Local briefs

San Francisco will create a Water System Improvement Plan with a final list of construction projects, a firm time schedule to complete the work, a budget of "appropriate allowances for inflation and contigency costs," a financing plan and an estimate of the cost impact on customers in other cities, according to a joint statement by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Aaron Peskin, president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, and Richard Sklar, president of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

The Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency, a coalition of 26 cities and water districts in the Bay Area that use the Hetch Hetchy system, has expressed increasing concern over the fragility of its infrastructure and cost overruns. The SFPUC wants to begin a $4.3 billion overhaul on the water system soon, but many fear rising costs.

Millbrae sewer rates may rise 31 percent

Millbrae city officials are asking residents to attend a study session next week to give input on proposed wastewater treatment plant renovations and a future sewer rate increase of up to 31 percent.

The soonest the rate may go up is this summer and new average bill will be $56 a month.

The city's wastewater collection system and treatment plant, at 400 E. Millbrae Ave., will undergo extensive renovations beginning spring 2006. The renovation is the first since 1952 and new technology and equipment is needed.

The stusy session will take place 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 at City Hall, 621 Magnolia Ave.

Man arrested for shooting gun

A Belmont man was arrested for shooting a gun several times in the Bereford neighborhood Friday morning.

At approximately 5:45 a.m., San Mateo police officers responded to the 4400 block of Beresford Street on the report of gunshots in the area. Nothing was seen on their arrival, but at 6:35 a.m., officers again responded to additional reports of shots being fired.

Witnesses said a man left in a car while firing a gun. A short time later, Belmont police said they saw Bryan Blanchard, 28, in possession of a loaded hand gun. Blanchard did not appear to be shooting at anything in particular, police said.

Blanchard was taken to San Mateo County Jail on violations of discharging a firearm in a negligent manner, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a concealed firearm and parole violation, according to police.

Poodles ready for adoption

The four poodles affectionately called the "Gummy Girls" by Peninsula Humane Society staff and volunteers were cleared for adoption and will be available to the public starting this weekend.

The poodles were abandoned in Redwood City on May 3. All the dogs have been spayed, all have had several teeth extracted, ears cleaned, nails clipped and severe matting removed from their coats. "It's like that reality show Extreme Makeover," said PHS spokesman Scott Delucchi. "Considering how their month began - being shoved into cardboard boxes and dumped on the street - this is going to be a wonderful end to the month.

PHS will look first to place all four dogs into one home and, as a second option, place two pairs in two homes. Staff fully expect the dogs to have new homes by the end of the weekend. Staff originally felt one of the poodles would need to have an eye removed, but that was determined unnecessary.

Half Moon Bay resident killed in solo car crash

The San Mateo County Coroner's Office identified the man who died in a solo-vehicle crash Friday afternoon as 65-year-old Michael Kellicutt.

Kellicutt, a resident of Half Moon Bay, was driving east on Purisma Creek Road near Verde Road in unincorporated San Mateo County around 2 p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway, hit a pole, went through a field and landed in Purisma Creek, according to the Coroner's Office. No other injuries were reported.