Election 2024: Here are how some local races along LA County’s coast look after latest update

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:55:37 +0000

The residents of Long Beach and South Bay area cities seem to have chosen who should represent them in their local governments.

Now it’s just a matter of waiting to officially learn who the winners are.

See the latest election results.

County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan announced the semi-final results for Tuesday’s primary early Wednesday. The registrar’s office then provided its first post-election day update around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, with more than 1 million ballots counted — nearly 18% of eligible voters.

Here’s where the local races in Avalon, Lakewood, Paramount, Gardena and Compton stood as the latest update.

Avalon

Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall led handily with new vote totals on Wednesday afternoon with about two-thirds of the votes in her bid to win reelection against challenger Daniel Felts, who had about one-third.

The mayor, who has held the position for 10 years, represents the city of about 3,700 residents.

Incumbent councilmembers Lisa Lavelle and Yesenia De la Rose ran unopposed for a full four-year term.

Treasurer Oley Olsen also ran unopposed.

Anni Marshall (courtesy photo)

Lakewood

Two four-year seats on the Lakewood City Council were up for grabs this election, with both districts in the central part of town.

In the District 3 race, challenger Jeff Wood was in a comfortable lead with 59% of the vote. Incumbent Ariel Pe was trailing with about 41%.

District 3 is bordered by Bellflower on the north and Long Beach on the south.

Ariel Pe (courtesy photo)
Jeff Wood (courtesy photo)

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In District 4, business owner David Arellano had 64% of the vote over appointed Councilmember Vicki Stuckey, who had about 36%.

District 4 is bordered by Cerritos on the north, a small area of Bellflower on the northwest, Long Beach on the south and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast.

Stuckey was appointed in 2022 to complete the term of retired Councilmember Diane DuBois.

David Arellano (courtesy photo)
Vicki Stuckey (Courtesy city of Lakewood)

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Residents began voting for councilmembers in five different districts, instead of a citywide vote, in 2022.

Paramount

Current Mayor Isabel Aguayo, and Councilmembers Brenda Olmos and Vilma Cuellar Stallings faced three challengers in their citywide bid for reelection: teacher Yesenia Maria Cuarenta, small business owner Jose De Leon and university administrative coordinator Carmen Patricia Gomez.

The incumbents are in the lead as of Wednesday afternoon. Olmos was leading the pack with 27%, followed by Aguayo at 20%, Stallings at about 17%, Cuarenta at 14%, Gomez at nearly 12% and De Leon at nearly 10%.

Isabel Aguayo (courtesy photo)
Brenda Olmos (courtesy photo)
Vilma Cuellar Stallings (courtesy photo)
Yesenia Cuarenta (courtesy photo)
Jose De Leon (courtesy photo)
Carmen Gomez (courtesy photo)

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Gardena

Incumbents Mark Henderson and Paulette Francis were leading in a race to retain seats on the Gardena City Council against teacher Aimee Midori Yamada, and first responder and veteran Anthony Dixon.

The top-two finishers will claim the two open council seats.

Henderson had nearly 33% of the vote. Francis with around 26% and Dixon had 23.81%, while Yamada at 17.74%.

Mark Henderson (courtesy photo)
Paulette Francis (courtesy photo)
Anthony Dixon (courtesy photo)

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Compton

Appointed Mayor Deidre Duhart had a small lead over challenger Jasper Jackson, with Fidel Marquez in third, in the race to represent District 1 on the City Council. But Duhart did extend her lead slightly when results came in Wednesday afternoon. District 1 is the northwest portion of the city.

Duhart had 42.15% of the vote and Jackson had 39.76%, while Marquez had 18.09%.

Deidre Duhart (courtesy photo)
Missing L.A. County girl found safe

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 03:31:01 +0000

A missing girl who was last seen in Lakewood was found safe Tuesday night.

The teen, who was critically missing at the time, was identified as Megan Marie Torres, 16, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

At the time of her disappearance on Feb. 22, Torres was last seen on the 5800 block of Woodruff Avenue at around 7:30 a.m.

"Thank you to the public, the media, and deputy personnel for their tireless efforts in the search for Megan," said LASD.

The circumstances surrounding her disappearance and discovery were not released by authorities.

Beloved bookstore closes its doors after 40 years due to rising living costs in SoCal

Megan Marie Torres, 16, in a photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

A “critically missing person” is defined as:
- A person who has no pattern of running away or disappearing
- A person in critical need of medical attention
- The victim of a crime or foul play
- The victim of a kidnapping or parental abduction
- A person who is mentally impaired to the extent that such person is unable to care for him or herself or is an immediate danger to his or her own safety or the safety of others
Anyone with additional information can call LASD's Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500.

Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Election 2024: Here’s a roundup of some local races along LA County’s coast

Sat, 10 Feb 2024 06:01:25 +0000

The 2024 statewide primary is just a few weeks away — but federal and state races aren’t the only elections on the ballot.

Plenty of cities along Los Angeles County’s coast have local elections on March 5. Here’s a roundup of them.

Avalon

Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall will will try to win reelection agaiinst challenger Daniel Felts.

The mayor represents the entire city of about 3,700 for two years.

In her candidate’s statement on lavote.gov, Marshall said she has been mayor of Avalon for 10 years and touted her experience on various projects, including workforce housing, transient rental licenses and Cabrillo Mole renovation.

The Cabrillo Mole Ferry Revitalization Project is currently in the works to repair the city’s wharf to “maintain its safety and reliability and increase its life expectancy,” to improve the “overall tourist experience,” according to the city of Avalon website.

A campaign website or statement for challenger Daniel Felts could not be found.

Incumbent councilmembers Lisa Lavelle and Yesenia De la Rose are running unopposed for a full four-year term.Treasurer Oley Olsen is running unopposed as city treasurer.

Lakewood

Two four-year seats on the Lakewood City Council will be up for grabs on March 5.

Current Mayor Ariel Pe and Jeff Wood will face off in the District 3 race, while business owner David Arellano and reserve deputy Vicki Stuckey compete to fill the District 4 seat.

Residents began voting for councilmembers in five different districts, instead of a citywide vote, in 2022.

District 3 and 4 are in the central part of Lakewood. District 3 is bordered by Bellflower on the north and Long Beach on the south. District 4 is bordered by Cerritos on the north, a small area of Bellflower on the northwest, Long Beach on the south and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast.

David Arellano grew up in Lakewood and is a small business owner of Preferred Auto Design in Bellflower.

Arellano coached girls track at Mayfair and Lakewood High School while volunteering as a soccer coach in youth sports. He has also been the chair of the board of directors for the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce.

His priorities, according to his campaign website, include community safety, economic development, infrastructure, and spearheading community engagement in city events and programs.

Pe has lived in Lakewood for five decades and is a small business owner.

His priorities, if reelected, include ensure a financial foundation for the city, strengthening public safety, and supporting community events and mentoring programs, according to his campaign website.

Pe, according to his website, has been involved in numerous community organizations, including the Greater Lakewood Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club of Lakewood. He currently serves as president of the Gateway Cities Council of Governments, vice president of Los Angeles County League of California Cities, and Lakewood Regional Medical Center.

Vicki Stuckey was appointed in 2022 to complete the term of retired councilmember Diane DuBois.

She has served on various Lakewood city commissions, according to her website, including the Public Safety Commission and the Planning and Environment Commission.

Stuckey began her law enforcement career in 1985 with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and retired in 2019 as the captain of the Altadena Sheriff’s station, according to her campaign website.

Stuckey has also been involved in other organizations, including the Rotary Club of Lakewood, Friends of Lakewood Library, the Lakewood Regional Medical Center and the African American Quilter of Los Angeles.

Wood, meanwhile, is seeking his fourth term on the Lakewood City Council.

Wood’s priorities, according to his website, are public safety, maintaining parks and recreation programs, supporting local businesses, and advancing capital improvement projects.

Wood has also served on regional boards, including as president of California Contract Cities Association and the Southern California Association of Government’s Regional Council. He serves on local committees as well, including the city’s Audit and Measure L committees and the Schools Committee.

Wood, according to the city’s website, has career experience in “risk management, business continuity, occupational safety and health, and emergency management.”
- Jeff Wood (courtesy photo)
- Vicki Stuckey (Courtesy city of Lakewood)
- Ariel Pe (courtesy photo)
- David Arellano (courtesy photo)
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Paramount

In Paramount, a city with about 52,500 people, current Mayor Isabel Aguayo and Councilmembers Brenda Olmos and Vilma Cuellar Stallings are running for reelection.

Vying to replace them in the citywide election are teacher Yesenia Maria Cuarenta, small business owner Jose De Leon and university administrative coordinator Carmen Patricia Gomez.

A lifelong resident of Paramount, Isabel Aguayo is seeking her second term on the City Council. Safety, education and recreational opportunities are important issues in the city, according to her candidate statement. A goal of Aguayo’s, she said, is creating more recreational programs in the city, including adult sports and adaptive recreation.

Cuarenta said she is running for Paramount City Council to focus on quality of life issues and for an accountable and open city government.

Cuarenta is currently a school board member for the Paramount Unified School District. She was elected to the school board in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

Cuarenta, a California School Board Association delegate, helped form the school district’s office of Equity, Diversity and Support Systems, according to the district’s website.

Cuarenta is a member of the Paramount Kiwanis Club and a member of the Paramount Historical Society, Paramount’s Parent Teacher Association and The Paramount Women’s Club, according to the school district’s website.

De Leon, meanwhile, said in his candidate statement that he would advocate for cleaner air and for more affordable housing.

Other issues include increasing safety in parks by adding more light, demanding more transparency from the city and stopping wasteful spending.

Olmos, a health care professional, backed the creation of Paramount’s Back to School program, which supplied students with school supplies, and other programs while she was on City Council.

Other programs that are moving the city forward, according to Olmos’ candidate statement, are student scholarships, homelessness intervention programs, the Chats & Snacks program — which promotes conversations with the mayor — and partnerships with the school district and business community.

Cuellar Stallings said the city has had notable accomplishments recently, according to her candidate statement, including the installation of new playground equipment at all major parks in the city and new businesses on Paramount Boulevard.

Other accomplishments include the expansions of the Little Library and Back to School Supplies programs, citywide repaving that’s set to begin soon, expansion of seniors’ programs, and the Los Angeles Kings Iceland skating rink.

Carmen Patrica Gomez could not be reached for comment and no campaign website was available.
- Isabel Aguayo (courtesy photo)
- Brenda Olmos (courtesy photo)
- Vilma Cuellar Stallings (courtesy photo)
- Yesenia Cuarenta (courtesy photo)
- Jose De Leon (courtesy photo)
- Carmen Gomez (courtesy photo)
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Gardena

Incumbents Mark Henderson and Paulette Francis will compete against teacher Aimee Midori Yamada, and first responder and veteran Anthony Dixon to fill two City Council seats in Gardena, which has about 59,700 residents.

Dixon was working for the Los Angeles County Fire Department as part of the Fire Department Lifeguard Division when the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks happened.

So at 33, he joined the military and spent 11 years in the Army National Guard, where he served two tours in Iraq and Kuwait, according to his campaign website.

Dixon began work for McCormick Ambulance at 18 years old and became an EMT and was eventually promoted to supervisor before joining the LA County Fire Department, where he fought fires to working at the Lifeguard Division.

Dixon is a California State Fire Fighters Association board member, senior vice commander at VFW Post No. 3261 in Gardena, a member of the Gardena Kiwanis Club and the liaison advisor for the Gardena High School Key Club.

Incumbent Francis has lived in Gardena for nearly five decades and was first elected in March 2020, according to the city’s website.

Francis, who has worked in aerospace, real estate and government service professions; and is the president of California Educational Solution, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women and children, according to the city’s website.

Francis has also been involved in various city organizations, including serving as chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Committee of Gardena, president of the Gardena Valley Democratic Club, and commissioner on the Gardena Recreation and Parks Commission and the Planning & Environmental Quality Commission.

Incumbent Henderson, according to his website, was first elected in March 2015, is an advocate for responsive government, a champion for technological advances and wants to help promote local businesses.

Henderson is a U.S. Navy veteran and currently works at the Los Angeles Community College District as the district manager of College Technology Services.

Henderson has lived in Gardena for 35 years and has been active as a volunteer youth sports coach, Gardena Pop Warner volunteer city commissioner, and board president of PVJOBs Inc. and Brothers Inc. Youth Leadership.

Henderson was a delegate to the Southern California Association of Governments, West Basin Water Association alternate, Centennial Youth Services delegate, Gardena Rent Mediation board member, chair of the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission, and chair of the Racial Equity Housing Committee, according to his campaign website.

In a campaign statement, Aimee Midori Yamada said she is focused on the city’s youth.

Yamada served Gardena’s community for decades as a PTA member and PTSA board secretary at her children’s and grandchildren’s schools, according to the statement. Yamada founded the Isami taiko group at Gardena Buddh
UCI Health buying 4 Tenet hospitals, 3 in Orange County, for $975 million

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:35:52 +0000

UCI Health is expanding again, agreeing to buy four hospitals that make up Tenet Healthcare Corp.‘s Pacific Coast Network for $975 million.

The facilities include Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, Los Alamitos Medical Center, Placentia-Linda Hospital and Lakewood Regional Medical Center.

Pending regulatory approvals, the hospitals and their associated clinics will become part of UC Irvine’s healthcare system. The deal was approved by the UC Board of Regents and is expected to close later this spring.

Also see: Hospital building spree could turn Irvine into nation’s next big health brand

Tenet’s Chief Executive Officer Saum Sutaria in a statement said the company’s Pacific Coast Network “will be in good hands under the new ownership.”
- A sign for the new medical center campus of UCI Health currently under construction at the intersection of Jamboree and Campus in Irvine on Friday April 21, 2023. The buildings include: the Joe C. Wen & Family UCI Health Center for Advanced Care; the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care; a 144-bed acute care hospital with an emergency room; two multi-story parking garages. The new medical center will be the first all-electric hospital in the nation with electric and solar power supplying all energy needs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- The acute care hospital with an emergency room is one of three buildings of the new medical center campus of UCI Health currently under construction at the intersection of Jamboree and Campus in Irvine on Friday April 21, 2023. The new medical center will be the first all-electric hospital in the nation with electric and solar power supplying all energy needs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- The Joe C. Wen & Family UCI Health Center for Advanced Care is one of three buildings of the new medical center campus of UCI Health currently under construction at the intersection of Jamboree and Campus in Irvine on Friday April 21, 2023. The new medical center will be the first all-electric hospital in the nation with electric and solar power supplying all energy needs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- One of two parking garages at left, and the acute care hospital with an emergency room, at right, is one of three buildings of the new medical center campus of UCI Health currently under construction at the intersection of Jamboree and Campus in Irvine on Friday April 21, 2023. The new medical center will be the first all-electric hospital in the nation with electric and solar power supplying all energy needs. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
- UCI Health celebrates an important milestone in the construction of its new Irvine medical campus with a “topping off” ceremony for its newest hospital in Irvine on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
- UCI Health celebrates an important milestone in the construction of its new Irvine medical campus with a “topping off” ceremony for its newest hospital in Irvine on Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
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UCI expands again

The deal marks another significant expansion for UCI Health, which includes a medical center in Orange and a network of specialty care centers.

In 2021, UCI Health CEO Chad Lefteris said UCI Medical Center was “essentially full all the time” and had limited space for inpatients.

More on UCI: Samuelis give university $50 million for health, society and environmental research

To further its reach, UCI Health launched work on a $1 billion medical complex next to its main campus, approved by UC Regents in 2021. UC Irvine Medical Center Irvine-Newport, a multi-building complex on 202 acres with a 144-bed hospital and emergency room, will offer specialty care in oncology, neurosciences, children’s health and other areas. It’s expected to open in 2025.

UCI also added the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, which was established in 2001. The institute was made possible by Orange County philanthropists Henry Samueli and his wife, the building namesake, who donated $200 million to create the school.

Also see: Integrative health institute expands at UCI

UCI nurses hold a candlelight vigil during the shift-change outside UCI Medical Center in Orange on Monday, April 20, 2020 to protest over concerns about having enough personal protective equipment for health care workers treating COVID-19 patients. The vigil also to honored health care workers who have contracted COVID-19. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Employee unrest

The acquisition comes amid ongoing labor disputes by union employees at many hospitals across Southern California. Most of the protests center on wage and staffing issues, a common theme since the pandemic.

The Pacific Coast Network has seen its share of unrest as nurses and technicians protest what they call understaffed facilities.

Employees picketed in Tenet’s Fountain Valley, Los Alamitos and Lakewood hospitals in June 2021, alleging the facilities had left some workers without health insurance while the company received billions in federal COVID-19 relief funds and spent $1.1 billion to buy 45 surgery centers.

In a statement issued late Thursday, NUHW President Sal Rosselli said Tenet still has “chronically understaffed” hospitals in Orange County while employees have struggled to provide adequate patient care.

“We’re hopeful that the sale to UC Irvine Health will benefit patients and caregivers,” he said. “But we still need the university to explain how it plans to operate the hospitals and protect the critical jobs and services they provide.”

The UC health system also faced temporary layoffs during the pandemic. Hundreds of employees protested the move, which affected Southern California hospitals in Riverside and San Diego, though not UCI Health.

Tenet’s workers are represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers and the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals. UCI Health employees are represented by the California Nurses Association and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, among others.

The two hospital systems didn’t address how the acquisition would affect union employees.

Expanded services

The university said the Tenet acquisition would give patients access to advanced therapies and clinical trials related to cancer, neurosciences, digestive diseases, orthopedics and internal medicine.

UCI Health operates the only Level I trauma center in Orange County. It also operates the region’s largest burn center in addition to a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and high-risk perinatal-neonatal service, hospital officials said.

Patients at UCI Health and Tenet facilities can continue receiving care as they normally would, officials said.

The UC system, a $14 billion enterprise, includes six medical schools, along with other facilities, including four children’s hospitals and the Global Health Institute.

UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman said the acquisition would help the university deepen its “healthcare commitment to the future of Orange County, our region and California.”

Tenet operates 67 hospitals and medical facilities throughout California, including the Coast Surgery Center of South Bay in Torrance, Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs and Providence Holy Cross Surgery Center in Mission Hills, among others.

Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare said the four hospitals and related operations generated revenues of about $1 billion in 2024, Tenet said. The Dallas-based company estimates the transaction will generate a pre-tax gain of approximately $500 million.

Late last year, another academic health system, UC San Diego Health, finalized a $200 million deal to acquire Alvarado Hospital Medical Center from Ontario-based Prime Healthcare.
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Elections 2024: Rep. Robert Garcia faces 3 challengers for Congressional District 42

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:23:07 +0000

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia, who became the first openly LGBTQ immigrant in U.S. House of Reprentatives last year, will begin his bid to retain California’s 42nd Congressional District seat by coming out on top — or at least the top two — in the March 5 primary election against three other candidates.

Garcia, who rose to the national spotlight in 2022 after serving as the first Latino and first openly gay mayor in Long Beach’s history, will face two Democrats, Joaquin Beltran and Nicole Lopez, and Republican John Briscoe — who will likely be his main adversary.

The top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

Garcia is an overwhelming favorite in the primary race, with Briscoe likely to come second, based on results from the 2022 primary and general election. Briscoe surprised political observers with 26% of the vote in that primary.

Beltran and Lopez, the latter of whom did not respond to requests for comment, also competed in the 2022 primary — though they finished with single-digit percentages.

Garcia also has more campaign cash on hand than his opponents. He had about $541,109 at the end of 2023, according to the Federal Elections Commission. Briscoe had nearly $250,000 in cash, but that sum was a personal loan from him to his campaign.

Lopez had 1,231 in cash on hand at the end of the year, according to the FEC, while Beltran did not have any campaign finance documents available.

The 42nd Congressional District includes Downey, Long Beach, Lakewood, Commerce, Bell Gardens, Bell, Huntington Park, Florence, Cudahy, Maywood, Bellflower, Lakewood, Walnut Park, Signal Hill and Avalon.

The district had 399,277 registered voters as of Jan. 5, according to the California Secretary of State’s office. Of those, about 54% were registered Democrats, compared to about 17% Republicans. About 21.5% had no party preference. The rest were registered with smaller political parties.

Rep. Robert Garcia

Garcia, in a phone interview on Thursday, Feb. 1, said his first year as a congressmember has been a great one. He said he’s honored to represent the same communities he’s worked with regionally for a long time, particularily in the southeast portion of Los Angeles County.

“Being mayor of one of the largest cities in Califonia has been absolutely beneficial,” Garcia said. “I understand how government works. I feel I know what the community needs and what neighborhoods need.”

Safety, climate change and infrastructure are some of the most important issues in District 42, Garcia said.

He’s particularly proud of securing $238 million in federal funds for the Port of Long Beach, which will help create jobs, enhance rail operations and reduce pollution.

As co-chair of the Congressional Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade, and Security Caucus, he’s made the twin ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles a priority, Garcia said.

Protecting democracy, meanwhile, is high on Garcia’s list of priorities should he win a second term.

“I’ve taken on some of the most extreme voices in (Washington), D.C.,” Garcia said.

Garcia was a key leader in expelling George Santos from Congress late last year, after an ethics report revealed the Republican used campaign donations for personal use.

And in his role as president of the 36 Democratic freshmen congressmembers, Garcia said, he’s also been able to demonstrate his leadership skills.

He’s a coalition builder, Garcia said, and leadership skills translate to whether you are guiding peers in Washington, D.C., or working with constitiuents.

“I believe in being honest and in justice for all people,” Garcia said. “The responsibility of government is to help people and people who need help the most.”

Many people in his district and throughout the country, Garcia said, are still feeling the impacts of a slowly improving economy. Inflation is a factor and the cost of housing is still incredibly high.

There’s a lot of work left to do, he said, but there is definitely good momemtum in those areas.

Other priorities for Garcia are continuing to bring back money for health care, pandemic prevention, LGBTQ rights and strenghtening the economy.

Overall, Garcia said, he loves the opportunity to represent his hometown in Congress.

“We’re working hard every day to get as much federal support as possible,” Garcia said. “I’m driven by that every day.”

John Briscoe

Briscoe, a Republican business owner and youth advocate, described himself as the “antithesis” of Garcia in a phone interview on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

The incumbent, Briscoe said, is syncophatic toward President Joe Biden and doesn’t veer from the Democratic party line.

Briscoe is running again because prices are too high, he said, pointing to gas and food costs, though the former has gone down in recent weeks.

“The real costs are up 30% over the last three years,” Briscoe said. “Nobody got pay increases by that much.”

Inflation, Briscoe said, is “a nasty, stick the federal finger in your pocketbook and pluck the money out” proposition.

The Republican challenger is also keen on protecting parental rights, he said. It’s horrible, Briscoe said, that some parents don’t know specifics about what their children are learning in school. And, the longtime Huntington Beach-area school board member said, he believes in public school choice. No matter where you live, he said, you have the right to send children to a school in a good district.

“All of our teachers are good,” Briscoe said, “all of our schools are good, but they’re not all the same.”

Briscoe, if elected, would also advocate for family safety, he said. That, he said, “means the homeless problem.”

“I look over the cesspool of people who are in just deep, dire need of help,” he said of his Long Beach office window, which overlooks people experiencing homelessness.

To solve the issue, Briscoe said, he would “make an affirmative effort to identify people who are under the influence and go through and do a sweep.” People would be given three choices, he said: pay a $300 fine, go to jail or go to a rehabilitation facility.

The problem, Briscoe said, is that when President Ronald Reagan reduced funding for mental health institutions in 1981 and “turned everyone out on the street, the money didn’t follow them to give them treatment.”

Something dramatic has to be done to help people, Briscoe said.

Briscoe said he’ll focus his campaign on the northern portion of District 42, which includes cities such as Downey, Bellflower and Cudahy.

His path to victory, he said, is the family man.

“If it’s true that Hispanic voters are listening a little harder,” Briscoe said, “then my messaging will be heard loudly by those people.”

The Republican challenger was also characteristically critical of the current Congress, calling them “feckless and spineless” and saying they are “spending like a drunken soldier.”

Joaquin Beltran

Beltran is a software engineer and community organizer who said Congress should be funding food, gas, rent and health care instead of financing overseas conflicts.

He’s running again, he said during a Wednesday, Jan. 31, phone interview, because “there is such urgency to making sure that our future is better than the current politicians are making it out to be.”

It’s important, he said, for politicians to be direct, have a vision and to have leadership where “people aren’t playing games.”

Beltran advocated beginning in May 2023 for LA County to bring masks back into health care settings, he said. And in December, the public health department, indeed, brought the rule back.

Besides prioritizing health care as a priorty, Beltran also said bringing prices down and fixing the economy is important. And those go hand-in-hand. When people are healthier, he said, the economy is healthier.

“The American dream has, unfortunately, become undone,” Beltran said. “For me, it’s all tied together. It’s a web of health and prosperity. If someone could have a lot of money, they would definitely trade their money to have their health.”

Beltran, whose parents immigrated from Mexico, stressed they had to work harder to get resources than non-immigrants.

“Government needs to create an environment for people to thrive,” Beltran said, adding there needs to be better and more accessible health care for all.

Beltran said he doesn’t think anything has gotten better in District 42 over the last few years. Small business owners are out of business, people can’t afford to pay rent, there are job losses. Unlike career politicians, he said, he’s willing to “be direct, to be clear and to have a stated vision and goals.”

Many politicians, Beltran said, wait until the timing is right before acting. He wouldn’t do that, he said.

Beltran wants people to understand how much power the little guy holds, saying “every action they take, no matter how small they think it is, it makes a huge difference.

“It all adds up,” Beltran said, “and we really need them because we need better people in office.”

Nicole Lopez

Lopez is a nonprofit employee who is running on a platform of “Medicare for all,” supporting the Green New Deal and implementing comprehensive immigration reform, according to her campaign website.

The Democrat did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

But on her website, the challenger wrote that she is fighting for “everyday Americans,” and giving voice to migrant workers and others who have been left out of the decision making rooms on Capitol HIll.
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Congressional District 42

Candidates: Democrats Joaquin Beltran, Robert Garcia and Nicole Lopez, and Republican John Briscoe.

Term length: Two years.

District boundaries: Downey, Long Beach, Lakewood, Commerce, Bell Gardens, Bell, Huntington Park, Florence, Cudahy, Maywood, Bellflower, Lakewood, Walnut Park, Signal Hill and Avalon.

Registered voters: 399,277, as of Jan. 5, according to the California Secretary of State’s office.

Key issues: Inflation, healthcare, homelessness, education.

Information: lavote.gov.

About the 2024 statewide primary election

Election Day: March 5, 2024. Polls close at 8 p.m.

Early voting: You can vote at the Los Angeles County registrar’s office beginning Monday, Feb. 5. The registrar’s headquarters are at 12400 Imperial Highway, Room 3002, in Norwalk. That office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Vote-by-mail: Ballots began going out on Thursday, Feb. 1. You can submit VBMs in three ways: By mailing them to the registrar’s office (VBMs include return envelopes with the correct address and postage already included); by placing them in an official drop box; or by dropping them off at any county Vote Center.

VBM deadline: VBMs sent via mail must arrive no later than seven days after the election, but they must be postmarked by March 5. The deadline to place VBMs in a drop box or deliver them to a Vote Center is 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Vote Centers: Vote Centers open 10 days before Election Day. This year, that’s Saturday, Feb. 24. You can vote at any Vote Center in Los Angeles County. Prior to Election Day, the Vote Centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Election Day, they will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

About the ballots: In California, the order races are listed on ballots goes from local to federal, meaning the nominees for president will be listed at the bottom. Except for presidential races, California’s primaries for “partisan” offices – now known as “voter-nominated offices” have a top-two system. That means the top two vote getters in a given race advance to the general election, regardless of political party.

To find a drop box or Vote Center and for more information: lavote.gov.
Carson awards commendation to sheriff’s deputy for foiling robbery in progress

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 08:28:47 +0000

The City Council this week recognized a sheriff’s deputy for thwarting an armed robbery in progress after walking into a 7-Eleven store in Carson earlier this month.

Deputy Luis Cisneros, a nine-year veteran with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, received a certificate of commendation from the panel for his “quick response and valor.” He was presented the award, along with a 7-Eleven polo shirt, in the company of his wife, his mother, Sheriff Robert Luna and Carson officials.
- Carson Councilmember Arleen Rojas gives a bouquet of flowers to the wife of LASD Deputy Cisneros during a commendation ceremony at a city council meeting in Carson on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros, surrounded by family, colleagues and city officials, holds a plaque commemorating the moment he stopped a robbery in Carson, during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes looks at LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros and his run-in on a robbery at a local 7-Eleven, during a commendation ceremony at the Carson city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros holds a plaque commemorating the moment he walked into a 7-Eleven store and stopped a robbery in Carson, during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros holds a plaque commemorating the moment he walked into a 7-Eleven store and stopped a robbery in Carson, during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- A reminder of the moment he stopped a convenience store robbery in progress, LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros holds up a 7-Eleven polo shirt gifted by the Carson City Council during their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros gives a speech during a commendation ceremony for him after he foiled a robbery at a 7-Eleven, at a Carson city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Chief Robert Luna speaks about Sheriff’s Deputy Luis Cisneros and his run-in with a crew of robbers at a 7-Eleven in Carson, during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Chief Robert Luna speaks about Sheriff’s Deputy Luis Cisneros and his run-in with a crew of robbers at a 7-Eleven in Carson, during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros holds a plaque commemorating the moment he walked into a 7-Eleven store and stopped a robbery in Carson, during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros holds a plaque commemorating the moment he walked into a 7-Eleven store and stopped a robbery in Carson, during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
- LASD Deputy Luis Cisneros, middle right, holds hands with his wife during a commendation ceremony at a Carson city council meeting after he stopped a robbery at a 7-Eleven, on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. (Photo by Raphael Richardson, Contributing Photographer)
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“Over the past seven years, I have been honored to work with the City of Carson,” Cisneros said during this week’s council meeting. “The city has become my home away from home, and I’ve given it my all, every call, every high-risk incident, has been for the well-being of Carson and its residents.”

Cisneros added that he is grateful for the support from the city and the training he has received from the sheriff’s academy.

“Without it,” he said, “none of this would have been possible.”

In the early morning of Jan 13, Cisneros made a quick stop at a Carson 7-Eleven store on the 1700 block of Avalon Boulevard, near Victoria Street.

He was there to check in on the clerk, with whom he had spoken with earlier that day. But unbeknownst to him, moments before his arrival, a group of people burst into the store and demanded the clerk open the cash register.

In a surveillance video that captures the exchange, one suspect could be seen pointing a gun to the clerk’s face as the deputy walked in.

“I was honestly really surprised. As soon as I walked in and what I saw, the first thing that came to mind was surprise,” Cisneros, 32, said during a Thursday evening interview. “It really felt like time stopped for a little bit, like everything was going super slow motion and I couldn’t really believe what was happening.”

Despite his shock, Cisneros instantly pulled out his weapon and called for backup.

The four suspects were all apprehended and taken into custody without incident.

“I’m blessed of the outcome of the incident and more so of the investigation due to our major crimes detectives,” Cisneros said during the council meeting. “I’m humbled by the praise and support so far and I just want to say, truly, thank you.”

Luna, who attended the Tuesday, Jan. 23, City Council meeting, said it isn’t easy to walk in on a robbery in progress — and that Cisneros’ “response was amazing.”

“When I called him a couple of days later just to congratulate him and tell him what an awesome job he did, he was one of the most humble men I’ve ever spoken to,” Luna said. “So be proud that he doesn’t hesitate and he loves this community, he loves his job and I believe he’s a true representation of the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”

Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes, whose husband and son are former law enforcement officers, said she understands the daily experience of family members waiting for those in the force to return home safely.

“The first responsibility after doing what you have to do is coming home safe to your wife,” Davis-Holmes told the young couple, who are expecting their first child.

The mayor also expressed her pride and appreciation on behalf of Carson to Cisneros.

“We are so grateful for your service,” Davis-Holmes said.

Detectives were able to link the suspects to a string of such incidents that have been happening in other cities, including Lakewood, Long Beach, Signal Hill and Compton, as well as in the Los Angeles area, Capt. Damon Jones, commander of the Carson sheriff’s station, said in an interview on Thursday.

Cisneros’ arrest of the suspects played a crucial role in apprehending individuals, most of whom are juveniles, who are connected to convenience store robberies, Jones said, including those involved in a Compton street takeover that happened at the beginning of this month, which resulted in a large mob looting a bakery, Jones said.

“I know the investigation that our Major Crimes Bureau is doing is still ongoing,” Jones said. “But I think they were able to determine that all of those people involved were related to all of those various robberies that occurred in the entire proximity.”

It’s unclear if the suspects are still in custody because they are juveniles, Jones said.

The sheriff’s department’s department’s Major Crimes Bureau is working with the district’s attorney’s office, Jones said, “to ensure that the appropriate charges are put forward and held against them and that they’re held accountable for not only this robbery but some additional robberies that were done throughout LA County.”

As for Cisneros, he planned to visit the 7-Eleven clerk at some point Thursday night.

“I’ve actually tried to go back a couple of times, but he was not on shift,” Cisneros said during Thursday’s interview. “So I’m actually going to try to go back later tonight and see if he’s there.”
Related Articles
- News |
  adorable pumpkin patches begin popping up all around and ghosts, goblins and all sorts of other creatures of the night rise to celebrate Halloween.
  
  From kid-friendly hay mazes, carved pumpkin displays and parades to some seriously terrifying pop-up independent haunts, monster-filled hay rides, spooky bars and immersive horror theater productions, there’s a lot of spooky stuff going on.
  
  ALSO SEE: Haunted theme park events in Southern California: What you need to know
  
  Here are 31 of the major Halloween happenings in Southern California.
  
  A large display of pumpkins at the Nights of the Jack carved pumpkin event featuring thousands of pumpkins at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas in 2021. Nights of the Jack returns to the venue in 2023 for select evenings on Sept. 29-Oct. 31. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
  A squeegee wielding character in the haunted car wash poses for a photo as cars enter the Tunnel of Terror haunted car wash in Huntington Beach in 2020. This year, the haunted attraction is taking place at locations in Anaheim and Lakewood and will be open Oct. 5-30. (File photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
  17th Door Haunt Experience has relocated from Fullerton to Buena Park and is now open select evenings through Oct. 31. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
  The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride is back inside Griffith Park and running select evenings through Oct. 31. (Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Haunted Hayride)
  ScareScape, a new Halloween haunt experience at Heritage Hill in Murrieta, will run from Sept. 29 through Oct. 29 on select dates. The experience will include specialty spooky cocktails and lattes inspired by its mazes. (Courtesy of Creative Minds Productions)
  Shaqtoberfest (a fire dancer pictured performing during the event in 2022) will return to the Queen Mary in Long Beach in 2023 for select evenings through Oct. 31. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
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  Real Fear Lives Here
  
  17th Door Haunt Experience
  
  When: Select evenings through Oct. 31
  
  Where: 8420 On The Mall, Buena Park
  
  Tickets: Starting at $34-$48 at The17thdoor.com
  
  This haunt, which moved to a new location in Buena Park this year, is not for the faint of heart. Seriously, it is frightening. The actors can touch you and yell at you. There are also points where you’ll have to crawl on your hands and knees and complete various tasks. There’s also an add-on Field Trip, where a van takes you to some undisclosed location for even more terror.
  
  All Saints Lunatic Asylum
  
  When: 7-10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday on Sept. 29-Oct. 31
  
  Where: 22521 Shawnee Road, Apple Valley
  
  Tickets: $13 at allsaintsasylum.com.
  
  Tour an old, rundown asylum that may or may not still contain some restless spirits in this walk-thru experience that explores the hospital, which was shut down nearly five decades ago.
  
  Sign up for our Holiday Events newsletter to get Halloween fun, from theme park mazes to home haunts, concerts and pumpkin patches, delivered to your inbox each week. Subscribe here.
  
  Castle Dark at Castle Park
  
  When: Select dates through Oct. 29
  
  Where: Castle Park, 3500 Polk Street, Riverside
  
  Tickets: $19.99-$44.99 at castlepark.com
  
  The annual haunt is debuting various new mazes, including one with an all-female cast dubbed Shipwreck Cove. There’s also interactive shows, special tricks and treats. There’s also a family-friendly daytime Dia de los Muertos celebration with live entertainment, trick-or-treating and more every Saturday and Sunday.
  
  Coffin Creek
  
  When: 7 p.m.-Midnight on Fridays-Saturdays; 7 p.m.-10 p.m. on Sundays Oct. 6-29
  
  Where: Riverview Recreation Park, 14600 Baron Drive, Corona.
  
  Tickets: $17-$69 at coffincreek.com
  
  This scary haunt is celebrating its 16th anniversary with five walk-thru mazes where guests will get chased by zombies, trapped in an asylum and in a carnival of nightmares. There’s also a vendor area for those who want to terrorize their wallets.
  
  Fearplex Presents Lights Out
  
  When: 6-11 p.m. select evenings through Oct. 31
  
  Where: Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. Pomona
  
  Tickets: $27-$33 for general admission; $29.99 for Lights Out and Oktoberfest combo tickets at fairplex.com/lightsout.
  
  This new attraction is made up of walk-thru mazes infested with zombies, psychotic clowns, circus freaks and a black light experience dubbed Toxic Terror. There will also be live music, lots of food and other treats, a vendor village and a Zombieball (paintball) Experience.
  
  Laguna Niguel Haunted Trails
  
  When: 6:30 p.m. Oct. 13-15
  
  Where: Crown Valley Park, 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
  
  Tickets: $13 in advance or $15 day of at cityoflagunaniguel.org
  
  Walk among the undead and monsters along this city-organized haunted trail. Yes, it can be scary. so it’s not recommended for younger kids.
  
  Los Angeles Haunted Hayride
  
  When: Various dates and times through Oct. 31
  
  Where: Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., Los Angeles
  
  Tickets: $29.99-$119.99 at losangeleshauntedhayride.com
  
  Take a hayride on a wagon through the dark and haunted woods while all sorts of creatures jump out at you. Those who survive can roam around the haunted town of Midnight Falls and enter several themed walk-thru mazes.
  
  ALSO SEE: Halloween 2023: Where to find pumpkin patches in Southern California
  
  Reign of Terror
  
  When: 7 p.m. select evenings Sept. 29-Nov. 4
  
  Where: Reign of Terror, 225 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks
  
  Tickets: $35-$65 at rothauntedhouse.com
  
  This haunt experience features 10 connected mazes and more than 100 separate rooms that will take guests through cemeteries, an asylum, an infected hospital, a haunted mine and a clown-infested funhouse.
  
  ScareScape
  
  When: 6 p.m. select evenings Sept. 29-Oct. 29
  
  Where: Heritage Hill Event Venue, 28701 Los Alamos Heights Road, Murrieta
  
  Tickets: $25-$55 at scarescapehaunt.com
  
  There’s no escaping your phobias at this new haunt located at the top of eerie Heritage Hill. The mazes are centered on common phobias, so expect to walk through total darkness, meet with terrifying clowns and mingle with ghosts inside a haunted house. There’s also a vendor marketplace and a Spirit Lounge Bar with classic circus sideshow performers.
  
  Shaqtoberfest
  
  When: Various dates and times through Oct. 31
  
  Where: The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
  
  Tickets: $29.99-$109.99 at shaqtoberfest.com
  
  NBA star Shaquille O’Neal hosts this Halloween party that includes a carnival, music and several walk-thru mazes, including one aboard the Queen Mary. There’s also several themed bars, a marketplace, pumpkin patch, a hay maze, live music and pop-up performances.
  
  The Haunted Harvest
  
  When: 7 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays Sept. 29-Oct. 29
  
  Where: Frosty’s Forest, 14861 Ramona Avenue, Chino
  
  Tickets: $30 at frostysforest.com
  
  This corn maze includes several haunts including one inspired by a popular video store chain, which here is dubbed Hauntbuster, where you’re trapped after hours with the Notflix Killer.
  
  Theatrical Terror
  
  “Angel of Light”
  
  When: Various dates and times through Oct. 31
  
  Where: Los Angeles Theatre, 615 S. Broadway, Los Angeles
  
  Tickets: $59-$84 at feverup.com/m/138323
  
  This theatrical experience will take people back to 1935, putting them in the middle of a story about a hexed girl named Rota Krisha. Expect demonic characters, light projections, music and jump scares.
  
  “Deathtrap”
  
  When: 8 p.m. opening night Wednesday, Oct. 18; 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 19-Nov. 5
  
  Where: International City Theatre, 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach
  
  Tickets: $35-$89 at ictlongbeach.org
  
  The Tony-nominated comedy thriller is a murder mystery play about a playwright who receives a manuscript from a former student. While he likes the play, he’s not fond of sharing credit.
  
  Delusion: “Nocturnes & Nightmares”
  
  When: Various dates and times through Nov. 12
  
  Where: Phillips Mansion, 2640 Pomona Blvd., Pomona
  
  Tickets: $94.99-$154.99 at enterdelusion.com
  
  The historic Phillips Mansion in Pomona becomes the home of an interactive horror theater experience with a new story dubbed “Nocturnes & Nightmares,” where guests become key players in an hour-long, immersive sinister haunt.
  
  “Frankenstein 1930”
  
  When: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 21
  
  Where: Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach
  
  Tickets: $20-$30 at lbplayhouse.org
  
  The classic horror tale comes to the stage with a stone walled laboratory, angry villagers and an unexpected new ending.
  
  The Vampire Circus
  
  When: Various dates and times through Oct. 31
  
  Where: The Montalbán Theatre, 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood
  
  Tickets: $44-$49 at thevampirecircusexperience.com
  
  Bloodsuckers have taken over this circus of horror. The vampires mix acrobatic performances, dance and macabre theatrical performances in an all-ages show.
  
  Urban Death Tour Of Terror
  
  When: Various times Fridays-Mondays through Oct. 31
  
  Where: Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood
  
  Tickets: Tickets are $22-$27 at zombiejoes.com
  
  Known for dark and disturbing, yet fascinating theatrical performances, the company’s “Urban Death” show will bring the guests face to face with monsters and spirits.
  
  Fun Frights
  
  Anaheim Fall Festival
  
  When: 11 a.m. Oct. 28
  
  Where: Downtown Anaheim at Anaheim Blvd. and Broadway Street
  
  Tickets: Free admission. Get more information at anaheimfallfestival.org
  
  The festival and parade takes place at downtown Anaheim and Anaheim City Hall. There will be themed food booths and trucks and a kid-friendly haunted house. The festival starts at 11 a.m. and runs through 6 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m.
  
  Boney Island
  
  When: 6-8 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays and Oct. 30 and 31
  
  Where: Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles
  
  Tickets: $25 per person and $20 for members at nhm.org/boney-island-nhm
  
  The museum’s Nature Gardens transforms into a haunting and whimsical interactive light-up show. Expect to see skeletons performing rope tricks and levitating through hoops and shadow puppetry.
  
  Halloween Bu-Bash
  
  When: 2-4 p.m. Oct. 27
  
  Where: Bluff’s Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu
  
  Tickets: $8 per child at malibucity.org
  
  This Halloween celebration is for the very little ones and includes carnival games, a costume contest, face painting and trick-or-treating.
  
  Magic of the Jack O’Lanterns
  
  When: Various dates and times through Oct. 31
  
  Where: Whittier Narrows Park, 750 S. Santa Anita Ave., South El Monte
  
  Tickets: Tickets
Rich Archbold: All-star band, comprising 605 Freeway high schools, to march in 2025 Rose Parade

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:40:44 +0000

Tom Philips, the longtime band director at Lakewood’s Mayfair High School, has had a dream to march in the Rose Parade on New Year’s Day before he retires in 2025.

But he needed help.

So last year, he invited the band directors from neighboring high schools — Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Gahr, John Glenn, La Mirada and Norwalk — to partner with Mayfair to create a super band to perform in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1, 2025.

“All the directors jumped on board,” Philips said, “and together, we made an audition video on a rainy Dec. 4, 2022, at Ron Yary Stadium in Bellflower.”

After an agonizing wait to find out if the band was accepted, the answer recently — and finally — came, from Ed Morales, Tournament of Roses Parade president: “Yes!” His video announcing the acceptance decision was played at each school last month. Shouts of joy could be heard on each campus.

The 605 All Star Band consists of 407 students, with 360 in the marching band and 47 in the color guard. It will be one of the largest bands, if not the largest, to ever march in the Rose Parade.

The band’s name is a reference to the schools’ neighboring the 605 Freeway.

“This is great, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Leonardo Ruiz, a ninth-grader who plays the trombone with the Mayfair Monsoons.

“It left me speechless,” gushed Kadyn Esguerra, an 11th-grader in Mayfair’s color guard. “I never thought I would ever participate in an event like this!”

Derek Bedell, Mayfair’s football coach, congratulated the schools.

“As a kid who grew up in Pasadena, whose dad was a member of the Tournament of Roses and whose grandfather was president of the Tournament of Roses, this hits home for me,” he said. “It will be awesome.”

Philips, who has been at Mayfair since 2000, said the 605 All Star “Super” Band — the members use “super” when talking about the band, though it’s not part of the official name — was chosen out of hundreds of entries to march down Colorado Boulevard in 2025.

“Officials estimate that we will perform for over 700,000 people on the 5 1/2 mile parade route, he said, “and we will be seen by 45 million people worldwide.”

In past parades, Philips said, high schools have combined from the same city or the same school district. But, he said, this will be the first time that schools from three separate school districts have performed. The districts are Bellflower Unified, ABC Unified and Norwalk-LaMirada Unified.

“All of our bands are major award winners and the pride of each community,” Philips said. “Our goal is to promote music within our districts and cities, build our programs and give our kids an opportunity to perform on the world stage Jan. 1, 2025. This event is life changing for our schools and students.”

Julie Denmion, assistant principal at Mayfair Middle and High School, congratulated Philips and fellow band directors.

“You are superstars,” she said. “You certainly have earned such an honor. Well done.”

Besides Mayfair’s Philips, the other band directors participating in the 605 All Star Band are Omar Vidana, Bellflower High; Frank Hinojoz, John Glenn High; Robert Stearns, La Mirada High; Ramiro Castaneda, Norwalk High; Darren Loney, Gahr High; Bobby Westphal, Cerritos High; and Juan Perez, Artesia High.

Philips, who started playing the trumpet in the sixth-grade at DD Johnston School in Norwalk because it “brings joy to my life,” said he had wanted to be a music teacher and band director since his freshman year at La Quinta High School in Westminster. He has been a music teacher at Norwalk High and Nogales High in La Puente before he moved to Mayfair in 2000. He said he has been to the Rose Parade in person once and has watched it on television almost every year.

“Our 605 All Star Band is one massive, super band,” he said. “We can’t wait to entertain on the world stage in the grandest parade ever.”

The project, with so many students and high schools, is daunting, Phillips said.

“But we cannot wait to start working with the students next fall,” he added.

And, the band director said, he plans to give every 605 community the chance to celebrate the students.

“We will march in every city before the big day,” Philips said, “so everyone can enjoy these students.”
Tunnel of Terror Haunted Car Wash returns to Anaheim, expands to Lakewood

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 13:13:18 +0000

If you’re looking for a car wash and a scare this Halloween season, you’re in luck because the Tunnel of Terror Haunted Car Wash is back.

Born during the 2020 pandemic and the peak of social distancing, the car wash setting provided horror fans with just a little something frightful at an already horrifying period in recent history. It was so popular that on its opening night, about 350 vehicles showed up for a good scream n’ scrub down.

In 2023, the experience returns and has expanded.

Aside from its location at Big Wave Car Wash (2219 Lincoln Ave.) in Anaheim, it’s also taking over Carwood Car Wash (2729 E. Carson St.) in Lakewood. The car washes will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 5-7; 12-14; 19-21; and Oct. 26-30. Tickets start at $30 per vehicle.

Guests can load up their rides with their Halloween-loving friends and cruise through the car wash, which is filled with creepy performers, props and special effects. The event producers also promise new scary surprises each night.

There is no age limit for this event, but parents beware, your little ones may not enjoy the monsters. Guests must remain in their vehicles at all times and obey the signage and other safety rules on-site.

For more information, visit Instagram.com/tunnelofterroroc/.
Related Articles
National Night Out brings community, police together for crime prevention tips, family fun

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 09:24:05 +0000

San Fernando Police Department Officer Art Lesmez says hello to Idalia Flores and Jax Luna during the San Fernando Police Department’s annual National Night Out event in San Fernando, Tuesday, October 4, 2022. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

National Night Out, the first Tuesday in August — Aug. 1 this year — brings law enforcement officers, emergency personnel and the public together to learn about local neighborhood crime, crime prevention tips, safety tips around home and creating neighborhood watch groups while having fun in a relaxed atmosphere.

Some cities hold their event on other dates, often coinciding with an on-going event like an evening farmers market or San Fernando’s event in early October when the weather is cooler.

Neighborhoods may put together their own block-party — often inviting their senior lead officers — to discuss how to keep their neighborhood safer from crime.

Remember to turn on your front porch light as a symbol of public awareness for the annual event.

Here is a sampling of events in Los Angeles County, by date and time.

Aug. 1

City of West Hollywood: A variety of get-togethers including block parties, a barbecue, a movie night and theme parties. Events are held in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Block by Block Security Ambassadors and City of West Hollywood officials and staff members. For more information, contact Jessica Anukam, City of West Hollywood Public Safety Specialist, at 323-848-6436 or by email: janukam@weho.org. Check the website for times — two events begins at 4 p.m. — and addresses here: bit.ly/3J2sMeF

Inglewood Police Department: Meet-and-greet officers and get home and personal safety tips plus a live band, a classic car show, K-9 appearance, SWAT and a children’s zone, 4-8 p.m. Location, Grevillea Art Park, 101 E. Kelso St. 310-412-5530. www.cityofinglewood.org/1253/National-Night-Out

La Verne: Event includes police vehicles display, games, music, information on personal and property safety and food trucks, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Also, school supplies donations are being accepted for the “Stuff a Squad Car” campaign to help children get off to a good start for school. Las Flores Park, 3175 Bolling Ave., La Verne. cityoflaverne.org. Flyer: tinyurl.com/4e69ctfy

El Segundo: Meet-and-greet El Segundo Police Department officers and see demonstrations of defensive tactics, drone and SWAT, 5 to 8 p.m. Location, in the 300 block of Main St. Details: tinyurl.com/2s4c8h48

Glendale Police Department’s National Night Out: The event includes meet-and-greet officers, food, games and community resources information, 5-7:30 p.m. Pacific Park and Community Center, 501 S. Pacific Ave., Glendale. 818-937-7247 or email jmaghaguian@glendaleca.gov. Details: tinyurl.com/24c6bmdv. Flyer: tinyurl.com/mh9zs5na

Hawthorne: The event includes children’s activities, bouncers, food and games, 5-8 p.m. Memorial Park, 3901 W. El Segundo Blvd. Email: cau@cityofhawthorne.org. Flyer: tinyurl.com/4f8jdr4u

City of Lawndale: Meet-and-greet Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel plus enjoy music and refreshments and connect with local community resources, 5-7 p.m. Civic Center Plaza, 14717 Burin Ave. 310-973-3220. Details: bit.ly/3b9cOmf

Mission Hills: Communities in the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station host the event that includes meet-and-greet the senior lead police officers, public information displays, music by DJ Bobby Arias and food, 5-7 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating. Bring a picnic dinner. No pets allowed. Brand Park, 15121 Brand Blvd. Betty Ley, 818-401-3272. www.mhnconline.org/event/mission-hills-national-night-out/

Panorama City: The event includes a meet-and-greet opportunity with officers from Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station, free refreshments, games and musical entertainment, 5-8 p.m. Plaza Del Valle courtyard, 8610 Van Nuys Blvd. Flyer: northhillseast.org/event/national-night-out-panorama-city

Pasadena Police Department: Meet-and-greet first responders and Pasadena city councilmembers plus participate in activities and games, learn about community resources, 5-7 p.m. Pasadena Police Department, 207 Garfield Ave. Details on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/3bsbxjdd

City of San Gabriel and the San Gabriel Police Department: The event includes educational community booths, a K-9 demonstration, children’s games, music, food trucks, a petting zoo plus learning about personal safety, home security tips and about local community-police partnerships, 5-8 p.m. Mission District, 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel. 626-451-5455 or email, sg551@sgpd.com. Details: tinyurl.com/573z6ynn. Flyer: tinyurl.com/3fj29ey2

Sierra Madre: The Sierra Madre Police Department host the event with public safety displays, children’s bounce house, carnival games, entertainment and food, 5-8 p.m. Memorial Park, 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Details: www.facebook.com/sierramadrepolice/

Westlake Village: The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station joins representatives from the cities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu and Westlake Village for the event, 5-7 p.m. Meet-and-greet the station’s personnel, members of the Malibu Search and Rescue, mini-therapy horses plus live music and Kona ice refreshments. Location, Westlake Village Community Park, 31105 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village. Details on Facebook: tinyurl.com/ycxpdkpu

Baldwin Park: The Baldwin Park Police Department host the event with meet-and-greet with police officers, see a SWAT vehicle and a Mobile Command Unit display, community resource booths, and games, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Also, free backpacks for students who live in Baldwin Park (child must be present; while supplies last). Location, 14403 E. Pacific Ave. Details: www.facebook.com/BaldwinParkPD

Bell Gardens: The event includes a meet-and-greet with Bell Gardens Police Department officers, ask about home and personal safety tips, community resources information, children’s fun zone and raffles, 5:30-8 p.m. Bring a lawn chair for seating. Veterans Park, 6662 Loveland St. 562-806-7637. tinyurl.com/2x3vc7a2. See the July 10 post: www.facebook.com/bellgardenspolicedepartment/

Burbank Police Department: Meet Burbank police officers, view police vehicles, community exhibitors, refreshments and giveaways, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Johnny Carson Park, 400 Bob Hope Drive, Burbank. Burbank Police Department, Community Resource Officers, 818-238-3235. www.facebook.com/BurbankCA/

City of Downey: Event includes crime prevention workshop, children’s activities, community information booths, “suit-up” with SWAT team and food, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Ave. Stephanie Arroyo, 562-904-2374 or email: sarroyo@downeyca.org. Details: tinyurl.com/2p8k9dnu

Beverly Hills: The event’s theme is “Honoring Beverly Hills Police Department’s K-9s.” Meet-and-greet Beverly Hills Police Department officers, the department’s SWAT and K9 units, and meet Beverly Hills Fire Department personnel plus DJ music and food trucks, 6-9 p.m. Watch a K-9 demonstration, 7 p.m. No dogs or other pets allowed. Parking, free after 5 p.m., at the Rexford/Civic Center public parking structure. Location, 400 block of North Rexford Drive. Details: tinyurl.com/y2x9kbev. Flyer: tinyurl.com/y6ar3ubm

Long Beach: Long Beach Police Department South officers will attend an event, 6-8 p.m. Bring a blanket or low-back lawn chair and snacks and enjoy a family-friendly movie, 8:30 p.m. at Craftsman Village Park, 851 Orange Ave. Details: tinyurl.com/3zs6a2xt.

Montebello Police Department’s National Night Out: The event includes meet-and-greet officers, police demonstrations, live entertainment, food, games and a movie, 6-9 p.m. Henry Acuna Park, 1700 W. Victoria Ave., Montebello. Officer Arana, 323-516-5062 or email: jarana@montebelloca.gov. Details on the July 7 post: www.facebook.com/montebellopd/

Northridge: Children’s activities, police vehicle display, bounce house, popcorn and a screening of “Wall-E” (2008), 6-8 p.m. Event is cosponsored by Los Angeles City Councilmember John Lee’s office and Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Community Police Station. Northridge Recreation Center, 18300 Lemarsh Ave. (at Reseda Boulevard). Matthew Hernandez, 818-882-1212 or matthew.hernandez@lacity.org. northridgewest.org/event/devonshire-areas-national-night-out/

City of South Pasadena: The event includes information on safety and community resources,games for children, live music and food trucks, 6-9 p.m. Orange Grove Park, 815 Mission St., South Pasadena. southpasadenan.com/neighborhood-watch-newsletter-july-2023/

Reseda: Los Angeles Police Department West Valley Community Police Station presents an event that includes information about crime, personal and at-home safety tips, children’s activities, refreshments and a screening of “Star Wars” (1977), 6-10 p.m. Randall D. Simmons Park, corner of Vanowen Street and Wilbur Avenue, Reseda. 818-374-7690. Details on the June 20 Facebook post: tinyurl.com/5vkk8eux

Sunland-Tujunga: The event includes food, entertainment and meet-and-greet officers with the Los Angeles Police Department Foothill Community Police Station, 6-9 p.m. Event is hosted by the LAPD, the Elks Lodge, the neighborhood council and the Little Landers Historical Society. Little Landers Park, 10110 Commerce Ave. (at Valmont Street), Tujunga. Details: www.stnc.org/page/viewNews/5366

Torrance: Meet-and-greet Torrance Police Department Officers at six locations, 6-8 p.m. Columbia Park (4045 190th St.); Hickory Park (2850 232nd St.); McMaster Park (3624 Artesia Blvd.); Paradise Park (5006 Lee St.); Seaside Aire Park (22851 Anza Ave.); Wilson Park (2200 Crenshaw Blvd.). See the flyer on the July 18 post: www.facebook.com/TorrancePD

Valley Glen: Meet-and-greet Los Angeles Police Department North Hollywood Community Police Station officers, a representative from Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian’s office, 6-9 p.m. Whitsett Sports Complex, 6950 Whitsett Ave., Valley Glen. Details: tinyurl.com/2evkrr5y and here: tinyurl.com/3rjhu8va

Valley Village: Neighborhood Council Valley Village holds an event with music, food, raffles and a “Glow Stick” walk, 6-8 p.m. Bring your own glow stick. Also, nonperishable food and pet food will be collected and donated to the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry (no glass bottles). Valley Village Park, 5000 Westpark Drive. Maribel Ulloa-Garcia, 818-759-8204 or email: maribelugncvv@gmail.com. www.myvalleyvillage.com. www.myvalleyvillage.com/event/national-night-out-6/

City of Gardena: The city and the Gardena Police Department co-host the “Summer Block Party” event, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Meet-and-greet police officers and city staff. Location, 1700 W. 162nd St. 310-217-9574. See July 13 post: www.facebook.com/GardenaPolice. Details: tinyurl.com/55uhjus7

City of Lakewood: Meet-and-greet Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel, see a display of emergency vehicles plus children’s bounce houses and games, 7-8:30 p.m. Mayfair Park, north parking lot, 5720 Clark Ave. 562-866-9771, Ext. 2114. Details: tinyurl.com/a8r99cm2

Aug. 2

Carson: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department – Carson Sheriff’s Station Annual hold an event that includes entertainment, food and a free backpack to the first 300 children, 5-8 p.m. Location, 21356 S. Avalon Blvd. Carson Station Community Relations office, 310-847-4019 or 310-847-8386. Details on Eventbrite: tinyurl.com/bddetst3

Aug. 3

National Night Out in Lancaster: Meet-and-greet personnel from the local crime public safety departments and learn about anti-crime and drug awareness campaigns, 4-9 p.m. There will be a “dunk tank” for charity, with proceeds going to a local nonprofit. Also, the city will be giving away prizes including four bicycles. Date coincides with Lancaster’s BLVD Farmers Market event. Lancaster Boulevard, between Ehrlich and Fern avenues. Details: bit.ly/3vglLBk

South El Monte’s National Night Out: The City of South El Monte Community Services Department presents the event that includes crime prevention tips, games and hot dogs, 5-8 p.m. School backpack give-away, 6 p.m. (child must be present; while supplies last). Movie screening of “Toy Story” (1995) at sunset. Mary Van Dyke Park, 1819 Central Ave. 626-579-2043. Flyer with details: tinyurl.com/yzxvhxk9

Save the date

San Fernando Police Department holds a National Night Out, 6 p.m. Oct. 3. Event includes children’s activities, entertainment, public information, food and a photo opportunity with the SFPD’s 1956 Chevy patrol car. Corner of First Street and Maclay Avenue, San Fernando. Check here for the flyer with information: ci.san-fernando.ca.us/sfpolice/#nno

General information about National Night Out: natw.org
Related Articles
Possible Lakewood Home Depot Robbery Suspects Arrested in Beverly Hills

Sat, 27 Nov 2021 15:00:41 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) – Four suspects that police believe might be involved in the flash mob robbery at Home Depot in the Lakewood Center Mall are in custody Saturday.

Officers from the Beverly Hills Police Department received a call regarding several vehicles driving with no license plates near Beverly Drive and Dayton Way just after 9 p.m. Friday, Sgt. Jeff Newman of the Beverly Hills Police Department said.

Officers made a traffic stop on one of them and soon took the suspects into custody.

“We’re currently working with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to see if there is a link to the Lakewood Home Depot incident or any other crimes that have been committed,” Newman said.

Approximately eight males entered the store at 7:46 p.m. Friday, walked directly to the tool isle and stole various sledgehammers, crowbars and hammers, said Deputy Miguel Meza of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Store employees said a group of up to 20 males from 15 to 20 years old pulled up to the store in up to 10 cars, put on ski masks and began stealing sledgehammers and crowbars.

The group possibly entered a red Mercedes-Benz with severe damage to the front and fled, Meza said.

Anyone with information about the robbery is encouraged to call the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at 562-623-3500. Anonymous tips can be given to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submitted online.

Gunman At Large In Man’s Lakewood Shooting Death

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 16:27:53 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) – A man was shot and killed in Lakewood early Tuesday morning.

July 20, 2021. (CBSLA)

The shooting occurred at 12:52 a.m. in the 8200 block of Somerset Boulevard.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies responded and found a man with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died.

He was not identified.

There was no word on a motive in the killing or any suspect description.

Anyone with information should call the sheriff’s department at 323-890-5500.

2 Killed In Lakewood Crash

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 06:28:17 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) – Two people were killed late Friday night in a crash in Lakewood.

Two people were killed late Friday night in a violent crash in Lakewood. (CBSLA)

Authorities said the call came in at about 10:10 p.m. for a multi-vehicle crash in the 6100 block of South Street.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department said two people died on the scene, one person was in critical condition and another was in moderate condition.

The cause of the crash was under investigation.

LOOK: Thousands Of Pounds Of Fireworks Seized From Lakewood Home

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 15:46:58 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — Authorities have released images of a huge fireworks cache that was seized from one home in Lakewood.

The Lakewood Sheriff’s Station posted images on Facebook Monday of 6,000 to 8,000 pounds of illegal fireworks that were found in a Lakewood home.

“Great job in keeping the illegal fireworks off the streets,” the Facebook post said.

Information about where in Lakewood the fireworks had been confiscated was not released. It’s also not clear when the seizure happened, and the images released Monday may be of the seizure that happened on May 23 that necessitated a response from the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s hazmat team.

Illegal fireworks sales – and seizures – typically ramp up in the weeks leading up to the Fourth of July. However, fireworks apparently became a pandemic hobby throughout Southern California, with the LAPD reporting a major uptick in illegal fireworks complaints last summer. Authorities ramped up efforts to crack down on illegal fireworks activity after a large cache in an Ontario home exploded, killing two people.

Large Stash Of Illegal Fireworks Seized From Lakewood Home

Mon, 24 May 2021 13:10:41 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) – A large stash of illegal fireworks were discovered in a Lakewood home Sunday.

May 23, 2021. (CBSLA)

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies discovered the stash while conducting a welfare check at the residence just before 2:30 p.m.

When deputies entered the home they discovered a large amount of fireworks inside. No one was inside the home, however.

The L.A. County Fire Department hazmat team was called in to remove the fireworks. Sky2 got aerial footage of several drums of fireworks being loaded onto trucks.

There were no immediate arrests. It’s unclear who lives in the home.

On the afternoon of March 16, a massive fireworks explosion occurred at a property in Ontario, sending terrified neighbors scrambling for safety. The initial explosion had the magnitude of a bomb blast, followed by a series of ensuing explosions.

Two cousins were killed on the property and three others were hurt. The blasts sent debris covering 80 properties and caused an estimated $3.2 million in damage.

Fallen Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Albanese Laid To Rest

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 22:04:59 +0000

DIAMOND BAR (CBSLA) — A Los Angeles County sheriff’s motorcycle deputy who died in a crash while on duty was given a solemn sendoff Friday.

Deputy Thomas Albanese was killed last month in a crash on Del Amo Boulevard near Paramount in Lakewood. He had been working overtime when he started following a driver suspected of speeding.

The driver of a Mercedes hit the deputy as he drove into the intersection on a changing light. Albanese, who joined the department in 2013, was declared dead at the scene.

Albanese was remembered by his loved ones and his law enforcement family at a memorial service in Diamond Bar.

“It has been a tough time in law enforcement. There are people screaming at the tops of their lungs that all cops are bad, that the less of us, the better society is,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. “I say to all those, no. Not even close. The world is a better place because of people like Tom.”

Albanese is survived by his wife, Erica, and two young sons.

Fundraiser Planned For LA County Sheriff’s Motorcycle Deputy Thomas Albanese Who Was Killed In Lakewood Crash

Thu, 04 Mar 2021 22:10:09 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A local restaurant is holding a fundraiser for the family of a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department motorcycle deputy that was killed in a crash last week.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Albanese was killed last Thursday in a crash in the Lakewood area.

An undated photo of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Albanese, who was killed in a crash on Feb. 25, 2021. (LASD)

The fundraiser will be held at Los Portales in Chino and Montclair from March 7 through March 14.

During those days, 20 percent of purchases from both locations will go towards the Albanese family.

Customers should mention the Deputy Albanese fundraiser when placing their orders for both dine-in and take-out.

Albanese, 41, joined the department in 2013.

The Feb. 25 crash happened at about 9 a.m. near Del Amo and Paramount boulevards. The crash appeared to happen in the middle of the intersection and involve at least one other car, a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan.

A witness described the aftermath of the crash he saw while working at a nearby auto parts shop.

“I saw the motorbike, and I saw the shotgun in pieces,” said Vince Garfias, who ran over to help. “I saw him in his uniform.”

The driver of the Mercedes-Benz was taken to a hospital and is in unknown condition.

Villanueva later confirmed the death appeared to be an accident.

Prior to his career with the Sheriff’s Department, Albanese served in the Marine Corps, from March 2001 through March 2010, including four tours in Iraq.

(credit: CBSLA)

“Thomas touched the lives of many people while working in the Department. He received several commendations for his work in patrol and helping the citizens of Los Angeles County,” Villanueva said.

Albanese is survived by his wife of 12 years, Erica, and two young boys.

LA County Sheriff’s Motorcycle Deputy Thomas Albanese Killed In Lakewood Crash

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 12:48:19 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy was killed Thursday in a crash in the Lakewood area, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said.

An undated photo of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Thomas Albanese, who was killed in a crash on Feb. 25, 2021. (LASD)

Villanueva identified the deputy as 41-year-old Thomas Albanese. He joined the department in 2013.

The crash happened at about 9 a.m. near Del Amo and Paramount boulevards. The crash appeared to happen in the middle of the intersection and involve at least one other car, a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan.

A witness described the aftermath of the crash he saw while working at a nearby auto parts shop.

“I saw the motorbike, and I saw the shotgun in pieces,” said Vince Garfias, who ran over to help. “I saw him in his uniform.”

The driver of the Mercedes-Benz was taken to a hospital and is in unknown condition.

Villanueva later confirmed the death appeared to be an accident.

(credit: CBS)

Prior to his career with the Sheriff’s Department, Albanese served in the Marine Corps, from March 2001 through March 2010, including four tours in Iraq.

“Thomas touched the lives of many people while working in the Department. He received several commendations for his work in patrol and helping the citizens of Los Angeles County,” Villanueva said.

Albanese is survived by his wife of 12 years, Erica, and two young boys.

Man Shot, Killed In His Vehicle In Lakewood; Police Search For Shooter

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 04:49:06 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — A man was shot and killed inside his vehicle on Sunday afternoon in Lakewood, police said.

The shooting happened around 4 p.m. in the 20600 block of Seine Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Sherif’s Department.

Deputies responded to a report of shots fired to find the man shot in the upper chest inside his vehicle. He died at the scene.

No motive or suspect information was known.

Police were searching for an unspecified four-door vehicle seen leaving the area.

Anyone with information on the deadly shooting was asked to call the LASD’s homicide unit at 323-890-5500. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 800-222-8477 (TIPS).

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Police Officer Pleads Guilty In 2018 Hit-And-Run Charge

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 23:38:43 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A former police officer is charged in a 2018 hit-and-run in the Lakewood area and causing moderate injuries.

36-year-old Peter Mendoza, who was off-duty as a Downey police officer at the time, is facing two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in injury to another person, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said.

He pleaded not guilty to charges on Friday stemming from the alleged road rage incident.

On Oct. 22, 2018, Mendoza was driving the truck that hit a car with two occupants on a freeway offramp, causing the driver to lose control and hit another vehicle, officials said.

Mendoza is accused of leaving the scene, where the DA said both drivers and passengers suffered injuries.

It is unclear what Mendoza’s current employment status is within the Downey Police Department.

If convicted on the charges, he faces up to five years and eight months in prison.

His current status with the Downey Police Department was not immediately available.

Drive-By Birthday Celebration Held In Lakewood For WWII Veteran Turning 105

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 00:33:12 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — A World War II veteran marked his 105th birthday with well-wishes from all over the country.

Lt. Col. Sam Sachs had his birthday party canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic but after posting a video to YouTube asking for cards instead, he still got to celebrate in a big way.

(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Sachs has received at least 6,200 cards and even got a letter from President Donald Trump.

People stopped by his Lakewood home in their cars on Sunday for a nearly one-hour long parade planned by Sachs’ senior living facility Mom and Dad’s House to help ring in his 105th year.

There was also a fire truck, military vehicles and an overhead appearance from a Los Angeles County sheriff’s helicopter.

“It’s a marvelous feeling, yes, really,” Sachs said. “The emotions are running so high. It just doesn’t get any better than this. It’s just unbelievable. This is a dream.”

Sachs served in the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and was later part of efforts to liberate a concentration camp in Germany.

On top of the celebrations in Lakewood, the mayor of his birth city of Grand Forks, North Dakota also proclaimed the day in his honor.

He is also expected to receive proclamations from Lakewood Mayor Todd Rogers and other Southern California politicians.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

105th Birthday Party Canceled For World War II Veteran Amid Coronavirus Crisis, Birthday Cards Sought

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 01:20:22 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — A World War II veteran’s 105th birthday celebration planned for later this month has been thwarted due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the Mayor of Lakewood is seeking the public’s help in making his milestone birthday memorable.

Mayor Todd Rogers is calling on the public to send birthday cards to Mom and Dad’s House in Lakewood where Sam Sachs lives.

According to Rogers, the facility was “planning a fancy 105th birthday celebration for him, but the party now has to be re-imagined because of the coronavirus and the dangers of bringing people together for a gathering.”

“Because of this, I’d like to ask that we all consider helping with this redesigned 105th birthday party for Sam by writing him a birthday card.”

All cards will be set aside for several days once they are received to ensure there is no COVID-19 contamination. They will also be opened with gloves “to be extra careful for Sam,” who turns 105 on April 26.

In a YouTube video titled Sam Sachs 105 BDAY Wish, the centenarian, dressed in a military uniform, noted that a birthday party was in the works “but the virus took charge.”

“Now that this has been canceled, I am sending this out to all of you… to send me a birthday card to take (the) place of the event that
should have happened at the birthday party,” said Sachs.

“Now I am wondering how many birthday cards I will get,” he said. “I hope I get many of them and I’m also asking our president to send me a card also — what a thrill that would be.”

Mom and Dad’s House owner Ivonne Meader said she had planned a “very big party” that would have included Sachs’ family members who were traveling from out of state.

Unfortunately, the pandemic forced her to change plans, resulting in the birthday card drive. So far, about 50 to 60 cards have arrived from people in California, Nevada, Oregon New York, South Carolina, and Florida.

“He wants a lot of cards,” Meader said. “This is a big milestone for him.”

A surprise “car parade” in front of the house is also in the works for Sachs’ birthday.

The city is working with Sachs’ senior living home on additional ways the community can help celebrate “Sam’s special milestone birthday,” Rogers said.

Cards can be sent to: Mom and Dad’s House, c/o Lt. Col. Sam Sachs, 4340 Conquista Ave., Lakewood, CA 90713.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Fire Crews Rescuing Two People Trapped Under Lakewood Bridge

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 22:11:55 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — Fire crews worked to rescue two people trapped under a bridge in Lakewood as heavy rain poured down in the area Thursday.

Los Angeles County Fire received a call shortly after 2 p.m. regarding two people who were stuck under the bridge near a tunnel at Clark Avenue and Del Amo Boulevard.

A dive crew was responding to the area to look inside of a tunnel that runs underneath Civic Center Drive.

Fire crews set up a hose line for someone to grab onto in case someone swam out from under the bridge.

Two helicopters and a heavy rescue system were on scene.

Boy, 8, Honored By Lakewood Sheriff’s Deputies After Finding Missing Neighbor With Alzheimer’s

Thu, 06 Feb 2020 16:28:58 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — An observant 8-year-old was honored in Lakewood Wednesday for his role in finding an 83-year-old man with Alzheimer’s who had wandered away from his home.

A search operation was launched Sunday morning after 83-year-old Roger Dunworth wandered away from his daughter’s home in the 4000 block of Marber Avenue in Lakewood. One of the searchers was young Jaxon Opdyke, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Dunworth had been wearing a bracelet that helps locate missing people with special needs, but Jaxon spotted him before deputies could track him down.

“I saw a red shirt and blue pants – they were jeans – and I said, ‘Grandma, look, there he is.’ And she said, ‘no, where?’ And then I said, ‘look down that street,’” Jaxon said. “And my grandma asked him, ‘Hey, are you Roger?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I could sure use a ride.’”

The keen-eyed boy was reunited with sheriff’s deputies Wednesday and deputized for the day.

Mayor Todd Rogers thanked Jaxon “for being Lakewood’s newest hero.”

First Responders Practice Response To Active Shooter At Hoover Middle School In Lakewood

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 19:22:24 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — Deputies in tactical helmets had their guns drawn as they ran across the campus of Hoover Middle School, while others dragged bloody bodies to safety. But it wasn’t an active shooter situation – it was an active shooter drill.

Tuesday’s drill involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Long Beach Unified School District police had been in the works for months. But the drill took on new urgency in the wake of two mass shootings in Ohio and Texas over the weekend.

“Every training we have is very important in regards to what we do. But it really drives home…because of the recent loss of life,” Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Harding said.

The drill included casualties and first responders had to rescue people acting as victims – some being dragged away from buildings, bloody dolls being carried away, while others were treated for realistic-looking injuries. Officers fired off “simunition rounds” or paint projectiles that were fired from modified pistols capable of causing injuries.

The training exercise was held just weeks before Southern California schools resume classes for the fall. In San Bernardino, students arriving Monday for the first day of school at North Park Elementary, where a shooting killed a teacher and a student two years ago, with the weekend mass shootings casting a pall over their excitement.

“We know that we are still living in a very challenging society. Our hearts go out to the people in El Paso and the people in Dayton,” San Bernardino Unified School District spokeswoman Linda Bardere said. “We know that since 2017, when our own community was struck, we all have taken a heightened sense of urgency to make sure our campuses our safe and secure.”

Lakewood Man With Diabetes, Schizoaffective Disorder Missing

Fri, 21 Jun 2019 16:54:11 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — Authorities asked for the public’s help Friday to find a missing Lakewood man suffering from schizoaffective disorder and diabetes.

Jeffrey Stallings, 55, was last seen Thursday afternoon in the 2700 block of East Carson Street in Lakewood.

Authorities say he suffers from schizoaffective disorder and diabetes, and that the person who reported him missing is concerned for his well being.

#LASD Seeking the Public’s Help in Locating At Risk Missing Person Jeffrey Eugene Stallings, Lakewood. #MissingPerson https://t.co/DiCkaSViOP pic.twitter.com/1VXFrLtwgE

— LA County Sheriff's (@LASDHQ) June 21, 2019

Stallings was described as a 5-foot-4, 187-pound white man with brown hair, hazel eyes, and a tattoo of a blue eye on his forehead. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about Stallings can call the Los Angeles County sheriff’s homicide bureau, missing persons detail.

Lakewood Man Beaten With Baseball Bat During Home Invasion

Fri, 14 Jun 2019 15:17:01 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — A home invasion in Lakewood Friday left the resident with welts on his back from being beaten with a baseball bat by the intruder.

The home invasion was reported at about 3:30 a.m. in the area of Iroquois and Palo Verde Avenues. The resident, Garrett Kinkade, told CBS2 exclusively that he woke up to find a strange man inside his home.

“Course I started shouting, screaming, top of my lungs, loud as I could,” Kinkade said. “The only people that did anything was two doors down, they were awake. They were the ones that called” the police.

Kinkade had at least one cut to an eyebrow and was left with welts on his back from being beaten by a baseball bat. However, he refused to be taken to a hospital.

Nothing was taken from home.

Infant Abandoned In Lakewood Walmart, Parents Sought

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 19:25:44 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) – Authorities are looking for the family of an infant who was found abandoned in a Walmart restroom last week.

At around 11:45 a.m. on Oct. 8, a boy was discovered by a customer abandoned in a men’s public restroom at a Walmart located in 2770 East Carson St. in Lakewood.

(Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

He’s estimated at between 12 and 15 months in age, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reports.

He’s described as African-American, weighing about 20 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Denise Wallace couldn’t hold back tears when she heard the news.

“I have five grandchildren, I can’t imagine throwing a baby away,” she said.

The infant has not yet been identified and the child’s parents or guardians have not yet been found, the sheriff’s department reports.

Surveillance footage of a person of interest in the case has been released. The man in question is seen driving away from the Walmart in a beige or gold colored 2000 or 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo.

Authorities said after combing through hours of store security video and not seeing anyone carrying or holding a baby near the restroom, they believe the infant was possibly concealed in the man’s backpack.

The bag appeared to be full on the way in but not on the way out. Investigators said while the man may have an explanation, his behavior was unusual.

“He did not have license plates on his car. He parked as far away from the front door as possible – where there was no other cars,” said Lt. Todd Deeds with LASD. “When he walked into Walmart, he walked directly to the men’s bathroom. He was there for a couple minutes and then he’s seen leaving. As he walked to his car, he walked at a very fast pace. “

Anyone with information on the case should call police at 877-710-5273.

Oh Gosh, Not OSH! Hardware Stores Going Out Of Business

Wed, 22 Aug 2018 06:15:42 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — Customers of a popular, nearly 90-year-old chain of hardware stores were devastated at the company’s announcement it was closing up shop for good.

“I’ve never seen a store do that, just close down,” said Lindi Yamashita, who found the Lakewood store’s doors closed when she went to go buy sand Tuesday night.

“I’m going to lose sleep over this,” she said.

The Mercury News reported 4,000 OSH employees learned of the closures Tuesday. All stores will reportedly be shuttered by the end of this year.

A sign at the Lakewood location said the store would be open again Wednesday, but it’s little consolation for those who have called OSH their home hardware store for decades.

“I grew up in a time when they were mom and pop stores everywhere, right?” said Ron Rodriguez. “That’s the sign of the times.”

The company was founded in 1931 in San Jose and grew to 98 stores on the West Coast. The stores were acquired by Lowe’s in 2013.

The Mercury News reported more information on the possible reasons for the closures would be made available Wednesday.

Liquidation sales will start Thursday.

Suspect Shot After Allegedly Punching Jail Employee, Taking Her Into Cell At Lakewood Sheriff’s Station

Sat, 11 Aug 2018 01:35:52 +0000

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA) — Homicide investigators were dispatched to the Lakewood station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. where a shooting occurred Friday.

The deputy-involved shooting happened around 12:50 p.m. at the station located at 5130 Clark Ave.

According to the LASD, a female jailer was fingerprinting a suspect suspected of stealing a car, when he punched her and took her stun gun. He then took her into a jail cell and locked himself inside with her. She managed to activate a panic button alerting deputies.

The man was subsequently shot in the chest and arm. The deputy suffered a broken nose. Both were taken to the hospital and are expected to survive.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Man Found Dead, Woman Rescued From Burning Lakewood Home

Sat, 14 Apr 2018 16:37:43 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) – A man was found dead and a woman was rescued early Saturday morning in a house fire in the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Lakewood.

The blaze was reported at 1:30 a.m. in the 19000 block of Corby Avenue by neighbors who saw smoke and called 911, according to L.A. County Fire Department.

Neighbors ran into the home and pulled a woman out of a back bedroom. However, when firefighters made entry, they found a man deceased in the front of the home.

Firefighters said they arrived on scene to find three sides of the home fully ablaze.

“It was heavy fire involvement when units arrived, with smoke and fire showing from three sides of the building — front, side and rear — so it was a pretty strong fight for roughly 30 minutes before we had knockdown,” L.A. County Fire Capt. Kevin Laidlaw said.

The woman was rushed to a hospital, but her condition was not known, the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department reports. No names were released.

Detectives with the sheriff’s Arson Explosives Detail were investigating the cause of the fire and the cause of the man’s death.

Man Stabbed To Death During Robbery In Lakewood

Tue, 20 Feb 2018 16:52:31 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA) — A man was found stabbed to death early Tuesday after he was robbed in Lakewood, authorities said.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were called to the area of Del Amo Boulevard and Violeta Avenue on a “check the vicinity” call at about 1:18 a.m. They found a woman and a man, who had been stabbed at least once in the torso.

Jesus Nunez, 38, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the coroner’s office. The woman, his girlfriend, was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

Detectives say the couple was walking along Del Amo Boulevard when a car pulled up alongside them. Three people – a man and two women – got out and assaulted the two victims and took personal items from them.

They got away in the dark-colored sedan and were last seen going southbound on Violeta.

No more information on the suspects was available, and there was no description available on the personal items that were taken during the robbery.

No weapon was found.

Anyone with information can contact homicide detectives at (323) 890-5500.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Lakewood High Teacher, 52, Accused Of 3-Year Relationship With Student

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 20:08:21 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) – A 52-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday on allegations she had a three-year sexual relationship with a female student while a teacher at Lakewood High School.

Mary Jahn of Lakewood was taken into custody on four felony counts of sexual penetration with a foreign object, three counts of lewd acts upon a child and two counts of oral copulation with a person under 18.

Jahn began a sexual relationship with a then 15-year-old girl in July 2008, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. The relationship continued through July 2011. The victim did not report the alleged molestation to authorities until earlier this year, the DA said.

Jahn worked as an English teacher at Lakewood High School from 2006 until May 11, when she was placed on leave at the outset of an investigation, according to a statement released by the Long Beach Unified School District.

Jahn will be arraigned in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Long Beach Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors are asking she be held on $750,000 bail.

If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of eight years and four months in state prison.

(©2017 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

Coroner: Lakewood Couple Died In Murder-Suicide

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 04:49:02 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Detectives with the Lakewood station investigating the fatal shootings of two people — a man and a woman — determined their deaths were a murder-suicide.

The couple was found in a home in the 5000 block of Pepperwood Avenue. Coroner’s officials say the woman died from a homicide and the man died from suicide.

The woman was identified later as 26-year-old Miranda Walton. The name of the man, who was also in his 20s, was withheld, pending family notification.

Detectives were called to the location reportedly because a woman was screaming for help.

Paramedics were summoned to the location. Both the man and the woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities described the victims as a Latina and a white male.

Officials said there was no signs of forced entry. A weapon was recovered. At this time, officials also said there were no outstanding suspects.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” — (800) 222-TIPS (8477),

Tag Team Burglars Caught On Tape At Lakewood Liquor Store Taking Cash and Booze

Sat, 09 Sep 2017 02:03:53 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A brazen, burglar odd couple made quick work of a liquor store in Lakewood this week, and authorities are confident the clear video of them doing it will help lead to their arrests.

Video from 12 security cameras show an older, graying man pull up in front of the liquor store on Paramount Boulevard in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday, armed with a bolt cutter.

When he fails to get through the front security gate on his own, a much younger man skips over to help him. The older burglar is even seen taking a break, leaning on his car while the younger man goes to work on the store door.

Once inside, the older gentleman is seen and heard ransacking the store with the alarm blaring in the background. He eventually pries the cash register open and takes $2,000 in cash.

His young aide, who looks like he is barely old enough to drink, is seen taking small shot bottles of liquor.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department is hoping someone will recognize the men in the footage of the nine-minute incident.

(©2017 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Man Found Dead, Wife Wounded At Lakewood Home

Sat, 04 Mar 2017 17:39:17 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) – Deputies are investigating what lead to a man’s death at a Lakewood home Friday night where his wife was also discovered wounded.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, at 7:19 p.m. deputies conducting a welfare check on the home in the 4000 block of Fairmen Avenue found the man dead and his wife wounded. She was taken to a nearby hospital and was in stable condition at last report. The nature of her injuries were not confirmed. A handgun was found at the scene. No names were released.

There was no sign of forced entry or foul play, the sheriff’s department said.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner will conduct an autopsy on the man to determine a cause of death.

Lakewood High Student Detained After Threatening Instagram Post

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 02:38:07 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A 15-year-old Lakewood High School student who deputies suspect of posting an image of himself holding what appeared to be handgun, along with a message warning fellow students not to go to school, was in custody Wednesday.

The image was posted on Monday evening on Instagram, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Ronnie Borges with the Lakewood Station.

Students and parents saw the post and someone called the station to report it, Borges said.

Deputies identified the teen, went to his home and found a pellet gun that is believed to be the one he held in the posting, the detective said.

The boy, whose name was withheld because he’s a juvenile, was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats. The case has been submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for the possible filing of charges, Borges said.

“We took it serious, obviously, especially in today’s day and age,” he said. “We did not take it lightly.”

(©2017 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

Police Find Missing Lakewood Man With Autism

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 03:34:16 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has located Kevin Huynh, who was last seen leaving his residence on the 6100 block of Bellflower Boulevard in Lakewood, at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Huynh also has autism, and has the mental capacity of a 12-13-year old.

He was found about 5 hours after he was reported missing.

He arrived at a family member’s house in Norwalk in good condition and his family is grateful for the community’s efforts in helping locate Kevin.

Homicide Detectives Investigate Death Of Man In Lakewood

Wed, 11 May 2016 17:39:46 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Homicide detectives Wednesday investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of a man in Lakewood.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were sent just after 3:30 a.m. to the 6200 block of Carpintero Avenue for report of a person not breathing.

Upon their arrival, authorities located an unresponsive adult Hispanic man.

Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene. His identity is being withheld pending family notification.

A man at the residence told detectives he witnessed a third person strangle the victim before fleeing from the area. He described the suspect as an adult Caucasian man.

Detectives are working to verify the relationship between the victim, witness and suspect.

No arrests have been made at this time.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this incident has been encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Artesia Man Suspected In Stanton Gas Station Robbery Believed To Be Behind More OC Crimes

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 16:28:25 +0000

STANTON (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of robbing a Stanton gas station may be linked to several other robberies in the area.

Christian Jauregui Suazo of Artesia was taken into custody following a police pursuit in Lakewood about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, sheriff’s Lt. Mark Stichter said.

Suazo is suspected of entering an Alliance gas station on Cerritos Avenue at about 5:20 a.m. Tuesday and brandishing a handgun before fleeing the scene with an unknown amount of cash.

He was arrested on suspicion of robbery in the Stanton incident, but investigators are looking into whether he may be connected to other robberies in the area, Stichter said.

“Investigators are looking at connecting him to several other robberies in our jurisdiction and in other jurisdictions,” Stichter said.

Suazo was being held Wednesday morning on $50,000 bail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

Assemblyman Anthony Rendon Sworn In As Assembly Speaker

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 23:10:53 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com/AP) — A Democrat from Lakewood was sworn in Monday as Assembly speaker in Sacramento.

Anthony Rendon, who represents the 63rd Assembly District, is now the state’s 70th speaker to lead a chamber of 51 Democrats and 28 Republicans.

Rendon was elected under extended term limits voters approved in 2012 and could remain in office until 2024. If he hangs on to his leadership post, that could make him the longest-serving speaker since the era without term limits, which voters first approved in 1990.

The 48-year-old said one of his goals is helping the poor, especially children. “Almost 2.5 million kids in the greatest state in the most powerful nation on this planet are living in poverty right now,” Rendon said. “That’s unacceptable. We need to make investments and provide opportunities that lift California families out of poverty and give all our children a better chance.”

Rendon also wants to increase voter turnout. “We also have to step up and give people something to vote for — real actions that make real differences in real lives,” he said. “Because of the size of our state, and the scope of our challenges, there can be a tendency in the Capitol for us to think in the abstract. We have to remember that what we do here isn’t just about policies or programs — it’s about people, and the struggles they face every day.”

He was integral in negotiating a $7.5 billion water bond that voters passed in 2014, but Rendon is best known for his positions on education and the environment.

Before running for office, he led a child development program in Southern California and directed the California League of Conservation Voters.

Some of his stances put him at odds with Gov. Jerry Brown, a fellow Democrat. Rendon supports expanded funding for pre-kindergarten, taxes on oil extraction and decreased fracking in urban areas, all of which contradict the governor’s views.

Brown vetoed his three bills last year that would have required greater disclosure from California’s Public Utilities Commission.

Rendon said he has “serious questions” about the costs and science behind Brown’s plan to divert water to Southern California using two massive water tunnels. Rendon also expressed concerns about the Brown administration’s revised plan for a $64 billion high-speed rail system, which is now planned to head to the San Francisco Bay Area before heading to Southern California.

He succeeds Speaker Toni Atkins, a San Diego Democrat who has had the post since May 2014. She is termed out of the Assembly this year and gunning for a seat in the state Senate.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Only On 9: Navy Veteran Seriously Injured After SUV Crashes Into Barbershop Speaks Out

Sun, 07 Feb 2016 06:44:01 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — The communities of Lakewood and Long Beach are rallying to help two barbers seriously injured when an SUV came crashing through their shop on Tuesday.

In a story that is Only On 9, KCAL9’s Erica Nochlin spoke to one of the injured men — a Navy veteran — who is now recovering at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach.

When you’re about to turn 79-years-old, attitude is everything. Ask an always upbeat Dick McClenahan.

“Can’t let anything get me down,” he told Nochlin.

Not even an SUV slamming into him and sending him flying across the room.

“Turned around and all of a sudden I seen myself whizzing passed and glass flying everywhere,” he said. “The whole van was sitting in the barbershop.”

McClenahan has cuts all over, four broken ribs and torn tendons.

“It knocked my shoes right off,” he said.

McClenahan also remembers seeing his 60-year-old co-worker, another barber, who got hurt even worse.

The owner of the barbershop told Nochlin that Michael Murphy has a broken pelvis and may have suffered a heart attack while dealing with the trauma.

The owner, Jeff Sutton, set up a You Caring page to help both men with medical expenses.

McClenahan has worked in the community for five decades.

“I have customers that got sick and in the hospital, I’ll go give them a haircut, go to the house when they get shut in, that’s my job,” he said.

In a twist of fate, even the man who slammed his SUV into the shop — and accused of being drunk while doing so — was once McClenahan’s customer.

“He’s going through enough punishment, the way I figure it, you know,” McClenahan said.

And that is who McClenahan is, Nochlin said. Worried about others, eager to get back to work.

“As soon as I get this fixed, I’ll be back to work,” he said.

McClenahan is expected to be released from the hospital in the next day or two.

Editor’s Note: If you want to help both of the victims, a fund has been set up for them. Click here for more information about the You Caring page.

Soccer Mom Arrested In Thefts Of $174,000 From Youth League

Thu, 04 Feb 2016 06:26:53 +0000

FULLERTON (CBSLA.com) — A former volunteer for the Fullerton Rangers Youth Soccer Club was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of stealing money from the organization.

Laura Zellerbach of Long Beach, 41, was taken into custody at a mall in Lakewood on charges of money laundering, forgery of records, grand theft, misappropriation of property and embezzlement, Sgt. Kathryn Hamel of the Fullerton Police Department said.

The soccer club alleged in a crime report in May that Zellerbach embezzled more than $30,000 while she was a treasurer for the soccer club from 2012 to 2014. Investigators said they later discovered that the mother-of-three stole much more than that.

“Fullerton police detectives conducted an extensive investigation which revealed funds in excess of $ 174,000.00 had been embezzled by Mrs. Zellerbach during the time that she was the treasurer of the Fullerton Rangers Youth Soccer Club,” the sergeant said.

Zellerbach’s arrest came as Fullerton city officials are investigating whether the club may have used its nonprofit status to receive reduced rates and gain access to city fields.

A spokesperson for the city said a for-profit company has been tied to the soccer club.

Search Continues For 2 Missing Washington Boys Last Seen At LAX

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 18:01:01 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Detectives continued to search Wednesday for two missing Washington boys who were last seen at Los Angeles International Airport in August.

According to the FBI, the Cook brothers — 15-year-old Sage and 9-year-old Isaac of Bellevue, Washington — were last seen on Aug. 28 at the airport with their biological mother, Faye Ku, who lives in Lakewood.

Investigators explained Ku is suspected of abducting her sons from their father, who was granted full custody in 2009, after presenting what appeared to be a court-ordered supervised visit from officials in the state of Washington. It remains unclear if the document was legitimate.

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Lakewood Station, Ku has been described as a Chinese woman who has black hair and eyes. She stands 5-foot-3 tall and weighs 180 pounds.

sage and Isaac were last seen at LAX in August. (credit: FBI)

Authorities believe the public may be able to identify the brothers based upon unique clothing that was packed in their suitcases.

Sage may be wearing a green T-shirt depicting the “Star Wars” character Darth Vader wearing a flower lei in a tropical location or a black NASA T-shirt showing an equation and the words “be greater than average.”

Isaac could possibly be wearing a black T-shirt that has the space shuttle Atlantis on it.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Sage and Isaac has been urged to contact the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at (562) 623-3500.

Lakewood, El Monte Among California’s Best Water Savers In August

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 17:03:29 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — Lakewood was among one of California’s top water-saving cities in August, reducing its water use by a whopping 30 percent in August, and the city of El Monte was not far behind, reducing its water use by 22.9 percent.

The State Water Resources Control Board on Thursday released the statewide conservation figures, which found Californians have surpassed a mandate to save water for a third consecutive month, using nearly 27 percent less in August than the same month in 2013.

Max Gomberg, a senior climate scientist for the board, said the results meet the 25 percent savings goal set by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Overall, the state reported savings of 27 percent in June and 31 percent in July.

The board also released figures for August showing how each community is performing. The mandate by Brown gave each city an individual conservation target based on water use in the same month of 2013, the year before Brown declared a drought emergency.

Lakewood’s August numbers bring the city’s cumulative savings to 29 percent, well over its 20 percent conservation standard. El Monte’s cumulative savings are up to 15.9 percent, twice its 8 percent conservation standard.

Officials in Los Angeles said the city saw savings of 17 percent in August, beating its target of 16 percent. Fresno reported a 28 percent drop, hitting its requirement. Water use in San Diego was 21 percent lower, exceeding its mandated cutback of 16 percent.

In Long Beach, residents cut their water use by 17.8 percent in August, ahead of the 16 percent target imposed by the state. Santa Ana cut use by 19.7 percent, ahead of its 12 percent target, and Santa Monica reduce by 20.7 percent, roughly on par with its 20 percent target.

Anaheim residents cut use by 24.5 percent, Burbank by 27.5 percent, Valencia by 35.9 percent, Orange by 31.3 percent, Fountain Valley by 22.1 percent, Anaheim by 24.5 percent and Yorba Linda by 41.4 percent.

Cities that do not meet water-conservation goals can face stiff financial penalties. Beverly Hills residents cut use by 17.5 percent, well short of the 32 percent mandate set by the state. In La Verne, residents cut by 28.7 percent, but the state mandate for that city is 32 percent. Glendora, Arcadia, Tustin, Pasadena, San Juan Capistrano, Brea and Norwalk were among the cities that fell short of their conservation targets.

State officials said they are working with cities and water districts that have failed to meet targeted cuts.

Gomberg said climate change — signaled by warmer temperatures, a low snowpack and intense wildfires — has made water conservation an ongoing effort.

“Climate change is not something that’s happening in the future,” Gomberg said. “California is already dealing with the impacts.”

Gomberg also warned that Californians can’t allow themselves to be distracted by the hype of a coming El Niño weather pattern.

He said an El Niño doesn’t guarantee a wet winter for California and urged people to keep saving water.

“We need to continue the conservation efforts,” he said. “People need to keep on doing what they’ve been doing.”

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Deputy-Involved Shooting Reported In Bellflower Area

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 05:30:17 +0000

BELLFLOWER (CBSLA.com) — A deputy-involved shooting has been reported in Bellflower where a large police presence remained for hours in search for a suspect who was later apprehended.

No deputies were injured in the shooting in the area of Woodruff and Rosecrans avenues.

The situation unfolded at approximately 2:45 p.m. Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

It remains unclear what prompted the deputy to fire his weapon.

It’s also unclear whether the suspect was injured, although the department reported the incident as a “non-hit” shooting.

Deputies had set-up a containment area in their search for the suspect. They reported late Thursday evening that the suspect had been taken into custody.

No further details were provided.

Teacher Confronts Lakewood High School Student For Refusing To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 02:23:56 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Sixteen-year-old senior Lauryn Crawford and her pastor father spent a lot of time talking about faith, justice and respect.

“I love to have conversations with my kids about what’s happening,” said Lauryn’s father, Anthony Crawford.

Those adult talks led to a big decision when the teen abstained from saying the Pledge of Allegiance at Lakewood High School.

“As a Christian, this nation has never been one nation under God, seeing all the stuff that’s happening on the news and to say there’s liberty and justice for all is not right,” Crawford said.

While she made the decision to abstain from participating in the Pledge of Allegiance three years ago, no one had said anything about it until last week.

It wasn’t until Crawford’s pre-calculus teacher told her that she had to stand up for the pledge that this become an issue.

Crawford did not obey the teacher’s orders, and the next day when she continued to sit for the pledge, the teacher insisted that he could not find any policy allowing her to sit and not partake in the pledge.

Later that night, Crawford’s father Anthony called the the teacher to discuss the issue.

“I explained to him it was resolved in 1943 by the biggest court in the country that a student doesn’t have to stand nor recite the Pledge of Allegiance; it’s her right to do so,” Crawford said.

The case Crawford is referring to is West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943).

The Supreme Court found that, “The Free Speech clause of the First Amendment prohibits public schools from forcing students to salute the American flag and say the Pledge of Allegiance.”

This finding was also upheld by the district courts.

Since the phone call with Crawford’s father, the teacher hasn’t confronted Lauryn again for standing up, or in this case, sitting down for what she believes in.

“If it said we strive to be one nation under God, and we strive to have liberty and justice for all, then I would stand up,” Crawford said.

A spokesman for the Long Beach Unified School District told the Press Telegram that the district does not require each student to participate in the pledge.

Nonetheless, the Crawford’s contacted a civil liberties group, who sent a letter to the district reminding it of the law.

(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

Deputies Investigate Shooting Death Of Man Along San Gabriel River In Lakewood

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 19:26:18 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles County Sheriff’s homicide detectives responded on Saturday afternoon to the San Gabriel Riverbed in Lakewood to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a 24-year-old man.

The Sheriff’s department said at 11 a.m. that the shooting victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sheriff’s Department’s investigation is ongoing.

Authorities were asking anyone with information about the incident to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s homicide bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Lakewood Woman Believed To Have Kidnapped 2 Sons During Visit

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 21:06:51 +0000

LAKEWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Authorities asked for the public’s help Tuesday to find two boys from the state of Washington believed to have been taken by their biological mother during a supervised visit in Lakewood.

Sage Cook, 14, and 9-year-old Isaac are believed to be the victims of a parental abduction by their mother, Faye Ku of Lakewood.

After Ku and the boys’ father divorced in 2009, he was given full custody of them, sheriff’s officials said.

The boys came to California on Aug. 28 after Ku presented what appeared to be a supervised visit court order from the state of Washington to the boys’ father, according to detectives of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lakewood Station. It’s not clear whether the document presented to the children’s father was legitimate.

After taking custody of the boys, sheriff’s officials say Ku left her home in Lakewood with them and they were last seen at Los Angeles International Airport.

Authorities say Ku intentionally left behind anything that could track them and wrote a letter, blaming the boys’ father for trying to control them and asking him to leave them alone.

Ku has previously attempted to leave the country with Sage and Isaac once before on June 12, 2013 but were detained before she boarded a flight to Taiwan, according to legal documents from the state of Washington. She also has a 2-year-old son named Zephyr Ku, the half-brother of Sage and Isaac, who may also be traveling with them.

Ku is described as a Chinese woman, about 5-foot-3, 180 pounds with black hair and black eyes.

Anyone with information about Ku or the whereabouts of Sage and Isaac can call Detective Gabriela Hernandez at the Lakewood Sheriff’s Station at (562) 623-3500.

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Carson awards commendation to sheriff’s deputy for foiling robbery in progress

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Lakewood Man Beaten With Baseball Bat During Home Invasion

Infant Abandoned In Lakewood Walmart, Parents Sought

Oh Gosh, Not OSH! Hardware Stores Going Out Of Business

Suspect Shot After Allegedly Punching Jail Employee, Taking Her Into Cell At Lakewood Sheriff’s Station

Man Found Dead, Woman Rescued From Burning Lakewood Home

Man Stabbed To Death During Robbery In Lakewood

Lakewood High Teacher, 52, Accused Of 3-Year Relationship With Student

Coroner: Lakewood Couple Died In Murder-Suicide

Tag Team Burglars Caught On Tape At Lakewood Liquor Store Taking Cash and Booze

Man Found Dead, Wife Wounded At Lakewood Home

Lakewood High Student Detained After Threatening Instagram Post

Police Find Missing Lakewood Man With Autism

Homicide Detectives Investigate Death Of Man In Lakewood

Artesia Man Suspected In Stanton Gas Station Robbery Believed To Be Behind More OC Crimes

Assemblyman Anthony Rendon Sworn In As Assembly Speaker

Only On 9: Navy Veteran Seriously Injured After SUV Crashes Into Barbershop Speaks Out

Soccer Mom Arrested In Thefts Of $174,000 From Youth League

Search Continues For 2 Missing Washington Boys Last Seen At LAX

Lakewood, El Monte Among California’s Best Water Savers In August

Deputy-Involved Shooting Reported In Bellflower Area

Teacher Confronts Lakewood High School Student For Refusing To Stand For Pledge Of Allegiance

Deputies Investigate Shooting Death Of Man Along San Gabriel River In Lakewood

Lakewood Woman Believed To Have Kidnapped 2 Sons During Visit