Feds Increase IRA Contribution Amount
By Chris Gelfuso-Uplevel Business Services
The Internal Revenue Service announced earlier this month that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2025 has increased to $23,500, up from $23,000 for 2024.
If you are aged 50 or older, you can contribute up to an additional $7,500 which means you can contribute a total of $31,000 through payroll deferrals from your wages at work. This can provide significant tax savings as the amount contributed is pre-tax.
If your income tax rate is 25%, you would save $7,750 in taxes when you file your 2025 tax return if you contributed the full amount allowed for those 50 and older. This tax savings scenario does not apply to contributions to a ROTH 401(k) since those are after tax.
Fatal shooting near the VFW La Mirada
By Tony Aiello
A man was fatally wounded after a shooting near the VFW in La Mirada Saturday night.
The shooting occurred around 11 p.m. in the 13900 block of Valley View Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Paramedics rushed the shooting victim to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Numerous Blog followers report hearing 4-5 gunshots around 10:58 p.m.
At 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning, authorities remained at the crime scene.
There was no other immediate information available at this time.
(more)
City Recognizes Public Safety Poster Contest Winners
At its October 22 City Council meeting, the La Mirada City Council recognized the winners of the City’s popular annual Public Safety Poster Contest.
The poster contest promotes safety awareness in La Mirada schools. More than 250 students submitted poster entries highlighting this year’s contest theme, “Safety Starts With Me!”
Public Safety Commissioners served as judges and selected first, second and third place winners in each grade category. Congratulations to all! Winners are as follows:
(more)
La Mirada Library Events November 2024
Fall Celebrations: Faith, Culture, and Community
Wednesday, November 06-3:00pm - 3:45pm
Learn about cultures and faiths around the world through their fall celebrations. Explore food traditions during Rosh Hashanah, Diwali, and the Moon Festival, then use paper to create a plate of foods eaten on special occasions. For ages 8 - 12.
Shake it up!
Friday, November 08-4:00pm - 5:00pm
Have fun with your toddler as they explore music and learning through movement. Toddlers will enjoy using objects and instruments as they move to different rhythms. Enjoy time with the shakers and toddler instruments after the program. Recommended for children ages 2-4 with their parent or caregiver. No registration required. Space and materials are limited. (more)
POLITICS: Inside the Recent City Council Forum and the Candidates
By Sammie Ann Wicks-Contributor
Although mail-in ballots hit La Mirada mailboxes yesterday, it's relatively early in the local election cycle and some general consensus around the major issues affecting local government can still be heard.
The La Mirada Blog recently found such a consensus in force, as the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce hosted four candidates running for La Mirada City Council-District 2, at a Candidates Forum October 2.
The four--Michelle Velasquez-Bean, a college educator; Chris Pflanzer, a former school board member and business owner; John Sarega, long-time local businessman and real estate professional; and Dan Siwak, military veteran and Law Enforcement specialist--got on board with the challenges the city faces--some of which have persisted through multiple administrations and previous City Councils. The candidates seemed to basically agree: (more)
La Mirada Football Falls to Downey/Recycling Event/Meet School Candidates
The La Mirada High School football team lost against Downey back in October of 2023, and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday as Gateway League play got underway.
The Matadores took a blow against the Downey Vikings, falling 45-7 at Goodman Stadium. The Matadores haven't had much luck with the Vikings recently, as the team's come up short the last four times they've met.
Downey was led to victory by Oscar Rios and Bernardo Blanco. Rios threw for 277 yards and four touchdowns while completing 73.1% of his passes, while Blanco rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on only ten carries.
La Mirada's defeat dropped their record down to 1-5, 0-1 in league play. As for Downey, their record now sits at 5-1. (more)
News Bites October 2024
From our X feed: Well over one hundred people packed the Activity Center this past Wednesday for the City Council District 2 Candidates Forum.
Michelle Velasquez-Bean, Chris Pflanzer, Dan Siwak and John Sarega shared their vision and ideas with the captivated and engaged audience.
The winner will serve the remainder of the term of former Mayor Andrew Sarega, who resigned earlier this year in May.
Great job by organizer Tammye McDuff and everyone involved in producing this event-there was a lot of positive La Mirada energy in the room.
Only residents living in District 2 can vote in this race.(more)
La Mirada Election Update
It’s official.
Four candidates will face each other in the Special Municipal Election for La Mirada City Council-District 2 on November 5th.
The nomination period ended on August 9th with four candidates successfully filing their papers, Michelle Velasquez Bean, Chris Pflanzer, John Sarega and Dan Siwak.
A fifth candidate, Jorge R. Alvarez, pulled papers, but they were not returned.
This is somewhat of a rare occurrence in La Mirada as it will be the second City Council election in the same calendar year. (more)
News Bites August 2024-Community Heroes Edition
La Mirada Kiwanis Club Members Honored as 2024 Women of the Year
La Mirada Kiwanis Club members Dr. Cathy Alvarez and Patty Miller were recognized recently for their valuable contributions to the community as 2024 Women of the Year award recipients.
Dr. Alvarez was honored by California Assemblywoman Blanca Pacheco as a Woman of the Year for her years of service to the community.
Cathy is a retired educator and school counselor, who served in the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District for many years. She is a member of La Mirada Kiwanis Club, Norwalk 605 Kiwanis, La Mirada Ebell, Norwalk-La Mirada PTA Council, the La Mirada Community Foundation and the Community Services Commission.
Cathy volunteers at elementary schools for Read Across America and at a local senior center where she entertains others with music, singing and creating crafts. (more)
Parents defend swimming coach amid abuse allegations
Two parents of young swimmers took the podium up at last week's La Mirada City Council meeting to defend U.S. Olympic artistic swimming coach Hiea-Yoon Kang, who was suspended from her coaching position at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center amid a reported investigation into allegations of abusive behavior against athletes.
Kang, who established and coached the world-renowned La Mirada Aquabelles, is the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, as first reported by the Orange County Register.
Recent posts
Feds Increase IRA Contribution Amount
Fatal shooting near the VFW La Mirada
City Recognizes Public Safety Poster Contest Winners
