News Digest News Digest (September 02, 2005)

Three people killed in East Palo Alto

Three people were shot to death Wednesday night as they sat in a parked car in the driveway of a house at 2367 Dumbarton Ave. in East Palo Alto -- marking the 11th, 12th and 13th homicide victims of the year in East Palo Alto, which had seven killings in all of 2004.

Two suspects were seen driving away but one was later caught when his car crashed into a parked car, Sgt. Alma Zamora said. A second suspect got away.

The names of the three shooting victims are being withheld by police. Two died at the scene of the 8:37 p.m. shooting while the third died later at a local hospital.

A 17-year-old black male was taken into custody after his car crashed attempting to flee Officer Angel Sanchez at 10:15 p.m., Zamora said. The car had matched the description of the auto used in the shooting and was driving with its lights off. The car then crashed into a parked car on Alberni Street.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Detective Bob Arnaudo at (650) 363-7823 or Detective Rich Mauer at (650) 363-4055.

In a second shooting incident in East Palo Alto Wednesday night, a 20-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to his chest but is expected to recover, Zamora said.

The victim was shot at 7:48 p.m. in a drive-by shooting in the 2700 block of Fordham St. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Detective J. Alcaraz at (650) 599-7426.

Paly pool construction on time, but fundraisers ongoing

The start of another school year means more than new teachers, books and classrooms. For dozens of teen athletes, it also means water polo season. And for students at Palo Alto High School, it means heading to Stanford University for practice.

Construction of a new 35-meter by 25-yard pool started in March and isn't slated to wind up until November. Since water polo practice started last month, the boys' and girls' teams head to Stanford for training.

The parent group funding the $1.8 million pool, known as the ACCEL Foundation, is also busy trying to raise $175,000 to pay off a loan that was needed to finish the project. If the parents don't raise the money, they will continue to pay off the loan with interest.

There are three fundraisers on deck, however, to avoid extending the duration of the loan. On Monday, Paly swimmers will participate in a "swim-a-thon" at Stanford's Avery Aquatic Center, in which the students are currently seeking donations. ACCEL is selling engraved bricks for $500 each that will be incorporated into the pool entrance and interior deck areas. Later this fall, ACCEL will host a golf tournament at the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club.

The pool is ACCEL's largest project so far. The foundation has already renovated the school's track and installed artificial surface on the baseball field. For more information on the pool, e-mail palyaccel@gmail.com.

-- Alexandria Rocha

Local group fundraises for Katrina victims

The Palo Alto Menlo Park Parents Club is looking for volunteers to help with a bake sale to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 10 at Trader Joe's, 720 Menlo Ave. in Menlo Park.

The club is seeking volunteers to bake larger items, such as cakes, pies, tarts and breads, as well as smaller items like cookies and brownies to be wrapped and sold by the dozen. Volunteers to bring tables, transport goods, make signs and fliers, and solicit coffee shops that may be willing to donate coffee and beverages.

"We're very hopeful that we'll get the same amount of enthusiasm from our members and be able to make a substantial contribution to the victims," wrote Lauren Kincus, the club's coordinator of the bake sale, in an e-mail to members referring to a similar effort that aided victims of last year's tsunami.

The club is also hoping to partner with other parent and neighborhood groups to support the effort.

For more information, e-mail Kincus at valleysoxgal@yahoo.com.

-- Alexandria Rocha

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