08-21-09
Police Chief Engles resigns
Citing work load and staffing issues as part of the reason, Pacific Grove Police Chief Darius Engles has tendered his resignation effective mid-January, 2010.
“I have a concern with the staffing levels at the department,” he said.
Engles has run an understaffed department for three years now. Budgeted for 23 sworn officers, the department currently has 18 which results in a lot of overtime for other officers and extra duties for the chief himself. Even if all the positions were filled, Engles says that on average there would be three people out at any given time due to vacations, training requirements, sick leave, long-term disabilities or family emergencies. If an officer is out on a disability or leave, the position cannot be filled by a new recruit, leaving the department short-handed. Read more…»
Council lets the dogs out
Local dog owners fond of walking with their pets at the Rip Van Winkle Open Space are breathing easier this week, as the likelihood of parking citations along the popular wooded area has abated.
Much has taken place since Cal Fire contacted the city of Pacific Grove last summer with concerns about cars blocking the fire access road at the open space. Citizens dissatisfied with the parking re-alignment in December requested staff to come up with a new plan, and the Traffic Commission did so. Last April, Traffic Engineer Malcolm Knisely sent in his recommendations, which included removal of stunted trees and a stump (offset with a two-for-one planting of oaks deeper in the woods) plus the installation of decomposed granite to shore up the ground where cars would park. Read more…»
CalPers debate update
The question of the legality of a June 5, 2002 ordinance which granted increases in CalPERS benefits is not a question for the Pacific Grove City Council, according to City Attorney David Laredo. He said that even if the council determines that the 2002 agreement was flawed, the council does not have the authority to overturn it and the matter must go before a court of law. Read more…»
Bankruptcy not an option–for now
Bankruptcy for the City of Pacific Grove seems to be off the table for the foreseeable future. The Budget and Finance Committee received quotes from various law firms for services from handling inquiries to completing a filing, and after looking at the costs the full council decided not to “explore or pursue chapter 9 bankruptcy further at this time.” Read more…»
More positions cut
As he offered a peek at next month’s fiscal year-end report, Director of Management and Budget Jim Becklenberg told the city council that the city needs to make further cuts now to help the budget process. He recommended that four positions currently vacant be eliminated. “Yes, they are needed to provide basic services,” he said, but added that the budget requires they be taken out of the equation. Read more…»
News from 1909
Unknown man commits suicide
An unknown man walked into Frank Pierce’s hardware shop at about noon today. After looking around the premises the man asked to be shown revolvers. Pierce placed the weapons upon the counter for inspection. Alongside each pistol a few of its appropriate bullets were displayed. While the fellow was inspecting the guns and ammunition, another customer entered the little shop. After this customer stated that he was in a “big hurry,” Pierce excused himself and stepped away to see what he could do to help out.
While Pierce’s back was turned, the first customer slipped a cartridge into one of the revolvers. He then lifted the weapon to his head, and pulled the trigger. The shot was dead-on, but failed to immediately end the man’s life. In spite of the services of a physician, the victim clung precariously to life for only about thirty minutes. He did not regain consciousness.
The constable is requesting help in identifying the deceased. He is described as smooth shaven, about five-feet nine, and of slender build. He appears to have been about thirty-five years of age, and was neatly dressed in a brown-check suit.
In the absence of the coroner, Justice Ernest Michaels conducted an inquest this afternoon, but the findings of the jury were to be released too late for this issue of the Pacific Grove Review.
Anyone with knowledge of this tragedy is encouraged to contact the newspaper office.
Lincoln stamps at post office
Postmaster R. Stansbury informs the Review that he has just received a consignment of 10,000 Lincoln anniversary stamps. Those who desire to own these stamps as souvenirs of the 40th anniversary of the martyred President should secure them at once. Stansbury promised that his supply will not last long.
Felder completes perilous trip in Alaska
Pacific Grove native J. W. Felder has just returned home from his lonely jaunt through the badlands of Alaska. His overland trip required fifty-six days through the northland wilds in winter. Felder says that he “traveled a trail of his own making.” During the expedition, Felder lost his supplies and he nearly starved after his food gave out. Survival was obtained by killing several of his dogs for food.
Felder is a local businessman and a charter member of the Lodge of Elks. He journeyed to Alaska in the interest of a fur-trading company controlled by San Francisco capital.
Felder will speak about his experience at an upcoming assembly to be held at St. Mary’s by the Sea.
Harry Winston to aid of museum
Harry Winston, Pacific Grove, has loaned his valuable collection of Indian relics and curios to the Museum Association of his hometown, the Grove. He also donated a number of valuable articles. Winston says the reason is mostly practical because he is about to relocate from here to Berkeley.
Among the items are the following: Chinese adding machine, Alaskan sturgeon hook, three feathered arrows, knife sheath from Nebraska, buffalo horns, mummy cloth, copper powder flask, and an old, American-army sword.
Local millionaire causes arrests
James Murray, a local millionaire who recently discovered what he believed to be a conspiracy to defraud him out of more than a half million dollars by means of papers forged in his name, is now in possession of evidence which he says will enable him to reveal and punish the conspirators. Murray has sworn out a warrant for the arrest of Frederick Gignor, who has confessed to doing the forgery work, and co-conspirators.
Since he discovered the forged papers, Murray has had a corps of private detectives working on the case, shadowing Signor and his associates with a view of ascertaining who were the parties of the conspiracy. Later, Murray was able to obtain possession of the forged documents whereupon he was obliged to threaten drastic measures.
The following is a list of the forgeries: four one-day notes dated August 22, 1908, for $100,000 each made payable to Frederick Signor; one sight draft for $50,000 made payable to Tyler Henshaw; and various notes to various payees drawn on the First National Bank of Chicago.
Murray has expressed his belief that Signor was the figurehead of a conspiracy that had for its object the holding of various financial documents until Murray’s death, in which event it might thereafter be impossible to detect that they were forgeries.
About town …
ü The burnt “Caramel and Moca” cakes from the Winston’s bakery are absolutely delicious. Try one and see how you like it. We promise you will return for another.
ü Get spectacles that are right in fit, quality, and price from W. H. Hare Optical Company.
ü Dr. DeWitt’s Carbolized Witch Hazel Salve is especially good for piles. Sold by Long & Gretter.
ü The Jackson Bros & Campbell Market has a goodly supply of pie fruits, put up in one-gallon tins.
Police log up to 08-21-09
Mother is upset
A mom telephoned PGPD to report that her 18-year-old daughter had come home … very intoxicated. An officer interviewed the young lady. She indicated that she had been drinking vodka with an acquaintance. She said her companion supplied her with the alcohol. She also indicated that about a month ago she had completed a rehab program where she was being treated for an oxycontin addiction. Mom wanted the incident documented by police.
Just doing what I was told
An officer was dispatched to look into a civil dispute. A man claimed that he had been involved in an on-going dispute with a former landlady. The two had gone to court. Later, he alleged, the court instructed the man to contact his landlady and request that the money involved in the argument be returned. The man did so. The landlady asked him if he was harassing her. The man said “no.” He wanted the case documented in case the landlady again accused him of harassment.
Child left in a car
An officer was dispatched to a site near Trader Joe’s where a child was reported locked in a car for about thirty minutes, crying. The officer made contact and talked the child into unlocking a car door. After being questioned, the child indicated that her mother was somewhere inside the store (Trader Joe’s). Mom was found. She advised that her daughter had been asleep. When the mother woke the child up and asked her if she
wanted to go shopping, the child refused.
86′d
An officer was dispatched to Lattitudes to check on a report of a patron who had eaten, then checked out without paying. The officer learned that the customer had left some personal belongings behind. Among the property was a credit card. The officer was familiar with the name because the department had earlier contacts with the woman. The owner refused to press charges because the bill was only for $14.15. The woman was advised not to return to Lattitudes.
Controlled substance
A suspect was placed under arrest for being in possession of methamphetamine. He was also wanted on the basis of previous warrants.
Ring is gone
A complainant reported the theft of a ring from her home. The ring is valued at $2,500. The complainant stated that her house was being taken care of by an 18-year-old who had invited a friend inside to keep her company. The ring was later found to be missing, but the owner noticed nothing else gone. The complainant said that she wished no prosecution at this time, but did want to file a report in case something else turns up gone.
Drug to be destroyed
A suspicious substance was turned in to PGPD by a complainant who said he suspected his find was composed of an illegal substance. An evaluation determined that it was probably marijuana, contained in two plastic sandwich bags, with rolling papers. The items were weighed, photographed, and filed away for later destruction.
Identity theft?
A woman notified PGPD of a possible fraud involving a credit card. She stated that representatives of Capital One had called to advise her of irregular purchases appearing on her charge card. The woman said that was most unusual. She didn’t have a Capital One card.
Not a real job
A PG woman thought she had a job as a secret shopper. Then she was given a check for $3,400, told to deposit the money, and send part of it back to the company. She did so, and was later informed that the check had been bogus. The woman estimates that she is now $2,000 in arrears.
Neighbor finds man dead
An informant telephoned police to report that a man had fallen and seemed not to be responding. He indicated that the subject, a neighbor, was also cold to the touch. Fire and AMR responded, but found that the patient was deceased. The Coroner determined the death to be due to natural causes.
Watermelon festivals abound in August
If you can’t find one near you, stage your own.
August is the month for watermelon festivals throughout the United States. Check for a festival in your area but if one isn’t available, put on your own in your backyard or in a park. What could be better than an al fresco summer barbeque or picnic including ice cold, juicy watermelon? Invite friends and neighbors and enjoy!
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