Tom Chapman

Real estate developer Tom Chapman says that, contrary to local opinion, he is not holding a prized wilderness area in the nearby mountains for ransom. But you would be hard put to find anyone in this small fruit-growing and coal-mining town to defend him. The native-born Chapman specializes in converting rural land into million-dollar wilderness hideaways.

Real estate developer Tom Chapman says that, contrary to local opinion, he is not holding a prized wilderness area in the nearby mountains for ransom. But you would be hard put to find anyone in this small fruit-growing and coal-mining town to defend him. The native-born Chapman specializes in converting rural land into million-dollar wilderness hideaways.

About the time the wholesale price of pot hit $4,000 a pound, Tony Sasso bought a bulldozer and an excavator and dug a massive hole on his ranch in eastern Mendocino County. Then he bought four metal shipping containers and buried them in the hole. Inside the containers, Sasso installed 32 1,000-watt lights, a ventilation system and plumbing ? all of it powered by a 60-kilowatt generator. His subterranean plantation produced 60 pounds of pot every 56 days, the time it took to turn a crop.

ARCATA, Calif. - Over the years, Patrick Steff has installed vinyl siding, repaired Volkswagens and worked in a pizza parlor. On a recent day, the homeless father of two sat disheveled in this North Coast town's central plaza, citations spread around him. He has been ticketed for camping in the park and smoking on the square. That morning, a police officer caught him on a downtown sidewalk holding a sign that read: "I could use a little help today. " That's illegal here too if you're within 20 feet of a retail store, intersection, bus stop or bank machine.

Jim Baron, 74-71 at St. Francis College of Pennsylvania for the past five years, was hired as basketball coach at St. Bonaventure. He replaces Tom Chapman, who was dismissed after a 22-62 record in three seasons.

Testing Engineers-San Diego, founded by Phillip Helsley as San Diego Testing Laboratories to provide structural inspections for the U.S. Navy, is marking its 40th anniversary. San Diego's oldest testing engineering firm has grown from two employees at its founding, to 70 today, and conducts testing procedures and inspections on everything from skyscrapers to ships, according to Tom Chapman, vice president and general manager.

Brian Hawkes of Huntington Beach won the pro singles division and Tim Ring and Kevin Booth of Costa Mesa the pro doubles division of the Halloween racquetball tournament last week at Orange Coast College.

Assumed Traits rallied along the rail for a neck victory over Superfola Saturday in the $51,150 Cecilia deMille Harper Invitational Handicap at Bay Meadows. The fifth choice in the 11 horse field, Assumed Traits returned $13.80, $6.40 and $4.20, completing the 1 1/16 miles on the turf course in 1:44 3/5 under jockey Tom Chapman. Superfola, with Ron Warren, Jr. aboard, paid $6.60 and $3.60. Bold Costa, ridden by Tim Doocy, finished a half length behind Superfola and returned $3.60 to show.

Injured guard Rex Chapman was traded by the Charlotte Hornets to the Washington Bullets for forward Tom Hammonds. Chapman the Hornets' all-time scoring leader, has missed the last 30 games because of a bruised left heel. Hammonds has averaged 11.9 points and five rebounds in 37 games this season.