27 December 2011
The election of a new City Council and the untimely deaths of young
people were among the year's top stories.
 | |
| Photo courtesy of Susan Pascal |
New government officials, the unexpected deaths of young people and a
heart-warming rescue effort are just some of the news highlights of
2011.
Here’s our roundup of the year’s top stories and more:
New Mayor and New City Council Members
On November 8, incumbent John Edelston was re-elected to the Agoura Hills
City Council while newcomer Illece Buckley Weber also won a seat on
the dais.
Buckley Weber, who replaced outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Dan Kuperberg,
earned the most votes with 1,427. Edelston garnered 1,362 ballots.
Edelston vowed to “continue what he started” while Buckley Weber
“wants to strengthen the City Council’s relationship with the school
district.”
During the annual
council reorganization meeting on December 6, Edelston was being as
mayor, replacing outgoing Mayor Harry Schwarz.
 | |
| Photo courtesy of Esnewsreporting via YouTube |
Death of Griffen Kramer
In October, Griffen Kramer, 18, a backup quarterback for the Thousand
Oaks High School football team was found dead at a friend’s Agoura
Hills home.
Two months later, the Los
Angeles County Coroner’s office confirmed that Kramer died of heroin
overdose.
Three of Kramer’s friends were booked on suspicion of involuntary
manslaughter. A fourth one was booked and arrested on a
narcotics-related charge.
Kramer was the son of former NFL quarterback Erik Kramer, whose
football career included stints with Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit and San
Diego.
October Suicides
Also in October, Joshua
Feinberg, 21, was found dead at the bottom of Ridge Dam in Malibu.
The former Agoura resident was attending college at the time of his
death. While the circumstances surrounding his death, friends believed
he was “upset about his grades,” according to a text message and a note
he left in his car.
A few days later, an Agoura
High School senior committed suicide by intentionally driving his
car off of Piuma Road and crashing.
Dan Behar, 17, died in the single-vehicle crash that sparked a small
brush fire. Prior to his death, Behar bade his fellow students goodbye
through a mass text message. He also indicated where they could find his
body.
Though unrelated, the two suicides prompted parents, educators and
local residents to gather
at the library of Agoura High School, to offer comfort, seek
answers and discuss other teen-related problems.
 |
| Photo courtesy of Laura Moss |
Woman Brain Dead After Being Struck by Car
The Agoura
woman who was hit by a car was pronounced brain dead by UCLA
doctors.
Rachela Gorodenzik, 51, of Agoura Hills, was on her way to a Pilates
class on December 6, when she was struck by a car driven by Danuda
Raczek, 58, who is also from Agoura.
Gorodenzik was treated at the scene and airlifted to UCLA Medical
Center, where she was first listed as being in critical condition,
authorities said.
Father and Son Rescued at Pyramid Lake
A former Ukrainian singer demonstrated how to give a proper thank-you
after being rescued.
Alexander
Vasilyez, 60, and his son Stan, 29, were rescued from a dam in Pyramid
Lake after their 10-foot pontoon boat capsized.
Father and son were fishing when a giant wave washed the two
overboard. They awaited rescue for about 90 minutes.
On dry land, the older Vasilyez gave sheriff’s deputies a rendition
of God Bless America to show his appreciation.
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