Foundation gives oxygen masks for pets to firefighters in Rowland Heights, Walnut and Diamond Bar

Debra Joe Chiapuzio teaches CPR – canine pet resuscitation. The La Habra Heights native wants every fire station to learn how to do it and have the specialized equipment needed to save a pet’s life.

“I grew up with lots of animals – horses, cows, a donkey. I’ve always loved animals so I want to help them,” Chiapuzio explained.

So the Anaheim resident started the Emma Zen Foundation, named after her frisky black labrador. Together, they raise money to buy pet resuscitation kits for local firefighters.

“We’ve already outfitted every fire station in Orange County, now we’re reaching out to the Los Angeles County Fire Department,” Chiapuzio said.

The nonprofit foundation has donated pet oxygen masks to fire stations in Rowland Heights, Diamond Bar and Walnut. The special oxygen masks are specifically designed to fit the muzzles and snouts of dogs, cats and other household pets.

Read more in Rich Irwin’s story MASKS.

2,000 marijuana plants worth about $6 million found in Diamond Bar, Hacienda Heights

Sheriff’s narcotics investigators arrested two men and discovered about 2,000 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $6 million at three grow houses in Diamond Bar and Hacienda Heights on Wednesday.

The marijuana plants were in various stages of growth.

Sgt. Jim McGee of the sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau said a tip led them to a house in 23200 block of Forest Canyon Drive in Diamond Bar. Deputies arrested two men seen coming out of the house.

McGee said further investigation led to two other locations – a house in the 20900 block of Running Branch Road in Diamond Bar and a residence in the 17000 block of Glenfold Drive in Hacienda Heights.

Find photos and story at PLANTS.

Forget carmegeddon, Pomona Freeway closing overnight for repaving

Forget carmegeddon, if everything works out as planned it could become autopia.The California Department of Transportation will close portions of the Pomona Freeway tonight for “pavement rehabilitation.”

And if you’ve driven on Route 60 through Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights, then you know how badly this busy freeway needs the work. Fortunately, this $121 million project will begin to address many of the problems facing local drivers.

The corduroy road buffets drivers trying to get to Los Angeles every morning and back to the suburbs in the evenings.

Caltrans notes the route is heavily used by commuters and large trucks transporting goods from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. As a result the roadbed has experienced extensive wear.

Learn about the closures in Rich Irwin’s story PAVING.

Water officials discuss issues at Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council

Ken Deck and Mike Holmes, general managers of the Rowland and Walnut Valley water districts, will speak to the Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council on Monday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m.

Rowland Heights, Diamond Bar and Walnut lack access to groundwater suitable for domestic purposes. Potable water is imported by the Metropolitan Water District and resold to local water districts.

This imported water may be disrupted at any time by a drought, as well as earthquake damage to the delta levees or aqueducts used to transport it. Local water districts can’t control the cost for this imported supply.

Deck and Holmes will discuss how the two districts are working together to improve the situation.

The Rowland Water District will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss water rates and service charges. In April, an independent financial consultant completed a rate study that examined the district’s rising operating expenses.

Rate changes were recommended based on the study’s findings. The hearing will be held in the district’s board room at 3021 S. Fullerton Road, Rowland Heights.