News
La Mirada 38th Safest City in California
The City of La Mirada experienced one of the region’s lowest crime rates and remained among the safest cities in Los Angeles County in 2021. The City’s low crime rate is attributed to a strong partnership between residents, businesses, and the Public Safety Team. According to SafeWise, La Mirada was the 38th Safest City in California.
In 2021, there were 813 Part 1 crimes reported in La Mirada compared to 793 in 2020. Part 1 crimes include homicide, rape, larceny, burglary, auto theft, robbery, assault, and arson. Violent crimes continued to be low and crimes against persons decreased compared to 2020. There were 88 burglary incidents reported compared to 105 in 2020.
La Mirada Crime Report January 31-February 6
Notable Arrests
- Eight suspects were arrested throughout La Mirada for various warrants and narcotics violations.
Aggravated Assault
- A late-night assault involving a handgun was reported on the 13900 block of Plume Dr. No injuries were sustained during the incident. The case is still under investigation.
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Vehicle flips over on Imperial Highway
La Mirada~A vehicle flipped over after some sort of traffic incident on Imperial Highway just west of Santa Gertrudes Avenue around 12:20 p.m.
A seemingly stable female was being loaded into an ambulance as we arrived on the scene.
You can view our live Twitter broadcast about the incident here.
Superior Grocers Opens Second Location of The Market
La Mirada~Superior Grocers, one of Southern California’s largest independent supermarket chains, rebranded a small-format store under a new banner, The Market by Superior. Traditionally known for its large stores and displays, the retailer rebranded the 29,000 sq. ft. store at 12721 Valley View Avenue
The Market has an enhanced itemization catered to the neighborhood. An expanded selection of liquor, beer, and wine has been added. 5 Star Choice Beef and a wider assortment of fresh seafood are offered along with organic produce to compliment the vast variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. A full-service bakery and kitchen provide the convenience of a complete take-home meal, said the grocery chain in a press release.
Peaceful Protest Planned at La Mirada Regional Park June 5th
La Mirada~Anti-hate is the theme for a planned protest scheduled for Friday, June 5th at La Mirada Regional Park at noon.
Two of the organizers are Brittany Johnson and Christian Rodriguez-Paz of La Mirada.
“We are coming together to peacefully protest racism and police brutality/injustice for black people in America and tell the world, that their lives matter,” Johnson told the La Mirada Blog.
“George Floyd was a horrific occurrence that should not ever happen to anyone, but this public outcry and unrest comes from a long history of repeated offenses towards all people but especially those who are black. And although our city and our law enforcement are some of the good ones, it’s bigger than that and we have to come together and have conversations in order to promote change,” she said.
According to Johnson’s Facebook page organizers will be meeting up at the Adelfa Drive side of the park.
Candidates for 2020 La Mirada City Council
The campaign season is underway with the La Mirada City Council election set for March 3rd.
This will be the second election in the city’s history (2017 was the first) utilizing the by-district system, where voters in a given district vote for one person to represent them.
Seven candidates are vying for three spots in Districts 3, 4 and 5.
District 3
Incumbent Ed Eng is seeking a second term and faces challenger John Accornero.
District 4
Incumbent Steve De Ruse trying for a third term will be challenged by Jackie Fowler.
District 5
Three candidates will be vying for an open seat: Matt Morse, Anthony Ortero and Noel Jaimes.
News Ticker: Last Carnival in La Mirada Shuts Down
Last Remaining Carnival in La Mirada Shuts Down
October came and went this year and an annual event didn’t take place in La Mirada and it appears to have signaled the end of yet another era in town.
The St. Paul of the Cross Fiesta was the last true “carnival” in La Mirada that featured the classic rides, food, games, an entertainment stage and so much more.
Beatitudes of our Lord Church discontinued their event this past decade and of course the “4 La Mirada Kids Carnival” at Benton School shut down in 2017 after 23-year run.
The three-day St. Paul event dates back to the 1970’s as far as I can tell, after speaking with some neighbors, a representative from the church and by utilizing my own recollection.
Organizers were unable to pull it off this year cited by a number of reasons: the amount of hard work along with the time the volunteers put in with not enough profit to show for it and also the cost of permits and security seems to be an issue.
They did host a one-day “feast” this year to commemorate St. Paul’s death on October 18th, 1775 and it was held on October 20th in Gannon Hall.
La Mirada resident Diane Whetsell said many neighbors looked forward to the celebration every October, “I sure did miss it (this year)! A lot of parishioners and friends got together for this event.”
The church has not completely ruled out bringing back the carnival next year.
Trogman Joins PIH
La Mirada resident Richard Trogman, FACHE, has joined PIH Health as System Chief Operating Officer (COO) & President of PIH Health Hospital-Downey. Trogman is a seasoned healthcare executive with 29 years of progressive healthcare experience. His first day with PIH Health was on Monday, October 7th.
Annual Art Show
The annual Mirrors of Your Mind Art Show presented by the Arts Colony of La Mirada is now underway through Friday, November 22.
Exhibit hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Boulevard.
An award reception will conclude the show on Saturday, November 23rd from 3 to 5 p.m.
Sponsors include Century 21 Westworld Realty; Prime One Escrow; Art Supply Warehouse; Oriental Art Supply & Gamblin Artists Colors.
Artists interested in joining the Arts Colony of La Mirada are encouraged to visit acolm.org or call (562) 941-4116 for additional information.
OBITUARY-Murray Oxman from Oxman’s Surplus
Murray Oxman, 70, of Brea and Santa Fe Springs, passed away on August 19th. He was the co-owner and operator, along with his brother Jason, of Oxman’s Surplus which was founded in 1960 by his parents Jerome and Miriam Oxman, also known as “Mr. and Mrs. O.”
Oxman’s Surplus grew into a sprawling military surplus outlet and now encompassing 7,000 square feet with army surplus, camping equipment, and clothing, along with the original garages now called Gadgeteers Paradise, the store and military museum attracts customers from all over the world.
This store has been a favorite of La Mirada area kids for generations and veterans came to the store for treasured memorabilia which is impossible to find anywhere else.
Miriam Oxman, who passed away in 2017 and her late husband, Jerome Oxman, who passed in 2013, started the historical collection for the museum beginning in 1950 when Mr. O bought a discarded B-29 Bomber Norden Bombsight which is still in the store.
The Museum is actually the entrance to the store and there is no charge to see it.
Murray, a familiar fixture at the cash register of Oxman’s for many years, was a veteran of the US Navy, loved to play ice hockey and root for the Anaheim Ducks and was an avid golfer. He supported many youth organizations and was active in Congregation B’nai Israel, the La Mirada and Santa Fe Springs Chambers of Commerce and Associated Surplus Dealers.
Murray Oxman’s survivors include his wife Linda, who is a teacher, sons Zachary and Josh, brothers Brian and Jason; aunts Rene Oxman, Tessie Oxman, Phyllis Sarto and Barbara Snyder; many cousins and several grandchildren. Murray loved his family, his Jewish heritage, his country and every day he spent in the store.
Murray was buried alongside his parents on August 21st at Pacific View Memorial Park in Newport Beach.
The family plans to continue operating Oxman’s Surplus, where a memorial will be held.
La Mirada News Ticker #15
•The Arts Colony of La Mirada (ACOLM) Plein Art Painting Group meets the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. The next group meeting will be July 11th with the location to be announced. Participants are required to bring their own snacks, drinks and art supplies. Contact Madeline Thomas for more info (562) 941-4116.
•The group is looking for volunteer face painters for the city’s summer concert series now underway Thursdays at 6:30 through August 8th, (7/25 at Creek Park). Painters should be there about 20 minutes in advance of the music starting at 6:30 p.m. The event Night Market begins at 4:00 p.m.
•We’re sad to report Marla Greer, a longtime member of ACOLM, passed away due to complications of a stroke. Her services will be held on Saturday June 29th at 11:00 a.m. at St Joseph's Episcopal Church, 8300 Valley View St., Buena Park 90620. Those who knew her and intend to attend, please call Madeline Thomas at 562-941-4116 for a head count. Sherri Scialla at 714-904-7031 is the family's contact.
•After a long stint at La Mirada High School, popular teacher Ollie Lynch has confirmed with us he will not be returning to the school this fall. Lynch will be heading across town to El Camino High to lead the Independent Studies Program.
•Carol Schneider from the Year-Around Garden Club in Whittier recently presented a check of $500 to the La Mirada Historical Preservation Advisory Council at their monthly meeting. The money will be applied to the cost for the replacement of the tree identification plaques at the living arboretum at Neff Park created by La Mirada founder Andrew McNally in the late nineteenth century. A La Mirada organization also donated $1000 for the project, but they wish to remain anonymous.
•The Friends of the La Mirada Library will be installing the 2019-2020 board members at their meeting Thursday, June 27 at 6:30pm.
•The Chop Shop will be hosting its official grand opening Sunday June 23 from 10:00a-4:00 p.m. There will be raffles, giveaways, food and 50% off all cuts. The barber shop is located at 13948 Valley View Avenue.
•Last month, La Mirada resident Margie Cramer had her garden chosen to be part of the prestigious Mary Lou Heard Memorial Garden Tour. Read more about the tour and Margie’s garden here.
City Hall Waterfall Reaches Crossroads
La Mirada~Is this the end for the iconic fountain and water fall at La Mirada City Hall?
The 49-year old fountain and pools at La Mirada City Hall are showing their age and were shut down due to public safety concerns and excessive water loss and power usage, according to a recent staff report.
The item was discussed at the March 12 City Council Study Session.
The City Council now seems poised to make a decision about the future of the water feature, a familiar landmark of the La Mirada landscape.
Much of the feature still retains most of the original plumbing and electrical system-and it was failing. Also, the water pumps and valves used for the operation of the fountain were beyond their normal life expectancy and have to be replaced as well.
The pool surfaces also have multiple cracks and are in need of extensive repair. Saturated soil has been observed around the structure due to the leaks, the report indicated.
The disabled fountain consists of three pools with a water fall from the largest pool dumping water to a smaller pool which then flows to another smaller pool to the south of the civic center stairway.
Staff has identified three options for the City Council’s consideration.
Option 1: Restore and renovate the feature to its original condition and replace the entire infrastructure. Cost: $1,000,000-$1,375,000.
Option 2: Reduce and modify the total pool area and install landscape (planters, rocks, shrubs, etc.) and hardscape within the reduced area. The entire infrastructure would still have to be replaced for remaining pools. A new patio deck is also being considered (Option 2A) Cost: $1,750,000-$2,250,000.
Option 3: Eliminate all the pools and replace with landscape and hardscape improvements. This is obviously the most cost-efficient option, especially from a maintenance standpoint moving forward, but it will dramatically change the legendary look of the city hall grounds. Cost: $500,000-$750,000.
The fountain debuted with the dedication of the city hall building on March 20, 1970.
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