along with the others on our schedule help prepare us for both terrains."
The Islanders will split up the next two meets with some going to the UIW Cardinal Invitational in San Antonio (Oct. 12) and others to the NCAA Pre-Nationals (Oct. 19) in Terre Haute, Ind. The Pre-Nationals will be a good measuring stick to see where the teams stack up against some of the top teams in the nation.
"We have very high aspirations for this year, so it's really good that we have a chance to compete at that stage to see what it's like," Flanagan added. "Having been there with teams before, it's been challenging, but hopefully we'll do well."
The teams will then have a two-week break before heading to Lake Charles, La., to compete in the Southland Conference Championships on Nov. 1, as both the men and women will look to better their fourth-place finish from the 2012 season.
On Nov. 15, the Islanders will head to the regional meet in Waco, as they try to qualify for the NCAA Nationals. Like the Pre-Nationals, the National meet (Nov. 29) will also be held in Terre Haute, Ind.
|Aug 30, 2013
|Rio Grande Valley Relays @ Edinburg, Texas
|All Day
|Sep 13, 2013
|Rice Invite @ Houston, Texas
|All Day
|Sep 27, 2013
|Islanders Splash (College Race) @ Corpus Christi, Texas
|All Day
|Sep 28, 2013
|Islanders Splash (HS & MS Race) @ Corpus Christi, Texas
|All Day
|Oct 12, 2013
|UIW Cardinal Invitational @ San Antonio, Texas
|All Day
|Oct 19, 2013
|NCAA Pre-Nationals @ Terre Haute, Ind.
|All Day
|Nov 1, 2013
|Southland Conference Championships * @ Lake Charles, La.
|All Day
|Nov 15, 2013
|NCAA Regional @ Waco, Texas
|All Day
|Nov 23, 2013
|NCAA Nationals @ Terre Haute, Ind.
|All Day


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Good morning and welcome to Summit Up, the world's only daily column that's appreciating a good, solid coffee cup.A coffee cup big enough to hold say, two or three portions of joe is exactly how we like it over here at the Summit Up World Headquarters.We like our mugs huge - it's the American way after all. We mostly prefer them to be tall enough and round enough to not only warm our frigid bodes, but to hydrate us through the strenuous mornings.It's two or three cups that are generally required to fuel the creativity energy day-to-day. But we seem to have overdone a good thing.You see, we've accumulated so many of these large mugs that we barely have the shelf space to store them! But that being said, some of them aren't really cool enough to make the cut if we were to cut our collection in half. In other news, it finally snowed yesterday! If we're lucky skies will be white through the remainder of the week and slopes will be covered with some real powder.We're officially on the final stretch waiting for the local ski areas to open with Keystone and Copper both opening some terrain Nov. 2 and Breckenridge following on Nov. 9. There are lots of great opportunities to get your planks, or board, snow bike, now ski, snow shoe, snow skate - or whatever it is you all like to slide on.MILLIONS OF SUMMIT UP READERS: Umm hello! Snow skates are all the rage this year. All of the really cool kids are doing it.SU: We've actually seen a few of these rough riders out there too! We're perplexed, how does it work?MSUR: It's a skateboard, ski snowboard, hybrid. We're all for variety over - we might not get it but we love it. Ride on snowskaters.Snowflakes, snowskates and planks. Do what you do. We out.
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October 24, 2012
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Maritime-related air pollution has decreased—as much as 40 percent, depending on the type—since 2005, according to a report released today by the Puget Sound Maritime Air Forum.
"The results of the 2011 Emissions Inventory are significant, with substantial pollution reductions across the board for the Seattle harbor," said Seattle Port Commissioner John Creighton. "We still have work to do in protecting the environment and the health of both our workers and our communities, but the results of the 2011 inventory show that we are headed in the right direction."
The report is the result of the 2011 Puget Sound Maritime Air Emissions Inventory, which provided an update to the 2005 baseline inventory.
The inventory estimated greenhouse gases, diesel particulate matter and a number of other pollutants, such as sulfur dioxides and volatile organic compounds. It focused on pollutants related to ships, harbor vessels, cargo-handling equipment, rail, heavy-duty trucks and other fleet vehicles associated with maritime activities.
Much of the clean air progress is due to significant, voluntary investments of the maritime industry and government agencies in cleaner technology, cleaner fuels and more efficient systems of operation.
Results from the 2011 inventory will help guide and focus future emissions reduction investments.Emissions in the airshed dropped since 2005 from the following pollutants:
Nitrogen oxides: reduced 14 percent
- Volatile organic compounds: reduced 40 percent
- Sulfur oxides: reduced 14 percent
- Particulate matter (PM10): reduced 16 percent
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5): reduced 16 percent
- Diesel particulate matter: reduced 16 percent
- Carbon dioxide: reduced 5 percent
Overall, emissions fell for most sources since 2005. Diesel particulate matter emissions are summarized below:
- Ocean-going vessels: reduced 16 percent
- Harbor vessels: increased 7 percent
- Locomotives: reduced 24 percent
- Cargo-handling equipment: reduced 40 percent
- Heavy-duty vehicles: reduced 52 percent
- Fleet vehicles: reduced 47 percent
In the harbor vessels sector, which includes ferries, tugs, fishing and recreational boats, some categories of pollutants increased.This is likely due to a 12 percent increase in boat traffic, as well as an increase in the use of larger engines, which have higher emissions.
The maritime industry has adopted a number of voluntary initiatives to reduce emissions, including switching to low-sulfur or biodiesel fuels, using shore power, replacing or retrofitting older engines and improving systems to use equipment more efficiently.
The Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy, a ground-breaking initiative of the ports of Tacoma, Seattle and Metro Vancouver, B.C., has helped further reduce emissions in the Puget Sound and Georgia air basins. Mandatory engine and fuel standards also have spurred adopting newer engines and cleaner fuels.
Some of the decrease also can be attributed to fewer ship calls and less cargo resulting from a sluggish economy.
Inventory results will help focus future efforts and investments. The ports of Seattle and Tacoma are updating their Northwest Ports Clean Air Strategy goals based on the inventory results.
Maritime partners will continue efforts to lower diesel emissions because they pose a public health risk. Exposure to diesel pollutants can contribute to increased rates of lung cancer, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular disease and other health effects.
Maritime industry partners continue to seek ways to reduce emissions from all sources, with particular attention to ships. While ship-related emissions have dropped, they account for 63 percent of the maritime-related diesel particulate matter emissions.
The 2011 results do not account for the North American "Emission Control Area" that went into effect Aug. 1, 2012, requiring ships operating in waters along the Pacific, Gulf and Atlantic coasts of the United States and Canada to burn cleaner fuels. This regulation is expected to have a significant effect in further reducing ship-related emissions.
The Seattle Port Commission will also soon be considering the next generation, or "Phase 2", of its Clean Trucks Program. The Commission will be taking a look at a number of options to incentivize cleaner truck technologies in the harbor, including a proposal by Commissioner Rob Holland last year to sponsor a pilot program with respect to trucks powered by compressed natural gas, or CNG.
"We have set the goal at the Port of Seattle to be the cleanest, most energy efficient port in North America," noted Commissioner Creighton. "I want to thank Commissioner Holland for his efforts working with port stakeholders –regulatory agencies, manufacturers, shipping and trucking companies and truck drivers – to look at how the Port of Seattle can continue to improve air quality for our community."


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East Carolina student dies after falling on fence
Published: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 11:53 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 11:53 a.m.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A 21-year-old East Carolina University student has died after he fell from a tree and was impaled on a fence post.
Police said Jonathan Bennett was walking on a tree branch about 6 feet above the fence when the branch broke around 1 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities say the fence post went through most of Bennett's chest and he was killed almost instantly.
Investigators say the tree had fallen on top of the fence, which appeared to have been built to contain debris when an apartment complex nearby was built.
Police are investigating the death. Investigators say Bennett and the four people with him may have been drinking.
Bennett was a geography major from Wilson.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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- Easy to use, indestructible and warranteed for the life of your pet.
- Made in the USA in our own workshop in Shelburne Falls, MA. and exported all over the world.


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Regulate your temperature in this pink and reflective Under Armour Women's Storm Melange 1/4 Zip Jacket. Constructed from super soft fabric that feels like a second skin, this long sleeved jacket includes Under Armour's signature Moisture Transport System to wick sweat and boasts a 4-way stretch fabrication to improve movability and speed up drying time. With a generous 1/4 zip front and a stand collar for extra coverage, it also includes a drop tail-hem and ergonomically designed thumbholes. - E.D
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Location: Appalachian Fruit Research Laboratory
Project Number: 8080-21000-023-06
Start Date: Oct 01, 2009
End Date: Aug 31, 2014
The "FasTrack" breeding project proposes to deliver an advanced biotechnology to an existing industry supported plum cultivar development program. "FasTrack" breeding technology will be developed to specifically meet the needs of the California dried plum industry by integrating the system with the major California dried plum industry's breeding program and targeting traits highly desired as test cases. The probability of success of this project is highly based on the long-term expertise and experience of the project investigators in plum breeding and transgenic technology of plum. This will ensure that the benefits of "FasTrack" technology are realized and lead to long-term commitments by the California dried plum industry, while at the same time, strengthening the plum "FasTrack" system's role as a model for other tree fruit industries to follow.


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Until today.
Dark Chocolate Dreams Cream Cheese Icing
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Dreams peanut butter
1/4 cup shortening
6 cups powdered sugar
1 Tbsp cream or half & half
Combine softened cream cheese, peanut butter and shortening in bowl of stand mixer. Beat on high speed, scraping bowl occasionally until smooth. Add the powdered sugar in one cup increments, scraping down bowl and beating well with each addition. Add a tablespoon (or more) of cream after the last addition of powdered sugar, to get icing to desired consistency.


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Chirlane McCray, de Blasio's Wife, Appointed to Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City
Mayor Bill de Blasio will announce Thursday that he was appointing his wife, Chirlane McCray, to be head of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.
Political observers have wondered what role Ms. McCray might play since Mr. de Blasio won the election in November. She is poised to become the most influential first lady in modern history.
Ms. McCray has a background in city politics. Mr. de Blasio met her in 1991 at City Hall when she was a speechwriter for former Mayor David Dinkins. She was also a speechwriter for former state Comptroller Carl McCall and former comptroller Bill Thompson. More recently, she has been a full-time volunteer for her husband's campaign, making phone calls and rallying troops on his behalf.
The mayor has described his wife as the most powerful voice in his life. She has been intimately involved in the appointment of top administration officials and the crafting of the mayor's major speeches.
"When I've been trying to choose people for my team, a lot of time Chirlane sits in on the interviews," Mr. de Blasio said last year. "There's a deep trust. But I also like the way she assesses people and what she sees."
She also has a strong online presence. She sends out tweets and posts family photos on her Tumblr account.
While New Yorkers have warmly welcomed Ms. McCray and the couple's children, Dante and Chiara, into the fabric of public life in New York, a poll published last month showed only about a quarter of city voters want Ms. McCray to have a major role at City Hall.
According to the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute, 27% percent of voters, including 31% of women and 23% of men, said the mayor's spouse should have a major role in shaping policy. Another 36% said she should have a minor role. And 30% of voters, with 28% of women and 33% of men, said she should have no role.


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STOCKTON – Police have already arrested a suspect in a homicide that occurred late Monday in the 5400 block of Holiday Drive.
A 21-year-old man identified by the San Joaquin County Coroner's Office as Alexander Centeno, who lived in the duplex on Holiday Drive, was shot around 11:50 p.m. Friends and acquaintances took him to the Kaiser Permanente Medical Office Building on West Lane, but when they realized it was closed, they called 911 for an ambulance, police said.
The man was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police obtained an address in north Stockton, where they found the 19-year-old suspect and arrested him without incident. His gun was found nearby.
People at the address where the suspect was found called police when the suspect showed up.
This is Stockton's second homicide in 2013. At this point in 2012, there had been seven homicides.
Location, ST | website.com


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The New A1 Chip Cameras from SAMSUNG Electronics with their Leading Edge Analog Video Technology set the bar high! The SCC-B5366 is one of the advanced cameras from this line featuring 600TV Lines of Resolution, Adaptive Digital Noise Reduction and a Multi Language On Screen Display. Ultra Easy Installation and CCVC control capability allows the installer to access camera menu fast to save time and money! All of these features are packed into a stylish plastic dome housing with the 3 Axis Gimbal Design for flexible indoor installations, making the Samsung A1 Chip Analog Camera Line truly the Best Next Generation Technology.
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Hendersonville boil water order lifted
Residents of Haywood Knolls, Sweetwater Hills and Rugby Hollow may resume normal consumption
Published: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 9:35 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 9:35 a.m.
Residents of Haywood Knolls, Sweetwater Hills and Rugby Hollow may consume tap water without boiling it, Hendersonville Water and Sewer announced around 9 a.m. Saturday.
Laboratory analysis of water samples found the samples to be safe for drinking, according to a water system news release.
Water service was disrupted on Wednesday when a water main was damaged near the entrance to Haywood Knolls. After repairs were made, residents in the Highway 191 area were asked to boil their water until laboratory sampling could be completed.
Residents with questions may contact the water department at 697-3073 or 891-7779 after regular business hours, weekends and holidays.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Okay, so you fucked up (Note: I thought about using a symbol- like #, $, *, or %- for the "u," but it just didn't seem natural. And anyways, who doesn't love a blog post that begins with expletives? I know I do.).
Okay, so you fucked up. We all fuck up from time to time. Hell, even I fuck up. I know it's difficult to believe that last statement, but it's actually true.
You did something you said you wouldn't do, you didn't do something you said you would do, or you just flat out hurt your spouse's feelings and now you have to talk about it. Well many times, a simple "I'm sorry" just ain't gonna cut it. And then you're still in trouble. Below are four easy (well, mostly easy) steps that you can take to get out of the doghouse with the one you love.
Don't forget!
- Enter my "this is love" photo contest and you could win a $100 Target gift card! The contest is ending on October 15, so get creative and start taking some pictures! Oh yeah, and then send your favorite one to me. (FYI: there is a NEW UPDATE about this contest at the bottom of the post- click HERE to read it)
- Have a burning question for me? Here's your chance to ask it! Click HERE to read more about this new video project and how you can submit your question.


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Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams, T.I. Appeal Copyright Infringement VerdictThe three performers are seeking to overturn the ruling that awarded $5.3 million in damages to Marvin Gaye's family as well as 50-percent of royalties.
5 Wildest Political Rants by MusiciansThis is what happens when artists use their platform to share their strong opinions.
T.I. Teams with Dr. Dre for Aaliyah 'Dope' TributeThe Dr. Dre-produced track has T.I. rapping over an Aaliyah "Rock the Boat" sample.
T.I. Shares His New Daughter's Unique NameThe household already includes children named King and Major, so another commanding first name should fit right into the mix.
T.I. Has Harsh Words for Donald TrumpT.I. posted a video declaring he nor any of his fans would support Donald Trump.
T.I. To Star In 'Roots' Miniseries RemakeTip will play Cyrus, a headstrong slave who joined the the Union Army against Confederate Forces in order to fight against slavery.
T.I. Posts Video Apology, Addresses Hillary Clinton Comments"I'm being told to be quiet & just let this pass.... Nah that ain't quite ME."
Oprah on T.I.'s Woman President Comments: 'Honey Child, Hush Your Mouth'Oprah was having none of T.I.'s foolishness.
T.I. Apologies For Hillary Clinton CommentsThe Atlanta rapper has quickly backtracked on his comments regarding the presidential candidate.
T.I. Talks Tip and Musical Independence in Rap Radar InterviewT.I. are "two letters that mean absolutely nothing to me (laughs)."
Iggy Azalea Responds to T.I. Claims of Severing Business Relationship"I'm sure Tip will publicly clarify what he meant when he feels he has the right platform to do so and other than that, I'm chillin'," tweeted Iggy.
T.I.'s 'Check, Run It' Video, Stream new EP 'Da' Nic'Tip returns.


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Worst Storm of Season to Hit Major Cities
East Coast braces for latest winter weather, more snow on the way.
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Sending well wishes to Jim Kelly as he battles cancer. Today you can sign a giant get well card for the hall of famer.
The card will be making stops across Monroe and Ontario Counties including Eastview Mall tomorrow from 6:30pm-8:00pm in the food court, click here for a list of other times and locations.
Courtesy WHEC.com
Location, ST | website.com


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- Oct 3:
- Jahi McMath: Family breaks silence on brain-dead girl's condition
- Oct 2:
- Jahi McMath: Attorney shows video he says proves Oakland girl moves feet, hands at mother's commands
- Oct 1:
- Jahi McMath: Family seeks to have brain-death ruling overturned, girl declared alive
- Aug 17:
- Reports that Jahi McMath is coming home are false
- Jun 20:
- Jahi McMath: Experts say New Jersey 'best destination' for brain-dead patients
- Jun 18:
- Jahi McMath being kept at New Jersey hospital
- Jun 13:
- Jahi McMath: Brain-dead Oakland girl receives certificate from school
- Jun 12:
- Jahi McMath getting diploma for eighth grade, family says
- Jun 11:
- Jahi McMath: Family pushing school to grant brain-dead teen's diploma
- Mar 13:
- Jahi McMath: Family calls state report 'B.S.'; new medical record details emerge
- Jahi McMath: State releases report on Children's Hospital Oakland's handling of patients
- Feb 27:
- Jahi McMath's family to get award from Terri Schiavo foundation
- Feb 19:
- Jahi McMath: Complete text of letter from brain-dead girl's mother
- Jahi McMath 'much better,' her mother says
- Feb 1:
- Jahi McMath: Is it safe to have tonsil surgery at Children's Hospital Oakland?
- Jan 27:
- Jahi McMath video claims to show her feet and toes move
- Jan 25:
- Jahi McMath: five similar brain death legal cases
- Jahi McMath: Could her case change how California determines death?
- Jan 17:
- John Horgan: Don't be too quick to judge Jahi McMath's family
- John Horgan: Readers react to Jahi McMath commentary
- Jan 9:
- Jahi McMath: Medical experts say organ failure inevitable
- Jan 8:
- Jahi McMath: Girl given breathing, feeding tubes, attorney says
- Jan 7:
- Jahi McMath: Streetfighting lawyer takes heat, death threats for brain-dead Oakland girl's family
- Jan 6:
- Jahi McMath: Family says brain-dead teen's body may be too deteriorated to save
- Document: Medical analysis of Jahi McMath's deteriorating condition
- Jahi McMath: Brain-dead girl moved to undisclosed care facility
- Jan 5:
- Jahi McMath: Brain-dead teen's family moves her from Children's Hospital Oakland
- Jahi McMath: Timeline of events in case of brain-dead Oakland teen
- Jahi McMath: 13-year-old brain-dead Oakland girl moved by family from hospital
- Jan 3:
- Daniel Borenstein: Mischaracterizations of Jahi's condition ignites insane legal fight
- Jan 2:
- Jahi McMath: Case heads to federal court Friday
- Jan 1:
- Jahi McMath family spends first day of 2014 searching for doctor to help get teen to New York facility
- Dec 31:
- Document: Hospital decries Jahi McMath family's wishes to keep her on ventilator
- Jahi McMath may be transferred to treatment center in New York
- Jahi McMath: Terri Schiavo group secretly leading transfer efforts
- Jahi McMath: Hospital fights in court to remove brain-dead girl from ventilator
- Dec 30:
- Jahi McMath: Judge's order keeping girl on ventilator reinvigorates family
- Jahi McMath: Judge extends order keeping girl on ventilator
- Dec 29:
- Jahi McMath: Statement of Children's Hospital Oakland
- Jahi McMath: Mom and lawyer say only remaining option for brain-dead girl is a New York care facility
- Dec 28:
- Jahi McMath: Family, attorney release letter addressing critics
- Jahi McMath: Family trying to raise money to get 13-year-old airlifted out of state
- Dec 27:
- Jahi McMath: Hospital open to transferring brain-dead teen but won't perform surgery required by admitting facilities
- Jahi McMath: Children's Hospital Oakland agrees to release brain-dead girl to long-term care
- Contra Costa Times editorial: No one recovers from being brain dead
- Dec 26:
- Jahi McMath: Family ready to move brain-dead girl to new facility; hospital may refuse surgery request
- Jahi McMath: 2 years ago, a girl wound up severely brain damaged following similar surgery
- Jahi McMath: Family says they'll move brain-dead girl to another Bay Area facility
- Dec 25:
- Jahi McMath: Family tries to have normal holiday celebration in hospital waiting room
- Dec 24:
- Lost in the divisive battle over Jahi McMath is a mother's undeniable love
- Jahi McMath: Judge denies petition to keep girl on ventilator past Dec. 30
- Dec 23:
- Jahi McMath: Judge extends order to keep brain-dead girl on ventilator
- Dec 22:
- Faith leaders call on prosecutors to investigate Jahi McMath case
- Oakland: Need for tonsillectomies in question
- Dec 21:
- Jahi, her mom and 13 days at Children's Hospital Oakland
- Jahi McMath: Medicine's ability to keep a heart beating complicates how death is perceived
- Oakland: Emotional letter from Jahi McMath's mom to keep daughter 'warm'
- Dec 20:
- Oakland: Judge grants restraining order keeping Jahi McMath on ventilator through Monday
- Family of Oakland girl on ventilator furious after meeting with hospital officials
- Dec 19:
- Family of girl left brain dead at Children's Hospital Oakland demands medical records
- Dec 18:
- Jahi McMath prayer vigil: "God knows we want a miracle"
- Family of Oakland girl on life support after tonsil surgery calls for international prayer vigil
- Dec 16:
- Family furious, hospital investigating after tonsil surgery leaves girl brain-dead
- Oakland: Girl declared brain dead after tonsil surgery may be taken off life support Tuesday
- Dec 15:
- Oakland girl, 13, declared brain-dead after tonsil surgery
OAKLAND -- With time running out for a brain-dead Oakland girl, the family of Jahi McMath and officials from Children's Hospital Oakland on Friday agreed to allow Jahi's mother to remove her from the hospital as long as she takes full responsibility for the girl's care.
The compromise forged in Alameda County Superior Court may put an end to weeks of wrangling over what to do with the 13-year-old girl, whose family hopes she will revive even though experts say that is not possible.
It still isn't clear how the family would move her, or where they would take her.
They need to find a doctor who will surgically insert tubes for breathing and feeding and a location where that can be done. During a day marked by a flurry of legal proceedings after an agonizing three-week battle between the family and the hospital, Superior Court Judge Evelio Grillo refused the family's request that he order the hospital to perform those operations.
The hospital says it is unethical to operate on someone who is dead, but Jahi's mother, Nailah Winkfield, clings to hope because her daughter's heart is still beating.
The family's lawyer, Christopher Dolan, speaking outside the courtroom, said the family is fighting for a feeding tube for Jahi because it had been 24 days since she had any nutrition.
Jahi had tonsil, nose and throat surgeries on Dec. 9 and was declared brain dead two days later after she developed complications. Medical experts say that without nutrition, a patient's body starts suffering irreversible damage within two to four weeks.
A temporary restraining order preventing the hospital from removing the ventilator that's keeping her lungs moving and heart pumping expires Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Friday's agreement came as both sides softened their stances after an emotionally taxing court battle that left the hospital's attorney nearly in tears outside court.
"It's horrible that this child has died," said Douglas Straus, an attorney for the hospital, before choking up. "It's also horrible that it's so difficult for her family to accept that death ... ."
The hospital will allow a transfer team to enter the facility and move Jahi out; her entire health responsibility and consequences of the move would then be transferred to her mother, according to the agreement.
Jahi's tubes from the hospital's ventilator will be removed and placed into the transport team's equipment, along with other devices, and her body will be moved from the hospital's gurney to a new one, the agreement states. Her medical records, medications and a status report will be handed over and the hospital will sever its ties with her.
"(Winkfield) must agree that she shall be wholly and exclusively responsible for Jahi McMath the moment custody is transferred in the Hospital's pediatric intensive care unit and acknowledge that she understands that the transfer and subsequent transport could impact the condition of the body, including causing cardiac arrest," according to the agreement.
Dolan called the agreement a "victory in terms of getting us one step closer," but the family still needs to find a doctor to insert the breathing and feeding tubes.
"Until this agreement was just made, everything was in flux. This just removes all those impediments," he told a throng of media outside court. He said "there are doctors who are willing to do the procedure" but would not name them.
Initially, he said, a critical care ambulance will take Jahi from the hospital, but the procedures will not be done there.
"Nobody's going to do an operation while driving down the street. That's absurd," he said.
It's unclear what ambulance company will remove Jahi from the hospital, but an air ambulance company that quoted a price for flying Jahi from Oakland to Long Island, N.Y., where a facility agreed to take her, said Friday it had not been contacted by the family and no flight was imminent.
The hospital originally required an agreement from an outside facility willing to take Jahi, but backed off that when the family agreed to take "her body unconditionally," hospital spokesman Sam Singer said, adding that Children's Hospital still has not heard from any agency or transport company willing to take her.
"It's now in Mr. Dolan's court," Singer said. "They will have to give us a time and date."
After the lower court hearing, attorneys headed to federal court blocks away in Oakland, where a magistrate presided over a conference between attorneys for the family and the hospital. After about six hours, attorneys for both sides emerged, saying that no new agreement or order had come out of the meeting.
"This whole day has been about clarity ... what doors have to be opened and what obstacles need to be removed," Dolan said after the discussions ended around 7 p.m. "We are confident that we will be able to accomplish what we need to do."
Jahi's family appeared buoyed by the agreement as they spoke Friday evening.
"When you love your children the way I love mine, you go above and beyond," Winkfield said. "Every time I go in and see Jahi, it makes me want to keep pushing forward.
"When I talk to her, she moves. ... If I felt my child was suffering, I would not keep her on that machine."
Jahi's uncle, Omari Sealey, added: "The fight isn't over. We are very optimistic."
Dolan filed a complaint in federal court on Monday, asking for an additional order forcing the hospital to keep the girl on the ventilator and give her the breathing and feeding tubes, saying that the hospital was violating the family's freedom of religion and privacy by forcing them to take the girl off the breathing machine. A federal judge will hear arguments Tuesday afternoon, about four hours before the Superior Court order is set to expire.
In papers filed with a state appeals court Friday, attorneys for Children's Hospital said a demand that doctors perform surgery on Jahi's body was "grotesque and unprecedented." The hospital's chief of pediatrics, Dr. David Durand, said that hospital staff members were "demoralized" by the court's order forcing them to continue caring for a dead girl. That court took no action Friday.
Elsewhere Friday, an Alameda County coroner's office investigator said Jahi's death certificate has been issued and that it listed her name and date of death as Dec. 12, the day she was declared brain dead after her sleep apnea surgery ended with complications, but listed no cause of death pending an autopsy. Officials have not yet made that certificate public.
Contact Matthias Gafni at 925-952-5026. Follow him at Twitter.com/mgafni.


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WAYNE HEIGHTS — Friends of Monterey Pass Battlefield Inc. received the blessing of the Washington Township supervisors Monday to move forward with plans to create a new building on the site where the second largest Civil War battle was fought in Pennsylvania in July 1863 as troops retreated from Gettysburg.
The new building — which would act as a museum/interpretive center — would replace an existing stone building that is rapidly deteriorating on the Blue Ridge Summit property.
The supervisors unanimously gave the green light for the proposed project with a few conditions that must be satisfied prior to its start, including having monetary funds available for construction and speaking with the former owners to receive their blessing.
The Brubaker family — a former owner of the site — created the existing building and a monument on the property in memory of Corp. Joseph Brubaker Jr., who died while serving in the Vietnam War.
The stone monument is crumbling, and officials with Friends of Monterey Pass Battlefield hope to replace the monument with one acceptable to his family.
Damaged structure
Lee Royer — a local surveyor and member of Friends of Monterey Pass Battlefield — presented a slide show at Monday's meeting, highlighting the deterioration of the existing stone structure.
Problems included a leaky/damaged roof, water damage, bee holes, drafty windows and a floor located below ground level.
"Originally we were going to repair the current structure," said Royer. After gathering information on needed repairs, the nonprofit organization decided it was best to move forward with new construction.
"We want to construct a new building and do it right," said Royer, who added the group's intentions are to create a building that is more energy-efficient and safe for the housing of historical artifacts.
New construction
The proposed 28-foot by 38-foot structure would be located closer to storage units near Charmian Road. Hopes are to have the building constructed by June 1 before the 150th anniversary of the Civil War battle. The building would have an 8-foot porch and fewer windows than the existing structure to reduce ultra violet (UV) rays from entering.
Too many UV rays and rapid changes in humidity can destroy historical artifacts over time, explained John Miller, a local historian who was instrumental in securing and researching the site.
Royer could not provide an estimated cost for the new structure at Monday's meeting. He added the organization hopes to use in-kind donations of materials and volunteer labor to help reduce the overall cost of the project.
On the Net
Page 2 of 2 - www.montereypassbattlefield.org
Location, ST | website.com


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Stefan Dag transformed skiing more than 30 years ago.
He just might be primed to do it again.
In 1980, the Austrian native and part-time Carbondale resident unveiled the Rapidgate, a hinged slalom pole constructed of polycarbonate thermoplastic that still is widely used at all levels. A variation of the technology will cover the slopes of Aspen Mountain for today's Aspen Winternational giant slalom and slalom races.
Now, the 62-year-old self-proclaimed industrial artist and entrepreneur is thinking big again. For nearly five years, he's been toiling on a redesigned pole, one fashioned out of soft but durable ballistic materials. Dag calls it the Airkipp - kipp loosely translates to "tip" in German - and says the revamped design will make injuries a thing of the past.
"It's kind of bizarre that nothing has changed with these gates in about three decades, and I thought something had to be done. It's ironic that it's me doing it again," Dag said Thursday. "I thought of this several years ago, but I always tossed it to the side. I had a hard time with the original fighting with the (International Ski Federation) - it was like a personal war trying to get them to change. I didn't want to do this again. I already have a nice life.
"Nobody knows slalom poles better than me, and if this was a bad idea, I wouldn't have touched it. But this was just too good."
Airkipp poles, the result of years of tinkering with hundreds of prototypes, are sized to meet FIS specifications and fashioned out of urethane-laminated ballistic nylon. Impact areas are reinforced to prevent wear.
"It's the most durable thing there is on the planet," proclaimed Dag, who developed the system with the help and encouragement of wife Alexandra. "It's made of expensive materials and complicated manufacturing techniques - this isn't something you make for a kids' pool in the backyard. The valves are difficult to make; the bladder is difficult. This was a can of worms. Luckily, I've been in a few cans of worms."
Set-up requires three steps: drilling a hole in the snow with a special bit, inserting the gate and then inflating the internal urethane bladder, which takes about 10 seconds. When deflated, an Airkipp pole is not much bigger than a balled-up T-shirt.
"Would you like to carry 10 of these in a pack on the chairlift or 10 of the (original gates)?" Dag asked. "This really is a no-brainer."
The poles come in hot pink and fluorescent yellow to create an interesting profile and improve visibility - "Blue and red are ancient, and those colors fade in the shadows," Dag said. (They retail for about $69 each, and Dag's "starter kit" - 20 gates, a backpack, drill bit and drill caddy as well as an inflator with lithium-ion battery, is available for $2,237 on www.airkipp.com.)
The most significant benefit, however, is safety, he added. Airkipp's design is predicated on eliminating most of the mass of conventional "hard" gates, thereby decreasing the force of inertia.
"I really want to help ski racing. This isn't about me," Dag said. "Inertia and big mass leads to pain, broken teeth, the usual. There are kids that are afraid of slalom training in clubs because of the gates and people that would love to ski gates but are getting older and don't want to armor themselves like knights in shining armor.
"I'm trying to make everything right that was wrong with my first pole, especially the injuries and the pain. Maybe then I can get into heaven."
Dag's system was rolled out about three months ago, and he has embarked on what he calls a guerrilla marketing campaign to drum up interest. He spent Thursday's opening day on Ajax doing demonstrations at the top of the Gondola Plaza.
Last week, during a U.S. Ski Team training session on Strawpile, he was chatting with everyone from Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club athletes to course workers and officials.
"You never know who you're going to run into in Aspen," he said. "I met a guy from upstate New York, a coach at Hunter Mountain, who said, 'This is cool. I've never heard of this. Can I have your card?' Basic gumshoe work is what I'm doing. People I talk to are on board and interested, but they have to be convinced. This is something new that has to be proven, and then they'll jump on the bandwagon.
"Anybody who creates a new product will tell you the same story. People are skeptical, and they should be. You have to be brave because you're going to hear negative things thrown at you. It's human nature. Call it being a devil's advocate. "
The Austrian ski federation - the same organization that threw Dag out of his home mountain, Kitszbuhel, for demonstrating the Rapidgate in the '80s - is reviewing the Airkipp system and has been receptive, Dag said. He also has engaged in preliminary discussions with both AVSC and Aspen Skiing Co.
"Give it five years, and this will have a life of its own. I'm convinced of that," he said. "Of course I'd want to see this used in the World Cup - I'd be a fool if I said no. But this time, I have a bottom-up approach. I'd rather have young kids using it right now and not getting injured. I'd rather have intermediates with no injuries, and then work our way up to the pros.
"The market is huge. There are thousands of ski areas where people slalom. I want to see ski school with clients going up and running gates and rental shops renting a course in a bag and people getting to go ski in a designated area. Basically, I want to bring the fun back to skiing."


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Area briefs: USC's Clowney wins pair of weekly SEC awards
Published: Monday, November 26, 2012 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 12:49 a.m.
University of South Carolina sophomore defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was selected as Southeastern Conference Defensive Lineman of the Week and Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Carolina's win over Clemson, the league office announced on Monday.
Clowney set school records for sacks in a game (4.5) and a season (13.0) in the Gamecocks' 27-17 win at Clemson.
... USC outside hitter Juliette Thévenin earned a spot on the All-Southeastern Conference second team. She is the first Gamecock since 2008 to claim an All-SEC award.
CLEMSON: Football head coach Dabo Swinney was named one of 16 semifinalists for National Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club of Pennsylvania.
... Senior Sandra Adeleye was named Volleyball Co-Player of the Week by the ACC for the final week of the regular season.
USC UPSTATE: Torrey Craig was named to the CBE Hall of Fame Classic all-tournament team after averaging 16.7 points per game during the holiday basketball tournament in Santa Clara, Calif.
WOFFORD: In Durham, N.C., Morgan Wrightson's 18 points gave the Wofford women's basketball team its second come-from-behind win, as the Terriers rallied past North Carolina Central, 50-39, Monday night in the McDougald-McLendon Gym.
Wrightson scored 13 points in the first half as the Terriers trailed 24-22 at the half, but Wofford held NCCU to only 15 second half points to earn its second win of the season after trailing at the half. Tisha Dixon paced N.C. Central with 11 points.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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- Nov 5:
- Contra Costa Times editorial: BART leaders didn't just cave -- they got rolled
- Nov 1:
- Contra Costa Times editorial: Careful what you wish for. BART strike ban could be worse the than the disease
- Major BART unions approve contract that ended strike
- Oct 31:
- Coroner releases cause of death for BART workers
- Oct 29:
- Legislature to hold special hearing on BART worker safety
- Oct 28:
- Barnidge: There's a good reason BART wanted control of overtime expenses
- Oct 26:
- BART raises follow similar pay bumps for Bay Area workers, especially in government
- Oct 25:
- Borenstein: BART upped offer on salary and benefits 48 percent in the final hours of negotiations
- Oct 24:
- BART: Controversial "simple approval" work practice eliminated
- Two arrested for graffiti at BART's Richmond yard during strike
- Oct 23:
- BART suspends 'simple approval' practice after fatal accident
- BART deaths investigation to halt service Wednesday afternoon between Pleasant Hill, Lafayette
- Man hurled hammer at striking BART workers, DA says
- Roadshow: Should BART workers be allowed to strike?
- Oct 22:
- Two trainees were being prepared to shuttle commuters during BART strike, feds say
- BART strike deal: how it happened and who gets what
- Contra Costa Times editorial: BART negotiators sold out riders and taxpayers
- Oct 21:
- BART tragedy: Trainee was operating train that struck and killed workers, NTSB says
- Barnidge: BART riders have spoken, and they're not happy
- BART strike: Calls for law to ban transit strikes pick up steam
- Oct 20:
- National Transportation Safety Board takes over BART tragedy investigation
- Oct 19:
- Two BART workers killed during maintenance work as strike moves into third day
- Oct 16:
- Barnidge: Worker demands weren't the only ridiculous thing about BART labor negotiations
- Jul 2:
- Data Center: Current and projected average BART wages
- Jun 9:
- BART's top-paid worker of 2012 never worked a day
No one knows for certain how the recently ended BART strike will affect taxpayers and riders -- higher fares are a safe bet -- but there's little question that it raised public awareness of Steve Glazer, an Orinda city councilman and 16th District State Assembly candidate.
Glazer, a political consultant, correctly gauged public sentiment in late September as unions made strike threats. His petition drive to outlaw such a job action gave voice to voters who were unhappy at having their transit system held hostage. He started a website (www.banbartstrikes.com), handed out fliers and gathered signatures while visiting all 44 stations.
"If you want to know how long it takes to go to every BART station," he said, "I know the answer -- 5 hours and 35 minutes. That's with no bathroom stops and not getting off to eat. You have to do some transfers, of course."
Glazer isn't announcing a signature count because the movement is still alive, but he reports that more than 10,000 supporters boarded his bandwagon just between the time the October strike started and ended.
One signature not among them is that of Danville Mayor Newell Arnerich, who's also a candidate for the District 16 seat. He thinks the strike-ban campaign was a disgrace. He charges Glazer with politicizing a hot-button issue and "harvesting email addresses" for his political campaign.
"This is exactly what's wrong with our system of government," he said in a statement. "We need solutions, not politics, to solve our area's most pressing problems. Standing in front of a BART station, directing commuters to your campaign website does nothing to solve the BART problem for commuters."
If you detect the scent of sour grapes, you are not alone. While Arnerich stakes out the high road -- what other road was left? -- he surely knows that Glazer won followers by championing a popular cause and raised his profile in a race that will also include Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti and Dublin attorney Catharine Baker.
Arnerich said it's presumptuous to call for a ban on strikes. He acknowledged that the rhetoric plays well with unhappy commuters, but he also said it ignores the nuances of the negotiation process.
"We weren't sitting in those rooms and knowing what was going on," he said. "I think you need to have the facts. Steve brought this up purely for political gain. I don't think it's appropriate to have elected officials speculating on what is right or wrong."
Apparently, quite a few local officials disagree. Among a dozen or so whose support Glazer recently secured were five at a media briefing last week -- Oakley Mayor Kevin Romick, Moraga Mayor Dave Trotter, Orinda Vice Mayor Sue Severson, Lafayette Vice Mayor Don Tatzin and Walnut Creek City Councilman Bob Simmons. They followed Glazer to a makeshift podium at the Walnut Creek BART station.
"Although I'm a registered Republican and on the other side of the political aisle from Mr. Glazer, this is an issue that deserves bipartisan support in the Legislature," Trotter said.
"It's time the Bay Area leaders come together," Severson said, "and give serious consideration to a ban on BART strikes."
Added Simmons: "This is an essential public service."
Glazer stood to the side, a thin grin creasing his face as TV news cameras rolled. He may or may not be the best Assembly candidate, but he definitely understands politics.
Contact Tom Barnidge at email@example.com.


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I change the setting, and the problem fix! But this cause another problem: for some videos the picture is a little jitter at the bottom (about 1 cm high), it's fine when revert the setting. Here is the log and conf:
PS: the video name in the debug.log is "Brave.2012.720p.BluRay.x264.AC3-HDChina.mkv"


text:
rich sand (deeper skin with yellow undertones)
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