>> kristen: hello, welcome to assignment 7. today on our program, from lake tahoe the new development vision that is both good for businesses and the environment. >> xhem ra activities that were supposed to last for a lifetime were suddenly ripped out. >> and seven-year-old boy and incredible determination is wagf his life. a peninsula high-tech start-up is on the road to bringing delivery trucks and shuttle buses into the electric age. here is david louie. >> reporter: you see them on the freeway. you see them in your neighborhood. california has an estimated 650,000 of the medium duty trucks on the road making

deliveries or shuttling people around. many only many only get 6 miles a gallon. they hope to change that. it has developed a power train to operate as electric vehicles. he put a ph.d. program who hold to create the start-up. >> you use the computer you plug any device into it and itwith t. we provide that same thing for electric trucks. >> this shuttle bus is prototype developed for under $2 million. a key feature it allows truck makers to deploy whatever batteries they want. >> the trucking energy like to have technology proven. they want the trucks to work. they are very interested in the electric trucks but they need something that is going to work with this whole ecosystem that exists for trucks. >> they just received another

state grant to open an assembly plant for the new power system. ien will gentle transportation will get three of them. founder gary bower has deployed it in regular vehicles and embraces it for zero emissions. >> we're going to get more out there. as you get these built and more out there, you definitely get them at a cost factor people can afford. i think it will grow rapidly. >> first of the power train vehicles should be on the road at the end of the year. >> kristen: we've all heard the u.s. postal service has plans to close some facilities and downsize others but the historic post office in downtown palo alto is causing quite an uproar, karina rusk explains. >> palo alto's downtown post office is not only historic for

many residents, it's part of their history. she has a relationship that goes back decades. >> i've had a box here since 1967. >> but now, they have a plan to save $20 billion a year. the cost cutting equation includes selling seven bay area post offices including burlingame and palo alto. the idea is to relocate operations to smaller spaces, with e-mailo the regular business, many customers understand that the government needs to downsize. >> i don't think it's necessary. >> nobody has put a price tag on the building but they aren't going to stand by and be auctioned off. >> if the city bought the building it could do consolidating of its own and just have enough room left over for tenant. >> it makes sense to lease it

out for something like our development center which is a half block away and share the space with a reduced size post office. >> the idea is gaining support. for many a post office anywhere else wouldn't be the same. >> i love this post office. it's localized. it's convenient for the community. >> a spokesperson says the building sale is a business deal and will do what is best >>taxpayers. >> we're getting ground running and getting our facts to together so wee can make a credible proposal as soon as possible. >> it could hit the market in mid may but if she has anyt to say anything about it. her p.o. box isn't going anywhere without a fight. >> hopefully not. >> kristen: in south lake tahoe a grand plan is in the works to overhaul old development and improve the environment at the same time.

here is dan ashley. >> dan: lake tahoe may be rich h in natural beauty but the economy is in trouble. >> schools have closed. the population has declined. it's really a tragic situation. >> dan: mike bradford loans an inn here. they were the economic engines that drove the tahoe area. in fact when they were first built the idea was to make visitors forget the lake was here. >> everything was inside the casino building. it was undesirable to have anyone go anywhere else because that was lost revenue. >> but now, indian casinos have lured away most of the gambling customers. >> they are not coming here. so we're left with a product that is no longer viable. >> he is leading the coalition to remake the area focusing it on natural beauty and turning

into outdoor recreation center. >> to make more appropriate use of lake that is economically viable. >> they have put together what they call a short vision plan, turning this corridor into upscale walkable town with easy access to the lake. most of the money for the makeover would come from private investment. idea goes hand in hand with a government plan to reroute highway 50 the main road through siath lake tahoe. instead of going down the middle of town, it will be moved to run behind the casinos. estimated cost is $65 million. >> we have a choice to make. are we going to make investments uound us?ure or watch it >> they are working together to get combination of federal, state and private money. the road improves transportation all over the lake. >> another key proposal is for ferry service to take passengers

between the north and south shores without their cars. workg officials are working new segments of a bike path to link up with existing paths, eventually they will ring the lake. >> it's getting a good reception from the planning agency which oversees dey. the agency says the plan is critical, not just for the economy, but also for the environment. >> tahoe is tahoe. we want to maintain that character but we need to bring our infrastructure up to 21th century standards. >> tahoe is full of aging roads and buildings put up before there was any environmental regulation. the new vision would replace it with open space and greener development. that would mean less sediment and pollution going into >> this is lake. >> this is how we get water quality improvement. >> but first they have to get dan dan ashley, "abc 7 news". >> kristen: still ahead, a statewide petition drive to stop a controversial school book

rewrite. and a sentimental walkway at golden gate bridge gets torn up. the donors say a lifelong promise has been trampled. and new way to [ man ] did we get anything good?

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>> kristen: signature gathering effort is to get a measure on the state ballot that would overturn a new education law. it requires students be taught about contributions of lessons by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. >> the law is known as education act. instructions and textbooks in social sciences must include the contributions of minorities, people with disabilities and those in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. >> we're not just talking about factual history and making sure that all students are prepared to understand who we are as a country and that includes the

diversity in our country. >> but opponents of that law want it repealed. they say members of that community should not appear in textbooks based on their sexual orientation. >> right now they should be talked about based on contributions to history not about what they may or may not have done in the bedroom. >> opponents need 500,000 signatures in order to get it on the ballot. this way it will be up to the voters to decide if they want to do away with the law. >> it's the legislators trying to get more support, trying to push through their own agenda. >> state senator mark leno introduced the legislation known as the fair education act. he says it prevents schools from adopting learning materials that promote negative stereotypes. teachers already comply with the law using their own material. >> these are things that are

being discussed and fundamentals we talk about in classroom. >> reporter: other districts will have to wait because of the state budget cuts. california's department of education has put the revision of new textbooks on hold until at least 201 lyanne melendez, "abc 7 news." >> kristen: golden gate bridge is about to turn 75. as part of the celebration, visitor area is expanding but that means tearing out some commemorative bricks. owners are upset. michael finney has the story. >> they thought the bricks would last forever at the foot of the golden gate bridge. instead, bulldozers are ripping them out. >> i was in absolute shot shock. >> they bought two of the 7500 bricks sold to the public 25 years ago when the famous span was celebrating the 50th birthday. they inscribed them with names

and messages. here you see how the bricks were laid into a garden walkway back in 1988. >> it's part of everybody goes on the golden gate bridge. >> it had special meaning for donna as the bridge was celebrating the 50th anniversary. two bricks were the perfect gift. >> dad didn't stop talk about it for years. >> reporter: her parents watched the bridge getting built, relished their small place at the landmark. >> they enjoyed going out to see those bricks. >> they never expected this. bulldozers pulled them out this year as part of a project to rebuild the visitor garden in honor of the 75th anniversary. >> we've heard from two dozen folks that are very upset. >> mary says the bridge district had no choice because it did not meet standards for americans with disability.

>> you can't see it from here. it goes downhill. >> workers tried to save the bricks but they crumbled as they were pulled out. still the demolition came without warning. by the time she arrived on the site her bricks were gone. only dusty remnants behind a chain link fence. >> i wish they could have given us time to maybe go out there one last time. >> i want people to know it was not in uncaring gesture on our parted. >> they acknowledged brick owners thought they had a permanent place. >> forever, even when i am gone, my kids would be able to show their offspring. these were your great, great grandparents. >> the certificate says it, too. congratulations, your name is permanently placed on the golden gate bridge. >> all i can say, i'm sorry.

>> ri points this tiny print on the original sales brochure, saying no specific warranty is made by the installer or district. however, here is where things look up. 7 on your side inquired about the bridge and they will be preserved in a special way. >> every single brick that was in the walkway will be represented on this new tribute wall. >> here is the sketch. wall atae bridge will bare the exact descriptions. >> it will be to walk on and touch and to see. >> the district also took photos of every single brick and available for free to owners. what is also cool, at google earth, the former walkway you can zoom in on your brick. >> a bay area company is now using ultrasound to melt away the fat.

carolyn johnson has more. >> reporter: this is a specific type of high intensity ultrasound developed by a company in hayward that generates heat as it enters the body. they say that heat effectively kills fat cells. >> watching her walk down the street, few people would describe britney as heavy. but professionals asked her not to use her last name. >> it's around the body. >> today she is hoping to lose up to an inch off her waistline without surgery. she is being treated with a new device called lipo sonics. they say the system uses focused ultrasound to melt fat cells. >> you hear snap, crackle pop. it sounds like fat sizzling. >>re are numbered target points on her stomach. she needs to track which sections have been treated and for how long. >> the only requirement you have

to have at least one inch of fat. >> reporter: once the procedure is mapped out. doctor delivers pre-sets set pulses have ultrasound. some patients will feel a light stinging sensations. >> some parts you feel a little more than others. >> the system won't produce the extreme results likely po sucks that requires surgery but they say since it can used to treat wide areas of the body it's more noticeable than other options. >> they get one inch of fat loss on average. >> few weeks we taped her procedure, it was a loss of two inches around her waist a reduction most visible in the area commonly referred to as the love handles. full benefits take eight to ten weeks. >> as long as you got an inch there, we can treat it. the treatment results have been

astounding. >> reporter: significance typically cost from $1500 to $3,000. slight bruising can last for a few weeks. >> kristen: when we continue a 7-year-old bicycle racer in a race to of his life. we introduce you to a man with rsrsrsrsrsrsrsrsrs?xúp

>> kristen: every parent's worst nightmare is their child being threatened with a life-threatening illness. as wayne freedman shows us they are getting more support than they ever have ima >> you are looking one of the best times in life. the innocence of youth, the passion of an organized sport

like racing. he loves it more than anything else in life which is quite revealing about 7-year-old luca moore, 345 24 hours earlier he was awaiting two chemotherapy injections in a different kind of battle. >> he came all of a sudden. >> for the father and mother, there are no easy answers to the question of why. >> initially, shock, heartbreak. >> reporter: replaced by determination to endure the treatment. now, they are getting support of all places... the very same say luke's lemon's.org.them atg event. >> because i have a friend who

is 12. you think about my son and happy that my son is healthy. >> it's a series of five races to raise money which contributes not to his case but a to cancer research in general at lucille packard. it has galvanized the community. >> if not for luke, they may have one-third of the people here. >> behind the white line please. >> it's aggressive sport, not for the faint of heart. >> they that overcoming adversity. >> the doctors say that luke cannot compete in an actual race right now but he can watch. on this day they honored him by leading the parade. he is a passionate child. doctors told us that his stubbornness is going to make him boater. >> it will take three years for

his medical treatment but as the bmx community helps in research, they also help him. this one weekend they raised $7,000. >> awesome! >> say thank you. i don't know if it's overwhelming, it's unbelievable. >> in trials like these it's good good to have a family behind you. >> we help him fight for his life. >> luke has a big one. wayne freedman, "abc 7 news". >> kristen: for a schedule of upcoming races and a link to the their website, go to abc7news.com and click on see it on tv. >> up next, the taste of success. we'll take you to the nation's only fully organic ice cream factory and it's here in the bay

area.

>> kristen: its sweet victory for one man in petaluma, what started out as a small ice cream business is now booming. >> petaluma has a lot of cows and their milk is something unusual. >> this is neil who left a job in corporate america to start an ice cream shop. >> i wanted to do something to combine the energy and i thought organic ice cream was a good compromise. >> it's 200 gallons. >> fills with milk and cream, neil showed this lake of goodness, raw materials for it. >> this is plain mix. >> add a little flavor and spin it around and around.

>> until it gets to the front. and it comes out frozen which is this is frozen. >> where does it go from there? a giant machine that spits out a perfectly formed pint every 12 seconds. it became so popular, two years ago he opened the only fully organic ice cream factory. >> this freezer is bigger than our first store. >> they stack up 12,000 pints a day. >> this freezer is so cold it makes it difficult to think. it will be negative 30 in here overnight. the hardening all the pints of ice cream. >> the secret to success, a simple recipe. >> it's high in fat and high in sugar but that is what makes it delicious. >> jonathan bloom, "abc 7 news".

>> kristen: and if you want more information on our stories, go to our website at abc7news.com and look under the news links on the left side for assignment 7. that is all for this edition. thanks so much for watching. i'm kristen sze. i'm kristen sze. lamb lamb next at 5:00, doyle drive reduced to rubble. handlan -- lab lan getting across the pay bridge has been a challenge. >> ama: bull bullets