Norwalk-La Mirada Unified Recognizes Benton Arts Educator as Teacher of the Year
Norwalk~Benton Middle School art teacher Jennifer Hodge has been recognized as Norwalk-La Mirada Unified’s 2016-17 Teacher of the Year for inspiring her students to adopt a lifelong appreciation of the arts and apply their creative, critical thinking skills in other subject areas.
“It's such a privilege to work alongside students as they gain the confidence and skills to communicate an important message and use art as a creative tool for self-expression,” Hodge said. “It's a pleasure to work in a district that allows student choice in selecting electives and pathways that inspire them.”
Hodge started as a substitute teacher at Gardenhill Elementary School 16 years ago and transitioned into Benton’s visual and performing arts magnet as an art teacher in 2010.
She immediately noticed Norwalk-La Mirada Unified’s high value on teacher input and collaboration, and various professional development opportunities. Hodge also takes part in the annual Caring Beyond the Classroom event, when teachers provide school supplies to students at the beginning of each year.
“It's an incredible honor to represent the hard-working and highly qualified teachers of Norwalk-La Mirada Unified,” Hodge said. “I look forward to spreading awareness about the great things our teachers do to help students be the best versions of themselves at school and at home.”
Norwalk-La Mirada Unified recognizes outstanding teachers, staff and administrators at each school during its annual Stars Award Night April 6. District-level recognitions went to:
• Chris Moton, Student & Family Services: District Administrator of the Year
• Michael Gotto, Benton Middle School: School Site Administrator of the Year
• Darlene Reyes, Educational Services: Classified Manager/Confidential Employee of the Year
• Heather Yeager, Hutchinson Middle School: Classified Employee of the Year
“Jennifer is an example of the high-quality teachers we have throughout our schools who inspire our students to pursue their dreams,” Superintendent Dr. Hasmik Danielian said. “Congratulations to all of our teachers, staff and administrators who were recognized for their hard work.”
50th Annual 605 All-Star Game Saturday at Pioneer High
Whittier~For some, this will be their last competitive game, others will be moving on to play college ball.
The 50th Annual 605 All-Star game that features graduating high school seniors, will take place Saturday, June 3rd at Pioneer High’s Richard Torres Stadium.
La Mirada quarterback Tristan Meyer will lead the eastern squad after leading his Matadores to a CIF-SS Division 3 Final this past December.
Game time is 6:05.
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East All Stars WR Gabriel Bermudez St. Paul Head Coach: Ray Fenton of Los Alamitos |
West All Stars PK Clay D'Amico Valley Christian Head Coach: Woodie Grayson of Valley Christian |
World War II Veteran and Last Charter Member of VFW Post 9148 Celebrates His 100th Birthday
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| The Markel family with La Mirada resident and World War II veteran Arthur Markel celebrating his 100th birthday this past Sunday at the VFW Post 9148. |
La Mirada~Friends, family and guests gathered this past Sunday at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9148 in La Mirada to celebrate the 100th birthday of resident and member Arthur Markel.
A La Mirada resident, Arthur is the last surviving charter member of the La Mirada based post that was chartered on May 23rd, 1959 and originally met at Gardenhill School.
Arthur is a 54-year resident and is the devoted husband to Jean Markel, who is no longer with us. They were married for over 60 years.
Arthur served in World War II as a tank operator and named his tank "Jenny" after his beloved wife.
FBI Raids La Mirada Home Connected in Credit Card Fraud Ring; Arrests Made Throughout Area
La Mirada~Authorities served a federal warrant on a home in La Mirada this morning in connection with an alleged credit card fraud ring and methamphetamine distribution operation.
Shortly after 6:00 Tuesday morning, residents told us they heard a loud boom as authorities used a flash-bang device to gain access to the home located in the 13800 block of Mansa Drive.
Agencies involved in the raid included the California Highway Patrol, Huntington Beach Police Department and the FBI as we first reported at 6:41 a.m. local time on our Twitter feed with exclusive photos and video.
Other arrest and search warrants were served in the southeast cities area in connection with the scam as reported by KTLA and the Cerritos Patch.
The La Mirada residents indicted in the case are still at-large at last report.
La Mirada Crime Summary May 1-7
The La Mirada crime summary, as provided by the city, for May 1-7, 2017.
Notable Arrests-Six suspects were arrested throughout La Mirada for outstanding warrants and narcotics violations. Two male suspects were arrested for an assault with a BB Gun that occurred last month at the 7-11 located at Stage Road and Alondra Boulevard.
Other Structure Burglary-A tablet was stolen during an overnight door-smash burglary on the 15800 block of Imperial Hwy. An early morning burglary was reported on the 14200 block of Rosecrans Ave. The exact loss is yet to be determined. An overnight door-smash burglary was reported on the 15100 block of Rosecrans Ave. The exact loss is yet to be determined.
Vehicle Burglary-Clothing was stolen during an overnight burglary on the 14700 block of Firestone Blvd. A GPS unit was reported stolen during an overnight burglary on the 14500 block of Gardenhill Dr.
Grand Theft-Jewelry was reported stolen on the 15000 block of Rosalita Dr. A wallet and other personal items were stolen during a daytime theft on the 13800 block of La Mirada Blvd.
Phantom Projects Presents #TheWall at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
"We need to be present today with our kids, it's not OUR generation...but we still have influence in shaping THEIR generation"
La Mirada~Shining a light on the emotional turmoil caused by cyber-bullying, #TheWall examines a new method of perpetuating one of the oldest teen issues known to society, Thursday May 18th at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m at the La Mirada Thetare for the Performing Arts.
The themes include real-life stories picked right out of the ashes of tragedy, depicting actual accounts involving teen suicides brought upon by cyber bullying, catfishing and the posting of sexually exploitative photos, which when posted, live on forever. This show focuses heavily on short-term actions, which levy very long term consequences.
Teens and families alike will absolutely resonate with the stories told, and through the medium of performing arts, will gain a heightened awareness of the world in which young people are growing up. There are many lessons to be learned from this play, and given many tragic stories of late, this feels timely.
Watch a behind-the-scenes video here. Listen to an in-depth with Director Steve Cisneros, as he chats about #TheWall with LA Talk Radio here. Enter an opportunity drawing to see Hamilton at The Pantages Theatre here.
#TheWall tickets start at $10 (Backstage Tour VIP Tickets start at $37). Purchase here.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report
Weekly crime summary for La Mirada April 24-30, 2017
Notable Arrests- Male and female suspects were arrested for the armed robbery listed below on the 14000 block of Valley View. A male suspect was arrested for possession of narcotics with intent to sell on Imperial Hwy and Valley View.
Homicide- A victim was fatally shot near the intersection of Santa Gertrudes and Alicante Rd. Two suspects have been arrested on unrelated charges, and the incident is still being investigated for their involvement.
Robbery-Two suspects robbed a convenience store at gunpoint on the 14000 block of Valley View Ave. No injuries were sustained during the incident. The suspects were later arrested.
Aggravated Assault- During a domestic incident on the 15300 block of Tacuba Dr. a victim was assaulted and sustained non-life threatening injury to the head. The suspect was arrested for the incident. A victim sustained a gunshot wound the arm on the 15000 block of Imperial Hwy. Two suspects have been arrested on unrelated charges, and the incident is still being investigated for their involvement. The victim was treated for his injury.
Two Shootings in La Mirada After Pico Rivera Carjacking
La Mirada~Two separate shooting incidents occurred in town earlier today after a carjacking in Pico Rivera.
Two suspects still at large driving green SUV. We will have further shortly.
Get the latest including our live Pericasts on our Twitter feed here.
UPDATE: 18:30-04/29/17: Receiving reports that one victim from La Mirada shooting has died.
UPDATE: 19:15 04/29/17: Vehicle used in shootings has been found at Mayberry Park in Whittier, unoccupied, suspects still at-large.
UPDATE: 06:20 05/03/17: Although not officially announced, our sources tell us and we reported on Twitter the suspects, identified as 21-year-old Alejandro Lazo and 26-year-old Reyna Gomez, have been detained after the incident at the Budget Inn at the 5 freeway and Carmenita Road in Santa Fe Springs that evening. They were apparently shot, but not by law enforcement. A look at LASD records indicates both Lazo and Gomez have extensive criminal records. Both are expected to be arraigned Tuesday May 5th at 8:30 a.m. at Downey Superior Court.
OBITUARY: Mark “Pick” Pickering
Mark “PICK” Pickering
10/04/1959 - 03/23/17
Mark John Pickering was born to John T. Pickering out of Ojai, California and Dolores Flores from Merced, California. They wed at age of 16 and shortly after started a family. Mark is followed by his sister Kathy Wilkinson in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Brother, Steve Pickering also from Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Mark cherished family time, always would give his nieces and nephews, Derek Clark, Lynnette Pickering, Tyler WIlkinson, Bre-Ana Wilkinson, and Caitlin Pickering, “Life” talks every time he saw us. We couldn’t wait for them to be over so that we didn’t hear how bad we were messing up or what we could improve on. “You’re not wrong but you’re not right.” was his favorite for me. Over the years Mark and I, Tyler, had grown apart, and to be perfectly honest I hadn’t even noticed until my mom called me one day telling me he had went in for back surgery to get that squared away. It had been bothering him for years, it was about time he took care of it. It wasn’t until that moment, that it all started clicking and coming together. I suddenly could put action to all the words he said to me, I could see the way. While that realization is going on, I am half ass listening to my mom tell me to text him or call him he needs it, but not too much because he needs his rest and or is out of the room and doesn’t answer. Later that night I text him, “Thinking about you! Wishing for a fast recovery. Love you big guy!” Next day I woke up to that, “Thank you Doug and Heather for the flowers appreciate them”. I thought it was comical at the time. Now I think it’s sad because he didn’t know I was thinking about him. That how I realized how much him and I did have in common and the list goes on and on. It was too soon for me to let him go. He is gone, that I cannot change. But he is not forgotten. We are collecting pictures and memories of Mark, you can send them to drowsydwarf@gmail.com or share them here.
Northbound I-5 Alondra Boulevard/Freeway Drive On-Ramp Permanently Closed
La Mirada Resident Killed in Crash
Alexis Barragan of La Mirada, 22, was killed this past early Sunday morning after the vehicle she was travelling in crashed near Valley View and Katella Avenues.
The driver, Nicolas Sanchez-McCormick, 22, of Whittier was arrested on vehicular manslaughter and DUI charges. He was the driver of the vehicle and reportedly ran a red light.
Valley View Interchange Project Update
The northbound I-5 on-ramp at Freeway Drive/Alondra Blvd is now closed.
Motorists will now be detoured to proceed west on Alondra Boulevard, then north on Carmenita Road to access the northbound I-5 on-ramp. Heavy traffic and delays in the area are expected. Motorists are urged to use alternative routes whenever possible.
Starting Sunday, April 16 through Thursday, April 20 crews will be performing work in the median island along northbound and southbound I-5 between Artesia Boulevard to Alondra Boulevard. In order to complete this work, there will be partial lane reductions on I-5 and the northbound and southbound I-5 Valley View Avenue on- and off-ramps may be closed nightly between 7:00 p.m. and 5:45 a.m.
Pile driving and shoring activities are ongoing on the south side of Valley View Avenue. This work will be conducted weekdays during the daytime between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
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