Week In Review: Michele Le Arrest, Senior Community Proposals, Possible Ban on Styrofoam and More

Saturday, Sept. 3

Foster City firefighters were called in to assist the departments of five other cities in containing the fire from . A scientist, who was killed in the blast, was transferring methane, helium and nitrogen into one container when the explosion occurred. One other employee sustained an injury to her eardrum in the blast.

Sunday, Sept. 4

In “Green Views from the Peninsula,” columnist Alexis Petru touted . Many classes are available through the Foster City Parks and Recreation Department and other local organizations around the peninsula for those who want to give it a try, plus discounted bins are available for storing compost in. Composting can also help reduce a household’s waste and carbon footprint.

Monday, Sept. 5

As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches this Sunday, the organization Action America is working to help turn a sad memory into a positive one, by encouraging people to of the day.

Looking to have a good chuckle? Damian Morris, who writes Foster City Patch’s weekly column “The View From Gull Avenue,” which appears every Monday, wrote this week, which has proved popular readers all week long.

The Foster City Chamber of Commerce announced on its board of directors this week—Binh Le of Gilead Sciences Inc., Nikoleta Vicsapiova of Recology and Jim Cogan with PG&E.

Tuesday, Sept. 6

The City of Foster City announced including a date this Saturday, Sept. 10. The giveaway will take place at Boat Park, and interested composters should bring their own bin.

Our sister site, the San Mateo Patch, ran an interesting feature story on the this week. In magnet schools, such as Bayside S.T.E.M. Academy in Foster City, theme-based instruction offers students the opportunity to excel in certain skills, such as the programs in science, technology, math and engineering programs offered at Bayside.

Sports columnist Scott Campbell published his opinion of how, one week into the season, the high school football teams in San Mateo County are stacking up in

Wednesday, Sept. 7

The Foster City Parks and Recreation Department is still registering teams of five for coming up on Sept. 24. Not only is the price a great deal—$50 per person on the team pays for green fees, glow balls, dinner and more—but the proceeds benefit a great cause, the Foster City Youth and Teen Foundation.

At this week’s meeting, the City Council entertained presentations from two land development companies—Sares Regis of Northern California and its partners, and the Foster City Community Partners, made up of representatives from several local companies—about what can be done with the vacant, 15-acre parcel of land near City Hall. Both presentations featured . The Council will now ponder both proposals and plans to announce the firm it wants to move forward with at its meeting on Oct. 3.

Undoubtedly, one of the biggest news stories of the week was the Hayward Police Department’s announcement that they had on Wednesday morning. Le disappeared three months ago during her shift at the Kaiser Hayward hospital. Esteban is a former friend of Le’s who attended high school with her. Speculation is that Le’s friendship with Esteban’s ex-boyfriend caused a falling-out between the two friends recently.

Bay Area lawmakers introduced four bills this week that are currently on their way to Gov. Jerry Brown’s office, and are expected to be signed very soon. The bills propose in response to last year’s explosion in San Bruno. The bills include regulations for regular testing of pipelines, requiring companies to provide local agencies with detailed maps of the locations of pipelines, making automatic shut-off valves mandatory, and more.

Thursday, Sept. 8

The City Council announced on E. Hillsdale Boulevard this Sunday at 8:30 a.m., in recognition of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11. The flag will be lowered, a tribute to those who lost their lives will take place, and firefighters and police officers are expected to share their memories of that day.

The scheduled arraignment of Gisele Esteban, arrested Wednesday for suspicion of the murder of Michele Le, It was revealed that Esteban is pregnant, possibly as far along as seven months. Esteban was reportedly rushed to the hospital shortly before her arraignment was scheduled to take place. No official word has been released as to the exact nature of her medical emergency, or when her arraignment will be rescheduled for.

Friday, Sept. 9

BART protests continued for the fourth week in a row Thursday night. Groups such as “No Justice, No BART” stormed a San Francisco BART station, BART administration revealed that is has spent roughly $300,000 on increased manpower and security in dealing with the frequent protests—money which they say could have been spent on system repairs and upgrades.

The City’s Ad Hoc Environmental Sustainability Task Force voted unanimously Thursday night to Several cities in San Mateo County and state-wide have already passed similar bands.

City Manager Jim Hardy announced this week—a new Community Development Director, and a new Human Resources Director. Both will be starting their new positions soon.