Bicyclists protest coastal highway rumble strips
SANTA CRUZ (AP) — Bicyclists are unhappy over plans to gouge vibration-inducing safety strips into a 10-mile stretch of scene California coastal highway.
The California Department of Transportation says the Highway 1 rumble strips between Santa Cruz and Davenport are designed to reduce deadly road crashes plaguing the area.
There have been 10 fatalities along that stretch of road since 2004.
Cyclists say the rumble strips are a wheel-busting hazard that will create more safety problems along a highway that is a national mecca for bicyclists. It's also part of the Amgen Tour of California, the Ride to End AIDS and other events.
Industry magazine Velo News last month named Santa Cruz one of the top cycling destinations in the world.
Sierra LaMar's family offers $10K for safe return
MORGAN HILL (AP) — The family of a 15-year-old Northern California girl who's been missing for more than three weeks are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to her safe return.
Authorities believe Sierra LaMar was kidnapped while walking to catch a bus to school on March 16. They say they haven't found significant evidence about a kidnapping, but the girl's cellphone and bag were found tossed off the road.
Steve LaMar told the San Jose Mercury News (http://bit.ly/InzmKm ) that the family has gathered the reward money through fundraisers and donations.
Meanwhile, thousands of volunteers have helped search areas of Santa Clara County for clues in Sierra's disappearance. Over the weekend, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith and teammates Joe Staley, Delanie Walker and Scott Tolzien joined the effort.
Concord vigil held for family struck by SUV
CONCORD (AP) — About 200 mourners gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Concord site of a fatal crash between an SUV and a family on bicycles over the weekend.
During Sunday night's event, family members consoled Stoorai Nuri, whose husband and 9-year-old daughter were killed when a teenager lost control of his SUV and plowed into the group. Nuri's 12-year-old daughter also was injured.
The SUV driver is being held in Juvenile Hall on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter. Police say they're looking into whether the boy was using a cellphone or intoxicated at the time.
Chiropractor to stand trial on felony sex charges
SANTA ROSA (AP) — A Santa Rosa chiropractor accused of molesting a 60-year-old patient has been ordered to stand trial and temporarily barred from treating women.
Brian Icke was ordered to stand trial on two felony sex charges at a preliminary hearing Monday in Sonoma County Superior Court.
Judge Rene Choueau granted prosecutors' request to prohibit Icke from treating women for three weeks or until the state licensing agency can determine if another suspension is warranted.
The judge ruled after the patient testified that Icke fondled her and made sexually suggestive comments during an appointment.
Icke's lawyer argued against any suspension of Icke's practice, saying it could affect his ability to mount a defense.
Prosecutors say Icke was convicted for a similar incident involving female patients in 1999.
