The city is nearing completion of a plan to upgrade its street lights with LED lights, officials said.

Upgrading to LED street lights is part of a multi-phase project in collaboration with Chevron. Council members approved the project last year to reduce Livermore’s carbon footprint, conserve energy and reduce the city’s electricity bill.

Other phases of the project include installing solar panels at city facilities and creating plug-in electric vehicle charging stations.

The city has about 7,300 street lights and plan to replace 7,100 of those with LED lights by mid- to late-summer, Assistant City Manager Troy Brown said.

The remaining 200 street lights in town will not be replaced, as a majority of them are decorative lights in the downtown area.

City officials began a pilot program testing LED street lights in several neighborhoods in February and March. Residents provided the city with positive feedback and were pleased with the neighborhood upgrades, officials said.

For further information on the project and estimated annual cost savings it will bring to the city, view the attached staff report.

Tell us your thoughts on the new LED street lights in town in the comments section below.

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/led

The intersection at Dalton is probably the worst of that stretch, especially when the southbound traffic coming from Brentwood and the Highway 4 Bypass are still treating much of Vasco Road as a minor expressway.

To make matters worse, when that southbound traffic is encountering Dalton, they don’t see the traffic light at that intersection until they go over that hill.

Until they get over that hill, drivers don’t know how close to the Livermore city limits they actually are and by the time they are trying to adjust their speed, these motorists have already blown past Dalton.

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/where-are-livermores-scariest-intersections

Students have below average access to computers in Livermore schools, according to statistics compiled by an education website.

Livermore educators, however, say those numbers are outdated and the access is now significantly better.

At the elementary school level, the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District averages 11 students per school-owned desktop or laptop computer, according to 2011-12 statistics from the site Ed Data.

The elementary schools range from 6.1 at Jackson Avenue to 31 at Sunset.

The middle schools average 10.8 students per computer with all three between 10.5 and 11.

Granada High has a 8.9 average while Livermore High has a 7.7 average.

The state average is 4.7 students per computer.

Those statistics, however, don’t include hand-held devices such as iPads or iPods.

Cindy Alba, assistant superintendent for the Livermore school district, said their current figures show 3.5 students per computer at the elementary school level, 2.9 at the middle schools and 2.4 at the high schools.

Alba said over the past several years, as funding has allowed, the district has been installing “thin client” device in classrooms. They also now allow students to bring in their own hand-held or portable computer devices for school work.

She said over the next few years the district plans to increase classroom bandwidth as part of infrastructure upgrades.

Alba said students’ access to computers is essential in today’s learning environment.

“It is essential for our students to have access to computers, technology and the Internet at school,” said Alba. “On a daily basis, our students interact in this 21st century world through technology – phones, iPods, etc. This form of interaction is highly interesting, engaging, and empowering. Therefore, we need to harness the energy and excitement and provide students a learning environment that will prepare them for success in our media infused environment.”

Some schools now encourage middle and high school students to use personal cell phones, tablets and e-readers during school hours for classwork, according to an MSN Money report.

The same article said nearly three-quarters of teachers surveyed for the Pew Research Center Internet American Life study said they or their students use cell phones during class or for homework.

How would you rate the availability of technology at Livermore schools? Are we doing enough to prepare students? Comment below.

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/students-computer-access-below-average-at-livermore-schools

Livermore police are reminding residents to be suspicious of uninvited guests after an elderly couple was scammed and had jewelry stolen by someone who pretended to be a city inspector.

The incident happened on April 9 at about 6:20 p.m. on the 2900 block of Waverly Way.

A man came to the door of the elderly couple wearing an Edison Electric shirt and had an identification tag around his neck that read “city inspector.” He told the couple he worked for the City of Livermore and told them work was going to be done around their home.

The man then went with the couple to their backyard and explained there was going to be coyote traps set and landscaping work around their house.

While the couple was distracted by the fake inspector for about 20 minutes, at least one other person went into the couple’s home and stole jewelry and cash.

The couple saw two men, one being the fake inspector, leave in a white SUV. They couldn’t provide any more details about the suspects, but Livermore police said they don’t believe any City of Livermore employees were involved.

No other similar incidents have been reported since the home burglary, but in the past, suspects have pretended to be water inspectors, roofers, landscapers, and construction workers stating that there was some type of emergency in the neighborhood and needed to access the residence to check on its safety, police said.

“All residents are advised to be suspicious of anyone who comes to their door uninvited,” Sgt. John Hurd said. “The police department asks that community members with elderly relatives, friends, or neighbors share this information with them to educate them on this recent scam.”

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/wtih-help-fake-city-inspector-scams-elderly-livermore-couple

What I didn’t know is that there are now a whopping 52 wineries in the valley, most selling top-notch reds and whites of just about any variety you can think of. It’s too hot in summer in these parts, I suspect, for really good Pinot Noir. But there’s fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel and smoky, tasty Port being made all over the valley, particularly in the southeastern section. They also make pretty good Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio and excellent Chardonnay.

Article source: http://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2013/04/15/travel_editors_blog_beautiful_scenery_and_tasty_wines_in_californias_livermore_valley.html

From the Livermore Police Department:

On April 13th 2013, approximately 11:45 a.m., a 13 year-old Livermore resident reported a suspicious occurrence. The juvenile saw a white full sized van with dark tinted windows stop near the Outrigger Apartments (1020 Dolores St.) A male occupant got out of the van and approached a young female (approximately 8-12 years old) who was walking on the sidewalk. The male grabbed the female and put her into the van. The male was described
as tall, thin and wearing a black long sleeved shirt. The van was last seen driving northbound on Dolores St. approaching East Ave.

The Livermore Police Department has not had any reports of a missing child and at this time it is unknown if a crime has occurred. The Livermore Police Department is asking that anyone who witnessed this incident, or has any information about this occurrence, to please contact the Livermore Police Department at (925) 580-9665.

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/man-with-van-grabs-and-takes-girl-police-investigating

Five men were reportedly snagged for being drunk downtown early Sunday — two of them underage.

The five suspects — ages 23, 22, 22, 19 and 18  — were arrested for suspected public intoxication at 12:47 a.m. on the 2200 block of First Street and booked at Santa Rita Jail, Dublin, according to Livermore Police Department records.

One of the men, the 19-year-old, was also charged with suspected possession of narcotics, records state. And the 18-year-old was booked with an additional charge of possessing false identification.

Four of the five will meet up again — May 6 — at their court hearings. The individual with the added drug count is scheduled for his arraignment April 9, records state.

In other area crime news:

Saturday, April 6

• Male, 28, arrested for suspected auto theft 8:49 p.m. on Interstates 580 and 205.
• Residential burglary reported 8:30 p.m. on 100 block of Western Avenue.
• Telephone harassment reported 6:59 p.m. along 2700 Paragon Outlets Drive.
• Identity theft filed on the 900 block of Lisbon Avenue 11:24 a.m.
• Public intoxication reported 1:50 a.m. on 2200 First Street.
• DUI arrest of female motorist 1:25 a.m. Highland Street at Inverness Way.

Friday, April 5

• Vehicle reported stolen noon on 900 Hagemann Drive.
• Commercial burglary logged 10:55 a.m. along 1300 Railroad Avenue.
• Grand theft motor-vehicle parts 6600 Las Positas Road 10 p.m.
• Domestic assault reported 11:14 a.m. on 5700 block of East Avenue.
• Suspended/unlicensed motorists: 12:16 a.m. on 1100 Concannon Boulevard; 6:25 a.m. North Vasco Road at Crestmont Avenue.
• Public intoxication 2:02 a.m. on 2300 First Street.
• Police obstruction: 11:54 p.m. on 300 North Livermore Avenue; 8:58 a.m. 800 North Vasco Road.
• Contempt-of-court violation logged 1:29 p.m. on 3800 Madeira Way.
• Warrants served: 9:24 a.m. on 4600 Lassen Road; 8:09 p.m. on 2400 First Street.

Thursday, April 4

• Access-card theft reported 10 a.m. on 3900 block Fordham Way.
• Domestic assault reported 5:02 a.m. on the 1400 block of Heather Lane.
• Battery 12:48 a.m. 2000 First Street.
• Vandalism: 8 a.m. 2100 First Street; 10 p.m. on 600 block of Orange Way.
• Suspended/unlicensed motorists: 10:05 p.m. Scenic Avenue at Heather Lane; 12:15 p.m. Cromwell Way at North Livermore Avenue.
• Controlled-substance possession reported 3:05 p.m. on 2900 Las Positas Road.
• DUI 7:51 p.m. Brighton Way at Troy Street.
• Warrant served 2:29 p.m. on 3500 Paragon Outlets Drive.
• Public intoxication 1:36 p.m. Murrieta Boulevard at Railroad Avenue.
• Kayaker saves vacationing Livermore family.
• Off-duty Dublin paramedic dies from April 2 Oakland Hills shooting.

Wednesday, April 3

• Vehicle reported stolen 10 p.m. along 300 Swan Drive.
• Commercial burglary 4:59 p.m. 2900 Paragon Outlets Drive.
• Vandalism 9:47 a.m. 1000 Murrieta Boulevard.
• Fictitious checks logged 2:29 p.m. on 2700 Las Positas Road.
• Public intoxication 4:05 p.m. Dolores Street at East Avenue.
• Unlicensed motorist cited 10:15 a.m. Scenic Avenue at North Vasco Road.
• Interim police chief named.
• Suspected Easter gang-affiliated shooter charged.
• Airsoft gun prompts Pleasanton preschool lockdown, SWAT. Details here.
• Mayor discusses gang-ordinance reviews.

Tuesday, April 2

• Robbery reported 10 a.m. on 1400 block of First Street.
• Residential burglaries: 12:30 p.m. along 2900 College Avenue; 9:45 a.m. on 2500 Spyglass Hills Road.
• Stolen vehicle recovered 7:44 a.m. on 800 Airway Boulevard.
• Assault with serious injury logged 9:45 p.m. on 1100 East Stanley Boulevard.
• Graffiti on government property 2300 Railroad Avenue logged 8:07 a.m.
• Warrant served 1:50 a.m. on 1500 First Street.
• Theft of motor-vehicle parts 8:30 a.m. on 5800 East Avenue.
• Other thefts: 9:20 p.m. 2600 Kitty Hawk Road; 7:55 a.m. 2500 Railroad Avenue.
• Unlicensed motorists: 4:30 p.m. Sunflower Court at Bluebell Drive; 10:55 a.m. North P and Pine streets; 10:55 a.m. North K and South Oak streets.

Monday, April 1

• DUIs: 8:15 p.m. along 1600 Rhododendron Drive; 10:34 p.m. 1500 Railroad Avenue.
• Commercial burglary 11:50 p.m. on 800 East Stanley Boulevard.
• Identity theft 1 p.m. along 5200 Sundance Drive.
• Shoplifting 2:30 p.m. on 2900 Las Positas Road.
• Use/influence of controlled substances reported 2:01 a.m. on 2000 First Street.
• Warrant served 4200 First Street 9:03 p.m.
• Battery logged 7:20 p.m. Mill Springs Common and Railroad Avenue.
• Vandalism logged 12:01 a.m. on 1400 Aspen Court.
• Fatal collision on I-580 east of Livermore.
• Pardons coming for Bay Area felons.

Sunday, March 31

• Felony vandalism reported 4:30 p.m. on 3000 Campus Hill Drive, and 3:27 p.m. on 2800 Old First Street; misdemeanor vandalism 2200 Walnut Street 8 p.m.
• Shoplifting theft logged 2:45 a.m. on 900 Bluebell Drive.
• DUI 2:38 a.m. on Second and South P streets.
• Motorists with suspended licenses: 12:55 a.m. East and Buena Vista avenues; 7:45 a.m. on Isabel  Avenue at Concannon Boulevard.
• Use/influence of controlled substances reported 9:31 p.m. on 2700 Las Positas Road.
• Easter Sunday gangs and guns in Livermore.
• Hit-and-run with property damage reported 3:32 a.m. on the 1500 block of Kingsport Avenue. A reader reported a license plate left at the scene; no details available on arrests.

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/police-log-robbery-vandalism-freeway-arrest-for-stolen-auto

Nine out of every 10 high school seniors graduated last year at the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District, according to new data released by the state superintendent’s office.

The 90.8 percent graduation rate in Livermore surpasses the state average of 78.5 percent. In 2011, Livermore reported a 91.1 graduation rate.

The dropout rate for the district was listed at 7.5 percent — an incremental uptick from the 7 percent recorded in 2011.

The district’s two main high schools all had graduation rates above the state average. State data shows Granada High with a 95.4 percent graduation rate and Livermore High with a 91.5 graduation rate.

Overall, California’s graduation rates rose while dropout rates declined.

The state superintendent’s office reported 78.5 percent of students who started high school in 2008-2009 graduated last year. That was up 1.4 percentage points from the year before.

The superintendent’s office reported 13.2 percent of students who began high school in 2008-2009 dropped out. That was down 1.5 percentage points from the year before.

Another 8.3 percent of students were labeled as neither dropouts nor graduates.

State Superintendent Tom Torlakson said while the trend is positive, California schools still need to do more. He said he’d like to see the graduation rate top 80 percent in the near future and then reach 90 percent by 2020.

He commended local school officials for improving education despite budget cuts the past few years and the fact California is 49th in the nation in education funding.

“As I travel up and down the state, I see great things happening in California schools every day,” said Torlakson.

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/livermore-s-high-school-graduation-rates-surpass-state-average

The Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors decided to the end tenure of its president and CEO on Monday, according to the chamber’s Chairman of the Board Jay Davis.

Marguerite Mazzitti was let go just a few months after being named President and CEO in February.

The board declined to publicly release details on why Mazzitti was fired, saying they do not discuss personnel matters.

The chamber plans to setup a search committee and conduct a search for the new President and CEO by the end of the spring.

Here is the full text of board’s press release announcing the termination of Mazzitti:

Dear Chamber Members,

After careful deliberation the Livermore Valley Chamber Board of Directors decided on Monday, April 8, 2013 to terminate Marguerite Mazzitti’s appointment as President and CEO of the Chamber effective immediately.  

We wish Ms. Mazzitti success in her future activities.  

The Board will review the job description and ideal qualities of the face and voice of the Chamber. After time for reflection and input, the Chamber will reconstitute a Search Committee and conduct a search for the new President and CEO in late Spring.

Jay Davis,  

Chairman of the Board
Livermore Valley Chamber of Commerce

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/livermore-valley-chamber-board-fires-ceo

We discovered this photo from user “richus19” when searching “Livermore” on Instagram.

The picture captures a unique perspective from a bicycle ride through town.

Have any photos from town to share? Post them here by clicking on the “Upload Photos and Videos” button or add them to our Pics Clips gallery.

If you have an Instagram account be sure to follow us @livpatch and tag us in photos you’d like to submit for our Instagram Photos of the Week feature. You can also hashtag your photos using #Livermore.

Previous featured Instagram photos:

• Livermore’s Instagram Photo of the Week: Altamont Break

Article source: http://livermore.patch.com/articles/livermore-s-instagram-photo-of-the-week-shadow-rider