Tracy, Calif. - The Tracy Police Department in collaboration with the Delta Regional Auto Theft Team is hoping to raise awareness and prevent auto theft throughout the City by offering steering wheel locking devices free of charge to city residents on a first-come basis. This is due to a recent increase in auto thefts within the City of Tracy.

In addition to the ongoing suppression efforts, such as arresting thieves, recovering stolen vehicles, and prosecuting auto theft offenders, local police agencies will focus on prevention efforts by giving away free anti-theft steering wheel locking devices to owners of the top nine most stolen cars in San Joaquin County.

Investigators have identified the top nine most stolen vehicles in San Joaquin County as:
1. 1989 to 1997 Honda Accord
2. 1988 to 2000 Honda Civic
3. 1987 to 1996 Toyota Camry
4. 1990 to 1998 Acura Integra
5. 1993 to 1998 Saturn SL
6. 1992 to 1994 Nissan Sentra

AUBURN, Calif. - Cal Fire is warning of what may be a very long and very difficult fire season ahead.

"Over the next couple of months almost all of Northern California's gonna be at an above average potential for large and damaging wildfires," said Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant.

The state has already seen 950 fires, triple the number in an average year. And the state is in the grip of the worst drought in recorded history.

"A lot of the green hillsides up and down the state are really just masking the dead grass that's been sitting there all winter long," Berlant points out.

At the Cal Fire station in Auburn, seasonal firefighters have been in place since the end of January, nearly three months earlier than usual.

VALLEY SPRINGS, CA - For the first time in 15 days, Rippon Road is no longer guarded by deputy or CHP officer. Instead of law enforcement vehicles, only purple ribbons lined the street to remember the little girl who loved the color.

"Everybody speculates and everybody said this and that, but I just prayed," said Mary Gallagher, a friend of the Fowler grandparents.
"I prayed it wasn't him."

Saturday evening, Leila Fowler's 12 year-old brother was arrested on homicide charges in her stabbing death. The boy originally told deputies an intruder broke into the house and killed his sister. After a multi-agency manhunt and two thousand hours canvassing the neighborhood, the Sheriff announced the boy was no longer their only witness, but the person they believe responsible.

"The citizens of Calaveras County can sleep a little better tonight," said Sheriff Gary Kuntz at the Saturday evening press conference.