News-Ledger Wednesday, November 22, 2017 Page 1
NEWS-LEDGER West Sacramento
Entire Contents Copyright News-Ledger 2017
USPS 388-320
54th Year No. 12
Serving the West Sacramento Region Since 1964
Local Scene See what’s going on. Calendar on page 8
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
Sports
Comics & Puzzles
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Page 7
Washington man sentenced to life in prison for murder
Photo courtesy
Participants of all ages approach the finish line at the 2016“Running of the Turkeys” 5k Run & Walk.
9th annual Running of the Turkeys benefiting Yolo Food Bank raises funds to end hunger in Yolo County On Thanksgiving morning 1,500 runners and walkers from across Yolo County will once again have the chance to “do good” and get some exercise before digging in to their holiday feast. The 9th Annual Running of the Turkeys 5K fun run and walk starts at 8am on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 23 and raises funds to benefit Yolo Food Bank’s programs and services. The race starts and finishes
at Heritage Plaza, 600 Main Street, in downtown Woodland. Pre-event registration is available online for $38 until Wednesday, Nov. 22 at www.runningoftheturkeys.org. On-site registration will take also place at Heritage Plaza on Wednesday, Nov. 22 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and on Thursday, Nov. 23 from 7 to 7:50 a.m. This event is family friendly and features
awards for the top three men and top three women overall finishers and the top three finishers for both men and women in 15 different age categories. Prizes are also given in fun categories like best dressed, first dog over the finish line, and largest team. The 2017 Running of the Turkeys is made possible by presenting sponsor Dignity Health and the support of other generous businesses and community
members. This event benefits Yolo Food Bank programs and partnerships that distribute food to hungry Yolo County residents. “Running of the Turkeys is all about community and teamwork, just like Yolo Food Bank. Teamwork makes the dream work when it comes to feeding our hungry neighbors,” said Kevin Brown, Yolo Food Bank’s Marketing & Communications Co-
ordinator. “Every dollar we raise will go toward our mission of ending hunger and malnutrition in Yolo County.” The Yolo Food Bank serves over 51,000 people each month and is committed to increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, and works to educate the community on healthy eating. The food bank distributes more than 4 million pounds of food annually.
District Attorney Jeff Reisig announced on Nov. 15, Yolo County Superior Court Judge David Reed sentenced 23-yearold Thomas Phillip Leae of Renton, Washington to life in state prison. On Oct. 5, 2015, Leae stole a 1999 Honda from the son of a neighbor in Auburn, Washington. This car was used by Leae and his girlfriend, Ailiana Siufanua, to conduct surveillance and later rob and murder a jewelry store owner in Vancouver, Washington on Nov. 25, 2015. Siufanua had entered the jewelry store with a loaded gun and shot the owner when he tried to resist. Video surveillance of the robbery showed her then proceed to take cash, jewelry and silver antiques. Leae was waiting outside in the Honda. He drove away with Siufanua from the robbery leaving the owner for dead. The Vancouver Police Department alerted media outlets in the surrounding areas to put out photos of the couple within 48 hours of the murder. Fearing their capture, the couple fled south in the stolen Honda until they were noticed speeding late at night by California Highway Patrol officers in Glenn County on Southbound Interstate 5. A high speed chase ensued through three California counties with speeds reaching 110 miles per hour. In Arbuckle, Leae exited the freeway and spun out as a result of maneuvers by the California Highway Patrol. Leae then took further evasive action by entering the freeway headed southbound, but in the northbound lanes. Leae drove with no lights on in the opposite direction for eight See Sentenced, page 2
West Sacramento gets funding for bike/pedestrian freeway overcrossing The City of West Sacramento has been awarded funding to construct the Sycamore Trail Pedestrian Overcrossing which will connect the City’s north and south neighborhoods. The California Natural Resource Agency awarded the City approximately $5.1 million dollars to construct a bicycle and pedestrian route over Highway 50 connecting Joey Lopes Park to Westmore Oaks Elementary School. The Sycamore Trail Overcrossing is currently in the design
phase, which is expected to be completed by fall 2018. Construction is anticipated to be completed by spring of 2020. Total Project cost is approximately $ 6.3 Million. “For a century, our city has been divided north and south by state and federal transportation infrastructure, so this is a particularly welcome step by the California Natural Resources Agency,” said West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon. “This critical trail
overpass reconnects neighborhoods and links people with schools, parks, amenities, and each other as part of West Sacramento’s expanding pedestrian and bike network.” The City has recently completed several projects to increase bike travel in West Sacramento including the Clarksburg Branch Line Trail and the Linden Loop Road Diet. The Sycamore Trail Overcrossing project further implements the vi-
sion of the City’s Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Trails Master Plan which aims to provide safe and convenient mobility options for residents. Earlier this year, West Sacramento installed bike share stations in eight locations as part of the Tower Bridge Bike Share program. 50 bikes are currently available for use. Electric rental bikes are being added at these locations in the spring of 2018. Source: cityilights.com
Sycamore Trail Overcrossing Conceptual drawing-looking to the west