City News

The American Lung Association released a report last month that found that the smoking rate among college students is lower than ever before.Although one in five college students smoked cigarettes in2006,the lowest rate since1989,experts say the rate may increase again.

The city of Davis is going on a diet.Selected residents will soon begin a city-sponsored project called the Low Carbon Diet,intended to reduce household carbon dioxide emissions by5,000pounds per year.

Police search for Davis bank robber Davis police announcedTuesday afternoon that they were in search of a bank robbery suspect. At approximately10:50a.m.Tuesday,a white male adult entered the US Bank office on F Street and handed a note to a teller demanding money,according to a DPD press release.The teller handed over the money and the suspect fled.

The word is out:Lance Armstrong will ride again. Armstrong announced last week that he would participate in the2009Amgen Tour of California,riding for the Kazakhstan-based Astana team.

THURSDAY Hey,it’s comfy when you’re drunk A subject was sleeping on the sidewalk onOlive Drive.

California recently became the seventh U.S.state to ban text messaging while driving after Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill28last week,a measure that will further prohibit a driver’s ability touse a cell phone while driving. SB28,written by Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto),will ban the use of a wireless communications device to “write,send or read a text-based communication,” which includes but is not limited to text messages,instant messages and electronic mail.

Addressingwhat the state court system says is a “state of crisis,” Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill thatauthorizes$5billion worth ofconstruction and renovation of facilities throughout the state.

The city of Davis could be on the way to boosting the wages of some of its lowest paid workers after last week’s City Council meeting.The council voted3-2to have city staff write a living wage ordinance covering everyone paid by the city.The ordinance would require contractors who work with the city to pay their employees a predetermined wage above the state minimum wage of$8per hour.

A report released last week showed that many students who are taking remedial classes in college actuallyhad good grades in high school. The study,released by education advocacy group Strong American Schools,looked at the scope and cost of college remediation courses– classes that students take to catch up on skills they need for college– whether or not they learned them in high school.

Concerns about possible misconduct in the Davis Fire Department are being addressed as the city of Davis continues an internal investigation. The Davis City Council voted Tuesday night to send a letter responding to a Yolo County Grand Jury investigation that raised serious questions about practices and policies within the fire department.

Tree-lined streets are one of the hallmarks of Davis, and a new nonprofit program is aimed at expanding the tree canopy in town. Tree Davis, a local nonprofit environmental group,is planning on distributing 250 free shade trees to be planted in the city of Davis. Organizers say the trees will provide much-needed shade for homes and streets, saving energy and adding character.

SATURDAY Take me away again to Margaritaville An intoxicated individual was passed out in the front lobby of a business on Chiles Road.