50-year-old Chiu Chun Wong of San Lorenzo was killed yesterday after a 15-ton section of concrete came toppling down on him. Ouch. According to the Gate, the fatal workplace incident occurred at "J.C. Steel Fabrication at 220 Michelle Court shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday." It seems that while Wong and another worker were putting a chain "around the bottom of the 20-foot-by-12-foot wall," the chuck of cement slipped, fell, and struck Wong, killing him instantly. more ›

-Falun Gong not allowed in this year's Chinese New Year parade. -Almost half of the hospitals in California won't be earthquake compliant by 2012. -A car crash on Highway 101 near Santa Rosa kills four and injures two others. more ›

In the wake of the James Kim media coverage, the Oakland Tribune and the Chron follow up on a Berkeley family who's been looking for their son, 23-year-old Wallace Richards (pictured at left) for a year, with no leads. more ›

Courtesy of SFist Jon, creepiness a little outside our usual coverage area! Someone's been breaking into houses in San Lorenzo Valley, stealing stuff, and then writing on the walls, "I was here." Eep! However, this does also remind us of that old chestnut about the man who comes home to find that burglars have taken everything in his house except a toothbrush and a camera. We also feel obliged to report that the SF Alcoholic Beverage Control has finished an investigation of Les Natali and the various Castro bars he runs, and concluded that he did not discriminate against African-Americans, which allowed them to renew his liquor license. The ABC is requiring Natali to hang a big sign outside his door saying he doesn't discriminate, though, and public comment will be heard about the decision (no date given). Natali has also announced that he's selling the Pendulum, which is considered SF's main African-American gay bar. In other quick news items: Victor Conte, BALCO man, is taking a Martha Stewart-type plea (4 months in jail, 4 months house arrest). There was a shooting at the Hilltop Mall in Richmond. And they've ID'ed the guy who shot someone the other night at Van Ness and Post. more ›

Bay Area crime roundup more ›