Week in Review: Fatal Dog Mauling of Pregnant Pacifica Woman Confirmed, Several Big Announcements from Caltrain

Monday, Aug. 15

On Monday, the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office released findings from an autopsy performed on pregnant Pacifica woman Darla Napora—whom authorities believe —and from a necropsy performed on the dog. According to the findings, authorities believe Napora died from excessive blood loss coupled with shock after suffering bites by the dog, as teeth impressions from the dog matched bite marks on the victim. Officers shot and killed the dog upon arriving at Napora’s home after her husband called 911 when he found her unconscious in their home. It was determined the family’s other pit bull was not involved in the attack, and was therefore returned to the husband after being examined by authorities.

Authorities announced Monday that the night before may have been gang related, and targeted at specific persons. Since there were no injuries resulting from the shooting, police say residents have no reason to be scared.

Tuesday, Aug. 16

Foster City Police in an effort to recoup costs for responders. Previously, the City ordinance allowed for three free false alarms before a fine was imposed. With the changes, only one free false alarm is allowed. Beginning with the second, a fine of $50 can be imposed, or $100 if the false alarm is determined to be high-risk.

We at Patch announced on Tuesday that that help capture the change our nation has undergone since Sept. 11. Any photo that helps symbolize the feeling of the upcoming 10th anniversary of that fateful day are welcomed.

Wednesday, Aug. 17

In a press conference, BART spokesperson Linton Johnson again in several of its stations for hours on Thursday. The shutoff was conducted because BART caught word of a planned protest that could interfere with the afternoon commute. Following BART’s actions, the Federal Communications Commission has mounted an investigation, and BART has come under harsh criticism for violations of “free speech.”

A San Carlos woman and booked into San Mateo County jail this week. The first arrest was on Saturday for a domestic dispute with her boyfriend in which she grabbed a knife and stabbed the boyfriend’s pet lizard to death, and then went outside and slashed the tires of several cars. After being released from police custody, she was arrested again early this week after police found her wandering down active railroad tracks and then acted aggressively toward officers after they approached her. The suspect, Shawna Kim Apour, is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Thursday, Aug. 18

Cyber attacks against BART continued on Wednesday when and released personal information for more than 100 officers, including names, home addresses, e-mail addresses and their passwords to the website. It was announced that the FBI will expand its ongoing investigation to include Wednesday’s attack on the police union website.

A new Caltrain study released this week suggests that up and down the Peninsula could yield significant savings for the statewide project. Officials such as Senator Joe Simitian, San Mateo County Supervisor Adrienne Tissier, U.S. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo and State Assemblyman Richard Gordon shared their views of the study in a statement released on Wednesday.

In the wake of the recent fatal dog mauling of a pregnant Pacifica woman, Patch’s pet columnist Scott Delucchi published a thought-provoking discussion article Thursday on Currently, the City of San Francisco requires all pit bull owners to have their dogs spayed or neutered, and many are wondering whether a similar law is right for San Mateo County given the tragic death of Darla Nepora.

Friday, Aug. 19

Late Thursday afternoon, , which currently operates the Caltrain system, and will instead be signing on with a Missouri operating company, TransitAmerica Services, Inc., which operates lines in San Diego, New Mexico and Dallas. Officials say the decision was made after a 15-month long, competitive process. Caltrain has been in a financial crisis for some time, and many hope the new operating agreement will help relieve some of the burden.

The City Council announced this week that, at its upcoming meeting on Sept. 6, it will hear presentations from two local groups over , that lies just south of City Hall. After the two groups present their proposals at the Sept. 6 meeting, the Council will take time to consider the options and make a decision at its October meeting.