IN BRIEF

QUALITY H20

Los Angeles tap water wins taste competition

Their air might bring pollution complaints, but residents of Los Angeles drink the nation's tastiest tap water, according to the judges of an international competition.

More than 120 water sources competed in the 18th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting, held Saturday.

A panel of 10 journalists and food critics sampled sparkling, tap and bottled water from 19 states and other countries, including New Zealand, Romania and the Philippines.

The title of best municipal water was shared by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which serves Los Angeles, and the town of Clearbrook, British Columbia.

DIESEL SPILL

Workers mop up fuel to keep it from river

Cleanup crews are working to keep a diesel spill from seeping into a pristine Northern California waterway about 10 miles south of the Oregon border.

Department of Fish and Game officials said Sunday that workers mopping up about 4,000 gallons of diesel spilled from a truck last week found fuel in a trench about 50 feet from the Smith River.

The Smith is the last major undammed river in California and a favorite of anglers for its salmon and steelhead stocks.

SAD SUSPECT

Bullet paralyzed boy taking piano lesson

The attorney for a man accused of a shooting that paralyzed a 10-year-old boy who was taking a piano lesson says his client was horrified and saddened by the boy's plight.

Prosecutors have charged 24-year-old Jared Adams with premeditated attempted murder, robbery and five other felonies for the January shooting. Adams has pleaded not guilty to all the charges. If convicted he faces life in prison.

Authorities say Adams fired three bullets toward a cashier after robbing a gas station in North Oakland. The bullets missed their target, and one ripped through the wall of the Piedmont Piano Co. and hit Christopher Rodriguez as he sat at a piano lesson.