News
Batten Down the Hatches
Flash Flood/Thunderstorm Warning extended for La Mirada area through 7 PM PT.....
USE EXTRA CAUTION WHEN DRIVING; CHECK ON FAMILY PET CONDITIONS; CHECK ON THE OLDER FOLKS, HARDER FOR THEM TO GET AROUND.
CHECK THE LA MIRADA BLOG EVERYDAY FOR WEATHER AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN AND AROUND LA MIRADA.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT: http://tinyurl.com/272pqjm
Make That Two Rocking Chairs
90's Rat Pack Down to On; Dames Not Running
La Mirada~The City Council retirement home just gained another resident recently.
Pete Dames joins Hal Malkin, both on the La Mirada City Council since 1994, in announcing they are not running for re-election in March 2011.
Well, wait a minute, actually Malkin made the announcement (multiple times) last year and was never a factor. Dames however, pulled papers last month and let the deadline come and go without returning them, apparently making his decision not to run, at the last minute.
An announcement by Dames was never made, letting the passage of time do it for him.
90’s Rat Pack Down to One; Dames Not Running
La Mirada~That sound you hear is the changing of the guard of the La Mirada City Council.
The process continues to evolve as another incumbent has decided to not run for re-election.
Mayor Pete Dames, elected to the council in 1994,
La Mirada Weekly Crime Summary
Would you like this report sent to you on a weekly basis, for free? Simply go to the city's website, www.cityoflamirada.org, and sign up for the city's E-Watch. A great community tool delivered straight to your desktop.
E-WATCH
Weekly Crime Summary
November 29 – December 5, 2010
Robbery
A robbery was reported at the intersection of Gateway Dr. and Firestone Blvd. Two unknown suspects stole a purse from a stranded motorist.
Residential Burglary
One residential burglary was reported on the 13700 block of Valley View Ave. A television was taken. A suspect was taken into custody at the location.
Other Structure Burglary
Two commercial burglaries were reported this week. In both burglaries, unknown suspects smashed windows to gain entry.
One incident occurred on the 14600 block of Mercado Ave. Laptop computers were taken from Los Coyotes Middle School.
Another occurred on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd. Cash and other items were stolen.
Sarega, Mowles and Jones Turn in Papers; DeRuse, Brown Join In
La Mirada~Andrew Sarega and Planning Commissioner Larry Mowles turned in their papers to city hall yesterday-for the La Mirada City Council race-joining Councilman Steve Jones who turned in his last week.
There are three remaining potential candidates who have pulled papers but have not yet turned them in, Councilman Pete Dames, Community Services Commissioner, Steve DeRuse, and attorney Paul R. Brown.
Candidate's have until Wednesday to turn in papers.
DeRuse indicated to the Blog last week that he would be filing any day now.
There are three seats up for grabs in March, with the big question being: Will Pete Dames run or not?
Incumbents in La Mirada usually having an easy time winning elections. If Dames chooses to run again, it could set up a showdown between Commissioners Mowles and DeRuse for the remaining open seat vacated by a retiring Hal Malkin.
UPDATE: Steve DeRuse and Paul R. Brown both filed their nomination papers today and have qualified for the election, according to city clerk, Anne Haraksin.
So far, of the six potential candidates that have pulled papers, only Mayor Pete Dames has not returned his yet.
Shooting on Freeway Leads to Death of Teen
 |
|
A minivan stopped just east of La Mirada after being fatally shot at on the 5 freeway. Photo by Tony Aiello |
Vehicle involved in shooting stops just east of La Mirada city limits
Santa Fe Springs~A car-to-car freeway shooting occurred around 9:40 pm Wednesday night at the 5 freeway and Carmenita Road.
The minivan hit by gunshots exited the freeway at Rosecrans Avenue and traveled east eventually stopping just before Marquardt Avenue.
John Estrada, 17, of Lakewood was pronounced dead a short time later after being transported to a local hospital. The other two victims in the vehicle in their 20's and 30's are in stable condition.
Police officers closed down the northbound lanes of the freeway between Rosecrans and Carmenita, looking for clues and evidence.
With essentially two crime scenes to deal with, on the freeway and on Rosecrans, deputies received assistance from the Lakewood/Cerritos and Pico Rivera sheriff stations and the California Highway Patrol.
Officials are still searching for a motive in this case.
Shooting on Freeway Leaves Teen Dead
 |
| A vehicle stops just before Marquardt Avenue after being fatally shot at Wednesday night. Photo Tony Aiello |
Santa Fe Springs~A car-to-car freeway shooting occurred around 9:40 pm Wednesday night at the 5 freeway and Carmenita Road.
The minivan hit by gunshots exited the freeway at Rosecrans Avenue and traveled east eventually stopping just before Marquardt Avenue-just west of the La Mirada city limits.
John Estrada, 17, of Lakewood was pronounced dead a short time later after being transported to a local hospital. The other two victims in the vehicle in their 20's and 30's are in stable condition.
Police officers closed down the northbound lanes of the freeway between Rosecrans and Carmenita, looking for clues and evidence.
With essentially two crime scenes to deal with, on the freeway and on Rosecrans, deputies received assistance from the Lakewood/Cerritos and Pico Rivera sheriff stations and the California Highway Patrol.
Officials are still searching for a motive in this case.
Use Caution This Rainy Season
A SUV lays on its side next to a rain slickened La Mirada Boulevard in La Mirada this past Saturday
Two More Candidates Pull Papers With Intent to File
La Mirada~Two more potential candidates have entered the La Mirada City Council race.
Attorney Paul R. Brown and Andrew Sarega, police officer, both visited city hall Monday.
That makes six candidates vying for three spots-which could make this one of the most interesting La Mirada elections in recent memory.
There is one non-incumbent "open" seat with the retirement of councilman Hal Malkin.
Pursuit Ends in La Mirada; Surprises Neighborhood
 |
|
Officials comb the scene after two suspects were taken into custody after pursuit through La Mirada neighborhood |
Start of Pursuit Appeared to be in Santa Fe Springs
La Mirada~Last Tuesday around Noon, a pursuit by Buena Park Police and U.S. Marshalls ended in the City of La Mirada.
Just how did it end up in La Mirada?
"(Buena Park) Armed robbery detectives and U.S. Marshalls were investigating a strong armed robbery that occurred October 9th at the Coral Motel, 7891 Whitaker, in Buena Park," said Sgt. Cohanek of the Buena Park Police Department.
"Their investigation led them to Alondra Blvd. and Firestone Blvd (Santa Fe Springs), where they encountered a 1997 Toyota Rav 4 vehicle-believed to be involved in the robbery", he said.
"From there, the suspects immediately fled and a pursuit ensued, going on and off the 5 freeway, through parking lots, and a construction site", Cohanek said.
The automobile eventually pulled over without incident at the intersection of San Feliciano Drive and Castellon Road in La Mirada.
Arrested were Francisco Zarate, 35 and Valerie Gonzales, 25-residence unknown.
La Mirada Blog Facebook fan Jackie Stewart said, "They zoomed right passed the preschool I work at; it was lunch time and we had to rush the kids inside and go to lock-down mode. It ended a short time later by Neff Park. Everyone was safe."
