Category Archives: SGV-IE Community News

Man Arrested In Chino for Las Vegas Murder

Julius Trotter was wanted in a Las Vegas double homicide. He was found and arrested in Chino California

By Anthony Saude

Chino – A 31-year-old man wanted in the homicide of two Vietnamese tourists in Las Vegas was apprehended and arrested after a short police pursuit from Chino to Chino Hills. He is currently awaiting extradition to Nevada.

Julius Trotter is being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga after his arrest on June 7 in the 4300 block of Lugo Avenue in Chino Hills.

Chino Police and FBI agents worked together to track Mr. Trotter to a residence in the 13900 block of Derby Avenue in Chino. Trotter must have seen them coming because he was able to get into a car being driven by a 27-year-old woman. They sped off in the car and lead officers on a short pursuit.

According to jail records, Itaska Lavon Dean, the woman driving the car, is being held on $100,000 bail at the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center in Devore on suspicion of felony evading.

Trotter has been named as the main suspect in the homicides of Sang Boy Nghia, 38, and Khoung Ba Le Nguyen, 30, who were at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Earlier this month the victims were part of a tour group that was preparing for a trip to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Video footage obtained by Las Vegas Police show a man burglarizing the victims’ hotel room shortly before the couple was stabbed to death. Reports state that the victims did not show up for a tour that was scheduled for that morning. One of the members of the tour group was concerned when the victims could not be contacted the entire day. The concerned party asked the hotel security to check on their welfare later that afternoon. When security officers entered the room they discovered the victims deceased and called police.

On June 6, Las Vegas Police identified the murder suspect on the security footage as Mr. Trotter, and worked until through the night trying to find him. He was found at the home in Chino.

Investigators have not said why Mr. Trotter, who is not a resident of Chino or Chino Hills, was at the Chino house.

 

Baby Birds

By Mark Hopper

I have written several articles over the years about the birds that build nests and raise new babies at our house.  My initial reaction is that they are messy and they don’t clean up after themselves!  Bird’s nests would never pass inspection by the health department.

 

In addition, they infringe on our outdoor activities.  When I want to work in the back yard or clean the patio, I have to be extra careful to not disturb our feathered guests.

 

On several occasions, we have found nests that have been abandoned with small eggs inside. I think that my lawn mower and other outdoor activities have frightened the parents away and left the eggs unattended.

 

But, I must admit that we actually do enjoy seeing new baby birds at our house.  It is fun to hear their voices early in the morning and to see the flurry of activity as their parents continuously bring food to the nest throughout the day.

 

Back and forth, back and forth the mommy and daddy birds keep bringing food all day long.  The little babies keep demanding more food.  It seems like they are never satisfied.

 

Two of our grandchildren were at our house last week.  They loved standing at the window inside the house and watching the constant activity on our patio.  It is more entertaining than watching TV.

 

It is remarkable to watch the new born babies grow. We think there are two or maybe three small birds in the nest this year.  It looks like they are running out of room as the babies get bigger every day.

 

There is a verse in the Bible that uses the image of hungry babies who have an insatiable appetite.  The Apostle Peter wrote in his first letter, “Like newborn babies, hunger for the pure milk of the Word, so that you may grow in respect to salvation since you have tasted the kindness of the Lord” (I Peter 2:2-3).

 

I think Peter is saying that if we have had tasted God’s kindness in our own lives, we should have an insatiable appetite to get to know Him more and more by reading His Word.

 

Have you ever started reading a book and enjoyed it so much you “couldn’t put it down”?  I mentioned in a recent article how much I enjoyed the book, ”Wonder”.  I couldn’t put it down!  I wanted to know what would happen next.

 

I believe the Bible is that kind of book – once you start reading, you want to know what will happen next. And, don’t just read it once. Read it again and again.  The Bible provides spiritual strength and practical lessons that never get old.  I always recommend that you start reading in the book of Mark in the New Testament.  Then try Matthew or John and the book of Acts.  The Bible is a library with sixty six books. Start in Mark – that’s my name!

 

I hope you enjoy reading and learning.  I hope you will instill a love of books in your children.  Read to them when they are young and teach them to read while they are young.  Reading is something they will enjoy the rest of their lives.

 

And, let me encourage you to read the Bible, too.  Read it to your children when they are young and model it for your children as they grow up.  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

 

Man Convicted For Murder Of Ontario Woman

By Anthony Saude

Ontario – A 25-year-old man was convicted for his role in the 2011 torture and burning death of Maria Banuelos.

 

Johnny Hernandez was found guilty of First Degree Murder of Maria Banuelos by a Rancho Cucamonga jury. The jury finding was also in favor for the prosecution charge that the special circumstance her murder was committed during the course or commission of Mayhem. They added one count of Torture, one count of Mayhem and one count of Arson Causing Death.

 

Investigators arrested four other suspects linked to the brutal attack: 45-year-old Hector Meza of Yucca Valley, 27-year-old Genese Ramirez of Banning, 25-year-old Robert Zapata of San Bernardino, and 30-year-old Johnathan Zuniga of Rancho Cucamonga.

 

On Oct. 22, 2011, officers from the Ontario Police Department arrived at an apartment complex and found residents administering aid to 34-year-old Banuelos, who at the time was still on fire.

 

Banuelos identified Hector Meza and three others as her attackers at the scene. While in route to the hospital in the ambulance she spoke her last dying words: “Hector Meza set me on fire. He is abusive and obsessive.”

 

Banuelos was rushed to a hospital but two days later she succumbed to her injuries and died.

Only hours after the attack officers arrested Meza on suspicion of attempted murder.

 

According to Deputy District Attorney Kent Williams, who prosecuted the case, it was later determined by the coroner that the victim had been hit on the head three times with something consistent with a metal bar prior to being set on fire.

 

Meza was sentenced Jan. 4, 2017 to Life in State Prison Without the Possibility of Parole.

 

Zuniga was sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison March 24, 2017.

 

Ramirez is due back in court later this week for a status hearing.

 

Zapata is scheduled to appear in court for a Pre-Trial Hearing June 29.

 

Hernandez faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole when sentenced Aug. 31, 2018.

 

This case was investigated by the Ontario Police Department.

Residents Ask Police For Help With a Neighbor

Anthony Saude

Chino – Residents of the 13300 block of San Marcos Place in Chino are pleading with the city council and police department for help with a neighbor who they claim has been disturbing the peace on their street for many years.

The situation has become so heated that the Chino Police Department recently installed a video camera overlooking the cul-de-sac to capture any criminal activity occurring there. The plan is to consult with the special prosecutor in an effort to identify other potential legal remedies.

Six residents attended the recent city council meeting to ask for help dealing with their neighbor, a 69-year-old female homeowner who lives on a cul-de-sac just east of Don Lugo High.

Neighbors claim the situation began about 17 years ago. It is alleged that the woman uses vulgar and foul language on the street, aimed particularly at children, the elderly, and women. Allegedly she has told neighbor children that their father is a rapist and their mother, a murderer.

By all the reports the neighbors are at the end of their rope and are concerned for everybody’s safety. They are afraid that if something isn’t done to stop this soon, presumably something horrible is going to happen.

Next door neighbor Frankie Lam was quoted as saying, when he leaves for work, the woman will often direct inappropriate gestures and use bad language towards him. He said that she told him he would get deported and raped in jail. He also said she plays music loudly, often in the wee hours of the morning.

Residents all have their own experience with the woman of yelling obscenities at neighbors, spraying water at people on the street and on residents’ vehicles. Two people have already moved from the neighborhood because of the disturbances.

Several residents showed up at a recent city council meeting and implied that the woman may suffer from mental illness and needs help.

Officers are working diligently to link the woman to some type of mental illness with the resources available through the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health.

Reports by the Police show that there have been approximately 200 calls to or from the residence that the police were obligated to investigate on some level since October 2014.Most of the calls have been related to loud noise or music, disturbing the peace, general nuisance activity, and most recently, court order violations.

The woman has been arrested eight times for misdemeanor violations, primarily for disturbing the peace. Neighbors have signed private person’s arrest forms for protection regarding misdemeanor crimes committed outside an officer’s presence.

The woman has been issued citations from the police department for disturbing the peace in the past.

They have encouraged resident’s to call 9-1-1 when the alleged disturbances take place, and to file the private person’s arrest forms. These forms are needed for the police to take any action in these types of cases. .

Officers recommended to several neighbors that they may want to seek restraining orders against the woman. Protection types of orders would prohibit her from having “negative contact” with them. The protective order would also allow police officers to possibly make an arrest and/or file a report with the District Attorney’s Office for a court order violation.

 

OurWeeklyNews.com Complete Edition 6/23/18

The Weekly News covers community news for Chino, Chino Hills, Diamond Bar, Walnut, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire.Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: WEB.2018-23-6.WeeklyNews

Don’t Let Your Personal Data End up on the Dark Web

By StatePoint

Consumers today give out personal information all the time — from shopping online to signing up for special promotional offers to filling out job applications.

However, there are millions of identity theft victims each year, and when your information is stolen by a cyber-criminal, it will likely be sold on the dark web. Your social security number, for example, could be sold for as little as $1, according to Experian, one of the nation’s three credit bureaus. The end result is that criminals can open a credit card account in your name, steal your tax return, try to hack into your financial accounts and conduct other malicious activities.

The Dark What?

The dark web is a mystery to many. Only one in four people know what it is and what it’s used for, according to the Experian Cybersecurity Survey. It essentially allows criminals to conduct illegal activities in the deepest pockets of the Internet, undetected.

For identity thieves, the dark web is a marketplace for personal information, including phone numbers, email addresses, account passwords and social security numbers that can be used to commit identity theft and fraud.

While it’s doubtful that your local dry cleaner or gym will be targeted by an identity thief, any database is attractive to a cyber-criminal. Companies can also be victims of rogue employees, and smaller operations have less security. It’s best to err on the side of caution when giving out personal information.

Better Manage Personal Data

“Having your personal information exposed can be a threat to your identity and financial future, but there are ways to take control,” says Brian Stack, vice president of Dark Web Intelligence at Experian. “In a digital world, all of us are at some risk for identity theft and fraud. One step to get peace of mind is enrolling in an identity theft protection product so you are notified if credit is opened in your name or your personal data is on the dark web.”

To proactively protect your identity, take the following key steps:

• Only provide personal information when it’s required.

• Change online account passwords periodically and use a unique password for each account.

• Never access the Internet with unsecured public Wi-Fi. Only use secured public Wi-Fi with a password for browsing — don’t shop or access accounts, including social media and email.

• To log into accounts, enable authentication questions as well as two-factor authentication when available (and don’t use real answers such as your mother’s actual maiden name).

• Several times per year, check your credit reports from all three credit bureaus for possible fraudulent accounts.

Wondering if there’s already cause for concern? Experian offers a free Dark Web Triple Scan that searches thousands of dark web pages, networks and forums for your phone number, email address and social security number. This scan will inform you if any of this information is on the dark web. Learn more at experian.com/triplescan.

Your daily routine doesn’t have to lead to a darkened outlook. Taking proactive steps can help you stay vigilant and offer you better protection.

 

Harissa Sweet Potato Pita Pockets

with Cucumber Dill Salad

 

By Hello Fresh

 

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Servings: 4

Nutrition: 750 Calories

Ingredients:

 

  • Sweet Potatoes- 4
  • Harissa Powder- 2 tbsp
  • Garlic- 2 cloves
  • Cucumber- 2
  • Dill- 1/2 oz
  • Avocado- 2
  • Mayonnaise- 4 tbsp
  • White Wine Vinegar- 10 tsp
  • Whole Wheat Pitas- 4
  • Pine Nuts- 2 oz

 

1  ROAST SWEET POTATOES.    Wash and dry all produce. Adjust rack to middle position and preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Slice sweet potatoes into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Toss on a baking sheet with a drizzle of olive oil, 1 tsp harissa powder (we’ll use more later), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in oven until tender, about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

 

2  PREP.     Mince or grate 1 clove garlic. Halve cucumber lengthwise, then slice into thin half-moons. Pick and roughly chop enough fronds from dill to give you 2 tsp. Halve, pit, and peel avocado, then thinly slice.

 

3 MAKE HARISSA MAYO   In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp mayonnaise,  a pinch of garlic, and a pinch of harissa powder. Give mixture a taste and add more garlic and harissa powder as desired. Season with salt and pepper.

 

4  MAKE CUCMBER SALAD       In a medium bowl, toss cucumber, chopped dill, vinegar, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

 

5  TOAST PITAS    Cut pitas in half to create 4 pockets and place on another baking sheet. When sweet potatoes are almost done, after 18-20 minutes of roasting, put pitas in oven. Toast until warmed through but not crispy, 2-3 minutes. TIP: If there’s room, you can place pitas on the same baking sheet as sweet potatoes instead of on a second sheet.

 

6  FINISH AND SERVE.     Spread harissa mayo inside each pita half, then fill with sweet potatoes, avocado, a few pine nuts, and a small amount of cucumber salad. Divide stuffed pitas between plates. Add remaining cucumber salad to the side and sprinkle with remaining pine nuts.

Understanding Our Purpose in This World

By Nancy Stoops

When I was five years old my friends would line up on my front porch and give me a nickel to help them with their problems.  They would tell me that I had good advice even back then.  Even as a little girl I felt so good when I could make somebody feel better and ease the pain in their heart.  At five I knew my purpose in this world.  I knew I was put in this world to help people heal from their pain.  I knew even back then this was a gift from God and I was not to waste this present.

In high school my psychology teacher told me that I needed to go onto the field of psychology because she say something special in me.  Just like my little friends lined up for help she also saw why I was here.  Eventually I got the degrees and the license that honors me with being able to help many people in this world.

Understanding and honoring my purpose in this world gives me an immense sense of inner peace.  It makes me feel as if I’m following God’s blueprint for my life and that feels so awesome.  It makes me feel right with the world and with my life. It’s incredible to be able to make a fantastic living from the very work that I was always intended to do.

Please understand that all of you have a very special purpose here as well. Take the time to search your soul to find your unique reason for being in this world.  Then take the time to go and get the education that gives you the very credentials to do your life’s work.  I promise if you follow through with this you will feel a sense of nirvana.  Your life will be the very life that you have always dreamt about and you will be so very proud of who you are!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T.  Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Nancy is now accepting new clients.  She also works as a motivational speaker.  Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups for teens and can handle many court mandated needs.  For more information about any of these services contact Nancy at (909) 229-0727.  You may e-mail Nancy at nancyjstoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.

 

Easy Ways to Boost Your Family’s Veggie Intake

By StatePoint

Nutritious, delicious and low-calorie, vegetables should be the star player of all your meals. But sometimes providing veggies for your family can be time consuming and costly. Luckily, there are a number of simple ways to boost your veggie intake, and it all starts in your grocery store’s freezer aisle.

 

  • Go frozen: Frozen vegetables are often one of the most affordable options and the quickest to prepare, reducing time spent slicing and dicing on busy weeknights. What’s more, by opting for frozen veggies, your family will likely reduce its food waste. Frozen vegetables are easy to store for long periods of time, and recent studies have found that freezing actually helps lock nutrients in.

 

  • Swap it out: Little ones and even some adults can be resistant to certain vegetables at first. But there are ways to incorporate them into family meals with no one the wiser. Consider cooking with vegetables that offer the look, feel and taste of traditional starches such as rice, pasta and potatoes. For example, Green Giant’s frozen Veggie Swap-Ins line, which includes Green Giant Riced Veggies, Green Giant Veggie Spirals and Green Giant Mashed Cauliflower are easy go-to items in any kitchen for quick family meals. Indeed, 52 percent of American consumers who noted they had purchased Green Giant Swap-Ins products within three months of taking the survey, said they have introduced the product into their kids’ meals without their kids knowing they weren’t traditional potatoes, rice and/or pasta, and 49 percent admit to swapping these items for potatoes, rice and pasta 1-2 times per week.

 

  • Be mindful: Dining out can be especially tricky territory for those looking to eat more vegetables. Be mindful of what you order. Read the menu carefully and ask questions. Many restaurants are happy to make substitutions to accommodate your preferences. For example, see if you can replace a side of fries with a garden salad or sautéed seasonal vegetables like green beans.

 

  • Get creative: Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, attending a potluck or simply making your family dinner, consider reducing calories in salads and sides by upping your vegetable intake in these dishes. Make an Italian pasta salad out of zucchini or carrot spirals. Swap out traditional rice with riced cauliflower to make a simple pilaf. Create a tasty alternative to traditional potato tots with such products as Green Giant Veggie Tots. The possibilities are endless.

 

Are you looking to simplify your family’s clean-eating routine and increase your vegetable intake? With a few tips and tricks, you can incorporate broccoli, beets, squash and more into your family’s diet while saving time and money in the process.

History 101

June 24, 1997 : U.S. Air Force reports on Roswell

History.com

On this day in 1997, U.S. Air Force officials release a 231-page report dismissing long-standing claims of an alien spacecraft crash in Roswell, New Mexico, almost exactly 50 years earlier.

Public interest in Unidentified Flying Objects, or UFOs, began to flourish in the 1940s, when developments in space travel and the dawn of the atomic age caused many Americans to turn their attention to the skies. The town of Roswell, located near the Pecos River in southeastern New Mexico, became a magnet for UFO believers due to the strange events of early July 1947, when ranch foreman W.W. Brazel found a strange, shiny material scattered over some of his land. He turned the material over to the sheriff, who passed it on to authorities at the nearby Air Force base. On July 8, Air Force officials announced they had recovered the wreckage of a “flying disk.” A local newspaper put the story on its front page, launching Roswell into the spotlight of the public’s UFO fascination.

The Air Force soon took back their story, however, saying the debris had been merely a downed weather balloon. Aside from die-hard UFO believers, or “ufologists,” public interest in the so-called “Roswell Incident” faded until the late 1970s, when claims surfaced that the military had invented the weather balloon story as a cover-up. Believers in this theory argued that officials had in fact retrieved several alien bodies from the crashed spacecraft, which were now stored in the mysterious Area 51 installation in Nevada. Seeking to dispel these suspicions, the Air Force issued a 1,000-page report in 1994 stating that the crashed object was actually a high-altitude weather balloon launched from a nearby missile test-site as part of a classified experiment aimed at monitoring the atmosphere in order to detect Soviet nuclear tests.

On July 24, 1997, barely a week before the extravagant 50th anniversary celebration of the incident, the Air Force released yet another report on the controversial subject. Titled “The Roswell Report, Case Closed,” the document stated definitively that there was no Pentagon evidence that any kind of life form was found in the Roswell area in connection with the reported UFO sightings, and that the “bodies” recovered were not aliens but dummies used in parachute tests conducted in the region. Any hopes that this would put an end to the cover-up debate were in vain, as furious ufologists rushed to point out the report’s inconsistencies. With conspiracy theories still alive and well on the Internet, Roswell continues to thrive as a tourist destination for UFO enthusiasts far and wide, hosting the annual UFO Encounter Festival each July and welcoming visitors year-round to its International UFO Museum and Research Center.

 

Eastvale PD Routine Patrol Uncovers Drug Dealer

Photo:lcpdfr.com
Caption: Eastvale Police Department has deputy’s patrolling businesses later in the evening as part of their commercial burglary suppression nightly patrols

By Anthony Saude

Eastvale – Eastvale Police Department has deputy’s patrolling businesses later in the evening as part of their commercial burglary suppression nightly patrols. This is the type of proactive action taken that the City of Eastvale should take pride in.

On June 8, at approximately 10:00 PM, a deputy of the Eastvale Police Department noticed a suspicious vehicle with an occupant parked at the Eastvale Gateway Shopping Center in the 6000 Block of Hamner Avenue in Eastvale.

The deputy approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver, he was able to identify him as Willie Abarca, a 43-year-old Eastvale resident. After further investigation by the deputy it was discovered that Abarca was currently on formal probation for drug sales in San Bernardino County. Abarca was also identified as being an active member of a well known criminal street gang.

The deputy conducted a vehicle search and discovered approximately two ounces of methamphetamine and other paraphernalia indicative of methamphetamine sales in Abarca’s possession. The deputy arrested Abarca and he was booked into custody at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga and charged with methamphetamine sales.

For full press release, visit: https://bit.ly/2l8xEVt or our website at www.eastvaleca.gov.

 

LASD Now Has An App to Connect with the Community

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is proud to announce its new and innovative mobile application. The Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the nation to use a mobile application to connect to the community with information and resources.

The app is available in the Apple and Android app stores, is free to the public and provides access to the latest news, photos, videos, events, alerts, and crime information wherever you are. The application also allows two-way communications using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. It also includes a special feature for submitting anonymous tips to the Department; you will even be able to file a crime report from the convenience of your Smartphone.

The Sheriff’s department knows it needs to stay current with technology if they want to live up to their motto of providing a tradition of service. This new technology will help provide information that could help the community find answers and work with in tandem with LASD to fight crime. The mobile app empowers everyone who lives, works, or visits the County of Los Angeles to have access to the Sheriff’s Department on their right on their smartphones.

Some of the Features Included in the Application Include:

• NOW HIRING: Check out one of the many career opportunities with the LASD and start the process of joining our team, right from your Smartphone.
• ALERTS: You can sign up for alerts that will be delivered directly to your cell phone.
• SUBMIT A TIP: Be the eyes and ears of the LASD by submitting anonymous tips to help fight crime or report suspicious activity in your neighborhoods.
• CONTACT US: Send a non-emergency question directly to LASD 24/7.
• INMATE INFORMATION: Locate information on someone in custody or schedule a visit.
• EVENT CALENDAR: Find out what events are occurring across the county with LASD and schedule them right to your calendar.
• CRIME MAPS: View maps of criminal activity in your neighborhoods or across the county.
• PRESS RELEASES: You can view all official press releases sent out by LASD through the Newsroom.
• DIRECTORY: Our directory provides you with a list of contact numbers within our Department and allows you to quickly connect through your phone.
• SOCIAL MEDIA: You will have access to all LASD’s social media platforms through our app.
• FILE A REPORT: You will be able to make certain types of crime reports directly from your mobile device.
• LINKS: Click on “Links” to find information about other County departments and area agencies.

More helpful features will be added in the near future, please select automatic updating when you download the application. You will find the app in the Apple and Android app stores by searching “Los Angeles County Sheriff’ “or “LASD”.  Or visit www.LASDapp.com

If you have any questions regarding the use of this new application, please visit http://www.lasd.org/contact_info.html The application is powered by, and developed in collaboration with, ApexMobile, Inc. www.ApexMobile.net

Worth $1Billion More!

By Nef Cortez

The housing market continues to steam ahead at a strong pace with upward trends in appreciation of values.  The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) updated their projections for sales in 2018 statewide and their revision included an increased number of home sales as well as an accelerated price appreciation. Much of the anticipated price appreciation is due to the continuing shortage of inventory.

The City of Diamond Bar has within its city boundaries a little more than 15,000 Single Family Residences (SFRs).  Owners of these homes have cumulatively gained over one Billion dollars in equity in the last twelve months due to price appreciation.  C.A.R. reported that in February 2017, the median sales price of SFRs sold in Diamond Bar was $687,944.00. That number had increased to $764,000.00 in February 2018. That represented a median increase of value of approximately $76,000.00 per unit. The lower sampling of transactions on a monthly basis gives us a picture that fluctuates more than the quarter by quarter comparisons, which are more stable. Both numbers, however, have shown an increase year over year.

The growth in equity is a reason why you hear many more commercials or advertising about home equity loans and how you can use your home equity to pay off credit cards and other high interest rate loans. In many cases, it does make sense to borrow on the equity of the home, where one can obtain interest rates of 4.5%. That is much lower than many credit card accounts that are running anywhere from 9.9% to 28%. The danger of borrowing against the equity of the home and paying down credit cards is the ease in which the credit card balance can quickly be accumulated again.

The benefit of having the option to do so is largely due to the gain in property values, as noted above, of more than $1 billion in one year alone! Nice to have!

This article was written by Nef Cortez who is a licensed Real Estate Broker, Ca BRE # 00560181, licensed since 1976. He can be reached for more information via e-mail at nefcortez@gmail.com, or websitewww.nefcortez.com. Please feel free to email any questions regarding real estate.

 

Voortman’s Egg Ranch

(Photo Courtesy: Voortman’s Egg Ranch) The Voortman Family circa 1956. Voortman’s Egg Ranch is located at 13960 Grove Avenue in Ontario. You can reach them at (909) 465-1319. They are open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(Photo Courtesy: Voortman’s Egg Ranch)
The Voortman Family circa 1956. Voortman’s Egg Ranch is located at 13960 Grove Avenue in Ontario. You can reach them at (909) 465-1319. They are open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By K.P. Sander

Ontario – Voortman’s Egg Ranch has been in the business of providing farm fresh eggs to friends and visitors to the local area for over 60 years. Originally from Bellflower, the Voortman family – who has always been in the egg ranching business – moved their operation to Ontario in 1951.

Voortman’s has a small-town farm ambiance, with the latest in technology.  Their happy chickens are enjoying their newly remodeled home; and their egg-processing machine can handle about 36,000 eggs per hour at its peak. If the average bird lays one egg about every 26 hours, that equals a lot of chickens at the Voortman ranch!

Did you know that you can tell how fresh an egg is by how high the yolk stands up in the frying pan after you crack it?  Voortman’s will have your over-easies standing tall.  Their fresh eggs are the highest in quality, with dark, nutrient-dense yolks.  You will immediately notice a difference in your cooking and baking.

Have you ever wondered how long the eggs in the grocery stores have actually been sitting around?  Despite the use-by date, there is really no way to know how long ago they were produced.  With Voortman’s, the eggs are selected daily, on site, and readied for you in their store.

Third-generation egg rancher, Eddie Voortman, says, “We are a local, family-owned business that provides fresh, quality products to the public.”

Customers of Voortman’s rave about their all natural, cage free eggs, touting the freshness, and great pricing.  One customer said, “They make the fluffiest scrambled eggs!”

The eggs come in all sizes and colors, depending on your needs.  Whatever you choose, you will not be disappointed.

Voortman’s is centrally located just minutes from Chino at 13960 Grove Avenue in Ontario (just north of Edison).  You can reach Voortman’s at (909) 465-1319; and Like them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Voortmans-Egg-Ranch.

Stop by any time Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bible Thrives At Public Schools

By Anthony Saude

Chino – Glory, Grace, and Hope all come in the form of white buses to the Chino Valley Unified School District they are driven by volunteers on a mission to share the Christian faith with children.

The buses can be found weekly parked near all 22 elementary schools. Children hop on board during school hours once a week to receive an hour of Bible teachings and character building.

The program has never been  associated with the district.

Every first-year student is given the Honey Word children’s Bible upon graduation.

The program celebrated its twentieth year in existence in the school district with a luncheon at Los Serranos Country Club.

Gail Blake-Smith of Chino Hills, Founder and director of the program, explained that the program is made possible by  the California State Education Code and is authorized by a school board policy.

There are rules to follow like no taxpayer money may be used, parent permission is required, and instruction must not take place on the school campus.

The program was started by Blake-Smith in 1998, two schools were involved—Cortez and E.J. Marshall–four volunteer teachers, and 11 children participated in the program that first year.

At this time all 22 elementary schools and 40 volunteers, half of those being teachers are now participating. Approximately 5,000 children have gone through the program since it inception.

Robert Ramirez of Chino Hills, known as the “bus godfather,” devotes his time to making sure the buses are always in clean good working order. He also a drives one of the buses and is a teacher assistant, and the go-to guy for the program.

Chino resident Maria Simpson said she attended when she was in the sixth grade and it was her first contact with Christians. Her experience was so special to her that she became volunteer teacher for several years and encountered children with deep questions about God.

Four graduates from the seven-month program gave heartfelt testimonies about how their lives have been changed forever.

One student said that in his second year of the program, he began to realize how much he loved and needed God  and started sharing the Gospel with my friends,” he said.

Mrs. Blake-Smith said today’s youth are faced with challenges and alarming problems that were unheard of a few years ago.

The program will is grateful to Calvary Chapel Chino Hills and Calvary Chapel Golden Springs for their “extraordinary support and continued love for the program.”

 

Walnut Knock Knock Burglary Suspects Arrested

By Anthony Saude

Walnut – On June 11, Walnut Diamond Bar Station Sheriff’s station received a call about a burglary in the 19800 block of Hidden Trail Place. When the deputies arrived at the scene they quickly alerted other units with a description of the vehicle and the suspects. A nearby Aero unit (helicopter) was dispatched and was able to locate the vehicle, a brown Porsche SUV with paper plates. The vehicle was traveling westbound on the 60 freeway at speeds estimated to be as high as 90 mph. Aero informed the California Highway Patrol and East Los Angeles Station of the vehicles whereabouts.

During the chase, the vehicle collided with a large delivery truck and became inoperable on the southbound 710 freeway at Gage Avenue. All three of the suspects in the car ran from vehicle and into a car repair shop in the 5400 block of Gage Avenue in Bell Gardens. Containment was established by East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station deputies with assistance from Compton Sheriff’s Station, LASD County Services Bureau and The Bell Gardens Police Department. A search for the suspects began using resources from the LASD Special Weapons Team and they were able locates all three suspects in a relatively short period of time. .
The efficiency shown by the work the police put in shows that collaborative support and communication is sometimes needed in high risk situations. The incident is still under investigation by handling detectives. Another job well done by all who were involved!  The Walnut Station has experienced a rash of burglaries in the area during the summer and is urging residents to be more intentional about their safety and report any suspicious activity immediately. Anyone with information about this incident or witnesses are encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station at (909) 595-2264. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP, or “P3 Mobile” for the hearing impaired, on Google play or the App Store, or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

For full details, view this message on the web.

 

Special Task Force Targets Street Dealers

By Anthony Saude                  

Pomona – The San Gabriel Valley has a special answer for drug dealers these days and they call it, Crime Impact Task Force (CITF). There was a joint force intense investigation operation targeting street level narcotics dealers conducted for several weeks. The CITF utilized specialized units from the Pomona Police Department, and also from the El Monte Police Department during the course of the entire operation. Narcotics dealers were specifically targeted due to the numerous reports of harassment by citizens and business owners along East Holt. The operation resulted in six cases being submitted to the DA’s office for prosecution. Arrest warrants were issued and those suspects were taken into custody.  One of the suspects recently took a plea deal for a six year prison sentence.

The Pomona Police Department has been making a concerted effort on the area known as the “Holt Corridor,” the mission is to address quality of life issues such as prostitution, human trafficking and narcotics that are prevalent in the area..

The CTIF (Formerly the SGV East AB 109 Task Force) is made up of some of the best and brightest investigators of the Pomona, El Monte, Claremont, San Gabriel, Cal State University (Pomona) Police and the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The team makes it’s headquarters at the Pomona Police Department and their top priority is to combat high priority crimes that occur in any of the cities that are represented on the task force. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Pomona Police Department at 909-620-2085. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

 

Chino Player Places at Angel Stadium

City Of Chino

Chino– Kaylee Pitts has some bragging rights.  The 12-year-old softball player from Chino Girls Fastpitch league took 3rd place in the Scott’s Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Team Championship competition at Angel Stadium on June 2.

 

To make it to this point, she had to win a few other events:  On March 24, Kaylee participated in Chino’s local competition after her softball game.  She was the hitting and running champion, and tied for the pitching champion.  She was also the all-around champion for her age group.  From there, she participated in the Sectionals hosted by Chino Hills at Chino Hills Community Park on May 20.  That day, she took the “Gold” for her age group, which made her eligible to go on to the Team Championships at Angel Stadium on June 2.

 

Kaylee will be in the seventh grade at Woodcrest Junior High School.  She plays in the Chino Girls Fastpitch, 12 & under division, on the team “All Stars.”  Her mother, Monica Pitts, said “I’m so proud of the hard work Kaylee has been putting in.  Chino Girls Fastpitch has been her home since she was 6-years-old, and for her to represent the league and the City of Chino at Angel Stadium was a great experience.”

 

The Pitch, Hit & Run competition is a free event that invites kids to demonstrate their pitching, hitting, and running abilities in baseball and softball, and is the official youth skills competition of Major League Baseball.  The City of Chino will host a local competition again in the spring of 2019.

 

Hats

By Mark Hopper

I was sitting on a park bench a while ago and I noticed that I was the only person wearing a hat!  There I was enjoying a little snack in this open pedestrian area watching people go by and it dawned on me that no one was wearing a baseball cap except me.

 

This pedestrian shopping area was in a Central European country.  The spring weather was great.  There were blue skies, a cool breeze and plenty of sunshine.  It was pleasant, peaceful settings as I relaxed by myself and watched the world go by. But, the only one wearing a hat was me!

 

I started to watch more carefully.  Was this really true?  Was I really the only one among dozens of shoppers that was wearing a hat?  Finally, I noticed a man and woman walking in my direction.  The man was wearing a baseball cap.  Finally, I thought to myself, people do wear hats in this country.  But, as they got closer to me, I noticed the woman had something in her hand.  She was carrying a map.  Then I realized they were tourists just like me!

 

Slowly I began to realize that people who live in this European country don’t wear baseball type hats.  No one!  And because I had my baseball cap on, I stuck out like a sore thumb.  I suspect people were looking at me thinking – this guy is a tourist.  He is wearing a hat!

 

There is an interesting passage in the Bible in Mark chapter 14.  Jesus instructs two of his disciples to go into the city of Jerusalem and make preparations to celebrate the annual Passover meal.  When these two disciples ask him where they should go, he told them to look for a man who is carrying a pot of water on his head and follow him the to place Jesus had reserved.

 

This clandestine encounter always seemed to me like it was out of a Spy movie.  “Look for your contact at the Train Station – they will be wearing a red carnation”.  Jesus told his disciples to follow the man carrying water.  Jesus had reserved an upper room so he and his followers could enjoy the Last Supper alone and undisturbed.  He wanted to get away from the crowds and his critics.  He knew the Cross was only hours away.

 

Why the man with the water pot?  Because, in Bible times the women were usually who would go to the well to get water.  In the culture in Israel, the men did not carry the water.  When the two disciples went into the city, they would easily notice the man with the water pot on his head.  He would stick out just like an American tourist wearing a baseball cap in a European city.

 

Our country and our community are a blend of many different cultures.  This diversity of cultures and customs enriches our community and provides us with a remarkable opportunity to experience and appreciate cultures from around the world.  The world has come to us!

 

I don’t know if you wear a baseball cap or if you transport water in a particular way.  But, I hope you will take time to observe and enjoy the diversity of cultures in our community.   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

 

Household Hazardous, E-Waste Recycle Day

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar –  The City of Diamond Bar wants all Los Angeles County residents to know that a free Household Hazardous(HHW) and E- waste Recycling Roundup event will be provided by the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County on Saturday June 23. Residents will have the opportunity to properly dispose of HHW and electronic waste.

This free event will be held at Pomona Fairplex L.A. County Fair Hotel & Exposition Complex at 2118 N. White Avenue, Gate 9, Pomona from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Example items will be accepted for disposal at this one day event include; TV’s, Microwaves, Air Conditioners, Computers, motor oil, oil filters, pesticides, expired pharmaceuticals, anti-freeze, batteries and fluorescent light bulbs.

Items that will not be accepted: Business Waste, Tires, Ammunition, explosives, radioactive materials, trash, Empty Drums, refrigerators, stoves and washing machines or controlled substances.

Los Angeles County residents may utilize the mobile, one-day collection event to properly dispose of HHW and electronic waste free of charge.

Make sure to bring proof that you are a resident of Los Angeles County. Please make sure to bring all items in a sturdy box, preferable in their original labeled containers.

There is a limit of 15 gallons or 125 pounds of hazardous wasted accepted per trip.

Residents are responsible for unloading their own items.

For additional information please visit: http://ladpw.org/general/enotifyCalendar/Calendar.aspx