The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 12

The Sun SATURDAY, July 16, 1994 charged Ex-baseball star may be SAFETY ft A AP WIREPHOTO Bureau of Land Management firefighter Gary Johnson shovels dirt on flames early friday at Rancho Ha- ven, near Hallelujah Junction, northeast of Reno. Wildfire blackens 13,000 acres the foundations of rural homes in the Rancho Haven and Red Rock areas. "We had some really down and dirty fire fighting last night," Giomi said. No homes were lost and there were no serious injuries as of Friday afternoon. "To have this kind of fire come through and not lose anything said Bill Stolz, another fire spokesman, whose words trailed off as he viewed about a dozen, widely spaced homes surrounded by acres of charred brush.

Betty Thiessen said the flames came within 40 feet of her home on a sagebrush hillside. "It was pretty scary," she said. "We got a cow and her calf out." Stolz credited many residents in the area with keeping the areas around their homes free of debris and flammable material. cerned earlier Friday about possible thunderstorms that never materialized, he said. "Actually, the weather has improved and things have cooled down a little," Struble said.

"The most active fire is burning along the ridgetop on the backside of the Petersen Range," said Stacey Giomi, an information officer with the Sierra Front Wildfire Cooper-ators. "The lines that they've cut have been holding." The blaze that officials suspect may have started with a carelessly discarded cigarette from a passing vehicle along U.S. 395 broke out Thursday at mid afternoon and grew to 2,500 acres in three hours, raging through grass, sagebrush and a few sparse pinion pines. It pushed eastward up Petersen Ridge and down the Nevada side in rugged terrain and grew to more than 10,000 acres by midnight. Flames licked at By Ron Delacy McClatchy News Service SONORA The Tuolumne County district attorney will consider filing charges against former baseball great Vida Blue for a possible violation of state firearm laws.

According to sheriffs reports, the former Oakland A's pitcher admits he had a loaded semi-automatic handgun while running two bicyclists away from his Twain Harte mountain property in April but Blue denies threatening anybody with it. The Sheriffs Department is submitting Blue's statement to the county district attorney's office, along with allegations by the bicyclists and a record of Blue telling a sheriffs dispatcher two weeks ago that he would shoot anybody who walks across his property. It will be up to District Attorney Mike Knowles whether any charges should be filed. Knowles was out of town this week and not available for comment. If true, Blue may have violated a state law prohibiting anyone found guilty of a felony from owning firearms in California.

Blue was convicted in a Kansas City narcotics sting in 1983. LLOYD 'BUD' CONRAD Former newspaper owner Lloyd "Bud" Conrad, 86, of Apple Valley died Monday of cancer at home. Conrad, a native of Lansing, lived in Apple Valley for 46 of his 62 years in California. He was part owner of the Victor Press before buying the Apple Valley News. He was a past president of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Lions Club, the American Legion and a lifetime member of the Disabled Veterans of America.

He served in the Marine Corps in World War II and received the Purple Heart. He was a member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Apple Valley. Survivors include his wife, Eva of Apple Valley; a son, John of Berkeley; a sister, Geri Jaffe of Montecito; and two grandchildren. Funeral services are p.m.

today at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 15757 St. Timothy Road, Apple Valley. Victor Valley Mortuary in Victorville is directing. VIRGINIA BRASIER Former Sun columnist Virginia Brasier, 84, of Alta-dena died Thursday at home of intestinal cancer.

Brasier, a native of Toronto, Canada, lived in San Bernardino 15 years. She was a columnist for the San Bernardino County Sun and was a founding member of the Academy of American Poets. Survivors include two sons, Charles Ross Perlee of Burbank and Christopher C. Perlee of Groveland; a daughter, Melinda Perlee of El Cerrito; and a sister, Margaret Brasier Zorn of Buena Park. Graveside services are 11 a.m.

today at Mountain View Cemetery, 2400 N. Fair Oaks, Al-tadena. SHIRLEY JEAN AKERS Telephone operator Shirley Jean Akers, 63, of Fontana died of cancer Thursday at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Akers, a native of Pontiac, 111., lived in Fontana for 15 years. She worked as a telephone operator for 10 years.

Survivors include a son, Cory ditch. Assistant Sheriff Mike Costa said Friday that investigators had tried since April to get Blue's side of the story, but weren't able to reach him. So they turned the information they had overdo Knowles, who told sheriffs they needed to try again to get. a statement from Blue. That finally happened Tuesday when Sheriffs Deputy Ted Mueller reached Blue by telephone.

According to Mueller's report, Blue "admitted to me that he had the gun with him during the incident, although he never pointed it at them or threatened them with it. He said he kept it in his pocket the entire time." Mueller said Blue got out of his vehicle when he saw the. bicyclists "and put a clip" in the gun while approaching the boys. When he was about 20 feet from them, he put it in his pocket arid did not take it out during the incident. "Blue said he just wanted to have some protection with him, as both the boys were big," Mueller said.

BJue also told Mueller that other residents are upset over the ditch issue, and that he was afraid somebody not him "might hurt someone." grandchildren; and two greatgrandchildren. Memorial services are 3 p.m. Sunday at Green Acres Memorial Park and Mortuary, 11715 Cedar Bloomington. Green Acres Mortuary is directing. FLORENCE M.

BARTLETT Retired secretary Florence Mahel Bartlett, 80, of San Bernardino died Tuesday at St. Bernardine Hospital. The cause of death is unknown, pending a doctor's report. Bartlett, a native of North Dakota, lived in San Bernardino for 58 years. She had been a secretary at Norton Air Force Base.

Survivors include her husband, Wallace. Sorvices were conducted by Montecito Mortuary in Loma Linda. GENEVIEVE B. LOWRY Retired credit clerk Genevieve B. Lowry, 83, of Rialto died of heart failure Wednesday at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana.

Lowry, a native of Brownsville, lived in Rialto for 40 years. She worked as a credit clerk for Joseph Horn Co. in Pittsburgh for 18 years. She was a member of the Emblem Club. Survivors include her husband, Alvin a brother, Jack Sowash of Beaver, and two sisters, Lib Hoffman of San Bernardino and Gertrude Grimm of Rialto.

Private inurnment is at Green Acres Memorial Park and Mortuary, 11715 Cedar Bloomington. The family suggests donations to the Arthritis Foundation, Inland Empire Branch, 3917 Van Buren Riverside 92503, and the American Heart Association, 1250 E. Cooley Drive, Colton, 92324. McNearney Family Mortuary is directing. In Memorlam Death notices In this column are prepared by The Sun's classified advertising department.

For Information, please call (909) 888-3252. NAOMI E. BALOSSO Age 72, passed away July 13, 1994 in San Bernardino. She was a resident of San Bernardino for 71 years. She is survived by her husband Paul of San Bernardino; daughter and son-in-law Bob and Norma Sapp of San Bernardino, son and daughter-in-law David and Debie Balosso of Crestline; sister Doris Cluff of Highland; brother-in-law' Art Balosso of San Bernardino; five grandchildren Jeff and Todd Sapp, both of San Greg Balosso of Crestline, Danny and Alana Symons, both of Crest-' line; two great-grandchildren Devon Sapp and Alexis Balosso; Aunt and Uncle Al and Edith Sirch of San Bernardino, Aunt Berdean Wood of San Bernardi--no, Aunt Leona Ryan of two nieces and three nephews! Graveside services will be held Monday, July 18 at 10am, Mountain View Cemetary.

Mountain View Mortuary In charge of. arrangements. We Love And Miss You Mom Murder charges dismissed for two of three suspects Vida Blue Had loaded handgun Blue, 45, a Cy Young Award winner and Most Valuable Player when he pitched for the A's in 1971, moved to Twain Harte in the central Sierra Nevada two years ago with his wife and family. He has constantly tried to keep people from following the old Pacific Gas Electric ditch a popular hiking and biking trail through his property. In April, two Columbia College students, riding bicycles on the trail, claimed Blue yelled at them, pointed a gun into the air and pushed one of them into the Obituaries of Reno, five daughters, Susan Jean of Sun Valley, Peggy Kelley of Riverside, Bren-da Mercado of Fontana, Shirley Maldonado of Diamond Bar and Sheila Hutton of Florida; her parents, William Williams of Illinois and Marianne Martorilli of Kansas City, two brothers, Billy and Tom Williams, both of Mansfield, two sisters, Charlotte Smith of Illinois and Connie Cuerden of Kansas City, 18 grandchildren; and six greatgrandchildren.

Visitation is from 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with services at 10 a.m., both at Ross, Burke, Knobel Mortuary, 2155 Kietzke Lane, Reno. Burial will be at Masonic Memorial Gardens in Reno. JOHN P. LAPIOLI School custodian John P.

Lapioli, 71, of Fontana died of respiratory failure Thursday at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana. Lapioli, a native of Pocatello, Idaho, lived in Fontana for 35 years. For 30 years, he was a custodian for the Fontana Unified School District. Survivors include four sons, John Jr. and Michael, both of Fontana, Kenneth of Redlands and Joseph Samuel of Rialto; two daughters, Shirley Miller of Citrus Heights and Vickie Mathers of Bloomington; and three brothers, Samuel of Utah, Tony of Palm Springs and Harry of Santa Cruz.

Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Green Acres Chapel, 11715 Cedar Bloomington. Graveside services are noon Monday at Green Acres Memorial Park in Bloomington. MARY L. BROWN San Bernardino resident Mary L.

Brown, 62, of San Bernardino died of heart disease July 8 at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center. Brown, a native of Vivi, lived in San Bernardino for 12 years. She was a member of the Citrus Belt Women's Bowling Association. Survivors include her husband, Hal; four sons, Butch Herrmann of Chino, Stephen Herrmann of Rialto, Bill Herrmann of Temecula and Guy Herrmann of Upland; her mother, Dorothy Hayes of Hesperia; a sister, Rose Chapman of Hesperia; five love you gave me, and for teaching me all that you did. I'll never forget you, Papa.

I'll love you forever. Your pretty little one, Lindsay Jonel Zdllor Stanley Fontana Tell us about someone special to you who recently died. Submissions should be 1 SO words or less and must Include the name of the funeral home, the writer's daytime phone number and the deceased person's name, age, place of residence, place, date and cause of death. No poetry will be accepted. Information contained In obituaries should not be re-peated.

Tributes can be laxed to The Sun at (714) 88S-8741 or sent to Assistant Metro Editor Jan Sears, The Sun, 399 N. San Bernardino 92401 A7 The Associated Press VALLEJO A municipal court judge ordered a former armored car company employee to stand trial in connection with the 1991 slaying of three armored car guards, but dismissed charges against two other suspects. Vallejo Benicia Municipal Court Judge F. Paul Dacey, Jr. presiding over a preliminary hearing for the three suspects, on Friday ordered truck driver Victor McClain and James Brown released from custody.

But Dacey bound Eugene Livingston, 38, over for trial on murder charges. The charges stem from a shotgun attack on three Loo-mis armored car guards during a botched robbery attempt at a Loomis transfer station in Vallejo on Nov. 13, 1991. By Sandra Chereb The Associated Press HALLELUJAH JUNCTION Firefighters worked Friday to cut lines around a blaze that charred 13,000 acres of sagebrush and steep canyon terrain and barely spared a handful of homes on the California-Nevada border. By midday, flames that roared through brittle sagebrush and desert grasses the night before had tempered some, allowing firefighters to bring in bulldozers to assist hand crews in trying to build a defense line.

As of 8 p.m. Friday, 648 firefighters assisted by air tankers and helicopters had the blaze 25 percent contained, said Mark Struble, information officer for the U.S. Forest Service. "We expect that percentage figure to go way up Saturday morning," he said. Firefighters were con Courts Governor makes 3 selections Ex-GOP chairman, two others are appointed to state appeals courts.

jbe Associated Press SACRAMENTO Former slate Republican Chairman Paul Haerle and two Superior Court judges were named to state appeals courts Friday by Gov. Pete Haerle, a San Francisco attorney, and Alameda County Superi-or Court Judge Carol Corrigan nominated to the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Sacramento Superior Judge Fred Morrison was nominated to the 3rd District ICburt of Appeal in Sacramento. Haerle, 62, long involved in Republican politics, was state chairman from 1975 to 1977. His strong support of Presi-dfcnt Gerald Ford for re-election in 1976 angered some supporters lot former Gov. Ronald Reagan, unsuccessfully opposed Ford for the nomination.

ij His party positions were not 'mentioned in Wilson's news release announcing his appointment. Charles Poochigian, Wil-ison's appointments secretary, said political affiliations are nev-iej mentioned in announcements Injudicial appointments. Haerle had been Reagan's appointments secretary from 1967 ij 1969 after two years as a part-rler in the San Francisco law firm lot Thelen, Marrin, Johnson Bridges. He returned to the firm lit 1969 and is still a partner. Corrigan, 45, spent 12 years in the Alameda County district at-Itdrney's office before becoming a Municipal Court judge in 1987.

Wilson elevated her to Superior four years later. She also was appointed by (President Reagan to a presidential Commission on Organized where she served from 1983 to 1986. i 'A She succeeds Justice Kathryn IWerdegar, appointed by Wilson tgthe state Supreme Court. Morrison, 53, spent seven ars in the Army's Judge Advo- jcBte General's Corps and three jyears as a federal prosecutor be-ifbj-e becoming a Municipal Court Judge in 1985 and a Superior jCJwrt judge in 1989. I He succeeds Justice Frances iNfewell Carr, who died in January '1592.

Autopsy fails to clear up pepper-spray death Tributes Livingston was scheduled to be arraigned Aug. 8 in Solano County Superior Court. He is charged with three counts of murder, conspiracy and a special circumstance. He faces the death penalty. Livingston, a Loomis employee for more than nine years, is being held without bail.

Livingston's attorney, Dan Russo, said his client has no criminal record and did not plan or take part in the robbery. Russo said he will ask that all charges be dropped in Superior Court. A fourth suspect, Thomas Durand Young, 29, had been scheduled to plead guilty as part of plea bargain. During the preliminary hearing, he recanted statements he had previously made incriminating the three suspects. uary 1993 in which someone has died in California after being sprayed with the chemical.

Allan Parachini, public affairs director for the ACLU in Los Angeles, said the Placer County case "fits a disquieting pattern" in which someone possibly under the influence of drugs has died after being sprayed. "It's too early to know specifically why this man died," Parachini said. "But there are ing parallels to some of the other deaths. Pepper spray doesn't appear to be reliably effective among people who are high on drugs." Nunes defended the use of the chemical, saying it has worked well for his department in subduing violent suspects. "It allows us to take a person in with a minimum amount of force," he said.

"Until the attorney general either reverses or considers reversing its use, I'd like to see it kept in operation." Pepper spray is a concoction of ground cayenne pepper suspended in an oil-based mist. It works by irritating mucous membranes, producing a burning sensation and a swelling that disables the person. An autopsy on the man who died Thursday was completed at 4:30 p.m. Friday, but it failed to reveal the cause of deathf By Art Campos McClatchy News Service An autopsy Friday failed to reveal the cause of death of a man who stopped breathing after he was hit with pepper spray by Placer County sheriffs deputies on the west shore of Lake Tahoe. The unidentified man appeared to have been under the influence of a drug and was rambling incoherently Thursday night when officers approached him at Blackwood Canyon Campground, four miles south of Tahoe City, Placer County Sheriff Donald J.

Nunes said. When officers tried to arrest him, the man, who appeared to be in his early 40s, became violent and he was hit with the pepper spray, Nunes said. The man continued to resist as he was handcuffed and led to the patrol car, the sheriff said. "And then he just went limp," Nunes said. The sherifTsaid his office will conduct an internal investigation into the officers' actions, and that he has asked the Placer County District Attorney's Office to conduct its own investigation.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which has expressed concern over the use of the potent and disabling nepper spray, said the incident is in 19th since Jan Daughter looks to stars for her 'Papa' JohnE.Zdilor,69,of Fontana died of cancer April 21, 1993, at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Fontana. My dearest "Buddy" Papa: What star are you in heaven? Every night before I go to bed I look for you in the sky. I get so excited when I see the brightest star because I know that it's you. I miss you so much. The day you went to heaven, I asked if there was a phone in heaven so I could call you and see if you were all right.

I wanted to plant some seeds and grow a giant beanstalk, climb through the clouds to heaven, so I could see you. You were my playmate and best buddy, and the hours we shared daily will always be mem-. orles I will hold very dear to my heart. Thank you, Papa, for all tmj CREMAYDON 530 COST AARON CREMATION DURIAL PhonHour. -MmZSZLid.