Free Republic

Ernie Scherer of Pleasanton, who was found brutally murdered with his wife on March 14 in their home, has been elected posthumously to the Alameda County Republican Central Committee. Scherer had received 4,758 votes as of Monday’s tally at the Alameda County election web site. Voters were to choose six people among nine candidates and Scherer came in third place behind David Latour and Douglas Miller.The Central Committee must now vote to appoint someone to fill the vacancy.In order of votes, the other candidates were: Brian Eschen, Deslar Patten, Christopher Kuhn, Daniel Byards, Andrew Latour and Gregg Byars.The police still...

The search for suspects in a Pleasanton double homicide has gone national. Listed under a search for fugitives, "America's Most Wanted" has posted details on the killings of husband and wife, Ernie Scherer and Charlene Abendroth on its Web site. The site lists some incorrect information on the case, however. "America's Most Wanted" states that the couple had just returned from trips to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands, when they had actually just traveled to South America. The site also states that a security guard was sent to their home, when it was in fact a Castlewood County Club maintenance...

Husband in double slaying had gambling, real estate, political ties; deaths appear 'motive specific,' official says -- The man who was killed alongside his wife in their Pleasanton country club home was a "complicated" and, at times, controversial local figure with political, gambling and real estate ties, those who knew him said. Ernie Scherer, 60, was a passionate conservative who once worked for former Republican Congressman Bill Baker. He dabbled on the professional poker circuit and was an active real estate investor who bought and sold homes across the country. "Local politics was as much a hobby to him as...

PLEASANTON -- A Republican activist and professional poker player and his university lecturer wife found slain inside their country club home in Pleasanton had been dead for several days before their bodies were discovered Friday, authorities said today. Ernest Scherer Jr., 60, and his wife, Charlene Abendroth, 57, were discovered at 12:30 p.m. Friday after their daughter could not reach them and summoned officials with the Castlewood Country Club association to the home at 18 Castlewood Drive. The couple had owned the home for about 18 months, a neighbor said. No arrests have been made, and authorities have not said...

A baby doll that cries, wets itself and has to be taken care of caused a two-car wreck on Interstate 580 Tuesday afternoon. The doll, used to teach high school students the responsibilities of parenting, surprised a 17-year-old driver when it began making a crying noise. The driver swerved, slammed into a median guard rail, swung back onto the freeway and hit a Ford F-350 pickup truck just east of the Santa Rita Road overpass. California Highway Patrol Officer Steve Creel said the female driver, who he did not name, had the doll as part of a school project meant...

SUPPORT PRESIDENT BUSH AND THE TROOPS Rally in Pleasanton, California Friday, October 22, 2004 Location: Hopyard & Valley, Pleasanton, CA Time: 4:00 - 7:00pm Media is expected to be there and we need a good showing This was our rally point during the post Bush/Gore election fight. *** URGENT NOTE: We have been informed that Kerry/Edwards supporters have targeted this rally with a counter-rally of their own at our location and they've been leafleting Pleasanton and Berkeley to try to overshadow our support of President Bush. We need as many people on our side as possible.

<p>A bomb went off early this morning at a Pleasanton company that makes health, beauty and household products, shattering windows and tearing stucco.</p> <p>No one was hurt in the 4:15 a.m. explosion at Shaklee Corp., located in the Hacienda Business Park in the East Bay city.</p>

It was a warm clear morning as I pulled up in front of the Veterans Hall in downtown Pleasanton. I had arrived a few minutes late for the 6:00 AM rally so there already were about 25 people in front of the hall with various versions of "Support the Troops" signs and flags. As I walked up I was handed a flyer by a 20ish man with a mohawk haircut. I didn't realize till a little later that he was from the "other"side and the flyer was about stopping the war. As I approached the crowd, I yelled ... "Free...

<p>A group of citizens calling itself World Peace Through Action plans to stage a Support the Troops rally in Pleasanton on Monday, timed to coincide with the final deadline for Iraq to disarm or face military consequences.</p> <p>Burdette expects about 50 people to gather at 6 a.m. outside the Veterans Memorial Center, 301 Main St. They will greet passersby for two hours by waving American flags and banners backing President Bush's get-tough policy toward Iraq.</p>

<p>GRASSROOTS: The group Grassroots Americans will pay tribute those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attacks, including former San Ramon resident Tom Burnett, a hero of Flight 93. It also will honor the members of the New York City police and fire departments, at a rally from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Stoneridge Drive between Hopyard Road and Tom Burnett Drive. Participants are invited to bring flags, candles, signs and other patriotic gear.</p>