Around the Bay, Fourth of July celebrations drew big crowds. Our photo staff captures some of the many festivities.  

The East Bay district is the largest in the nation, encompassing all of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and including 65 parks and more than 98,000 acres and 1,150 miles of trails  

Officials say funding is available for this year and next year  

Alameda Point Collaborative, which provides housing and social services for homeless families and individuals, has a new partner in town. Alameda Natural Grocery has launched a campaign to solicit donations and raise awareness of the collaborative.  

Police do not disclose how much money was stolen  

The Rev. Dana Michaels has been at the helm of St. Barnabas since June 1.  

A couple visited the Alameda police station Saturday to report they were identity theft victims. The man, 25, told police he received a letter in May from Kay Jewelers, saying someone used his Social Security number, birth date and other personal information to open an account.  

ALAMEDA MILITARY VETERANS as well as their comrades throughout Alameda County are encouraging the city of Alameda to support the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' initiative to build a modern, state of the art outpatient clinic and columbaria at the former Alameda Naval Air Station.  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Dog Days Deux, "Taking the Biscuit," on July 24.This benefit, held by the Autobody Fine Art for the Alameda Animal Shelter and NorCal GSP Rescue, features a silent auction, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and entertainment.  

With its bank balance careening toward zero, California began sending tens of thousands of IOUs to its creditors Thursday, the latest black eye for the state and its broken budget system.  

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and elected officials toured the Port of Oakland on Thursday and discussed the possibility of more federal money rolling on to its docks.  

Rich Pedroncelli

California will begin to print and send out tens of thousands of IOUs this afternoon to pay its bills, the latest black eye for the state and its broken budget system.

  Governor shuts state offices three days per month  

Don't represent majority I am responding to Serena Dietrich's letter "Board ignored concerns" and the opinion piece by Kerry Cook, "A call for task force to find common ground on Lesson 9.  

NO MATTER HOW YOU slice it, Californians will be less safe if the current budget that's being considered in Sacramento is adopted. The proposed budget includes some unprecedented provisions that will place our communities distinctly at risk.  

n Lawsuit challenging constitutional validity of measure could wind up in Supreme Court, U.S. district jurist says  

The East Bay district is the largest in the nation, encompassing all of Alameda and Contra Costa counties and including 65 parks and more than 98,000 acres and 1,150 miles of trails