During the dinner hour on Monday night, Linda Bryant was making a quick run to Pavillions to buy taco shells for her daughter's family. According to her son-in-law, Tony, she made a left from the turn pocket on Antonio Parkway northbound toward Crown Valley Parkway.
Bryant told the CHP that when she began to make that turn, she was unaware that 19 year-old motorcyclist Kirk Sipkoi was accelerating in the far left lane heading toward her.
What happened next was a devastating collision. Sipkoi's motorcycle slammed into the side of Bryant's car with enough force to send it spinning backward across Antonio.
Sipkoi was severely injured in the crash and is being attended to at Mission Hospital, where according to authorities, he suffered severe internal injuries and a concussion. He is expected to survive, but is not expected to leave the hospital for some time.
The turn pocket is posted with a Yield sign to alert drivers to on-coming traffic. "It was dark and the motorcycle was black," said Investigating Officer Poulter of the CHP.
John Asalone was driving his pickup truck behind Sipkoi's motorcycle and saw the accident. "There were no brake lights," said Asalone. "He went right in."
According to Officer Poulter, Sipkoi was carrying a motorcycle learner's permit, but a check of the DMV system had not yet been completed to show whether the young rider had obtained a regular motorcycle endorsement. It is an infraction to ride a motorcycle at night while under a permit.
Sipkoi's motorcycle was nearly unrecognizable when it was loaded onto a tow truck. Nearly half of its parts had to be swept up. His side mirror was found in the back seat of Bryant's car.
The CHP indicated that they will conduct further investigations when daylight permits.
A 42-year-old Newport Beach man was sentenced to five years in prison for his guilty plea Thursday to molesting a 12-year-old girl he met through a social networking site.
Samuel Brent Robertson, who pretended he was 24, was arrested in November 2010 in Ladera Ranch as he was about to meet the girl, Orange County Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker said.
After starting the online relationship, Robertson picked up the girl at her middle school in Ladera Ranch in mid-October 2010, Walker said. He drove her to Newport Beach's Back Bay area where he molested her, Walker said.
Walker picked up the girl again on Nov. 1, 2010 and drove her to his house in Newport Beach where he again sexually assaulted her, Walker said. There was another sexual encounter two days later, the prosecutor added.
The victim's mother discovered the text messages between the two and notified Orange County sheriff's deputies.
A message left with defense attorney Allan Stokke was not immediately returned.
Robertson accepted a plea deal from Orange County Superior Court Judge Craig Robison, said Walker, who objected because she thought he deserved more time in prison.
Robertson does not have a prior criminal record, but his plea deal amounts to two strikes, so if he has another brush with the law after being released from prison it could be considered a third strike, which would lead to life in prison, Walker said.
The victim's parents wished Robertson would have received more time in prison, but they were relieved their daughter wouldn't have to testify in a trial, Walker said.
"They would like him to receive more time in prison, but they're happy he's going to prison," Walker said.
Robison allowed Robertson to surrender in 10 days so he could take care of a health issue first, Walker said.
Robertson pleaded guilty to 23 felony counts of luring a child with intent to commit a crime, lewd or lascivious acts with a minor, and meeting a minor to commit a lewd act, according to court records.
Robertson also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of disobeying a court order because he contacted the victim after his arrest, Walker said.
Governor Jerry Brown is asking for $6.9 Billion in new taxation and simultaneously cutting funding for transitional Kindergarten programs in the state. The taxes would be placed on those making over $250,000 per year and would up the state sales tax by half a percent, which when coupled with measure M will mean 8.25% sales tax in Ladera Ranch and much of Orange County.
Additionally, he has proposed shortening the school year by three weeks, upsetting both parents and teachers unions. The following was an e-mail sent today to Capistrano Unified School District parents regarding the planned cuts:
Dear Parents:
Governor Brown announced his preliminary 2012-2013 budget on January 5, 2012, earlier than expected. The preliminary budget is posted on the Governor’s website athttp://gov.ca.gov/home.php. The budget summary states that this is the time for reinvestment and reform, not for program expansions. Sadly, it does not provide funding for the new Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program, as previously planned.
Due to the fact that the preliminary budget proposes that TK will no longer be funded by the state, we will be canceling the parent meeting for Tuesday, January 10, 2012.
Please check the District website where information will be posted as it becomes available. As we regroup, we will consider offering fee-based pre-school options for students who do not qualify to attend kindergarten in fall, 2012.
Thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Pamela Watkins Director Elementary Early Childhood Programs
The New York Times reported in an article earlier today that Mr. Brown said that California was in significantly better shape than it was a year ago when he took office.
“We’re doing the best we can,” Mr. Brown said at a news conference that served as a reminder of the extent to which budget problems have dominated his first year in office. “What I’ve laid out is going to be very hard to digest.”
Many residents have noticed the little red house, a holiday icon, and temporary forest have not sprung up on Corporate Drive. Not to worry – BSA Scout Forest is still in business, just down the road in Mission Viejo.
Known for their gorgeous, fresh Oregon trees, BSA Scout Forest has been the favorite hot spot for Ladera Ranch residents to buy their annual Christmas Tree.
“As Ladera Ranch property continues to develop, it becomes increasingly difficult to find land large enough to hold the Christmas Tree Lot,” says manager Carrie Clark. BSA Scout Forest Christmas Tree Lot can now be found at 25725 Jeronimo Road (outside the former Unisys building) in Mission Viejo between Alicia Parkway & Los Alisos.
“We started out 16 years ago in Mission Viejo and relocated to Ladera Ranch 6 years ago when the property we were using was developed," Clark added. "We were excited to be able to service our former customers & build relationships with the families in Ladera and are excited to do the same once again. We have loved being part of family traditions here in Ladera and look forward to continuing to provide Ladera Ranch residents with beautiful Christmas Trees.”
BSA Scout Forest has gorgeous trees up to 16 feet tall which are all kept fresh in water, beautiful handmade wreaths, fresh cedar garland, tree stands, custom flocking, fire retarding and full delivery services available.
The Ladera Ranch Civic Council welcomes two new Board Members to the Council. The elections that were conducted online in September had five candidates vying for three seats. Of the ballets cast, new comer David Luzuriaga was named on 84%, incumbent Roger Redden 81%, and newcomer Todd Carlson 52%.
The Council thanks Lance Turner and Haseeb Qureshi for running, their efforts are appreciated. The Council also thanks Josh Hunter and Michelle Patterson who are leavbing the Board. Both were original members of the Civic Council and have been important in forming the direction of the Civic Council.
Who are our new Board members?
David Luzuriaga has been a resident since 2002 with this wife Karri, son Matthew and Andrew, and daughter Emilie. He owns his own civic engineering firm and coaches AYSO.
Todd Carlson and his family came to Ladera in 2006. He is a General Manager for Edison Material Supplies (SCE) and has been actively involved in the LREF, church actives and coaching youth sports.
The LRCC is partnering with the Las Flores Middle School PTA to sponsor a parent educational program by Orange County Sheriff’s Department, entitled: “Is Your Teen at Risk? Teen Substance Abuse” This program will be held at the Los Flores Middle School on October 19 at 6:00 pm sharp. Don’t be fooled, this problem exists in every community and Ladera Ranch is no exception.
Make sure you are educated about the potential risks to your children by attending this event. Find out more at the LRCC website.
The long delayed stadium and track at San Juan Hills High School will start construction in October as the CUSD Board of Trustees approved the award of a construction contract at their September 26th meeting. The San Juan Hills High School football team will continue to play their home games at Tesoro High School this year. Come out and support the Stallions.
The LRCC’s next meeting will be at 7:00 pm on October 24 at the Santa Margarita Water District building. Help your Civic Council help you. Your membership will ensure you have a voice in your community’s future and keep informed on community issues. Join today by visiting our website at www.lrciviccouncil.org. There is no cost for membership.
