Read what some East Bay delegates headed to the Democratic National Convention in Denver this week say about their expectations, their candidate and their country

n They're a rare breed, but East Bay GOP members are off to Minnesota

Pittsburg is pushing a new literacy program, starting with a kid's reading area at City Hall.

• Pittsburg: Post your photos | Forum | More

It's the hottest ticket in American politics, a front-row seat to history in the making and, perhaps, the chance to see in person the next president of the United States.

• Delegates: Obama | Clinton | McCain
• The delegates speak out | Technology to shine at conventions

BRENTWOOD — Will Pedrotti recently contributed to a class project purely by accident."It hit me in the head so I grabbed it," said the Heritage High School sophomore of the flying insect that invaded his space.

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office has destroyed more than 23,000 plants so far this year -- that's more than twice the annual average.

n Police have not connected takeover-style crime with other cases

ENJOYING OUR STAY-CATIONl — Summer is almost over. It's time to panic. I want to squeeze in as much fun as possible before September officially cuts off vacation time.

ConcordCREDIT UNION ROBBED: Concord police are investigating an afternoon bank robbery at a Sutter Street credit union. A man entered the Safe America Credit Union on the 1800 block of Sutter Street at 1:14 p.

Compromise would leave county firefighters in city station

A suicide bomber blew himself up Sunday in the midst of a celebration to welcome home an Iraqi detainee released from U.S. custody, killing at least 25 people, Iraqi officials said. The U.S. military, meanwhile, announced the arrest of an al-Qaida in Iraq...

Tropical Storm Julio bore down on the resort-dotted tip of the Baja California peninsula on Sunday, prompting more than 2,500 families who live along river beds to evacuate. Strong winds and sporadic rains buffeted the southern peninsula as police and...

At least five people were shot - including a woman who died of her injuries - in two separate incidents in Oakland early Saturday, police said. The first attack was at 3:50 a.m. on the 2200 block of 90th Avenue, where a woman in her 50s was shot multiple...

A U.S. Navy destroyer loaded with humanitarian aid reached Georgias Black Sea port of Batumi on Sunday, bringing baby food, bottled water and a message of support for an embattled ally. Before the warship arrived, a Russian general suggested U.S. ships...

A passenger plane from an airline banned in Europe over safety concerns crashed Sunday shortly after taking off from Kyrgyzstans main airport, killing at least 71 people on board, officials said. About 10 minutes into the flight to Tehran, the crew of the...

An East Oakland pizzeria was held up in the latest in a spate of restaurant robberies plaguing the city, police said today. Two men robbed Mama Rosas Pizza at 2370 High St. at about 10:20 p.m. Saturday, stealing an undisclosed amount of money and cell...