@losgatan
vol . I, no. 6 : october 13-19, 2021 : losgatan.com
new mask criteria p 2 : north 40’s first resident p 4 : local scene p 12 : calendar of events p 18 Robert Eliason
CHILDREN’S PARADE IS A ‘NO’ IN 2021 Holiday Promenade is a ‘go’
DA extraditing Shannon O’Connor from Idaho
Judy Peterson, Reporter
The 2021 Los Gatos Children’s Christmas/Holidays Parade will not be held this year due to Covid-19 but the traditional Holiday Tree Lighting is going ahead, along with a holiday Promenade. The first parade was held in 1956. It’s always been a “rain or shine” event—but obviously, no one anticipated a pandemic. The cancellation was announced in a letter posted on the LGS Recreation website. Parade organizers from the rec center, the town and Lions club all signed the letter that says, “The parade is about children and it is our collective responsibility to protect those that participate with family and friends, march with local groups and schools, and observe. In an abundance of caution and care for this community, it will not be possible (to) hold the parade with current and anticipated health and safety guidelines.” The downtown parade attracts an estimated 15,000 participants and onlookers. It’s the town’s biggest holiday tradition and is always held on the first Saturday of December. ➝ Parade, 6
PROSECUTOR SAYS WOMAN HOSTED DRINKING PARTIES FOR TEENS Drew Penner, Reporter
NIFTY LEFTY Ella Ralston prepares to unleash a shot in the Wildcats’ 12-8 win over Mountain View on Oct. 5. Los Gatos has scored double-digit goals in all but two of its 18 matches this season. For the full story, turn to page 11.
A Los Gatos woman threw drunken parties for teenagers where she encouraged sex acts, sometimes non-consensual, and sometimes while she watched, according to charges filed by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office on Oct. 12. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen said 47-year-old Shannon Marie O’Connor held gatherings where teenagers—mostly aged 14 and 15—would get drunk while she encouraged an underaged girl to perform oral sex on a boy and coached at least one boy to digitally penetrate an intoxicated minor. “It took a lot of brave children to come forward and to untangle this deeply disturbing case,” Rosen said in a release. “As a parent, I’m shocked. As the DA, I’m determined to hold those adults who endanger children fully accountable to the law and our community.” O’Connor, who currently lives in Eagle, Idaho and also goes by Shannon Bruga, bought vodka and Fireball whiskey, provided condoms and told teens to keep ➝ DA, 8