A massive police sweep of Western Addition suspected crack dealers in the early hours of Tuesday morning resulted in the initial arrest of 14 people.The San Francisco Police Department expects to pick up the remainder of the targeted suspects — as many as 10 — today and tomorrow."These [raids] are targeting the areas in The City that have been subject to a spike in violence. There’s always a clear nexus between street violence, such as shootings and homicides, and the sale of narcotics," Deputy Chief Morris Tabac said.
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City residents are drawn to the Lower Haight to party at numerous bars and clubs, but a supervisor feels the neighborhood is experiencing a bad hangover in terms of violence, noise, litter and safety.Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi proposed Tuesday a three-year moratorium on new bars and restaurants that serve alcohol as well new liquor stores within the five-block commercial zone of Haight Street from Scott to Webster streets. The area includes popular night spots such as Nickie’s, the Toronado and Molotov’s.
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Riordan pitcher Nick Price didn’t allow a run or a hit in the first three innings, but Serra’s potent lineup proved why it’s ranked No. 21 in the country by USA Today in an explosive fourth inning.The Padres (15-1, 7-0) pieced together line drive after line drive to score nine runs on 10 hits in the inning. Host Riordan, which led 1-0 after two innings, never threatened afterwards.Serra’s Beau Witsoe pitched three innings for the winners before stepping aside for four different relievers to finish up. Witsoe didn’t allow a hit, but gave up his only run in the second.
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A former doctor who pleaded guilty to giving fake vaccines to patients while practicing without a license will serve just over seven years in federal prison.Stephen Turner, 51, pleaded guilty to five felony counts and, in addition to his jail time, was ordered to pay $138,510 in fines and restitution to his victims.Turner was arrested at his Hayward home Feb. 15 following an investigation into his operation of two clinics in San Francisco’s Mission District that provided medical services to immigrants applying for permanent resident status.
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In The City, it appears the roller blade is mightier than the car.Skaters, bikers and pedestrians won a victory over museums, disability and neighborhood groups in a contentious battle over whether to close some of the eastern half of Golden Gate Park to cars on weekends.The Board of Supervisors voted 7-4 for a trial ordinance shutting down a 1.5-mile stretch of John F. Kennedy Drive and some connecting roads on Saturdays between Memorial Day and November. A similar ban, which has existed for nearly 40 years on Sundays, draws thousands of people each week.
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Two political newbies bidding for a Superior Court judgeship are taking lessons from some of the county’s better-known political bigwigs.Attorney and former San Bruno Mayor George Corey, known for his influence in local law circles and beyond, has thrown his support behind Deputy District Attorney Susan Etezadi. Not to be out done, Lisa Maguire is getting some pointers from former state Senator and current Superior Court Judge Quentin Kopp. Maguire also has the support of retiring Judge John Schwartz, who the two are vying to replace.
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Community leaders in Daly City’s Bayshore are working to increase the contact between police and residents in their neighborhood in an effort to combat feelings of isolation and concerns about crime.While many residents would like to see more officers in their neighborhood, city budget constraints have kept staffing levels low in recent years. Instead, the department is working with a coalition of community groups to hold a series of meetings on current crime issues in all the city’s neighborhoods.
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Green Hills School in Millbrae was one of seven schools in San Mateo County recognized Tuesday by state education officials as a California Distinguished School.Parent Ana Benavides couldn’t agree more."This is a great school," the Millbrae resident said while waiting to pick up her daughter at Green Hills on Tuesday.That daughter needed help with reading once — and got it, in the form of tutors. "Now she’s doing pretty well. When kids need help, they always find a way to help," Benavides said.
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WThe news Tuesday that seven schools in San Mateo County had received a prestigious state honor serves to remind us of the success stories that are occurring every day in our classrooms.North Star Academy, Ormondale School, Las Lomitas Elementary School, Encinal School, Central Elementary School, Green Hills Elementary School and Portola Elementary School were named "Distinguished Schools" by the state Education Department on Tuesday, an honor bestowed on 377 schools in the state.
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The year's first case of West Nile in the county was confirmed Friday in a dead crow found near Moss Beach, launching what experts say could be the most severe season for the virus so far locally.After an unusually warm winter and drenching spring, the mild temperatures have allowed many mosquitoes, typically active only during the summer months, to survive the winter and begin breeding early. At the same time, the salt marsh mosquitoes normally active in winter are also thriving, county Vector Ecologist Chindi Peavey said.
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A pair of weekend slayings brought San Francisco’s 2006 homicide rate to just below last year’s level for this date.The San Francisco Police Department reported 96 homicides in 2005, The City’s highest rate in a decade. The 2005 rate came on the heels of a bloody 2004, during which The City counted 88 killings, a staggeringly high number after the relatively peaceful late 1990’s and early millennium.
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When Christopher Dahl felt a small earthquake rattle his Civic Center residential hotel a few weeks ago, a bolt of dread seized him — he fully expects the 1916 brick building to collapse in a heap of rubble during a large temblor."I would either be dead because the building collapsed or out of the building," Dahl said of a major earthquake. "Every day, the clock ticks that little bit closer to the next big one."
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A San Mateo homeowner's attorney will argue in court next month that City Hall's attempt to eject him from his property is unconstitutional, according to arguments filed last week.
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A Peninsula watchdog group will receive a major payout from Pacific Gas and Electric for costs associated with fighting to reroute the Jefferson-Martin power line connecting two substations in Redwood City and Brisbane.The group, 280 Corridor Concerned Citizens, will receive more than $718,000 in reimbursement for attorneys, experts and consultantsthat members paid up front starting in August 2004. Two other groups, Women’s Energy Matters and Californians for Renewable Energy, will also receive payments of $127,000 and $35,000, respectively.
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Icebergs are dangerous and deceptive because almost 90 percent of their bulk is invisible below the water’s surface.San Francisco’s budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year resembles an iceberg. Even with an unexpected $137 million in one-time increased revenues, the iceberg looming below the surface is in the form of billions of dollars in retiree health benefit liabilities and obligations that aren’t reported anywhere on The City’s balance sheet.
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