Scrapbook Sept. 1-7, 2013
ANNIVERSARY: Muhlemans celebrate 65 years: Roland and Betty Muhleman recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. The couple was married Sept. 3, 1948 in Temperance, Mich. To celebrate, they plan an Alaskan Cruise.
UPDATED: Traffic accident ignites grass fire
A big-rig truck burst into flames after colliding with a Mitsubishi, igniting a grass fire that forced a 3.5-hour closure of U.S. 101 in San Benito County Tuesday morning, authorities said.
The accident happened on Highway 129, just west of U.S. 101 about 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, according to a press release from California Highway Patrol Officer Tran.
The 2003 Mitsubishi was traveling eastbound on Highway 129 at an unknown speed, and the 2007 Freightliner big-rig was traveling westbound, police said. The driver of the big-rig told officers he was traveling about 45 mph.
As the two vehicles approached each other, one of them crossed the double yellow line resulting in a head-on collision, police said.
The Mitsubishi came to rest on the right shoulder of the highway, partially blocking the eastbound lane, police said. The 21-year-old driver, an Aromas resident, was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by personnel from the Hollister Fire Department and the San Benito County Fire Department. He was airlifted to San Jose Regional Hospital with major injuries.
The 2007 Freightliner careered out of control after the collision, and hit the metal guardrail and fell down a 41-foot dirt embankment off the right shoulder of westbound Highway 129, police said. The 37-year-old driver from Hanford was able to exit the vehicle “just seconds” before it became fully engulfed in flames. The driver reported minor injuries to paramedics.
The resulting fire spread to surrounding vegetation, and area fire departments responded to extinguish the flames, authorities said.
The aftermath of the collision, grass fire and cleanup of diesel fuel on the roadway closed U.S. 101 to traffic for about 3.5 hours, police said.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and alcohol was not a factor, police said.
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‘Other Desert Cities’: An interesting, delicate theme
When Pulitzer Prize finalist playwright Jon Robin Baitz put pen to paper (or fingers to PC) to write “Other Desert Cities,” he was either in split personality mode or solving a Rubik’s cube puzzle – or both. His play is about dysfunctional family members with fragile backgrounds. Some have a secret that could break the delicate hold that - at times - keeps the family together.
Choir programs alive and well at schools
As school bells again ring and kids with backpacks make their way across campus, beautiful singing waifs through the air at Gilroy's high schools. Thanks to two newly hired, energetic and enthusiastic music specialists, the choral program that retired teacher Phil Robb spent 30 years building into one of the best in Northern California is alive and well and will continue to be one of our city's great assets.
Plans progressing for mural in Fourth Street tunnel
Council members approved a resolution Tuesday that allows the Hollister Downtown Association to use $5,000 – passed through the city from the Council of San Benito County Governments – for renovations to the tunnel under Fourth Street leading to the new courthouse.
Boy Scouts group requests city reimbursement for stolen flags
A local Boy Scouts organizer on Tuesday asked the Hollister council to reimburse the group $906 for 35 American flags stolen during the city’s motorcycle rally.
Mountain lion sighting spurs another closure of park
Brigantino Park on Hollister's west side has been closed once again due to a mountain lion sighting there.
It’s hot and dry out there – for animals too
This has been a difficult summer for wildlife and the folks who care for them. Northern California is once again in the midst of a record-setting drought. The Santa Clara Valley Water District reports that Santa Clara County's reservoirs are at less than three-fourths of their average August capacity. As early as April, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported that our temperatures in the coming months were expected to be above normal and our rainfall considerably below normal. That prediction has been accurate; despite some cool days this summer, we are in the midst of one of the driest, warmest seasons on record.
