Week in Review

Sheriff's deputies are allowed to file workers' compensation claims for cancer and heart problems. Recently, the county settled a $90,000 workers' compensation claim with a retired employee who developed lung cancer. Although the employee claimed it was the result of second-hand smoke, he smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years.

Members of the Board of Supervisors said they support the ban on hiring smokers.

The president of the sheriff's deputies association, a smoker, opposes the ban.

Karaoke ban lifted

San Mateo city officials backtracked in their plans to prohibit karaoke behind closed doors and came up with an alternative plan that would keep one locale in business.

Now, all karaoke rooms must be unlocked and have large, clear windows. Police had worried that the rooms would be used for prostitution or drug use and not just for renditions of "I got you babe."

The decision will allow Fusia Dining Lounge to stay in business. The city is also writing a "dance hall ordinance" to keep police apprised of any large-scale entertainment activity.

Gas prices exploding

Prices at the pump are climbing higher than ever before and officials say it won't get better any time soon.

The current record of $2.18 was set in March 2003 when the war in Iraq was raging. In the Bay Area, prices are higher but the current rise is being felt nationwide.

The price of crude oil - the primary ingredient of gas - has been climbing for a variety of reasons. Colder weather throughout the country, OPEC is cutting back on production and gas prices are going through a yearly spike when manufacturers switch from winter blends to a more clean-burning summer blend.

Simitian beats Lempert; Lantos in a landslide; Ruskin wins by a hair

Tuesday's election was full of suspense or lack of surprise - depending on what race you were looking at.

In the race to be the Democratic nominee for the 11th Senate seat, Joe Simitian beat San Mateo County's Ted Lempert by more than 14 percentage points.

Democratic Congressman Tom Lantos fended off a challenge by Ro Khanna and won 73.7 percent of the vote.

In the 21st Assembly District, Redwood City Councilman Ira Ruskin beat challenger John Carcione by 342 votes. Both Santa Clara and San Mateo counties are checking absentee and provisional ballots and will release final numbers next week. But Ruskin picked up 665 votes in an updated count Friday and looks to be the winner.

On election day, someone called the Khanna campaign with racist threats. The campaign filed a police report and the matter is under investigation.

Peterson jury

selection begins

Hundreds of San Mateo County residents were siphoned through the county courthouse this week as the prosecution and defense begin selecting a jury for the double-murder trial of Scott Peterson.