PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92024 PERMIT NO. 94
THE COAST NEWS
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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 23, NO. 43
OCT. 23, 2009
THISWEEK
Railroad remains a barrier
le b a u Val pons cou Page on 19 B
By Wehtahnah Tucker
IN THE BAG
A local woman inherits her family’s tradition of entrepreneurship with her own successful handbag company B1
INSIDE TWO SECTIONS, 48 PAGES
Business Directory . . . B16 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . A7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B15 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . B18 Consumer Reports . . . . . A9 Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 Crossword Puzzle . . . . B18 Eye on the Coast . . . . . . A5 EyeWitness . . . . . . . . . . .B4 Henry’s Health Tips . . . A12 Hot Off the Block . . . . . A6 Legal Notices . . . . . . . . A23 Lick the Plate . . . . . . . . B4 Odd Files . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4 Outside Perspective . . . . A4 Pendleton News . . . . . A18 Pet of the Week . . . . . . B11 Second Opinion . . . . . . A16 Small Talk . . . . . . . . . . . B1 Taste of Wine . . . . . . . . B9 Who’s News? . . . . . . . . . A8
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Above, 11-year-old Katalina Aguilar, left, and Ruby Fleet, 8, transform a used surfboard into a work of art. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
Waves of fun at annual Rerip event By Bianca Kaplanek
SOLANA BEACH — Grommets were looking for a good deal on a first board.Veterans were simply seeking a good deal. No matter their goal, surfers of all ages and abilities attended Rerip’s third annual Future of Surfing fundraiser Oct. 17 at Fletcher Cove Park to help raise money for the Solana Beach Junior Lifeguard program. The four-hour event featured entertainment, food, a used surfboard sale and a raffle. With some help from area students including Katalina Aguilar, Eva Fleet and Ruby Feeney, artist Wade Koniakowsky spent the day transforming donated, used surfboards into collectable works of art. Rerip was founded by Meghan Dambacher of Solana Beach and Lisa Randall. With the slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Rerip,” the company goal is to enhance the community by sharing and preserving available resources. Right, as soon as he’s taller than the stand, 3-year-old Henry Stumme might have a future in shaping. For now, he settles with some help from his dad, Brian. Photo by Bianca Kaplanek
Marines accused in murder of auto shop owner By Randy Kalp
OCEANSIDE — Two Marines accused of the brutal slaying of an Oceanside business owner will have to stand trial for his murder, a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled Oct. 15 at the defendant’s preliminary hearing in a Vista courtroom. Pfc. Xavier Akeam
Adams, 19, and Lance Cpl. Raphael Roshod Ramey, 20, are charged with one count of first-degree murder with the allegation that they both used a knife as well as special circumstance allegations of lying in wait, carjacking and robbery relating to the fatal stabbing of Charles Evan Williams on Aug. 23 in the office of his
automotive restoration shop, Classic Luxury Street Concepts, on South Coast Highway in Oceanside. Additionally, Ramey is charged with the special circumstance allegation of torture. If convicted, the defendants, both from Texas, could face the death penalty; however, Deputy District Attorney Minaz Bhayani
said that decision would be made at a later date. Williams, 23, had more than 14 stab wounds on his body, with the longest laceration being nine inches long, prosecutors have said. Adams and Ramey, who were both stationed at Camp Pendleton, were TURN TO MURDER ON A17
ENCINITAS — Despite the requests of numerous residents, City Council voted unanimously to continue with plans to build pedestrian crossings under the railroad on Oct. 14. A large contingent of supporters of “at-grade” crossings addressed the council in an effort to scrap the project in favor of a cheaper, easier solution. The three pedestrian crossings under the railroad tracks come at a price tag of $15 million. Several speakers asked the council to pursue permission from the state regulatory agency and the railroad companies to approve a simpler plan to cross the tracks at street level. “All I’m asking for is time (to explore the issue),” said Leucadia resident Rachelle Collier, who helped collect 700 signatures in support of developing a plan to create at-grade crossings. While preliminary environmental work is under way for proposed underpasses at El Portal Street, Santa Fe Drive and Montgomery Avenue, the city has only budgeted $1 million for the Santa Fe site with additional $4 million earmarked by the state for the project. A fourth project at Hillcrest Drive is undergoing environmental review. Councilman Jerome Stocks, who represents the city on the North County Transit District, previously said he is optimistic that financial support will be forthcoming. Stocks also said that if the city pursues at-grade crossings it will be difficult to establish so-called “quiet zones” because of safety concerns. Councilman Dan Dalager said he doubted the city would get permission to build at-grade crossings. A consultant hired by the city said that it was unlikely to receive permission to build at-grade crossings. William TURN TO RAILROAD ON A17
The Downtown Encinitas MainStreet Association Presents
Encinitas Safe Trick or Treat From the Merchants of Downtown Encinitas & Pumpkin Lane on Hwy 101 featuring the Carved Pumpkins of SRF
October 31st, 2009 from 5pm to 8pm Featuring: the Queen’s Court at SRF Books & Gifts 1150 S. Coast Hwy. 101
At The Lumberyard: The Uplift Band Games & Activities
Free Halloween Portraits By Oh My Dog Photography 816 S. Coast Hwy. 101