FREMONT
Residents Object to Sikh Temple Expansion Plans
Residents living near the Gurdwara Sahib of Fremont aren’t too keen on the Sikh temple’s plans to expand to nearly double its size. According to the Fremont Argus, neighbors say the temple already causes traffic and parking problems. The gurdwara, which draws up to 8,000 people during special events, hopes to expand from 28,074 square feet to 41,740 square feet, the newspaper reports. Fremont city staff will continue to discuss the possible expansion to decide whether it’ll be brought to the Planning Commission in January, The Argus reports. Click here for more.
Fremont Police Detective Dead at 48
Fremont Police Det. Donald George died Monday, unexpectedly, Fremont police announced. He was 48 years old. George has served the Fremont Police Department since 1993 and joined the local agency after working with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office. George has held several positions within the Fremont Police Department and was most recently the organization’s “semi-permanent” burglary detective, Fremont police said. He is survived by his 17-year-old son and his 15-year-old daughter. Funeral arrangements are being arranged for late next week. Read more here.
Former Solyndra Employees Invited to Employer Panel
Former Solyndra employees are invited to an employer panel hosted by Ohlone Community College and the Tri-Cities One Stop Center. The panel will focus on the “21st Century World of Work” and the event will be held on Friday, Jan. 25 from noon to 2 p.m. at Ohlone College’s Newark campus. The event will include an employer panel, a guest speaker, lunch and networking opportunities, according to an announcement from Ohlone College.For more information about the event and to learn how to register, click here.
NEWARK
Justice Afoa Case: Suspects Delay Plea Entry; Fourth Suspect Arrested
The three suspects arrested in connection to the 2010 stabbing death of 17-year-old Justice Afoa have yet to enter a plea, according to officials. Newark residents Rafael Tovar, 32 and Daniela Guzman, 19, along with Fremont resident Daniel Howard, 31, were assigned attorneys at their scheduled Monday court hearing, according to Deputy District Attorney Elgin Lowe. Guzman, Tovar and Howard all face charges of murder and felony conspiracy to commit murder with gang enhancements. On Thursday, police announced that authorities arrested a fourth man linked to the killing of Justice. A 22-year-old Newark man was arrested Monday on suspicion of assaulting 17-year-old Justice Afoa less than two months before the teen was killed on a busy street in December 2010, officials said. Anthony Bernal, 22, of Newark, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon with great bodily injury, attempted carjacking and being a convicted felon in possession of ammunition in connection to an incident that occurred on Oct. 30, 2010. Read more here.
Police Respond to NewPark Mall to Calm Crowd Lined up for New Jordan Shoe
According to a report on KTVU, police were called to NewPark Mall Friday morning after a confrontation erupted among a large crowd of people waiting in line to get wristbands to buy the latest Jordan shoe. Hundreds of people were waiting early in the dark for wristbands being given out by the store Shiekh, which is selling the sneakers. KTVU did not state which shoe was promoted as available at Shiekh, but according to Nike Insider kicksonfire.com, today is the release date of the Air Jordan 11 Retro. Click here to read the full report.
The City of Newark gave out one reusable bag per resident this week as part of an effort to promote the use of reusable bags as a result of a new countywide ordinance that bans single-use plastic bags. Starting Jan. 1, Alameda County grocery stores (and other stores that sell packaged food and/or alcohol) will not be allowed to provide customers with single-use bags. Beginning Jan. 2, the Newark City Chamber will distribute free reusable bags from Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents who would like a reusable bag from the Newark Chamber of Commerce are asked to call 510-744-1000.
UNION CITY
City Releases Updates on Construction Projects
The City of Union City released a statement updating residents about various construction projects, including Saturday night’s construction by BART contractors to strengthen elevated structures between H and I streets along 12th Street so that it could “withstand future earthquakes.” The city also announced the the Union City Boulevard Corridor Improvements project is on schedule and that the project is expected to be complete by late-spring. For more information, click here.
Letter to the Editor On Paddy’s Coffee House’s Closure
One of the most read pieces on Union City Patch this week was a requiem for Paddy’s Coffee House written by Frank Gonzales, a longtime Paddy’s customer who wrote that the café’s closure is one that “ended an era in our community.” “Our paradise is lost,” he wrote. Read more here.
New Haven Responds to Connecticut Shooting
In the wake of Friday, the New Haven Unified School District is sharing resources to help local families cope with the tragedy. On Monday, the district released an informational brochure titled "After the Trauma: Helping My Child Cope" which includes tips on how parents can talk to their children. The material can be downloaded from the district website in both Spanish and English here. Click here for more information.
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