BART police will have spiritual counselors to advise them under a new volunteer chaplaincy program beginning Tuesday. BART police Chief Kenton Rainey will swear in four local clergy members at noon Tuesday in Oakland, marking the first time the transit agency has offered the service for its police officers and their families, according to agency spokesman Jim Allison. Read More

A wind advisory is in effect for the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, a California Highway Patrol Officer said.The advisory was issued at 4:03 a.m. in response to the strong winds and rain, Officer Ralph Caggiano said.A wind advisory for the Bay Bridge, which was issued at 12:33 a.m., is still in effect and another wind advisory could be issued for the Richmond-San Rafael later Monday, Caggiano said.The CHP recommends motorists exercise caution while driving and are urging drivers to reduce speed and allow distance between cars on the road. Read More

While Bay Area transit agencies grapple with unprecedented budget shortfalls and passengers experience service cuts and fare hikes, workers enjoy benefits well above the national average.The region’s 28 transit agencies face a shortfall of $8 billion over the next 25 years, and benefits like pensions, health care and workers’ compensation make up 34 percent of total operating costs, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.The high cost of wages and benefits are not unique to public sector debt, but the Bay Area’s problems are uniquely acute. Read More

Two children were injured and four adults were hospitalized from being pepper sprayed at the Powell Street Muni station in San Francisco Saturday evening, a police spokesman said.Someone sprayed pepper spray for unknown reasons near turnstiles to the Powell Street Muni metro station at about 6 p.m., according to a police spokesman and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Read More