December 2008 Archives

POMONA - The Pomona Unified School District and the Upland-based California Community Development Coalition, Inc. have been awarded a more than $700,000 grant that will be used to provide academic enrichment services at Marshall Middle School.

The grant from the federal Department of Education will fund the Marshall All Stars Academy, an after-school program that will provide English and math academic assistance to students in need of help improving their academic performance, Marshall's Principal Terri Mora said Friday.

POMONA - About six weeks after Pomona Unified School District
voters approved Measure PS, school board members were informed this
week that work on some projects could begin in the summer.

The district is working on identifying "quick start projects," that
can be carried out without and approval from the Division of the
State Architect, said Scott Stark, the district's director of capital
facilities at Tuesday night's board meeting.

POMONA -- Two volunteer organizations are in need of food and
toys for distribution to needy families this Christmas.

Volunteers with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul St.
Madeleine Conference and with the Society of St. Vincent
de Paul St. Joseph Conference are asking for the donations.

Volunteers with the St. Madeleine group had nearly twice as many
families seeking their help due to the difficult economic
environment, said the group's president, Dorothy Pinedo.

POMONA -- Joe Romero, fired as chief of police earlier this
week, has now apparently retired voluntary, according to statements
released by the city and Romero.

"The City of Pomona wishes to announce that Police Chief Joe Romero
has submitted his voluntary resignation from employment with the
City," the statement from the city manager's office said late
Thursday.

Romero's statement said an understanding was reached in which he was
ending his career with the city due to retirement.

POMONA -- Joe Romero has been fired from his post as the city's police chief.

Romero said he received the news Tuesday morning when he met with City Manager Linda Lowry during one of their regularly scheduled one-on-one meetings.

Romero, who was an at-will employee, said he was not given a reason for his termination, although "the city manager did mention she wants to see the department go in a different direction."

POMONA - Classic tunes for the holiday season will be part of Friday evening's performance by the Pomona Concert Band.

The band's annual Christmas concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Palomares Park Community Center, 499 E. Arrow Highway.

The free concert, which is hosted by the city's Community Services Department and the Willie White Park Focus Group, will include a performance of "Visions and Praise" composed by Jorge Garcia, the band's assistant conductor, according to a statement from the band.

POMONA - The Pomona Chamber of Commerce will host a reception for newly sworn-in Mayor Elliott Rothman, members of the City Council and Assemblywoman Norma Torres, D-Ontario, who recently took her post in Sacramento.

The event will begin at 5 p.m. at the Cal Poly Pomona Downtown Center, 300 W. Second St. Pomona.

POMONA -- Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center has been ranked
in the top 5 percent of the nation's hospitals for patient
satisfaction.

"We take pride in the care we provide our patients, and we
are encouraged that the past experiences of our patients at PVHMC are
such that they have rated us so highly," said Richard Yochum, medical
center president, in a news release. "We intend to continue to
provide this level of patient care, or better, in the years to come."

POMONA - City Council members opted this week to appoint
someone to fill the District 5 council seat which will become vacant
this Saturday afternoon when Mayor-elect Elliott
Rothman is sworn in as mayor.

Additionally, the council decided to appoint a replacement for
Rothman's District 5 seat rather than hold a special election.

Council members have agreed to take applications from District 5
residents interested in being considered for the post which
encompasses southwest Pomona including the Westmont and Phillips
Ranch areas.

POMONA - Music, games, snow, a tree lighting and Santa Claus will all be part of the 8th annual Holiday Lane celebration taking place Saturday afternoon.

The event takes place in the 700 block of Huntington Boulevard near Roosevelt Elementary School from noon to 5:30 p.m.

The free event will include entertainment, games and other activities for children and their families.

Those who bring a new unwrapped toy with a value of $15 or more can have their picture taken with Santa for free. All toys will go to the Pomona Police Department's Santa Cop program which provides children of limited means with toys for the holidays.

POMONA - Pomona City Council members opted this week to appoint someone to fill the District 5 council seat which will become vacant Saturday afternoon when Mayor-Elect Elliott Rothman is sworn in as mayor.

Council members had a special meeting late Thursday afternoon where they approved a resolution with the results of the Nov. 4 election results.

At the same meeting council members voted in favor of appointing a replacement to the District 5 post.

POMONA - Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center will have its 11th annual tree lighting ceremony Wednesday evening.

The celebration will be in the patio of Pitzer Auditorium at the hospital, 1798 N. Garey Ave., Pomona.

The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with activities that include a chance for children to have their picture taken with Santa free of cost.