Recently in Walnut Category

In light of Robert Urteaga's no contest plea to Grand Theft charges back in 1999, I got to thinking about a case that involved Walnut City Councilman Joaquin Lim back in 1997.

Lim was accused of petty theft after he allegedly left a grocery store without paying for $27 in groceries. Ultimately Lim testified in his own behalf and was acquitted in the case. Some of the original reporting is on the jump.

This letter was sent to parents of kids attending CJ Morris Elementary in Walnut. About the time we made a round of calls to both Walnut and West Covina and were told "Nothing going on."

Good afternoon. This is Mrs. Arzola, Principal of C.J. Morris. As some
of you may know, this morning there was police activity in a home a few
blocks from our school. Helicopters and patrol cars were dispatched. As
a precautionalry measure, we implemented a lock-down and brought our
students in from recess. Throughout the incident, we were in contact
with both the Walnut Valley Sherriff's Station and the West Covina
Police Department. At approximately 11:00a.m., 30 minutes later, Watch
Commander, Tolich, of the West Covina Police Department informed us
that the incident was contained and we isssued an all-clear.

I just wanted to reassure you that throughout the incident, our
students were safe and secure and the lock-down was merly a
precautionary measure. The staff at C.J. Morris is well-trained in
safety proceedures. We take great pride in ensuring our school is a
safe place.

Thank you for helping us to make it happen. If you have any questions
or concerns, please feel free to give me a call.

 

I didn't understand where the LA Times was going with it's earthquake story this morning. Even though the story had A1 placement, the lede was long and convoluted. The photos were beautiful though. Especially the image of a worker cleaning glass from a broken window at Pomona City Hall.

The story didn't even crack A1 in the New York Times, instead it led with the indictment of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. The quake (and another nice photo of Pomona City Hall) story is on A11.

Interestingly, the NY Times quake story cites Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. John Saleeby, of the Walnut Diamond Bar substation as a source.

They should have called him months ago. -- He's known among reporters in this newsroom for famously saying: "Nothing's going on. But I'm waiting for the big one. It's coming any day now. I'm sure you've read about it in Bible."

Well Lt. Saleeby, nice call. But there are those who still claim the temblor wasn't a "Big One" just moderate. 

There's word on the street that two of the three Armed Boricua bandits have been caught in San Diego.

The trio is responsible for robberies in Upland and Walnut according to the FBI's LA Bank Robbers Web site.

Wachovia bank had offered a reward.

ARMED BORICUAS BANDITS
2 Hispanic Male and 1 Hispanic Female, 5 feet 5 to 5 feet 9, 145, 25 to 35
Robbed in Upland and Walnut

Brian Day is set to report the existence of a serial robber who is targetign area beauty stores. THe robber has apparently hit five beauty supply locations in recent weeks.

The latest victim .com Beauty Supply in Walnut.

Aslo targeted were stores in Alhambra and Monterey Park. Link to the story when it comes in.

The aftermath of a car accident Friday that killed four members of a Walnut church youth group reverberated through the Korean community Saturday. Killed in the accident were three Walnut High School students and a student from Mt. SAC. The victims were identified as Richard Kim, David Chung, Daniel Kim and Kevin Na. A fifth boy, Stanley Na, remains hospitalized. The photo above comes from the Walnut Blessing Church Web site.

Members of the Walnut Blessing Chirch gathered Saturday for a memorial to their fallen friends, recalling the good times. The Nazarene Church also has some information about the tragedy here. Here's an excerpt from the LAT follow on the story:

On Saturday, relatives and friends of the young men came to the church. They made funeral arrangements and consoled one another over bean sprout soup and tea. Later, the church held a memorial service for the youths.

Families are still making plans for the funeral service and burial, which will take place this week.

All four were very involved in the church -- attending services on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and often stopping by the home of the youth pastor, Lundell's daughter Grace Kim. As part of the youth group, they went on special trips to the beach, the mountains and amusement parks.

Grace Kim, who was driving one of the other cars on the way to the ice rink, said that her son and the other young men were close friends and that she had long discussions about faith and family with each of them.

"We grew together," she said, crying. "We suffered together. We had fun together."

Four members of a Walnut church youth group were killed on the Pomona Freeway Friday morning as they traveled to an ice rink for an outing.

Here's a link to the Walnut Blessing Church, where photos of the four young men have been posted. The church Web site identifies them as David Chung, Daniel Kim, Richard Kim and Kevin Na. There are several other photos on the site showing young people engaged in a variety of worship activities.

There is this note on the site:

For condolences and donations please send to the address below.
We will make sure the families of the youth that died receive it.
Please keep their parents in your prayers and please pray
for Stanley Na (whose brother did not make it)
who is currently in serious condition. Thank you

There is video and a photo gallery on the Web as well as the complete story here.

Here's an excerpt from our coverage:

POMONA - Four members of a Walnut youth group died and another one was seriously injured in a crash Friday morning on the 60 Freeway.

The collision occurred just before 11 a.m. on the eastbound 60 Freeway west of Reservoir Street, said California Highway Patrol Officer Joe Zizi.

The unidentified occupants of the Toyota Camry - five young men who ranged from 17 to 21 years old - were following a caravan of three other vehicles traveling from Walnut Blessing Church to an ice skating rink when they fell behind, Zizi said.

In an attempt to catch up with a silver Dodge Neon in front of them, CHP officers believe the driver of the Camry sped up, then lost control.

Daniel Chung, a cousin of one of the victims, witnessed the crash from inside a Dodge Neon and said the Camry driver attempted to cut in front of the Neon but there wasn't enough space.

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This is how we believe the pursuit went down. The information comes from listening on the scanner, wire service reports and watching KCAL, KNBC and KABC. Still very little information on the suspect or what started the pursuit. One wire service is reporting erroneously that the pursuit began in Vernon. We know it was San Dimas deputies who initiated the chase after reports of an assault with a deadly weapon. 

The pursuit began in the 5000 of Rockvale Avenue in Azusa near Vernon Avenue!!!

Even this morning there's still some confusion about the tragedy at CJ Morris Elementary. There are two versions of an AP story out there including this one.
Another, perhaps earlier version, has ANdrea making the sacrifice in the lede.
The LA Times has a colder, police proceedural, take on the story, not sure when Zorilla said it, but the quote sure stands out ..."

California Highway Patrol spokesman Edmund Zorrilla said that the woman's actions were "the ultimate sacrifice of a mother."

--from CBS 2 Here's some video

This is one of four photos from the scene of the fatal school bus accident that occurred this afternoon outside CJ Morris Elementary School in Walnut. We now have a victim name, Andrea Lorena Meza, 31 of Walnut.
Mrs. Meza lived just down the street from the school and was apparently struck from behind by the bus.

We're hearing that the woman who was killed by a school bus at CJ Morris Elementary was holding her toddler and on the way to pick up a fifth grader at the school when the accident occurred.
Apparently the woman saved her toddler by tossing the baby aside just before the fatal accident.
Several people witnessed the accident which occurred just as school was letting out for the weekend. A priest has been called to the scene to administer Last Rites. The coroner arrived about 30 minutes ago, more than two hours after teh accident occurred.

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Here's the story so far...

Sheriff's Sgt. Ron Wilton reports a film of some sort is being shot in Walnut today. He just doesn't know who what where, why or how. That said, detectives from the Walnut/Diamond Bar station are apparently providing security on the set.

Filmmakers routinely contract with local law enforcement for such security. Its an opportunity for the deputies to hobnob with celebs other than Paris.