• WOMAN KILLED BY LOOSE TRACTOR-TRAILER’S WHEEL: FRESNO (AP) — A Central California woman killed when her car was hit by a tractor-trailer’s wheel is being remembered as a shining example for students.
The Fresno Bee reports Ana Tapia of Fowler was killed Friday while driving on Highway 99 after the wheel of a northbound semi-truck detached, rolled across the center median and struck her southbound car.
The 22-year-old public health graduate student at California State University Fresno was remembered at a memorial service this weekend as a humble person who loved to learn.
California Highway Patrol officials are still investigating the cause of the runaway wheel that resulted in Tapia’s death.
• MOM WHO PUNCHED WOMAN OVER CRYING CHILD ARRESTED: COLMA (AP) — Police have arrested a mother accused of punching a woman outside a Northern California department store last week after the woman complained about her screaming child.
Terrie Elzie was arrested Tuesday by Colma police on suspicion of battery resulting in serious injury.
The arrest on the felony charge stems from a confrontation last week between the 27-year-old Elzie and Natalie Bree Hajek-Richardson in Colma.
KPIX first reported Hajek-Richardson was standing in a checkout line when the child began to cry loudly and she asked Elzie to do something about her child’s cries.
The two had a brief exchange of heated words before Elzie followed Hajek-Richardson into the parking lot and allegedly punched her twice in the face.
• BOY KILLED IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA HIT-AND-RUN: SAN LEANDRO (AP) — San Francisco Bay Area authorities say a driver fleeing police struck and killed a boy in a crosswalk and continued driving.
The collision happened about 6:30 p.m. in unincorporated San Leandro, south of Oakland. Authorities called off the high-speed chase after the incident.
Alameda County sheriff’s Sgt. Ray Kelly says the boy was between 12 and 14 years old.
Authorities have not identified the boy. Kelly says authorities are looking for the vehicle.
• TEEN ARRESTED IN FATAL SHOOTING OF WAR VETERAN: LOS ANGELES (AP) — Police have arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of shooting and killing an Army veteran on a sidewalk in the San Fernando Valley.
Los Angeles police spokeswoman Officer Nuria Vanegas says Vincent Estrada was arrested Tuesday in the Sylmar area. He was booked on suspicion of murder.
Vanegas says she had no information on the motive behind Sunday’s attack.
Police and witnesses said 21-year-old Francisco Garcia had left a party at his girlfriend’s house when two cars pulled up to him. A man in one of the cars jumped out, smashed a beer bottle on the ground and yelled at Garcia.
• FORMER FIRE CHIEF STILL COLLECTS PAYCHECK: GARDEN GROVE (AP) — Though he stepped down as Garden Grove’s fire chief earlier this year, David Barlag continues to collect a six-figure salary under an agreement that he and the city tried to keep confidential.
The Orange County Register obtained a copy of the contract Barlag signed September 30 — the day he resigned amid allegations of nepotism and mismanagement. The firefighters’ union had cast a unanimous vote of no confidence of the 28-year veteran.
The contract guarantees he would remain employed despite stepping down — with the caveat that he retires by Dec. 31, 2016.
Another condition of the deal: assigning Barlag the newly-created position of “Public Safety Administrative Officer.”
The newspaper says Barlag could collect up to $215,000 annually, plus benefits. Barlag could not be reached for comment.
• JACKSON EXITING ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ AFTER 13 YEARS: LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fox and the producers of “American Idol” say Randy Jackson is leaving the show after 13 seasons.
In a statement Tuesday, the network and producers call Jackson a key part of the singing contest and say he’ll be welcomed back as a visitor.
Phone and email requests to his publicist seeking comment were not immediately returned.
Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul made up Idol’s original judging panel. Jackson served as a judge for 12 seasons, with “dawg” becoming his trademark word while assessing contestants.
Jackson moved to the role of mentor this year. His departure leaves host Ryan Seacrest as the only original cast member.
“American Idol” is set to return in January with judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr. and Keith Urban.
• TRIBE PLANS SOLAR POWER PROJECT NEAR LAKE SONOMA: GEYSERVILLE (AP) — A Northern California tribe has announced plans to build a 5-megawatt solar plant in the hills overlooking Lake Sonoma.
The Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the $21 million joint venture Monday.
The hundreds of solar panels would generate electricity for a fish hatchery, a visitors’ center and other buildings at the base of Warm Springs Dam northwest of Healdsburg. They would also provide electricity to the tribe’s River Rock Casino in Geyserville.
The solar farm would generate enough electricity to supply about 2,500 homes, making it the biggest solar farm in Sonoma County. It is expected to be working by next spring.
