Whittier Woman Sentenced to Life in Prison for Carjacking/Shooting Spree in 2017
A day-long sequence of events rolled through La Mirada in a deadly way
A 27-year-old Whittier woman will spend the remainder of her life in state prison for a 2017 shooting spree that left one man dead and three others injured, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Roger Ito sentenced Reyna Gomez to the maximum term of 83 years and four months, plus 270 years to life, in state prison.
Jurors convicted Gomez on Sept. 13 of one count of murder, 14 counts of attempted murder and one count of carjacking. Gun and gang allegations also were found to be true.
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Chung of the Major Crimes Division and Emily Carmack of the Major Narcotics Division.
On April 29, 2017, Alejandro Lazo (dob 3/9/96) and Gomez allegedly carjacked a driver in Pico Rivera. The pair drove to Whittier where they are accused of shooting and wounding a man in an alley. The shooting spree continued when they allegedly opened fire on two vehicles and injured another person, prosecutors said.
They then drove to La Mirada in the stolen vehicle where they stopped at an intersection and allegedly shot at several vehicles. One driver, 44-year-old Jose Ricardo Sahagun, was killed by the gunfire. The defendants were later found nearby in another vehicle and were arrested.
Lazo is facing one count of murder, 14 counts of attempted murder and one count of carjacking. He is scheduled to appear for a pretrial hearing on Dec. 11.
Case VA144673 was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Whittier Police Department.
Phantom Projects Announces Pay What You Will Day at LM Theatre for the Performing Arts Box Office
La Mirada~No longer will price have to be a factor for any teen, family, or student who wants to be part of a live theatre experience. For one day only, on October 13, 2018, from 12pm-4pm, patrons may arrive to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Box Office and pay what they can for any show in the 4-show season from Phantom Projects Theatre Group. No patron will be turned away.
"The idea that anyone might not be able to be in the audience because of financial limitations pains me greatly. We are a non-profit, yes, and ticket sales are crucial, but at the end of the day, the educational element of what we do is far more important. We want to remove any excuse as to why someone can’t be a theatregoer,” commented Producing Artistic Director Steve Cisneros, who created the company at the age of 17 when pricing often limited his theatre-going abilities.
Pay What You Will tickets will be made available on Saturday October 13th, in-person only, at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts Box Office. Tickets may be purchased from Noon to 4:00 pm. Tickets, available via cash only, will be available on a first come, first served basis.
The 4 Show season, any of which are available for purchase on this day, include: Afflicted: Daughters of Salem (November 15, 2018), The Outsiders (February 21, 2019), Wonder (April 11, 2019) and The 13th Annual Young Artist Project (August 3, 2019)
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Free Recycling Event Coming up at La Mirada Community Gymnasium Parking Lot
The City of La Mirada and EDCO Disposal will be sponsoring a free mulch distribution, paper shredding, and e-waste collection event on Saturday, October 20 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will be held in the parking lot of the La Mirada Community Gymnasium, located at 15105 Alicante Road.
This collection event is for La Mirada residents only. Proof of residency (i.e. CA Driver’s License or utility bill) will be required. Participants are asked to enter the Community Gymnasium parking lot from Alicante Road). Household hazardous waste materials will not be accepted at this event.
For additional information, contact the Public Works Department at (562) 902-2385.
INFO: Annual Youth Fishing Derby at Regional Park
La Mirada~The annual Hahn Catch Youth Fishing Derby will take place Saturday, September 22nd at the La Mirada Regional Park lake from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The event is open to children ages 5-15 years of age and no fishing license is required. Bring your own pole as their is a limited supply available for loan.
La Mirada Kiwanis will once again be providing a pancake breakfast at 7:00 a.m. sharp.
For more information call (562) 902-5645 or (626) 333-1369.
Free Oil Filters for La Mirada Do-it-Yourselfer’s September 1st
The City of La Mirada will be holding a used motor oil filter exchange event on Saturday, September 1, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Pep Boys, 14207 Rosecrans Ave. In exchange for their used motor oil filters, residents will receive new motor oil filters free of charge. (La Mirada residents may receive up to 2 new filters in exchange for 2 used filters; valued up to $12; while supplies last.) After your next oil change, bring in your used oil and filters and receive vouchers for new oil filters to redeem at this one-day recycling event.
"Used motor oil and filters are highly recyclable," says Kevin Sales, La Mirada’s Used Oil Recycling Program coordinator. "The City wants to make used motor oil and filter recycling as easy for the Do-It-Yourselfer as possible. Both the motor oil and the steel from the automotive filter will be recycled; and you can redeem your filter voucher immediately for a free oil filter from Pep Boys."
The City of La Mirada encourages all residents to participate in the event and to recycle their used motor oil and filters. Supplementary educational materials will be available as well as additional oil change materials for eligible participants.
Other used oil collection centers can be located by calling 888-CLEAN-LA, or visiting CleanLA.com. Further information regarding the Filter Exchange Event can be obtained by contacting Kevin Sales at (562) 944-4766.
Phantom Projects Benefit Gala for Arts Education August 4th at La Mirada Theatre
Courtnee Draper, star of Disney Channel’s first original series, The Jersey, and world-wide smash hit video game, Bioshock Infinite will be honored as a founding member of the troupe.
La Mirada~Phantom Projects Theatre Group will host it’s annual event: The Phantom Cabaret: A Benefit Gala for Arts Education, taking place on August 4 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Because of this fundraising event, the group is able to provide over $20,000 in donated theatre tickets and performances to non-profits, schools, and youth groups.
The fabulous evening includes a night of entertainment, dinner, silent auction and more. The event pays tribute to the non-profit organization’s work with at-risk youth through the performing arts.
This year, the first ever Alumni Award will be presented to an outstanding veteran of the troupe, founding member Courtnee Draper who started with the troupe at the age of 11.
She would continue to perform with the group on stage over the next 12 years, while growing her on-camera career. She starred in Disney Channel’s original TV Series, The Jersey, which saw her performing alongside legendary athletes such as Peyton Manning, Tony Hawk and Laila Ali. After starring in a handful of Disney Channel movies, Courtnee transitioned into more adult roles becoming a regular on The Bold and the Beautiful, and making appearances on such shows as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Tru Calling, Veronica Mars, and CSI: Miami.
After taking a break to pursue a career in law, she returned in a major way to star as Elizabeth in the world-wide smash hit video games Bioshock Infinite and Bioshock Infinite: Burial at Sea. The game earned her two Spike Video Game award nominations, one for Best Actress, and winning the other for Best Song.
The event will also feature performances and presentations from alumni and community members, including James McFarlane, Mayor of La Mirada Larry Mowles, Tessa Githens, Angela Griswold, The Jazz Angles, Jargie the Science Girl! and more.
Phantom Projects Theatre Group started in 1997 when a then 17-year old Steve Cisneros approached his high school Language Arts teacher, Bruce Gevirtzman, with the idea of taking plays Gevirtzman had written to local schools.
Immediately the idea grew from one touring show, rehearsed out of Cisneros’ parents’ 2-car garage, to a full six-show season at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. The touring program has expanded to three touring shows, an education department, a costume rental dept and much, much more. The troupe’s home is now a 5,000 square foot facility.
The non-profit theatre troupe which aims to build theatre audiences of tomorrow through inspirational theatrical pieces, has performed for over 500,000 teens through its combination of shows.
Tickets for the Phantom Cabaret Benefit Gala start at $45 and can be purchased by calling the La Mirada Theatre Box Office at 714.994.6310 or visiting: PhantomProjects.com/gala
City and School District Collaborate on College Banner Project After Student Proposal
La Mirada residents will notice new street banners along Adelfa Drive in front of La Mirada High School. The new banners were created as part of a College Banner Program to honor La Mirada High School students who recently graduated and plan to continue their education at a college or university the following year. The banners feature a photo of the graduate, the graduate’s name, a noteworthy achievement, as well as the college or university they plan to attend. The class of 2018 is the first graduating class to participate in this new program.
The idea for the college banners was developed and proposed by the Youth in Government students at the February 27 City Council meeting. Through the Youth in Government program, La Mirada High School students have an opportunity to learn about local government and recommend programs to enhance the community.
The College Banner Program was approved by the City Council and implemented this year in collaboration with the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.
“We are extremely proud to highlight the achievements of our La Mirada High School graduates with this new College Banner Program,” says Assistant City Manager Anne Haraksin. “We hope these banners serve as an inspiration and encouragement for other high school students to pursue a college education or trade.”
Similar to the “Presidential Portraits” banners and the military banners, college banners are installed on light poles along Adelfa Drive between Foster Road and Alicante Road. The college banners will be replaced every year with new La Mirada High School graduates.
For additional information on the College Banner Program, call Community Services at (562) 943-7277.
2018 Synchro America Open This Week at Splash!
La Mirada~The top synchronized swimmers in the world have been gathering in La Mirada since Monday and will take on the best Southern California has to offer this week when they compete at the 2018 Synchro America Open Thursday June 7th through Saturday June 9th at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center.
A leg of the prestigious FINA Artistic Swimming World Series, swimmers will compete in solo, duet, mixed duet, free combo and highlight routines in junior and senior divisions.
Participating athletes will be representing Australia, Canada, China, Colombia, France, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Serbia, Ukraine, and Puerto Rico.
The event is part of a two-leg North American series, which includes the 2018 Synchro Canada Open. That event was held last week in Surrey, British Columbia.
Splash! La Mirada continues to welcome top aquatic athletes from around the world. For more information about this award-winning state of the art facility, visit splashlamirada.com.
The Synchro America Open will be live-streamed by Takeitlive.tv.
For schedule, additional details and to get your tickets for the Synchro America Open, go to teamusa.org/USA-Synchronized-Swimming/Events/2018/June/06/2018-Synchro-America-Open.
New La Mirada History Book Now Available for Purchase
La Mirada residents can now own a piece of La Mirada history by purchasing La Mirada: Three Decades of Change and Challenge, Stability and Achievement, History Book today! The 60-page hardcover book chronicles the City’s rich history from 1986 through 2016. The history book details historical events, project initiatives, and challenges though images that tell the story of La Mirada.
The new history book was written by author Allen Carden, who arrived in La Mirada in 1965 and is a graduate of La Mirada High School and Biola University.
Residents can purchase La Mirada: Three Decades of Change and Challenge, Stability and Achievement for $24.95 plus tax. However, for a limited time only, residents have the option of purchasing a Book Bundle, which includes The City of La Mirada: A Silver Anniversary History, 1960-1985 and La Mirada: Three Decades of Change and Challenge, Stability and Achievement, 1986-2016 for $39.95 plus tax.
“These history books truly capture the rich heritage of the La Mirada community,” says Community Services Director Lori Thompson.
History books are available for purchase at the La Mirada Resource Center and Activity Center. For additional information or questions, call (562) 902-3160.
Owner of New Grocery Outlet Receives a Warm Community Welcome
By Brooklynn Ackerman
La Mirada~This morning was the grand opening of the new Grocery Outlet Bargain Market located at Imperial Highway and Santa Gertrudes Avenue.
Yesterday, the store hosted a sneak preview event and invited some members of the community to roam the aisles before the doors were opened today.
The store is filled with GREAT deals, lots of organic options and helpful staff members.
I had a chance to speak with Pam Brown, one of the co-owners and operators. Pam has lived in Whittier for about 18 years and is looking forward to fostering great relationships and giving back to the community.
She expressed her gratitude to neighboring businesses and members of the community who have given her and her team such a warm welcome. When I asked if she was prepared for the grand opening she stated, “I’m nervous because it’s such a big day, but I am very excited. My team has been awesome and we are ready”.
The fastest growing extreme-value grocer in the U.S., Grocery Outlet now has over 290 locations covering six states.
In honor of the grand opening, Grocery Outlet will be donating the amount of customer savings from the first hour of operation to Love La Mirada. Also this morning, mystery coupons were handed out to the first 200 guests and every shopper received a reusable bag.
From April 5th through May 3rd, shoppers can enter to win free groceries for one year! There is much to be excited about, so stop by the Grocery Outlet and check out the amazing deals!
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