La Mirada Blog
Articles by Tony Aiello
La Mirada Planning Commission May Decide Fate of The Carriage Coffee Shop
La Mirada~Protestors are expected to fill the council chambers as the planning commission will decide whether or not to grant a conditional use permit to McDonalds , paving the way for the restaurant goliath to replace one of La Mirada’s long standing businesses and landmarks-The Carriage Coffee Shop.
If granted, the permit would allow McDonalds to construct a drive–thru at the new restaurant.
The meeting will take place Thursday, March 20th beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The proposed action set off a firestorm in the community on our Facebook page since we broke the story on March 5th-generating over 120 comments so far from people weighing in.
Many residents say this is another example of small-town La Mirada disappearing, “We don't need another fast food restaurant, especially McDonalds. The Carriage is a city landmark and the only coffee shop in town. It has been a meeting place for La Mirada residents forever. We need more family restaurants in this town, not less, said Blog fan Barbara Hayes.
Still others like Blog fan Richard Marcher says it makes good economic sense for La Mirada, “It appears that McDonald's market research finds a high demand for their product. That is why they chose to invest in the community. Individually, you may not care for it, but collectively you do.”
The Carriage operates on a month to month lease and the owners of the property-Rich Development, LLC-have not returned our calls.
Although the tearing down of The Carriage would be a blow to nostalgia lovers, the city would stand to gain a substantial amount of monies in sales tax because of the higher volume and longer operating hours a McDonalds would bring to the table.
Detectives Continue to Work Stubborn Bona Vista Case; Asking for Public Help
La Mirada~Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau continue to investigate the recent shooting death of a young man and are asking for the public for help.
Officials have concluded Dominique Mendoza, 20, of La Mirada was shot outside the home at 13409 Bona Vista Lane in La Mirada on February 16th sometime before 12:41 a.m. when they received the shots fired call.
When police arrived they found evidence of a shooting but no victim.
A bit later, an unknown person dumped Mendoza’s body in the parking area of the emergency trauma center at Presbyterian Hospital in Whittier. A passerby noticed the body lying on the ground.
Sgt. Ken Clark told the La Mirada Blog yesterday that Mendoza, “May have known the people who shot him.”
“We’re asking for help, Clark said, “We believe there is someone out there who witnessed what happened.”
Because the investigation is still ongoing, Clark offered very little more about the details of the case at this time.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Sgt. Ken Clark or Sgt. Tim Cain at the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
Shooting Victim in Norwalk Was La Mirada Resident
La Mirada~A shooting victim found on the 12000 block of Lowemont Street in Norwalk this past Sunday morning has been identified as a La Mirada resident.
Carlos Aguilar, 25, of La Mirada was pronounced dead at the scene at around 1:42 a.m. according to the La Mirada Lamplighter Newspaper.
Officials are continuing their investigation, anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
John Glenn to Play Home Football Games at Goodman Stadium
Norwalk~The John Glenn High School varsity football team will play their home games at Goodman Stadium in La Mirada beginning with the 2014-15 season the school has announced.
Glenn Athletic Director Linda Parra confirmed to the La Mirada Blog that Glenn will play eight home games at La Mirada beginning August 28th against Magnolia High.
Four of the Eagles eight home games will be played on a Thursday night in weeks when La Mirada High is also playing at home.
The Eagles will also have Thursday night games on September 4th, 25th, and October 30th against Pioneer, Bellflower and Norwalk respectively.
Friday night opponents at home include Santa Ana Valley, Gardena, and Mayfair.
La Mirada will play Glenn October 13th with the Matadores playing as the home team.
EXCLUSIVE: La Mirada to Reconvene Gang and Drug Task Force
La Mirada~The City Manager has called for the reconvening of a community group that has sat idle in recent years.
Jeff Boynton told the La Mirada Blog the Gang and Drug Task Force, which existed for a number of years in the city in the past, will be reconvening beginning with the initial meeting last evening (Thursday).
Boynton told the LMB the group will include representatives from the “Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office, Probation, School District, clergy, counseling services, and City staff.”
In the past the group met periodically to discuss general issues in the community, primarily involving youths, the idea being that the members of the group could serve as mentors and a resource for the kids.
No McKidding; Road May be Paved for McDonald’s to Replace The Carriage
La Mirada~Whatever you think of the concept, a McDonald's may be opening in La Mirada for the first time ever.
The La Mirada Blog has learned the La Mirada Planning Commission will be voting at its March 20th meeting whether or not to grant a McDonald's franchisee a conditional use permit to allow a drive-thru at the proposed new restaurant.
The meeting is open to the public and begins at 6:30 p.m.
La Mirada High Basketball Boys Fall
Santa Margarita~The La Mirada High Boys Basketball season came to an end Friday night falling to Santa Margarita 66-51, in the CIF Southern Section Division 3AA Semifinal.
The Matadores fell behind early 9-0 and never seemed to recover in front of a raucous crowd at Santa Margarita.
La Mirada ends the season with a overall record of 21-10 including going 10-2 in the Suburban League with their two losses to Mayfair who lost to Mater Dei 77-59 in the Cif-SS Open Division quarterfinal.
La Mirada Cub Scout Pack Hosts Annual Dinner and Show
La Mirada~Over 200 guests attended the Blue and Gold Dinner hosted by La Mirada Cub Scout Pack 919 this past Friday at Community Presbyterian Church of La Mirada.
Every February, packs across America celebrate the “birthday” of Scouting and it is the highlight of the year, bringing families together for an evening of fun and cheer.
The theme for the La Mirada pack event this year was Star Wars and included a silent auction, a bbq dinner and a live auction along with plenty of kids’ activities.
An entertainment show entitled the “Star Wars Extravaganza” included a laser battle that wowed the crowd.
The event serves as a major fundraiser for the pack with all funds, “going back to the pack,” said Sandra Green who serves as the pack city liaison and also helps organizes various events.
Parent Kati Dominguez told us, “This is certainly our biggest event and everyone gets really excited We have some really awesome parents who really go all out, so it makes it really nice.”
Cub Scouting is a year-round, family-oriented part of the Boy Scouts of America program designed for boys for boys who are in first through fifth grades (or are 7, 8, 9, and 10 years of age promoting character development, good citizenship and personal achievement.
Cub Master Brandon VanScoy advised us the Scouts hand out flyers at local elementary schools every May and September in ”The Roundup” a program designed to inform the community about Scouting.
Anyone looking for more information about the La Mirada Cub Scout Pack including how to join may call (562) 310-3171 for more information.
Girls & Boys Soccer, Boys Basketball All Advance in CIF for LM High
022614 20:10 UPDATE: The La Mirada High Boys Basketball team advanced to the Division 3AA semifinals with a thrilling 54-50 victory over visiting Palm Desert Tuesday. Bryson Laverde sealed the victory with two clutch free throws down the stretch. La Mirada will be playing in the semis for the first time since 2009 and only the fourth time in school history when they face number one seed Santa Margarita on the road Friday February 28th at 7 p.m.
The Boys Soccer team fell to Sierra Vista earlier in the day by a score of 3-0. The Mats end the season at 16-7-3.
In girls soccer, The number one seed in Division IV Lady Matadores were shocked Wednesday by Lancaster 3-1. The loss snapped the Mats 13-game winning streak and was the only second time this season the girls allowed an opponent more than two goals. The girls end the season at 25-2-1.
La Verne~The La Mirada High boys basketball team beat Bonita Friday night 48-34 in second round action to advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF Division 3AA Southern Section Playoffs.
The victory capped off a week in which the school went 4-0 in CIF action.
In the opening round on Tuesday the Matadores pummeled La Puente 65-41 behind Kendall Lauderdale’s 24 points and Vittorio Reynoso-Avila’s 13.
The Mats next take on Palm Desert in the quarter’s at home Tuesday February 25th starting at 7:00 p.m.
In other CIF action:
In Division 4, La Mirada High Boys Soccer (16-6-3) opened the playoffs at home this past Thursday with a 2-0 win over Bishop Amat.
The team advances to the second round where they will play on the road at Sierra Vista (21-0-2) on Tuesday February 25th. Game time is 5:00 p.m.
In Division 4, the La Mirada High Girls Soccer team (25-1-1, 12-0), continued their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Saddleback on Friday night at home.
The team advances to the second round where they will take a long road trip and play Lancaster on Wednesday February 26th at 3:00 p.m.
The Lady Mats have now won 13 games in a row after finishing 12-0 in the Suburban League. Their only loss of the season was to Mira Costa on December 28th.
In that 3-1 loss to Mira Costa it was the only time the Lady Mats have allowed more than one goal in a game and they have outscored their opponents 107-7 this season.
Playoff Week at La Mirada High
La Mirada~The CIF-SS high school playoffs begin this week with contests scheduled to take place at La Mirada High.
Tonight, boys basketball, led by third year head coach Bryce Jones, will take on La Puente after earning a first round home game.
The Mats are competing in Division 3-AA as a number five seed.
The Matadores (18-9, 10-2) finished in second place in the Suburban League, its only league losses coming at the hands of first place Mayfair.
The Warriors (13-12, 10-4) finished in third place in the Montview League. Game time is 7:00
Thursday, La Mirada boys soccer earned a first round home game and are competing in Division 4. They host Bishop Amat beginning at 3 p.m.
Friday, La Mirada girls soccer competes in Division 4 as the number one seed after finishing 12-0 in the Suburban League. They will host the winner of today's Don Lugo/Saddleback contest. Fridays game at La Mirada High starts at 5 p.m.
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