Category Archives: Diamond Bar

Former DB Mayor Jack Tanaka Passed Away

tanaka

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Former Diamond Bar Mayor Jack Tanaka passed away today after a long battle with cancer, the LA County Sheriff’s Department announced.

Jack was honored last November where he received a standing ovation at Diamond Bar City Hall at the Nov. 17 council meeting as he announced his retirement from 10 years of service to the community.

Tanaka stated that the city council, staff and residents have made his 10 years of service memorable and a great learning experience. His last day in office was Dec. 1.

Tanaka, first elected in 2005, served twice as the city’s mayor and served on the City’s Planning Commission for more than three years. He said he wanted to spend more time with family, but will still remain active in the community who he considers family.
A retired U.S. Army Sergeant and former peace officer with the California Youth Authority and State Department of Corrections, Tanaka was first elected to the Diamond Bard city council in 2005.
A constant fixture in the community, Tanaka and his wife Wanda devoted much of their time to helping out in the community especially youth. From the Miss Diamond Bar Pageant and the local Humane Society to community birthday parties and city concerts, the Tanaka’s were always there to lend a helping hand.
The Tanakas believed community service makes each volunteer a better person, a caring person, a person living an enriched life.
The Tanakas moved to Diamond Bar in 1976 and have since remained actively involved in community matters. In 2012, the couple was honored with Lions Clubs International’s Lion of the Year Award, the organization’s highest honor and usually given to only one person in the world.
Diamond Bar resident Lorry Somers Hughes Meyer said it’s sad to see him go. “He was great asset to the city. He has surely accomplished his civic duty in spades!”

James Audley “When you are as involved as Mr. Tanaka is in his community you never retire,” resident James Audley said. “He and his wonderful wife Wanda embody the spirit of philanthropy and a service driven life. During my time working in Diamond Bar I cannot say I met anyone who was more kind and generous than the Tanakas. They are a model of what being a citizen is all about.”

Funeral Arraignments are pending.

#diamondbarmayor #tanaka #dbmayorpasses #tanakapassesaway

Safe Drug Disposal

By Walnut/DB Sheriff’s Station
Do not flush unused, unwanted, and expired medications down the toilet or put them in drains!

How should I dispose of my medications?

For your convenience, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department offers a Safe Drug Drop Off program where both controlled and non-controlled substances are accepted. Take medications/drugs to the Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station for safe and anonymous disposal. The mailboxes on the front steps of the Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station are designated for anonymous drop-off of all types of drugs.

You can also return your medications to a pharmacy near you. Some pharmacies offer take-back and/or mail-back programs.

What kind of medications/drugs can be dropped off?

Prescription medications
Illegal drugs
Over-the-counter medications
Aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.
Cold/flu remedies
Birth control pills
Hormone replacement drugs
Veterinary medicines
Codeine, phenobarbital, and anabolic steroids, narcotics, tranquilizers, etc

Why is this important?

Medications flushed down the toilet or in drains pass through the sewer system and eventually enter our streams, lakes, and rivers. Medicines and synthetic hormones have been detected in trace amounts in bodies of water. This could lead to increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics and interference with growth and reproduction in aquatic organisms such as fish, frogs and all marine life.

The presence of medications in the environment is a complex issue and the risk to humans and the environment is still being determined. With tens of thousands of medicinal products on the market and more being developed each year, the long-term risks have not been determined on the effects on the environment. However, in order to minimize the potential negative and irreversible impacts, it is important that we limit the disposal of waste medications to the sewer.

(Some excerpts taken from Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Environmental Programs Division)
Contact Information: Walnut-Diamond Bar Sheriff Station – 909-595-2264,

 

Former K-Mart Center Building

By Marissa Mitchell

 

Diamond Bar – Many citizens in the city of Diamond Bar are wondering just what is going on at Diamond Bar Boulevard (where the “old K-Mart” used to reside), and there is thankfully some new revealing information.

Diamond Bar’s Kmart store, which included 84,000 square feet of inside retail space plus a garden center of about 10,000 square feet, opened in 1975 and closed in 2014 amid the company’s ongoing financial struggles.

While the property is managed by private owners, construction is currently underway. According to Community Development Director Greg Gubman, there have been several approvals solidified thus far of new tenants in what will become the renovated building. Of those tenants, Sprouts Market and Ross are confirmed, and will be completed and operational by the projected date of Dec. 2017.

“It was a long, slow death,” said Greg Gubman, the city’s community development director. “Kmart and Sears have both been struggling and Kmart had more value in the land lease than in the general sales from that site. They sold their lease to the property owner.”

Gubman also said that there have been a few approved establishments for the empty lot space just adjacent to Diamond Bar Boulevard: Chipotle and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, the latter of which will have a drive through. These are also estimated to be completed by the end of the year, though that completion time may run into early next year.

Sprouts Farmers Market is in the process of hiring more than 100 employees for a 30,000-square-foot Diamond Bar location that will occupy part of a former Kmart store.

The market, at 239 S. Diamond Bar Blvd., is scheduled to open Oct. 11 and openings are available for a variety of full- and part-time positions, including department managers, produce, dairy and bakery clerks, meat cutters and administrative and scan coordinators, among other roles.

More information can be found at sprouts.com/careers or by calling 866-925-2396.

There will be additional tenants occupying the renovated former K-Mart building, and the private owners of the property are still securing those tenants.

When asked how this will benefit the city, Director Gubman said, “These various retail uses will help diversify the revenues for the city of Diamond Bar.” This is not only needed in the community, it is greatly desired, as the current state does not provide benefit or aesthetic appeal.

One of the goals delineated by the City Council at the beginning of the year to promote long-term economic development was the following: “In cooperation with the property owners, redevelop the K-Mart site to include retail and restaurant options.”

Gubman said a Ross Dress for Less will move into another portion of the building and a third section will be subdivided between three tenants that have yet to be named. Another 10,000-square-foot addition to the building is under construction where the garden center used to be.

“They are also proposing two drive-thru buildings out front,” he said. “One would have a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and a Chipotle Mexican Grill and another building would have a Habit hamburger restaurant.”

The new lineup of stores is tentatively going to be called Diamond Bar Ranch. It sits adjacent to the Diamond Bar Plaza shopping center.

Gubman said the city is glad to see Sprouts and other stores preparing to move in.

“We’re pleased that we’re getting national retailers,” he said. “The community seems pretty excited about a Sprouts coming in.”

The building’s conversion also has generated some welcome construction jobs. Tony Gonzales of Savant Construction Inc. in Chino said his company has 15 to 20 workers doing interior work on the Sprouts store.

“We’ve been here for about three months,” he said. “We tore out the slab and did new concrete, electrical and plumbing work, lighting and all of the finishes.”

The city is now fulfilling that objective, much to the relief of many Diamond Bar residents.

DB Auto Burglary

By Michael Armijo

Diamond Bar – An auto burglary was reported last week at Steep Canyon Trail near the hiking trail, residents reported.

“Just a heads up, my daughter went hiking (Monday) morning and her car was broken into,” said Gabriel Amaya on social media, who is a long time resident of Diamond Bar. “We’ve been here numerous times without any problem.”

“Please be on the lookout for this SUV,” Amaya added. “It also has a broken side passenger window so it shouldn’t be hard to spot.” The description of the vehicle appears to be an older model Chevy Suburban, gray in color. You can see the video at https://www.facebook.com/TheWeeklyNews/  “We were able to get this (video) from a close neighbor who had cameras in her property. If you see this vehicle please take picture of license plate and or call police.“

The recent increase in burglary crimes can be attributed to the summer school break and the trying economy, but also the weather. According to http://www.bjs.gov, In all of the years except 1995, rates of household property victimization appeared highest in summer and lowest in either winter or spring. “Statistical analysis of the seasonal rates indicates that they were higher in the summer than in the other seasons of the year,” the report said.

Rates of total household property victimization include burglary, motor vehicle theft, and household larceny. Compared to summer rates, household property victimization rates were an average of about 7% lower in winter, 8% lower in spring, and 3% lower in fall. Therefore, the difference between rates in the summer and other seasons was relatively small, but noticeable.

If anyone has any information after viewing the video at https://www.facebook.com/TheWeeklyNews/, please contact the Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff Station at 909.595.2264.

Where’s My Bag?

By Mark Hopper

Recently, my son and I took a father son golf trip.  My wife came along to cook for us and to clean our golf clubs each day (just kidding).

My son and I enjoy playing golf and sharing time together.  He is a good golfer and can really hit the ball a mile.  His tee shots can be amazing and he hits his iron shots high and long onto the green.

Since we were traveling by plane, we both checked in our golf clubs at the ticket counter. We both use a “travel bag” to transport our golf clubs.  Some golfers use a “hard shell” travel case, but both my son and I use a soft, canvas case.  Both of ours are black.

When we arrived at our destination, we headed for baggage claim to pick up our clubs.  We always hold our breath hoping that our bags made it to our destination.  I suppose everyone who travels by plane has “lost” a suitcase or other luggage.  But, this time there was no problem.  We grabbed our golf bags and headed for the car rental center.

However, as I was signing papers for our rental car, my phone rang.  I handed my phone to my son so I would not be discourteous to the car rental employee.  The call was from a number that he didn’t recognize but he answered it any way.

I didn’t hear the conversation, but it did sound like something was wrong.  I hoped it wasn’t an emergency.  After getting the keys to our rental car, I asked my son what the phone call was all about.  He said that it was from someone at baggage claim at the airport.  They said they had my golf bag and wondered if we had picked up their bag by mistake!

We called them back and asked them to wait for us on the curb by baggage claim. We drove our rental car right back to the airport.

We didn’t know what the people looked like and they didn’t know us, but we found each other pretty quickly.  They were the people with the black, canvas golf travel bag.

Apparently, one of their travel bags was exactly like mine!  We had picked up their bag thinking that it was one of ours.  When they saw my bag, they thought it was theirs.  When they opened the travel bag, they quickly realized that the golf clubs inside were not theirs.  Thankfully, I had my name and phone number in one of the pockets of my golf bag.  That is how they knew how to call me.

Our travel bags were exactly the same.  The same brand and same color.  Identical.!  I am very thankful that they discovered our mistake and were able to contact us before we left the airport.  We might not have discovered our mistake until we got to a golf course a day or two later.  A potential disaster was averted!

I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover or a travel bag by its color.  It is wise to look inside and see what is there.  The same is true in dealing with people.  We should not judge them by their exterior.  The color of their skin or the clothes that they wear.  We need to look beyond the surface and get to know the real person on the inside.

In the Old Testament book of First Samuel, God warns his prophet Samuel that men look on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart (I Sam 16:9).  In the New Testament, Peter says that we should not just focus on our outward appearance (clothes, jewelry, hair) but focus on the hidden person of the heart (I Peter 3:1-6).

I know that most suitcases look alike and so do golf travel bags.  But, we need to remember that it is what is on the inside that counts. The same is true when we look at our neighbors, co-workers and classmates.

Pastor Mark Hopper
Efree Church of Diamond Bar
3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd
Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM
Efreedb.org 

 

Diamond Bar Oil Recycling

Courtesy City of Diamond Bar

 

Diamond Bar –The City has kicked off its Oil Recycling Campaign by alerting residents of the 3 easy disposal methods for residents.

With curbside, door pickup and local drop off services, the campaign aims to raise awareness by way of public outreach efforts, messages in a variety of media, and distribution of free oil recycling kits.

Free Oil Recycling Kits
Funded with a grant from CalRecycle, the free oil recycling kits consist of a funnel, zip-lock bag, two shop towels, loop filter wrench, and drain pan/storage container that holds 15 quarts (the equivalent amount of three oil changes).

The kits will be distributed to Diamond Bar residents and include a used oil drain container, a funnel, shop rags, and filterdisposal bags. Kits are available at city hall, located at 21810 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar.

Two Free & Convenient Disposal Methods
Once the container is filled, residents should transfer the used oil into a clean plastic container with lid such as a milk jug, and dispose of it through one of the following two free methods:

Scheduling a pickup with waste hauler:

  • Single Family residents contact Waste Management – curbside  (800.266.7551)
  • Condos, Apartments, and Commercial residents contact Valley Vista Services – (800.442.6454)

Dropping off at a State-certified collection center*:

  • AutoZone – 303 S Diamond Bar Boulevard (909.396.4682)
  • Firestone Store – 1150 S Grand Avenue (909.861.4140)
  • Jiffy Lube – 2845 S Diamond Bar Boulevard (909.869.7273)

*Calling the centers before taking oil and filters is recommended.

Did you know?

  • Motor oil doesn’t wear out, it just gets dirty; it can be cleaned of contaminants and recycled indefinitely.
  • Oil filters contain steel, a valuable nonrenewable resource, and can be crushed and recycled into other products.
  • No other substances should ever be allowed to mix with used oil because contamination by other chemicals may mean the used oil cannot be recycled.
  • Motor oil that washes into storm drains can create a film on the surface of waterways, depriving aquatic life of necessary sunlight and oxygen.

MORE INFO:

“RECYCLING MADE EASY – Used Oil & Used Oil Filter” campaign – Contact the City’s Public Information Office at 909.839.7055.

A Bird In The Hand

By Mark Hopper

 

There is a familiar saying that says, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”.  Basically it means that it is better to hold on to something you already have than to risk losing it by trying to get something more. I have come up with a better slogan, “A bird in the house is worse than two in the bush”.  During the past few months several birds have built nests in the rafters of our patio.  We enjoy watching the progress of nest building and the birth of new baby birds.  However, we don’t enjoy the mess that they make and leave behind.

One day we were surprised to see a new nest on top to the porch light next to our patio sliding door.  How did that happen?  The mother bird has been faithfully sitting on the nest.  But every time someone opens the patio door, she is frightened and quickly flies away. Recently, someone went out to the patio for a moment and forgot to close the door.  As usual the mother bird was started and quickly took flight.  But, instead of flying away, she flew into our house!  Suddenly we had an unexpected visitor.  The bird was frightened and confused.  We were also frightened and concerned.  What are we going to do with a wild bird in our house?  How do you get an uninvited guest to leave? Family members quickly sprang into action.  The grandkids opened the front door and the other two sliding doors in the house hoping the bird would use one of these safe exits.  One of the adults starting waving their hands trying to persuade the bird out of the house. Another adult grabbed a small blanket and held it up to try to block the bird from going further into the house.  To our surprise, the bird landed on the blanket and seemed to calm down.  Then the adult slowly walked toward an open door and gave the blanket a gentle shake and the bird flew away. Success!

I suspect most of you have had an unexpected guest in your house, too.  One time we had a skunk in our house.  You may have had a mouse, lizard, snake or other non-domesticated creature, too. I think most of these critters prefer the outdoors instead of indoor your house.  It can be a challenge keeping them out and it can be exciting getting them out when they find their way into your home. Jesus told his followers that our Heavenly Father knows how many hairs each of us has on our head and He knows when every Sparrow falls.  Since He knows every detail of our lives, I’m sure He knows when a bird finds its way into our house, too!   I’m not sure which is better –  the bird in the hand verses two birds in the bush.  But, I am certain that a bird in the house is worse than two birds in the bush.

Pastor Mark Hopper
Efree Church of Diamond Bar
3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd
Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM
Efreedb.org 

Early In The Morning

Pastor Mark Hopper

By Mark Hopper

Recently my wife and I were in Arizona visiting some family members. As usual, I found myself helping with another home improvement project.

Every project seems to start at a local Home Improvement center like Home Depot. The closest one to us opened at 5:30 in the morning. I was surprised at how many people were already there that early in the day.

The parking lot was filled with pick-up trucks. Many were pulling trailers filled with tools, equipment and materials for another day’s work. Home Depot was a busy place.

I was impressed by the people that I saw. These were hard working people. Most were wearing jeans and work shirts that had paint and stains on them. Their hands and arms looked strong and sturdy.

I was also impressed by the spirit of these working people, too. There was laughter in their conversation. People greeted one another. Many seemed to know one another. There were smiles as people acknowledged fellow workers.

At the same time, there was a sense of urgency. They were there to pick up materials that were needed for the day’s work ahead. People were not loitering around. They were ready to get what the needed and get to the job site. No time for a long conversation. It was time to get to work.

I envy the skills and abilities for these hard working people. There were painters and carpenters. I saw men loading cement blocks and sheets of plywood with their bare hands. Others had filled their truck or trailer with bags of garden soil, bushes and trees ready for planting. There were a couple of plumbers, too. These were experienced, skilled working people.

As I finished shopping for the items I needed for my home improvement project, I couldn’t help but smile. I was ready to set out on a project, too. It was an honor to be among these gifted workers.

There is a verse in the Bible that is a helpful reminder for all of us who work with our hands and our minds. “Do your work with all your heart, as if you were doing it for the Lord and not just men” (Ephesians 6:7). Whatever our profession, we should strive to do our jobs well – not just to please others, but to please God.

Let me encourage you to do your work well. Be a good employee. Do all you can to encourage your co-workers, too. And, if you employ workers at your home or business, I hope you will express your appreciation to them too. Say “thanks” to the hard working people around you this week.
You will be glad you did and they will too!

Suzanne Middle School Robotics Team Takes First Place

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT, CA—Suzanne Middle School’s Wolf Corp robotics team has capped off a successful year by taking the top award during the 2017 Razorback International Competition.

Wolf Corp won the 1st place Overall Core Values Award at the tournament held at the University of Arkansas last month.

During the competition, the robot scored over 200 points and the K-911 device students invented to protect police dogs from overheating in cars impressed judges.

Wolf Corp also surprised the panel by participating in 40 outreach events including the LA Fair, OC Fair, and Walnut Family Science Night as well as donating robot kits to the Skyhook Foundation and children in Ghana.

The Overall Core Values Award is given to the team that best embodies creative design and programing of the robot, as well as having an exceptional project, outstanding teamwork, and a team highly dedicated to sharing their experiences with the community.

The international contest included 68 top-performing teams from around the world including Japan, Brazil, Israel, Slovenia, Canada, Korea, Chile, Spain, and Australia.

The Suzanne team received an invitation to represent the Los Angeles Region after winning the 1st place Project Research Award during the Championship Tournament in December

The Wolf Corp pack includes students Kawin Watkins, Gordon Lau, Nathan Tan, Jason Wang, Brian Feng, Conor Fox, Christian Langarica, Katherine Viola, Alina Chang, and Nathan Chang.

The team is overseen by parents Scott and Lek Watkins and teacher advisor Vicky Silcock.

Wolf Corp received numerous awards in the past three years including Moonbots Phase I Winner-Google Lunar XPrize, and 1st Place Most Engaged Robotics Team from LEGO Education. Wolf Corp is also a 3- time Southern California FLL Cup Champion at Legoland.

Members strive to be good role models and inspire others students to get involved in Robotics and STEM Education.

The team will continue building robots and giving back to communities. For more information, visit http://WolfCorpRobotics.weebly.com.

Dry Cleaner Robbed

By Michael Armijo
Diamond Bar – A Diamond Bar dry cleaner was robbed Monday at gunpoint, but only fleeing with $50, LA County Sheriff Sergeant Mark Saldecke confirmed.
Country Cleaners, located on Golden Springs and Lemon Ave in Diamond Bar, was robbed when a man in his 30’s wearing a dark shirt and carrying a semi automatic weapon. The owner complied and gave him the money in the cash register.
The suspect was described as Hispanic, weighing about 160 pounds, Saldecke said.
“Crimes like this are so random and spontaneous its best to just comply,” Sgt. Saldecke said. “But to deter such crimes install cameras and signage that you are on camera,” he added.
Saldecke pointed out that a criminal is less likely to rob a place he feels he could be recognized or caught. He said he has handed out flyers with suspect photos from cameras that catch tattoos, unique clothing and vehicle descriptions.
“Our best advice is to comply,” Saldecke said. “Some victims have chased the criminal and have gotten shot for a minimal amount of money. I do not recommend you try to apprehend a criminal especially if they are armed. You could avoid serious injury or death.”

DB Adopts Budget

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – Diamond Bar City Council last month adopted a $26 million balanced general fund budget for the coming fiscal year. Considered one of largest budgets in the City’s 26-year history, the budget provides for ongoing operations with no cuts in service levels and an anticipated year-end $1 million surplus.
City Council also approved nearly $20 million for capital improvement expenditures that include $5.7 million to cover projects carried over from the current fiscal year and $4.1 million of City of Industry funds for the Lemon Avenue Interchange Project. The remaining capital improvements outlined in the new budget include three street improvement projects, six traffic management projects, several groundwater drainage improvements, several park and trail enhancements, and the creation of a the City’s first comprehensive sewer master plan.
Also planned for this coming fiscal year is the use of one-time monies acquired from building fees related to the construction of the masterplanned, gated residential community of Willow Heights to replenish reserves in six specific City funds. These monies, which add up to more than $3 million, will help establish new balances or restore funds that have been drawn from over the years in the areas of traffic mitigation, park development, City fleet vehicle maintenance and replacement, equipment replacement, City building maintenance, and the City’s General Plan Update.
In keeping with the City Council’s tradition of managing finances in a prudent manner, the anticipated $1 million fiscal year-end surplus will be deposited into the General Fund reserve, bringing the total to $15 million which translates to 60 percent or six months of the City’s annual operating expenses. The City’s new fiscal year runs July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. A copy of the complete budget document is available for viewing at City Hall, 21810 Copley Drive, and on the City website at http://www.diamondbarca.gov/budget.

DB Smoke Shop Burglarized

Staff reports

Diamond Bar – Wednesday May 24, 2017 at 6:41 a.m. Walnut/Diamond Bar deputies responded to a burglary in progress at “Diamond Bar Smoke Shop”. The suspects had fled prior to the deputies arriving, but had received, from a citizen, a description of the vehicle and suspects. The deputies spotted the suspect vehicle entering the Eastbound 60 freeway and initiated a traffic stop on the 71 freeway/Chino Av. exit. The deputies searched the vehicle and found 2 trash bags filled with tobacco products that had been stolen from “Diamond Bar Smoke Shop. All 3 suspects were arrested. Station detectives followed up on the case and served a search warrant at a residence in Riverside where more stolen property was recovered. Thousands of dollars of items stolen from “Home Depot” were recovered.
Date/Time: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 6:41 a.m.
Incident: Commercial Burglary, 459 PC
Location: 1127 Grand Av. Diamond Bar “Diamond Bar Smoke Shop”
Suspect(s):
Eugene Little MW/A of Riverside
Louie Gutierrez MH/A of Riverside
Jon Gallarde MH/A of Riverside
http://shq.lasdnews.net/pages/PageDetail.aspx?id=3336
For full details, view this message on the web

Fireworks Illegal in Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, but Legal in Chino

By Michael Armijo
Chino, Chino Hills – There’s a lot of misunderstandings in the Chino and Chino Hills areas for fireworks, so let’s try to get this straight:
CHINO: LEGAL FIREWORKS ALLOWED. There is a bit of confusion as Chino continues to post a sign: “ILLEGAL FIREWORKS A THOUSAND TIMES NO! $1,000 FINE FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS.” This sign means ILLEGAL fireworks, not legal ones. City Ordinance for fireworks in Chino: Per section 8.12 of the Chino Municipal Code, the sale and discharge of “Safe and Sane” fireworks shall only be permitted within the City beginning at noon on July 1 through 9:00 p.m. on the 4th of July of each calendar year. The City of Chino will strictly enforce fireworks laws and fines: Possession or use of illegal fireworks: $1,000 fine. Inappropriate use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks: $500 fine. No fireworks allowed anywhere outside a residential zone, in any public park, and outside the city limits.
CHINO HILLS: NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED. You cannot ignite any legal or illegal fireworks and you cannot possess any illegal fireworks within the city limits. There will be alternative ways to enjoy fireworks listed on their website at http://www.chinohillls.org.
DIAMOND BAR: NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED. You cannot ignite any legal or illegal fireworks and you cannot possess any illegal fireworks within the city limits. There will be alternative ways to enjoy fireworks listed below. Alternatives are listed on their website at http://www.cityofdiamondbar.com.
All fireworks that explode, shoot into the air or move along the ground are termed dangerous and are illegal anywhere in California. “Safe and Sane” fireworks bear the State Fire Marshal seal on the packaging and are allowed only in the following cities in the county: Adelanto, Barstow, Chino, Colton and Rialto, as well as specific locations in Fontana, Grand Terrace and San Bernardino.
The illegal activity has already begun as a San Bernardino County multi-agency task force seized 7,500 pounds of illegal fireworks during operations on June 3-4, writing 40 citations totaling $50,000 in fines, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said.
“Fire officials will be issuing citations for the illegal use, possession or storage of fireworks with fines up to $1,250 for the first offense and the possibility of arrest. Property owners may be cited if they allow fireworks to be possessed, stored or used on their property,” a press release stated.
Fire officials also urge residents to report illegal fireworks to local authorities or to We-Tip at 800-472-7766 or WeTip.com.

Run, Teach, Eat, Sleep, Repeat

Walnut High educator Jerry Knox breaks 3 world records in 2017

 By WVUSD

WALNUT, CA—To say that Walnut High teacher and alumnus Jerry Knox is passionate about running might be an understatement.

He laces up his running shoes five days a week, clocking five-to-eight miles a day, and 15 miles every Saturday.

Knox usually runs a marathon each month, and in the past 11 years has crossed the finish line over 80 times.

Every medal is displayed in his classroom and the AP geography and cross country coach has been known to wear the event t-shirt to school on Mondays following a race.

In 2009, the 22-year veteran educator decided to up the ante and go for a world record “just to make it interesting.”

Knox said he had always liked the Guinness Book of World Records as a kid.

When his son Alex was 8, he announced “Dad, you can beat that” after reading that someone held the world record for dribbling a basketball during a marathon.

And he did. Knox won his first world record in 3 hours, 42 minutes, 20 seconds. That record was beat in 2011.

Before going for another world record, Knox decided to focus on running a marathon in under three hours.

He accomplished that goal in 2015 at the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach with a time of 2:59:20.

That same year, he won back the basketball marathon title with a time of 3:11:16, which was bested in 2016 by a runner from Estonia.

“It’s about the running, the basketballs are just a gimmick,” Knox said.

He also learned in order to be included in the actual Guinness Book, not just the website, he had to participate in the London marathon with official representatives.

In April 2015, he crossed the Atlantic and became the fastest man to dribble not one, but TWO basketballs while running the 26.2-mile course.

He captured that title in 4 hours, 10 minutes, 44 seconds.

“It was hard keeping the concentration, especially at the end of the race,” he said.

Cobblestone roads, 38,000 racers, drums, disc jockeys, a dark tunnel, coupled with fatigue quelled the distance runner during the last miles.

“I thought, is this thing going to end?” Knox commented.

“It was like an obstacle course!”

Some of the London racers cheered as he attempted the challenging world record, while others were irritated with the noisy bouncing basketballs.

“They’d trained hard and you’ve got this guy next to them passing them with a clank-clank!”

Knox has broken three additional world records in 2017: running the fastest marathon while jumping rope with a time of 4:20:31 on February 19 and the fastest marathon wearing German lederhosen at the Los Angeles Marathon on March 19.

“I thought it would be funny and an excuse to buy some!” he said about going for the quirky record.

Most recently, he crossed the finish line wearing a graduation cap and gown during the OC Marathon on May 8.

For the first time in history, Guinness sent a team to Los Angeles to verify world records.

No need for witnesses, photos, videos, or coordinating with the race director, Knox said.

“It’s so much easier. You say you’re going to do it, they watch you, and you’re done.”

The athlete is currently prepping for his sixth 100-mile race which will take about 22 hours to complete.

Next fall he’d like to break the record for skipping during a marathon.

“I think it would be a hard one to beat, you use different muscles.”

Knox doesn’t actively recruit students to join his healthy lifestyle, he prefers to quietly lead by example.

Snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables and a “Want to get fit? Join cross country – no experience necessary” recruiting flyer can be seen near his desk.

“Sometimes it’s best not to be a nag and I know it’s expensive to run marathons,” he said.

The coach also joins the cross-country team for their daily training runs.

“It’s better when he’s out on the course with us,” said sophomore Jason Yen.

“And he understands our pain.”

Knox didn’t begin running marathons until he was 36 years old, thinking distance running was only for “Olympians.”

It all began when fellow teacher So Hee Tan mentioned that she had just completed one.

“If she can do it, so can I,” he said.

The first step was joining a running club and beginning training, but the first marathons didn’t go as he had hoped.

Knox walked the final four miles during his first two attempts.

On his third try, he was able to jog the entire way and was “hooked.”

Last year, his wife Carolyn Campbell, a Vejar Elementary transitional kindergarten teacher, joined him on the course, completing her first marathon in November.

In recent years, he has also transitioned to eating more organic food.

“Every year I seemed to click off something different,” he said about first giving up ground beef, then fast food, fried food, and soda. He recently went vegan.

“So, I’ll comment to my students on that and some of my failures. I still really miss pizza!”

Yen says his marathon-running teacher is a setting a good example for fellow students.

“He has a goal and achieves it by practicing and not giving up.”

 

Memorial Day

By Pastor Mark  Hopper

My wife and I visited Arlington Cemetery with our children many years ago.  It is a vast area outside of Washington, D.C., where thousands of military veterans are buried.   It is one of the best known cemeteries in our country.  Both Privates and Presidents are buried there.

Our family has also visited the military cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  A bloody military battle was fought at Gettysburg during our nation’s Civil War in 1863.  The headstones list the names of each soldier and the states where these fallen veterans were from.

About ten years ago, my son and I had the opportunity to visit the beaches of Normandy, France.  This was the location of the largest amphibious invasion in history.  Troops from Canada, England, America, Australia, New Zealand and other allied nations came ashore to begin the liberation of occupied Western Europe.

Above the wide sandy beach is the American military cemetery.  My son and I walked through the endless rows of Crosses and Stars of David that mark each burial plot.  It is a stark reminder of the high price that was paid by American soldiers and sailors to secure a beachhead in France in 1944.  The war in Europe ended a year later.

Did you know that there are also military veteran cemeteries here in Southern California?  There is a National Cemetery in West Los Angeles and another in Riverside.  There are also military cemeteries in San Diego.

All of these cemeteries are dedicated to honoring the men and women who have served in our nation’s military.  Some of these people died in battle.   Many more survived their military service and have been buried in a veteran’s cemetery at the end of their lives.

On the last Monday in May, our nation celebrates Memorial Day to honor and remember the men and women who lost their lives serving in our nation’s military.  It is a day to reflect on the lives that have been lost and the price that has been paid to defend our nation’s freedom.

Someone said that “freedom is not free.” The freedoms that we enjoy everyday are a result of the sacrifice of men and women who have served in our nation’s military.

During the last few days in May, you will see American flags in many local cemeteries.  Thousands of volunteers from various service organizations give their time to place American flags on the graves of military veterans.

I hope that you will pause and reflect on what these flags represent.  Take a moment to remember those who have served in our nation’s military.  Take a moment to appreciate the sacrifice of those who died in military service.

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

Chaparral Students Make Global Connections

Photo courtesy: WVUSD

By WVUSD

DIAMOND BAR, CA—Chaparral Middle School 8th grader Izzy Reedy and a dozen classmates learned about culture, education, weather, and even sports in Tanzania this year.

But, it wasn’t by opening a textbook or conducting research on a computer.

The Diamond Bar students gained knowledge through a global connection with the Gyekrum Arusha Secondary School, located over 8,500 miles away in East Africa.

Education specialist Kimberly Ramos formed the partnership with teacher Zaituni Njovu and her students through the World Education Connection program.

The students and teachers got to know each other by communicating back and forth using email and Google Hangout.

“They would ask lots of questions and post photos,” Ramos said about the 21st century-learning technology.

“Anything I received from the teacher, I would post on Google Classroom to share with my kids.”

Ramos said her students embraced the program and were amazed with how many similarities they had with their new friends.

“The kids loved seeing each other. And the things we learned this year have had more meaning because we were able to connect with the other half of the ‘Kilimanjaro Squad’ on a personal level.”

The relationship deepened when students recently held a campus clean-up project to provide supplies to the school in Karatu Urusha.

On May 10, global teams shared their thoughts of the power of connection during an inaugural World Education Day event.

Classmates Julia Brandt, Alex Ginez, and Reedy arrived before the 7:45 a.m. opening bell, eager to participate in the live global broadcast.
“Asante Sana!” the students exclaimed in Swahili while waving to one another.

“We got to experience the way they live and learn,” Brant said. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing about this experience!”

“I hope we can stay connected with the kids in Tanzania.”

“The best thing has been the sharing,” Ginez offered.

“We talked about our siblings, our pets, and hobbies. We have a lot in common.”

Students said they also gained appreciation for their own lives after seeing the East African partner school squeeze 80 students inside a class with dirt floors and dilapidated furniture.

“It showed me to be grateful for what I have, and to respect elders and family,” Reedy said.

 

A Cow Bell

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Many years ago my wife and I and a group of adults from our church traveled to Romania.  We worked in partnership with a young pastor and growing church in the middle of the country.

In addition to visiting their church in the city of Cluj, we spent a week together in a rural village near the Transylvania mountains.

A number of young couples participated in a week-long marriage retreat.

In addition to daily discussions on marriage, there was also time for recreation and relaxation.  The Romanians were just as competivte as Americans.  Coed volleyball games were enjoyed by all of us.

One day during the week, I saw a line of cows walking down a dirt road near the field where we were playing volleyball.

The lead cow had a small brass bell hanging from a strap around his neck.  He was leading the other cows back into the village at the end of the day from the grassy fields nearby.

I told the members of our team that we were going to continue to play volleyball until the “cows come home”.  They didn’t know how accurate my prediction was.  We ended the game a few minutes later after the cows passed by us on the dirt road.

Recently while I was playing with our granddaughter at our house,  she had discovered a small cow bell on a self in our bedroom.  She was intrigued by its size and sound.  She didn’t know that this small bell was a gift from our friends in Romania.

I had not noticed that bell for years, but it immediately brought back fond memories of our trip to Romania and the wonderful friends we met there many years ago.

You probably have some keepsakes and souvenirs that remind you of people and events in your life.  You may have a picture or a plaque that brings back special memories of places you have been.

In one example in the Bible,  the people of Israel piled up twelve large boulders along the bank of the Jordan River.  These large stones were to serve as a reminder that the Israelites crossed the Jordan River on dry ground (Joshua chapter 4).These large stones were to remind future generations of this remarkable event in their nation’s history.

I think we all need visual, tangible objects to help us remember special events and special people in our lives.  You probably have some things around your house – pictures, trophies, and souveniours.  Let me encourage you to take some time this week to look around your house or office and reflect on the memories you find there.

Take time to tell your children and grandchildren the meaning and significance of some of the things that are hanging on your walls or sitting on the shelves in your house.  Maybe it is time to add a few new ones while you have the time.  You will be glad you did and they will too!

 

Pastor Mark Hopper

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

Efreedb.org

A Small Box

By Mark Hopper

I think most husbands have difficulty finding gifts for their wife.  After many years of marriage, it is hard to think of something new and creative to give her. From a husband’s perspective,  most wives who have been married for 25 or 30 years have everything they need.  We have been married 45 years!  What else could she possibly need?

Since I wasn’t sure what to do,  I called one of our daughters and asked for some suggestions.  One idea she thought of was to give my wife theater tickets to a Musical that was coming to southern California in the spring. The nice thing about theater tickets is that my wife enjoys receiving them and she looks forward to the date we will actually use them!  The anticipation adds to the enjoyment.

Another suggestion was to give my wife a gift card to one of her favorite clothing stores so she could pick out a dress or an outfit herself.  That does eliminate the surprise factor but it does allow her to find something she likes. Finally in desperation, I decided to go to the Mall myself on the Saturday before Christmas and see what I could find.  I had a budget in mind and thought I would start in the jewelry department.  The Mall was crowded and parking was scarce, but I was determined to not leave without a Christmas gift for my wife.  After I finally found a parking space, I set out on my quest.

Since I had not been to the jewelry department in years, it took me a while to find it.  Several helpful clerks were waiting for me. I’m sure they know what a desperate husband looks like on Christmas Eve. I decided to lay my cards on the table and simply asked the clerk what could I buy within my budget?  I was surprised at how willing they were to help me.  They even had some items on sale within my price range. When I picked out the item I liked,  they informed me that the special reduced sale price wasn’t available until after Christmas. Bummer!  But, they assured me that they could check with their manager and see if they could sell me the item at the special after Christmas reduced price now.  Was this a scam?  Was I their next victim?  I held my breath.

Finally, the clerk returned with good news.  They were glad to sell me the item now at the after Christmas price.  It was within my budget and they even offered to wrap it.  Success!

Before they wrapped the little velvet box, they removed the price tag and gave it to me.  According to the tag, the original price was several times higher than what I paid.  I was impressed with my bargaining skills! I left the Mall with a gift in hand.  Like Julius Caesar said,  “Venti, vidi, vici” – “I came, I saw and I conquered”.

My wife was thrilled with her Christmas gift.  It was a winner.  She couldn’t believe that I would buy something this nice.  She was very pleased and very surprised.  Who was I?  Where was her real husband?? I managed to leave the price tag in an obscure place knowing that she would eventually find it.  When she saw it a few days after Christmas, she called me immediately and asked if I had really spent that much on her gift. I reassured her that she was worth every cent, but I tried to avoid telling her I that I had actually paid the after Christmas super discount price.  I hope you won’t tell her either. I hope your holidays were as much fun as ours.  Gift giving is a risky business.  It is hard to find the right gift for the woman who already has everything!  This Christmas was a winner!

Efree Church of Diamond Bar

3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd

(909) 594-7604

Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM

EFreedb.org

BOS Renews $30,000 Reward For Couples Murders

Photo courtesy: LASD

By Michael Armijo

Diamond Bar – Board of Supervisor (BOS) Janice Hahn’s announcement March 18 for a reward of $20,000 for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for a Diamond Bar couple’s murder was renewed this week as the board approved the motion. In addition, the City of Diamond Bar approved an additional $10,000 reward, totaling $30,000 in reward money. The couple was stabbed to death in their home in Diamond Bar last October.

On October 20, 2016, a family friend visited the home of a senior couple, in the 3300 block of Bent Twig Lane, Diamond Bar, to check on them. The couples’ family, who were unable to reach them, asked the friend to check on the couple.
The husband and wife team, who operated a studio out of their home and taught art lessons were discovered deceased in their home.

Cheng Long Wang, 60, and Mei Chu Chung, 57, were pronounced dead at the scene from multiple stab wounds.
The $20,000 reward was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the city of Diamond Bar approved a $10,000 reward thereafter. The BOS first approval was to expire May 14, but is now extended for 3 more months.

According to a press release issued by the LA County Sheriff’s Department, both Cheng Long Wang, known as David, and Mei Chu Chung, known as Marian, emigrated from Taiwan in the year 2000.

“They were creative and well-respected within their community, and in an instant, the home which this gentle couple shared with others as a place to learn and be creative was turned into a crime scene where they were brutally attacked, stabbed to death and likely robbed,” the statement read.
At a press conference held at the Hall of Justice, the Homicide Bureau unit commander, Captain Steve Katz, introduced one of the couple’s children, Dr. Gary Wang.  Dr. Wang explained how difficult the loss of his parents has been –not just for him and his sister, but for his 4-year-old daughter.  He revealed how his little girl missed video chats with grandma and cried at night for her grandparents; and relayed how he had to put their death in terms she could understand by explaining that grandma and grandpa “went to heaven.”
Dr. Wang made an emotional plea to the public, asking them to provide any information which may help solve the murder of his parents, for their justice, the release said.
“This couple were married for 30 years and were the classic example of an American success story,” Sheriff McDonald said.  He recognized the retired couple for having raised a successful family, as evidenced by their children who both became doctors, and for having dedicated time to their community by offering art lessons in their home.
Supervisor Janice Hahn, 4th District, thanked Sheriff McDonnell, Captain Katz and the Homicide Bureau detectives for their hard work on this investigation.  In an effort to encourage witnesses to step forward, she announced a monetary reward approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.  The reward of $20,000 was offered in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the couple’s murder.
Captain Katz presented a second monetary reward which was approved by the city of Diamond Bar for $10,000, offered in addition to the Board of Supervisors’ reward offer.
If you have any information about this case, please call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detectives Margarita Barron or Dameron Peyton at (323) 890-5500.

DB Woman Pinned By Car

Staff Reports

Diamond Bar – A Diamond Bar woman was sent to the hospital after she was pinned by a car in at her home in Diamond Bar.

While teaching her teenage son to drive, the woman got of the car while inside the garage and walked in front of the car. The teenager, her son, accidentally lunged forward in the car, pinning her between the garage wall and the automobile.

She was hospitalized after firefighters removed her from the accident in a residential neighborhood late Thursday, officials said. The accident took place around 9 p.m. in the 1100 block of Cleghorn Drive , LA County Sheriff’s department spokesman Lt. David Buckner said.

The mother  suffered injuries that possibly included broken ribs, but were not believed to be life-threatening, Buckner said.