East Bay Roundup

Oakland Tribune, Oct 16, 2008 by BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

Sunol

DEAD BEAR FOUND IN SUNOL: State Fish and Game reports that the body of a dead bear was found Thursday in a ditch off of Mission Road in Sunol near Interstate 680.

The body of the small black bear was spotted by a motorist who stopped in a pullout next to the road, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The bear had been killed and butchered.

Fish and Game Warden Clint Garrett says it appears to have been legally shot, but illegally dumped. Illegal dumping falls under regular litter laws.

It is legal for licensed hunters to shoot a bear in California during bear season as long as they have applied for and received a tag authorizing them to shoot a bear.

-- Bea Ahbeck

Altamont Pass

IDENTITY STILL UNKNOWN: The identity of a man killed Wednesday afternoon in a fiery crash on westbound Interstate 580 is still unknown.

A crash between a van and a big rig was reported about 4:50 p.m. just east of the North Flynn Road exit, said California Highway Patrol Officer Marc Johnston.

The man was the sole occupant of the van, according to the Alameda County Coroner's Office. He had not yet been positively identified. Dental records will likely be needed to confirm his identity, a coroner's official said.

-- Sophia Kazmi, Roman Gokhman

Livermore

POLICE SAFETY GRANT: The police department has received a $157,8000 traffic safety grant to help prevent injuries and deaths on the city's roadways.

The state's Office of Traffic Safety grant will help pay for radar equipment, alcohol sensing devices and officer overtime for special enforcement operations. The grant will help the department with occupant protection, red light violations, speeding, hazardous traffic locations, and impaired driving issues through educational programs, special enforcement operations and checkpoints.

-- Sophia Kazmi

Pittsburg

electrical malfunction CAUSED FIRE: An electrical malfunction sparked a three-alarm fire that caused $1 million in damage to a Pittsburg apartment complex Tuesday evening, the Contra Costa Fire District said.

The blaze broke out at 7:34 p.m. in the Los Prados apartments on East Leland Road, a Contra Costa Fire District spokesman said. The complex is located across the street from Los Medanos College. It was brought under control within an hour.

The fire originated in an entry hall, and appears to have been accidental, said fire district spokeswoman Emily Hopkins.

Four units sustained fire damage and two others from smoke and water. Two units were heavily damaged.

-- Robert Salonga