A View from the Heights

Banks agree to help struggling homeowners

2012-02-10T17:59:45Z

Californians who are struggling to stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure are about to get a leg up. State Attorney General Kamala D. Harris on Thursday announced a settlement with banks over abusive foreclosure practices. The agreement could funnel as much as $18 billion to hard-hit homeowners.

California secured the money as part of a larger $25 billion multistate settlement to penalize robo-signing and other bank servicing and foreclosure misconduct. California pulled away from an earlier proposal that would have netted the state only $4 billion.

Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Ally Financial will reduce loans for nearly 1 million households across the country. Checks for $2,000 will be sent to about 750,000 Americans who were improperly foreclosed upon.

Walnut seniors gamble on love this Valentine's Day

2012-02-09T19:11:20Z

Roll the dice and gamble on love at the Walnut Senior Center Valentine's Day dinner dance on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Luck will be your lady as you enjoy an evening of live entertainment, a buffet dinner, games and prizes.

Elvis Presley will even drop by. So, there's no need to book a room at the "Heartbreak Hotel" because this Vegas-style dance will have you "All Shook Up."

The cost is $12 per person, $10 for members of the senior club.

The center is at at 21215 La Puente Road in Walnut. For more information, call 909-598-6200.

Reading program all bark and no bite at Diamond Bar Library

2012-02-08T19:08:41Z

The new reading program at Diamond Bar Library is all bark and no bite. Actually, there isn't a lot of barking either.

But Barks and Books has enthralled the young readers who line up on Saturdays to read their favorite books to some new canine buddies.

"We offered it on Monday nights in the fall, but moved it to Saturdays this year to make it easier for families," explained Julie McCasland.

Plans to widen Valley Boulevard proposed

2012-02-07T19:40:34Z

In part of the effort to clear up logjams along Valley Boulevard, Industry has plans to embark on a $4.1 million, 2.3-mile endeavour to widen Valley Boulevard between Azusa and Lemon avenues.

The project's primary goal is to add a third lane to eastbound Valley Boulevard. It also includes adding bus stops, right-turn pockets, improved stop lights, storm drain outlets and even installing a small boulder-lined drainage stream.

For years, Valley was a four-lane street. The city recently restriped westbound to increase the number of traffic lanes from two to three.

"That really cleared up traffic there quite a bit," said John Ballas, Industry's engineer.
But there's not enough room on the south side of the street to make three lanes, he said. About 50,000 cars daily use the stretch of road.

Valentine's Day at Walnut Senior Center

2012-02-06T21:45:35Z

Roll the dice and gamble on love at the Walnut Senior Center Valentine's Day dinner dance on Friday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. Luck will be your lady as you enjoy an evening of live entertainment, a buffet dinner, games and prizes.

Elvis Presley will even drop by. So, there's no need to book a room at the "Heartbreak Hotel" because this Vegas-style dance will have you "All Shook Up."

The cost is $12 per person, $10 for members of the senior club.
The center is at at 21215 La Puente Road in Walnut. For more information, call 909-598-6200.

Jay Chen running for congress in Hacienda Heights

2012-02-03T18:39:50Z

Hacienda La Puente Unified school board member Jay Chen came to Wilson High School on Thursday and announced his run for Congress in the redrawn 39th District before about 50 enthusiastic supporters.

The 33-year-old native of Hacienda Heights and owner of a real estate investment firm, billed himself as a moderate Democrat whose outside-the-beltway status would breathe new life into a polarized, do-nothing Congress.

"The incumbents in Washington, D.C. - they simply don't get it. They are fighting amongst each other to prevent progress. They are too busy protecting their own jobs to create jobs for the rest of us," he said from the stage of the band room at his alma mater.

Chen was referring to his opponent, conservative Republican incumbent Ed Royce, who has spent two decades in Congress and has amassed a $3 million war chest for re-election, according to campaign reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.

Read more in Steve Scauzillo's story CHEN.

True Value Hardware closing in Walnut after 14 years

2012-02-02T21:46:43Z

Walnut True Value Hardware is closing its doors after 14 years in the city of Walnut. Owner, Stuart Tielens said that the current economic conditions prevailing in the country, and here in California in particular, are factors.

He also said that there are other factors specific to his business, such as the recently opened Home Depot in nearby West Covina that make it harder to survive. He also expressed some other issues that also contribute to closing the business.

Tielens said that he has great appreciation for his customers over the years, and has enjoyed the help and services he has been able to offer. He said that his participation in the Chamber of Commerce, the Walnut Economic Development Commission he was appointed to, the Walnut city employees and charity organizations he has been
able to contributed to, have made things very memorable.

He has no regrets and only holds fond memories for the business. Asked what he is going to do with a fully stocked hardware store, he said starting Saturday Feb. 4, he was going to have a giant liquidate sale. Almost everything with a few exceptions like
Propane cylinder exchanges and window screening, will be 30% off.

Steinmetz seniors plan trip to San Manuel Casino

2012-01-26T20:05:21Z

Friends of Steinmetz Senior Center will sponsor a trip to San Manuel Casino in San Bernardino on Tuesday, Feb. 7.

The cost is $15, but seniors will get a $10 player card. The bus will leave 8 a.m. and return at 5 p.m.

The center is at 1545 S. Stimson Ave. For information, call 626-934-7041.

Do you believe in angels?

2012-01-25T22:15:08Z

Do you believe in angels? Mary Ting of Hacienda Heights does.

In fact, the kindergarten teacher has written two books about the heavenly creatures. The Los Molinos Elementary instructor has become something of a celebrity among her young students.

Her first book "Crossroads" is the story about a forbidden love between a young woman and her guardian angel, who is half mortal. They meet at a place between heaven and Earth called the crossroads.

Her teen novel was ranked as a top seller on Amazon.com. The romance can also be downloaded in Kindle and Nook formats.

Last weekend, the budding author held a book signing at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore in Fullerton. The former PTA president donated a portion of her sales to Los Molinos school.

Hsi Lai Temple celebrates Chinese New Year in Hacienda Heights

2012-01-24T18:02:18Z

The Lunar New Year celebration was somber at the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights on Monday. The monks paid homage to the Buddhas with a Thousand Buddhas Ceremony.

Special Dharma functions were held to pray for world peace, blessings and good luck in the new year.

The largest Buddhist temple in the Western Hemisphere was decorated with peace lanterns sponsored by many families. Families also lit candles and incense to honor their ancestors.

Rowland Heights woman sentenced to death

2012-01-20T19:23:11Z

A judge sentenced Manling Tsang Williams to death Thursday for smothering her two young children with a pillow and slashing her husband to death with a sword in the family's Rowland Heights home in 2007.

The 32-year-old woman sobbed and shook as Pomona Superior Court Judge Robert Martinez handed down the sentence for the Aug. 7, 2007 murders of her husband, Neal Williams, 27, and their sons Devon, 7, and Ian, 3, at the family's condominium in the 18200 block of Camino Bello.

A jury convicted Manling Williams of three counts of first-degree murder in 2010, along with the special allegations of using weapons and lying in wait. After one jury was unable to agree on whether to sentence her to death or life imprisonment, a second penalty phase jury recommended last year that she be put to death.

Judge Martinez followed that recommendation.

Hacienda Heights musician looking for another Grammy

2012-01-19T17:39:29Z

Mariachi Divas founder Cindy Shea with her sons Alex Carballo, 10, and Anthony Jimenez, 2 months, in their Hacienda Heights backyard.

Cindy Shea is looking forward to a great year. The Hacienda Heights resident recently had her second son and she's planning her wedding.

The local musician also has been nominated for another Grammy. Cindy is the founder of the popular Mariachi Divas. The all-woman band won a Grammy in 2009 for best regional Mexican album. And they had been nominated for another one.

So it shouldn't be a surprise that Cindy's group received another nomination this year. But Cindy is still excited by great news. "It's like the Oscars," the enthusiastic trumpet player explained. "It's such an honor to be selected by your peers."

Check out video of police chase in Hacienda Heights

2012-01-18T18:52:21Z

A high-speed police pursuit of a motorcycle carrying a man and woman ended in a crash on the 60 Freeway late Tuesday, officials said.

Check out the KCAL video of last night's police chase in Hacienda Heights. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Northeast Station began chasing the motorcycle, which had been reported stolen, about 9:45 p.m., LAPD Officer Rosario Herrera said.

The high-speed pursuit continued for about half an hour until it reached the eastbound 60 Freeway at 7th Avenue, officials said. The motorcycle rear-ended a car and tumbled end-over-end, throwing both riders into the roadway.

The riders, a man and woman, were reportedly in police custody as they were being treated at a hospital for serious injuries.

Watch: KCAL video of crash.

Bubbologist visits Hacienda Heights Library

2012-01-17T18:02:35Z

A bubblologist will visit the Hacienda Heights Library on Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 7 to 8 p.m. They will demonstrate the science behind bubbles.

There will be shimmering waves of soap films, rainbow bubbles, big bubbles, small bubbles, square bubbles, triangle bubbles, bubbles within bubbles and giant bubbles.

The library is at 1850 Nogales St., Rowland Heights. For information, call 626-912-5348.

Stretch bandit robs banks in Rowland and Hacienda Heights

2012-01-16T18:11:31Z

A bank robbery in Rowland Heights was the work of a serial robber connected to two other crimes dating back to July of last year, authorities said. The "Stretch Bandit" paid a visit to the Bank of the West, 19005 E. Colima Road, about 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 11, according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.

It was his second robbery at the same bank, which he also robbed on July 12 of last year, officials said. The same man is also suspected in a July 6, 2011 robbery at a U.S. Bank Branch on Hacienda Boulevard in Hacienda Heights, Eimiller said.

The FBI calls him the "Stretch Bandit" because of his physical description, FBI officials said. He stands about 6 feet 3 inches tall and is of thin build -- about 190 pounds. The bandit is 35 to 42 years old, and a white, 4-door Honda Accord with a tinted rear window and the first two license plate numbers of "3Z" has been spotted in connection with the crimes.

Sheriff's officials further described him as having blonde hair and blue eyes. The robbers passes tellers notes demanding cash and claiming that he has a gun, FBI officials said, though no weapons have been seen during the robberies.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI's 24-hour line in Los Angeles at 310-477-6565.

PHOTOS courtesy of the FBI