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Spare The Air Violators Escape Being Caught

There is someone from Mill Valley, Woodacre and possibly Novato, San Rafael and Kentfield who ignored the ban on fireplace smoke yesterday.  Those were the cities that air quality officials received complaints about wood being burned.  There were about 70 inspectors out and about Wednesday in the Bay Area to try and track down the violators, including Marin.  But no one in Marin was actually cited.

It was the first day that Bay Area Air Quality Management District enacted the Winter Smoke Ban. 

There were some complaints though, from people who worried that residents who didn't watch TV or go on computers would not be aware of the ban.   Officials responded by providing a phone number that anyone can call before they decide to burn that nice log in the fireplace. 

Spare The Air info at 1-800-430-1515.

Inmates Take On The Ivies In Chess

Can you imagine this taking place at San Quentin with students from UC Berkeley???     

Remembering Jonestown 30 Years Later

Even though it was 30 years ago, a lot of us can recall the vivid details that emerged after the mass suicide of over 900 members of the People's Temple Agricultural Project in Guyana.  Tuesday, people who survived the cult gathered at Oakland's Evergreen Cemetery to commemorate.  The remains of unidentified Temple members, including many children, are buried there.

    

FBI Probe Of Company Linked To Fernwood Cemetery

The FBI is conducting a probe of National Prearranged Services (NPS), a preneed funeral company that had promised burial services totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars in several states, before becoming insolvent. 

NPS is owned by a family that also owns the Fernwood Cemetery, here in Marin County.  MoreMarin was the first in the Bay Area to bring you the story of Fernwood and its link to NPS back in July.

The Battle Of The Redwood High School Newspapers

The Bark, the student newspaper of Redwood High School in Larkspur, has just been selected as a finalist in the prestigious National Scholastic Press Association's Pacemaker Award.  It's the second year The Bark has been picked as a finalist for the award which honors excellence in coverage, content, quality of writing and leadership.  This award has been called the "Pulitzer Prize" of student journalism.  Staff members will attend the awards conference in St. Louis next week.

Another paper, this one not sanctioned by the school, has popped up on a school computer and has resulted in its creator being suspended from the high school for a week.  Deadwood Barf, a parody of The Bark which skewers gays, women, environmentalists and Marin residents in general, was posted on a school computer which is against school policy.  Redwood senior, Cyrus Massoumi says he knew he would it was against school policy, but he did it anyway.  Now he is seeking the help of the ACLU claiming his first amendment rights have been violated.  However, the ACLU is unlikely to become involved in his case stating their involvement would only occur if he was suspended for his views expressed, not for suspension due to school policy.  This is not the first time Massoumi has been suspended; he's been suspended twice before, once for making an anti-homosexual remark to a fellow student and also for a racial slur against another student as a joke.

Give Way To Pedestrians Or Risk A Ticket

Police issued nearly 50 citations to drivers in Novato who failed to yield to the pedestrians in six intersections on Tuesday.  It was a decoy sting operation with plainclothes police who pretended to be pedestrians and walked in the intersections only when the approaching vehicle was far enough away to come to a total stop.  If the car failed to stop, a nearby motorcycle cop would write the ticket after videotaping the violation.  The intersections in Novato were chosen because of high pedestrian rates.  So watch out drivers and give pedestrians the right of way; it's not  only the right thing to do, it's the law!

Thanks A Lot

We knew someone would come out with this lovely prediction sooner or later.  Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton just wrote an op-ed piece in the The New York Daily News yesterday that warned Americans to beware of...you guessed it...Osama Bin Laden.  Bratton cites the international support for Barack Obama as one reason he thinks OBL would strike in order to sway the election towards McCain.  Obama is generally liked, even in Muslim countries, whereas an elected John McCain would be more likely to engender anti-American resentment.  Bratton wrote-

"Bin Laden probably realizes it could become markedly more difficult to paint the United States as the "Great Satan" with a new President who is admired internationally. The remaining 14 days before the elections should be seen as a time of high threat, and state and local police should be on high alert. With so much at stake in these elections, Bin Laden will probably attempt to make his opinion count."

Swell.

Here's a video clip with MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and Richard Clarke having a heart to heart on OBL and his effect on the election.

    

Coming To A Mailbox Near You- Anthrax Antiobiotics?

The feds have come up with an interesting idea.  If there was another anthrax attack, your friendly, neighborhood mail carrier may be called upon to deliver the antibiotics necessary to fight infection. 

Over 1,100 Arrests In California Immigration Sweep

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, better known as ICE, just completed a three-week sweep in California, targeting immigrants who have previously ignored deportation orders, or have returned to the U.S. illegally.  The sweep, which netted 1,150 individuals, garnered 436 arrests in Northern California alone.  According to the ICE official quoted in this KRON4 video, 20% of those arrested in the Bay Area were criminals-

     

Marin County Father Of "American Taliban" Calling For Pardon

Claiming his son was used as a scapegoat for the failings of the U.S. government, Frank Lindh addressed a roomful of USF law students yesterday, pressing for his son's early release.  John Walker Lindh- the so-called "American Taliban" who was convicted in 2002 on charges of participating in the Taliban army- has been serving a 20 year sentence in California.  Lindh, who grew up in San Anselmo, spent several years in Afghanistan with the Taliban but claims he never intended to fight against the U.S. and would not have joined the Taliban if he knew their intentions.  Frank Lindh is working on a petition to ask President Bush to issue a pardon for his son. 

Gov Signs Bill Banning Texting...While Driving

You'd think it would be obvious to anyone how unsafe texting while driving could be, but apparently it wasn't obvious to a lot of people because Governor Schwarzenegger just signed a measure into law banning the practice.  Drivers who are writing, reading or texting messages while behind the wheel, will be fined $20 (kind of low in our opinion) for the first offense and $50 for each offense after that.  So now, no hands-on cell phones OR texting while driving... g-o-t  t-h-a-t-?

Prosecution Says Thanks, But No Thanks To Cosco Busan Owner

The owners of the Cosco Busan- the ship that crashed into the Bay Bridge and spilled 50,000 gallons of fuel oil into the Bay- want to plead no contest to criminal charges that resulted from the disastrous incident last year.  But the feds say no way, alleging the owners, Fleet Management, are trying to distance themselves from blame.  A no contest plea means the defendant accepts liability but not guilt.  Prosecutors say crew was not trained properly and that the spill was "an accident waiting to happen."   

Man Found Fatally Shot In Novato Over The Weekend

A man was discovered sitting in a sedan, dead from a gunshot wound, on Saturday night in the Hamilton area of Novato.  Police have declined to identify him, confirming only that he is 44 years old and is the victim of homicide.  At this point, they aren't identifying any suspects either.  Police did say that the victim was found around 10:45 pm in the garage of 53 Pizarro Avenue.  Anyone with information is being asked to call the Novato police.

Mexican Drug Cartels Growing Huge Amounts Of Pot In U.S. National Parks

Apparently upwards of 75 to 80% of Mexican drug cartel marijuana is grown in national parks and public land here in the U.S.  The Drug Enforcement Administration said they seized 4.8 million pot plants in 2006 alone.  It's staggering, and scary.  Several plots of pot were discovered within walking distance of public beaches and campgrounds, putting those park-goers at risk.  In addition, the illegal growers cause a myriad of problems including poaching fish and deer, cutting down trees and leaving loads of trash.  The Park rangers, who have had to weather budget cuts, are ill-equipped to deal with the problem effectively.  Some officials believe tighter border controls have caused the cartels to resort to living and growing here, rather than try and smuggle it in.

It's That Awful Anniversary Again

September 11, 2001 is one of those "I remember exactly what I was doing when..." days.  Especially if you were on the  East coast.   This years anniversary is an 'off-year', not a 1st, 5th or 10th anniversary.  There probably won't be a lot made of it, but the image is still pretty fresh for those of us who were there, MoreMarin folks included.  No matter how much you want to forget, it's always a good idea to remember.  Here's how one New Yorker remembers it.

Robberies Skyrocket In The Bay Area

It's a little hard to believe, but there are nearly 40 robberies a day in the Bay Area, with the bulk of them occurring in the City and across the bay in Oakland.  The frightening increase in incidents- up 40% from 2004 to 2007- is due to several factors according to the SF Gate article including economics (the recent downturn), location (affluent areas that border depressed areas) and product (specifically the proliferation of expensive tech items like iPods, cell phones and laptops.)  Although so-called "strong-arm" robberies- those assaults without a weapon are most prevalent- more and more of the crimes involve a gun.  If you want to see which neighborhoods to avoid, take a look at this interactive map of SF. 

Get Ready For Green Crime

You've got green products...now get ready for green crime.  Someone removed 26 solar panels from Star Route Farms in Bolinas sometime over the weekend.  The farm owner, Warren Weber, estimates the loss at around $20,000 and the Marin County sheriff's office suspects this type of crime may become more common as people look at ways to reduce costs in a tight economy.  Still Weber says its not that easy to pry off the panels and since each panel is individually numbered, they could not be sold easily.  Star Route Farm was the very first certified organic farm in California.  Chances are that its the first place in California to experience solar panel rip off.

Smile, You're On Traffic Enforcement Camera!

In San Rafael if you happen to run a red light and think you got away with it because there wasn't a cop around, think again. The first traffic cameras in Marin County are about to be installed in intersections in San Rafael by a firm called Redflex. They work like this; cameras will have sensors that will pick up any car traveling at a speed too fast to stop if the light turns red.  The camera will then snap multiple photos and there will also be a video online for the offender to view. It struck us as a bit like Big Brother and it struck one councilman that way too. The one dissenter in the 3-1 vote to approve had concerns over privacy.  Here's a KRON4 report...    

MoreMarin Exclusive- Fernwood Cemetery In Mill Valley Linked To Billion Dollar Scandal

No one likes to think about death.  But not to worry, there is a whole industry devoted to creating a final, peaceful resting place for your remains.  The newest entrants in the funeral biz, are green cemeteries and burial grounds.

Forever Fernwood Cemetery in Mill Valley, is one of those places. 

It is owned by a Missouri family, who've made a fortune in the so-called 'death-care' business.  But the simultaneous collapse of several family owned, death-related businesses, culminating in losses of nearly a billion dollars, calls into question the viability of this cemetery, green or otherwise.   

Tree Sitter High Wire Act

Yesterday we told you how the Judge ruled in the University's favor to lift an injunction that was in place to halt any construction of long planned athletic center.  The tree sitters have vowed to remain until the bitter end, and today they took to the air in a dangerous new stunt. KRON4 has the story:

 

Computer Geek Who Locked SF Computer System Gives Mayor The Password

Remember this little gem?  A computer IT guy locked the SF computer system and refused to divulge the password to the city's top brass because he was angry about how he had been treated.  He was thrown in jail, and still refused to cooperate even while computer experts frantically worked to unlock the system.  Well, it took a secret meeting with Mayor Newsom to get Terry Childs to give it up.  So secret, that not even the police or the D.A.'s office were aware.  The Mayor visited Childs on Monday and got the codes, and eventually- after another call to the jail to get more information- succeeded in getting enough info to get them unlocked. Child's attorney said he was angry because he said city workers had tried in the past to maliciously damage the computer network and jeopardize the system.  It turns out the reason Child's $5 million bail was so high, was he previously served time in Kansas for aggravated robbery, although his attorney insisted he had completely turned his life around.  Seriously folks, you can't make this stuff up.

Bolinas Beating Victim, Ricky Green, Tells His Story Of The Attack

"She’s the first person I remember hitting me. And then after her, it was like two more hits and one of them knocked me out…you know…one of them knocked me out. And I think it was a hit from behind because I remember looking back at the fence (cranes head) and it was a hit from back here that just…I said…everything was like 'guh-guh-guh-guh…"

That's Ricky Green talking, the homeless man who was attacked last month in Bolinas by six (and maybe more) young thugs.  He is finally telling his side of the story.  Freelance writer, Alex Horwath interviewed Ricky and here's his interview with Ricky, featured in the Bolinas2miles.com blog.

(Photo courtesy of Bolinas2miles.com)

Walgreens Takeover Robbery Spree

Half a dozen Bay Area Walgreens drug stores have been targeted by takeover robbers and investigators are checking security tapes to see if any of them were filmed.  None of the three Marin stores was involved; all took place in the East Bay.  Take a look at this KRON video.
    

Lagunitas Former School Supe Sentenced For Child Porn

Craig Benedict Lee, the former superintendent of the Lagunitas School District, has just been sentenced to six months in jail for possessing child pornography.  The 54 year-old was also ordered to register as a sex offender.  He was arrested after his girlfriend discovered the pornography while cleaning their house.  Lee returned home and she confronted him about it and apparently he pushed or shoved her.  She called police alleging domestic abuse, and then gave the responding police officers the incriminating material.  The judge at today's hearing, said Lee would be able to serve his time through a work-release program. Here's more in SFGate.

Bike Riders vs Car Drivers Takes An Ugly Turn

Reports of ill-will between cyclists and drivers has been escalating in Marin recently, but nothing even approaches the kind of thing that occurred in LA on July 4th.  In that case, a Brentwood physician, 59 year-old Christopher Thomas Thompson, allegedly slammed on his car brakes in front of two cyclists, both of whom were seriously injured after crashing.  Now authorities say Thompson was involved in a similar 'road-rage' crash on March 11th.  In the July 4th incident, one cyclist who- crashed through the rear windshield- suffered a broken nose, broken teeth and serious cuts to his face.  The other cyclist who landed on the pavement will require surgery for a shoulder separation.  Thompson was charged with two felony counts each of reckless driving causing injury and battery with serious bodily injury.  Here's more on the story.

The Awful Details In The Bolinas Beating Emerge In Court

The Point Reyes Light, covering the court appearance of the mob defendants who attacked Ricky Green, gives a detailed description of the night he was nearly beaten to death in Bolinas.  Here's a snippet-

"...The group egged the fight on as Manetta kicked, punched and jumped on Green and Elkins hit him with the skateboard. Do joined the melee and Green grabbed his leg, pulling him to the ground. Do allegedly stabbed Ricky two or three times in the leg with a 6-inch folding knife before being lifted up by others in the group."

More gruesome descriptions follow, and then we read this-

"...Elkins, 19, has also pled not guilty. In court on Tuesday morning for a bail hearing, Elkins' wrists were cuffed and he wore a bright red prison uniform. He smiled broadly toward the back of the gallery at eight or so friends as he was brought in by bailiffs. Gloria Green (Ricky's mother) and her fiancée, Gary Hogge, sat in silence at the opposite end.  After speaking for several seconds with attorney Carl Gonser, Elkins, a thin black man with sparse facial hair on his upper lip and chin, appeared to mouth "I love you guys" toward his friends. His shoulders turned toward them as he blew a kiss.  Gloria Green burst into tears..."

You almost can't believe what you are reading.

Angry Computer Geek Locks Out SF Officials On Their Own Computer System

It's revenge of the nerds, and then some.  Seems a pissed off computer tech who used to work in the Department of Technology for the city of San Francisco, has hijacked their computer system into not allowing any of the administrators to log on. 

Terry Childs, who is 43 and lives in Pittsburg, has been charged with 4 counts of computer tampering after creating a password that gave him exclusive access to the new multi-million dollar computer network.  Childs was arrested, and is in jail on $5 million bail.  He worked for the city for five years, and had recently been disciplined for poor job performance. 

Childs still refuses to divulge the password, making it difficult for computer experts who are trying to unlock the computers.  It appears his poor job performance has to do with things other than his computing abilities.

San Quentin Packed To The Breaking Point

There is no basketball in the gym; instead it is filled with hundreds of prisoners and bunks.  Human feces dries on a wall; no one has bothered to clean it up.  Groups divided along racial lines keep 'herd' in the large room.  The photo tells it all; vastly overcrowded prisons filled with men who return again and again because the committed the same crimes, or in many cases because they violated parole, unable to meld back into society when released.  Read more from NPR on the prison conditions that would make anyone shudder.   (Photo on the right by NPR's Laura Sullivan)

Two More Arrested In Bolinas Attack

A 21 year-old female and 17 year-old male, both from Bolinas were arrested yesterday and charged in the attempted murder of Ricky Green, a 33 year-old homeless man who nearly died.  Investigators believe they have everyone responsible in custody.  The two join four others who were rounded up in recent days.  The group set upon Green, on the evening of June 23rd, near the beach in Bolinas.  Green has been released after spending two weeks in the hospital.  The IJ has more...

Four Tree Sitters Give Up- Three Remain

A couple of weeks ago, we told you about the famous (infamous?) Berkeley tree-sitters, who've had a sky-high perch in a grove of trees on the UC Berkeley campus for the past eighteen months.  The University wants to build an athletic center on the property and have begun stronger tactics (police presence, with holding food & water, etc) in order to get them down.  Well in the past two days, four of them have come down, which leaves three still in the trees.  Looks like this might end very soon.  Stay tuned!

A Homeless Man Is Viciously Attacked, Four Young Men Are Charged And One Town Asks Why

Bolinas has always been the town that wanted to keep a low profile- so much so- that town residents routinely swiped the sign on the road that pointed the way to the seaside hamlet. 

Last week, that low profile was blasted apart, after a homeless man there was set upon by four locals who beat and stabbed him to within an inch of his life.  Three of the men- including one 16 year-old- are Bolinas natives.  The fourth was apprehended just today, and all have been charged with attempted murder.

The town that prides itself on staying under the radar is now very much in the news, and out in the open.  Bolinas has joined the unhappy club of communities rocked by obscene violence from a few of its uncivilized residents.  Perhaps they might just as well keep the sign off the road. 

Death Row In Death Knell According To Justice Report

The California death row system is on the verge of collapse according to a 117 page report just issued by the California Commission on the Fair Administration of Justice.  The system costs $100 million a year to administer and has the largest backlog of cases in the nation.

French Court Orders eBay To Pay $61 Million Bucks To Louis Vuitton

Whoa--- don't piss off the French!  The folks at Louis Vuitton (LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) claiming reduced sales due to faux handbags for sale on eBay, have won their case, and a French commercial court has ordered the San Jose based company to fork over $61 million dollars in damages.

The two-part ruling faulted eBay for "guilty negligence" for not doing enough to prevent knockoffs from being sold on the site and found the online company responsible for "illicit sale" of perfumes from the LVMH empire, which can be sold only through the brands' "selective distribution networks."

eBay, who hope to appeal the ruling, say they take counterfeit items off the site right away, and that the Louis Vuitton people are mad because eBay buyers and sellers cut out the middleman, in this case Louis Vuitton.  Read more here...

Hands Free Or Cell Phone Use In Car Will Be Costly

Heads up everyone!  Starting tomorrow in California, if you're caught using a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving (like the photo on the left) you will pay the price.  Beginning July 1st, the new cell phone laws will go into effect.  Every California driver over 18 will be required to use a hands free cellphone device when driving.  Drivers under 18 are not allowed to use any cell phone while driving at all.  For a closer look at the laws...read on.

Novato Man Accused Of Shipping Military Airplane Parts To Iran

Novato businessman and owner of Kesh Air International in Bel Marin Keys, 48 year-old Hassan Saied Keshari, was arrested Friday night at Miami Int'l Airport, and charged with illegally exporting military aircraft parts to Iran.  Another man was also arrested, at his home in Miami.  Both are accused of arranging shipments of U.S. manufactured military aircraft parts including the CH-53 military helicopter, the F-14 Tomcat fighter jet and the AH-1 attack helicopter to Iran since 2006.  Keshari is looking at 20 years in prison, and up to $1 million in fines if convicted.  The IJ has more...

Sausalito Not Too Fond Of Prostitutes Now

"Lovable massages" on the "SF waterfront."  That internet come-on, along with community complaints prompted police officers to pay a visit to the Marin Therapy Center, on Bridgeway in Sausalito.  A proposition to one of the officers, landed 21 year-old Alameda resident, Sara Hanson in jail.  History buffs will remember that Sausalito wasn't always this intolerant of the oldest profession in the world.   Famous SF brothel owner and madam, Sally Stanford moved to Sausalito, opened a restaurant and was elected mayor in 1976.  Read more about the arrest here.

Mill Valley Woman Arrested In Hells Angel Homicide

A 20 year-old Mill Valley woman, Jessica Andrea Gordon, was arrested along with 19 year-old Joseph Andrew Farnsworth of El Cerrito, for the shooting death of William Crompton Maclean last weekend.  Maclean was riding in a pickup truck leading a procession of Hells Angels motorcycle riders when he was shot, apparently by Farnsworth, in what the Marin Sheriff says was a case of road rage.  The Sonoma County chapter of Hells Angels is sponsoring their annual Marin County Poker Run and BBQ motorcycle ride through Marin county today, and law enforcement officials are bracing for a much larger turnout in response to the shooting.  The victim was the brother-in-law of the head of the Sonoma county chapter.

Hells Angels To Ride In Corte Madera Sunday

Police will be out in force this Sunday for the Marin County Poker Run and BBQ, an annual Hells Angel ride through the County, beginning in Corte Madera.  The ride typically attracts hundreds of bikers, but this year authorities expect double the number.  (BBC Photo)

Gangs...In Marin?

If you thought that gang activity was confined to the East Bay, SF or San Jose- think again.  According to this KRON4 report, they are real, and they are here...in the County.

 

That Isn't Very Neighborly...

A San Anselmo man suffered two broken legs and crushed ankles after a female neighbor, pushed him off the roof early last Sunday. 

Authorities To Dig For Possible Bodies At Manson Ranch

Barker Ranch in the Panamint Mountain range near Death Valley, was the last hideout for convicted mass murderer, Charles Manson and his group of followers way back in 1969.  (AP Photo)

UC Berkeley Senior Killed In Fight Over Weekend

In what was described as a drunken brawl, 21 year-old UC Berkeley engineering student, Christopher Wootton was stabbed to death in the early morning hours on Saturday.  A twenty year-old Berkeley man, Thomas Hoeft-Edenfield, was arrested and charged with the crime.  Witnesses describe the scene as a verbal argument among a group of men, that deteriorated quickly into a physical fight.  At one point, Wootton, who was fatally stabbed, staggered away from the group and collapsed.  According to this SF Gate article, slayings of Cal students are rare; the last one having occurred ten years ago. Wootton would have graduated this month. 

Wrongly Accused Man Out Of Prison After 11 Years

(Marin IJ photo)
It's a long time to wait for justice, but justice finally happened after 11 long years.  Thirty-three year-old Darrell Hunter was released from prison yesterday, after a second jury found him not-guilty of the 1997 murder of Ronnie Small Jr. in Marin City.  Hunter was convicted of the crime, but a new trial was ordered after juror irregularities were found in the  original trial.  When asked about his initial plans as a free man, Hunter said he was going to spend the evening having a seafood dinner with his mom.

These Guys Put Leona Helmsley To Shame

Update: Here's another, longer version of the story in an SFGate article.

Imagine someone sawing a hole in your living room floor, or cutting your phone and electrical lines.  Or even worse, cutting the support floor beams under your apartment.  Apparently this all happened to a San Francisco tenant, by his landlords, a couple with an address in Sausalito among others.

Supreme Court Upholds Lethal Injections

Executions in California will likely resume after a two year hiatus, which was instituted after several legal challenges to the method  of execution, specifically the three-drug lethal injection. 

Bones Reveal A Tragic Mystery

Workers in a Mill Valley cemetery found a shallow, makeshift grave containing bones that have been identified as those of a woman who was reported missing by her husband, forty-four years ago, in 1964.