News Digest News Digest (December 02, 2005)

Former Palo Alto teacher facing 16 years

The second victim involved in the sex-abuse case against former Jordan Middle School teacher and coach Bill Giordano has decided not to come forward.

San Mateo County Deputy District Attorney Melissa McKowan, who is prosecuting Giordano, said Thursday morning that the decision will not hurt her case.

"We do know this is a person who poses a danger to the community," she said during Giordano's preliminary hearing in San Mateo County Superior Court, which he waived.

Giordano, 60, is now charged with 21 felony counts of sexual molestation and could face 16 years in prison. He was arrested Aug. 18 at his Menlo Park home for a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student that spanned from 1991 to 1993, according to police and reports.

A second molestation charge was filed at his Sept. 9 arraignment. It involved lewd and lascivious behavior with a 13-year-old girl in 2002, but McKowan said the victim's family has now requested the prosecution not pursue the three charges.

A third victim had also come forward, but McKowan said the incidents occurred before the statute of limitation's time frame. Giordano's attorney William Stewart said his client admitted to those incidents, which occurred in 1980 or 1981.

Giordano was released from jail Sept. 27 on $1 million cash bail, in which his sister Patti Bradley is named as the provider.

Stewart argued for a bail reduction Thursday, saying "since he's been out, he's made all of his appearances" and has complied with a restraining order obtained by the Palo Alto Unified School District. Superior Court Judge John W. Runde kept the bail at $1 million.

Giordano is scheduled to appear back in court Jan. 10.

-- Alexandria Rocha

'Mother' Branch runs short, digs deep

The holiday season is turning out to be one of extra sacrifice for "Mother" Oneida Branch, the woman who has fed the needy in East Palo Alto for 50 years.

Turkey donations were so sparse this Thanksgiving that the 87-year-old Branch dipped into her own savings to purchase nearly 75 turkeys so 150 needy families could each have one.

Disaster-relief donations for Hurricane Katrina victims have taken away a large portion of the holiday donations she usually receives, she said.

Two days before Thanksgiving, last-minute donations had bumped her larder from one turkey to 75, but Branch couldn't bear for half of the families depending on her to go home empty-handed.

Branch doesn't know exactly how much money she spent from her own pocket, but in one bite she spent $235, with more "in bits and pieces," she said. "No one was turned away without a box of food."

Branch is asking for turkeys, hams, fruits and vegetables, plus toys -- and money - to aid people at Christmas.

Branch could also use a permanent storage area for the food and supplies, she said. She spends $300 for storage each month.

Donations may be dropped off at 2584 Farrington Way, East Palo Alto, or call her at (650) 325-2848.

-- Sue Dremann

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