Acid spill closes U.S. 101 for five hours
San Jose – A poisonous spill on U.S. Highway 101 led California Highway Patrol officers to close north and southbound traffic for nearly five hours Thursday, causing a headache for rerouted motorists.
About 9:15am, the driver of the truck noticed nitric and sulfuric acid leaking from his rig and pulled to the shoulder of the freeway.
It is uncertain how the driver, Rafael Padilla of Stockton, knew a valve on the vehicle was leaking, said Chris Armstrong, CHP public affairs officer. But as he tried to shut the valve, he splashed the mixture of sulfuric and nitric acid onto his pants, Armstrong added. Emergency workers transported Padilla to Santa Clara Valley Medical with complaints of throat, nose and eye pain.
The spill led CHP to close down both lanes of traffic to avoid inhalation of the chemicals which can cause a burning sensation in the throat, nose and eyes or sever burning if it touches skin.
“We responded to the scene, secured the scene,” said Chris Armstrong, public affairs officer for the Gilroy/Hollister CHP office. “Due to the severity and the possibility of inhalation both lanes needed to be shut down.”
The San Jose police and fire departments told residents of 60 homes west of the spill to stay indoors.
CHP diverted traffic until opening up the northbound lanes at 2pm and the southbound lanes at 2:45pm. They completed clean up of the shoulder at 4:30pm.
The acids are believed to be waste byproducts because they were mixed together and the truck contained 538 gallons. The tank leaked an unknown amount.
Santa Clara County sues drug makers
San Jose – Santa Clara County has sued a number of pharmaceutical manufacturers alleging that the drug companies failed to provide the county with discounts on drug purchases as required by law.
The suit is based on a federal report released in 2004. The report concluded that in one month in 2002 the companies had overcharged payers by about $41 million.
The lawsuit was filed in Alameda County on behalf of the county and other situated cities and counties in the state. It names Astrazeneca, Aventis, Bayer, Bristol-MyerSquibb, Burroughs Wellcome, Glaxo Wellcom, Pfizer, Schering-Plough, TAP Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth-Aerst and Behring.
Bill drops limits on wine shipments
Sacramento – California lawmakers approved legislation Thursday that would drop restrictions on interstate sales of wine and bring state law into compliance with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
The measure by Sen. Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, would allow out-of-state vintners to sell directly to California residents by obtaining a $10 permit.
Current law allows California residents to buy up to two cases of wine a month from wineries in other states if those states also allow California vintners to sell directly to their residents.
Chesbro’s bill would remove the two-case limit and drop the reciprocity requirement, bringing California law into line with a May 16 decision by the Supreme Court, supporters said.
That 5-4 ruling said states can’t ban, or severely restrict, out-of-state wine sales if they also allow in-state wineries to sell directly to their residents, as California does.
Votes of 66-0 in the Assembly and 28-1 in the Senate sent the bill to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who hasn’t taken a position on the measure. Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, R-La Mesa, voted against.
Be more creative on the page, ‘Write On!’
Gilroy – Jeanmarie Tarmann-Derry, author, poet, and freelance columnist presents a free Write On! seminar from 2 to 4pm at Gilroy Writers Project Saturday, at the Gilroy Library, 7387 Rosanna St. Tarmann-Derry urges participants to bring a pen, paper or notebook, and something they’ve been writing – lines from a poem, a page of a memoir, or a story idea.
“Most important is your presence,” she said. “It helps us all when we can play with our words on the page.”
Details: Dennise Julia at the library 842-8208 ext. 3413.
Music Makers meet Saturday in Gilroy
Gilroy – South Valley Music Makers will hold its next bi-monthly meeting Saturday, from 1 to 4pm at the studios of Monterey Street Music Academy, 7423 Monterey St., Gilroy.
All interested performers and listeners are welcome to join this growing group of musicians and music-lovers to share a few hours of good music and good friendship.
Players at all levels of musical advancement may perform in any style and on any instrument, including voice, and listeners are always welcome.
Details: Candace Fazzio at Monterey Street Music Academy, 848-1064.
Endless Summer Nights Saturday
Gilroy – A community fund-raiser classic car show and reception featuring a concert by Al Jardine, a founding member of The Beach Boys, as he make a guest appearance with the band, Live Action Heroes.
Endless Summer Nights, sponsored by Leadership Gilroy Class 2005, will be held Saturday, from 5 to 10pm at Bonfante Gardens Family Theme Park. Proceeds will go towards a music program for Mt. Madonna High School.
Details and tickets: 607-0701.
South County Democratic Club
Gilroy – All Democrats and Gilroy residents are invited to the next meeting of the South County Democratic Club, where candidates for Gilroy City Council will be seeking endorsements.
The meeting will be held on Saturday, at 10am at the home of Kristine Dillon, 3385 Hecker Pass Highway. While all candidates will be invited to make presentations, only registered Democrats can receive endorsements.
Following the meeting members will be treated to a barbecue and picnic.
Details: Mark Moore at 779-1510 or de******@****ic.com, or visit the Club Web site at www.demsclub.org.
Join in a redwood hike at Mt. Madonna
Gilroy – Redwood Hike at Mt. Madonna County Park Saturday from 10am to noon. Explore the natural wonders of our unique West Coast redwood forest on this 2-mile hike with a Park Ranger. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection and water.
Details: 842-2341.
Explore canyon waterfalls
Gilroy – Waterfalls and Wildlife Hike at Uvas Canyon County Park on Aug. 21 from 9 to 11am. Explore canyon waterfalls and wildlife on this 1.5 mile hike with a Park Ranger. Bring sturdy hiking shoes, sun protection and water. Meet at the day-use parking lot.
Details: 779-9232.
Send news items to City Editor Robert Airoldi. FAX to 842-2206, mail to Gilroy Dispatch, 6400 Monterey Road, Gilroy, CA 95020, or e-mail ed****@****ic.com.
