12-year-old boy's pelvis crushed by falling tree
PESCADERO (AP) — A 12-year-old boy is hospitalized in critical condition after a tree fell on him at a California campground, crushing his pelvis.
The boy was sharing a tent with another boy in a San Mateo County park when the 40-foot oak tree fell on them before dawn Wednesday.
Assistant County Manager David Holland says the boy was taken to an intensive care unit in critical condition. The other boy suffered minor cuts and bruises.
No names were released, but officials say the two were camping with members of the boy's extended family. The tree's branches hit the family's other tents, but no one else was seriously hurt.
There were signs of rot in the tree, but officials say the outward appearance of the tree didn't indicate there was a danger.
Memorial Park is about seven miles east of Pescadero and 50 miles south of San Francisco.
Free SF Muni youth transit plan rejected
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A plan to let low-income kids in San Francisco ride public transit for free may be dead after a regional transportation group declined to help fund it.
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission voted 8-7 on Wednesday against spending $4 million on the 22-month free transit plan.
San Francisco transit officials would not declare the program dead. But they have previously said they cannot afford to contribute any more money to cover the program's roughly $9 million cost.
The commission also voted against a reduced-fare plan for low-income adults in Santa Clara County and declined to contribute $500,000 towards student passes in Alameda County.
Charges filed in ramming of CHP car
OAKLAND (AP) — Three men are facing attempted murder and other charges after a California Highway Patrol officer reported that his car was rammed from behind and had its back window shot out while he was trying to make a traffic stop.
The unidentified officer was pulling over a van on Saturday when he told dispatchers a sedan that had hit his cruiser appeared to be following him. Moments later, he reported that the car had run into him again. He then yelled, "Shots fired! Shots fired!" as his cruiser's rear window took a hit.
Golf developer pleads guilty to bilking $16M
SAN JOSE (AP) — A California man has pleaded guilty to federal charges that he defrauded investors out of $16 million in a Fresno golf course and housing project.
Thomas O'Meara entered the plea on Wednesday to wire fraud and money laundering.
Prosecutors say the former Carmel real estate developer recruited more than 50 people to invest in the 18-hole golf course and gated housing development. The Running Horse course was designed by golfer Jack Nicklaus' firm and was supposed to host a PGA event.
According to the indictment, O'Meara lied about Nicklaus' firm and the PGA Tour's confidence in the development and its financial condition. The project eventually failed.
