News Briefs

More Perjury Charges Against Tow Operator

Gilroy – A former tow truck operator facing dozens of felony charges for abusing the small claims court system has been charged with an additional 11 counts of perjury.

The amended felony complaint filed Tuesday in San Martin Superior Court against Vincent Cardinalli Sr., 64, brings the total number of charges to 99 against the Hollister businessman, several relatives and a former process server.

The initial felony complaint filed in June by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office included 87 counts of attempted grand theft, forgery, and other felony charges, and one misdemeanor.

The criminal case grew from questions surrounding hundreds of small claims lawsuits filed by Cardinalli and his son Paul Stephen Greer, 30, in hopes of collecting towing and storage fees for their defunct towing businesses. Cardinalli’s A&R Towing operated out of Hollister under a number of different names until about 2004, the same year Greer’s B&C Towing, of Gilroy, was fired by the California Highway Patrol for what it deemed business practices bordering on the “criminal.”

Cardinalli and Greer turned their towing businesses into a legal gold mine, collectively filing nearly 2,000 cases in small claims courts over the past seven years in San Benito and Santa Clara counties. Those cases have served as the springboard for charges against the family, accused among other things of knowingly suing motorists who frequently had sold or donated cars years before they were towed, and in some cases had never owned the vehicle.

County Fair Shows Appreciation for Troops

San Jose – As a way of showing appreciation for the service of military men and women, the Santa Clara County Fair is offering free admission to to all active military personnel.

“We hope (offering free admission) will make it easier for more families to enjoy what is already a perfect way to spend the day with children,” said Ray Lueckemen, Fair manager.

The 2007 fair will run Aug. 1-5 at the Fairgrounds located at 344 Tully Road in San Jose. The event has been expanded from three to five days and is bringing back carnival rides and a new entertainment lineup hoping to draw larger crowds. Tickets are $8 for adults, up from $5 last year, and $5 for children ages 6 to 12 and adults 65 and older, up from $3 last year. Five-day passes are $20 and five-day ride passes are $12 to $20. Parking will be $8 per car.

Details: www.thefair.org.

Red Cross In Need of Donors

Morgan Hill – The American Red Cross urges individuals to donate blood as soon as possible to be ready in case of an emergency as many blood supplies are dangerously low.

Blood supply has dropped critically low throughout Northern California in the summer months due to many regular donors traveling, on vacation and schools and colleges closing until the fall.

“Patients in area hospitals are dependent on the Red Cross and generous blood donors to make sure blood is available when it is needed,” said Jay Winkenbach, CEO, American Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region. “Every day, there are accident victims, cancer patients and individuals receiving organ transplants who need blood.”

Eligible donors must be 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in general good health.

Since blood may be safely donated every 56 days, individuals who donate now can donate at least one other time this summer.

To make an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

(1-800-448-3543) or visit www.BeADonor.com. To organize a blood drive, call (510) 594-5142.

County Offering Free Spay, Neuter Program

San Jose – Beginning this month, the County of Santa Clara is offering free spay and neutering for pit bull dogs throughout the county. 

The free program is limited in funding with $10,000 per year. 

Animal owners who wish to take advantage of this free program are required to make an appointment in advance with their veterinary clinics to be sure the program is still available. 

“The number of pit bulls coming into the shelter is alarming,” said Greg Van Wassenhove, director of the County of Santa Clara Agriculture and Environmental Management Department, which includes the Animal Care and Control Division. “This voluntary program provides an incentive for owners to control the pit bull population in the community.”

Pit bull type dogs are identified by the participating veterinary clinics. 

The county will bear the entire cost of surgery provided to any female pit bull type dog up to 6 months of age, or any male pit bull type dog of any age. The county will pay up to $100 of the cost for surgery for a female pit bull type dog over the age of 6 months, with the owner/guardian responsible for the balance of the cost.

“Pit bull mix dogs are the number one type of dog both handled and euthanized at both the San Martin and San Jose shelters,” said Karen Johnson, chair of the County of Santa Clara Animal Advisory Commission. “Pit bull types were 20 percent of the stray dogs entering the shelter in San Martin, and 35 percent of the dogs euthanized. We are hoping that this voluntary program will help to reduce those numbers.”

In all cases, health issues or conditions may affect the surgery price. Animal owners are encouraged to consult the providing veterinary clinic for details specific to their animal or to make an appointment for the procedure.