Community Corner

Week in Review: Motorola Commercial Filmed in Mission San Jose; Home Burglary Leads to School Lockdown

Top stories in Fremont, Newark and Union City.

FREMONT

Two Drive-By Shootings Occur on Same Street Within Four Days

A group of teenagers and young adults were unharmed after gunshots were fired on the 5000 block of Garden Way Tuesday night, police said. It was the second shooting in the neighborhood in four days, according to police spokeswoman Geneva Bosques. On Dec. 1, shots were fired in the same neighborhood around 4 a.m. A window and the exterior of a home were damaged in the incident, police said. Officers are still investigating the shootings. Read the full report here.

YouTube Finds: Motorola Commercial Filmed in Mission San Jose

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A commercial that appears to have been filmed at Mission San Jose for Motorola was posted on the company's YouTube channel in mid-November, and it has YouTube users from Fremont talking, and many are confirming that the commercial was filmed at the historical Fremont landmark. Starring a red-headed beauty and a furry dog, the advertisement shows the front steps of the mission that was founded in 1797 and highlights the DROID RAZR M and its Google Voice Translation tool. See the video and read more by clicking here.

On Tuesday night, the city swore in new mayorBill Harrison along with new councilman Vinnie Bacon and councilwoman Sue Chan, who will begin her second consecutive term on the Council. The city also said farewell to Councilman Dominic Dutra and interim Mayor Gus Morrison during a special ceremony. Bodies filled the council chambers, lined the walls and spilled into the lobby, where a reception was held for the night’s honorees. Click here to read more and to watch a video of Morrison being sworn in as mayor.

Find out what's happening in Fremontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

NEWARK

A man was arrested after a reported home burglary led to a brief car chase  and a school lockdown, police said. The burglary was reported shortly before noon Monday on the 6200 block of Madeline Drive after a witness reported seeing several men trying to "force entry" into a home on that street then left the area in a vehicle, according to a Newark police statement. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the suspects fled. A perimeter was set up and Schilling Elementary School was locked down as a precaution. Authorities eventually arrested one man. Read the full report here.

Janice Schaefer, former trustee of the Newark Unified School Board of Education, was honored Tuesday, for serving on the school board for 18 years. The longtime board member received commendations from various regional leaders and her colleagues said they were thankful for her years of service. Her seat has been filled by trustee Gary Stadler, whose term officially began Friday and who was sworn in on Tuesday.

Missing Girls from Florida Found Safe in Newark

Two young children reported missing and endangered from Florida were found safe in Newark on Tuesday, according to police. The two children were found shortly around 2:30 p.m. and were put into protective custody due to a Florida court order, according to authorities. The pair was reported missing from Melbourne, Fla., police said. Media outlets in Florida reported that the children, along with their parents, were last seen in the city of Melbourne and a search for the family of four launched after police uncovered a potential suicide pact. 

UNION CITY

Union City Businesses Unite for ‘Shop Local’ Kick-Off

More than 50 local businesses set up booths inside Crowne Plaza Thursday to celebrate the launch of the Shop Local Union City campaign.The program aims to strengthen the local economy by offering cash-back rewards to consumers and free marketing for businesses. Through Shop Local — a partnership between the City of Union City, the Union City Chamber of Commerce and Rainbow Rewards — consumers can enroll in a free rapid rewards program and get cash-back for shopping at participating businesses. Meanwhile, businesses will receive free exposure via social media promotions, direct marketing campaigns, weekly "cash mob" shopping events and events like Thursday’s kick-off. Click here to read more about Shop Local.

Elementary Teacher to be Honored by 49ers

Searles Elementary School teacher Annette Iwamoto has received a number of awards and honors throughout her 34 years working for New Haven Unified School District, but none like the one she’ll receive this weekend. This afternoon, Iwamomoto, 56, will be honored during the San Francisco 49ers’ game against the Miami Dolphins as one of the Bay Area team’s Heroes in the Classroom. Sponsored by Symetra, Heroes in the Classroom highlights 16 Bay Area teachers throughout the 49ers’ season who make a difference through education. Teachers can be nominated by students, parents or co-workers. Read more by clicking here.

Nine Men Sentenced for Series of Armed Robberies

Nine men from the Tri-Cities have been sentenced for charges they faced related to a series of armed robberies throughout southern Alameda County and Milpitas, police said. Eight of the men arrested pleaded no contest to charges they faced and one was found guilty after a trial, according to Fremont police. Police said the men were involved in 15 separate robberies of 7 Eleven stores, Wing Stop restaurants and gas stations in the cities of Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward, San Leandro and Milpitas between July 12, 2011 and August 22, 2011. Read the full report here.

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