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Preliminary hearing set in fatal DUI case Almanac Staff Writer
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fter a three-week delay, court proceedings finally got underway for a woman charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony driving under the influence related to an accident that killed a Menlo Park couple. Marjorie Reitzell, 54, of Redwood City pleaded not guilty on Nov. 12 to two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and two counts of felony driving under
the inf luence. Balbir Singh, 50, and Kamal Kaur Singh, 45, were walking their Chihuahua in the bike lane eastbound on Chilco Street during the early evening of Oct. 24 when they were hit from behind by a 1998 Honda Accord driven by Ms. Reitzell, according to police. The Singhs leave behind three teenage children; their oldest daughter plans to start college in January. A preliminary screen showed that Ms. Reitzell’s blood alcohol the night of the fatal collision
Portola Valley experiments with skateboard ramp
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low-cost experiment on the popularity of a temporary skateboard facility in Portola Valley got rolling on Wednesday, Nov. 13. A consensus on the Town Council gave the go-ahead to staff and the Parks & Recreation Committee to proceed with the next steps for a 12-month trial of a $1,500 wooden skateboarding ramp near one end of the town’s multi-purpose “sport court,” at Town Center, according to a letter to the council from committee Chair Jon Myers. The trial could start in March, after a public hearing before the town’s Architectural and Site Control Commission and council approval, Town Manager Nick Pegueros told the Almanac.
Quarter-pipe ramp
Viewed from the side, the ramp has the profile of a pipe cut in half and in half again, creating what’s known as a quarterpipe ramp. Skaters roll up the interior of the curve, balance the board in various imaginative ways, and roll back down. If the trial period is successful, it could lead to a half-pipe ramp either at Town Center or one of several other locations along Alpine Road, including near Rossotti (soccer) Field, Ford (baseball) Field, and Corte Madera Middle School. The sport court had in its favor a firm, flat surface and a central location, Mr. Myers said. “There are a lot of skateboarders in town,” Mr. Myers told the council. The ramp is intended as “a place to come together and do something that’s fun.” Skateboarders are active now at Roberts Market, at Corte Madera Middle School, at Town Center, and along Alpine Road,
Mr. Myers said. “I’d rather have them (at the Town Center) than going down Alpine Road,” he told the Almanac. A
By Renee Batti Almanac News Editor
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he rash of burglaries in Atherton’s Selby Lane neighborhood continues, with three residents calling police to report thefts between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, Nov. 13-14, the police department said last week. In all three cases, the thief or thieves entered unlocked vehicles parked in driveways, and in one incident, entered a home through an unlocked door and stole an electronic device, according to police. The crimes occurred near the intersection of Austin Avenue and Selby Lane, west of El Camino Real, police said. “The Police Department continues to ask residents to
be vigilant in protecting their property,” the department said in an email alert sent out on Thursday — one of a number of such notices in recent months. “Please take the time to lock your vehicles and the doors to your home, especially overnight and when you are not at home,” the notice said. “If you have an alarm system, please use it.” The crimes are the latest in a series of theft-related crimes in that area; the spate of crimes includes one or more incidents on Stockbridge Avenue. In late October, police arrested two women over a two-day period on suspicion of burglary or attempted burglary and other crimes. But those incidents occurred outside the hard-hit Selby Lane area: one on Jennings Lane and the other on Isabella Avenue. A
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The New Definition of Home Care caregiver noun \-,giv-, r\ an individual who provides direct care to the elderly or chronically ill, may or may not have experience and/or Department of Justice background check. home care assistance caregiver noun \’hõm-\ \ -’sis-t n(t)s\ a professional aide with at least two years experience, who passes a comprehensive background check and psychological evaluation and undergoes formal training in home care. Home Care Assistance caregivers are also trained in cognitive stimulation to keep clients mentally engaged.
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Almanac Staff Writer
was more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 percent, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said. Convicted of a misdemeanor DUI in November 2012, she had a valid driver’s license at the time of the fatal collision, according to law enforcement officials. Ms. Reitzell was booked into jail and scheduled for arraignment three weeks ago. However, just before court started on Oct. 28, she complained of chest pains and was taken away for medical treatment at the county hospital, according to the district attorney. The judge continued the arraignment until she was cleared to appear in court, which is standard procedure. Represented by county-provided attorney, Ms. Reitzell remains in custody on $2 million bail. A judge has set her preliminary hearing for Jan. 17.
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By Dave Boyce
Residents report thefts
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By Sandy Brundage
Call to learn about the Home Care Assistance difference:
650-462-6900
148 Hawthorne Ave, Palo Alto, CA www.HomeCareAssistance.com San Francisco Oakland Danville Marin Palo Alto San Mateo Los Gatos November 20, 2013 N TheAlmanacOnline.com N The Almanac N 11