City News

As Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)continues to enjoy a surge of momentum generated by 11 consecutive primary and caucus election victories over rival Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), questions persist over the role Democratic superdelegates will play in determining the party's eventual nominee.

The approximately 796 unpledged party leaders and elected official delegates (PLEO delegates), who are free to cast their own votes at the Democratic National Convention in August, could play the role of tiebreaker if neither Obama nor Clinton emerges carrying the magic number of 2,025 pledged delegates. Currently, Clinton leads Obama in the superdelegate count, 241-181, according to a recent Associated Press survey.

Former UC Davis student Sydney Vergis announced her candidacy for Davis City Council on Feb. 14.

Vergis, who majored in economics and environmental policy analysis and planning, has been involved with Davis services and programs since her residency in 2001. She has served on the city's Business and Economic Development Commission (BEDC), the Davis City Tree Commission and the Yolo County Young Democrats (YCYD).

As former NBA star Kevin Johnson continues his campaign for mayor of the city of Sacramento, local area politicians offered their views on how the race may potentially affect Yolo County.

The scheduled June 3 primaryelection, in which the 42-year-old Sacramento native will challenge three-term incumbent Heather Fargo, is important because it will decide the leader of the Sacramento region - the 16th largest media market in the country, said Yolo County District 1 supervisor Matt Rexroad.

TUESDAY

Wish I was trailer trash

Individual reported trailer was stolen and then recovered on Wake Forest Drive.

Sunny side up?

Unknown subject egged individual's front door on Cantrill Drive.

Breakup and make up?

A backpack and clothing were strewn in front of a window on Anderson Road.

Experts disagree as to whether the country is headed for a recession, but one thing is for sure: 2008 will be a slow year for the economy.

The economist definition [of a recession] is three consecutive quarters of negative growth, said Paul Navazio, finance director for the city of Davis.

The Filipina Women's Network named Davis councilmember Ruth Asmundson one of the 100 most influential Filipinas in the country.

Asmundson was presented an award in Washington D.C. at a gala in October. The group's goal is to double the number of Filipina leaders in five years by having all 100 influential women mentor a young Filipina. The Filipina Women's Network will hold another event in 2012 for all the mentors and protégés.

Budget Workshop

Finance Director Paul Navazio presented a workshop on the budget for fiscal year 2008/2009.Projected General Fund shortfall is $854,000.Unmet needs include funding for street maintenance, a fourth fire station, a youth sports complex and city retiree medical benefits.Expenditure reductions to cover General Fund shortfall may include reduced staffing for planning and building, reduced reserve level and a soft hiring freeze that would exclude public safety and revenue-generating positions. Revenue enhancements may include additional retail development and new ballot measures for taxes.

Davis collision rates have made a dramatic 50 percent decrease over a span of five years. From 2002 to 2006, the California Highway Patrol compiled data on collisions at various intersections throughout the city, investigating possible causes and preventative measures.

The term collision refers to an accident between a motor vehicle and another motor vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian or any other object.

Davis resident Sarah Hafer will participate in AIDS/LifeCycle, a seven-day, 545-mile annual cycling event in support of HIV/AIDS services and education.

Last year's event boasted more than 2,500 cyclists and roadies and raised over $9 million.

A state appellate court recently ruled that California parents must have a teaching credential to homeschool their children.

Previously, the state has allowed homeschooling for parents without credentials if they established themselves as a small, private school, hired a credentialed teacher, or enrolled their child in an independent study program.

The California Department of Public Health has warned consumers not to eat certain brands of alfalfa sprouts due to salmonella contamination.

Salad Cosmo USA Corp. of Dixon, Calif., has recalled Salad Cosmo Alfalfa Sprouts throughout California and Washington, and Always Fresh and Alfa One packaged by J.H. Caldwell and Sons Inc., have been recalled in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Traveling from downtown Davis to campus during lunch rush hour in the middle of the day can prove a harrowing task.

The city of Davis is currently communicating with Specialized Transportation Services on the UC Davis campus to develop a shuttle service that would take patrons from the downtown area to central campus during lunch hours.

Let's make s'mores!

Individuals were seen camping out in front of store on E. Eighth Street.

The other sister

Individual said she was mentally ill and had possibly been assaulted on Fifth Street.

Oh, that's not part of the street?

An individual drove over the sidewalk on L Street.

Surprise!

A small box wrapped in brown paper was sitting on a fence on L Street.

City employees may soon be cashing in on larger paychecks or benefit packages.

The Davis City Council is currently waiting on research in order to implement a standard living wage for the city.

The city's neglect of having a standard living wage policy has been an issue Councilmember Lamar Heystek has been persistent on addressing since 2006 when he was first elected to City Council.