The weather was perfect for Merced's fifth annual Cap & Town event, dubbed "Merced's biggest outdoor celebration."

Friday's event honored all graduating students in the area and their families. Between 5 and 10 p.m., Mercedians of all ages gathered for food, music and dancing.

With more than 40 vendors, the block party is an opportunity for people to get to know various local businesses or join a local club, said Karen Baker, the event organizer.

David Brantley was running out of room on his desk at home so he added an extension.

The left side of the desk was designated for his photography business. The right side is where his school work piled up.

Brantley, 60, of Merced has spent countless hours at that desk the past three years as he ran his own business while working toward his anthropology degree at UC Merced.

The state criminal case against three former executives of the defunct nonprofit Firm Build culminated Friday with the trio pleading no contest to felony charges of exposing high school students to cancer-causing asbestos.

The plea agreement was reached with Rudy Buendia III, 50, Patrick Bowman, 46, and Joseph Cuellar, 73.

They pleaded no contest to felony treating, handling or disposing of asbestos in a manner which caused an unreasonable risk of serious injury to the nine students, with knowing or reckless disregard for the risk.