Features

Prison’s target ranges closed 

SAN RAFAEL — Two target ranges at San Quentin State Prison have been closed after stray bullets thought to have been fired at one range struck a man more than a mile away. 

The 32-year-old man, who works for George Lucas’ special effects company Industrial Light & Magic, was standing outside his building Monday when a bullet bounced off the sidewalk and hit his forearm. A second bullet grazed the left side of his head and another hit a car. 

San Rafael Police Department spokesman Margo Rohrbaher said U.S. Park Police were training when the bullets went over a hill and crossed Interstate 580 before hitting the man at Industrial Light & Magic. 

“Based on how they were shooting in a prone position, the bullets left their guns and traveled up over the hillside,” she said. “If you look at a topography map, you’ll see it’s almost a straight line from the top of that hill.” 

At least 15 bullets were thought to have left the range. 

The man was treated and released from Marin General Hospital. 

Public transit fares increase 

SAN JOSE — Citing the weak economy for a drop in sales tax revenue, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has proposed hiking fares and reducing service across the board. 

The VTA says it will seek the changes to boost revenue and reduce operating costs. If the board approves the changes, fares for all riders, including seniors and disabled passengers, would increase in July, and the route reductions would begin July 8. It would be the first fare hike in three years. 

The board of directors, which typically follows VTA recommendations, is expected to vote on the plan at its May 2 meeting. 

For adults, a one-way fare would rise 15 cents to $1.40, a day pass would rise $1 to $4 and a monthly pass would rise $6 to $45.  

Youth fares would see the largest percentage bump in price: A one-way fare would rise 15 cents to 85 cents, a 21 percent increase, and a day pass would jump 75 cents to $2.50, a 43 percent increase. 

Of the 78 bus lines run by the VTA, 56 would face some service reduction. Passengers may have to wait longer between buses, and service may stop earlier in the evening and begin later in the morning, according to the agency.