SF News

The U.S. Supreme Court indicated today that it is likely to decide in late November whether to review the case of Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage.

The high court today posted a notice on its website revealing that the Proposition 8 case is on the agenda for the justices' private conference on Nov. 20, along with five other cases challenging the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Under the court's normal procedures, its decision on whether to hear the California marriage case would be announced in an order list released on Monday, Nov. 26.

The sponsors of the 2008 voter initiative prohibiting gay and lesbian marriage in California have asked the justices to overturn a decision in which the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco found the measure to be unconstitutional.

If the high court grants review, a decision would be expected by the end of June.

If it denies a hearing, the 9th Circuit decision will go into effect and gay and lesbian weddings could resume in California.

In an appearance in San Francisco 10 days ago, Theodore Olson, a lawyer for two couples who challenged Proposition 8, said that if the Supreme Court denies review, same-sex marriages in the state could resume as early as Dec. 1.

But Olson, of Washington, D.C., said he thinks the court is more likely to take up the Proposition 8 case so that it can look at the issues in that lawsuit together with those in the Defense of Marriage Act cases.

The court may want to address all the issues of marriage rights and alleged discrimination together and "get it done," Olson said.

The placement of a case on the court's conference agenda does not guarantee the panel will act on the case that day. The court previously put the Proposition 8 appeal on the agenda of its Sept. 24 conference at the start of the current court term, but never announced any action.

But the combination of the Proposition 8 and DOMA cases on the Nov. 20 agenda appears to make it more likely that the court is preparing to act.

The Defense of Marriage Act bars the U.S. government from recognizing same-sex marriages for purposes of federal benefits and tax deductions, even when the marriage has taken place in a state allowing such unions.

One of five DOMA cases on the high court's Nov. 20 conference agenda is a challenge to the law filed by Karen Golinski, a staff member of the 9th Circuit in San Francisco who wants to enroll her wife in a government employee health plan.

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Fresh from their World Series sweep, the San Francisco Giants are coming home today, and a jubilant Bay Area is preparing to celebrate their arrival.

The team is scheduled to arrive at San Francisco International Airport at 3 p.m.

The Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-3 in 10 innings Sunday night to complete a four-game sweep and clinch their second World Series championship in three years. They defeated the Texas Rangers 4-1 in the 2010 World Series, the first title since moving to San Francisco in 1958.

"Kind of wanted it go one more game -- wanted one more day of baseball -- but I'll take it," said Steve Bonachita, 41, of Daly City. "Getting to the World Series was the toughest, but once we were there it was a breeze."

The Giants fought off elimination in both the National League Division Series against the Cincinnati Reds and the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals before sweeping the Tigers.

"The rain in Detroit couldn't dampen the drive, talent and determination of the San Francisco Giants team tonight," San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement Sunday night. "Once again, the Giants brought our city together as we all cheered on our hometown heroes to another remarkable World Series victory."

Lee announced that the championship ticker-tape parade will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the foot of Market Street and end at Civic Center, where there will be a celebration.

Bonachita, who was wearing a Giants jacket, missed the 2010 parade but will be there this time.

"I'm definitely not missing this one," he said.

The Giants went into the 10th inning tied 3-3 but a single from Marco Scutaro plated Ryan Theriot to put them ahead 4-3. Closer Sergio Romo finished it off by striking out the side.

The win also gives the Giants their seventh championship in franchise history.

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SF Giants Heading Home To Celebrate World Series Win

Fresh from their World Series sweep, the San Francisco Giants are coming home today, and a jubilant Bay Area is preparing to celebrate their arrival.

The team is scheduled to arrive at San Francisco International Airport at 3 p.m.

The Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers 4-3 in 10 innings Sunday night to complete a four-game sweep and clinch their second World Series championship in three years. They defeated the Texas Rangers 4-1 in the 2010 World Series, the first title since moving to San Francisco in 1958.

"Kind of wanted it go one more game -- wanted one more day of baseball -- but I'll take it," said Steve Bonachita, 41, of Daly City.

"Getting to the World Series was the toughest, but once we were there it was a breeze."

The Giants fought off elimination in both the National League Division Series against the Cincinnati Reds and the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals before sweeping the Tigers.

"The rain in Detroit couldn't dampen the drive, talent and determination of the San Francisco Giants team tonight," San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement Sunday night. "Once again, the Giants brought our city together as we all cheered on our hometown heroes to another remarkable World Series victory."

Lee announced that the championship ticker-tape parade will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the foot of Market Street and end at Civic Center, where there will be a celebration.

Bonachita, who was wearing a Giants jacket, missed the 2010 parade but will be there this time.

"I'm definitely not missing this one," he said.

The Giants went into the 10th inning tied 3-3 but a single from Marco Scutaro plated Ryan Theriot to put them ahead 4-3. Closer Sergio Romo finished it off by striking out the side.

The win also gives the Giants their seventh championship in franchise history.

Dozens Arrested, Storefronts Vandalized After Giants' Win

At least 35 people were arrested, dozens of businesses were vandalized and a San Francisco Municipal Railway bus was set on fire during rowdy celebrations that followed the San Francisco Giants' World Series win on Sunday night, police said today.

The arrests, most of which occurred in the city's South of Market and Mission neighborhoods, were for various felonies and misdemeanors, police spokesman Officer Albie Esparza said.

Bonfires were lit in the middle of streets in the Mission District, and a Muni bus was set on fire at Market and Kearny streets. Muni spokesman Paul Rose said that bus had just been revamped and cost $700,000.

Rowdy fans also climbed on top of other buses around the city, and Rose said the agency received reports of broken windows, graffiti and other damage. He said the total damage is still being assessed.

At about 12:45 a.m. today, a number of large bonfires were burning on Mission Street from 17th Street south. Crowds there were fueling the fires with plastic garbage and recycle bins, which could be seen melting in the flames.

Nearby, fires were still smoldering on Valencia Street, although cars were still being allowed to drive through the area. Police officers wearing riot helmets and carrying batons lined the edges of the street, blocking people from entering the roadway, which was littered with broken glass.

"We responded to approximately 76 fires last night," San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge said. "At this point we're attributing most of them, if not all of them, to celebratory-type activity."

Of those fires, four were vehicle fires. One involved the Muni bus and another a U-Haul vehicle that burned at 25th and Dakota streets, Talmadge said.

She also said there appear to have been at least a handful of injuries.

"I believe there was one person that may have been injured at one of the bonfires," she said. "The crowd kind of pushed the individual into the bonfire."

Talmadge said two police officers may also have been hurt.

She noted that there was "bottle throwing and that kind of activity," which she said "puts a damper on things for those who are celebrating."

At Civic Center Plaza, where the game was being shown on a large screen, a 22-year-old man was hit in the head with a bottle and was taken to a hospital, police said.

Talmadge advised merchants to keep their trash and recycle bins out of sight for the next few days, especially along the Mission Street corridor, as more rowdiness is possible.

Vandals sprayed graffiti on storefronts along several blocks of Mission Street between 16th and 24th streets, where burned debris was still piled up on the sidewalk this morning.

Mayela Santamaria, an employee at CJN Dentistry at 2484 Mission St., was busy this morning washing the spray paint off of the door of the business.

"This is not the way to celebrate," Santamaria said. "This is ridiculous."

Twenty-Two Displaced, Eight Puppies Killed In Three San Jose Fires Since Sunday Morning

The San Jose Fire Department is investigating the cause of three major fires since early Sunday that displaced a total of 22 people, killed eight puppies and badly damaged four homes and a former gymnastics club.

Firefighters were dispatched to the first of the blazes at 7:34 a.m. Sunday, when a fire was reported at a seven-unit condominium complex in the 3000 block of Creekside Drive, San Jose fire Capt. Mary Gutierrez said.

The four-alarm fire resulted in major damage to three units and minor damage to five other units at the complex, she said. Six garages and five vehicles were destroyed.

Eighty firefighters were sent to the scene, including crews from the Milpitas Fire Department and the Santa Clara County Fire Department. The blaze was controlled shortly before noon.

There were no reported injuries, but 12 people were displaced, with four seeking housing assistance from the American Red Cross, Gutierrez said.

Sunday's second fire was reported at a single-family home in the 10000 block of Murtha Drive at 8:35 p.m. That blaze reached three alarms before firefighters had it under control at 10:42 p.m., Gutierrez said.

One firefighter was treated at a hospital for a minor injury and later released, Gutierrez said.

Eight puppies died in that fire, she said.

The home sustained major damage and was deemed uninhabitable, and the Red Cross assisted 10 people in finding alternative housing, Gutierrez said. A second home next door had minor damage.

The third blaze was reported this morning, at 3:53 a.m., at the former Almaden Valley Gymnastics Club in the 1900 block of Almaden Road.

When firefighters arrived, the roof of the building was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters battled the stubborn blaze from the outside because there was so much smoke coming from the building, and to prevent firefighters from falling into two swimming pools believed to be inside, fire Capt. Reggie Williams said.

Crews controlled the fire by 6:45 a.m.

No one was injured, but the fire is considered suspicious, Gutierrez said.

Pooja Trizedi, communications specialist for the Red Cross in San Jose, said the organization helped four of the 12 people displaced in the Creekside Drive fire obtain shelter.

The people they assisted told the Red Cross that their roof collapsed following an explosion of some sort in their garage, Trizedi said.

The Red Cross also obtained alternative shelter for six adults and four children displaced in the fire on Murtha Drive. The families, which include two adults who are diabetic, are being put up at the San Jose Airport Garden Hotel. They are also receiving food and clothing, Trizdezi said.

One Killed, Three More Seriously Wounded In Separate Oakland Shootings Late Sunday

One man was killed and three other people seriously injured in four separate shootings in Oakland Sunday afternoon and night, an Oakland police officer said.

Shortly before 10:40 p.m., police responded to a report of a shooting in the 1800 block of Ninth Avenue, where they found a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound, Officer J. Moore said.

The victim was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Moore said.

The killing was part of a string of violence in Oakland late Sunday that started with a shooting just before 5 p.m. in the 8700 block of Hillside Avenue, Moore said. A man struck by the gunfire was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

Around 8:25 p.m., police received a report of a shooting in the 1000 block of 72nd Avenue, according to police. The victim in that shooting, also a male adult, was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

Police responded around 9:10 p.m. to a report of a man shot in during a robbery in the 2600 block of Rawson Street, Moore said. Three armed suspects were seen fleeing the scene in a car and remain at large. 

No further suspect information in connection with any of the shootings Sunday was available as of 2:30 a.m.
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The California Highway Patrol's dispatch center in Vallejo has reopened after being shut down by a fire on Sunday night, a CHP sergeant said.

The fire started at about 9:30 p.m. in a computer console at the 24,000-square-foot center at 1551 Benicia Road.

The smoke activated the building's sprinkler system, which quickly extinguished the blaze, CHP Officer Hector Baiza said.

Twenty employees were evacuated and the center was closed until about 2 a.m. today. The CHP's dispatch operations resumed at 4 a.m., Sgt. Diana McDermott said.

During the closure, dispatchers at the CHP's Sacramento and Monterey offices fielded 911 calls that would normally have gone through the Vallejo office.

Non-emergency calls were handled by other CHP-area offices, Baiza said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No injuries were reported.

Racecar Driver Dies In Crash At Calistoga Speedway

A racecar driver from Redding was killed when his car crashed into a wall at the Calistoga Speedway on Saturday night, Calistoga Fire Chief Steve Campbell said.

Napa County sheriff's Capt. Tracey Stuart identified the driver as 20-year-old Tyler Wolf. He died at 9:56 p.m. at St. Helena Hospital, Stuart said.

The crash happened while at least 20 cars were racing on the half-mile dirt track during the 25-lap main event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Speedway, Campbell said.

Wolf's car hit a wall along Turn 2 around 8:30 p.m., Campbell said. Wolf was wearing a helmet and seatbelt when he crashed, and his car did not catch fire.

Saturday's race was the last of six races this year at the Speedway, where cars can reach speeds of up to 150 mph, Campbell said.

The last fatal crash at the raceway happened in 1982, Campbell said.

An autopsy on Wolf is scheduled for today.

Man Arrested For DUI After Driving Wrong Way, Crashing Into Car In Petaluma

A man was arrested late Sunday night on suspicion of driving under the influence after he allegedly drove the wrong way on U.S. Highway 101 in Petaluma and crashed into another car, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The CHP received several reports around 11:10 p.m. of a driver in an Acura RL heading north in a southbound lane of Highway 101 near the state Highway 116 connector, CHP officials said.

Another motorist driving south in the southbound fast lane collided with the Acura. Neither driver suffered any visible injuries, but both were taken to Petaluma Valley Hospital to be evaluated, according to the CHP.

The driver of the Acura, 41-year-old Jurai Somlee, of Petaluma, was arrested on suspicion of driving the wrong way, driving without a license and DUI, CHP officials said.

Overturned Trailer Blocking Two Lanes Of NB Highway 680 Near Benicia-Martinez Bridge

The California Highway Patrol issued a Sig-alert for northbound Interstate Highway 680 near the Benicia-Martinez Bridge in Contra Costa County late this morning after a small trailer became disconnected from a truck and overturned.

The trailer was blocking the No. 3 and 4 lanes.

CHP Officer Scott Cakebread said no injuries were reported.

Mountain View Switching To New Animal Care Provider Next Month

Animal control services for the city of Mountain View will transfer from Palo Alto Animal Services to the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority on Nov. 12, officials said Saturday.

The Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority is a joint powers authority operated by a partnership between Campbell, Monte Sereno and Santa Clara as well as Mountain View.

Mountain View officials said the new contract is more cost effective and provides more control over services than the current contract with the City of Palo Alto. In addition, it will handle some services previously provided by local police.

The authority is located at 3370 Thomas Road in Santa Clara. For more information go to svaca.com or call (408) 764-0344.

Giants Sweep World Series, Win Game 4 Against Tigers 4-3

San Francisco residents filled the streets Sunday night to celebrate the Giants' World Series Victory.

Fireworks, honking horns and even bonfires were seen as the city celebrated in areas including the Mission District, Haight Street and Civic Center.

San Francisco will hold a ticker tape parade and civic celebration in honor of the Giants on Wednesday, Mayor Ed Lee announced Sunday.

The parade in honor of the Giants' World Series victory against the Detroit Tigers will start at 11 a.m. at the foot of Market Street and continue to Civic Center Plaza, Lee said.

The Giants swept the Tigers, winning the series in Game 4 in Detroit Sunday night with a 4-3 victory. It is the team's second World Series win in three years.

The streets of San Francisco are filled with celebrating fans following the win and the sound of car horns and fireworks are reportedly being heard all over the city.

"The rain in Detroit couldn't dampen the drive, talent and determination of the San Francisco Giants team tonight," Lee said in a statement Sunday night. "Once again, the Giants brought our City together as we all cheered on our hometown heroes to another remarkable World Series victory."

10 Displaced In Three-Alarm Fire In San Jose Home

A three-alarm fire caused major damage to a single family home in San Jose Sunday night, according to fire officials.

The fire at 10292 Murtha Drive was reported just after 8:30 p.m., San Jose Fire Capt. Reggie Williams said.

Firefighters arriving on the scene found the house fully involved in flames and threatening houses to the rear and left.

Firefighters called a second and third alarm before the fire was brought under control at 9:19 p.m., Williams said.

A total of 10 residents, all from the one home, were displaced by the fire. One firefighter was taken to the hospital for a minor medical complaint unrelated to the fire, Williams said.

The home suffered major damage.

The fire's cause remains under investigation.

Boil Water Order Lifted For Treasure Island After Tests Find Tap Water Safe

Treasure Island residents can stop boiling their water after lab tests confirmed their tap water is safe to drink following a water main break, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission said Sunday.

Residents should flush their pipes and appliances before resuming use, officials said.

Run cold water taps at least one minute and hot water taps for at least five minutes, flush water dispensers with at least one quart of water and empty automatic ice dispensers and discard new ice for at least 24 hours.

An 18-inch cast iron water main broke Friday around 5 or 6 p.m., leaving the island without water until 7 a.m. Saturday. Even after water service was restored, residents were told to continue boiling water until tests could be concluded to determine its safety.

SFPUC spokeswoman Alison Kastama said the rupture appears to be the result of an aging pipe that is likely an original pipe part of the infrastructure built in the 1930s when the U.S. Navy inhabited the island.

The main that broke is the single water source for the island, she said.

Yerba Buena Island was not affected by the main break. Tap water on that island remained safe to drink.

Fairfield Resident Found Shot In Driveway, Car Seen Speeding Away From Home

A Fairfield man was found dead in his driveway early Sunday morning after a shooting, police said Sunday.

Residents of Oceanic Court reported sounds of gunshots and a vehicle driving away around 3 a.m., Lt. Greg Hurlbut said.

Police arriving on the scene found a 30-year-old resident in his driveway suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was treated at the scene and taken to a local trauma center, but later died from his injuries.

Witnesses told police they had heard a loud argument, followed by the sound of gunshots. A dark full-sized car was then seen driving out of the court at a high speed, Hurlbut said.

Training Program In South San Francisco Preps Emergency Responders For Deloyment To Hurricane Sandy

With Hurricane Sandy tearing through the East Coast, 12 agencies gathered at South San Francisco this weekend to take part in emergency response scenarios comparable to the hurricane.

The program, Urban Shield 2012, is a planned training exercise to prepare agencies for emergency response. It was hosted by the South San Francisco Fire Department.

Agencies included South San Francisco, Marin County, Santa Clara County, Colma, San Mateo, Central County, Southern Marin, Half Moon Bay, Belmont, San Jose, Idaho regional response and a civilian assistance team.

Exercises prepped the agencies for scenarios including hazardous materials and urban search and rescue incidents. The emphasis of the program is on decision-making skills and cooperation between the first responders.

The members who participated in the weekend's exercise now await deployment to the East Coast to provide aid during Hurricane Sandy.

BART Cautions Public About Fraudulent Ticket Sales At Stations

BART officials are warning the public to beware of individuals selling fraudulent fare cards at the subway's stations to ticket buyers, transit officials said.

BART board member Lynette Sweet said that sellers use altered or discarded BART tickets that have a small amount of money still stored inside the computer strips and printed on top.

"They'll sell them to unsuspecting ticket buyers who think they are getting one for $15 when there's only 15 cents on the strip," Sweet said. "It's like ticket scalping." 

When the would-be rider tries to enter the turnstyle, the ticket is rejected for not having enough money on it. The minimum value of a ticket to access a BART train is $1.75.

BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost said the problem is most pronounced at BART's Coliseum station, near the O.co Coliseum and Oracle Arena, used frequently by many thousands of sports and concert fans.

Bart police spokeswoman Era Jenkins said that people should always purchase tickets from BART's machines, or at least from someone they know.

Along with fraudulent tickets, BART officials want to do something about another problem at the stations -- thefts of sought-after cell phones and tablet computers, mostly iPhones and iPads made by Apple Corp.

So far this year, there have been 244 "snatch and run" thefts of electronics devices at BART, and of those, 186, or 76 percent, were Apple brand products, Jenkins said.

In 2011, there were 215 such thefts during the same timeframe, 80 percent of them Apple products.

Sweet said that after hearing about the rash of robberies of iPhones and iPads at its meeting Thursday, the BART Board of Directors is considering drafting a letter to Cupertino-based Apple urging the company to retrofit their products to make it harder for thieves to resell them.

Man Arrested In Monterey County After Attempting To Evade Police With Infant In Car

A man is in jail after attempting to evade police while driving with his infant child in the car on U.S. Highway 101 in unincorporated Monterey County Saturday evening, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office said.

Kongmeng Moua, 58, of Fresno, was driving his 1998 white Chevrolet Suburban on southbound Highway 101 through Salinas when a sheriff's deputy spotted him driving apparently under the influence, the sheriff's office said.

A traffic stop was initiated but Moua fled, driving as fast as 70 miles per hour, with deputies in pursuit, according to the sheriff's office.

While fleeing, Moua appeared to dispose a granular substance out of the window, the sheriff's office said.

Moua stopped his car just north of Chualar and deputies took him into custody.

Deputies noticed a 1-year-old girl face down in the passenger side floor, and later determined her to be Moua's daughter, according to the sheriff's office.

The girl was examined by paramedics and was deemed healthy, but she was transported to a hospital as a precaution, the sheriff's office said.

The mother of the girl reported her missing around 5 p.m. Saturday after Moua took the infant from her home without permission, according to the sheriff's office.

She was notified when deputies found her, and picked her up from the hospital Sunday morning, the sheriff's office said.

Moua was booked into the Monterey County Jail on suspicion of felony child endangerment, evading arrest and DUI-related charges.

Man Arrested After Attempting To Enter Child's Room In Rohnert Park

A man is in custody after attempting to break into a juvenile's bedroom in Rohnert Park Sunday morning, a sergeant said.

Police responded to a report of a suspicious man who had climbed on the roof of a home on Montero Drive at about 3:45 a.m., Sgt. Eric Matzen said.

The man, Daniel Collyer, 23, climbed on the roof and removed the screen on the window leading into a young boy's room, Matzen said.

The boy's father yelled at Collyer as the mother called 911, the sergeant said.

Police found Collyer nearby, walking away from the home, Matzen said.

The boy identified Collyer as the person outside his window and police arrested him, Matzen said. Collyer was booked on suspicion of peeping while prowling and vandalism, he said.

"We weren't able to prove the intent, but believe he was possibly looking for a friend and was at the wrong address," Matzen said.

Oakley Police and Contra Costa Detectives Investigating Fatal Shooting In Oakley Residence

Oakley police and Contra Costa County sheriff's detectives are investigating a shooting that killed a man in Oakley Sunday morning, police said.

Police responded to a report of shots fired in the 5600 block of Main Street at 1:41 a.m., police said.

Officers arrived at the scene and found a man suffering from three to four gunshot wounds, police said.

The 28-year-old man, whose name was not released, was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police.

There are no details of why or how the shooting happened, and there are no leads on any suspects, police said.

Police, along with the sheriff's office, are still investigating.

San Jose Fire Crews Extinguish Four-Alarm Blze That Displaced 12 

Fire crews battled a four-alarm blaze that displaced 12 people Sunday morning, according to the fire department.

Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at 3131 Creekside Drive at 7:34 a.m., fire dispatcher Brenda Jaime said.

The fire department's Twitter page reported five condo units and six detached garages have sustained damage.

The fire, which began in a detached garage before spreading to the condos, was extinguished at 10:22 a.m., the fire department said.

No injuries were reported, she said.

Two Badly Injured In Oakland Shooting Saturday Night

Two people were badly injured in a shooting in Oakland Saturday evening, a police officer said.

The double shooting was reported around 6:55 p.m. in the 2300 block of Adeline Street, Officer Kevin McDonald said.

One of the victims was critically injured, the officer said.

There is no known motive of the shooting, and no arrests have been made, police said.

Man Shot and Killed Sunday Morning In San Jose

A man who was shot during a violence-filled morning in San Jose died from his injuries Sunday morning, a police sergeant said.

Officers responded around 2:50 a.m. to a report of a shooting near the intersection of Locust and Humboldt streets in San Jose, according to Sgt. Jason Dwyer.

Police arriving on the scene located the victim, a man suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to Valley Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead around 5:25 a.m., Dwyer said.

Investigators have learned that the victim was walking around Locust and Humboldt streets early Sunday morning when he was approached by unknown suspects. One or more suspects opened fire, striking the victim at least once, then fled the scene.

Police had not located the suspects as of 6 a.m. and the motive for the shooting remains unclear, Dwyer said.

The shooting marks San Jose's 39th homicide this year.

Elderly Missing San Jose Man Found Dead In Lake

An elderly man reported missing in San Jose was found dead in a lake Saturday afternoon, police said.

Police responded Saturday afternoon after a family member found several pieces of property near Lake Cunningham belonging to missing relative, police said.

Members of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office located the deceased missing man, a 77-year-old San Jose resident, in the lake Saturday.

The case, which is not being treated as a homicide, has been taken over by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner's Office.

No further information was immediately available.

San Francisco Bay Area Weather Report

Mostly cloudy skies and patchy fog are likely in the Bay Area this morning, becoming sunny later today. Highs are expected to be in the lower 70s.

Partly cloudy skies are expected this evening, becoming mostly cloudy later in the night. Lows are likely to be in the mid 50s.

Mostly cloudy skies are likely Tuesday morning, becoming partly cloudy later. Highs are expected to be in the lower 70s.

The San Francisco Giants have dubbed their quest for a World Series win "The Hunt for Orange October," and the city is jumping on board as the team heads into Game 1 tonight against the Detroit Tigers.

Mayor Ed Lee proclaimed this week "San Francisco Giants Pride Week," during which the team's flag will be raised over City Hall and a number of buildings will be lit up in Giants orange.

The buildings include City Hall, Coit Tower, the Ferry Building and the War Memorial Opera House. The city's official tree in front of the McLaren Lodge, on the eastern end of Golden Gate Park, will also be lit up.

"The San Francisco Giants have put the 'Orange' in 'Orange October,'" Lee said in a statement. "Let's show our Giants pride in our schools, our businesses and in our homes to celebrate their quest to bring the World Series Championship back home to San Francisco."

Dorothy Garfield, 44, of Brentwood, a lifelong Giants fan, has had her World Series Game 1 ticket since the Giants were battling the Cincinnati Reds in the Division Series.

"It's been very difficult," Garfield said of watching the games and wondering if she'd be able to use her tickets. "I was pretty worried."

"All I kept thinking was this is the one time I can go, because I couldn't afford tickets in 2010," she said.

When Marco Scutaro squeezed the ball, recording the final out in Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals and sending the Giants to the World Series, Garfield was elated.

"All I could do was yell and scream," Garfield said.

Fans are still buzzing with glee over that 9-0 win, and tonight's World Series Game 1 has sold out.

Tickets for the game can still be purchased on StubHub.com. Prices range from around $300 to $10,000. As of 1 p.m., a little less than 3,000 tickets were available on the site.

Garfield purchased her two tickets on StubHub, spending about $1,300 total. She said she still has a budget left to get her and her son hot dogs during the game.

"I figured it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance," Garfield said.

The area around AT&T Park is expected to be packed tonight.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency is encouraging fans to take Muni, BART, Caltrain, ferries, taxis, or walk or bike to the ballpark.

Options offered by Muni include the T-Third and N-Judah light-rail lines, as well as the 10-Townsend, 30-Stockton, 45-Union-Stockton, 47-Van Ness and 83X buses.

With the higher ridership, Muni is offering an additional eight Metro Baseball Shuttles and BART is running longer trains.

Those transferring from BART to Muni can purchase round-trip Muni fares at the Embarcadero station.

Those planning to drive into the park can expect hefty parking prices. Parking at Pier 30 will be available for $40, and in Lot A, parking is $45, SFMTA officials said.

From the seventh inning until the stadium clears after the game, there will be a number of street closures.

The closures will include Second Street between King and Townsend streets; eastbound King Street between Second and Third streets; and northbound Fourth Street between Channel Street and the Peter Maloney Fourth Street Bridge.

Water traffic will be heavy in McCovey Cove, as it always is for big games at AT&T Park. The Coast Guard urges boaters heading to the cove for the game to make sure they have safety equipment.

All boaters should have life jackets for all people on board, flares, an emergency position indicator radio and an operational marine high-frequency radio to contact the Coast Guard in the event of an emergency, Coast Guard officials said.

The first pitch is set for 5:07 p.m. Barry Zito will take the mound for the Giants against Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander.

"This is going to be a very, very difficult series," Garfield said. "I honestly think the Giants will pull it out in seven games."

The Giants are looking to repeat the magic they had in 2010, when they rode their pitching and clutch hitting to a World Series title over the Texas Rangers.

This year's run has been characterized by come-from-behind series victories. The team has bounced back from 0-2 and 1-3 deficits against the Reds and Cardinals to advance to the World Series.

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SF Police Prepare For Another Giants World Series

Baseball fans clad in black and orange will fill the streets of San Francisco before and after Game 1 of the World Series between the Giants and the Detroit Tigers tonight, and police say they are prepared for the crowds.

Police Chief Greg Suhr said top police brass met with the heads of several city departments Tuesday so "we know what every other agency is doing."

The Police Department has reviewed its approach during the 2002 and 2010 World Series "to look at what we can do better," Suhr said.

Crowd control will be a focus, and police will also be keeping an eye out for scalpers and unlicensed sellers of merchandise, he said.

Officers got to practice their crowd-control techniques on Monday, when the Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series to advance to the World Series.

That night, jubilant baseball fans' rowdiness was tempered by heavy rainfall, Suhr said.

"We appreciated the divine intervention," he joked.

Police officers will not be allowed to take extra time off on game days, and all hands will be on deck if the series reaches Game 6, which would fall on Halloween, Suhr said.

"Every police officer will be working that night," he said. 

If the Giants were to win the World Series, Suhr said plans are already in place for a celebration and parade, which would go up Market Street and end in Civic Center Plaza, similar to the one in 2010.

However, he said the department is only referring to the parade as "the p-word" so as to not jinx the Giants.

Game 1 of the World Series starts at 5:07 p.m. at AT&T Park.

Mayor Lee Makes Bet With Detroit's Mayor Over World Series

Fresh off of his winning bets that the San Francisco Giants would win their first two playoff series, Mayor Ed Lee is making another wager -- this time with Detroit's mayor -- that the Giants will come out on top in the World Series against the Tigers.

Lee and Detroit Mayor David Bing have agreed on a bet in which the losing mayor will travel to the winner's city and participate in a day of community service and other activities.

If the Giants win, Bing will come to San Francisco, play baseball with youths in the Junior Giants program and tour various companies in the city.

But if the Tigers win, Lee will travel to Detroit and tour the factory that produces the Chevy Volt, the car Lee uses as his official city vehicle.

"The San Francisco Giants are truly the comeback kids -- this team never quits," Lee said in a statement. "The city of Detroit also has a reputation for making an impressive comeback, although I fear I won't get to see this firsthand, as the Giants are bound to win the World Series."

Bing said in a statement, "The Giants have had great success, but we've already proven we can handle any team out of the Bay Area" -- a reference to the Tigers' triumph over the Oakland A's in the American League Division Series earlier this month.

Lee made similar bets with the mayors of Cincinnati, which the Giants beat in the National League Division Series, and St. Louis, which San Francisco defeated in a seven-game National League Championship Series that ended Monday.

Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory now has to host a chili cook-off fundraiser at a local firehouse with the proceeds benefiting San Francisco youth programs, while St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay briefly had to change his Twitter avatar to a picture of the Giants' logo.

Slay also has to send St. Louis specialties, including barbeque, toasted ravioli and local beers, to San Francisco.

Hospital Workers To Picket Outside CPMC's Pacific Campus

Workers plan to protest outside of a California Pacific Medical Center campus in San Francisco this afternoon over what they say are attempts by hospital officials to reverse decades-old workplace protections.

The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents more than 650 employees at three CPMC campuses in San Francisco, is holding an informational picket at 1:30 p.m. at CPMC's Pacific Campus at 2333 Buchanan St.

Union members have been working for about a year without a new contract and allege that CPMC, an affiliate of Sutter Health, is proposing drastic reductions in workers' sick time and having them pay more for their health care.

"The caregivers aren't really seeking some major advance, it's really just maintaining what people have had," said John Borsos, NUHW secretary-treasurer and lead union negotiator on the CPMC contract. "There's absolutely no justification for them to seek to roll things back."

The workers also plan to highlight the proposed Cathedral Hill hospital project, for which CPMC is still in negotiations with the city.

CPMC spokeswoman Kathie Graham said hospital officials are "committed to providing all employees with competitive wages, benefits and a great workplace environment."

Graham said, "Sometimes this picketing happens during the negotiating process, but we're optimistic that both parties are going to maintain a high level of professionalism."

Borsos said the two sides are expected to meet again at the bargaining table on Oct. 30.

Two Hayward Schools On Lockdown After Robbery Suspects Run Through Campus

A Hayward middle school and a nearby elementary school were placed on lockdown this morning after two robbery suspects trying to evade police ran through the middle school campus, police said.

An armed robbery was reported at 10:30 a.m., and when police responded and located the two suspects, the pair ran from them through Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School at 26890 Holly Hill Ave., police said.

That school and nearby Southgate Elementary School at 26601 Calaroga Ave. were placed on lockdown.

The lockdown was still in place as of about 11:30 a.m., but it was expected to be lifted shortly, employees at the schools said.

The two suspects were taken into custody after the pursuit, police said.

Suspect In Teen's Rape At Santa Rosa's Julliard Park To Be Arraigned

A man suspected of raping a 17-year-old girl in a Santa Rosa park in September will be arraigned Thursday in Sonoma County Superior Court.

Michael Augustine Byrnes, 20, was arrested Tuesday in Santa Rosa on suspicion of forcible rape, digital penetration and oral copulation, Santa Rosa police Sgt. Michael Clark said.

DNA found during a sexual assault examination of the victim was processed through the FBI's Combined DNA Index System, and Byrnes was identified as a suspect, Clark said.

The crime occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 6. The victim, who lives in Santa Rosa, asked a man in Julliard Park if she could use his cellphone to arrange a ride home, Sgt. David Linscomb said.

The man briefly gave her his cellphone, then grabbed her, dragged her under a tree, removed her clothing and raped her, Linscomb said.

A group of young men called out to the suspect and asked what he was doing, and the suspect then fled, Linscomb said.

The girl walked to the Roxy Theater and was able to call for a ride, Linscomb said.

Byrnes, a Santa Rosa resident, is being held in Sonoma County Jail on $100,000 bail. He will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

Two Petaluma Massage Parlors Solicit Undercover Officer For Sexual Acts

Citizen complaints about several Petaluma massage parlors led to a prostitution sting by police on Tuesday.

The sting, carried out at about 3 p.m. Tuesday, resulted in arrests at the Moon Flower Massage at 410 Petaluma Blvd. South and Golden Flower Massage at 699 Petaluma Blvd., police said.

Police had previously received complaints from Petaluma residents regarding suspicious activity at several parlors, police said.

The residents had reported seeing all-male foot traffic at the establishments at all hours of the day and throughout the night, police said.

They also told investigators they had found used condoms outside the businesses.

At both Golden Flower Massage and Moon Flower Massage, a masseuse allegedly solicited an undercover officer for sexual acts, police said.

Police arrested Petaluma residents Jing Chi, 59, and Le Chi Thi Ho, 51, for prostitution and keeping a house of prostitution.

Masseuses at the other parlors targeted in the sting did not solicit the undercover officers, police said.

The arrests came on the heels of a crackdown last week focused on Internet sites that promote acts of prostitution, in which five people were arrested in Petaluma.

In that crackdown, police conducted two traffic stops near local hotels about 2 a.m. last Thursday that resulted in four prostitution-related arrests, according to police.

Man Arrested After Allegedly Setting Girlfriend's Benicia Apartment On Fire

A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a fire Tuesday afternoon at his girlfriend's Benicia apartment, where he allegedly was involved in a domestic violence incident the previous day, a police lieutenant said.

Benicia police and firefighters responded to a fire in an unoccupied apartment at 103 Sunset Circle around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Lt. Frank Hartig said.

The fire was concentrated in the front living room on the lower level of the apartment, which consists of two stories of living area above a garage, Hartig said.

The blaze was under control at 4:22 p.m., Benicia fire Interim Division Chief Joshua Chadwick said.

Police determined that the front door of the apartment had been forced open before the fire started. Based on witness statements and evidence, it was determined that the blaze was deliberately set, Hartig said.

Police contacted Cecil Lamar Fort, 46, who was watching the firefighting activity from the parking lot of the apartment building, Hartig said.

Hartig said Fort often stays with his girlfriend but has a Suisun address. The two have been dating since 2009, and police have responded to "numerous calls" at the apartment previously, he said.

Interviews with witnesses and physical evidence found at the fire scene led police to arrest Fort, Hartig said. He was taken into custody and interviewed by detectives at police headquarters.

While he was being booked on suspicion of arson, Fort became uncooperative and combative with officers, Hartig said.

He also complained of chest pain, and was taken by ambulance to Sutter Solano Medical Center in Vallejo to be examined, Hartig said.

After he was medically cleared, Fort was booked into Solano County Jail under $500,000 bail for arson, residential burglary, felony threats and battery on a police officer, Hartig said.

Fort had also been arrested at about 7:40 p.m. Monday for a domestic violence incident at the apartment, Hartig said.

In that incident, Fort allegedly assaulted his 39-year-old girlfriend, would not allow her to leave a bedroom and threw a rock at her apartment as he was leaving, Hartig said.

He was arrested outside the apartment on Monday and booked into Solano County Jail for false imprisonment and vandalism. He later posted bail and was released, Hartig said.

Identity Of Girl Whose Body Washed Ashore At San Gregorio Beach Remains A Mystery

Authorities are continuing their efforts to identify a girl whose body was found washed ashore at San Gregorio State Beach in San Mateo County on Sunday afternoon.

The body is that of a Caucasian female believed to be between 12 and 16 years old. She was 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed about 108 pounds.

She had brown or black hair, Deputy Coroner Roger Fielding said. 

She had no obvious marks or tattoos but she had full braces on her teeth, with red or pink rubber bands, according to the deputy.

She was found wearing tan or faded Hurley brand jeans, a red cotton T-shirt, a black or brown cloth belt and black boots.

On her wrist she was wearing a red and silver Timex watch with a black band, according to Fielding.

The body was found by a couple walking along the beach about a half-mile south of the San Gregorio State Beach entrance around 12:30 p.m.

Sunday, San Mateo County sheriff's spokeswoman Rebecca Rosenblatt said.

Coroner Robert Foucrault said his office is in contact with law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area and elsewhere to see if the girl can be matched up to any missing-persons cases.

"It's a case that's getting a lot of our attention," he said.

Downtown Palo Alto Intersection Closed For Police Investigation

Palo Alto police planned to close the downtown intersection of University Avenue and Webster Street for an investigation this morning.

Between about 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., investigators were scheduled to take measurements at the intersection, police said.

The measurements will be used as evidence in a court case related to a fatal collision that occurred there on Dec. 30, 2010, Lt. Zach Perron said.

On that day, a woman was struck by a San Mateo County Transit District bus traveling south on Webster Street.

The woman, later identified as Sheena Marie Barker, 52, of Cupertino, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said after the accident that Barker was a traveling nurse who worked at various hospitals in the area.

Drivers were advised to avoid University Avenue this morning while the closure is in place.

Baseball fans clad in black and orange will fill the streets of San Francisco before and after Game 1 of the World Series between the Giants and the Detroit Tigers tonight, and police say they are prepared for the crowds.

Police Chief Greg Suhr said top police brass met with the heads of several city departments Tuesday so "we know what every other agency is doing."

The Police Department has reviewed its approach during the 2002 and 2010 World Series "to look at what we can do better," Suhr said.

Crowd control will be a focus, and police will also be keeping an eye out for scalpers and unlicensed sellers of merchandise, he said.

Officers got to practice their crowd-control techniques on Monday, when the Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series to advance to the World Series.

That night, jubilant baseball fans' rowdiness was tempered by heavy rainfall, Suhr said.

"We appreciated the divine intervention," he joked.

Police officers will not be allowed to take extra time off on game days, and all hands will be on deck if the series reaches Game 6, which would fall on Halloween, Suhr said.

"Every police officer will be working that night," he said.

If the Giants were to win the World Series, Suhr said plans are already in place for a celebration and parade, which would go up Market Street and end in Civic Center Plaza, similar to the one in 2010.

However, he said the department is only referring to the parade as "the p-word" so as to not jinx the Giants.

Game 1 of the World Series starts at 5:07 p.m. at AT&T Park.

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Two men were arrested on suspicion of two separate robberies in San Francisco on Saturday night, according to police.

Damien Ford and James Ross, both 33, were arrested for allegedly robbing a market in the 200 block of Noe Street at 9:12 p.m. Saturday and then robbing two women and a man in the 1500 block of Post Street at 10:35 p.m., according to police.

The pair first went into the market, one armed with a shotgun and both with their faces covered, and held an employee and witness at gunpoint, police said.

They emptied the cash register and fled in a dark-colored sedan, according to police.

A little more than an hour later, two women and a man were walking toward their car when the suspects threatened them with the shotgun and demanded the victims' property, police said.

Based on descriptions of the suspects and vehicle, officers from the Police Department's Northern Station eventually located a brown four-door Honda in front of the State Building at 455 Golden Gate Ave., according to police.

The officers found property from both robberies as well as the shotgun in the Honda, and took Ford and Ross into custody, police said.

The pair was booked into jail on suspicion of multiple counts of robbery, weapons violations and conspiracy. Ford was also booked for violating his parole for a robbery conviction, according to police.

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The trial of a man accused of sexually assaulting three women along San Francisco's 24th Street corridor began this morning with a prosecutor showing graphic photos of victims and video footage of the suspect admitting to the crimes. 

Frederick Dozier faces 26 charges for the violent 2011 attacks, which occurred on June 17 at 1337 S. Van Ness Ave.; on Nov. 18 at 1260 Potrero Ave.; and on Dec. 8 at 280 Fair Oaks St. "The defendant targeted three petite women walking alone in the darkness before dawn," Assistant District Attorney Marshall Khine said in his opening statement today. Khine told the jury of five women and seven men that in each case, Dozier attacked the victim from behind, pulling her to a secluded area where he sexually assaulted and robbed her.

Dozier, 32, was arrested on Jan. 6 after investigators matched his DNA to evidence from the crime scenes. During taped interviews with police inspectors that day, Dozier allegedly admitted to attacking and robbing the women. In the video shown in court this morning by Khine, Dozier says of the first victim, "She was like, 'Just let me go, I'll do whatever you want.'"

The prosecutor also showed graphic photos of two of the victims taken after the attacks. One photo showed a victim whose blood vessels in her eyes had burst when she was choked, and the second showed a victim whose nose was split open so wide that cartilage was visible. The evidence "should leave you with no doubt" of Dozier's guilt, Khine told jurors. Deputy Public Defender Greg Goldman said there is not enough evidence to prove his client's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

"With each incident, there's less evidence to connect Mr. Dozier," Goldman said. He said Dozier's girlfriend will testify in the trial, and that her testimony will paint a picture of someone "whose character is far different from someone who would commit these acts."

The victim in the June 2011 attack was the first witness to testify at the trial. The woman, whose name is being withheld to protect her privacy, said she was in shock when she was attacked from behind while walking home from a friend's house in the early morning hours. "He said I wasn't going to go home until he has his way with me," she said of her attacker.

Dozier was employed as a part-time nutrition services worker with San Francisco Unified School District and also worked for Green Streets, a janitorial services company that operates at low-income housing complexes. The charges against him include attempted murder, kidnapping, robbery, attempted rape, forcible oral copulation and other sexual assault charges.

Dozier faces life in prison if convicted of all counts. District Attorney George Gascon released a statement today about the case. "Today we are one step closer in keeping this violent predator behind bars for the rest of his life," Gascon said. "We are pleased this case is now in trial less than a year after the defendant was arrested. The DA's Office is utilizing every resource possible to ensure the community's safety."

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