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Latest La Mirada News and Ticker
Splash! and Armada Host Sectional Championships
The 2017 California-Nevada Speedo La Mirada Sectionals will be held at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center July 20-23.
Members from the Central California, Pacific, Southern California, San Diego/Imperial and Sierra Nevada Swimming are eligible.
You can get more information here and see live coverage of the event here.
The event is hosted by La Mirada Armada Swimming.
OTHER SWIMMING NEWS: La Mirada’s Catherine Sanchez finished tied for second in the women’s 100 fly with a time of 1:00.59 at the Los Angeles Swimming Invitational Sunday, July 16th.
Throw a Party and Support the VFW
The La Mirada VFW Post 9148 banquet room is available to rent for your next large gathering-including now on Friday’s.
Contact Robin or Gloria at (562) 943-0105 for more details.
La Mirada Connection
The Los Angeles Times is reporting former Obama administration employee Sam Jammal is running in Orange County's 39th Congressional District, saying his immigrant background is representative of its constituents.
Jammal, 35, of Fullerton, was raised in La Mirada by a Colombian mother and Jordanian father. The district has a heavy Latino and Asian population.
Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) had held the seat for 13 terms.
Cerritos College Courses to be Offered at La Mirada Adult School Campus
La Mirada~This fall, Cerritos College courses will be offered at the Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School as part of a partnership between the two districts at the La Mirada campus at 15920 Barbata Road in La Mirada.
Residents across the eastern portion of the district will have better access to high-demand English, speech and math classes. Courses at the La Mirada location start September 5, 2017. Register online www.cerritos.edu/lamirada.
Fall classes at the College’s main campus located at 11110 Alondra Blvd. in Norwalk will begin on August 14. Enroll online at www.cerritos.edu.
“By expanding our services to the La Mirada site, we look forward to a closer engagement with more of our neighbors. Residents will have greater access to education through these resources available in the heart of La Mirada,” said Zurich Lewis, president, Cerritos College Board of Trustees.
For questions concerning classes at La Mirada, please call 562-467-5025.
TICKER: Roseview Barber at Valley View and Rosecrans has gone out of business. The original owner was Al back in the 60’s and 70’s and the only other owners, we all knew as Louie and Debbie. Since the Shabuya restaurant opened at La Mirada Boulevard and Rosecrans a little over a month ago, the parking lot has been packed. Business has diminished slightly since the opening, but the eatery appears to have established itself as an area destination. I don’t know how many La Mirada residents are eating there, but we like the sales tax going into our city coffers!
Tradition of Prudent Fiscal Management Continues as City of La Mirada Approves Budget With Healthy Surplus
La Mirada~The City Council has approved the City’s budget for Fiscal Year 2017-18 with emphasis on public safety, capital improvements, and quality programs and services.
Developed using the city’s traditional prudent fiscal management practices and a conservative approach to revenue forecasting, the budget provides public safety services at a high level, maintains City programs and services to meet community needs and continues the robust capital improvements schedule.
General Fund operating revenues are projected at $44,166,147 for the year and expenditures are budgeted at $35,017,904 including non-capital project transfers.
Result: $8 million city surplus for this fiscal year.
“The adopted budget puts safety first by prioritizing funding for law enforcement services while continuing our commitment to responsible fiscal management,” says City Manager Jeff Boynton. “City finances have remained stable and investment in key infrastructure projects is evident throughout La Mirada.”
Some $8,926,208 is provided for Public Safety, including general law enforcement services, the Community Sheriff’s Station, probation and district attorney services, emergency preparedness, code enforcement, Neighborhood Watch, and other public safety volunteer programs.
A total of $28,303,000 is allocated for the city’s continued aggressive capital improvements and repair program. Major projects proposed in Fiscal Year 2017-18 include Residential Street Improvement Phases III and IV and the Santa Gertrudes (Alicante to Rosecrans) Sidewalk and Block Wall,
Other projects include the Leffingwell Road Street Rehabilitation, and median improvements on La Mirada Boulevard, Rosecrans Avenue, and Valley View Avenue.
Funding for the proposed projects includes $10.35 million from Measure I, $7.11 million from the General Fund, $2.36 million in Prop C funds, $2.25 million in Gas Tax funds, $2.55 million in Measure R funds, and $950,000 in Agency bond proceeds.
The Public Works Department will receive $7,245,978 to maintain the City’s streets, parks, and recreational areas, parkways, medians, public buildings, and storm drain facilities. This department will also coordinate and manage the City’s capital improvement projects.
FBI Raids La Mirada Home Connected in Credit Card Fraud Ring; Arrests Made Throughout Area
La Mirada~Authorities served a federal warrant on a home in La Mirada this morning in connection with an alleged credit card fraud ring and methamphetamine distribution operation.
Shortly after 6:00 Tuesday morning, residents told us they heard a loud boom as authorities used a flash-bang device to gain access to the home located in the 13800 block of Mansa Drive.
Agencies involved in the raid included the California Highway Patrol, Huntington Beach Police Department and the FBI as we first reported at 6:41 a.m. local time on our Twitter feed with exclusive photos and video.
Other arrest and search warrants were served in the southeast cities area in connection with the scam as reported by KTLA and the Cerritos Patch.
The La Mirada residents indicted in the case are still at-large at last report.
La Mirada Crime Summary May 1-7
The La Mirada crime summary, as provided by the city, for May 1-7, 2017.
Notable Arrests-Six suspects were arrested throughout La Mirada for outstanding warrants and narcotics violations. Two male suspects were arrested for an assault with a BB Gun that occurred last month at the 7-11 located at Stage Road and Alondra Boulevard.
Other Structure Burglary-A tablet was stolen during an overnight door-smash burglary on the 15800 block of Imperial Hwy. An early morning burglary was reported on the 14200 block of Rosecrans Ave. The exact loss is yet to be determined. An overnight door-smash burglary was reported on the 15100 block of Rosecrans Ave. The exact loss is yet to be determined.
Vehicle Burglary-Clothing was stolen during an overnight burglary on the 14700 block of Firestone Blvd. A GPS unit was reported stolen during an overnight burglary on the 14500 block of Gardenhill Dr.
Grand Theft-Jewelry was reported stolen on the 15000 block of Rosalita Dr. A wallet and other personal items were stolen during a daytime theft on the 13800 block of La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report
Weekly crime summary for La Mirada April 24-30, 2017
Notable Arrests- Male and female suspects were arrested for the armed robbery listed below on the 14000 block of Valley View. A male suspect was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to sell on Imperial Hwy and Valley View.
Homicide- A victim was fatally shot near the intersection of Santa Gertrudes and Alicante Rd. Two suspects have been arrested on unrelated charges, and the incident is still being investigated for their involvement.
Robbery-Two suspects robbed a convenience store at gunpoint on the 14000 block of Valley View Ave. No injuries were sustained during the incident. The suspects were later arrested.
Aggravated Assault- During a domestic incident on the 15300 block of Tacuba Dr. a victim was assaulted and sustained non-life threatening injury to the head. The suspect was arrested for the incident. A victim sustained a gunshot wound the arm on the 15000 block of Imperial Hwy. Two suspects have been arrested on unrelated charges, and the incident is still being investigated for their involvement. The victim was treated for his injury.
Two Shootings in La Mirada After Pico Rivera Carjacking
La Mirada~Two separate shooting incidents occurred in town earlier today after a carjacking in Pico Rivera.
Two suspects still at large driving green SUV. We will have further shortly.
Get the latest including our live Pericasts on our Twitter feed here.
UPDATE: 18:30-04/29/17: Receiving reports that one victim from La Mirada shooting has died.
UPDATE: 19:15 04/29/17: Vehicle used in shootings has been found at Mayberry Park in Whittier, unoccupied, suspects still at-large.
UPDATE: 06:20 05/03/17: Although not officially announced, our sources tell us and we reported on Twitter the suspects, identified as 21-year-old Alejandro Lazo and 26-year-old Reyna Gomez, have been detained after the incident at the Budget Inn at the 5 freeway and Carmenita Road in Santa Fe Springs that evening. They were apparently shot, but not by law enforcement. A look at LASD records indicates both Lazo and Gomez have extensive criminal records. Both are expected to be arraigned Tuesday May 5th at 8:30 a.m. at Downey Superior Court.
OBITUARY: Mark “Pick” Pickering
Mark “PICK” Pickering
10/04/1959 - 03/23/17
Mark John Pickering was born to John T. Pickering out of Ojai, California and Dolores Flores from Merced, California. They wed at age of 16 and shortly after started a family. Mark is followed by his sister Kathy Wilkinson in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Brother, Steve Pickering also from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Mark cherished family time, always would give his nieces and nephews, Derek Clark, Lynnette Pickering, Tyler WIlkinson, Bre-Ana Wilkinson, and Caitlin Pickering, “Life” talks every time he saw us. We couldn’t wait for them to be over so that we didn’t hear how bad we were messing up or what we could improve on. “You’re not wrong but you’re not right.” was his favorite for me. Over the years Mark and I, Tyler, had grown apart, and to be perfectly honest I hadn’t even noticed until my mom called me one day telling me he had went in for back surgery to get that squared away. It had been bothering him for years, it was about time he took care of it. It wasn’t until that moment, that it all started clicking and coming together. I suddenly could put action to all the words he said to me, I could see the way. While that realization is going on, I am half ass listening to my mom tell me to text him or call him he needs it, but not too much because he needs his rest and or is out of the room and doesn’t answer. Later that night I text him, “Thinking about you! Wishing for a fast recovery. Love you big guy!” Next day I woke up to that, “Thank you Doug and Heather for the flowers appreciate them”. I thought it was comical at the time. Now I think it’s sad because he didn’t know I was thinking about him. That how I realized how much him and I did have in common and the list goes on and on. It was too soon for me to let him go. He is gone, that I cannot change. But he is not forgotten. We are collecting pictures and memories of Mark, you can send them to drowsydwarf@gmail.com or share them here.
Northbound I-5 Alondra Boulevard/Freeway Drive On-Ramp Permanently Closed
La Mirada Resident Killed in Crash
Alexis Barragan of La Mirada, 22, was killed this past early Sunday morning after the vehicle she was travelling in crashed near Valley View and Katella Avenues.
The driver, Nicolas Sanchez-McCormick, 22, of Whittier was arrested on vehicular manslaughter and DUI charges. He was the driver of the vehicle and reportedly ran a red light.
Valley View Interchange Project Update
The northbound I-5 on-ramp at Freeway Drive/Alondra Blvd is now closed.
Motorists will now be detoured to proceed west on Alondra Boulevard, then north on Carmenita Road to access the northbound I-5 on-ramp. Heavy traffic and delays in the area are expected. Motorists are urged to use alternative routes whenever possible.
Starting Sunday, April 16 through Thursday, April 20 crews will be performing work in the median island along northbound and southbound I-5 between Artesia Boulevard to Alondra Boulevard. In order to complete this work, there will be partial lane reductions on I-5 and the northbound and southbound I-5 Valley View Avenue on- and off-ramps may be closed nightly between 7:00 p.m. and 5:45 a.m.
Pile driving and shoring activities are ongoing on the south side of Valley View Avenue. This work will be conducted weekdays during the daytime between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
PUBLIC POSTING: Committee Forming to Rename La Mirada High Softball Field After Jennie Finch
NOTICE OF PUBLIC POSTING:
The NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT is REQUESTING APPLICATIONS; FOR THE FORMING OF A COMMITTEE, FOR MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE IN EXPLORING THE NAMING OF LA MIRADA H.S. SOFTBALL FIELD.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BEGINNING APRIL 17, 2017 THROUGH APRIL 28, 2017 AND NEED TO BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN 2:00 P.M. ON THE LAST DAY.
PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO:
NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ATTN: MAINTENANCE & OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT 12820 PIONEER BLVD. NORWALK, CA 90650IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL MYRA LOPEZ, FACILITIES MANAGER AT 562-210- 2030.
APPLICATIONS CAN BE FOUND ON THE DISTRICT’S WEBSITE at NLMUSD.ORG (ON THE HOMEPAGE).
Local Retailers Burglarized; Crime Continues to Climb at Alarming Rate in La Mirada
La Mirada~Last night, the Cabo Taco Baja Grill restaurant was broken into, but the thief left with no loot. Cabo’s owner told us the incident occurred around 2:00 a.m. and told us security cameras show a male with a white hoody breaking/shattering the front door glass after attempting to use a crowbar first. Once inside, soon after, the thief flees when a motion detector activates an alarm. He attempted to grab the cash register.
This past early Friday morning, a thief broke into Sami’s Liquor located at Rosecrans and Valley View Avenues. Stolen was the entire cash register which contained about $200. However, Sami’s owner tells us the cash register itself was worth around $2000.
We have also received an unconfirmed report of a similar incident at Flame Broiler recently.
This past Saturday a truck was burglarized-in broad daylight- while parked at Creek Park. A Blog fan messaged us the incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. She told us that after a short walk, she returned to her husband’s truck to discover the window smashed. Her purse was stolen and the thieves attempted to use her credit card a short time later at the Target in La Habra.
Part One Crimes (homicides, rape, arson, aggravated assault, thefts) continue in recent years, at an alarming uptick in town. In 2014 there were 724 Part One Crimes. In 2015 there were 923 and there were 962 in 2016, according to city staff reports.
So far in 2017, sheriff reports indicate a 20% rise in these crimes over the same period last year. If this trend continues, crime will have risen over 60% in La Mirada in a four-year period.
