Alleged OB rapist charged with new count Based on DNA evidence, new charges involving another victim have been filed against a man charged with kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman in Ocean Beach. Bail was increased from $300,000 to $1.5 million for Richard Christopher Butts, 25, who pleaded not guilty to all charges on April 17. A June 28 preliminary hearing has been set in San Diego Superior Court. DNA evidence found at the March 24 sexual assault in Ocean Beach also allegedly matches DNA evidence left in an Aug. 25 rape against another woman. Butts is now charged with kidnapping both women with the intent to commit sexual assault. Two kidnapping counts carry a life term that includes parole, according to court records. He is charged with a total of eight felonies. The victim in Ocean Beach was walking on Long Branch Avenue around 10:15 p.m. when a man grabbed her and attacked her. The woman screamed and neighbors called police. Butts was arrested by police near Robb Field. — Neal Putnam

Bronze lifeguard statue garners funding The city has donated $20,000 toward the construction of a 6-foot-3-inch bronze memorial tribute to lifeguards in Ocean Beach following an April 16 vote by the City Council. District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer donated $15,000 of his district funds and District 6 City Councilwoman Lorie Zapf donated $5,000 from her office. With Faulconer’s motion, the council voted 7-0 to donate the funds to the project. The lifeguard memorial will be constructed in front of the Ocean Beach lifeguard station at 1950 Abbott St. Most of the donations so far have been privately based. The memorial notes the 1918 tragic drowning deaths of 13 World War I soldiers from Camp Kearny who were swimming in the ocean. There were no lifeguards at the time. This event gave rise to the establishment of a professional lifeguard service in the city. The sculpture in Ocean Beach is expected to enhance the public space and provide a historical and cultural asset to the community. — Neal Putnam

Resignations leave 2 openings on PCPB? Annual elections are over, but unexpected resignations have created two openings on the Peninsula Community Planning Board. Eligible citizens have been invited to pitch their candidacies at the board’s next meeting May 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library, 3701 Voltaire St. One term expires in March 2014, the other in March 2015. Potential candidates will be interviewed by the board and a vote taken at the meeting.  Candidates must be at least 18 and reside, own property or run a business in the planning area, which includes the following neighborhoods: Ocean Beach Highlands, Point Loma Highlands, Loma Alta, Loma Palisades, Loma Portal, Fleetridge, Roseville, Sunset Cliffs, Wooded Area, La Playa, Roseville and Liberty Station. The exact boundaries and candidate application forms are available at pcpb.net. Voters recently elected seven members, three of whom were incumbents — Jay Shumaker, Patricia Clark and Jarvis Ross. Three freshmen took their seats for the first time last month: Nicole Burgess, Brittany Taylor and Bruce Cook. The seventh, Cal Jones, resigned before taking office. Board members said it’s likely that the one-year position will be offered to Shannon Osborne, the first runner-up who trailed the others by a single vote. The other opening results from the resignation of Rich Possanza, who has two years remaining on his term. Candidates must have attended one regular meeting within the previous 12 months. Attending the candidates’ forum that occurred on March 7 would also qualify for this requirement.  Applications should be submitted by Thursday, May 9.  The PCPB meets on the third Thursday of each month and has various subcommittees that also meet on a regular basis.  More information is available by contacting board chairwoman Julia Quinn at [email protected]. — Tony de Garate

Leadership workshop shows girls they matter Young women in San Diego might have forgotten how much they matter. The Jenna Druck Center aims to change that and inspire young women to change how they see themselves and become leaders in their own lives at its upcoming “You Matter” Leadership Workshop. The workshop brings guest speakers Matthew Emerzian, founder of Every Monday Matters; and Kathy Cuff, senior consulting partner at The Ken Blanchard Companies, who will engage the girls in learning the skills and tools they need to move from being a beginner to a competent achiever in any task or situation, as well as what they can do every week to make a difference in their communities. The workshop takes place May 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Barracks 17 at Liberty Station, 2710 Historic Decatur Road. There is a registration fee of $25, but scholarships are available and no girl will be turned away, according to organizers. For more information or to register, visit www.jennadruckcenter.org/youmatterworkshop.