For a town of just 11,000, Sierra Madre sure has its share of big city woes.

Star-News reporter Alfred Lee has a story in Monday’s paper about 10 legal cases surrounding the city’s 20-member Police Department.

Four suits and two claims were filed by the police officers’ union against the city, and another three suits and one claim were filed by residents alleging misbehavior by officers.

Some of those suits target Police Chief Marilyn Diaz.

And on top of all of that, an additional three lawsuits could soon be filed by the union. What gives?

Read on here …

I know you’ve all probably heard about this already on the news, but Sierra Madre is experiencing mudslides due the rains today.

We had reporter out there earlier, and will be keeping an eye out all weekend for more slides.

In the meantime, the city is on Yellow Flag Alert.

The city of Sierra Madre is under a Yellow Flag Mud Alert because of forecasted rains.

According to the city’s Web site, residents in the following areas are being asked to prepare for potential mudflow: Auburn Avenue east of Auburn Debris Basin; the development under construction north of Carter Avenue; Carter Avenue between the development and Mira Monte Avenue; Mt. Wilson Trail near Mira Monte Avenue; Churchill Road near Skyland Drive; Skyland Drive; streets below Sierra Madre Debris Dam (Sumac Trail, Brookside Lane, Woodland Drive); Yucca Trail; Lotus Lane, above Camillo Street and Sturtevant Debris Basin; Sunrise Hill Lane; Santa Anita Canyon Road above Lannan Debris Basin.

For more information visit the city’s website,or the city’s blog.

The County Board of Sups on Tuesday will consider approving $2.4 million to enlarge the debris basin and install three rail and timber structures below the burned watersheds in Sierra Madre to provide mudflow protection for residents as a result of the April 2008 Santa Anita Fire.

What a tough past few weeks for Sierra Madre. First the fire, now the mudslides. The Sierra Madre City Council called a special meeting today to declare a state of emergency. But they are making progress. According to the city’s Web site, all roads have now been re-opened as of 5:20 p.m.

I still smell like smoke from covering the fire this morning in Sierra Madre. Aside from the smoke smell, I walked away with these pictures from a garden in front of a Sierra Madre home: