LJ teen critical condition after motorcycle crash
A 17-year-old from La Jolla is in critical condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla after he lost control of his motorcycle Tuesday, Oct. 3, while driving on Azure Coast Drive.
The teen was traveling at a high rate of speed up a steep grade on his 2006 Kawasaki Z750 when he came to a sharp corner at Esterel Drive and could not keep the bike upright, according to Jeff Fellows, a detective sergeant for the San Diego Traffic Division.
An exact speed has not yet been determined, according to Fellows. No other vehicles were involved.
Although he was wearing a helmet, the motorcyclist suffered a compressed skull fracture to the back of his head and was transported to the hospital, where he remained as of Oct. 4, Fellows said.
One dead, injured after N. Torrey Pines accident
One woman is dead and a man is in critical condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla after they were struck Monday, Oct. 2, by a 2005 Toyota at the intersection of North Torrey Pines Road and Torrey Pines Scenic Drive.
The victims, who were identified as a 57-year-old male and a 53-year-old female, Zahra Parandoosh of Carmel Valley, were crossing North Torrey Pines Road in the crosswalk around 7 p.m. when a 67-year-old female driver from Solana Beach ran a red light and hit the pedestrians, according to Jeff Fellows, a detective sergeant of the San Diego Traffic Division.
“For some reason she thought the light was green,” Fellows said of the driver. “She didn’t intend to hit anyone or cause an accident. She is still shaken up about the whole thing.”
Fellows declined to release the names of the male victim and the driver. The male victim sustained multiple fractures and serious internal injuries and remained in critical condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital as of Oct. 3, he said.
The couple was walking from a yoga class they had just attended at UCSD, according to a release from the watch commander.
Scripps Park Project sets final public meeting
The Scripps Park Project will hold its final meeting to solicit public comment on its master plan for preserving and enhancing the grassy park on Monday, Oct. 16, 5:30 p.m. at the Riford Library.
Consultant Doug Campbell has dropped his proposal to relocate the Bridge Club to a southeast corner after the community roared in opposition. Nonetheless, Campbell still believes that it is the best solution for opening up view corridors.
The steering committee anticipates that the Oct. 16 forum will be the last public meeting before presenting the project to local planning groups for approval unless the public indicates that it needs more time.
“If people say we need a weekend session, we will have to continue the public sessions,” said Patrick Ahearn, chair of the Scripps Park Project.
The master plan assesses the park’s bluff erosion, pollution, diseased trees, lighting, parking, view corridors and infrastructure needs. Creating the master plan is expected to cost approximately $44,000; more than $3,000 has so far been raised. Public workshops have been ongoing since last November.
A copy of the plan can be viewed at the Riford Library, 7555 Draper Ave.; at the La Jolla Town Council office, 7734 Herschel Ave., Suite F; or at www.scrippspark.com.
The steering committee welcomes feedback through its Web site blog, through e-mail at [email protected], or by calling (858) 459-7660.
LJHS pool fund-raiser to support aquatic complex
La Jolla High School’s Coggan Family Aquatic Complex will hold its fifth annual “Splash Bash,” a community fund-raiser to support pool expenses, on Sunday, Oct. 8, from noon to 4 p.m.
“There is so much more going on this year,” event organizer Michelle Le Beau said. “Last year it was limited to in-water activities, but this year you don’t have to get in the pool to enjoy the event.”
Many local organizations donated free prizes and food for the event, and the goal is to raise thousands of dollars for the upkeep of the pool, according to Le Beau.
Children and adults can participate in tube water polo and underwater hoops races and explore a monster obstacle course, climbing wall and moon bounce. A dunk tank also will be included.
A swim-a-thon, open to high school and middle school students, members of the swim and water-polo teams and the public, will be held to raise additional funding for the facility. Awards such as surfboards and skateboards will be presented to individuals who gather the most donations.
The event will also feature live music by The Boulevard Blues Machine and Curtis Peoples as well as all-you-can-eat hot dogs, hamburgers, tacos and ice cream.
Admission is $5 for adults and children. The complex is located at 800 Nautilus St. on the corner of Fay Avenue. For information call (858) 456-0945.
Activist appeals LJ Alta Clubhouse antennas plan
Seventeen cellular antennas will be constructed atop the La Jolla Alta Clubhouse, 1570 Alta La Jolla, bringing cellular coverage and more radiation to the area, unless activist Sherri Lightner is successful in her appeal.
The Development Services Department approved the installation. The appeal will be heard before the Planning Commission on Oct. 12 at 9 a.m. in council chambers at the City Administrative Building, 202 C. St.
A 7-foot-high cupola will house eight Verizon Wireless antennas and nine Cingular Wireless antennas on the roof of the clubhouse. Two GPS antennas will also be attached to the cupola to aid with emergency 911 calls.
Lightner contends that the project should require a conditional use permit because she believes it is a major telecommunications installation that requires more than a neighborhood use permit. She also questions why it’s necessary to install so many antennas.
“Can they demonstrate that it really requires 17 to provide adequate coverage or could they do it with fewer?” Lightner asked.
At the Feb. 2 meeting of the La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA), a majority of residents present indicated they wanted the cellular coverage in their area. Others worried about potential health risks from radiation or raised concerns about the antennas’ effect on property values. Eight homeowners who live close to the antennas pleaded against the installation. The LJCPA recommended approval for the project.