Services Friday for Poway-raised plane crash victim

Family and friends are grieving this week for plane crash victim Shawn Muscat, whom they describe as the “go to guy” who never thought twice about helping others.

A memorial service for Muscat has been planned for 2 p.m. this Friday at Lake Poway, 14644 Lake Poway Road. Details about a Celebration of Life ceremony will be announced during the memorial service.

The former Poway man’s roots went deep with family and friends in Poway and San Diego, plus acquaintances who became friends almost everywhere he went, said his oldest brother, Adam Muscat.

‘Smurf Bandit’ admits trying to rob RB credit union

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A parolee known as the “Smurf Bandit’’ admitted today that he robbed three banks and tried to pull off a fourth heist at a Rancho Bernardo credit union last spring.

Kevin Duran High, who pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery, faces up to 14 years in state prison when sentenced Nov. 9 by Judge Charles Gill.

High, 25, admitted involvement in a series of heists between May 13 and May 26 in La Mesa, Liberty Station, Rancho Bernardo and Oceanside, said Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey.

Assembly passes Chelsea’s Law on 72-0 vote

Legislation named for slain Poway High School senior Chelsea King, calling for mandatory life sentences for violent sex crimes against children, passed by the state Assembly Monday afternoon on a 72-0 vote.

Assembly Bill 1844, also known as Chelsea’s Law, will now be sent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has pledged to sign it.

The legislation calls for mandatory life sentences for violent sex crimes against children. It also tightens sex offense parole guidelines and requires lifelong tracking of certain sex offenders.

Poway, firefighters reach accord

Poway firefighters and the city have reached a labor agreement for the coming year where employees will pay an additional 1 percent of their salaries toward retirement.

The agreement calls for the 48 employees to pay 4 percent of the 9 percent allocation toward those benefits, with the city picking up the remaining 5 percent, according to city spokesman Eric Heidermann.

Poway business owner charged in murders

EL CAJON (CNS) – A 57-year-old Poway business owner was charged Thursday with two counts of murder in the deaths of his wife and mother-in-law in the East County.

Michael Eugene Richardson, who was previously charged with carrying on a sexual relationship with his teenage niece, could face the death penalty if convicted in the deaths of his 39-year-old wife, Thao, and 72-year-old mother-in-law, Than Lyi.

Richardson lives in El Cajon and owns an auto repair business on Pomerado Road.

Robber hits Rancho Bernardo convenience store

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A gunman in his 20s robbed a convenience store in Rancho Bernardo early Friday but no one was hurt, police said.

The man robbed the Circle K at 17011 West Bernardo Drive around 3:20 a.m., said San Diego police Officer David Stafford. He fled with an undisclosed amount of cash to a dark-colored sedan driven by someone else, Stafford said.

Police described the gunman as black, around 6 feet tall and unshaven, last seen wearing dark pants and a dark hoodie. A description of the driver was not given.

Court: Non-licensed wildfire contractor can’t change plea

CNS)— A man who pleaded guilty to felony contracting without a license during the wildfires that swept through San Diego County three years ago cannot change his plea, a state appeals court has ruled.

Richard Nelson, 53, was caught in a sting by the Contractors State License Board at a Rancho Bernardo home on Dec. 4, 2007. The home was severely damaged by a wildfires six weeks earlier, and located within the state-declared disaster area.

According to the board, it is a violation of the California Business and Professions Code to undertake any home improvement project valued worth more than $500 without a contractor license.

Poway Chamber celebrates 60 years

The Poway Chamber of Commerce is turning 60, a milestone that indicates the organization is here to stay, said CEO/President Luanne Hulsizer.

Since 1950 the chamber has continued to keep pace with the changing face of business and the economy, she added.

A good chamber changes with the times, yet continues to stay connected with local businesses and does not give up on them during trying economic times, said Hulsizer, who has been CEO and president of the 500-member organization for the past three years.

During her term, she has initiated the “Shop Poway” campaign, which started a few years ago in collaboration with the city.

Del Norte prepares for its first year of varsity play

It’s gearing up to be another year of firsts for Del Norte High School. As the 4S Ranch school begins its second year, the athletic department is set for the first year of playing varsity sports.

Though the school still lacks a senior class, the Nighthawks are ready to enter the varsity level, said Athletic Director Mike Giaime.

“We’re excited to go out there and have an opportunity to compete,” said Giaime. “Our coaches have worked hard in the off season.”

Poway grad helps US rowing team triumph

Mary Jeghers, a 2007 Poway High graduate about to start her senior year at the University of California, Berkeley helped Team USA win the Women’s Under-23 World Rowing Championships this summer.

Jeghers traveled to Brest, Belarus, to be part of the Women’s 8 team, which won its third gold medal in five years.

The team was up against five other boats and the championship was decided by two races. The first decided lane assignment and the second was for the championship.

In the second race, the American team was in second place at the 500-meter mark, part of four crews that were racing within less than a second from each other, according to a release by the U.S. Rowing Association.