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vol . 4, no. 17 : January 1- 7, 2025 : losgatan.com
dinah ’ s event log p5 : railroad history p8 : ny times crossword puzzle p15 : the year in sports p12
Dinah Cotton/ Los Gatan
MOTORCYCLIST KILLED IN CRASH ON SOQUEL SAN JOSE ROAD Smith’s bike collided with SUV after hitting mountain roadway Drew Penner, Editor
The Los Gatos motorcyclist who was killed last month in a Santa Cruz County crash has been identified by authorities as 68-year-old Craig Smith. On Dec. 18, around 9:41am, CHP officers responded to the Soquel San Jose Road accident scene north of Old Turnpike Road. Smith was driving a blue 2012 BMW motorcycle southbound on Soquel San Jose Road at an undetermined speed, police said. A 64-year-old man from Aptos was driving a green 2023 Subaru Forester with two passengers and three dogs on board, northbound on the same road, at an undetermined speed. “For reasons under investigation, the BMW and its driver collided with the asphalt roadway,” CHP Capt. Jason Grimm said as part of his initial report. “After the initial crash, the BMW and the driver continued in a south-easterly direction, resulting in a collision with the Subaru.” Smith, who was wearing a helmet, sustained major injuries and was pronounced dead ➝ Crash, 5
AT PEACE Vasona Lake County Park exudes tranquility on the Winter Solstice. Dinah Cotton writes in her event log on P5 the location is also playing host to a brilliant, manmade, festive display—one that’s continuing even after New Year’s Day.
LGHS GRAD A FINALIST FOR FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME His number—41—was retired by the Idaho State Bengals Mike Garcia, Contributor
Jared Allen, who graduated from Los Gatos High School, has been named a finalist for induction into the Pro Football
Hall of Fame. Allen, who was born in Dallas, was raised on a ranch in Morgan Hill, where he attended Live Oak High School. Allen played college ball at Idaho State, where his number 41 was retired by the Idaho State Bengals. Selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2004 draft, he
became a five-time pro bowler. He was a four time All-Pro in the league and a two-time sacks leader. Allen—a 250lbs+, 6’6” defensive end—was traded to the Minnesota Vikings for a first round pick and two third round picks. While he played ➝ Hall Of Fame, 17
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