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Sacramento lawmakers are looking at grabbing cash from local coffers to settle their problems, The Sacramento Bee's Capitol Alert reported Wednesday.

"The first would transfer property taxes away from local governments to area schools. That would lower the amount of school spending that musts come out of the state's general fund, helping balance the state's books.

Voters limited that practice in 2004, approving Proposition 1A with 80 percent of the vote. But that measure allows lawmakers to still make such a transfer -- up to two times per decade -- provided the state pays back all the borrowed funds within three years.

The Merced County civil grand jury's final report for this year is now available to the public.

To read it, go here.

The grand jury is a panel of 19 local citizen volunteers. Its job is to investigate complaints of wrong-doing by local public officials and agencies. Anyone can file a complaint with the grand jury and almost anyone can serve as a juror.

The Washington Post has begun a 12-part series revisiting the murder of Chandra Levy, a Modesto resident who had been romantically involved with former Congressman Gary Condit, a Democrat who represented this area.

For the first time, he's consented to newspaper interviews about the case.

The speculation that Condit was involved with the murder ended his political career and also led to a series of failed lawsuits by him.

I have, for the second year, been given the honor of covering the Merced County Fair for our newspaper. I have been to the fairgrounds at least once every day since Friday. I have tasted many fair delicacies and drank more than my share of diet soda.

That being the case, it is no surprise that I have also frequented a few of the fine restrooms on the grounds. (I have been fortunate enough to not have to use a portable restroom yet, but I’m not ruling it out.)