News
La Mirada Lamplighter Publisher Under Fire for Fake News Story
Los Angeles~In a startling departure from traditional standards of journalism, Los Cerritos Community News and La Mirada Lamplighter publisher Brian Hews claims the ability to read the minds of people with whom he has neither met nor spoken with.
In a series of sworn statements made under oath, Mr. Hews made several astonishing admissions regarding the fake news story that he authored and published falsely accusing Central Basin Municipal Water District Board Member Leticia Vasquez and Montebello City Councilwoman Vanessa Delgado of attempted bribery and extortion.
The June 26, 2016 article states that during a meeting with Cook Hills Properties LLC officials, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Delgado attempted to extort money from and solicit bribes from officials of the Newport Beach real estate development company.
Cook Hills’ officials, Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Delgado have all provided sworn statements in Ms. Vasquez’s Los Angeles Superior Court defamation lawsuit (Case No. BC658053) against Mr. Hews denying the allegations and stating that the whole story is fabricated.
La Mirada Library Hosting Halloween Events for Kids and Pets
Great ways for kids and pets to celebrate Halloween are on slate for the La Mirada Library this month.
October 27th from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Practice your reading skills with a friendly and gentle dog! Read to a trained therapy dog and volunteer handler from the Pet Prescription Team. Recommended for school age children. Parent permission and sign-up is required.
October 28th at 10:00 a.m. Meet and greet dogs, cats, and rabbits of various breeds and colors. Come meet and greet the stars of this amazing library tour. Keep the fun going with the on-site adoption opportunities. All ages welcome!
October 28th at 10:00 a.m you can have fun designing your own mask. Wear it for Halloween or just for fun. There will be several themes to choose from.
October 31st Celebrate Halloween at the La Mirada Library! Come dressed in your Halloween costume and enjoy an afternoon of Swazzle’s Musical Monster Mash-Up puppet show from 6:00-6:45 p.m followed by a tasty treat. All ages are welcome to attend. Recommended for children 5 - 10 years-old and up. Sponsored by the Friends of the La Mirada Library.
For more info view the event flyers here.
Rosecrans/Marquardt Separation Project Community Meeting at Resource Center
La Mirada~Residents are invited to the Rosecrans/Marquardt Separation Project community meeting to be held Tuesday, October 17 at the La Mirada Resource Center from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with presentations at 4:30 and 6:00.
Long recognized as the most hazardous rail crossing in the state by regulators, construction is expected to begin in just over a year on a project that will grade separate the Santa Fe Springs intersection above the BNSF railroad tracks.
Three deaths and 20+ incidents have occurred there from 2013-2015, many we reported right here. The railroad tracks cross through the intersection diagonally, apparently making it more difficult for motorists and pedestrians to see oncoming trains.
The industrial intersection is located about a football field south of the La Mirada city limits. The southwest corner was a haven for West La Mirada teenagers and their dirt bikes in the 70’s when it was just a huge dirt lot, as this writer can personally attest to.
La Mirada area residents have been hearing the train horns well before incorporation since the tracks were laid in the late 19th century.
The Metro Transportation Authority (Metro) will oversee the $137 million+ funded project and along with Caltrans, they have studied ways to improve the crossing.
In March 2016, Metro identified a preferred alternative to grade separate Rosecrans and Marquardt from the railway after two community meetings were held in La Mirada to discuss various options.
Since then, the project team has been working on refining the alternative, completing the environmental process, and getting the project ready for construction.
At the upcoming community meeting on October 17, residents will learn more about the status of the environmental and design process and the anticipated next steps leading to the construction phase and be able to provide feedback.
Oh, and those train horns.
Just up the tracks to the east, the Valley View Avenue Separation Project was completed in 2014. So, when the Rosecrans project is complete, train horns will not be heard in this area for the first time in over 120 years.
Construction is expected to begin in 2019 and be completed sometime in 2021.
Latest La Mirada Ticker
Tickets are now on sale for “The Magic of Christmas” by the Young Americans, a spectacular show playing again at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts this holiday season.
The popular La Mirada “Dollar Theatre” at Adelfa and Rosecrans has apparently has been bought by the AMC theater chain and is now the AMC Classic-La Mirada 7. At one time, admission for the dollar theatre was actually $1.00 when it debuted way back when. Grapevine rumors are indicating AMC plans call for a major remodel that will include ultra-reclining seats and a bar with food entrees. Stay tuned.
Speaking of beer, after a long process, right next door to AMC, Cabo Taco Baja Grill appears to be another step closer to the city allowing them to serve beer and wine in their remodeled patio. It’s long overdue-good news!
Last chance to enjoy Buccaneer Bay for the season is Saturday, October 14th. For additional information, call (562) 943-7277 or visit splashlamirada.com.
The La Mirada Symphony recently announced their new Board of Directors-David Derks, President; Hiten Ratanjee, Treasurer/Director of Finance; Pilar Graves, Secretary; Chris Kawate, Director of Ways and Means and Antoniette Saunders, Creative Director.
Latest La Mirada Crime Summary
The following is the crime summary as reported by the City of La Mirada for August 7-20, 2017
Notable Arrests-A suspect was arrested for trespassing and drunk in public near Telegraph Rd. and Leffingwell Rd. A suspect was arrested for felony vandalism on the 14500 block of Figueras Rd. Five suspects were arrested throughout La Mirada for various warrants and narcotics violations. A drunk driver was arrested in the early morning hours near Imperial Hwy. and Telegraph Rd. A suspect involved in aggravated assault was arrested without incident at his residence in La Mirada. Three suspects were arrested throughout La Mirada for various warrants and narcotics violations.
Other Structure Burglary-Cash was stolen during an early morning door smash burglary was reported on the 14700 block of Beach Blvd. An overnight burglary of a bicycle was reported on the 13700 block of Biola Ave. Various computer and video equipment was reported stolen during an overnight door smash burglary on the 14700 block of Beach Blvd. A candy dispenser was reported stolen during a daytime burglary on the 12700 block of Valley View Ave.
Vehicle Burglary-A daytime window smash burglary was reported on the 14700 block of Beach Blvd. No items were reported missing from the vehicle. A briefcase was reported stolen during a daytime window smash burglary on the 11900 block of La Mirada Blvd. A wallet and backpack were stolen during a morning burglary on the 13500 block of Brazo Rd. The stolen items were later recovered and the suspect was arrested. Several tools were reported stolen on the 15900 block of Golva Dr. An overnight burglary was reported on the 14400 block of Rosecrans Ave. Paperwork was reported stolen. A wallet and a pocket knife were stolen during an overnight burglary on the 14800 block of Tacuba Dr.
Latest La Mirada News and Ticker
Splash! and Armada Host Sectional Championships
The 2017 California-Nevada Speedo La Mirada Sectionals will be held at Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatic Center July 20-23.
Members from the Central California, Pacific, Southern California, San Diego/Imperial and Sierra Nevada Swimming are eligible.
You can get more information here and see live coverage of the event here.
The event is hosted by La Mirada Armada Swimming.
OTHER SWIMMING NEWS: La Mirada’s Catherine Sanchez finished tied for second in the women’s 100 fly with a time of 1:00.59 at the Los Angeles Swimming Invitational Sunday, July 16th.
Throw a Party and Support the VFW
The La Mirada VFW Post 9148 banquet room is available to rent for your next large gathering-including now on Friday’s.
Contact Robin or Gloria at (562) 943-0105 for more details.
La Mirada Connection
The Los Angeles Times is reporting former Obama administration employee Sam Jammal is running in Orange County's 39th Congressional District, saying his immigrant background is representative of its constituents.
Jammal, 35, of Fullerton, was raised in La Mirada by a Colombian mother and Jordanian father. The district has a heavy Latino and Asian population.
Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) had held the seat for 13 terms.
Cerritos College Courses to be Offered at La Mirada Adult School Campus
La Mirada~This fall, Cerritos College courses will be offered at the Norwalk-La Mirada Adult School as part of a partnership between the two districts at the La Mirada campus at 15920 Barbata Road in La Mirada.
Residents across the eastern portion of the district will have better access to high-demand English, speech and math classes. Courses at the La Mirada location start September 5, 2017. Register online www.cerritos.edu/lamirada.
Fall classes at the College’s main campus located at 11110 Alondra Blvd. in Norwalk will begin on August 14. Enroll online at www.cerritos.edu.
“By expanding our services to the La Mirada site, we look forward to a closer engagement with more of our neighbors. Residents will have greater access to education through these resources available in the heart of La Mirada,” said Zurich Lewis, president, Cerritos College Board of Trustees.
For questions concerning classes at La Mirada, please call 562-467-5025.
TICKER: Roseview Barber at Valley View and Rosecrans has gone out of business. The original owner was Al back in the 60’s and 70’s and the only other owners, we all knew as Louie and Debbie. Since the Shabuya restaurant opened at La Mirada Boulevard and Rosecrans a little over a month ago, the parking lot has been packed. Business has diminished slightly since the opening, but the eatery appears to have established itself as an area destination. I don’t know how many La Mirada residents are eating there, but we like the sales tax going into our city coffers!
Tradition of Prudent Fiscal Management Continues as City of La Mirada Approves Budget With Healthy Surplus
La Mirada~The City Council has approved the City’s budget for Fiscal Year 2017-18 with emphasis on public safety, capital improvements, and quality programs and services.
Developed using the city’s traditional prudent fiscal management practices and a conservative approach to revenue forecasting, the budget provides public safety services at a high level, maintains City programs and services to meet community needs and continues the robust capital improvements schedule.
General Fund operating revenues are projected at $44,166,147 for the year and expenditures are budgeted at $35,017,904 including non-capital project transfers.
Result: $8 million city surplus for this fiscal year.
“The adopted budget puts safety first by prioritizing funding for law enforcement services while continuing our commitment to responsible fiscal management,” says City Manager Jeff Boynton. “City finances have remained stable and investment in key infrastructure projects is evident throughout La Mirada.”
Some $8,926,208 is provided for Public Safety, including general law enforcement services, the Community Sheriff’s Station, probation and district attorney services, emergency preparedness, code enforcement, Neighborhood Watch, and other public safety volunteer programs.
A total of $28,303,000 is allocated for the city’s continued aggressive capital improvements and repair program. Major projects proposed in Fiscal Year 2017-18 include Residential Street Improvement Phases III and IV and the Santa Gertrudes (Alicante to Rosecrans) Sidewalk and Block Wall,
Other projects include the Leffingwell Road Street Rehabilitation, and median improvements on La Mirada Boulevard, Rosecrans Avenue, and Valley View Avenue.
Funding for the proposed projects includes $10.35 million from Measure I, $7.11 million from the General Fund, $2.36 million in Prop C funds, $2.25 million in Gas Tax funds, $2.55 million in Measure R funds, and $950,000 in Agency bond proceeds.
The Public Works Department will receive $7,245,978 to maintain the City’s streets, parks, and recreational areas, parkways, medians, public buildings, and storm drain facilities. This department will also coordinate and manage the City’s capital improvement projects.
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.
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.
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