News
Dry Winds Forecast for La Mirada Area
La Mirada~Powerful Santa Ana winds are expected to begin blowing Wednesday night across La Mirada and all of Southern California, heightening the risk of wildfires, forecasters said.
Wind gusts from 30 mph to 50 mph are expected expected across a wide swath of the region, including the valleys and along the Grapevine, according to the National Weather Service. The dry northeast winds, along with the low humidity, are expected to last until Friday evening.
"The state will be set for potentially bringing the strongest and most widespread Santa Ana wind event so far this season," the agency said in a statement Tuesday. "Dry fuels will bring the potential for critical fire weather conditions."
The agency issued fire weather watches, which signal elevated brush-fire danger, from San Luis Obispo to San Diego counties
La Mirada Properties Grow in Assessed Value
La Mirada~Assessed valuation of private properties in the City of La Mirada passed the $5 billion mark for the first time during 2012, according to the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office.
The value of properties in La Mirada grew by $103,205,988 to a total of $5,062,501,248 during the year. The pace of growth in La Mirada, which is a nearly fully developed community, was on par with the County as a whole.
There are 13,416 residential parcels in La Mirada, 486 commercial-industrial parcels and 62 residential income properties, according to the Assessor’s report.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 10/8/12-10/14/12
Robbery-A robbery was reported on the 12700 block of Valley View Ave. The incident is currently under investigation.
Aggravated Assault-An assault was reported on the 13600 block of Duffield Ave. The incident is also currently under investigation.
Residential Burglary-Three residential burglary incidents were reported last week. A burglary was reported on the 15200 block of Vanada Rd. It was determined that no entry was actually made. An incident was reported on the 13400 block of Fontwell Ct. A computer and accessories were stolen from the residence. A burglary was reported on the 14200 block of Whiterock Dr. Various items were taken from the residence.
Vehicle Burglary-Six vehicle burglaries were reported last week. A burglary was reported on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. Various electronics were stolen from the vehicle. An incident was reported on the 14300 block of Rosecrans Ave. A car stereo was taken from the vehicle. A third row seat was reported stolen in a vehicle burglary on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. A window smash burglary occurred on the 15300 block of Fairhope Dr. A tote bag containing various items was stolen. Two separate vehicle burglaries were reported on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. Third row seats, electronics, and cash were taken from the vehicles.
Grand Theft Vehicle-Two vehicle thefts were reported last week. A vehicle was reported stolen from the 11600 block of Hollyview Dr.A vehicle reported stolen from the 14700 block of Los Fuentes Rd. was recovered the next day.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 10/1/12-10/7/12
Robbery-A robbery was reported on the 13900 block of Whiterock Dr. The incident is currently under investigation.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15400 block of Lemon Dr. It is unknown if any items were stolen from the location.
Vehicle Burglary-An incident was reported on the 14200 block of Firestone Blvd. Third row seats were stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot.
Grand Theft-A grand theft was reported from the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. A cell phone and cash were stolen from a backpack.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A vehicle was reported stolen from the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. A vehicle reported stolen from Montebello PD jurisdiction was recovered near Parise Dr. and Priscilla St.
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Resident Advocacy Group Forms in La Mirada Over Train Noise
Advocacy group forms to seek resident protection from future noise by lobbying for a sound wall
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| Residents who recently gathered at a home on San Ardo Drive to discuss a railroad sound wall |
La Mirada~The Valley View Grade Separation Project, now officially started, and in its early stages, has rekindled an issue as old as the city itself-train traffic and the noise associated with it; and a former school board member is heading up a new advocacy group to ensure resident’s interests are protected.
The Valley View project-a $65 million joint venture between Caltrans, BNSF Railway, and the cities of La Mirada and Santa Fe Springs will create a railroad bridge and underpass, allowing the Valley View Avenue traffic at Stage Road, to flow underneath the tracks, eliminating the need for a grade signal.
When the endeavor is completed, sometime in late 2014, barring any unexpected occurrences the trains will no longer have to sound their whistle at the intersection, bringing relief too many. More importantly, traffic congestion will be essentially eliminated at the intersection.
However, that’s not good enough for Nancy Jenkins and her dozens of neighbors in the Neff Park/Stage Road area of La Mirada who are concerned train traffic and the noise associated with it, that they experiencing now, will only increase in the future.
After a city-sponsored informational meeting about the Valley View project held on August 13th, many of the group felt disenfranchised.
“They made us feel like we weren’t allowed to speak,” said Jenkins, who said the group repeatedly asked about a sound wall and was told over and over again it is not in the city’s budget.
“It was understood that in no uncertain terms nobody wanted to address the problems of the sounds we live with 24/7,” said Jenkins, “This is nothing new for us. We have had issues with the noise around here for a very long time.
Group member Carlos Garcia concurred, “They seemed to get mad when we started asking questions.”
Then, Jenkins said, a city-provided facilitator attempted to lead the group with feel-good chants, yes chants, leaving attendees with their jaws dropped. “It was just an inane thing,” she said.
Since then, Jenkins along with others, have created an advocacy group, organizing and mobilizing, by canvassing the neighborhood and gathering signatures for a petition to present to the city, with the hopes in finding some support for a sound wall.
She also is looking forward to discussions with city officials about the wall, and gives the city the benefit of the doubt, as their might have been some misunderstandings at the city-run meeting.
The group currently has over 650 signatures and their goal is to get about 800, and then present the petition at the October 23rd City Council meeting. Most of the initial supporters live on San Ardo Drive which runs parallel with the train track, but now the effort has reached as far north as San Esteban Drive to the north, and Figueras Road to the east.
Jenkins, a former Norwalk-La Mirada School Board member, who last served in that capacity in 1987 after three terms, is the informal leader of the group.
She and the others want to make it perfectly clear, their main concern is the new third mainline track slated to be laid down soon.
Crossroads Shopping Center Getting Facelift
La Mirada~Demolition work is underway at the Crossroads Shopping Center at Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard.
The demolition work will clear the site for the development of a 13,650 square foot Walgreens Pharmacy drug store. Construction on the new drug store is set to begin in November. Other improvements at the shopping center will include the a 30,000 square-foot supermarket and other retail shops. This project will be completed in 2013.
“This is the first development to be guided by the modern design standards set forth in the Imperial Highway Specific Plan,” says City Manager Tom Robinson. “We are looking forward to the economic benefits and aesthetic improvements this project will bring to our community.”
Demolition work will continue at Crossroads through the coming weeks. Storm drain line relocation at the site will be completed by the end of September, and grading work will follow in October.
Traffic Incident Snarls Traffic at Theatre Center
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| Photo sent into the La Mirada Blog by Twitter follower shows victim being loaded into ambulance. |
La Mirada~Two cars collided last night in La Mirada resulting in one victim being transported to the hospital.
The incident occurred a little after 9 p.m. at Rosecrans Avenue and the La Mirada Theatre Center's north entrance; located next to Panera Bread.
Apparently the vehicle traveling westbound on Rosecrans was attempting to turn into the center, and was cut off by the vehicle traveling eastbound on Rosecrans also attempting to turn into the center, said Lt. Woolum of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station.
She said both vehicles were traveling at a slow rate of speed and the accident was considered minor.
However, one victim was transported to the hospital complaining of neck pain.
Photos sent in our by Twitter fans show the two vehicles involved were SUV's.
Get instant La Mirada news at twitter.com/lamiradablog
Weekly Crime Report: Rash of Residential and Vehicle Burglaries Plague La Mirada This Past Week
CRIME REPORT
The following is the crime report for La Mirada for September 10-16, 2012.
Aggravated Assault-Two assaults were reported last week. An assault was reported on the 13500 block of Duffield Ave. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. An assault occurred on the 12800 block of Elmrock Ave. A suspect was arrested by responding deputies.
Residential Burglary-Four residential burglaries were reported last week. All four incidents involved point of entry through an unlocked kitchen window. A burglary was reported on the 13000 block of Edwards Rd. Miscellaneous jewelry was stolen. An incident occurred on the 15100 block of Hayford St. Jewelry and a tablet device were stolen from the home. A burglary occurred on the 13000 block of Bluefield Ave. An incident was reported on the 14300 block of Elmrock Ave. It is unknown if any items were stolen.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15000 block of Rosecrans Ave. It is unknown if anything was taken from the business.
Vehicle Burglary-Four vehicle burglaries were reported last week. An incident occurred on the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. A window smash burglary was reported on the 14800 block of Beach Blvd. Various items were taken from the vehicle. A burglary was reported on the 11900 block of La Mirada Blvd. Two rear-row seats were stolen from the vehicle. A burglary occurred on the 13900 block of Ramhurst Dr. A purse and electronics were stolen from the vehicle.
Grand Theft -A theft was reported on the 15200 block of Rosecrans Ave. Various electronics were stolen from the business.
Game Stop in La Mirada Robbed
La Mirada~A theft occurred tonight at the Game Stop at 15724 Rosecrans Avenue in La Mirada.
Lieutenant Woolum of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station told the La Mirada Blog that around 6:23 p.m. a male Hispanc, described as in his early 20's and wearing sunglasses and jeans, took an iPad and two iPhones from the store.
There was no last seen direction, or any description of any getaway vehicle available.
If you have any information about the theft please contact the Norwalk Sheriff's Staton at (562) 863-8711.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 9/3-9/9/12
The following is the weekly crime report for La Mirada September 3-9, 2012
Robbery-Two robberies were reported last week. A robbery was reported on the 14500 block of Leffingwell Rd. Cash was stolen from the victim as he entered his vehicle. A robbery occurred on the 14800 block of Neartree Rd, the incident is currently under investigation.
Aggravated Assault-Two assaults were reported last week. An incident occurred on the 15500 block of Talbot Dr. A suspect was taken into custody by Sheriff's Deputies. An assault was reported on the 14800 block of Neartree Rd. The incident is currently under investigation.
Residential Burglary-A residential burglary was reported on the 13200 block of Crete Dr. Various jewelry and coins were stolen from the home.
Other Structure Burglary-Three commercial burglaries were reported last week.A burglary occurred on the 12200 block of La Mirada Blvd. Currency was taken from the business. An attempted burglary was reported on the 14200 block of Valley View Ave. A burglary was reported on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd. Currency and safes were among the items stolen from the location.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A grand theft was reported on the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy. Diamond rings were stolen after being left on restroom sink inside the location.
Join C.E.R.T.
The La Mirada Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a 20 hour all-risk, all-hazard training offered by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. This valuable course is designed to help your family and neighbors for a disaster. Lessons include Fire Safety, Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Medical Operations, and Search and Rescue.
For more information on upcoming CERT classes or to join the La Mirada CERT program, contact the La Mirada Community Sheriff's station at (562) 902-2960.
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