Whopping 20 percent water hike in the East Bay, big prison gang prosecution in San Jose, death halts work at 49ers’ stadium, more.
Politics and Government
A new Gallup poll gives former President George W. Bush his first net positive approval rating in eight years. The Hill
Environmentalists are upset a provision in Jerry Brown’s budget that would borrow half a billion intended for programs to curtail greenhouse gases. Capitol Alert
The Bay Guardian’s Tim Redmond weighs in on the Warriors Arena and the 8 Washington condo project.
East Bay Municipal Water District’s board approved a whopping 20 percent rate hike to be put into effect in two steps over the next 13 months. Contra Costa Times
A new book by a GOP candidate for Virginia lieutenant governor is published with a spelling error on the cover. Politico
Other news and notes
Crews trucked Mount Diablo’s historic beacon off the mountain to begin a restoration project meant to have it shining anew by Pearl Harbor Day on Dec. 7. Contra Costa Times
Work was stopped until Thursday at the 49ers’ stadium site in Santa Clara after an elevator mechanic was killed in an accident inside an elevator shaft. Chronicle
The case against 48 alleged members and associates of Nuestra Familia prison gang in San Jose will be Santa Clara County’s biggest ever gang prosecution. Mercury News
Fire damaged several rooms at Berkeley’s historic downtown Nash Hotel. Oakland Tribune
Pacifica has all but banned fireworks in advance of the Fourth of July. San Mateo County Times
Work is to start early next month on a scenic new 1.7-mile segment of the Bay Trail for hikers and horses between Martinez and the town of Port Costa. Contra Costa Times
A package marked “Anthrax” arrives at a medical malpractice insurer near Napa’s airport and the building is quickly evacuated. SF Business Times
