Bay Area In Brief

A California Justice Department inspection last month uncovered violations ranging from incomplete paper work to releasing firearms before the waiting period expired, according to Pleasanton Police Capt. Dave Radford.

Wal-Mart is the only store in Pleasanton licensed to sell firearms. It sells shotguns and rifles but not handguns.

Police Chief Tim Neal revoked Wal-Mart's firearm sales permit effective Oct. 15 through Nov. 13.

Wal-Mart is reviewing its firearms sales procedures and implementing new measures and training programs to ensure compliance with local and state laws.

USF receives grant

The University of San Francisco School of Law has received a $3.25 million grant from the Koret Foundation.

The money will be used to reconstruct Kendrick Hall, the law school's home for the past 40 years. The refurbished building will be named the Koret Law Center.

The Koret Foundation is one of the largest Jewish-sponsored charitable trusts in the United States.

The University of San Francisco Law School, established in 1912, enrolls roughly 700 students, and awards some 200 law degrees each year.

Extended bridge hours

The Golden Gate Bridge is open to bicyclists for extended hours beginning Sunday.

Bridge spokeswoman Mary Currie said the bridge district board voted to extend the hours until Nov. 30.

The bridge will now be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Pedestrian access hours will remain from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., a free bike shuttle is available.

Bridge sidewalks were closed following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington.

Prior to the attacks, bicyclists had 24-hour access to the sidewalks, and pedestrians could use them from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

SJPD conduct manhunt

San Jose police are searching for a suspect in connection with the shooting of an officer this morning near the Almaden Expressway.

A police department spokesman said the condition of the officer and specifics of the case cannot be released at this time. He would not confirm earlier reports that the officer died from the injuries he suffered in the shooting.

Fire destroys Rhonert Park home

One home was destroyed, another home was damaged and three family pets were killed during a fire in Rhonert Park that turned residents out of their houses during the early morning hours on Saturday.

When Rohnert Park firefighters arrived on the scene at 8526 Liman Way, the fire had burned through the roof, engulfed the garage and was spreading through the rest of the house.

It then moved to the house next door at 8524 Liman Way and caused moderate damage there before firefighters got the flames under control.

The families of both homes escaped without injury, but a dog, a cat and a bird at the house where the fire started were killed.

Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the blaze, which displaced two families, made both homes unlivable and caused between $300,000 to $350,000 in damage.<