Thursday Thriller

Editor: John Saelee

Jury awards $16.57 million to radio contestant's survivors

By Andy Furillo afurillo@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 - 3:03 pm Last Modified: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 - 5:05 pm

A Sacramento Superior Court jury today awarded the survivors of Jennifer Lea Strange $16,577,118 as a result of her death nearly three years ago in a water-drinking contest conducted by a local radio station.

http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/2292567.html

Bay Bridge won't open for Friday morning commute

The Associated Press
Published: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 - 5:57 pm

OAKLAND, Calif. -- State transportation officials say the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge won't be open in time for the Friday morning commute.

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/2292916.html

Update: Pair not charged in Carmichael stabbing death

From Kim Minugh:

A mother and son arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing a 35-year-old man in Carmichael this weekend have not been charged with murder.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/2009/10/update-pair-rel.html

Sac State RA: 'He's Stabbing Himself'
Quran Jones' Roommate Pronounced Dead At Hospital

POSTED: 5:10 pm PDT October 29, 2009UPDATED: 6:11 pm PDT October 29, 2009

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A man who was shot inside a Sacramento State dorm where an investigation into a beating took place could have been suicidal, according to a police report.

http://www.kcra.com/news/21470321/detail.html

College enrollment up, mostly at 2-year schools

October 29, 2009 1:03 PM

Some are there because of the recession, and others despite it. Regardless, more young Americans than ever are in college — especially community college, according to a new report.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091029/A_NEWS/910299989/-1/rss02#STS=g1ecoea3.971

Friend of gang rape victim blasts school officials over safety

By Moni Basu, CNN
October 29, 2009 -- Updated 1959 GMT (0359 HKT)

(CNN) -- She had come alone to the Richmond High School homecoming dance, gorgeous in a sparkling purple dress and faux diamond baubles.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/29/california.rape.victim.friend/index.html

Roseville man, 91, faces charges of assaulting woman, 78

Bee Staff

A 91-year-old Roseville man faces charges in the beating of a 78-year-old woman, according to Roseville Police Department and the Placer County District Attorney's Office

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/crime/archives/2009/10/roseville-man-9.html

Mayor says task force will pursue new Sacramento sports arena

By Ryan Lillis and Tony Bizjak rlillis@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 - 12:46 pm Last Modified: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009 - 12:57 pm

Mayor Kevin Johnson said today he is forming a task force to explore how to build a new sports arena in Sacramento and will roll out requests for proposals for the project in the coming days.

http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/2292155.html

5-year-old Cupertino boy accidently run over by teacher at day care

By Linda Goldstonlgoldston@mercurynews.com
Posted: 10/29/2009 05:44:40 PM PDT
Updated: 10/29/2009 07:22:13 PM PDT

Nelson Wei would have turned 6 on Sunday.
But instead of a birthday party to celebrate another year for their only child, Nelson's parents and friends held a ceremony to honor the young but tragically short life of a boy born to smile.

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_13671757?source=rss&nclick_check=1

Garrido hearing attracts 1976 victim

Marisa Lagos, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, October 29, 2009

A court hearing Thursday for the couple accused of kidnapping and raping Jaycee Dugard and holding her captive for 18 years attracted a surprise spectator - a woman abducted and sexually assaulted by defendant Phillip Craig Garrido more than 30 years ago.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/10/29/BAAA1ACDT4.DTL&tsp=1