American Scene

But in deciding on the sentence, Judge Jon S. Shindurling said teachers had a special responsibility to protect children.

Crews shoring up crumbling cliff

PACIFICA, Calif. — Construction crews are working to shore up a Northern California bluff where a seaside apartment building is at risk of sliding into the ocean.

The 12-unit building in Pacifica, about 10 miles south of San Francisco, has been evacuated. It now stands about 10 feet from the edge of the cliff.

Pacifica’s chief building official, Doug Rider, said a crane was scheduled to position large boulders at the base of the bluff Friday to help stabilize it.

Recent storms have saturated the cliff with water. Large chunks of it plunged into the ocean on Thursday, forcing the apartment building’s residents to leave.

Two buildings nearby are being monitored. A wave-deflecting barrier was erected under them last spring.

No charges expected in tour bus crash

ALBERT LEA, Minn. — Prosecutors in Minnesota have reviewed the evidence from a fatal tour bus crash a month ago and decided not to file criminal charges.

Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said the evidence shows the bus driver developed sudden, unforeseen internal bleeding, passed out behind the wheel and crashed the bus.

He said Friday that no charges will be filed against the driver, 52-year-old Edwin Erickson of Elgin.

The State Patrol reports that on Nov. 18 the bus was west of Austin on Interstate 90 when it crossed the centerline, hit a ditch and rolled on its right side.

Two people were killed and 20 wounded as Mr. Erickson drove a group of mostly older passengers home from a day trip to an Iowa casino.

Some schools drop driver’s education

MIAMI — Some high schools across the country are leaving driver’s education by the side of the road.

Story Continues →