City News

Yolo County and the Rumsey Band of Wintun Indians are likely headed for arbitration after negotiations concerning an expansion of Cache Creek Casino failed. The expansion would triple the size of the casino and increase the number of available hotel rooms from 200 to 667, a development tribal representatives say could infuse a total of $90 million into Yolo County’s economy.

There are nowmoreAmericans who qualify as obese thanas overweight,according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. The study found that34percent of American adults are obese,while32.7percent are overweight.The CDC says there are increased risks for many diseases and health conditionswith being overweight or obese.

The city of Davis has finally concluded an internal investigation into allegations that city firefighters were misusing fire department facilities. The investigation clarified findings from a Yolo County grand jury report released last summer. The original grand jury report found that some off-duty fire personnel were sleeping at the firehouse after drinking.It also found that some fire personnel were concerned about favoritism,promotional practices and a strong union influenceon the department’s operations.

Julie Partansky,former mayor of Davis,died Jan.9after a brief battle with lung cancer.Partansky was61years old. Partansky was famous around Davis for heading up projects such as the toad tunnel and the dark sky ordinance,projects that ultimately allowed Davis residents to enjoy the beauty of the nature around them,said city councilmember Sue Greenwald,a friend and political ally of Partansky.

In an attempt to close the wideningachievement gap between AfricanAmerican public school students and their respective counterparts,the California State Board of Education voted unanimouslylast weekto create an African American Advisory Committee.

alifornia put a new law giving schools the authority to suspend or expel students for cyber-bullying into effect this month. Cyber-bullying can mean anything from sexual harassment to hate violence by means of theInternet,cell phones or any number of electronic devices.

The shady side of craigslist An individual on Acacia Lane was selling electronics to a person throughcraigslist.org,but the customer sped off with the electronics while the individual was counting the money.

Cheaper gas may not be the only reason to keep driving. Recent data shows traffic collisions have dropped significantly in both the city of Davis and the state of California. The city ofDavis has seen a52percent decrease in the number of collisions since2003. A citywide crash report now includes2007data and Roxanne Namazi,seniorcivilengineer for thecity of Davis,said the reported decreases may have a connection to more recent driving behaviors.

California is leading the nation in its recycling efforts,according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board,or CIWMB. California currently diverts58percent of its waste to recycling,or about54million tons of the93million tons of trash it produces each year. That is saving the equivalent of100football fields stacked with trash reaching as high as the Empire State Building.The CIWMB hopes to eventually achieve “Zero Waste,” according to the CIWMB website.

When Cantina del Cabo closed in June2007,many Davis residents lamented the loss of a favorite hangout.The restaurant and bar,known for its roomy digs and expansive beer selection,was demolished shortly after it closed. The hole in downtown didn’t last for long,though.A new commercial building is now nearing completion in the same location.

It was standing room only at Tuesday’s Davis City Council meeting as over150people clamored for a chance to speak their mind on the ongoing war in Gaza. The City Council was considering a resolution calling for peace in Gaza,where Israel and Hamas have been fighting a bloody battle for three weeks.The resolution did not lay blame on either side or seek a specific solution to the matter,but instead called for “an immediate,durable,fully respected ceasefire” and a “lasting humanitarian truce.”

A fact box accompanying Wednesday’s article “Facebook reaches150million active users” incorrectly stated that Facebook had more first time visitors than every other social networking site in November2008.In fact,the source data measured total unique visitors,not first time visitors.The Aggie regrets the error.