Week in Review

Between five and seven acres of open space were charred after firefighters spent the afternoon battling the wind-driven fire on a steep incline just west of the community college campus.

At 2:11 p.m., firefighters responded to a grass fire in a valley at the west end of Skyline College. The fire quickly escalated to five alarms as 20 to 30 mph winds blew the fire uphill toward the school. Firefighters were concerned the fire could quickly jump to college maintenance buildings or the San Francisco County Jail, which sits on a nearby ridge.

Skyline Community College was evacuated and the fire was brought under control by 4 p.m.

Charter school

may lose charter

A major fight for survival is in the works for a beleaguered charter school in San Carlos, as it shakes up its operations in a way some say could invalidate its status.

After struggling to attract enrollment in its first year, organizers of San Carlos High recently made an agreement to be managed by a San Diego charter called High Tech High. If the deal brings about significant changes, the tiny school would have to apply for a new charter, said Mark Olbert, trustee for the San Carlos Elementary School District.

The district sent officials at San Carlos High a letter Friday notifying them of the potential situation.

Pay to park - on

your own street

San Mateo residents who want to park cars on the streets of their own neighborhoods may soon have to pay a fee.

The proposal is to charge residents a $20 fee for a two-year residential parking permit, said Public Works Director Larry Patterson. The idea is to recoup the money the city loses every year in maintaining residential parking policies in 14 areas throughout the city. Right now, processing each permit costs about $35 - that includes the labor it costs to maintain the permit parking policies.

If passed, Patterson said the new policy would take effect in 2005.

The Public Works Commission will review the proposal next week and the City Council is set to vote on the matter in September.

So far, public reaction to the idea has been mixed.

Teen cuts deal

in Ecstasy case

An 18-year-old woman cut a deal with prosecutors Wednesday rather than face up to three years in prison for allegedly hiding drugs at the request of an Ecstasy dealer whose wares contributed to the death of a young girl.

Angelique Malabey pleaded no contest Wednesday to one felony count of acting as an accessory to a felony. In return, Malabey was promised no state prison time and no more than one year in county jail. Judge Craig Parsons could also consider probation when he sentences Malabey Aug. 12.

Irma Perez, 14, died after taking a fatal dose of Ecstasy. So far, five people have been arrested for her death. Antonio Rivera, the alleged drug dealer; Calin Fintzi, the boy who gave the drug to the girls; Malabey; and Perez's two friends. Involuntary manslaughter charges were already filed against Fintzi.

Karaoke killer strikes

A man was shot to death outside a karaoke bar 2 a.m. Thursday - leading city officials to try and shut down the troubled establishment.

Two parties were emerging from their respective karaoke rooms just as the Aqua Sound Karaoke Club was getting ready to close at 2 a.m. Thursday. As the guests were leaving their respective rooms, police say a verbal altercation quickly turned physical.

After the brawl spilled onto the street on Third Avenue by South Railroad Road, the suspect took out a gun a fired a shot that killed Wei Cheng Ma, 30, of Daly City.

City officials had passed an ordinance banning closed rooms for karaoke because of concerns over illegal drugs, drinking and prostitution. The ban was not set to go into effect until September. It is the second murder in San Mateo this month.

'Most-wanted' man arrested in San Mateo

Nearly six months after two men were left dead on the streets of San Francisco's Bayview District, a man wanted for their murders was arrested by U.S. Marshals, San Francisco police officers and San Mateo SWAT officers in North Central San Mateo Thursday night.

The arrest capped a month-long investigation by a U.S. Marshal task force that specializes in capturing high-risk criminals local jurisdictions cannot.

Emile Fort, 22, was arrested at approximately 9 p.m. Thursday on the 100 block of El Dorado Street at Tilton Avenue, said San Mateo police Lt. Mike Brunicardi. Police were initially called at 3:36 p.m., Brunicardi said. Fort was considered to be armed and dangerous.

He was wanted for the gang-style murders of 17-year-old Michael Hill and 19-year-old Jovani Banks. A third victim was seriously injured but did not die. The Jan. 19 incident took place on Osceola Lane near Hilltop Park, said San Francisco police Lt. John Hennessey. He is also a suspect in the Sept. 28 shooting of 7-month-old Glenn Molex III. There was a $1 million warrant for his arrest.