Vehicular manslaughter charges brought forth in case that killed a local cyclist
The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office will charge a 63-year-old motorist with vehicular manslaughter for the crash that killed a local cyclist.
Josh Alper, 40, was struck and killed while biking southbound on Highway 1 near Davenport on Nov. 2.
Navindra Jain of Santa Cruz was driving northbound when he veered into oncoming traffic and crossed over into the bicycle line, hitting Alper. Jain has previously told authorities he fell asleep at the wheel driving home from religious services in Milpitas. He remained at the scene after the crash and spoke with authorities there.
Wednesday, after a lengthy investigation into the crash, prosecutors said they would charge Jain with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. The charge is different from felony gross vehicular manslaughter, which requires evidence that the person acted in such a reckless way that it creates a high risk of death.
Jain has not yet been arraigned.


Thursday, Feb. 6, Mercury makes its first 2014 retrograde (from 3 Pisces to 18 Aquarius). We’re familiar with generalized guidelines for Mercury retro. No major purchases, signing contracts, buying homes or cars, expectations of being heard/understood, strange driving and drivers, less and less understanding, messages not received, misunderstandings, etc. Mercury retrograde times can be magical, comedic, absurd, otherworldly, unreal and unbelievable. Actually Mercury retro (and all retrogrades) is a time of rest and recollection, of integration, assessment and review.
How gonzo journalist Rak Razam met his maker in the Peruvian Amazon—and lived to tell about it
Muriel Anderson’s new double album puts a rockin’ spin on children’s lullabies
During the Persian Gulf War in 1990, local guitarist Don Caruth was working a construction job in San Jose when his best friend Ken Colby (aka KC) phoned him and told him to hurry over. KC had been bringing some friends together for a new unnamed musical project that focused on roots funk music. Minutes before Caruth arrived, KC and the other band members overheard a television newscaster say, in reference to the war, “the Joint Chiefs are in session.” KC knew they had stumbled upon the band’s name.
Rock legend (and vintner) Boz Scaggs returns to Santa Cruz
An agricultural labor shortage plagues Pajaro Valley farms
Employees at Lower Pacific Avenue businesses weigh in on what it is like to work in the area
New exhibit explores the intersection of motherhood and art
I am very worried about the radiation that’s coming from Fukushima, and I don’t know how it’s showing up—whether it’s in seafood, or just through the air. But I think we are being impacted. I’ll bet you if we checked with the local hospitals on people’s lymphs and things like that … I know I’ve experienced a little of that and I’m having some tests. I’m not eating any fish.

