Call from Distraught Boy to Sheriff’s Department Ends Peacefully in La Mirada
La Mirada~The Sheriff's department received a telephone call from a 15 year-old boy early Tuesday evening threatening to harm himself.
Lieutenant Evans of the Norwalk Sheriff's Station told the La Mirada Blog they received a call from the boy shortly after 5 p.m. who said he had a knife and also wanted to be shot by police.
The boy was at Los Coyotes Middle School when he made the call. As officers were arriving, he made his way across the field and into the flood control channel, also carrying a backpack.
Parents and children conducting soccer practice on the school field observed officers running across the field.
Deputies caught up with the juvenille, with assistance from a sheriff's helicopter, north of the school at Behringer Park, where he was detained without incident behind the homes on Keating Drive.
The Lieutenant said he does not know why the boy was distraught and no other information is available at this time.
Dry Winds Forecast for La Mirada Area
La Mirada~Powerful Santa Ana winds are expected to begin blowing Wednesday night across La Mirada and all of Southern California, heightening the risk of wildfires, forecasters said.
Wind gusts from 30 mph to 50 mph are expected expected across a wide swath of the region, including the valleys and along the Grapevine, according to the National Weather Service. The dry northeast winds, along with the low humidity, are expected to last until Friday evening.
"The state will be set for potentially bringing the strongest and most widespread Santa Ana wind event so far this season," the agency said in a statement Tuesday. "Dry fuels will bring the potential for critical fire weather conditions."
The agency issued fire weather watches, which signal elevated brush-fire danger, from San Luis Obispo to San Diego counties
La Mirada Properties Grow in Assessed Value
La Mirada~Assessed valuation of private properties in the City of La Mirada passed the $5 billion mark for the first time during 2012, according to the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office.
The value of properties in La Mirada grew by $103,205,988 to a total of $5,062,501,248 during the year. The pace of growth in La Mirada, which is a nearly fully developed community, was on par with the County as a whole.
There are 13,416 residential parcels in La Mirada, 486 commercial-industrial parcels and 62 residential income properties, according to the Assessor’s report.
“Community Singspiration” to Honor Veterans and Their Families
La Mirada~Along with its regular worship service, La Mirada Christian Church is pleased to announce a monthly "Community Hymn Singspiration," singing the songs and hymns of our Christian heritage.
La Mirada Christian Church has been a part of the community since 1960 and is growing with an emphasis on Midlife adults (ages 45+).
The Singspiration is open to the public, and those interested may request some of their favorite hymns by visiting their website: www.MidlifeWorship.com.
The November Singspiration will be on Sunday, November 11th at 5:30 pm. and will feature a special tribute to Veterans and their families.
Complimentary refreshments will be served following each event. It is suggested to arrive a few minutes early the evening of the event as seating fills up quickly.
Each Sunday morning at 10:00 am La Mirada Christian Church offers its weekly multi-generational worship service with a balanced mix of hymns and contemporary music, presented at a pleasing decibel level with Midlife adults in mind, plus dynamic expository teaching of the Bible.
La Mirada Christian Church is located at 12104 Los Coyotes Ave., behind The Home Depot. For more information, contact Pastor Jay Mahan at (562) 943-2213, ext. 1, e-mail at Jay@LaMiradaChurch.com, or by visiting the church website at: www.LaMiradaChurch.com.
La Mirada Symphony Presents First Free Concert of Season
La Mirada~The La Mirada Symphony Orchestra will feature a "Celebration of Nature" theme for its concert at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, free, on October 27th.
Dr. Robert Frelly of Chapman University begins his second season as conductor. Highlights include autumn from “The Four Seasons” by Vivaldi, “Water Music” by Handel, and On the Trail from the “Grand Canyon Suite” by Grofe.
Free concerts are also scheduled at the theatre for January 12th, February 23rd, and the annual POPS concert April 16th, 2013.
This Saturday’s concert begins at 8 pm and donations are welcome. For more information visit http://www.lamiradasymphony.com/
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 10/8/12-10/14/12
Robbery-A robbery was reported on the 12700 block of Valley View Ave. The incident is currently under investigation.
Aggravated Assault-An assault was reported on the 13600 block of Duffield Ave. The incident is also currently under investigation.
Residential Burglary-Three residential burglary incidents were reported last week. A burglary was reported on the 15200 block of Vanada Rd. It was determined that no entry was actually made. An incident was reported on the 13400 block of Fontwell Ct. A computer and accessories were stolen from the residence. A burglary was reported on the 14200 block of Whiterock Dr. Various items were taken from the residence.
Vehicle Burglary-Six vehicle burglaries were reported last week. A burglary was reported on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. Various electronics were stolen from the vehicle. An incident was reported on the 14300 block of Rosecrans Ave. A car stereo was taken from the vehicle. A third row seat was reported stolen in a vehicle burglary on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. A window smash burglary occurred on the 15300 block of Fairhope Dr. A tote bag containing various items was stolen. Two separate vehicle burglaries were reported on the 14300 block of Firestone Blvd. Third row seats, electronics, and cash were taken from the vehicles.
Grand Theft Vehicle-Two vehicle thefts were reported last week. A vehicle was reported stolen from the 11600 block of Hollyview Dr.A vehicle reported stolen from the 14700 block of Los Fuentes Rd. was recovered the next day.
La Mirada Weekly Crime Report 10/1/12-10/7/12
Robbery-A robbery was reported on the 13900 block of Whiterock Dr. The incident is currently under investigation.
Other Structure Burglary-A burglary was reported on the 15400 block of Lemon Dr. It is unknown if any items were stolen from the location.
Vehicle Burglary-An incident was reported on the 14200 block of Firestone Blvd. Third row seats were stolen from a vehicle in the parking lot.
Grand Theft-A grand theft was reported from the 13300 block of Beach Blvd. A cell phone and cash were stolen from a backpack.
Grand Theft Vehicle-A vehicle was reported stolen from the 16100 block of Rosecrans Ave. A vehicle reported stolen from Montebello PD jurisdiction was recovered near Parise Dr. and Priscilla St.
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Overflow Crowd Floods District for 1st Annual College Fair & Expo
Norwalk~Hundreds of students and parents descended on the Norwalk-La Mirada School District headquarters as the school district hosted the 1st Annual NLMUSD College Expo Day 2012 this last Thursday.
The distric
t-the 15th largest in California-welcomed representatives from colleges and universities from all over Southern California and beyond, to interact with students and parents, hand out brochures and other literature containing important information and answer questions they might have.
Each representative had an information table in which parents and students were able to discuss the requirements to attend the college or university.
Also, topical workshops were presented during two session times. In Session 1, Tiana Otabuah (UCI) presented a workshop on “College 101”; Kaplan Test Prep presented “SAT Test Prep”; UCLA presented “Tips on Writing a Personal Statement”; and Cypress College presented a workshop on “Financial Aid”.
During Session 2, Otabuah presented a workshop on “What Juniors Need to Know”; Cerritos College presented “Community College and Transferring”; CSUF presented a workshop on “Early Outreach Program (UOP)”; and Cypress College presented a second workshop on “Financial Aid”.
Representatives from the City of Norwalk, City of La Mirada, PTA, and ROP were also present at the community event to talk about their services.
The occasion featured a welcome greeting from Superintendent Dr. Ruth Perez and a special message
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| Students and parents pack a classroom to listen to a representative from UCLA give tips on writing a personal statement for college. |
from Congresswoman Linda Sanchez.
The idea was born when middle and high school counselors of the school district, at one of their monthly meetings, were discussing ways to revamp a district college handbook. In the past, the district’s high schools and middle schools held their own college information nights. The counselors decided to have an event for all the schools
Soon, the district counselor team of Irene Rifilato (Norwalk High School), David Hallum (La Mirada High School), Candida Hernandez (Los Coyotes Middle School) and Jenny Amaya (Waite Middle School) were chosen by the other counselors to organize the new expo.
Resident Advocacy Group Forms in La Mirada Over Train Noise
Advocacy group forms to seek resident protection from future noise by lobbying for a sound wall
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| Residents who recently gathered at a home on San Ardo Drive to discuss a railroad sound wall |
La Mirada~The Valley View Grade Separation Project, now officially started, and in its early stages, has rekindled an issue as old as the city itself-train traffic and the noise associated with it; and a former school board member is heading up a new advocacy group to ensure resident’s interests are protected.
The Valley View project-a $65 million joint venture between Caltrans, BNSF Railway, and the cities of La Mirada and Santa Fe Springs will create a railroad bridge and underpass, allowing the Valley View Avenue traffic at Stage Road, to flow underneath the tracks, eliminating the need for a grade signal.
When the endeavor is completed, sometime in late 2014, barring any unexpected occurrences the trains will no longer have to sound their whistle at the intersection, bringing relief too many. More importantly, traffic congestion will be essentially eliminated at the intersection.
However, that’s not good enough for Nancy Jenkins and her dozens of neighbors in the Neff Park/Stage Road area of La Mirada who are concerned train traffic and the noise associated with it, that they experiencing now, will only increase in the future.
After a city-sponsored informational meeting about the Valley View project held on August 13th, many of the group felt disenfranchised.
“They made us feel like we weren’t allowed to speak,” said Jenkins, who said the group repeatedly asked about a sound wall and was told over and over again it is not in the city’s budget.
“It was understood that in no uncertain terms nobody wanted to address the problems of the sounds we live with 24/7,” said Jenkins, “This is nothing new for us. We have had issues with the noise around here for a very long time.
Group member Carlos Garcia concurred, “They seemed to get mad when we started asking questions.”
Then, Jenkins said, a city-provided facilitator attempted to lead the group with feel-good chants, yes chants, leaving attendees with their jaws dropped. “It was just an inane thing,” she said.
Since then, Jenkins along with others, have created an advocacy group, organizing and mobilizing, by canvassing the neighborhood and gathering signatures for a petition to present to the city, with the hopes in finding some support for a sound wall.
She also is looking forward to discussions with city officials about the wall, and gives the city the benefit of the doubt, as their might have been some misunderstandings at the city-run meeting.
The group currently has over 650 signatures and their goal is to get about 800, and then present the petition at the October 23rd City Council meeting. Most of the initial supporters live on San Ardo Drive which runs parallel with the train track, but now the effort has reached as far north as San Esteban Drive to the north, and Figueras Road to the east.
Jenkins, a former Norwalk-La Mirada School Board member, who last served in that capacity in 1987 after three terms, is the informal leader of the group.
She and the others want to make it perfectly clear, their main concern is the new third mainline track slated to be laid down soon.
La Mirada Symphony Fundraiser Tickets On Sale
La Mirada~The La Mirada Symphony is kicking off their new season with a fundraiser dinner on Saturday, October 13 called the Golden Island Gala. 
The event will be held at the Dale Tiffany Showroom at 14765 Firestone Blvd. in La Mirada. Food will be catered by Wood Grill Barbeque.
Entertainment includes Hawaiian Dancers, a Silent Auction, Photo Booth and a raffle. Dale Tiffany will offer a 20% discount on their merchandise purchased between 5-6pm.
Tickets are $65. For more information visit http://www.lamiradasymphony.wordpress.com/ or call 714-930-6209.
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