Census Bureau Survey to Gauge Child Care Arrangements
Beginning this month, the U.S. Census Bureau will conduct a nationwide survey to explore unemployment levels, people’s education levels, participation in assistance programs and child care arrangements. Households will be randomly selected. In all 45,000 households will be targeted by the survey. Notifications will be mailed.
Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign Is Successful
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office has concluded another “Click it or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement campaign. The campaign lasted from May 15 through June 4.
The office is hoping the campaign will make people more aware of the dangers of driving while unbuckled. The 961 vehicle occupants killed in California crashes in 2004 who did not wear their seat belts had one thing in common: They did not believe it could happen to them.
Besides buckling their own seat belts, drivers must make sure their passengers’ seat belts are buckled as well, or they can be cited for each passenger 16 years old and older that is not buckled up. Additionally, says Sergeant Neusel, passengers 16 years old and older can be cited if they are not secured in their seat belts.
The maximum fine for seat belt violations for persons 16 and older is $91 for a first offense and approximately $193 for a second offense.
The 2005 California Seat Belt Use Survey revealed that 92.5 percent of vehicle occupants wear their seat belts.
Assault Trial on Standby
The trial of a man accused of running over his wife with his pickup truck is on standby, waiting for a courtroom to become available. Assistant District Attorney James Gibbons-Shapiro said Monday that if a courtroom becomes available somewhere in the county and Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Emerson, who is the presiding criminal judge, approves the move, the trial could begin.
Alfred R. Digiandomenico, 39, of Vallejo has remained in Santa Clara County Jail on $250,000 bail since he was transferred in late September from the Santa Rita Jail where he was being held for parole violations.
He faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and intimidating a witness: his wife. The case was scheduled to be heard at the South County Courthouse in San Martin; Superior Court Judge Kenneth Shapero on Monday said the trial will remain on standby. Unless a courtroom is found sooner, Digiandomenico’s next appearance will be Monday.
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund Endorses McNerney
Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund announced its endorsement for Democrat Jerry McNerney for the 11th Congressional District seat.
The action fund is an environmental advocacy group that lobbies lawmakers for protection of wildlife and preservation of land and has been critical of incumbent Richard Pombo, R-Tracy.
According to a statement made by Rodger Schlickeisen, president of the action fund, the endorsement of McNerney was because of his commitment to “conserve our natural heritage for future generations.”‘
The statement claims that Pombo has been anti-environment and has taken money from oil, gas, timber and mining companies and has proposed to expand offshore oil drilling in California.
McNerney won the Democratic nomination in the June 6 primary and Pombo won the nomination from the Republicans to run for his eighth term in office.
Charity Accepts Car Donations
A national charity is willing to take that old clunker sitting in the garage or driveway, and give a tax deduction for the car owner.
Cars4charities will take the car, truck, van or sport utility vehicle and sell it with the proceeds going to one of more than 250 national and local charities, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and the Children’s Tumor foundation.
Car owners are promised at least a $500 deduction, regardless of the vehicles worth.
For more details, log onto www.cars4charities.org or call cars4charities at 1-866-448-3487. The vehicle will be picked up in a matter of days, free of charge. Cars4charities will provide all the appropriate tax paperwork needed to claim the tax deduction.
Hospice of the Valley Moving to New Location
Hospice of the Valley, the oldest community-based public benefit hospice in Santa Clara County, has announced plans to move its headquarters to a new location in San Jose to meet the community’s growing need for end-of-life care programs and services. The move is in response to the increased demand for the organization’s core programs: Transitions, hospice, education and bereavement. The new building, located on Union Avenue near Highway 85, is being renovated to fit the agency’s needs toward increasing service to the community. The timely move is scheduled to be completed by late summer 2006.
The relocation is in response to growing trends and needs for end-of-life care. By 2010, it is estimated that there will be a 43 percent increase over today’s population 65 years old and older in Santa Clara County. Coupled with a pending caregiver crisis and increased consumer awareness for end-of-life care services, the community is faced with the challenge of meeting a rapidly escalating need for end-of-life care.
“The new facility will enable us to expand our community grief support and education rooms, enhance our clinical team areas and streamline our operations through increased efficiency,” said Sally Adelus, executive director of Hospice of the Valley. “This ultimately translates into enhancing the care we provide directly at our patients’ bedside. It further expands our ability to serve more individuals and families with our adult and children’s programs, our grief support groups, and our community education outreach – all while providing high standards care, excellence and improving the quality of life for those we have the honor and privilege to serve,” added Adelus.
The new building is being renovated to fit the agency’s needs toward increasing service to the community. The timely move is scheduled to be completed by late summer 2006.
MH Man Involved in Stabbing
A Morgan Hill man who was stabbed early Monday morning outside an apartment walked three blocks to his home with the knife still in his leg.
Enrique Hernandez, 30, was treated at Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy for a one-inch wound to his right hip.
Morgan Hill police Cmdr. Joe Sampson said officers received a call at approximately 12:42am from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office reporting a stabbing victim was at the Pato Loco Bar in San Martin. The stabbing reportedly took place earlier in Morgan Hill.
When officers arrived at the bar, Hernandez was being treated by paramedics. He told officers he had been in an argument with someone at approximately 11pm on Sunday in front of his friends’ apartment in the area of Monterey Road and Dunne Avenue.
Apparently, Hernandez had met the suspect who allegedly stabbed him, but said he could not recall where he had met him. He told police he was not sure why the male suspect challenged him to fight, so he began to walk away.
Sampson said the suspect allegedly came up behind Hernandez, stabbed him in the hip with a kitchen steak knife and immediately fled the scene. Due to his state of intoxication, Hernandez told police, he felt no pain and walked the three blocks to his home.
Once at home, Hernandez removed the knife from the wound. He told police he later decided to go dancing at the Pato Loco bar. Another bar customer apparently noticed Hernandez’s hip injury and contacted the Sheriff’s Office.
Sampson said the investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Hernandez told detectives he believes the suspect was a short, dark-skinned Hispanic man.
Anyone with information about the stabbing is asked to contact the MHPD detective unit at 776-7323 or to leave information anonymously, contact CRIMESTOPPERS at 947-STOP.
Hunt Test to be held near MH
The Master National Retriever Club will hold its Hunt Test the first week of October near Morgan Hill.
Approximately 275 to 350 dogs and their handlers will come from across the nation to participate in the event. The Marin Retriever Club is the local host.
Entry fees for the event are not enough to fund it, and the MNRC puts on other events that will help pay for the Hunt Test. These include a welcome dinner and auction prior to the start of testing. Proceeds from the auction are split between the MNRC and the local host.
The MNRC is active in the promotion of game conservation by promoting the use of trained dogs for hunting purposes, and it encourages education of the public on responsible dog ownership and breeding practices. Visit MNRC online at www.masternational.com.
