Classes cancelled Monday at Valley View Elementary School in Duarte; K-rails continue to hold in Fish fire impact area


DUARTE >> Officials cancelled Monday classes at a Duarte elementary school at the center the Fish fire impact area, which was threatened by mudslides and flooding Sunday as a storm dropped inches of rain over the Southland on Sunday afternoon.
School will be cancelled Monday at Valley View Elementary School, 237 Melcanyon Road, according to city and Duarte Unified School District officials.
Mud piled up high alongside roadside K-rails guarding the surrounding neighborhoods, but continued to hold Sunday afternoon, despite a heavy downpour Sunday morning, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. James Long said.
“So far, everything is holding, and there’s been really very minor mudflow activity,” Duarte spokeswoman Karen Herrera said.
Mandatory evacuations remained in effect for the Fish fire impact area, affecting 180 homes.
•Map: Fish fire impact area
An evacuation center capable of taking in both people and pets has been set up by city and Red Cross officials at the Duarte Community Center, 1600 Huntington Drive. It is scheduled to remain open so long as the city’s Red Alert, and corresponding mandatory evacuation orders, remain in effect.
“Very few” people made us of shelter, Herrera said.
The majority of residents of the affected area chose not to heed evacuation orders, but to shelter in place instead, she said.
Voluntary evacuation orders were also issued for neighborhoods in the Colby fire impact area in Azusa, authorities said.
A Flash Flood Warning was to remain in effect in the area through 6 p.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

STORMphoto

PHOTO by Watchara Phomicinda

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Incoming storm prompts mandatory evacuations in Duarte’s Fish fire impact area

FISHmap

DUARTE >> Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders for homes below the recent Fish fire burn area in Duarte Sunday morning as a powerful storm threatened to drop as much as 6 inches of rain in the area, prompting fears of mudslides and flooding.
The evacuation orders are to take effect at 7 a.m. as the city activated a Red Alert for the impacted neighborhoods, which surround Valley View Park and Valley View Elementary School, city officials said in a written statement.
The evacuation zone includes portions of Deerlane Drive, Melcanyon Road, Brookridge Road, Mountaincrest Road, Greenbank Avenue and Bettyhill Avenue. Police and Community Emergency Response Team volunteers went door-to-door Saturday night notifying residents of the evacuations.
•Fish fire burn area map
The storm is expected to reach the area around 9 a.m.
“Although the timing could fluctuate, the heaviest rainfall is expected between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and between 4 to 6 inches in total rain is expected,” according to the city statement.
“Widespread, heavy downpours could cause mud and debris flows more extensive than Friday’s on Melcanyon Road and adjacent streets, which resulted in over 2,800 cubic yards of mud.”
Rates of up to an inch of rain per hour are predicted, which is well above the threshold authorities say can trigger mudslides. And the denuded hillsides are already saturated with water from the previous days’ rain.
The Duarte Community Center at 1600 Huntington Drive will open as an evacuation center at 7 a.m., officials said. It will remain open as long as mandatory evacuation orders are in place.
City officials urged evacuees to take with them any medicines or other items they will need for a minimum of 48 hours. Meals will be provided at the evacuation center, and county animal control officials will also be on-hand to tend to evacuees’ pets.
“Please note, residents under mandatory evacuation orders will not be allowed back into their homes until the orders are officially lifted by Duarte public safety officials,” the statement said. “Residents that refuse to evacuate must be prepared to shelter in place until evacuation orders are lifted.
Residents of the Fish fire impact area can pick up filled sandbags at the corner of Brookridge and Opal Canyon roads. Unfilled sandbags are also available at Los Angeles County Fire Station 44, 1105 Highland Avenue.
“If you feel conditions are unsafe to evacuate, move to the highest safe place in your residence and shelter in place,” according to the statement.
Residents of the affected neighborhoods were also directed to remove all vehicles, trash bins or other obstructions from the street before evacuating, or they will be removed by authorities.
Updated information will be posted the city’s website, Twitter account and Nixle page, officials said. The sheriff’s Temple Station can be reached at 626-285-7171.
The Fish fire ignited in June and scorched more than 2,500 acres of vegetation before being extinguished by firefighters.

Fish fire impact area map courtesy of the city of Duarte.

red

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Two men wounded in Duarte shooting


DUARTE >> Deputies are seeking a gunman who shot and wounded to other men in a residential neighborhood in Duarte on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
The shooting took place about 2:50 p.m. at Crestfield Drive and Bloomdale Street, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Frank Ruiz said.
Both victims were described as men estimated to be in their 20s or 30s, according the lieutenant.
One suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks, while the other was wounded in the back, he said.
Officials rushed both victims to a hospital via helicopter for treatment, officials said.
They were conscious at the scene, Ruiz said. An update on their conditions was not available.
A detailed description of the shooter, who was believed to have fled the area on foot, was not known.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Mud flow prompts school closure in Duarte


DUARTE >> Valley View Elementary School students got a day off Friday after heavy overnight rains sent mud gushing onto Melcanyon Road in front of the campus in Duarte.
Duarte Unified School District officials announced via social media that the campus in the 200 block of Melcanyon Road would be closed for the day due to the weather.
Melcanyon Road remained closed Friday morning as city crews worked to clear the mud, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. J. Serpa said. Despite the mess, no damage had been reported.
It was unclear when the affected street would reopen.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Attacker sought after woman fights off would-be kidnapper while jogging in Duarte


DUARTE >> Detectives are seeking a man who tried to kidnap a woman as she was jogging in Duarte over the weekend, authorities said.
The woman managed to fight off her attacker and escape following the assault, which took place about 7:30 a.m. on Sunday along a running trail near Royal Oaks Drive and Oak Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.
A woman in her mid-50s, was jogging on the trail, as she often does, when the would-be kidnapper approached and suddenly grabbed her, Lt. Tom McNeil said.
She managed to fight off the man as he began to drag her away, he said. The victim suffered minor injuries but declined to be taken to a hospital for treatment.
The suspect was last seen driving off in a tan, four-door sedan, sheriff’s officials said in a written statement. He was described as about 5 feet 6 inches tall, 160 pounds, wearing all-black clothing. No weapons were seen during the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective N. Brenes of the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-292-3309, or via email at nbbrenes@lasd.org. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Search continues for Duarte man who vanished more than 2 months ago

1118_nws_psn-l-missingman

DUARTE >> Officials and worried family members have renewed their call for help in finding a Duarte man whose been missing for two-and-a-half months.
Rudolph “Rudy” Mejia, 58, was last seen about 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 as he left his home on Vineyard Avenue, Deputy Jeffrey Gordon of the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Information Bureau said in a written statement.
Mejia was driving a 2015 Dodge Ram pickup truck that was found abandoned along San Gabriel Canyon Road in Azusa Canyon on Sept. 13, officials said.
“Mr. Mejia suffers from depression and cardiovascular complications,” Gordon said. “His family is very concerned and is asking for the public’s assistance.”
He’s described as white, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 230 pounds, with short brown hair and blue eyes. He’s missing his bottom front teeth and has a 3- to 4-inch scar on his left knee. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Man wounded in shooting near Monrovia


A man turned up at an emergency room after being shot in an unincorporated county area between Monrovia and Duarte late Wednesday.
The shooting was first reported about 7:20 p.m. at Flagstone Avenue and Maydee Street, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Lt. Ronald Daily said.
No victim was initially found at the scene, but a man soon arrived at a local emergency room with a gunshot wound to his arm, officials said.
He had been with two other men when the group was fired upon by three other men in a white sedan, armed with a handgun, Daily said.
No further details were available as the investigation continued.
Anyone with information can reach the sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-285-7171. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Flames engulf car along 210 Freeway in Duarte

carfire1

DUARTE >> A disabled car burst into flames along the 210 Freeway in Duarte Friday afternoon, slowing traffic but resulting in no injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The fire was first reported about 1:01 p.m. on the westbound 210 Freeway near Buena Vista Street, CHP Officer Michelle Bond said.
The driver of the Acura Integra experienced an engine malfunction and saw flames coming from beneath the hood of his car and pulled over to right shoulder, Los carfire2Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Rudy Gilson said. The man got out of the car uninjured before it became engulfed in flames.
Officials briefly shut down the two right-hand traffic lanes, but firefighters quickly doused the fire and traffic resumed normal flow, she said.
It was unclear exactly what caused the car’s engine to catch fire.

PHOTOS by Keith Durflinger

 

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Elderly good Samaritan helps deputy wrestle violent suspect into custody in Duarte


DUARTE >> An 81-year-old good Samaritan helped a deputy wrestle a combative wanted felon into custody in Duarte earlier this week, officials said.
Officials from the Los Angeles County sheriff’s Temple Station thanked the citizen, a local man who wished to remain anonymous, for his help in Tuesday’s arrest in a written statement.
Michael Rodriguez, 24, was booked on suspicion of battery on a deputy, vandalism and resisting arrest, and was also being held on a pre-existing warrant, Sgt. Jose Carbajal said. An additional charge of escape may also be sought by prosecutors.
Deputy Joshua Lambert stopped Rodriguez about 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday after spotting him riding a bike with an open container of alcohol at Huntington Drive and Highland Avenue, Sgt. Jose Carbajal said.
The deputy then placed Rodriguez, un-handcuffed, in the back seat of his patrol car, officials said.
“A warrant check revealed the suspect had a no-bail felony warrant for a weapons violation,” according to the statement. “When the suspect realized he was being arrested, he became enraged, kicked out the rear passenger side window and climbed out of the patrol vehicle.”
The deputy began fighting with the suspect in an attempt to prevent is escape. The 81-year-old good Samaritan was driving by when he saw the struggle, stopped his car and got out to help.
“The citizen grabbed the suspect around the neck and told him, ‘Relax and let him handcuff you. Just relax,’” according to the statement. “The suspect continued to struggle. The three of them fell to the ground where the deputy and the citizen held the suspect in place until assisting deputies arrived a short time later.”
Fellow deputies then arrived and helped take the suspect into custody. The deputy suffered only bumps and bruises, Carbajal said. The good Samaritan was unhurt.
In addition to being thanked by the station as a whole, Deputy Lambert personally expressed hi gratitude to the good Samaritan.
“If it hadn’t been for (the citizen) stopping to help me, it could have got real ugly. That guy did not want to go to jail,” Lambert said.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email

Duarte man sought after vanishing two weeks ago

0915_nws_psn-l-duarte-missing

DUARTE >> Authorities are asking the public to keep an eye out for a 58-year-old Duarte man suffering from medical problems who’s been missing for two weeks.
Rudolph “Rudy” Mejia was last seen leaving his Vineyard Avenue home about 3:30 p.m. Sept. 1, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
Mejia left home in his white, 2015 Dodge Ram pickup truck. But the truck was found abandoned along San Gabriel Canyon Road in the Azusa Canyon on Tuesday, officials said. The were no signs the truck had been involved in a crash.
“The missing persons suffers from depression and heart issues,” according to the statement. “His family is very concerned and is also asking for the public’s assistance.”
Mejia is Latino, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 230 pounds, with brown hair, blue eyes and missing bottom front teeth. He has a 3- to 4-inch vertical scar on the front of his left knee.
He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information can reach detectives Abraham or Nunez of the sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500.

Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Linkedin Email