Week in Review

The move was made to save the program from bankrupting the county-operated San Mateo Medical Center.

The county now has 90 days to figure out a way to keep both the health plan and the medical center solvent.

BB gun vehicle window

sniper has police baffled

Police trying a number of techniques to either catch or stop unknown BB gun snipers who are causing hundreds of broken car windows across Redwood City, San Carlos, Belmont and San Mateo.

The spree started in early March and has hundreds of car owners annoyed. Police are upping patrol this weekend.

Young Foster City marine

killed in Iraq, mourned

Foster City's Andrew Dang, 20, was killed in a fire fight Monday in Iraq sending shock waves throughout the community.

Dang graduated from Aragon High School in 2002 where he was active in the robotics, football and wrestling teams.

Dang was the first Peninsula resident to be killed in Iraq since major combat began approximately one year ago. A private memorial is planned this weekend.

County jail overcrowded; sheriff anxious over danger

An overcrowded jail is understaffed and facing budget cuts that will only make the situation worse, Sheriff Don Horsley said this week.

If it is allowed to escalate, Horsley worries that deputies could be in danger from fights or offenders may be put back on the street.

The jail population is on the rise because crime is up and the honor camp - where low-level criminals often go - shut down.

Horsley has asked for additional funding, but the budget crunch is making that request impossible.

Foster City faces layoffs

In a worst-case scenario, Foster City may have to eliminate 48 positions - including 31 currently filled, but city officials seem unwilling to go down that path.

To make up for a $2.42 million shortfall caused by state takeaways, the city is investigating a range of reductions to its staff. The city manager's recommended scenario calls for a reduction of 21 positions - five of which are currently filled. That recommendation calls for using $2.7 million in reserves this year and $1.9 million in reserves next year.