Results tagged “Whittier” from Whittier Dispatch

Join the city of Whittier at 11 a.m., Sat. June 27 as it names its miniature horse.

It's part of the horse's first birthday to be celebrated at the Parnell Park Storybook Zoo, 15390 Lambert Road.

The winning name will be revealed from dozens of entries in the "Name the Mini Horse Contest."

The event is free.

 

Budget season for local cities is just about over, but don't be surprised if many of our local cities keep an eye on them. In the next week, La Habra Heights, La Mirada and Whittier city councils are expected to approve them.

For La Habra Heights and La Mirada officials, their budgets are balanced, but just barely. On the other hand, Whittier's general fund budget projects a $1.2 million deficit that will be made up with the use of reserves. La Habra Heights City Council will study its city budget at a special 6 p.m. Monday meeting. La Mirada and Whittier city councils are expected to approve their budgets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday meetings.

Whittier has its first Gold Star for a member of the military dying. One is enough, said Councilman Joe Vinatieri during Tuesday's council meeting. He was speaking about the death of 33-year-old Army 1st Sgt. Blue C. Rowe, who was killed May 26 by an improvised explosive near Panjshir in Afghanistan.

"I just want to say to our community that to see Sgt. Rowe's Blue Star in front of El Pollo Loco turn into a gold star is a very sad thing," Vinatieri said. "I hope the city of Whittier has no more of these.

The city has a Blue Star Program to honor Whittier residents serving in the military. It becomes a Gold Star should the family member die. The Blue Star Program originated during World War I with families displaying a flag in the front window of their homes to indicating that a child was serving in the military. Residents residents with members of their immediate family serving receive a Blue Star Service kit including Blue Star Service flag, lapel pin and window decal from the city. Whittier has given out 60 Blue Stars.

Vinatieri also encouraged members of the community to drop the Rowes a note and let them know you're praying for them. "I'm hopeful our community can come together and put together some kind of assessment of needs for the family," he said. "I want to wish the family the best."

Greg Nordbak, Joe Vinatieri and Cathy Warner have a new ally in their fight to ban medical marijuana dispensaries. It's long-time gadfly Joe Marsico.
During Monday's public hearing on the ordinance to ban such businesses, Marsico told the commission it should approve the ordinance. "This medical marijuana is pathetic," he said.

Asked on Tuesday about what it's like to agree with three council members, he laughed loudly. "I don't know what to say," he said. "They're accidentally right."

During his speech Monday, Marsico drew in comparisons to Communist China and multi-million dollar corporations. He asserted that Mao Zedong got rid of all of the opium shops and dealers. "He put them on a ship and then sank the ship," Marsico said. "That's how the Chinese people got the message that (drugs) were no good."

Marsico also alleged that large companies were behind the movement for medical marijuana dispensaries. "Why can't people, who need it, get it on their own?" he asked. "If this was a free country, then you should bed able to make your own whiskey and beer and drink it. And you should be able to plant marijuana) and use it.

Tuesday's Whittier City Council meeting is going to have a deja vu quality to it. Many items that have been considered in the past and continued for more discussion will come back at the 6:30 p.m. meeting. They range from July 4 celebration to key decisions on how to handle new development to medical marijuana dispensaries.

The issue for medical marijuana is whether to scrap the city's ordinance that allows them in limited locations and ban the dispensaries. This comes as a Pico Rivera woman is applying to the city to open a business. Another issue will be just what kind of non-fireworks celebration the council might want to have. Councilwoman Cathy Warner is bringing this back. But there remains a question on whether she can get three votes to do anything.

Warner also has asked to review the historical heritage commission and its role. And the council will look at a proposal to eliminate the Design Review Board.

 

Just how tough is to be mayor of a city? We try to answer that question in story on Sunday.
But for those at or watching Whittier's reorganization meeting Tuesday, you might have got a flavor and here's a recap of some of the comments.

Outgoing Mayor Joe Vinatieri talked about his wife, Sandy, and how she's probably happy the year is over.

 "She's got a smile on her face," he said. "There have been a lot of nights, mornings and days I wasn't around," he said as he gave flowers to her. "There's a lot of hours and a lot of time I come home grumpy and she listens."
Vinatieri said he believes it was important that he did make to an estimated 250 events last year. "During these difficult times, I find it's important for the mayor to be around," he said. "They want to know the mayor is out and doing the business of government and knowing their council is there to help them."

Vinatieri's colleagues were impressed and a little worried about the precedent he set.
"You gave a lousy example of how a mayorship should be run," joked Bob Henderson, the new mayor. "I don't intend to try and beat that." But his work also was much appreciated by the community and the council, Henderson added.

To Henderson, Vinatieri had just a few words, "It's your turn Bob."

Councilman Owen Newcomer said it was tiring just watching Vinatieri.

Councilman Greg Nordbak said he's glad it's Henderson, not him who is following Vinatieri.
"In my 15 previous years I've never seen a mayor do a better job and be at more places," Nordbak said.
"You were like the energizer bunny and that includes the three years I served as mayor," he said. "I know your family and business have suffered. You have kept us proud."

Cathy Warner, who has served on the council or on school boards for the last 20 years, said she's never seen anything like it.

Usually when a City Council reorganizes, i.e. elects a new mayor and mayor pro tem, the council agendas are pretty sparse and noncontroversial. You probably can't say that for today's 6 p.m. Whittier City Council meeting. The least controversial item will be when Councilman Bob Henderson is elected mayor.

But at 6 p.m., the council will choose a new planning commissioner from a list of four people: James Becerra, Jeanette Fasone, Eduardo Hernandez and John Olvera. At 7 p.m., a new mayor will be selected.

And then there's the consent calendar -- normally a long list of items everybody agrees about and usually are not too important. But this consent calendar includes an agreement with the Whittier Police Officers Association agreeing to take less of a pay raise beginning July 1. Instead of a 5 percent increase, officers will only receive a 3 percent raise. In addition, employee medical and dental contribution rates will be increased.

And then there's the most controversial item. City Manager Steve Helvey is proposing to add a code enforcement officer position to work on redevelopment areas -- primarily Whittier Boulevard and Lambert Road. This proposal is made at a time when some in the Whittier are complaining the city is too tough already. While typically consent calendar items are approved without discussion, look for this one to get pulled and get lots of talk.

 

Tuesday night's Whittier City Council meeting only took about an hour, but a lot of news and action still happened in this short time frame.

Probably the biggest news wasn't even on the agenda. Two residents of Sunrise Drive complained about the paparazzi cluttering up their street and got a sympathetic reaction from council members. Staff writer Airan Scruby writes about this in more detail here: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_11783491.

The council also decided no to any kind of Independence Day celebration. See this story for more detail: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_11783483. Look for more detailed stories on both later this evening.

Councilman Owen Newcomer also decided to pull Seta Restaurant's request to remain open until 2 a.m. and ask for a public hearing on it. We'll have more on that issue this weekend.
The council decided to pay Buxton of Texas $70,000 to provide a market study for the city. The company will focus on four areas: Uptown, the auto deal areas and shopping center areas along Whittier Boulevard, and the Fred C. Nelles site.

As expected, it also agreed to set a public hearing for Steve's BBQ to ask to remain open until 2 a.m. It is expected to be held on March 10.

And a scheduled public hearing on the case of the 13- to 15-foot wall at the 14800 block of Mar Vista St., has again been put off. This time, it's until March 24. The City Council already has twice put off a public hearing scheduled on the request by owner Hugo Gutierrez for a variance. City officials say Gutierrez has made a new proposal, but refuse to give any details. Still, the council has discussed it during several times during closed session. It can do that under the exception for legal actions. The city has a code enforcement action pending against Gutierrez.

It's bad news for local film makers and lovers. The second annual Whittier Film Festival has been cancelled. Here is the official announcement by the organizers:

"We regret to inform you, due to unforeseen events in the economy and the withdrawl of our sponsors, we are unable to produce the Film Festival this year. Any credit card charges will be refunded back to you shortly. We are hoping to continue the festival in future years. We appreciate your understanding.

"Thank you to all of you who submitted films, volunteered hours, and advertisedwith us,we really appreciate your involvement. We look forward to working with you in the future."

Records show Nadya Suleman was a licensed psychiatric technician but the license issued in 1997 expired on July 31, 2002.

She was injured while working for the Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk. She filed a worker's compensation claim in September 1999 and October 2001, said Patricia Ortiz, public information officer for the state Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Workers' Compensation.

Ortiz said parts of body affected by the injuries were the neck, trunk, back and lower extremities. She didn't have details of when and how the injuries occurred. She said the case file has already been archived.

Aside from two traffic tickets, Suleman hasn't had any run-ins with the law in Los Angeles, San Bernardino or Orange counties.

Suleman was cited by Fullerton police on July 26, 2007 for driving at an unsafe speed for the prevailing conditions. She paid the ticket.

The same agency gave her a ticket on May 6, 2003 for driving without possession of a license. According to records, the citation was dismissed after proof of correction was shown.

In addition to filing for bankruptcy, Suleman's mother, Angela, sued Allstate Insurance Company on March 8, 2002. She claimed in her suit that the insurance company delayed and failed to make adequate payments after water damaged personal property and her house in the 12200 block of Honolulu Terrace in Whittier on Aug. 15, 2001.

She, her daughter and baby grandchild had to relocate during the cleanup, according to her lawsuit.

Her lawyer asked the state court to dismiss the case which was granted on April 7, 2003.

The bankruptcy, which was filed last year, was also dismissed.

Angela Suleman told the Los Angeles Times she has paid her debts

The on-going saga of Steve's BBQ and just how late it can stay open, is continuing.
Steve Hernandez, owner of Steve's BBQ, friends, his mother and employees all went to the City Council Tuesday, seeking permission for his business to stay open past midnight.

But so far, despite their pleas, nothing has changed. For now, his restaurant, 7007 Greenleaf Ave., must close at midnight. Hernandez is asking for the right to remain open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday and until 1 a.m. the other days of the week. Hernandez said if his hours aren't restored, he may have to close. "I am barely getting back on my feet," he said. "Give me back my hours or I assume you don't want me to survive."

The City Council in December had voted 3-2 to make him close at midnight, in part because of a shooting at his business on Nov. 20. At the time, the council said they would review his hours in May, but Hernandez asked for an earlier hearing. Only those on the winning side -- Council members Bob Henderson, Owen Newcomer and Cathy Warner -- can ask for that earlier hearing.

Henderson said Tuesday that he wants to wait. "We haven't closed him down," he said. "We took two hours." Hernandez is open more hours than most other restaurants in Uptown, Henderson said.

"It's a matter of having him come back and prove himself before the council reconsider," he said. "We have no animosity toward him."

 

Trophies were handed out to participants in the 55th Annual Uptown Whittier Christmas Parade by the Whittier Uptown Association President Robert Ruiz.

Drill Team - Middle School : Open

1st Place: First Avenue

2nd Place: Rincon

3rd Place: El Roble

4th Place: Shivley

5th Place: Alvarado

6th Place: Burke

Drill Team - High School: Open

1st Place: Montebello

2nd Place: Temple City

3rd Place: Schurr

4th Place: South El Monte

5th Place: John Glenn

6th Place: St. Paul

Auxiliary - Middle School: Class D

1st Place: Alvarado

2nd Place: El Roble

3rd Place: Burke

Auxiliary _ Middle School: Class C

1st Place: First Avenue

2nd Place: Tetzlaff

3rd Place: Rincon

4th Place: Dexter

Auxiliary _ High School: Class B

1st Place: Bell Gardens

2nd Place: South El Monte

3rd Place: St. Paul

4th Place: St. John Bosco

Auxiliary - High School: Class A

1st Place: El Rancho

2nd Place: John Glenn

3rd Place: Montebello

4th Place: Temple City

5th Place: Beckman

6th Place: Schurr

Drum Major - Middle School: Open

1st Place: Tetzlaff

2nd Place: First Avenue

3rd Place: Rincon

4th Place: Alvarado

Drum Major - High School: Mace

1st Place: Beckman

2nd Place: John Glenn

Drum Major - High School: Military

1st Place: Temple City

2nd Place: Montebello

Band - Middle School: Class D

1st Place: Alvarado

2nd Place: El Roble

3rd Place: Burke

Band - Middle School: Class C

1st Place: Tetzlaff

2nd Place: First Avenue

3rd Place: Rincon

4th Place: Dexter

Band - High School: Class B

1st Place: South El Monte

2nd Place: Bell Gardens

3rd Place: St. Paul

4th Place: St. John Bosco

Band - High School: Class A

1st Place: John Glenn

2nd Place: Temple City

3rd Place: Schurr

4th Place: El Rancho

5th Place: Beckman

Music Award:

Montebello

Band Sweepstakes

Montebello

 

For those who are going to Saturday to the 55th Annual Uptown Whittier Christmas Parade, rain or shine, here is the final schedule of particpants:

 

• Whittier Police Department Color Guard
• 55th Annual Whittier Uptown Christmas Parade banner
• Sponsored By Whittier Uptown Association banner
• Whittier High School Cardinal Brigade marching band
• Boy Scout banner
• Division I Sponsor ACS GROUP
• ACS Group
• City of Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri (car)
• City of Whititer Mayor Pro Tem Bob Henderson (car)
• City of Whittier Council Member Cathy Warner (her pers. car)
• City of Whittier Council Member Owen Newcomer (car)
• Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe (car)
• Hispanic Outreach Taskforce Pres. Betty Tucker (car)
• La Serna High School Band
• City of Whittier Community Services/Cheer and Pepsters
• Whittier Therapueutic Recreation Program
• Division 2 Sponsor Banner Jack FM Radio 93.1
• Jack FM RADIO 93.1
• El Rancho High School
• Community Grand Marshal's banner
• Community Grand Marshal Bonnie (Acro Printing) (car)
• JoJo Sanchez , Commissioner LA CO Probation (car)
• Lydia Jackson Elementary PTA
• Prudential California Uptown Realty
• Santa Fe Springs High School Band & Colorguard
• Santa Fe Springs Mayor Pro Tem Louie Gonzalez
• Santa Fe Springs Councilmember William Rounds
• Santa Fe Springs Councilmember Betty Putnam
• El Roble Marching Band
• Automobile Club of So. Calif.
• Critters For Christ (Equestrian)
• First Family Church
• Cub Scouts Pack #438 2
• South El Monte High School
• Division 3 Sponsor Home Loan Center
• Martin Camero (CAR)
• Assemblyman Charles Calderon (car)
• Soroptimist
• Girl Scouts of St Mark's Lutheren
• Moms Club of Whittier
• Whittier Lions Club Eye Mobile
• John Glen High School Marching Eagle Band
• Classic Clowns
• And Dance! Studio for performing arts
• Boy Scouts Pack 630
• State Senator Ron Calderon 30th District (car)
• Palamino (Equestrial)
• Destiny Community Church Pastor Charley (car)
• John Greenleaf Whittier Chapter Daughters of Revolution
• St. Bened

Whittier Public Library & Library Foundation

Puente Hills Landfill Native Habitat Preservation Authority

Buena Park High School Marching Coyotes Band & Drill

Division 4 Sponsor PETS (RODNEY)

PALS

• Hoover Dad's Club
• Palamino (Equestrial)
• Destiny Community Church Pastor Charley (car)
• John Greenleaf Whittier Chapter Daughters of Revolution
• St. Benedicts #836
• Pioneer High School Marching Band
• Whittier College Athletics
• Whittier Shrine Club
• Hoover Dad's Club
• Palmview Christian School
• 38th Congressional District Congresswoman Grace Napolitano
• Hoover Elementary School of Baton Classes
• St. Paul High School Marching Swordsmen
• Division 5 Sponsor Caremore
• Caremore Representative
• Whittier Area First Day
• Willie G. Ministries
• Temple City High School Band & Pagentry Corps.
• Frontier High School student body
• YWCA - California Youth Spirit Core
• L Bar S Trail Dusters (Equestrian)
• Wantland Family
• St. John Bosco High School
• Whittier For Jesus
• Belvedere Park Bulldogs
• Rio Hondo College
• Tetzlaff Middle School Trojan Band & Color Guard
• Division 6 Sponsor Whittier Chamber of Commerce banner
• Whittier Chamber President
• Pio Pico State Historic Park
• Dance Image
• American Legion Whittier Post 51
• Burke Middle School
• City of Pico Rivera Mayor Gracie Gallegos
• City of Pico Rivera Mayor Pro Tem Bob Archuleta
• City of Pico Rivera Council Member Ron Beilke
• City of Pico Rivera Council member David Armenta
• L.A. County Fire Department - Station 28
• Harmony Center for Spiritual Living
• Merrill Gardens
• Rincon Intermmediate School Band & Drill team
• Division 7 Sponsor PIH / Bright Health Physicians
• Bright Health Physicians Dr. Rosi Lim
• Careforce One
• Elwin Elementary Pep Squad
• Second Chance Christian
• St. Bruno Cub Scouts #337
• Plymouth Christian
• La Habra High School Highlander Marching Band
• City of La Habra Mayor Rose Espinoza (car)
• Whittier Parents Friends of Lesbians and Gays
• Schurr High School Band
• Protégé Volleyball
• YMCA of Greater Whittier
• A.M.Y Mens Club
• California High School Band
• Division 8 Sponsor Rick's Drive In & Out banner 8 2
• Rick's Drive In & Out Representative
• Montebello Pop Warner
• Posada of Whittier
• Katherine Edwards Middle School Royal Marching Band
• Wishing Well
• Marinello Schools of Beauty
• Miss Whittier and Miss Teen Whittier
• California Cheer Lions Club
• Broadoak's Children's School of Whittier College
• Whittier High School Dance Team
• Montebello High
• Division 9 Sponsor Whittier Daily News banner
• Whittier Daily News Editor Tim Traeger (car)
• Whittier Police Department Chief of Police Dave Singer (car)
• Whittier Police Department Entry Team
• Victory Tae Kwon Do
• Whittier Christian School Cheer & Football players
• West Wind Training Stables (equestrian / stallion)
• Whittier Christian High School Herald Marching Band
• Whittier Pony Baseball
• Whittier Area Peace and Justice
• Whittier Museum
• L.A. County Parks & Rec. Obregon Park Tigers
• Dexter Middle School Hornet Marching Band
• Division 10 Sponsor EXTREME TINT
• Extreme Tint trailer and vehicle
• American Red Cross
• Los Nietos Shrine Club
• First Avenue Middle School Spartan Band, Drill & Auxilars
• L.A. County Parks & Rec. Mayberry Park
• Boys & Girls Club of Whittier
• La Habra Jr ROTC
• Luxury Sports
• Bell Gardens Lancer Marching Regiment
• Division 11 Sponsor Whittier Uptown Association banner
• Whittier Uptown Association President Robert Ruiz
• Los Molinos Elementary School Wildcat cheerleader & Mascots
• Whittier Youth Football & Cheer
• Sorensen Park
• Dean L Shivley Middle
• Regency Christian Center float
• L.A. County Parks & Rec. Saybrook Park
• Alvarado Intermediate Band
• Pupil Transportation Center
• Fix Auto Whittier
• Beckman High School Patriot Marching Band
• Santa Claus

The parade begins at 10 a.m.

     A fundraiser to benefit a 15-year-old La Serna High School student injured by a hit-and-run driver will be held from 4 to 9 p.m., Thursday at Southern California Pizza, 12259 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada.

     All proceeds will go to the Arianna Varela Fund which will pay for her medical expenses. A family member said Varela was recently transferred from UC Irvine Medical Center to HealthBridge Children's Hospital in Orange where she is undergoing rehabilitation.

     "She's doing really, really good," said her aunt, Catherine Del Ferraro.

     On Oct. 3, Varela crossed the street to attend her school's homecoming game held at Cal High. A driver hit her and didn't stop. He or she hasn't been found.

WHITTIER -- A Whittier man shot by a deputy pleaded not guilty today to charges he tried to take the officer's gun, officials said.

     Xavier Michael Fresquez, 21,  was charged with a felony count of attempting to remove an officer's weapon, a felony count of carrying a concealed weapon and a misdemeanor count of exhibiting a firearm, according to Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the DA's Office.

     Fresquez was arraigned today at Whittier Superior Court. His next court hearing is Dec. 3.

     He had been at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood after the Oct. 23 shooting and placed under guard. The sheriff's booking records show he was taken this morning to the Inmate Reception Center in Los Angeles.

     Hospital officials referred calls to the agency investigating the case, which is the Sheriff's Department. Deputies didn't know Fresquez's current medical condition.

     Sheriff's officials said Fresquez was wounded in the upper torso, which to law enforcement refers to parts of the body above the waist. His relatives said he was shot in the head.

     Fresquez and another man are suspected of brandishing a gun at three men on Norwalk Boulevard earlier that night, according to Lt. Pat Nelson. And while deputies haven't recovered a weapon, Nelson said witnesses saw Fresquez with a gun.

      Fresquez's family disputed the department's version of the shooting, which happened in their back yard in the 11300 block of Waddell Street.

      Fresquez's father, Eric, said in a previous interview that his son was shot in the back of the head while on his knees. He said Fresquez was coming home that night, saw the two deputies and ran thinking they had a warrant for him for a court appearance. He and his wife woke to their son calling him and asking to be let in the back door.

     He said the deputy reached for his son's shoulder and at the same time, the gun went off.

     Two deputies from the sheriff's Pico Rivera station looking for the two suspects who threatened the men on Norwalk Boulevard saw Fresquez allegedly hiding behind a car on a driveway on Waddell Street. He ran and one deputy chased him.

     A department spokeswoman said Fresquez refused to comply with orders and during the struggle tried to take the deputy's gun from his hand. The deputy shot once.

     Arianna Varela, the 15-year-old La Serna High School student who was injured by a hit-and-run driver, is now awake and talking, according to her family.

     Her aunt, Catherine Del Ferraro, said Varela was awakened from her induced coma on Oct. 17 but  was nonresponsive. Her ventilator was removed last week. She started talking this Monday, Del Ferraro said.

     "She remembers everything but what happened to her," Del Ferraro said.

     The Whittier teen was crossing the street Oct. 3 to attend a football game at Cal High when she was struck by  a sedan. The car didn't stop. The driver hasn't been found yet.

     Varela sustained head injuries and was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center. She's been transferred to the pediatric ward and her condition is stable, Del Ferraro said.

WHITTIER - What caused the big noise or explosion as some residents described it on Sunday night is still unknown.
It was reported at 10:30 p.m. around Michigan Park at Michigan Avenue and La Cuarta street. Whittier police went looking for the source of the sound and even used a helicopter. But they could not find it.

     Whittier Police responding to a shots fired call in the 5600 block of Pioneer Boulevard at 1:18 a.m. Sunday found a man with a gunshot wound to the foot.

     Officer Robert Wood said the wounded man was taken to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center. No arrests have been made. The suspect was described as having a shaved head and of thin build.

     Wood said a red Chevy sport utility vehicle and a dark-colored Honda Civic were seen leaving the location after the shots were fired.

     There were no other details available.