A family newly arrived in the Bay Area from Missouri experienced a tragedy last night. 28-year-old Christopher Burton says he arrived home from work to find his wife, Amy Freeman Burton, 37, dead of a gunshot wound, along with 13-year-old daughter Ainsly Freeman, also shot. Freeman was still alive when ambulances reached the home, but died a short while later at Castro Valley Medical Center. more ›

Similar to the annual tomato hurling that happens in Buñol, Spain, a Seattle-based company plans on bringing the rouge fruit fight to the Alameda County Fairgrounds on October 1. The Contra Costa Times reports, "Max Kraner and Clint Nelson both left finance jobs to start Tomato Battle, a daylong event at which revelers pay a fee to enjoy beer, music and to pelt other fans with thousands of pounds of tomatoes in an hourlong battle." more ›

A wee one found wandering by himself in a Walmart parking lot early this morning has since been reunited with his family. "[T]he boy, between 2 and 3 years old, was found barefoot wearing a diaper and a white T-shirt. His family contacted police overnight," reports the CoCo Times. "Police said the tot was able to reach a door handle at his home -- located across the street from the lot -- and let himself outside." Aw, poor little fella. Could've really hurt himself. Also, who doesn't lock their doors these days? Especially at night. Sheesh. more ›

The Clorox Co., one of the largest employers in Oakland, announced this week that they're relocating their research and development operation to Pleasanton, thereby moving between 500 and 700 workers out of the East Bay's largest city and out to the 'burbs. more ›

In one version of the Senate's health care bill up for debate next week, a provision meant to encourage preventive medicine for employees has been named for Pleasanton-based grocery chain Safeway. The company has a self-insurance program for its 200,000 employees that provides an incentive -- up to a 30% lower premium -- for any worker who takes steps to get healthier, like losing weight, quitting smoking, or lowering their cholesterol. more ›

A statewide AMBER alerts was issued this morning after a baby was snatched from his car seat a little after 5 a.m. today. According to KGO, Davion Bryceon Dunn-- who has has "black hair and brown eyes"--was taken by his father, Dimiante Dunn--who is "African American, 5'11" tall, weighing 167 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes--in the wee hours of Wednesday morning at the intersection of Holland and Payne in Pleasanton. Dunn, who was following in a car behind, assaulted the mother and another passenger in the car before kidnapping his son. KGO goes on to report that "Dunn is in a 1988 Oldsmobile with 22-inch rims. There are two other adults in the vehicle. The vehicle was last seen going southbound on Hopyard Road, near the intersection of interstates 580 and 680." Please call 911 if you have any information on Dunn. more ›