Matadores Seem to be Getting All Cylinders Going
Sports

Matadores Seem to be Getting All Cylinders Going

La Mirada~Two players who were scuffling provided big hits, two stayed on fire and pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon toyed with Glenn in La Mirada’s 12-1 home victory Tuesday.

In improving to 6-7 overall and 2-1 in the Suburban League, the Matadores continued their outstanding play in all three facets of the game in outscoring the last three opponents by a combined 29-2. The Eagles, who the Matadores will play on the road tomorrow at 3 p.m., fell to 3-7 and 0-3.

By the time Arizona-bound right-hander Poncedeleon gave up a two-out rally in the top of the sixth on three straight hits, La Mirada was already cruising along with a 5-0 lead.

Then it really took control.

FROM OUR CLASSIFIEDS: Teen Auditions for Latest Phantom Show
Community

FROM OUR CLASSIFIEDS: Teen Auditions for Latest Phantom Show

Audition Dates: April 3rd and 4th, 2010, Invitational callbacks on April 5th

Location: Phantom Projects Rehearsal Hall, 15517 Phoebe Ave, La Mirada 90638

-We are looking for a combination of talent, energy, and personality.
-All performers MUST be between ages 15-21.
-We are NOT casting anyone older to "play younger."

All actors will be expected to understand the educational nature of the production and will be asked questions about the topic in the audition process. We are not looking for "doctors," or "perfect" teens. We just want real people who want to speak to teens about such an important issue, regardless of any "mistakes" you may have made in the past. Our audiences need to hear all perspectives on the topic; past performers have included teen mothers, virgins, non-virgins, etc.

Matadores Get Rust Off Resurrection
Sports

Matadores Get Rust Off Resurrection

La Mirada~Three players had a pair of hits Saturday to pace an 11-prong attack to overwhelm former Division I power Simi Valley in a 9-1 Redondo Tournament game, further evidence that the bats’ early season cool is thawing.

The Matadores (5-7) will hope to keep things rolling when they resume Suburban League action in a rare Tuesday-Thursday setup against Glenn beginning at home at 3 p.m.

Senior righthander Mitch Petersen proved too much for Simi Valley's feeble lineup, a far cry from last year's fully-loaded nine and two years ago when the Pioneers won the CIF-Southern Section Division I championship.  Petersen allowed just four hits and one unearned run in his five dominant innings, while senior Alex Pedroza faced the minimum in his two frames by inducing inning-ending double plays that were nicely turned respectively by senior secondbasemen Garrin Haile and Cody Curtis and superbly digged by senior defensive replacement Mike Piazza at firstbase.

Harper Mows Down Lancers; Matadores End Losing Skid
Sports

Harper Mows Down Lancers; Matadores End Losing Skid

Norwalk~Senior designated hitter Ray Chacon had a RBI in each of his four at-bats to ignite a stagnant offense, senior righthander Kyle Harper made a statement that you'll have to rip his 2009 Suburban League Pitcher of the Year award from his cold, bare hands, and the defense was spectacular in a slump-busting 8-0 victory Friday over host Norwalk.

It evens both club's league record at 1-1 as the Matadores ended a losing streak at four games.  La Mirada (4-7), which has faced some of the best in the nation in just the first third of the season, goes back on the Division I wagon Saturday when a tough Simi Valley squad comes calling at 11 a.m. for a Redondo Tournament showdown.

Harper dominated the Lancers in his six innings of work, allowing just four hits while striking out seven and not walking a batter.  Junior righty Jordan Rosenberg hurled a scoreless seventh to complete the shutout.

Whittier Area Chamber Enjoys Pizza at Tasty
News

Whittier Area Chamber Enjoys Pizza at Tasty

Whittier~HUNGRY FOR NETWORKING?

All Whittier Area Chamber members are invited to network at this month's Tasty Tuesday at That's Amore Pizzeria, 11223 First Ave. Please join us on Tuesday, March 30th at the corner of First Ave. and Leffingwell in Whittier.

Call the Whittier Area Chamber office for more information at (562)698-9554 or @ www.whittierchamber.com

 

La Mirada Sees a Decrease in Crime
News

La Mirada Sees a Decrease in Crime

E-Watch is Valuable Tool forTracking Crime in Your Neighborhood

La Mirada~During the past year, the City of La Mirada has continued to experience one of the lowest crime rates in the region and has remained one of the safest cities in Los Angeles County.

Major crimes decreased by 34 percent from 1,134 in 2008 to 756 in 2009. The number of arrests increased by 24 percent, from 1,105 arrests made in 2008 to 1,368 arrests in 2009.  The recent drop continues a five year trend in which major crimes have fallen by 46 percent.

“The overall decrease in crime is due to the continued proactive policing by the Sheriff’s Deputies and the involvement of the community”, says La Mirada Sheriff’s Station Lieutenant Pat Valdez.  “La Mirada is committed to maintaining a record of safety expected by residents and business owners.”

Potential Whittier Candidates Square Off
News

Potential Whittier Candidates Square Off

Whittier~Four candidates, including two incumbents, who are vying for two open seats on the Whittier City Council will share their visions for Whittier at the 2010 Whittier City Council Candidates' Forum.

The event will be held on Wednesday, March 24th at the American Red Cross at 6706 S. Friends Ave. in Uptown Whittier. The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the Forum will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.

This event is free to the public and hosted by the Whittier Chamber and the Whittier Uptown Association.

Call the Whittier Chamber office for more information at (562)698-9554.

Matadores Can’t Get Out of First Gear
Sports

Matadores Can’t Get Out of First Gear

Long Beach~If only the season had a reset button.

But after Saturday's 12-1 defeat to Moore League power Long Beach Wilson, a couple years removed from the No. 1 ranking in the United States, the start of the Suburban League campaign Wednesday against visiting Norwalk is the next best thing to a do-over, from the poor individual statistics to the collective 3-6 record.

Wilson (6-2) parlayed a bases-empty, two-out rally into four first-inning runs and never looked back against the Matadores, who were playing their eighth contest against a Division I opponent.  In the fourth frame, six of the 10 unearned runs all but finished it off.

Senior centerfielder Karl Perez, playing with the most vigor, continued to carry a hot bat, going 2-for-3 with a double and getting robbed on a line drive to center his first time up. 

Senior secondbaseman Garrin Haile smacked mirror-image line drive singles to center, the first one in the second inning to bring in senior leftfielder Justin Torres (hit by pitch) for La Mirada's only run.  Junior shortstop Andres Rodriguez dunked one into leftfield to get Torres into scoring position.

Senior firstbaseman Mike Piazza, in the throes of the biggest slump of his life, deserved better with a blast to Wilson's centerfield Death Valley, backing up the Bruin against the fence about 400-feet away before hauling it in.

Other than that, the Matadores showed little life once again offensively, managing just five hits.

Wednesday's league home opener against the Lancers begins at 3 p.m.

Go ahead and hit that red button.

 

Police Looking For Additional Victims
News

Police Looking For Additional Victims

SHERIFF'S SPECIAL VICTIMS BUREAU IS SEEKING THE PUBLICS ASSISTANCE IN
IDENTIFYING POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL VICTIMS OF SEXUAL MOLESTATION AFTER
THE ARREST OF A WHITTIER MAN.

PAUL ANTHONY AYALA WAS ARRESTED BY SVB DETECTIVES FRIDAY, MARCH 2,
2010, AFTER AN INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATIONS RECENTLY MADE BY AN
11-YEAR OLD MALE, WHO WAS BEING COACHED BY SUSPECT AYALA IN A
FOOTBALL PROGRAM IN LA MIRADA. A SECOND VICTIM SINCE HIS ARREST HAS
BEEN IDENTIFIED.

SUSPECT AYALA IS A FORMER POLICE OFFICER. HE WAS EMPLOYED BY
WHITTIER POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR APPROXIMATELY 17-YEARS AND
MEDICALLY RETIRED TWO YEARS AGO. HE HAS BEEN ACTIVE AS A COACH IN
THE COMMUNITY SINCE HIS RETIREMENT. BECAUSE AYALA COACHES A
NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN DIFFERENT SPORTS, IT IS FEARED THAT THERE MAY
BE ADDITIONAL VICTIMS.

THE SUSPECT WAS ARRAIGNED TODAY AT THE WHITTIER COURT ON NINE
FELONY COUNTS OF CHILD MOLESTATION. HE REMAINS IN CUSTODY WITH
BAIL OF 8,250,000.00.

ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL VICTIMS BUREAU AT (866)247-5877 OR
CONTACT THEIR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

Matadores Overpowered by Powerhouse
Sports

Matadores Overpowered by Powerhouse

La Mirada~Letting a great opportunity get away to make a statement, the La Mirada High School baseball team was knocked around by the nation's No. 1-ranked team in a doubleheader sweep to visiting Lakewood, 10-3 and 8-0.

The Lancers improved to 9-0 on the season, including outscoring La Mirada 29-3 in three meetings, while the Matadores fell to 3-5, with four of the defeats coming to teams that have polled in the country's top three. 

The brutal early-season schedule continues at talented Long Beach Wilson at 11 a.m. Saturday.  Come league and the playoffs, this team will certainly be battle-tested.

LA MIRADA WEATHER

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