It is being billed as a world-class music and arts festival, and on Friday, the three-day mega concert dubbed Outside Lands appeared to be living up to its promise.

• Slideshow: Friday's pictures | Live updates on our Concert Blog | Local doctor leads world music band performing at festival | Outside Lands in 60 seconds

The Nomad Cafe was robbed by two men Friday night

Joe Michell Elementary in Livermore held a barbecue Friday evening welcoming students to a new school year which, for the first time, will see a sixth grade at the campus. The 2008-09 school year starts Monday in Livermore and for most other Tri-Valley public schools. Many area private schools are also getting ready for the first day of school.

Crossroads Shopping Center owners have been sparring over parking, a dispute that is delaying redevelopment at the center.

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Farm labor union proposes sponsoring its own workers with more protections

Eden Medical CenterTricia and Terrence Gumataotao, San Ramon, July 28, boyTanya and Wesley Thompson, Castro Valley, July 29, boyMichelle and Gerald Trujillo, Dublin, July 29, boyMae Manns and Clark Lowe, Castro Valley, July 31, boyWendy Palacios and Francisco Juarez Jr.

If you ask volunteer Bev Loomis why she enjoys donating her time to the Save Mount Diablo organization, her voice exudes passion and enthusiasm. She'll tell you it's because she believes in the cause.

FUN IS IN STORE for those planning to attend the Alamo Music Festival. The 26th annual festival will be held from 2 to 11 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the Alamo Plaza.

Hillsides, sustainability hot topics for candidates

MARTINEZ — A man being driven to the hospital in an ambulance punched a paramedic several times before jumping from the vehicle, leading an officer on a foot chase and eventually being Tasered.

Barack Obama introduced Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware on Saturday as a man ready to step in and be president, and the newly minted running mate quickly converted his debut on the Democratic ticket into a slashing attack on Republicans seeking four more years...

A Chicago-bound United Airlines flight was forced to return to San Francisco International Airport early Saturday after running into engine trouble. United flight 158 carrying 240 passengers and nine crew members landed safely about 30 minutes after takeoff...

Reaction to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obamas selection of Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his running mate. ___ In naming my colleague and friend Sen. Joe Biden to be the vice presidential nominee, Sen. Obama has continued in the best...

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is calling his running mate, Joe Biden, a leader who is ready to step in and be president. Obama and Biden appeared together Saturday at a huge rally in Springfield, Illinois, their first joint appearance since...

A twin-engine plane crashed and burned near an airport not far from Arches National Park in southeastern Utah, killing the pilot and nine passengers connected with a group of dermatology clinics, an official said Saturday. The plane was fully engulfed in...

Florida officials say at least 11 people have died from Tropical Storm Fays trek across the state. Officials at the states emergency operations center in Tallahassee say the 11th storm-related fatalilty was an electrical worker in Gadsden County who was...