Crossroads Shopping Center Getting Facelift
La Mirada~Demolition work is underway at the Crossroads Shopping Center at Imperial Highway and La Mirada Boulevard.
The demolition work will clear the site for the development of a 13,650 square foot Walgreens Pharmacy drug store. Construction on the new drug store is set to begin in November. Other improvements at the shopping center will include the a 30,000 square-foot supermarket and other retail shops. This project will be completed in 2013.
“This is the first development to be guided by the modern design standards set forth in the Imperial Highway Specific Plan,” says City Manager Tom Robinson. “We are looking forward to the economic benefits and aesthetic improvements this project will bring to our community.”
Demolition work will continue at Crossroads through the coming weeks. Storm drain line relocation at the site will be completed by the end of September, and grading work will follow in October.
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL: Matadores Start Out League Play With Dramatic Win; Should Coast Through Suburban
La Mirada~The La Mirada High School Football team beat Norwalk in dramatic fashion this past Friday night 29-23, in the opening game of Suburban League play for both teams.
Norwalk took the lead 23-20 with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter on a field goal by Jorge Perez.
However, La Mirada's Gerry Myres found Tyler Luatua for a 59-yard catch-and-run touchdown, securing the win for Matadores (4-1, 1-0).
Myres completed 9 of 15 passes for 178 yards, and saved his longest completion of the night for the winning score.
Adam Carrasco carried the ball 29 times for 165 yards, including all of his teams 66 yards in a grueling 3rd quarter 11-play TD drive.
After a tough pre-league schedule in which the Mats went 3-1, Norwalk may be the Matadores toughest foe in a notoriously very weak Suburban League, made even weaker this year with the recent announcement of the discontinuation of the varsity football program at Cerritos High School, another Suburban team.
The program was shut down due mostly from ongoing Cerritos parent concerns about player safety.
Now a five team league with Cerritos gone-don't look up-because the Mats have only four games remaining for the regular season.
Another key contest for the Mats will be the regular season finale November 2nd at home vs. rival Mayfair.
La Mirada next travels to Bellflower Friday, September 28th to take on the Monsoons (2-2, 0-0).
Traffic Incident Snarls Traffic at Theatre Center
Photo sent into the La Mirada Blog by Twitter follower shows victim being loaded into ambulance. |
La Mirada~Two cars collided last night in La Mirada resulting in one victim being transported to the hospital.
The incident occurred a little after 9 p.m. at Rosecrans Avenue and the La Mirada Theatre Center's north entrance; located next to Panera Bread.
Apparently the vehicle traveling westbound on Rosecrans was attempting to turn into the center, and was cut off by the vehicle traveling eastbound on Rosecrans also attempting to turn into the center, said Lt. Woolum of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station.
She said both vehicles were traveling at a slow rate of speed and the accident was considered minor.
However, one victim was transported to the hospital complaining of neck pain.
Photos sent in our by Twitter fans show the two vehicles involved were SUV's.
Get instant La Mirada news at twitter.com/lamiradablog
La Mirada Library to Host Semi-Annual Book Sale
La Mirada~The Friends of the La Mirada Public Library, or “Friends of the Library” (FOL), will host its next semi-annual Book Sale on Saturday, October 6, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The fundraising event will be held at the La Mirada Activity Center, 13810 La Mirada Blvd. (behind the fire station), in the City of La Mirada.
The book sale will offer a wide selection of quality secondhand hardcover and paperback books as well as audio and video materials at bargain-basement prices. Beginning at 1:30 p.m., customers may buy bags to fill with books for only $3.00 per bag.
“As always, we will have a fantastic variety of materials for patrons to choose from,” said FOL Ways and Means Vice President Hal Malkin. “Everyone from young readers to senior learners will find something that will appeal to them at affordable prices.”
Proceeds from FOL book sales and other projects are used to support the library in different ways. “The money we raise,” explained FOL President Malena Hough, “helps to supplement the library’s book collection and present live shows for children and the community.”
“We invite anyone who shares our passion for the library to join the Friends of the La Mirada Public Library,” Hough said. Information about FOL is available at the library and the book sale.
The Friends of the La Mirada Public Library, Inc., is a nonprofit association of community-minded individuals committed to focusing public attention on the library’s services, facilities, and needs, and to encouraging and facilitating gifts and donations in support of the library.
Weekly Crime Report: Rash of Residential and Vehicle Burglaries Plague La Mirada This Past Week
CRIME REPORT
The following is the crime report for La Mirada for September 10-16, 2012.
Aggravated Assault-Two assaults were reported last week. An assault was reported on the 13500 block of Duffield Ave. Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. An assault occurred on the 12800 block of Elmrock Ave. A suspect was arrested by responding deputies.
Residential Burglary-Four residential burglaries were reported last week. All four incidents involved point of entry through an unlocked kitchen window. A burglary was reported on the 13000 block of Edwards Rd. Miscellaneous jewelry was stolen. An incident occurred on the 15100 block of Hayford St. Jewelry and a tablet device were stolen from the home. A burglary occurred on the 13000 block of Bluefield Ave. An incident was reported on the 14300 block of Elmrock Ave. It is unknown if any items were stolen.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15000 block of Rosecrans Ave. It is unknown if anything was taken from the business.
Vehicle Burglary-Four vehicle burglaries were reported last week. An incident occurred on the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. A window smash burglary was reported on the 14800 block of Beach Blvd. Various items were taken from the vehicle. A burglary was reported on the 11900 block of La Mirada Blvd. Two rear-row seats were stolen from the vehicle. A burglary occurred on the 13900 block of Ramhurst Dr. A purse and electronics were stolen from the vehicle.
Grand Theft -A theft was reported on the 15200 block of Rosecrans Ave. Various electronics were stolen from the business.
La Mirada Cub Scouts to Host Recruitment Night
La Mirada~The Cub Scout Pack 919 of La Mirada is holding their Fall Round-up Recruitment Night this Friday, September 21, 2012, at 6 p.m.
The location of the event is the Community Presbyterian Church, 13701 Hillsborough Drive in La Mirada (near Behringer Park).
Cub scouting is a program tailored for boys 1st through 5th grade, guiding and helping them to become reliant, dependable, and caring individuals.
For almost 50 years, Pack 919 of La Mirada, has been weaving lifetime values into fun and educational activities designed to assist parents in strengthening character, good citizenship, and physical fitness in youth.
Along with teaching family values, scouting offers a lot of fun including family camps, hikes, bike rides and many other fantastic events, making it fun with a purpose!
For additional information contact Cub Master Moses Covarrubias at (562) 774-7439.
Game Stop in La Mirada Robbed
La Mirada~A theft occurred tonight at the Game Stop at 15724 Rosecrans Avenue in La Mirada.
Lieutenant Woolum of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station told the La Mirada Blog that around 6:23 p.m. a male Hispanc, described as in his early 20's and wearing sunglasses and jeans, took an iPad and two iPhones from the store.
There was no last seen direction, or any description of any getaway vehicle available.
If you have any information about the theft please contact the Norwalk Sheriff's Staton at (562) 863-8711.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 9/3-9/9/12
The following is the weekly crime report for La Mirada September 3-9, 2012
Robbery-Two robberies were reported last week. A robbery was reported on the 14500 block of Leffingwell Rd. Cash was stolen from the victim as he entered his vehicle. A robbery occurred on the 14800 block of Neartree Rd, the incident is currently under investigation.
Aggravated Assault-Two assaults were reported last week. An incident occurred on the 15500 block of Talbot Dr. A suspect was taken into custody by Sheriff's Deputies. An assault was reported on the 14800 block of Neartree Rd. The incident is currently under investigation.
Residential Burglary-A residential burglary was reported on the 13200 block of Crete Dr. Various jewelry and coins were stolen from the home.
Other Structure Burglary-Three commercial burglaries were reported last week.A burglary occurred on the 12200 block of La Mirada Blvd. Currency was taken from the business. An attempted burglary was reported on the 14200 block of Valley View Ave. A burglary was reported on the 15500 block of La Mirada Blvd. Currency and safes were among the items stolen from the location.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A grand theft was reported on the 15700 block of Imperial Hwy. Diamond rings were stolen after being left on restroom sink inside the location.
Join C.E.R.T.
The La Mirada Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a 20 hour all-risk, all-hazard training offered by the Los Angeles County Fire Department. This valuable course is designed to help your family and neighbors for a disaster. Lessons include Fire Safety, Hazardous Material and Terrorist Incidents, Disaster Medical Operations, and Search and Rescue.
For more information on upcoming CERT classes or to join the La Mirada CERT program, contact the La Mirada Community Sheriff's station at (562) 902-2960.
Williams Welcomed ‘Back Home’ to La Mirada; To Host Community BBQ
La Mirada~It was “Derrick Williams Night” at the La Mirada City Council meeting on Tuesday.
Derrick Williams receives the Community Spotlight Award from Mayor Gabe Garcia. The award is 'designed to recognize those individuals, who through their actions, bring credit to themselves and the City of La Mirada' Photo Randy Economy |
The superstar basketball player from the Minnesota Timberwolves was honored by Mayor Gabe Garcia and the city council with a rarely presented “Community Spotlight Award.”
Garcia said Williams was being honored “not because he plays in the NBA, it is because he is giving back to the community where he lives, loves and grew up.”
The recognition is presented to La Mirada residents who through their actions bring “credit to themselves and the City of La Mirada.”
Williams is a 2009 graduate of La Mirada High School and then attended the University of Arizona where he rose to national prominence in his sophomore year when he averaged 19.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
“Derrick is the perfect example of someone who grew up here in La Mirada, and who is going on to accomplish major things in professional sports, who is now giving back his time, efforts, and even his money,” Garcia said.
The mayor then quipped, “Hey Derrick, we might need a loan down the road here at city hall,” to the amusement of those gathered.
During the 2011 season, Williams led the NCAA in True Shooting percentage (.690) and Effective Field Goal percentage (.650), helping lead the Arizona Wildcats basketball team to a regular season PAC-10 championship. Williams was named the Pac-10 Player of the Year.
Williams told The Lamplighter in an interview that he is looking forward “to a great season ahead.”
And the crowd goes wild. From the front, and then clockwise-Mayor Garcia; ex-teammate at La Mirada, Ryan Kelly; Councilman Steve Jones; Mayor pro-tem Steve DeRuse; Councilman Larry Mowles; Councilwoman Pauline Deal; Mom, Rhoma moore; Sister, LaToni Moore; Williams and agent Rob Pelinka. Photo Randy Economy |
“Our team is going to be whole next year, with a solid team up and down,” Williams said.
“It is great to be home and with my family, friends and the community,” he said.
Williams will be hosting a youth community picnic this Saturday, September 15 at La Mirada Regional Park from 12 noon to 4 p.m.
“We want all the kids from La Mirada and their parents to come by and grab a hot dog and just enjoy being part of this wonderful community,” Williams said.
La Mirada Symphony Names New President
La Mirada~Dana Taylor has been named the new President of the La Mirada Symphony. Former long-time President, Pat Ruiz made the announcement, “It has been my pleasure to serve as President of the La Mirada Symphony Association for the past 12 years. It is now my honor to announce Dana Taylor has been elected to that position and will see that our wonderful orchestra and programs will continue in excellent hands.”
Taylor has a life-time association with La Mirada and the symphony in particular. Her mother was one of the original violinists. She is a graduate of the University of Redlands and is an Amazon bestselling author. Her books have won awards and reach a world-wide audience.
Established in 1963, the La Mirada Symphony has dubbed this the Golden Celebration season to commemorate their 50th year since incorporation. Taylor says, “I look forward to supporting the tradition of free concerts and educational programs for the community. Our upcoming season is very exciting.”
Find more information at the new website www.LaMiradaSymphony.wordpress.com.