A Tribute to Nelson Mandela

(July 18, 1918 – December 5, 2013)

When I heard on Thursday December 5^th that Nelson Mandela passed away, my heart hurt. It hurt for the struggle he endured throughout his life and for the passing of one of our great leaders in this crazy mixed up world of ours. All that day, I was remembering February 11, 1990--the day he walked out of prison, after serving 27 years for encouraging black South Africans to go on strike and battling South African apartheid with non-violent protests. I remember standing in a crowd of 58,000 people in the middle of the field, at the Oakland Coliseum July 1, 1990. When he approached the stage, the crowd went wild. I started to cry; and so did everyone around me. When the crowd finally calmed down, Nelson Mandela began to speak. A quiet calm came over the 58, 000 people-- everyone was hanging on his every word. I remember how in awe I was at this man who had endured so, but forgave his captors. He said ''Despite my 71 years, at the end of this visit, I feel like a young man of 35. I feel like an old battery that has been recharged. And if I feel so young, it is the people of the United States of America that are responsible for this." He also said, he had to come to the Bay Area because cities such as Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco were among the early adopters of ordinances calling for divestment of stocks in American companies doing business in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was a man that we should all inspire to emulate. He will live forever in my heart. Nelson Mandela changed the world with his actions. His life journey will always be beacon of equality & hope for all. My favorite quote from Nelson Mandela is:

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” R.I.P. President Mandela.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Remembering-Mandelas-Bay-Area-Visit-234660701.html

How Will Drones Affect The Courier Business of Same Day Packages?

I was watching the news and they did a story on Amazon using Drones to deliver small same day packages. My husband made a joke that people would follow the drone to its destination and steal the package. I said someone is going to shoot it down, especially the pranksters with BB guns and guns. Let’s say your package gets intercepted by someone. Who’s responsible? Amazon is going to be paying out a lot of money. I don’t know how this is going to be safe. Amazon is not the only company experimenting with this technology. The three big delivery companies UPS, FEDX and DHL are as well. How will this technology affect same day courier companies? Especially those small courier companies that make their money on same day deliveries. They will go out of business and more people will be out of work. UPS, FEDX and DHL will lay off thousands of workers. The skies will be over ran with theses drones. I think this technology sound great but how are they going to make it safe? I guess we will have to wait and see.

LM

http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/01/amazon-is-experimenting-with-autonomous-flying-delivery-drones/

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/02/tech/innovation/amazon-drones-questions/

Three San Jose State White Students Charged with Hate Crime and Battery

On November 21, 2013 Freshmen Logan Beaschler, Joseph Bomgardner and Colin Warren students at San Jose State University,were arrested and charged with a hate crime and battery. They tortured a black student who shared a dorm room with. For three months. The three white students hurled racial slurs, put up Nazi imagery in their dorm room and even went as far as to clamp a U shaped bicycle lock around his neck. They nicknamed him “three fifths”, referring to person the colonial-era U.S. government used to count slaves. These three white students had to learn their behavior from somewhere. Was it at home? I can’t believe this went on for three months. Why did this black student let these three white students do this to him for so long? I understand sometimes you have to turn the other cheek but come on! If you don’t put a stop to a racist they will take it to a level where your putting your life is in danger. Racism is alive and growing stronger in this world. For all of you who are in denial and say I’m not a racist you’re the main ones to worry about. Hey how about this, “Can We All Just Get Along” we’re all human beings.

LM 

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/san-jose-state-university-students-bullied-black-roommate-face-hate-crime-charges-article-1.1525916

http://www.mercurynews.com/education/ci_24608996/san-jose-state-study-black-students-described-campus?source=rss

Typhoon Haiyan hit the eastern coast of the Philippine Island leaving in its wake death and destruction. The official death toll as of Tuesday November 12, 2013 is 1,774 and climbing. This is so sad! Not only are the people trying to survive destruction Typhoon Haiyan. They have to deal with landslides that were trigged by the Typhoon. Help is slow coming. Doctor in Tacloban reported that there are 1,000 of people with cuts, bruises, lacerations and deep wounds that need medicine. The survivor are not getting the help they need fast enough. The Philippine communities in the bay area are having fundraisers to raise money for the survivors. If you would like to help contact your local Philippine community center. You can also contact your local Red Cross 1-800-733-2767 or at the link below. My prayers go out to the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. 

LM

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/national_world&id=9322649&rss=rss-wls-article-9322649

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-Filipinos-scramble-for-typhoon-relief-4973110.php

http://www.redcross.org/contact-us

 

A San Jose Women Who Was Allegedly Drunk Kills Neighbor

At around 2:33 a.m. on October 28, 2013 near Hamilton and Leigh avenues in the 1200 block of Wiebel Way in San Jose, a 27-year-old woman hit a killed a neighbor. She backed up pinning the 26 year old woman up against the garage smashing her to death. Authorities believe the two women were together, there were beer cans at the crash. The 27 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. What a horrible way to die. These two women were old enough to no better.  Now one is going to jail and has to live with the fact that she killed a friend. The other one is just dead. I just hope they did not have any children. If they did, then their lives are ruined. This was a selfish act on both of their part. San Jose Police Department’s traffic unit is investigating this crash. Their asking anyone with information about this fatal crash to contact the San Jose Police Department's traffic investigations unit at 408-277-4654. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers at 408-947-STOP (7867) or may visit: tipsubmit.com, and may be eligible for a reward.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_24401754/san-jose-female-pedestrian-struck-killed-by-suspected?source=rss

Is our youth becoming more violent?

On October 22, 2013 thirteen-year-old Andy Lopez was shot dead. He was reported to be carrying a rifle at the corner of Moorland and West Robles avenues, in Santa Rosa. When Santa Rosa Deputies arrive on the scene they instructed Andy to put down his weapon. When Andy did not comply, he was shot several times.  The Deputies ordered Andy to move away from the rifle. When he did not respond, the Deputies moved in and handcuffed him to find out that he was dead. The rifle Andy was carrying was fake and he also had a plastic hand gun in his waistband. Some people are saying that some cops are trigger happy. I agree some cops are trigger happy. You can’t really blame them, with the shooting in Sparks, Nevada on October 21, 2013 by a 12-year old boy. They were doing what they were trained to do. As for Andy Lopez was this suicide by cop or was Andy mentally ill? This seems to be the norm these days.  Our youth are picking up guns and killing others and then themselves because their being bullied or just because they feel like it. What does that say about our society? All I know this should not be happening. What can we be done about this? I’m confused I don’t have a clue.

LM

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/10/23/sheriffs-deputies-shoot-kill-teen-boy-with-replica-rifle-in-santa-rosa/

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/10/22/boy-says-he-came-face-to-face-with-nevada-school-shooter/

BART Strikes Again! Commuters Are Angry!

The workers for BART failed again to come to an agreement with management. So they  went on strike again. Just a little over four months of there first strike in July. Most of the commuters  that take BART into San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley from the out lining areas are angry. I have a friend that takes BART from Oakland to Fremont and then takes the bus to Milpitas. She told me her commute today is horrible. She had to get up three hours earlier to catch the bus, 4 transfers later and still got to work late. I could see why commuters are angry. I think that the BART employees are being  unreasonable. They are fortunate they have a job. There are a lot of people who have been looking for a job for years. A Oakland man was arrested for throwing a traffic cone at a picketing BART striker. If BART employees don't come to an agreement then, it could get more violent.

LM

 http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-bart-strike-bay-area-commuters-20131018,0,6806533.story?track=rss

http://www.heraldstandard.com/united_states_ap/nd-sf-bay-area-transit-strike-in-months-begins/article_ce188580-7a49-50f8-8158-dce10fc9e74c.html

http://news.yahoo.com/photos/bart-unions-bypass-public-amid-photo-000700417.html

Is The Site Of The New 49ers Stadium In Santa Clara Jinxed?

On Monday October 14, 2013 there was another death in Santa Clara, at the site of the new 49ers stadium. Sixty year old Edward Erving Lake II was an employee of Gerdau Ameristeel's in Napa California. Gerdau Ameristeel's is a subcontractor working at the stadium. 

While Edward Erving Lake II was having a bundle of rebar unloaded from his truck, somehow the bundle fell and crushed him. The investigation is on going. Authorities say the job site is safe. How in the world can they say this Santa Clara job site is safe? When less than 6 months this is the second death. In June of 2013 Donald White an 63-year-old elevator mechanic was killed, when he was struck by a counterweight while working in a shaft. That investigation is still on going. Now two investigations are on going for death at the new 49ers stadium in Santa Clara. If you ask me, this job site is jinxed. Is this about the money it is generating and the money it is going to generate in the future? Is that is why authorities are saying it's a safe job sight? Our prayers at Streetwise Special Delivery Courier Service, go out to the families of the workers who lost their lives. 

LM

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/worker-killed-49ers-stadium-construction-site-20566766

Will The United States Government Pay Its Bills Or Go Into Default?

It's a shame that the United States government is fighting like a bunch of  little whining brats. The GOP is trying to hold America hostage because they don't agree with Obama care and raising the debt limit. The Democrats are standing their ground and not are not yielding to the Republicans. So basically no one wins. Not the United States Government or the American people. The United States Treasury Department says the United States Government won't be able to pay their bills past October 17th, if Congress does not raise the $16.7 trillion debt ceiling by then. Government does not come to an agreement to raise the debt ceiling and they go into default it is going to send the world a message. That the United States is not the world power any more. Just like China's Xinhua stated, that it is about time for a “DE-Americanized world.” I am not surprised by that statement because China's is the biggest holder of America's debt. What really gets me is that the United States Government may or may not pay its bills. Sending America into a collapse that we will never recovery from. How dare they!

LM

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/u-senate-leader-sees-chance-breaking-fiscal-impasse-083114324--business.html
http://news.yahoo.com/government-shutdown-backfires-gop-says-democrats-now-guilty-133154607.html

Is the United States Goverment Shut Down Holding The People Hostage?

Yes! People are being held hostage because of the government shut down, they don't know when they are going to get back to work so they can get paid. I think this is utterly ridiculous. I'm a disabled person from San Jose California, who receives Social Security Disability. If congress does not reach a agreement my benefits could be in jeopardy. I think the GOP's whole agenda is to send the United States into another recession. One that we will not recover from. Just to discredit the President and blame it on Obamacare.What I want to know why is the GOP and the Tea Party is so against Obamacare? Don't these idiots realize that this will save money and help people in the long run. They are so selfish. People are getting fed up with the government. We voted and put theses people into office and their acting like they forgot how they got there. If only we could impeach them maybe this would not be happening If congress does not get its act together, then it's going to be a serious problem. My neighbor just got out of the military after seven years of service as a sniper. He was talking to my husband the other day and was seriously mad about about the government suspending military death benefits. He was going on and on about how he gave seven years of his life and the government has the nerve to do this. I just pray he does not snap. What needs to happen is, congress should not get paid until they come to a reasonable comprise. Lets see how fast congress comes to an agreement, when their money is messed with. Just like  President Obama said on Tuesday in his speech on television, that we need to pay are bills and congress needs to sit down and come to a comprise. If not all the Untied States creditability as the the greatest nation will be gone. Congress needs to stop all this nonsense.

LM

Should A Check For Mental Illness Be A Requirement In the Purchase Of A Fire Arm?

On Monday September 16, 2013 fighting the demons in his head, Arron Alexis lost. He shot up the Naval Yard in Washington D.C. When he arrived at the base he killed the security guard. Then he proceeded to shot and kill 11 more people when he got inside. Killing a total of 12 people. Alexis had a history of brandishing and firing his weapons illegally in the past. He also had mental problems that the Navy knew about. Yet he was still allowed to purchase and carry a gun. Even despite his mental problems and is questionable military record. That is unfortunate because if the military would have acknowledged his problem in the beginning this might not have happened. If there were a law that puts the names of people who have mental illness in a federal data base so they can't purchase weapons, just maybe this act of violence could have be avoided. This could have happened any where in the country. It could have happened in Mt.View California just as well. Arron Alexis worked at HP for a while. If you ask me the Navy dropped the ball on this one. I think gun laws need to be changed with mental illness included on the application and as well as on a federal, State and local medical data base or this will keep on happening.

LM

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-navy-shooting-20130918,0,6823722.story

Javier Gonzales-Guerrero Settlement $4.95 Million For Getting Shot 20 Times By The San Jose Police

After almost 2 years Javier Gonzales-Guerrero is getting paid a measly $4.95 million dollars. For being shot 20 times by 4 police officers of the San Jose Police Department, for having a toy gun. Are you kidding this won't even be enough to cover his medical bills and all the work he missed out on as a construction worker. On October 23, 2011 after attending a Halloween party some one reported Javier Gonzales-Guerrero  passed out drunk in the stairwell of the Extended Stay Deluxe Hotel at E. Brokaw Road in San Jose and that he had a gun. 

When police arrived they saw Javier Gonzales-Guerrero dressed in hospital scrubs with a gun in his waistband. When the police shouted for him a wake up he woke and saw four police officers pointing guns at him. He claimed he said don't shoot. The four officers ignored his pleas and lit him up, Shooting Javier 20 times. If you're drunk don't sleep in public and do not have any kind of object that could possibly be mistaken for a weapon. It is amazing he survived.  

LM

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/4-95-million-settlement-in-San-Jose-police-4807185.php

Morgan Hill Preschool Teacher Deborah Gratz Who Tried To Drug Children Has Been Sentenced

In March of this year Deborah Gratz was caught trying to drug children at Kiddie Academy in Morgan Hill. She was caught by another employee, crushing up sleeping pills up in the children’s sippy cups. No children were hurt, she was stopped before they drank it. Deborah Gratz was sentenced on September 9, 2013 six months in jail and four years of probation. Are you kidding me! That’s all she got, a slap on the hand. You get a bigger sentence for harming an animal. The Santa Clara DA’s office is a joke. Santa Clara County prosecutor Sumerle Davis said "I wanted her to be granted probation, but also wanted her to do some custody time," said Davis. "There are parents who might have liked to see more time, but this is a fair resolution. ... It's very unsettling for parents to think that they could leave their child in someone's care and then be betrayed like this." Who knows how long she had been doing this to the children, before she got caught. If you ask me she should have got the book thrown at her. So it would deter anyone else from trying to harm our innocent children.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_24054667/morgan-hill-preschool-teacher-drugged-sippy-cup-case?source=rss

The New San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

After all its controversy with bolts and cables throughout the years, finally on Tuesday September 3, 2013 after more than a decade and the $6.4 billion the new Bay Bridge has opened. It has a new look and it is quite impressive. The anticipations of the opening of the new Bay Bridge were on a lot of people’s minds. Especially for the commuters who have to drive the Bay Bridge on a daily basis. San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is on all the post cards but the new Bay Bridge is not the ugly stepsister anymore. I personally have not been across the new Bay Bridge yet. I want to drive it in the day to see it in its entire splendor and at night with it all lit up.

LM

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Bay-Bridge-Now-Open-to-Public-222062721.html

San Jose California Is Becoming Like the Wild-Wild West in Murders

Just when I finished writing about San Jose’s 31^st and 32^nd murders less than a week later 22 year old Ramon Garcia a father of five was shot and killed on Saturday afternoon August 24, 2013. Ramon had gotten into an argument with some guy at St. James Park in downtown San Jose. They chased him to Julian St. and 3^rd street and shot him at the Tico’s Taco restaurant parking lot. He died later at the hospital. Ramon’s Aunt Patricia Lechuga said, "I asked him if he was going to stay out of trouble, stay out of jail," she said. "And he said 'yeah Tia, I'm gonna do good, I'm gonna try and do good this time and I'm gonna do it for me and my kids.” San Jose California is turning into the Wild-Wild West in murders. It’s getting like the 1700s and 1800s all over again. You get into an altercation and someone shoots you. Now days it’s hard to walk away from certain situations but you have to. You never know what will set a person off. This was San Jose’s 33nd murder so far this year. In 2012 there were 46 murders at the rate of murder going on San Jose will pass that number this year? A lot of people are talking about we need more police on the streets that is not going to help. People that have murder in their heart will continue to kill.

LM

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=9218731

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Man-Shot-Killed-in-Downtown-San-Jose-220958571.html

People Getting Shot With Stray Bullets Is Becoming A Way of Life in the Bay Area

It seems every time I turn on the news, I hear about someone getting shot by a stray bullet. It is becoming a way of life in the San Jose and Oakland Bay Area. On August 3, 2013, 19 year old Kimberly Joyce Estrada Chico was hit by a stray bullet while riding in the passenger’s seat of a friend’s car on her way to a club in San Jose California. Kimberly Joyce Estrada Chico was aspiring to become a registered nurse at San Jose State. Johnny Zapata Lozano allegedly just happened to go outside in the early morning hours and shot off a gun. Authorities don’t believe that Kimberly was targeted. I it a shame this could have happened to anyone. Kimberly just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. It doesn’t stop there. On August 7, 2013 in Oakland California while they slept 20 year old Andrew Thomas and his 16 months old son Drew Jackson was shot while they slept. Andrew Thomas died at the scene and his son Drew Jackson died at the hospital. This tragedy was in the wake of the funeral of Andrew Thomas 18 year old cousin Alquino Rivera. Who was shot over the weekend? Authorities believe that the victims were targeted. What is so sad is that Drew Jackson had to die over some B.S. that his adult relatives were into. There is a disturbing statistics in Oakland California children are getting killed behind stupid sh__. Drew Jackson is the youngest victim of 21 children murdered in Oakland California since 2011. Among them is innocent Alaysha Carradine, 8 years old shot and killed when someone sprayed an apartment front door with gunfire while she was at a sleepover. Then there were Carlos Nava age 3, was killed in Oakland in August 2011 while being pushed in his stroller and Gabriel Martinez age 5 was shot dead later that year. This is alarming statistic we can’t keep losing are innocent defenseless angels. It is a shame that anybody can get a gun if you don’t have a felony. Everyone should have a physiological test. I don’t know what else we can do as a society other than banning all guns. I know that won’t happen people will be outraged. If you can think of a solution let me know.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_23807590/san-jose-stray-bullet-tragically-ends-life-homegrown?source=pkg

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_23831593/san-jose-man-charged-murder-downtown-shooting-sjsu

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2386853/Young-father-1-year-old-son-shot-dead-sleep-opened-California-home-filled-kids.html?ico=ushome%5Eheadlines

NOT GUILTY! George Zimmerman NOT GUILTY!

On Saturday July 13^th 2013 I know I was glued to the television and social media anticipating the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial like most of the nation. George Zimmerman was on trial for the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. He was facing Murder in the 2^nd Degree, Man Slaughter and Not Guilty charges. This nationwide trial played out in the media as well as social media from the day it happened on February 26, 2012. Well! The all Caucasian women jury accept for one ethnic women found George Zimmerman Not Guilty on all charges. I know a lot of people were shocked but I was not. I knew deep down in my gut that George Zimmerman was going to walk. After all when he shot and killed Trayvon Martin the authorities did not arrest him or charge him for 1 months and 16 days. If this is not a case of racism  you can best believe if the roles were reversed Trayvon Martin would have been arrested on the spot and spent all his time in jail until the verdict and the verdict would have Murder in the 2^nd degree. George Zimmerman got to live at home with an ankle monitor. Wow! I blame the Sanford Police Department for miss handling the case at the beginning and the State of Florida for not proving their case. I watched the trial from the beginning. When I they played in George Zimmerman’s video tape his account of what happened he was not sure and lying. Anyone watching could see that his story had all kind of inconsistencies in it. Let alone all the screaming he supposed to have been doing while getting his head bang on the cement. You’re getting your head bang repeatedly yet you’re able to screaming for help repeatedly. Really! When George Zimmer went to the doctor to get a note for work and turn down the medical advice to get a Cat-Scan. The whole trial made me Disgusted! This Not Guilty verdict just gave people the right in Florida and any other state with “Stand Your Ground Law” the right kill an unarmed person if they fell their life is in danger or if their getting their A__ kicked by someone. This “Stand Your Ground Law” should be outlawed because there are going to be a lot more Trayvon Martin’s being killed. All you people that say it is not about race you know deep down you are in denial. Racism has be going on for since the beginning of time and to say we have evolved is wrong. We have not evolved enough to stop things like this from happening. For all you young people of color get an education become lawyers, judges, senators and even president so just maybe the next generations can stamp out this thing called RACISM.    

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/13/george-zimmerman-found-not-guilty/2514163/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57593459-504083/george-zimmerman-verdict-former-neighborhood-watch-leader-not-guilty-in-death-of-fla-teen-trayvon-martin/

Plane Crashes at San Francisco International Airport

There has not been a plane crash at San Francisco Airport for 77 years. On July 6, 2013 something no one wants to hear about let alone experience happened. Asiana Flight 214 from Seoul Korea crashed at the San Francisco International Airport while attempting to land. This plane crash appeared to have been far worse than it was. There were 307 on board, including 16 crew members. Officials reported 123 people escaped without injury. There were 181 people hospitalized and treated for injuries at Stanford Medical Centerand Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto. The two passengers that were killed in a fiery plane crash at San Francisco International Airport were identified as 16-year-old girls Wang Lin Jia and Ye Meng Yuan from China. They were on their way to summer camp in Southern California. Among the injured, 49 people are in serious condition at San Francisco General Hospital and out of that number five people including a child, remain in critical condition. Among the other people several were treated for minor injuries, including fractures and abrasions, and were released Saturday night. When the authorities released the voice recorder it seems to be pilot error. It appears to me that the pilot knew he was too low, and swerved to the right to miss the structure. Time will tell if it was due pilot area or mechanical failure. My prayers go out to all that were in this heartbreaking crash.

LM

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2013/07/06/airline-crash-san-francisco/2495099/

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57592529/plane-crash-at-san-francisco-airport-2-dead/

BART Union Strike Cripples San Francisco and Oakland Bay Area Commute

 

Bay Area Rapid Transit better known as BART went on strike on July 1, 2013 bringing the San Francisco and Oakland Bay Area to a crippling halt. A BART official reported that the union asked for 21% pay increase but were offer 8% over four and BART also offered to reduce the amount of employee contributions for pension and medical benefits. After days and long hours of negotiations SEIU Local 1021 did not get what they wanted and decided to strike. How greedy can some people be? SEIU Local 1021 in my opinion is greedy. Most of the country has not seen a raise in years or offered to contribute less to their pension and medical. Don’t get me wrong unions are good for keeping the employees work place safe for everyone. What about the people that depend on BART to get to work and school? If it weren’t for these 400,000 riders a week BART workers would not have a job. The traffic in the San Francisco and Oakland Bay Area is going to be a mad house. Be prepared don’t get discouraged hopefully this won’t go on for that long.

LM

http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/01/us/california-bart-strike

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BART-strike-imminent-commute-chaos-ahead-4639593.php

http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/local/bart-strike-triggers-morning-commute-chaos/nYZ3B/

American Furniture in Gilroy California Scammed Customers Out of Thousands of Dollars

Now day’s people are struggling from pay check to pay check. Every little dollar counts and I know people don’t have money to give away. There are some unscrupulous businesses out there taking peoples hard earned money and not thinking twice about it. American Furniture in Gilroy happens to be one of those businesses. The owner Peter Hung Truong of American Furniture at 8797 San Ysidro Road, next to Gold's Gym in Gilroy allegedly scammed customers out of their money. Customers would put down hundreds sometimes thousands on furniture or pay for it out right. He would promise delivery but the customers would not get their furniture. The Gilroy Police Department received three formal complaints about paying for items they never received so a fraud investigation against the owner Peter Hung Truong was opened. American Furniture had an official eviction notice was posted on the door by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's on May 23, 2013. Peter Hung Truong continued to do business despite the eviction notice. What I don’t understand if he had an eviction notice on the door didn’t the customer see it? The authorities are looking for Peter Hung Truong if you have any tips about American Furniture or Peter Truong; call the Gilroy Police Department at (408) 846-0350. Parties wishing to remain anonymous may call We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 (800-78-Crime).

LM

http://www.morganhilltimes.com/articles_from_gilroy/furniture-scammers-in-the-hot-seat-for-fraud/article_e2d094c5-6d65-5dea-852a-85ef12801938.html

33 year old Women Stole $26,000 From Storage Locker in Morgan Hill, CA

When I heard on the news that Darla Dominguez of San Martin, California was arrested on suspicion for selling some items she stole from a storage locker in Morgan Hill California at a garage sale in San Martin. I got a good laugh! I thought how dumb and what the heck was she smoking. On June 11, 2013 around 8 p.m. Darla broke in this storage locker at 18025 Monterey Road in Morgan Hill, taking more than $26,000 worth of stuff. Investigators went to Darla’s home in San Martin the next town over searched it and found multiple items taken from the locker. They also found a trailer which had been reported stolen in a separate case. I think she wanted to get caught because to sell something you stole at a garage sale has to be one of the stupidest things never. Somebody probably saw something she was selling thought it was stolen and called the authorities. You never know who will show up at a garage sells.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_23472342/morgan-hill-woman-arrested-after-26-000-worth?source=rss

San Jose California Homicides Are on Its Way to Passing 2012

 

 

On Sunday May 26, 2013 San Jose California had three shootings. Christian Comilang, 15 and Johnson Cunlar, 17 were shot to death behind the Kohl’s store near Mckee Plaza around 6:30 p.m. Justin Watkins was also shot to death on the same day near Oak Grove High School in South San Jose. What the heck is going on? My husband’s band mate happens to be the Uncle of Justin Watkins. He told my husband the Justin was coming home from work at the mall and cut through a field where he was shot. I have lived in San Jose all my life and have always felt safe but I’m starting to rethink that. On Thursday May 30, 2013 marked the 20^th homicide in San Jose. A man was found shot to death in East San Jose at the corner of Audubon and Santee drive near Santee Elementary School. Authorities said it appeared he was on his way to work. San Jose is well on its way to passing the 46 homicides of 2012. Are these shootings gang related? If they are, San Jose Police department needs to around up these cowardly menaces to society and throw them in jail. I know the jails are crowded but there criminals and I think they should not have rights. At least people going to and from work won’t have to worry about these gutless individuals.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_23352510/san-jose-police-investigating-shooting-death-male-victim?source=rss

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2013/05/28/police-seek-security-camera-evidence-in-murder-of-san-jose-teens/

http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_23342302/san-jose-police-identify-teens-slain-sunday-shooting

A Limo Ride Turns Tragic For Bride and her Eight Friends

This is the time of year that limousine services are busy. They are picking up teenagers for the prom and brides for bridal showers. This is supposed to be a night to remember and too look back fondly. That was not the case for Neriza Fojas' and her eight friends. On April 5, 2013 they were in a 1999 Lincoln Town stretch limousine. They were heading west bound across the San Mateo Bridge when just after 10 p.m. the back of the limousine burst into flames. The driver Orville Brown of San Jose was alerted by one of the women sitting by the partition that they smelled smoke. The driver pulled over and saw that the limousine was on fire. He helped four women up front out, but by the time they were out the back of the limousine was engulfed in flames. There was nothing he could do. Emergency workers later found Neriza Fojas and four of her friends clustered under the 3-by-1 1/2-foot window. What is so sad, every one of the passenger were in their 30s and 40s and nurses all over California. Neriza Fojas’ the bride was a registered nurse at the Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno California and from Monterey. The San Mateo County Coroner's Office identified the other four women that perished as Michelle Estrera, of Fresno, Anna Alcantara, Felomina Geronga and Jennifer Balon, of Alameda. The four women that survived this horrible ordeal are Mary Grace Guardiano of Alameda, Nelia Arrellano of Alameda, Jasmine Desguia of San Jose and Amalia Loyola of San Leandro. They are recovering at Stanford Medical Center in Palo Alto and Valley Medical Center in San Jose. The Limo Stop’s owner Kultar Singh of San Jose said, I'm very, very saddened" by the accident but did not commit further on what happened. The owner said he has owned Limo Stop for seven years and his license are up to date and valid. I want to know if Limo Stop had previous knowledge that this model and year had issues with fires. Sadly, we'll hear the facts about this tragedy in the days to come. I hope the survivors recover quickly and my prayers go out to the families who lost a love one.

LM

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Five-killed-in-limousine-fire-4489847.php

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57583318/coroner-releases-names-of-5-women-killed-in-calif-limo-fire/

The 12 Year Old Step Brother of Leila Fowler Is Being Investigated In Her Murder

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 The quiet town of Valley Springs California in Calaveras County was rocked to its core on April 27, 2013. While at home alone 8 year old

Leila Fowler was stabbed to death. Her 12 year old brother was the one who found his sister. He told authorities that he saw a man with long gray hair running from the house. This community of 7,400 moved here from Antioch, Stockton and the San Francisco bay area to get away from violent crime. No place is truly safe. 

UPDATE:

Jason Wayrynen has been cleared in the murder of Leila Fowler. Authorities are focusing on Leila’s 12 year old step brother who reported Leila’s murder. He told authorities that he saw a man with long gray hair running from the house. That is why they suspected Jason Wayrynen in the beginning. Authorities are saying the 12 year old step brother was the only one home at the time. Since then the authorities have searched the two reservoirs behind the Fowler’s home for clues. They also have taken the knives from the home. I’m wondering did the parents suspect the brother all along. Is this why the parents did not make any statements when this first happened? If the step brother had anything to do with Leila’s murder that is a shame. It would be sad for the parents to lose of two children in such a violent act. 

LM

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/state&id=9091986

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=9084354

http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/04/29/8-year-old-girl-stab-california-manhunt

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/police-arrest-man-linked-murder-leila-fowler-8-article-1.1331976

Driver Crashes Car Into Home On Leigh Avenue In San Jose

 

When I heard on the news that a car crashed into a home on Leigh Avenue in San Jose blocks from Leigh High School, I said it was a matter of time. I came close to getting hit by a driver coming out of the school. Yes, it was a student he was driving way to fast. On April 24, 2013 around 4 p.m. two BMW’s were racing on Leigh Avenue crashed into each other and lost control. One of the cars crashed into a street sign. The other car crashed through a home seriously injuring a 40 year old woman. Her 9 year old daughter was blessed, she only got cut by a nail. The three teens that crashed through the home were taken to the hospital. The driver of the car that hit the street sign refused medical attention. These spoiled stupid irresponsible teens caused serious damage to an innocent family. They should be made examples of. Their license should be suspended for 2 years and do community service that deals with the driving reckless. This will probably won’t happen they will probably get a slap on the wrist and go about their marry way.

LM

http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Car-Into-Home-Near-Leigh-High-School-Injures-5-204592271.html

Brawl On Hippie Hill In San Francisco On 420 Day

 

What is 420 day? 420 day is April 20^th the day that marijuana smokers get together and smoke out. It is considered their holiday. San Francisco California has a place called Hippie Hill. Well on April 20^th a brawl took place on Hippie Hill. A few idiots went to San Francisco’s Hippie Hill with one thing in mind to cause trouble. Stoners are chilled laid back people. When you put people that consume a lot of alcohol and other drugs in the mix with weed smokers you have a disaster in the making. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for the legalization of marijuana. It is situations like this that give most marijuana smokers a bad rap. This is defiantly not helping the cause for legalizing marijuana.

LM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wplDOoTW0o

http://www.barstoolsports.com/philly/super-page/420-san-franscisco-hippie-brawl-features-a-guitar-smash-to-the-face/

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Last Boston Marathon Bomber Captured Alive

The City of Boston can finally rest and start the healing process. Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was captured by authorities on April 20, 2013. Authorities said he gave up timidly by raising is shirt. This cowardly act by these two brothers made me sick. The older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26 and who was killed on April 19, 2013. He was said to have brain washed the younger brother. I feel the Dzhokhar Tsarnaev knew right from wrong. He was educated. He had a choice to listen to his older brother when he started talking crazy and made it the wrong choice. Did the FBI drop the ball on Tamerlan Tsarnaev? Yes they did! A foreign government told the FBI in early 2011 that Tamerlan Tsarnaev was a follower of radical Islam. The FBI said they interviewed Tamerlan Tsarnaev and relatives they did not find any domestic or foreign terrorism activity. The uncle of the two Boston bombers had concerns about Tamerlan Tsarnaev. When in a 2009 phone conversation Tamerlan told him that he had chosen “God’s business” over work or school. In an interview with WBZ-TV in Boston the uncle referred to Tamerlan as a “loser”. If the uncle was so concerned he should have reported it to the authorities. Like the uncle said when he was interview when authorities were looking for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev how the two brothers brought shame to the family and the whole ethnicity of their people. Instead he told a family friend that Tamerlan Tsarnaev had been influenced by a recent convert to Islam, a lot of good that did. As of now Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is in the hospital recovering from a gun-shot to the neck. Authorities are saying it was self-inflicted. He is communicating with authorities as of April 22, 2013. The authorities want to know if there are other explosive devices anywhere and who else was involved. This story will be unfolding in the weeks to come so check back for more information.

LM

http://abcnews.go.com/US/boston-bombers-rampage-ended-meekly-lifted-shirt/story?id=19012333

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/20/boston-manhunt-the-day-after/

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2013/04/20/fbi-tipped-boston-bombing-suspect-was-radical-islam-follower-in-2011/

The City of Boston Being Terrorized and Paralyzed

The City of Boston can’t catch a break after the bombing at the Boston Marathon on April 1, 2013. The City of Boston and it's surrounding area is on locked down. Everyone is asked to shelter in place. Mass transit is shut down. There is a massive manhunt for the second suspect in the marathon bombing. This all started with two brothers Tamerlan Tsarnaev and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev when their photos were released by the FBI. As soon as the photos were released information about the identity of the suspects started pouring in. The two brothers went on a robbing, killing and shooting spree. Tamerlan Tsarnaev and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev robbed a 711 store and then fatally shot police officer Sean Collier 26 while he sat in his vehicle on MIT campus at 10:20 p.m. on April 18, 2013. Then the two brother’s carjacked a Mercedes SUV kidnapping the driver and holding him for a half-hour and robbing the drivers ATM account for $800.00. They released the man. He was unharmed. A police chase ensued. They sped toward Watertown throwing explosive devices out the window at the police. Then a shoot-out with the police resulted in the shooting of the older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev. He had bombs strapped to his body when he was shot. He was pronounced dead at Mount Auburn Hospital. 19 year old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev got away by busting through a police barricade. He is the one who has the City of Boston paralyzed. What made these two brothers do what they did? We probably won’t know because when they find Dzhokhar Tsarnaev I don’t think he is not going to be taken alive. I just hope they hurry up and find Dzhokhar Tsarnaev before he does any more damage to the people of Boston. Come back for more information updates on “The City of Boston Being Terrorized and Paralyzed”.

LM

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/19/17823265-boston-on-lockdown-as-details-pour-in-suspects-told-carjack-victim-they-were-marathon-bombers?lite

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/19/17824210-as-profile-of-bombing-suspects-emerges-uncle-says-were-ashamed?lite

Tragedy At The Boston Marathon

 

On April 15, 2013, which is tax day, some very disturbed individual or individuals set off bombs at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. When I first heard this I thought of 911. A pressure cooker filled with metal, nails, ball bearings and other shrapnel was used in the bombing. There were three people killed, out of the three dead was an eight year old boy. A total of 170 people were injured. The authorities are asking people around the finish line that were taking pictures or using their phone to contact them so they can look through footage. The Boston Marathon attracts people from all around the world. An 11 year old boy from Martinez California was at the finish line, to see his mother cross when the bombs went off. He is in critical condition. President Obama said "This was a heinous and cowardly act, and given what we now know about what took place, the FBI is investigating it as an act of terrorism," and "Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terror." Who is responsible for this cowardly act? We will find out in the days to come. This was a sad day for people all over. Is this going to be what we have to worry about bombings, like over in Iraq? I sure hope not. My prayers go out to all the people who were hurt by this dreadful act.

LM

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/16/us/boston-marathon-explosions/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/16/us/boston-boy-killed/index.html?iid=article_sidebar

Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen in the Hot Seat

My family and I had dealings with Santa Clara County District Attorney office back in December of last year. It was awful! All we were trying to do was to find out the where about and the well-being of our 4 ½ month old daughter. Her mother took her while she was under a 51/50 evaluation. Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office was a joke. We would request to talk to a supervisor and there famous line would be we’re so sorry but that person is on vacation. Some low level person would come down and say we have an investigator on it and it is going to take some time to locate the mother and the child. We went down there for 4 weeks straight and we got the run around each time.

Jeff Rosen is under-fire over an administrative leave policy he established because he felt that his supervising attorneys got the short end by their union’s last contract settlement in 2011.  Jeff Rosen okay-ed administrative leave for 15 members of his leadership team to reimburse them for the $15,000 cut in pay. He says that Santa Clara County Labor Department approved his administrative leave plan. Rosen believes the union board members knew about it too but they say they found out last October. Some ones lying I wonder who? Jeff Rosen ran for office on morals, transparency and adherence to the letter of the law. Yea Right! These politicians make me sick. They say what the people want to hear just to get elected. Then they get in office and show their true colors.

LM

http://www.mercurynews.com/opinion/ci_22982716/mercury-news-editorial-district-attorney-rosen-set-bad