Names of Note: Modesto teens confronted a pipe-wielding suspect. A city says ‘thanks’
Teenage cousins Alex Farias and Rodolfo Galarza won praise for confronting a Modesto man suspected of assaulting his girlfriend last month.
The City Council presented certificates to the 17-year-olds for their help with the Nov. 24 attack near the K Street crossing of Highway 99.
“In times of need, we need to help each other, and I appreciate that you took the action you did,” Mayor Ted Brandvold said at the meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 3.
The Modesto Police Department reported that it responded to a fight between two people at about 1:30 p.m. that Sunday. Officers learned en route that a man was trying to pull a woman down a dirt hill near the freeway, police said.
The cousins were among the bystanders who heard screaming and saw that the man had armed himself with a pipe, said an email to the mayor from Capt. Brian Findlen.
“The intervention worked,” he wrote. “The suspect stopped his attack and fled the scene on foot and later on a bicycle. Farias and Galarza caught the suspect near Eighth Street and I Street and were able to detain him until a Modesto police officer arrived moments later.”
Joshua Lauk, 34, was arrested on a domestic violence charge. The woman suffered cuts and bruises, police said.
Back to the 1960s
Modesto author Ken White has written a second book set in the 1960s, this one amid the unrest of the decade’s latter half.
White’s first book, “Getaway Day” in 2014, centered on the day during the 1962 World Series that Modesto hosted practices for the rained-out Giants and Yankees.
The sequel, “Brighter Day,” brings main character Mikey Wright to 1969, amid the Vietnam War, the moon landing and other pivotal events.
The new book can be purchased online at Barnes & Noble and Amazon. White will sign and sell copies at the Modesto Barnes & Noble, 3501 McHenry Ave., from 4 to 8 p.m. Jan. 8 and noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 25.
And finally ...
Sonora oil painter Patrick Michael Karnahan has released his 2020 train calendar, “Twilight of Steam.” He also is part the Black Irish Band, which plays original folk songs based on railroad and other topics.
Karnahan will sign and sell the calendars at three gatherings:
- Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at All That Matters, 22977 Joaquin Gully Road, Twain Harte
- Dec. 14, 3 to 5 p.m., at Columbia Mercantile 1855, 11245 Jackson St., Columbia
- Dec. 15, 1 to 3 p.m., at The Wild Rose, 18141 Main St., Jamestown.
Names of Note recognizes people and organizations for their contribution to their communities. Submit items to jholland@modbee.com.
