Lisa White

Developer makes changes to proposed Martinez townhome development

contracostatimes.com — MARTINEZ -- The developer of a proposed housing project has reduced the number of units, added parking and agreed to put in a pedestrian walkway to assuage neighbors' concerns. But the changes aren't enough to satisfy opponents worried about traffic and the size of the development.

Santa Cruz sailing crew rescues Golden Gate Bridge jumper

contracostatimes.com — SAN FRANCISCO -- A Santa Cruz sailing crew rescued a man who jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge on Monday, delivering him safely to Coast Guard officials. Scott Walecka, 56, of Santa Cruz, was taking his 38-foot vessel Animal to San Francisco to prepare for Friday's Spinnaker Cup race from the city to Monterey when his daughter, 23-year-old Hilary, said she saw a person jump from the fabled bridge shortly before 2 p.m.

Barnidge: Time to pay the price for rejecting fire district parcel tax

contracostatimes.com — Voters' rejection in November of a Contra Costa Fire District parcel tax -- it would have cost a typical property owner $75 per year -- was widely seen as a two-part ultimatum to those in charge: 1) Learn to live within your budget, and 2) find a less costly way to deliver emergency services.

Moraga: Three-alarm fire on Ivy Drive threatening homes

contracostatimes.com — MORAGA -- Fire crews are on the scene of a three-alarm vegetation fire on Ivy Drive in Moraga that one Contra Costa Fire Protection District official said was "building pretty good." The blaze began at approximately 1:30 p.m. near 80 Ivy Drive and is threatening structures in the area, said Fire Marshal Robert Marshall.

Antioch: Body found near Hudson Townhouse Manor apartments identified

contracostatimes.com — ANTIOCH -- An Antioch man found dead in front of a large apartment complex last week was identified Monday. Authorities said Nyjeah Jenkins, 22, was the man found near a fence on the edge of the property at the Hudson Townhouse Manor apartments just before 8 a.m. Friday.

A rare peek into a Justice Department leak probe

washingtonpost.com — When the Justice Department began investigating possible leaks of classified information about North Korea in 2009, investigators did more than obtain telephone records of a working journalist suspected of receiving the secret material. They used security badge access records to track the reporter's comings and goings from the State Department, according to a newly obtained court affidavit.

Announcing the Buskirk Avenue Improvement Project

511contracosta.org — Buskirk Avenue in Pleasant Hill will be undergoing an improvement, reconstruction and widening project. In addition, drainage improvements, new pedestrian and bike facilities, new pavement and striping will be added to the Avenue. As part of this project: Buskirk Avenue will be realigned with a new traffic signal at the Buskirk Avenue/Clarie Drive intersection.