Month in Review: Skateboard Assault Suspect Arrested; Bike Rider Struck and Killed on Skyline Boulevard

Man Charged With Killing Girlfriend, Dumping Her Body in Pacifica

A San Bruno man delayed entering a plea this past month in San Mateo County Superior Court to the charges that he allegedly killed his girlfriend on the eve of Valentine's Day and then left her corpse at a Pacifica apartment complex.

Friend of Woman Killed in Highway 35 Accident Reaches Out to the Driver

A woman bicyclist hit and killed by a 22 year old man driving a minivan on Skyline Boulevard near Woodside was former Amazon CFO Joy Covey. A former colleague of Covey's at Amazon writes an open letter to the driver who struck and killed her.

Marijuana Grow Sites Discovered in San Mateo County Coastal Mountains

The San Mateo County Narcotics Task Force seized 8,100 marijuana plants in various stages of growth as well as a shotgun and environmentally toxic garbage. Officers located the secluded sites by flying over and hiking through a wide mountainous area south of state Highway 92 to the border of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Along with the pot plants, officers hauled out around 4 tons of garbage, which included propane tanks, fertilizers, pesticides, rodent poison, stoves, sleeping bags, tarps, and thousands of feet of irrigation tubing.

Skateboard Assault Suspect Nabbed by Pacifica Police

The investigation by Pacifica Police to find the man who assaulted a driver with the "deck" of a skateboard after a minor traffic collision last April came to an end in September. Pacifica Police apprehended the suspect, Pacifica resident Brian Ward, 24, for felony assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor hit and run after a vehicle collision, and driving with a suspended license.

Half Moon Bay Family, Restaurateurs Offer to Pay Entire Moss Beach Tax Debt

Coastside residents were in “shock” over the sale of their beloved Moss Beach Park. Michael O’Connell, an engineer and developer from Pacifica, acquired the property with a bid of $96,500 in an online tax auction. San Mateo County Supervisor Don Horsley explains in a letter addressed to Midcoast residents that "the County has the legal standing to cancel the sale and return the land and park to its previous owner” but residents have to come up with $8,000 + to pay the outstanding tax bill. Paul and Julie Shenkman of Half Moon Bay, owners of Sam’s Chowder House, offer to pay the entire property tax due on Moss Beach Park.

Pacifica Restaurant Damaged in Kitchen Fire    

The popular Ocean Fish Sushi & Grill in Pacifica had to shut down this month after a large kitchen fire, causing a lot of smoke, damaged the facility. Customers had to evacuate the restaurant.

5 People Looking for a Party Arrested at Vacant El Granada Home

Five people between the ages of 22 to 34 were arrested for obstructing a peace officer in El Granada after they were caught hanging out in a vacant home and refused to come out of hiding when deputies entered the house and commanded them to come down the stairs.

Should the Coastal Commission Be Able to Impose Fines on Coastal Act Violators?

A bill headed for the state Senate early September would allow the California Coastal Commission to impose and collect fines without court approval for Coastal Act violations such as blocking public access to the beach with fences and signs. The bill failed on a 32-30 vote in the State Assembly, the same legislative body that first passed the bill, setting it up for a Senate vote.

Developer Keet Nerhan, of KN Properties, owner of Harbor Village in Princeton, is putting up a new commercial building at the Highway 92 entrance to Half Moon Bay and some residents aren’t happy about it.