Community Corner

Six-Alarm Fire in Redwood City; Millions in Gang-Related Drugs, Firearms Seized in Contra Costa County; Drought Emergency Declared For California

Plus, young quadriplegic puts life back together; Mom and son jailed for tax fraud; cigarette sets teen ablaze

By Genevieve Bookwalter

Welcome to the your weekend Northern California Patch roundup!

Today’s big news comes from Gov. Jerry Brown, who confirmed what many already know: California is in the middle of a major drought emergency. Read more on San Mateo Patch and check out thedramatic photos.

Find out what's happening in Half Moon Baywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“‘We have to recognize this is not a partisan adversary,’ Brown said at a news conference in San Francisco Friday morning. ‘This is Mother Nature. We have to live within the resources we have,’ the governor said.”

“Brown said 2014 is projected to become the driest year on record in California. His proclamation of a state of emergency includes a series of executive orders requiring state agencies to aid affected farmers and communities by expediting water transfers and releasing stored water from reservoirs.”

Find out what's happening in Half Moon Baywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The governor also ordered state agencies to implement water conservation plans and called on all Californians to reduce their water usage by 20 percent.”

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