News
Fire on Gandesa Appears to Have Destroyed Home
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| Photo sent in by a La Mirada Blog follower on Twitter shows flames coming out of home on Gandesa Road last night. |
La Mirada~A fire broke out last night at a home on Gandesa Road in La Mirada.
We originally reported the blaze at 9:03 p.m. on our Twitter feed.
Firefighters knocked the blaze down within an hour.
La Mirada Blog Twitter followers on Los Fuentes reported embers falling in their yards.
We have an unconfirmed report from another follower that the owner of the house that caught on fire was out of town.
That is all we have at this time. If more pertinent information becomes available we will update here, within this article.
See a photo of the home in the next day's aftermath here.
See a short video clip of the incident here.
050514 21:49 UPDATE: Homeowner was home at time of fire and is OK, her roommate was out of town.
OBITUARY: Long Time La Mirada Resident Florence Robertson
Florence Theresa Robertson resident of La Mirada; born September 22, 1925 in Sommerville, Mass. passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on March 26, 2014. God has prepared a room in his mansion for her with all her loved ones and friends who have gone on before. She is preceded in death by her parents: Walter and Florence Crowley, sons: baby twins, Kenneth and Patrick, Dale Robertson, Gary Robertson and daughter-in-law: Frances Price-Robertson. Florence was survived by her beloved children: Robert Dyess, James (Imajean) Robertson, Donna (George) Peterson, and Linda Chappie, daughter-in-law: Cheryl Robertson, grandchildren: Lisa (John) LaBartunek, Robert (Daisy) Peterson, Steve (Sarah) Robertson, Kelly Peterson, Kathryn Robertson, Brian Peterson, Janet Peterson, Diana (Tony) Ramos, Jackie Stephens, Jerry Robertson, April Peterson, Ben Chappie, and 18 great grandchildren. A sister-in-law: Dorothy Lowe, nephew: Rick (Patty) Dinnerville, nieces: Susan Pyle and Sharon Robinson and their families. One of her many accomplishments was the ability to make friends wherever she went; and it was natural for her to treat everyone with equality, respect and kindness. She had a loving soul and was a writer of inspiring poetry. She had many long and lasting friendships with people who loved her, she will be remembered in our hearts always and deeply missed. A memorial service was held April 25th.
Shooting Rattles La Mirada Neighborhood
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| Image from La Mirada Blog YouTube channel shows deputies placing evidence markers at the scene of a shooting earlier this afternoon in La Mirada |
La Mirada~Shots were fired at a person standing outside a home at the northeast corner of Valley View and Mansa Drive this afternoon around 12:40 p.m.
The victim was a male hispanic in his early 20's according to Lieutenant Jason Skeen of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station. It is unclear if the victim resides in the home he was standing in front of.
Skeen told the La Mirada Blog the victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive and may even be released by now.
Witnesses on the scene said they were in their homes on Mansa Drive and heard as many as 8-10 rounds ring out.
Skeen told us that the anti-gang unit Operation Safe Streets (OSS) has taken over the investigation but fell short of calling the incident gang related.
However, the La Mirada Blog has learned that the officers initially broadcast on the sheriff dispatch that a gang epithet was shouted out by the suspects before the shooting.
The La Mirada Blog has also learned the suspects, who reportedly drove off northbound on Valley View, were driving a custom-style white vehicle, possibly a BMW, although the sheriff's department would not confirm this.
EXCLUSIVE: City of La Mirada Chosen as Host Town for 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles
La Mirada~The City of La Mirada has been officially chosen to be one of the Host Towns for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games coming to Los Angeles in July of next year, the La Mirada Blog has learned.
It will be the first Special Olympics World Summer Games held in the U.S. in 16 years and the “LA2015” event marks the second time that the World Games will be hosted in Los Angeles. The Summer Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984 were also hosted in L.A.
Community Services Director Lori Thompson told the LM Blog that this will be the” largest event in Los Angeles since the 1984 Summer Olympic Games.”
The Host Town Program is a special 3-day program that takes place prior to the Opening Ceremony. At their Host Towns, athletic delegations from around the world will be welcomed and celebrated.
As a Host Town, La Mirada’s schedule of events for the athletes will include meeting community members, taking part in unique cultural activities, and practicing for the games, all while making friends for life.
Thompson said the city partnered with Biola University and this endeavor could not have been accomplished otherwise, “They will provide much-needed services including housing and food for the athletes.”
There will be a special announcement ceremony at one of the city’s upcoming outdoor summer concerts, with the exact date still to be determined.
With 7,000 athletes representing more than 170 countries, along with 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers and an anticipated 500,000 spectators, the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games, running July 25–August 2, 2015 will be the largest sports-and-humanitarian event anywhere in the world next year.
Valley View Grade Separation Project Continues to Move Forward Ahead of Schedule
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| The northbound lanes of Valley View will be open soon and will be used for both directions of traffic while the southbound lanes are completed and the detour road is demolished. photo Tony Aiello |
Originally slated to be completed in early 2015, lack of rain provides for an Autumn 2014 complete opening
La Mirada~The Valley View Grade Separation Project continues to make steady progress and is on track to be completed by early September.
With the railroad tracks successfully installed on the new bridge structure crossing over Valley View Avenue, crews have been busy completing excavation work to create the underpass. More than 103,000 cubic yards of dirt have been excavated from the site. The excavated dirt was transported and used as fill material on a separate construction project at the Port of Los Angeles.
Construction of the roadway has begun and will occur in two phases. The first phase will see construction of the northbound lanes. Once that is complete, phase two construction of the southbound lanes will begin. During this time, all traffic will be moved onto the newly built northbound lanes, with two lanes in each direction, and the current temporary detour road will be closed for removal.
See all of our photos from this story on our Flickr feed here.
Fire Destroys Vehicles at Mattress Factory
La Mirada~Residents were awakened in La Mirada to the sound of sirens early this morning around 3:00 a.m. after a fire erupted at the Ortho Mattress Factory Showroom at Valley View Avenue and Artesia Boulevard along the Cerritos border.
When firefighters arrived on the scene they were greeted by three bobtail trucks fully engulfed in the parking area of the building. The three trucks and two private vehicles appeared to have been destroyed.
NBC4 is reporting that fire officials are saying the incident is suspicious, yet they are are still calling it accidental at this time, as arson officials continue their investigation.
Fire units quickly doused the flames and no structural damage was reported.
BREAKING: Two Lanes Remain Closed on NB I-5 at this Hour After Truck Fire
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| A big rig rests in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5 in La Mirada early Sunday morning shortly after firefighters extinguished it. The blaze closed the freeway for an hour. Photo Dennis Simms |
Only two lanes remain open at this hour just east of Valley View Avenue as authorities clean up mess
La Mirada~A big rig caught on fire early this morning in La Mirada and temporarily closed Interstate 5 as fire crews battled the blaze.
The incident occurred in the northbound lanes just east of Valley View Avenue.
The truck laid to rest directly in front of the Dale Tiffany Outlet Center on Firestone Boulevard.
According to La Mirada Blog social media reports, the incident occurred at around 3:00 a.m.
Firefighter Joel Entreken from Los Angeles County Fire Station 49 in La Mirada told the La Mirada Blog that when they arrived the tractor/cab was “fully involved” and about three-fourths of the trailer was on fire.
Entreken said the driver was the only occupant of the truck and he escaped unharmed.
The driver said he hit an object on the freeway, rupturing his fuel pump, causing it to drag and catch on fire, according to Entreken.
Entreken said the freeway was fully closed for about an hour and it took firefighters about 30 minutes to knock out the fire.
About 100 feet of the guardrail along the freeway was very badly damaged.
LA County Fire Station 35 from Cerritos also responded to the scene along with units from the Orange County Fire Authority and two units from the Anaheim Fire Department.
Earthquake Centered in La Habra Shakes Area
La Mirada~A large earthquake has just hit the La Mirada area.
The preliminary report indicates a 5.3 mag centered in La Habra.
This follows two quakes earlier centered in La Habra at 8:03 and 8:16 p.m. as reported on our Twitter feed.
Follow the latest on our Facebook and Twitter feeds
Mowles Begins Term as New Mayor of La Mirada
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| Larry Mowles was selected to serve as Mayor of La Mirada at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Pauline Deal was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem Photo Tony Aiello |
La Mirada~The La Mirada City Council selected Larry Mowles to serve as Mayor at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Councilmember Pauline Deal was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. The Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem each serve one-year terms and are elected by the City Council.
Mayor Mowles has served on the City Council since 2011. He has been a resident of La Mirada for more than 35 years and works in the insurance industry. This will be his first term as Mayor.
Prior to serving on the City Council, Mayor Mowles served on the Planning Commission from 2009-2011. He also served on the Public Safety Commission from 2007-2009, and the Community Services Commission from 2000-2007.
Mayor Mowles is a founding member and Past President of the La Mirada Community Foundation where he served from 1999-2007. During this time, he was responsible for the operation of the “4 La Mirada Kids” Community Carnival, which raises funds for youth programs and community organizations.
Mayor Pro Tem Deal was first appointed to the City Council in 2011 and re-elected in 2013. She has been a resident of La Mirada since 1980 and serves as the Assistant Controller for an area business.
Prior to serving on the City Council, Mayor Pro Tem Deal was elected to the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Board of Education four consecutive times, serving from 1995-2011. She twice served as President of the School Board in 1999 and 2006. She also served on the Southeast Regional Occupation Program (R.O.P.) Board for four years.
Mayor Pro Tem Deal has been active locally in youth sports leagues, where she served as the Treasurer/Board Member and Coach for the La Mirada Girls Softball Association for seven years. She has also been active with the Parent Teachers Association for the past 26 years, where she has served in several capacities, including as Auditor for the Norwalk-La Mirada Council of PTA’s and President.
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| The La Mirada City Council. [l to r]Councilmember Andrew Sarega, Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Deal, Mayor Larry Mowles, Councilmembers Steve De Ruse and Steve Jones Photo City Services |
Also serving on the City Council are Steve De Ruse, Steve Jones, and Andrew Sarega.
Detectives Continue to Work Stubborn Bona Vista Case; Asking for Public Help
La Mirada~Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau continue to investigate the recent shooting death of a young man and are asking for the public for help.
Officials have concluded Dominique Mendoza, 20, of La Mirada was shot outside the home at 13409 Bona Vista Lane in La Mirada on February 16th sometime before 12:41 a.m. when they received the shots fired call.
When police arrived they found evidence of a shooting but no victim.
A bit later, an unknown person dumped Mendoza’s body in the parking area of the emergency trauma center at Presbyterian Hospital in Whittier. A passerby noticed the body lying on the ground.
Sgt. Ken Clark told the La Mirada Blog yesterday that Mendoza, “May have known the people who shot him.”
“We’re asking for help, Clark said, “We believe there is someone out there who witnessed what happened.”
Because the investigation is still ongoing, Clark offered very little more about the details of the case at this time.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Sgt. Ken Clark or Sgt. Tim Cain at the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
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