News
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Norwalk Deputy Shooting Update
NORWALK~SHERIFF'S HOMICIDE DETECTIVES ARE CONTINUING THEIR
INVESTIGATION INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE DEPUTY
INVOLVED SHOOTING WHICH OCCURRED IN THE 11600 BLOCK OF
IMPERIAL HIGHWAY, NORWALK.
A LONE MALE DEPUTY, 13 YEAR VETERAN, WAS CONDUCTING A PATROL
CHECK AT THE LOCATION (TOWNE HOUSE MOTEL) WHEN HE
ENCOUNTERED A SUSPICIOUS MALE IN THE REAR PARKING LOT. THE
MALE WAS BELLIGERENT AND UNCOOPERATIVE AS THE DEPUTY
ATTEMPTED TO CHECK THE MALE FOR WEAPONS.
A PHYSICAL STRUGGLE ENSUED. THE MALE BROKE AWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO DRAW
A LOADED HANDGUN FROM HIS WAIST AREA. THE DEPUTY, FEARING HE
WAS ABOUT TO BE SHOT, FIRED HIS DUTY WEAPON AT THE SUSPECT
STRIKING HIM IN THE UPPER TORSO.
THE SUSPECT WAS TREATED BY PARAMEDICS AND TRANSPORTED TO AN
AREA HOSPITAL WHERE HE DIED.
A LOADED HANDGUN WAS RECOVERED AT THE SCENE. THE DEPUTY WAS NOT INJURED.
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Free Business Seminar: What Other Retailers are Doing to Survive the Economy
Whittier~As part of its local business stimulus plan, the City of Whittier is hosting a series of FREE business seminars to help businesses thrive in a struggling economy. The first of these seminars will take place this Thursday, September 17 from 8 - 9:30 a.m. at the Whittier City Hall Council Chambers.
Presented by The Retail Smart Guys, learn which marketing efforts are working, which ones aren't, and why, during the current economic climate. How can a retailer expand their reach into the community? How can a retailer make it 'safe to shop' again? Which expenses do you cut, when and how? How can you partner and leverage your existing business relationships? What is the secret to cash flow in a down economy?
Space is limited so call (562) 464-3380 to RSVP.
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Station Fire Update (New)
Los Angeles~The Station Fire started off of Angeles Crest Highway (SR 2) about one mile above Angeles Crest Fire Station around 3:30 p.m., Wed., Aug. 26. Los Angeles County Fire reported that this fire has burned 144,743 acres (that area encompasses 226 square miles) and is 38 percent contained as of 8 a.m., Thur., Sept. 3. Approximately 10,000 residences are threatened at this time (500 commercial structures and 2000 outbuildings).
Over 4,735 personnel are working the fire. 12 Helitankers, 7 helicopters, 11 air tankers (including the DC-10, the 747 and the Martin Mars), 433 Engines, 107 hand crews, and 60 dozers are all working the fire. 64 residences and recreational cabins have been confirmed as destroyed along with 3 commercial and 27 others.
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Station Fire Update
Angeles National Forest~The Station Fire has burned 226 square miles of land within the Angeles National Forest and near surrounding foothill communities of La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Acton, Soledad Canyon, Pasadena, Glendale and Sierra Madre.
The goals of the firefighters are to keep the fire west of Highway 39 and Angeles Crest Highway, east of Interstate 5, south of Highway 14, Pearblossom Highway, and Highway 138, and north of the foothill communities and the Angeles National Forest Boundary.
The fire is moving into areas of the forest with no recorded fire history. To date, helicopters have dropped 1.7 million gallons of water and 18,000 gallons of retardant. Air tankers have dropped 670,000 gallons of retardant and gel.
24/7 fire information is available by calling (626) 821-6700 or you can reference the Station Fire at www.inciweb.org. On Twitter, fire info can be found at www.twitter/AngelesNF and on www.facebook.com you can reference TheStationFire.
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Construction Project Continues; Chokes Imperial
Imperial/Valley View intersection to be a mess through early October
La Mirada/LA County~There is some good news and bad news involving the ongoing LA County Sewer Project on Imperial Highway, that has been with us nearly all year.
The project is not officially in La Mirada (south side of Imperial is La Mirada, north side is LA County), but La Miradians are clearly affected.
The good news is that phase one of the project is completed; Imperial is back to three lanes westbound from La Mirada Blvd.
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Construction project is causing excessive delays Imperial westbound at Valley View |
The bad news is that phase two of the project has started.
John Schiller of Steve Bubalo Construction told us, "Phase two should go through early October. The current detour is smaller at Valley View than phase one, 300 feet both ways on Imperial Highway. We still need to construct a tunnel under Valley View."
The detour may be smaller in scope , but the impact is far greater. Starting westbound at Burgess Avenue, the smaller detour temporarily has taken away left turns at Valley View, both east and westbound. Westbound Imperial has clearly been affected more however, creating huge delays, at all hours.
Residents are encouraged to use alternate routes until construction is complete.
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Deadly Station Fire Providing Spectactular Views for LM
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A plume of smoke from the Station Fire in the Angeles Forest can be seen from Marquardt Avenue in La Mirada on Sunday |
La Mirada~If you have lived in Southern California long enough, you must have wondered at one time or another; what if the Angeles Forest really caught on fire some day.
That day seems to have arrived, let's just be thankful that so far, wind has not been a factor.
The deadly-still out of control-Station Fire, which originated in La Canada on Wednesday, has now consumed more than 85,000 acres, as it continues to travel wildly, in all directions.
Two LA County firefighters lost their lives Sunday, and 21 homes have burned. Another 10,000 homes are currently in danger, including homes in the Sunland and Tujunga areas.
The fire continues to threaten Mt. Wilson, which can be seen from La Mirada, year-round on a clear day. Mt. Wilson is the home of radio, TV, and emergency transmission towers, communication equipment, and the Mt. Wilson Observatory.
This fire has provided La Miradians with a sight few have seen.
"I have lived here for 55 years", said La Mirada resident Edgar Macias, "And I have never seen a fire like this one. Yesterday, it looked like a volcano erupted."
With little wind in the Southern California area the last few days, La Mirada has not been affected with smoke by this fire, so far. Officials continue to advise residents to stay indoors however, and avoid outdoor activity, if possible.
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Driving Checkpoint Scheduled for La Mirada
La Mirada~The City of La Mirada, in conjunction with the California Office of Traffic Safety, has scheduled a DUI/Drivers Licence Checkpoint for Saturday August 29, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on westbound Imperial Highway at Santa Gertrudes Avenue in La Mirada.
For more information contact the La Mirada Sheriff's station at (562) 902-2960.
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Rose Hills Hosts Chamber Appreciation Mixer
Whittier~Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary will be saying THANK YOU to area Chambers and their business members that support Rose Hills and its community mission throughout the year at a 10-Chamber Mixer this Thursday, August 27th, 2009 from 5-7 P.M. This event will be held at Rose Hills' Sky Rose Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Rd., (at Main Gate) in Whittier.
Attendees will enjoy cocktails, great food, entertainment and networking with 10 Chambers (including La Mirada), from L.A County and the OC.
Call the Whittier Chamber at (562) 698-9554 for more info.
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Urquidi Gets Jump on Competition
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Photo Courtesy Andres Delfin |
La Mirada~Wasting no time, Norwalk-La Mirada School Board Candidate, Jesse Urquidi, had a campaign kick-off & mixer at the Holiday Inn Thursday night.
Around a hundred people showed up-including some La Mirada Kiwanians-for a night of food, conversation and fun.
Numerous local dignitaries were spotted in the crowd including, Norwalk Mayor Cheri Kelly (whom I had a lenghty conversation with); NLMUSD Board Member Lorraine Neal; former NLMUSD Board member and current President of the La Mirada Symphony, Pat Ruiz; former NLMUSD Board Member and new La Mirada High School teacher, Leonard Shryock; and current Tanla President, Laura Williams.
Urquidi faces five other challengers for four spots in this November's election.
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Field Set for Norwalk-La Mirada School Board
Norwalk~With the filing deadline having passed, there will be six candidates vying for four spots on the Norwalk-La Mirada School Board of Education this November 3rd.
Incumbent John Johnson, an unexpected winner four years ago, has not filed for re-election.
Of the six candidates, three incumbents have filed: Daryl Adams, Ed Hengler, and Ana Valencia.
The three challengers are Jesse Urquidi (Engineering Project Manager), Chris Pflanzer (Parent/Business Owner), and Margarita Rios (Police Detective/Parent).
Look for the La Mirada Blog to endorse four candidates in October.
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