AROUND TOWN:Woman pleads not guilty in Eastbluff teacher’s death

The woman who was charged in the death of Eastbluff Elementary School teacher Candace Tift pleaded not guilty Monday in Orange County Superior Court.

Janene Johns, 53, of Irvine is charged with gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and driving under the influence. Her pre-trial is expected to begin June 29 at Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

Johns was arrested Aug. 23 after a car allegedly driven by her veered onto the sidewalk and struck Tift, who was riding a bicycle with her dog on a leash. Tift, 31, who taught the fourth and fifth grades at Eastbluff, died the following day of head and body injuries. She left behind a husband and 1-year-old son.

— Michael Miller