La Mirada Blog

Articles by Brian Day

New commercial center with restaurants/retail proposed for La Mirada
Community

New commercial center with restaurants/retail proposed for La Mirada

Developer of proposed ‘sustainable commercial center’ seeks changes to La Mirada’s zoning ordinance; public hearing planned Thursday

The La Mirada Planning Commission will host a public hearing Thursday to discuss zoning ordinance changes that have been requested by the developer behind a proposed 12,000-square-foot, sustainability-focused mixed-use commercial center.

YF Synergy, which is working to build The Grand at La Mirada project at 13525 S. Beach Blvd., has asked the city to make several amendments to Title 21 of the city’s zoning ordinance.

Billed as the city’s “most sustainable commercial project to date,’ the two-story commercial center would include restaurants, retail shops, an express vehicle washing facility, office space, eight electric vehicle charging stations and ample bicycle parking, according to a statement from the developer. (more)

Group files lawsuit against La Mirada over state housing requirements
News

Group files lawsuit against La Mirada over state housing requirements

A nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing housing availability in California has filed legal action against La Mirada, as well as eight other Southern California cities, accusing officials of dragging their feet in implementing state-required plans to expand housing.

Californians for Homeownership, which is sponsored by the California Association of Realtors, filed a petition for a writ of mandate last month against La Mirada, as well as Fullerton and Claremont, according to the organization and court documents.

The group has previously filed similar legal action against the cities of Vernon, South Pasadena, Manhattan Beach, Laguna Hills, La Habra Heights and Bradbury. (more)

Controversial moderator raises eyebrows at Norwalk-La Mirada USD Board Candidates Forum
Schools

Controversial moderator raises eyebrows at Norwalk-La Mirada USD Board Candidates Forum

A candidate’s forum ahead of next month’s Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District Governing Board election took a contentious tone as candidates questioned the questions they were being asked by a controversial event moderator, which largely centered around topics of critical race theory, abortion, birth control and gender identity.

The forum with the eight candidates was hosted Sept. 15 by the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce and was broadcast live on La Mirada Blog TV. Those competing in the election are incumbents Norma Amezcua, Narcis Brasov, Rob Cancio and Jorge Tirado, as well as challengers Casey Chattle, Becky Langenwalter, Rudy Miranda and Lorena Vidaurre. (more)

City Council poised to finalize election results
News

City Council poised to finalize election results

City to declare Sarega winner of District 2 race and reorganize at next meeting

The La Mirada City Council is scheduled to declare election results final next week and re-administer the oath of office to incumbent Andrew Sarega following his narrow victory in the race for the District 2 council seat.

Three votes separated Sarega from his nearest challenger, Chris Pflanzer, in the June 7 election, which was held in conjunction with the statewide primary election. The final count certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar's Office last week listed 570 votes, or 34.34%, for Sarega and 567 votes, or 34.16%, for Pflanzer. (more)

Sarega maintains 3-vote lead in La Mirada City Council race as ballot counting ends
News

Sarega maintains 3-vote lead in La Mirada City Council race as ballot counting ends

Election won't be finalized until after Independence Day weekend

The ballot counting from the June 7 election officially concluded Friday, but the winner of La Mirada's District 2 City Council race remained too close to call, with incumbent Andrew Sarega holding on to a three-vote lead, according to county data.

Sarega registered 570 ballots as of Friday afternoon, or 34.34%, compared with 567, or 34.16%, for challenger Chris Pflanzer, according to the latest election information released by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office. (more)

Sarega maintains lead in La Mirada City Council race
News

Sarega maintains lead in La Mirada City Council race

UPDATE: 6/24/22 6:59 p.m.

Sarega maintains narrow lead in La Mirada City Council race as counting winds down

The two leaders in the race for La Mirada City Council District 2 remained separated by only four votes Friday, with only one week of ballot counting remaining.

Incumbent Andrew Sarega had received the most tallied votes at 570, or 34.36%, according to data released Friday by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's Office. (more)

Three arrested following smash-and-grab jewelry heist at Whittier shopping center
News

Three arrested following smash-and-grab jewelry heist at Whittier shopping center

Police arrested a man and two teens immediately following a “smash-and-grab” robbery at a jewelry store at the Whittwood Town Center shopping mall in Whittier on Monday, officials said. The suspects were being investigated in connection with a series of recent similar crimes throughout the region.

The ill-fated robbery took place about 11:50 a.m. at Daniel’s Jeweler’s, 15582 Whittwood Drive, inside the Whittwood Town Center, Whittier Police Department Lt. Dominic Iraldo said. (more)

Candidates for La Mirada City Council face off at forum
News

Candidates for La Mirada City Council face off at forum

The three competitors vying for a seat on the La Mirada City Council in the upcoming June election took part in a forum Thursday to share their visions for a better city.

District 2 incumbent Andrew Segara is being challenged by Chris Pflanzer and David Constantine. The election is to take place in conjunction with the statewide primary election on June 7.

The hopefuls laid out their plans and priorities on a range of issues ranging from public safety to term limits during their first public debate.

Each of the three candidates made their case as to why they are the best person for the job. (more)

Man found shot after car crash in La Mirada; homicide investigation underway
News

Man found shot after car crash in La Mirada; homicide investigation underway

Detectives launched a homicide investigation after authorities discovered a man found dead at the scene of a car crash in La Mirada has been shot on Sunday afternoon, officials said.Deputies first responded to a car crash about 12:20 p.m. in the 13000 block of Valley View Avenue, according to Deputy Raquel Utley of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Information Bureau. The lone occupant of a vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.

Suspect arrested in series of armed robberies at SoCal Walgreens stores
News

Suspect arrested in series of armed robberies at SoCal Walgreens stores

Deputies arrested a man earlier this week who they say is responsible for at least six armed robberies at Walgreens pharmacies in La Mirada, West Covina, Baldwin Park, Monterey Park, San Dimas and Corona last month.

Deputies arrested the 29-year-old suspect Tuesday while carrying out a search warrant at his Moreno Valley home, according to Sgt. C. Hinojosa of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's La Mirada Special Assignment Officers team.