Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water: Initial reports indicated that a very minimal amount of the substance, now confirmed to be Toluene, was able to reach the San Pablo Bay. However, upon further investigation workers discovered that an unknown quantity of the chemical was able to seep into the surrounding marsh and wash into the Bay. The chemical that has reached the San Pablo Bay is expected......

After someone supposedly stole brass fittings from a chemical company, toluenediamine, a flammable substance that causes irritation by inhalation, was released. Oops. Contra Costa County authorities have asked residents of over 1,500 homes in Richmond "to stay indoors while authorities investigate a chemical leak." According to the Contra Costa County Hazardous Materials Team: The chemical spill occurred at an unconfirmed time this past weekend. The spill has been fully contained by booms and absorbent......

We're getting word that something chaotic is going down right now at Presidio & California. If you know anything, let us know in the comments. Oh yeah, and steer clear from Presidio & California for right now. If you can. 6:30 p.m.: Tons of fire engines all over the scene -- can't get any closer. Roads blocked by firemen. Presidio and Washington seems to be center of activity. Strong gas smell, but can't confirm that's......

Muni issued an alert yesterday afternoon that said simply, "Emergency - Powell line cable cars back in service." Oh no! Emergency! Cable cars unleashed on an unsuspecting public! Save yourselves! Run for the hills! Oh no wait -- the hills are exactly where the cable cars WANT you to run! Okay, okay, we jest. Obviously it's just a poor choice of words, not real peril. We can't begin to guess why someone thought that......

According to CBS 5 (interrupting us right in the middle of The People's Court, no less!) "East Contra Costa County residents are being evacuated from an area near the unincorporated town of Knightsen because of a possible explosive device found inside of a residential motor home." Motor homes and explosive devices? Who could've imagined!? Anyway, that's all the info posted so far. We'll update as soon as more info becomes available. Update: Taken (again!)......