By Controlled burn at Russian Ridge

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District was scheduled to conduct a controlled burn sometime between Thursday and the end of this week at Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve adjacent to Skyline Boulevard.

The one- to two-day burn was dependent on weather conditions.

The California Department of Forestry oversees the annual burn project intended to reduce the growth of non-native plant species.

Approximately 10 fire engines, 30 crew members, one bulldozer and 28 staff members were scheduled to be on hand during the burn.

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is located in Los Altos.

Los Altos

Woman honored for catching thief

Los Altos Hills

Los Altos police last week publicly honored the Bay Tree Lane resident who set a trap that helped capture an alleged mail and identity thief.

Victoria Slichter received a plaque for what police described as going beyond the call of duty. She was invaluable in the capture of the San Jose man who allegedly stole mail from residents in several cities along the Peninsula, Capt. Bob Lacey said.

“We cannot thank her enough. I wish we had more citizens like her,” Lacey said.

Slichter put a piece of “bait” mail in her mailbox to catch the man who she believed had stolen a check from her mailbox. When he returned to take the “bait,” Slichter called police.

Police arrested him May 21.

-Town Crier Staff Report