http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/ Alum Rock, CA News http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/68a1d49a60512b776e6111e7ef91de25.html In recent months debate in the Alum Rock School District has centered on small schools charter applications and teacher negotiations But three of the four candidates seeking two seats on the board have roots entangled in personal disputes that for more than 15 years mired the district in chaos and led to lawsuits employee protests grand jury censures and a rapid turnover of administrators http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/833ae41ec158398ff738c3ec42bd86ba.html The US Geological Survey said three small earthquakes occured in the Bay Area on Saturday 151; an evening quake in the South Bay and two earlier in the day in the North Bay http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/ab1908eecd142f839dbfae65760e2817.html The quick rise of Rocketship Mateo Sheedy charter school in San Jose has its founders seeking approval for a second school for some of San Jose's most struggling gradeschoolers http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/68aa2ca6a9f1497bbd7ba62da98c07b1.html Service has been restored to a portion of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail system affected by a disruption this morning a VTA spokesman said http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/022d85c1171018ffbdcc01a1972a29f8.html Rail advocates are gearing up for a for a campaign to support Measure B on the Nov 4 ballot which would raise nearly 2 billion in 30 years to pay for the operation and maintenance of a future BART line through San Jose http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/910ba3eacdf7586af11c00e476df1e51.html Live Oak coach Tom Sumpter didn't scoff when one of his boy's cross country team members told him the Acorns wanted to go to state this fallAlthough a lofty goal for any team Sumpter didn't count it out of the near futureI don't think we've gone that far in years a long timeSumpter said Wednesday during practice at Richert Field They probably won't do it this year I told them 'if we work together now though and get our miles in this offseason that'll be the goal next year'True to form as a firstyear skipper Sumpter is looking at the bigger picture this seasonBuilding a good cross country team is a twoyear processsaid Sumpter who took over the program for longtime coach Dean Raymond this summer You need two years of training to get over the hillThe kids didn't have a coach for most of summer so we're all catching up right now I'd say we're about halfway to where we need to be conditioningwiseFor his girl's team that's not a problem Fresh off of winning their first conference title in a decade the Lady Acorns return as heavy favorites to be the toast of the Blossom Valley Athletic League Santa Teresa Division again in 2008 Live Oak returns most of its prized team including its Big Three runners Olivia Duran Renee Dominguez and Pauline Olsen Each played an integral role in helping the Acorns place 12th in last year's CIFCentral Coast Section Division III ChampionshipsOlsen and Duran also sprinted to the CIFCCS Track Semifinals last spring with Olsen making the finals in the 400 meters Sumpter said they should be the team's toptwo runners with Emily Mandel and Chelsie Faulk pushing themIn the challenging Early Bird Invitational last week in Salinas Duran Olsen and Faulk finished within five minutes of each otherThey did a good jobSumpter said I told them if it wasn't for the 90degree heat they would have done much betterSumpter also is expecting a good season for freshman Abrianna RoblesShe might be good enough to break up into thereSumpter said of Robles If we can find a strong number six runner too that'll be helpfulEspecially for the future Duran is one of only four seniors on the 12person girl's roster; the others being Mary Luna Elizabeth Panduro and Vanessa Santoya Live Oak also has three juniors Dominguez Olsen and Mandel; three sophomores Faulk and Mary Mechilcoff Kelly Wildergren; and a pair of freshmen Valeria Ortiz and RoblesAs a coach I don't have goals or expectations for them but they expect to win another league championshipSumpter said The best part is we're going to have four of our top girls back next yearAcorn boys aim highEven in a rebuilding year Live Oak's boy's contingent has high expectations as implied by the runners The road to state however starts with a strong finish in league The Acorns missed qualifying for section finals last year but set itself in the right direction to do better in 2008 The team took a step back however during the summer coaching changeLive Oak has 11 boys on its roster including dualsport standouts Anthony Macadaeg baseball and Matt Morgan soccer both seniors Sumpter said they will likely join Trevor Zandi as the topthree runners this yearAnthony and Trevor are our two most serious runnersSumpter said And Matt is just naturally talented He's had some knee problems but he's still really goodThe Acorns have another twosport star in senior Tony Morales who's keeping in shape for winter wrestling seasonThat guy can run tooSumpter said I told him we're going to want him in meets this year not just practiceOther seniors include Luke Benner and Corey Mailloux Live Oak also has four speedy juniors in Xavier Gonzales Gregory Wong Ian Lawson and Adrian Nelson Adam Groen sophomore and Chris Darrough freshman are the only underclassmenThe Acorns'league season begins Sept 22 at Alum Rock versus Independence and Pioneer http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/0f33323827de1ed28ebf904a9df5f436.html University of California researchers are assembling what could become the largest array of hightech sensors to probe environmental mysteries at the new Blue Oak Ranch Reserve east of San Jose's Alum Rock Park http://www.axtora.com/homesites/us/california/alum-rock/content/b6463c2dae637fa65cfe889f126d4b02.html We said it was going to be hot and it was And it's going to be hot again until Monday