May 27, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

News Digest

Four children and two women, including one who is pregnant, suffered minor injuries when the school bus they were traveling in collided with a car on south U.S. Highway 101 Tuesday morning, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Ross Wakefield.

The Ravenswood City School District bus was carrying about 40 children for a field trip when it collided with a white Ford Mustang driven by 19-year-old Jose Barajas of Menlo Park, according to the CHP.

Wakefield said the bus was traveling southbound on Highway 101 just north of Embarcadero Road ahead of Barajas, who hit the front of the bus when he tried to pass it in the fast lane.

The bus passengers were thrown from their seats inside of the vehicle, said Wakefield.

A 6-year-old boy hit his head on a window and a woman suffered a fractured hand. Another woman, who is pregnant, complained of pain in the abdomen. All six people hurt were transported by ambulance to Stanford Hospital.

No one has been charged and officers are still investigating the accident, Wakefield said.

-- Alexandria Rocha

Bicyclist injured in hit-and-run

A 72-year-old bicyclist was critically injured after being struck by a black Ford Expedition in a hit-and-run accident at 4:10 p.m. Wednesday in the 400 block of Charleston Road in Palo Alto. Through the help of a citizen, police later located who they believe to be the suspect and his vehicle, said Police Agent Dan Ryan.

Craig H. Borlick, 40, of Los Altos was arrested and charged with felony DUI, felony hit-and-run, and felony child endangerment. Ryan said that Borlick's SUV, with front-end damage, was found in the 4100 block of El Camino Real, a few blocks from the incident. Borlick was found passed out on the front stoop of a nearby residence, Ryan said, and a 3-year-old child had been left unattended inside the vehicle.

Robert Bebe, 72, of Sunnyvale, underwent emergency surgery at Stanford University Hospital after suffering head, torso and leg injuries. He remains in very critical condition, said Sgt. Scott Wong.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call Wong at (650) 617-3100, extension 1040.

-- Don Kazak

PTA honors 11 outstanding volunteers and five organizations

The Palo Alto Council of PTAs presented its annual Honorary Service Awards last week to recognize 11 individuals who have dedicated their time, talents and energies toward the enrichment of Palo Alto's children, as well as five local organizations that have contributed services with limited resources.

"In the current environment, with substantially reduced budgets and limited resources, the district has come to rely on the efforts of such dedicated individuals," said John Barton, president of the local school district's Board of Education.

The people honored with awards, which highlighted continuing service, dedication and health education, included Wendy Akers-Ghose, Barbara Spreng, Carol Zepecki, Virginia Debs and Becky Beacom.

The council also gave out several certificates of appreciation, which went to Dan Sarouhan, Barbara Stelle, Sunny Dykwel and Penny Gertridge, as well as the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo, the local school fund-raising organizations, Early Literacy Volunteers and the Ability Awareness Organization.

-- Alexandria Rocha

Woman arrested on multiple warrants

Julie Moser, 51, of Palo Alto was arrested Tuesday night on two $75,000 warrants -- one for hosting a party last fall during which a Gunn High School student was beaten, and another for getting pulled over while allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.

Police Agent Dan Ryan said Moser was taken into custody Tuesday night but might be out on bail now.

The arrest warrants were issued when Moser failed to make a scheduled court appearance last week on charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of narcotics.

-- Don Kazak

Palo Alto man arrested for fraud

Moses Joseph, 45, of Palo Alto was arrested Tuesday on charges of stealing $3.7 million from Eastman Kodak Co. in 2001, $3 million from US Bank between 2001 and 2003, $2 million from Areofund Financial in 2003, and $200,000 from Remington Partners in 2003 -- all in alleged fraud schemes.

Moses was also charged by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office with perjury in a civil suit and preparing false documents.

Bail for Moses was set at $10 million by Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Robert Ambrose.

If convicted on all counts, Joseph could spend more than 16 years in state prison.

-- Don Kazak

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