A grocery store shoplifter wanted to make a clean getaway and assaulted a security officer while trying to escape.

According to Sgt. Steven Dixon of the San Jose Police Department, three men entered the Almaden Plaza Safeway at about 10 p.m. on May 20. One man—described as a Hispanic male in his mid-20s, weighing about 180 pounds and wearing a burgundy shirt with a black jacket and black shoes—left his companions and went to the detergent aisle.

He snuck a small box of Cheer brand detergent into his jacket, left the store and put the detergent in a car. Then he reentered the store, Dixon said.

A pair of security officers confronted the man, who said he'd return the detergent. Upon being escorted to his car—described as a black, two-door 2000 Mitsubishi—the suspect got into the driver's side, quickly started the car and put it into reverse. A security officer was just able to step out of the way but injured his finger when it slammed against the car door as the car sped off with the driver's side door still open

The suspect drove away, and the two men he was with fled on foot.

—William Jeske


Philanthropic group awards school grant

Willow Glen Middle School has received a $1,000 grant from the nonprofit organization Community Foundation Silicon Valley.

Willow Glen Middle School applied in March and pitched their project idea to the organization during a weekend in April. A total of $18,000 in grant awards was presented to 23 youth groups on May 16. Some of the school projects included running an international festival and helping out at retirement homes.

Created in 1954 with a gift of $55,000, Community Foundation Silicon Valley has grown to a nonprofit of $500 million and manages more than 600 individual, family and corporate funds, nonprofit investment funds and agency endowments.

Last year, Community Foundation Silicon Valley awarded more than $77 million in grants to help charitable groups.

Willow Glen Middle School was awarded the money to plan and run a student-created renaissance fair called "Ye Old Faire on the Glen." The grant provides part of the funding needed for the event to take place. Five hundred students are participating in the fair, which is scheduled for June 12.

The grant was designated for a special project and could not be applied to an ongoing program at the school. The grant was specifically for groups in Santa Clara County consisting of at least three members and between the ages of 12 and 20.

—Amy Jenkins


Free parks day June 8 promotes outdoor fun

The Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring "Go Out side and Play Day" on June 8. On that day, all vehicles can enter county parks for free.

County parks include: Almaden Quicksilver, Alviso Marina, Anderson Lake, Calero, Chesbro Reservoir, Chictactac-Adams, Hellyer, Coyote Lake, Ed R. Levin, Field Sports, Joseph D. Grant, Lexington Reservoir, Los Gatos Creek, Motorcycle Park, Mount Madonna, Penitencia Creek, Rancho San Antonio, Sanborn, Santa Teresa, Stevens Creek, Upper Stevens Creek, Uvas Canyon, Uvas Reservoir and Vasona Lake.

For additional information about Santa Clara County Parks or "Go Outside and Play" Day, call 408.355.2200 or visit www.parkhere.org.

—Amy Jenkins


San Jose will raise cost to pick up trash

At the May 27 meeting, the San Jose City Council voted to increase garbage rates by 9 percent effective July 1. Based on a 32-gallon garbage cart, the average single-family household will see a cost increase of $1.40 per month, increasing fees from $15.40 to $16.80 per month. The program also funds weekly collection of unlimited amounts of curbside recycling and yard trimmings.

The increase in fees is to cover the rising cost of fuel and other costs set by contracts with haulers and to reduce the city's general fund deficit. It was also approved because of a need to restore a reserve fund for use in the event of an emergency, said the city's director of environmental services, Carl Mosher.

The new garbage and recycling fee is a 9 percent increase, and it's anticipated to raise $5 million annually.

Until the city council acts on the city's operating budget on June 17, it is still under consideration whether residential street sweeping will continue twice monthly or return to only once a month as a cost-cutting measure.

—Amy Jenkins


Teens wanted to catch stores selling to youths

Using a $452,952 grant from the California Department of Health Services' Tobacco Control Section, the American Lung Association of Central California plans to document how tobacco products are easily available to minors.

Under the STAKE Act program, teens complete undercover field operations with the help of an adult staff investigator from the California Department of Health Services' Food and Drug Branch to make sure retailers are not selling tobacco products to minors.

Through the program an underage teen would walk into a store, ask for cigarettes and then walk out. If the vendor sells the teen a tobacco product, the volunteer will then hand it over to the investigator, who is present the entire time. Investigators will then issue a citation to the retailer after the teen exits the store.

About 200 youths ages 14 to 16 have been recruited to participate in the program. Volunteers are given a $5 stipend per store visited, regardless of the sale. More teens, ages 14-16, are needed for the program.

For more information and to receive an application, contact Emmanuel Torres at 877.782.5348 or visit www.stakeact.com.

—Amy Jenkins