Week in Review: Stabbing Arrest, Searching for Sierra LaMar, ACLU vs AVHS

ACLU Says Amador Valley High Violating Free Speech Over Yearbook Photo Ban

Kenton Koos' senior picture will not be appearing in the Amador Valley High School yearbook. The school administration says the photo, which shows Koos sporting a nose ring and face tattoo, violates school policy. ACLU attorney Linda Lye calls the ban a "blatant violation" of a provision in the state's Education Code which protects freedom of speech in school publications. Read the full story and tell us what you think.

Livermore Man Arrested in Connection with Pleasanton Stabbing

Jesse Serpa, 33, was arrested by Livermore police in Manteca on Monday. Serpa is suspected of stabbing another man once in the chest during an argument at an apartment complex located at 3819 Vineyard Avenue in Pleasanton on Nov. 14. Serpa was booked at Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on one count of attempted murder. He was arraigned on Wednesday. Read the full story here.

Searching for Sierra LaMar

Sierra LaMar was abducted on the morning of March 16 near her home in Morgan Hill. Meet the Pleasanton woman who searches for her every Saturday. Do you know Marie Rankin? She wants to raise awareness to rally others to join in the search for LaMar.

Getting Ready for the County-Wide Plastic Bag Ban

Are you ready to pay 10 cents for each paper bag when you are out shopping? Starting Jan. 1, plastic bags will be banned in Alameda County. Alameda County will join San Francisco, San Mateo County, San Jose and 49 other California cities and counties in no longer providing single-use plastic bags at checkout — making reusable bags a must-have for any Bay Area.

Hundred-Pound Sturgeon Hooked at Lake Del Valle

A Livermore man caught a sturgeon that weighed over 100 pounds, breaking all records for fish caught at Lake Del Valle. Check out his catch-of-a-lifetime.

Storms

A barrage of rain storms have pummeled the Bay Area since Wednesday causing traffic delays, collisions, flooding and power outages. One homeowner in Pleasanton had to call 911 to report major flooding in their garage. An overturned big rig blocked I-580 at I-680 early Friday morning and power outages spread throughout the Tri-Valley due to the wild weather. Find out where to get sandbags in your city for the next rain and tips of preparing your home for the next downpour.

Gangnam Style in Pleasanton

"Gangnam Style" broke records this week as the "most watched Youtube video." Have you seen it? Tri-Valley residents are showing their Gangnam Style online. Do you have "Gangnam Style" and want to show the world? Patch wants to see your "Gangnam Style." Watch the original and upload your videos by clicking here.

Other news you need to know:

• Sneeze Attack Causes Driver to Crash into Ten Cars in Alameda County
• Protect Yourself from Crime While Riding BART and BART Crime: Have You Been a Victim?
• Beware of Holiday Package Theft
• Pleasanton Police Officers Association Annual Giving Tree Program 
• The holidays are here: Check out our holiday topic page for shopping ideas, safety tips and local holiday events like Hanukkah 2012 and the Widmer-World lights display.
  
• Weekly Grocery Specials and Coupons on Patch

Blog of the Week: Updating your Career Plan for 2013

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