BRIEFLY CRASH VICTIM'S KIN GIVES TO MEMORIAL.

VENTURA - The family of an Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crash victim drove from Seattle to Ventura County to deliver a $1,000 donation for a memorial to the 88 people who died when the jetliner plunged into the sea off Port Hueneme.

Patty Sanchez, showing off photographs of her daughter, Colleen Whorley, said she wanted her 34-year-old daughter remembered by more than just old photos.

The woman handed over a $1,000 check Wednesday to help build a permanent memorial for victims of the Jan. 31 crash. Sanchez drove with her husband, John, from their Seattle home to sign the check in person.

The money was put in a memorial fund established by Kim Gunter of Port Hueneme, and managed by the Ventura County Community Foundation.

``This is a real heartfelt project for me. I want to see it through to completion,'' Gunter said. So far, the fund has raised more than $3,000 from about 100 donors, foundation President Kate McLean said.

The group wants to collect at least $20,000.

Sanchez said the location and scope of the memorial is being discussed by families of victims.

- Associated Press 

Dog heals without second operation

SIMI VALLEY - A dog thrown from a freeway overpass by teen-agers is recovering nicely from leg surgery last week and will not need a second surgery, as previously thought, veterinarians said.

Surgeons at Valley Veterinary Hospital said Wednesday that the left leg of the dog named William is healing without an operation. The dog's front two legs were broken in the fall from the Rice Avenue bridge over Highway 101.

There have been no arrests, despite a $9,000 reward offer.

``He's in really good spirits and he's actually wagging his tail,'' said Jenny Abshire of Animal Rescue Volunteers.

- Associated Press

Woman indicted on fraud counts

WESTLAKE VILLAGE - A federal grand jury indicted a resident on nine counts of bankruptcy fraud and eight counts of mail fraud on suspicion of defrauding financially strapped homeowners with promises of assistance, authorities said Thursday.

If convicted, Charlene Kay Kalk, 43, faces up to 85 years in prison and fines up to $4.25 million, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Authorities said Kalk promised homeowners that her company, Densmore Investments, would take over mortgage payments and save their credit, only to rent out the properties until the banks foreclosed.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI's Ventura Office and the U.S. Trustees Office. Kalk is scheduled to be arraigned by a federal magistrate judge on Aug. 28.

- Daily News

Camarillo woman to begin jail term

VENTURA - A Camarillo woman will begin a 10-day jail sentence Monday for taking money from youth football and cheerleading organizations.

Lisa Brockett, 31, pleaded no contest last month to misdemeanor grand theft for taking more than $8,700 from Pacific Youth Football Cheerleading and Camarillo Roadrunner Youth Football.

In addition to the jail time, a judge sentenced Brockett on Wednesday to three years' probation and ordered her to pay restitution. She has already repaid half the money.

Brockett had served as treasurer for the Pacific Youth board and as cheerleading director on the youth football board.

- Associated Press