Category Archives: Weekly News Top Stories

The WVUSD Chinese American Parents Association will Host Annual Christmas Party

The Walnut Valley Unified School District’s Chinese American Parents Association (WVUSD-CAPA) will host its annual Christmas Party celebration for Walnut Seniors this coming Tuesday, December 17.

Walnut Council Member and WVUSD-CAPA Chairperson Mary Su said, “It is my honor and privilege to host this important event for Walnut’s Seniors again this year.  Every year we invite 50 to 60 kindergarten students to perform Christmas songs, which of course our Seniors always love, and every Walnut Senior who attends also receives a bag of handsome Christmas gifts from WVUSD-CAPA.”

This year’s Christmas Party for Walnut’s Seniors will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17th at the Walnut Senior Citizens Center, 21215 La Puente Road, Walnut. This year Los Angeles County Fire Fighters will also be joining with Walnut’s Seniors for this wonderful holiday celebration.

“Vacation Hold” Burglars Plead Not Guilty

Staff Reports SGV – Eight people were arrested for their alleged involvement in a residential burglary ring that targeted Los Angeles Times subscribers, whose names were on stolen “Vacation Hold” lists. The ring is accused of stealing an estimated $1 million in electronics and other items in the burglaries that took place in Diamond Bar, Walnut, Hacienda Heights, Chino Hills, West Covina, Arcadia, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Redlands and Ontario. The 14 burglaries occurred between December 2011 and November 2012. All suspects pleaded not guilty to charges. All eight defendants, as follows, are charged with multiple counts of burglary, along with two counts each of conspiracy to commit a crime: Randal Joseph Whitmore, 44; Duane Vantuinen, 52; Joshua Ray Box, 44; Lorraine Marlene Vasquez, 41; Cory Mulligan, 22; Brian Thomas Duran, 42; Margaret Mary Susan High, 29; and Edwin Lynn Valentine, 53. The investigation began when Whitmore was stopped for a traffic violation on June 24, 2012. Police discovered stolen property and Los Angeles Times Vacation Hold lists inside the vehicle. The lists gave the suspected burglars the names and addresses, as well as the dates that the subscribers would be out of town and suspending paper deliveries. The suspects are in custody with bail amounts ranging from $1.6 million to $2.6 million. They were expected in court on December 10 for their pre-trial hearing at Pomona Superior Court. According to the District Attorney’s Office, if convicted of all charges, each one faces at least 20 years in state prison.

Walnut Council Corner: Proposed Six-Home Development

By Ariel Carmona Jr. Walnut – The Walnut City Council held their regular meeting this past week. After hearing a testimony from a developer and from neighbors opposing a proposed land subdivision, the council voted 5-0 to send the item back to city staff and for the city planning commission to review proposed amendments on the subdivision of the existing property totaling more than five acres. The bulk of the city council’s latest meeting on Dec. 11 was dedicated to a public hearing on the appeal of the planning commission’s approval of a recent request to subdivide two existing lots into six on a property located west of Silver Valley Trail and southeast of Cantel Place within the rural overlay zoning districts of the City. Key to neighboring property owners’ opposition to the proposed subdivision is the preservation of the woodlands, the protection of existing Black Oak trees, and alleged insufficient buffering between the new street and the existing residential properties on Cofer Court. According to data provided by the City, it was noted by the Planning Commission at their Nov. 6 meeting that all of the proposed lots would be accessed from a newly constructed street (Sunny Brook Trail) that would run perpendicular to Silver Valley Trail. Resident Carol Coy, a 27-year resident whose property lies adjacent to the proposed subdivision, said she believed the community development department erred in recommending approval and the City Planning Commission. She said the commission should not have approved the tentative tract map. “The developer was supposed to be required to demonstrate that it was legally feasible to build on the proposed sub-devised sites before approval and this was not done,” said Coy, adding that the City of Walnut, oak and walnut tree preservation ordinance, and city code require the preservation of all healthy oak and walnut trees, unless compelling reasons exist justifying the removal of the trees. Coy said the ordinance was adopted in order to preserve Walnut’s remaining heritage trees. Neighbors said the subdivision includes at least three walnut trees, including 10 Southern Californian Oak trees subject to the ordinance. “By its design, it cannot be built without removing or relocating some and maybe most of these trees, trees must be removed due to the current access road location, grading and driveway design,” said Coy. “The developer did not provide any reason for this design,” she added. Coy also said other developers in Walnut were required to provide adequate and appropriate buffers between their projects and existing zones. “If a Trail or other buffer is not added along the south boundary, the wall included by the planning commission would be acceptable.” Walnut resident Richard Worth told the council he retained the services of an Alhambra based engineer to propose amendments to the proposal from developer Handaja Harijanto. Hariajanto said he believed at least one of the trees was damaged by recent fires and said he was frustrated by the ongoing process, urging the council to approve the Planning Commission’s decision. “We have so many options, we’ve been discussing for many years,” said Harijanto, who was praised by the council for making many existing concessions to appease residents’ concerns. “It takes at least 80 years to grow a mature Black Walnut tree and only four foot and under saplings transplant well. These are mature trees, since our city was named after Walnut trees, the developer should be required to incorporate the trees into the development plan, not just mow over them,” said resident Linda Wolford. City Attorney Michael Montgomery said the council had little choice but to send the issue back to the planning commission due to state regulations. “You gotta send it back. These are not minor adjustments, these are grade elevations, changes to the street, prohibition against tree removals, these are major, and staff has to look at it first. We don’t even know of the proposed amendments are legal under our code.” “The state legislature said the planning commission has the primary responsibility to approve subdivisions, the only reason the council is involved is if there’s a right to appeal, but the decision making body is the planning commission,” said Montgomery. In other council actions, the council approved an emergency ordinance to amend its municipal code dealing with its building codes so that they would comply with county and state mandated updates, and they approved a 1.33 percent rate increase for solid waste collection effective in the new year. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Walnut City Council is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 21201 La Puente Road.

New DB Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem

Diamond Bar Mayor Carol Herrera 2014

Mayor Carol Herrera

 

Carol Herrera was voted to the appointment of Mayor for a one-year term, her fifth time serving in this capacity.  She was first elected to the Diamond Bar City Council in 1995, and has also served as Mayor Pro-Tem.  Herrera is also the first Latina Mayor and has the longest tenure of service in Diamond Bar’s history.  She and her husband, Art, a retired LASD commander, have three children.

Diamond Bar Mayor-Pro Tem Steve Tye

Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Tye

 

Steve Tye was selected as Mayor Pro-Tem.  This is his second time serving in this capacity.  Tye has also served as Mayor and was first elected to the council in 2005.  He and his wife, Patricia, have three children. Elected and sworn in to the City Council for the first time is Nancy A. Lyons.  She previously served as Trustee of the Walnut Valley Unified School District from 2005 to 2013.

Ling-Ling Chang was also elected to the Council, but was absent from the meeting and will be sworn in at a later date.  Chang, in her second term, was first elected in 2009 and served as Diamond Bar mayor in 2012.

The December 3 meeting also included a special presentation to outgoing Mayor Pro-Tem, Ron Everett, who served on the council from 2007 to 2013.

 

Walnut: Local Woman Goes To Trial for Murder

STAFF REPORTS

Walnut – A woman accused of fatally stabbing her estranged husband is scheduled for trial in Pomona Superior Court, beginning January 28, 2014.

Socorro Mora, 45, of Walnut, has been charged with murdering George Mora, 47, in his home back in October of 2011. Deputies responding at that time to a domestic violence call on the 21600 block of Brookside Court in Walnut, found George inside the home, dead from multiple stabbings.

Socorro was found in front of the home, where George lived with the couple’s four children (who were not home at the time). She was apparently injured from stab wounds. It was not clear how she received the injuries, but she was treated at a local hospital before being charged and booked into the regional detention center in Lynwood. She has remained there on $5 million bail.

Socorro and George Mora had been married since 1993, but had separated in September 2011. Ironically, George reportedly obtained a restraining order against his estranged wife, just three weeks before he was killed.

There have been multiple postponements leading up to the scheduling of a trial date. Socorro is charged not only with murder, but felony complaints of increasing violence, animal cruelty (from stabbing and killing the family dog in a previous incident), and domestic violence. She has pleaded not guilty.

Weekly News Recognized For 16 Years of Service

Photo courtesy: City of Walnut The Walnut City Council recognized Sarah Armijo and Diane Armijo for The Weekly News’ 16 years of service to the community.

Photo courtesy: City of Walnut
The Walnut City Council recognized Sarah Armijo and
Diane Armijo for The Weekly News’ 16 years of service to the community.

Staff Reports

Walnut – The Weekly News was recognized and awarded by the Walnut City Council on Aug. 28 for their 16 years of service to Walnut and the surrounding communities. Each member of the City Council said wonderful things about the Weekly News and their appreciation for the newspaper.

Mayor Tony Cartagena started the recognition by saying how much the City Council appreciated The Weekly News’ service to their community for the last 16 years. “We are really very proud to present this commendation to Sarah Armijo, the Editor in Chief of the Weekly News; an outstanding editor and former resident of Walnut who has made a big difference in our City and other communities.”

Former Assemblyman and Councilmember Bob Pacheco said, “I’m very pleased to have you here in recognition for the wonderful work you have done in the City of Walnut and all the surrounding communities.” He recalled when Michael Armijo, owner of Armijo Newspapers and Public Relations, first started The Weekly News and congratulated the entire family on the hard work they have done. “I wish you the best for the future and continued success,” he added.

Councilmember Mary Su talked about how important The Weekly News is to the community and to the City Council. “We rely on the Weekly News to inform Walnut residents about a lot of important news, a lot of good activities, and a lot of current events. They have done a tremendously good job,” Mary said. “So on behalf of the City of Walnut, we want to show our sincere gratitude for the good job you have done and please continue to do a good work and bring the best to Walnut,” said Councilmember Su.

Mayor Pro Tem Nancy Tragarz said she appreciates that The Weekly News is the only local printed newspaper in the area that they get at no charge. “The Weekly News is a free publication because they survive on the advertising of local businesses,” said Sarah Armijo in a recent interview. Tragarz also mentioned that she remembered The Weekly News’ involvement in the community over the years. She recalled that many years ago, she took a Cub Scout group to The Weekly News’ former office so the Scouts could receive a badge.

Over the years, The Weekly News has supported and donated time and money to nonprofits, communities, schools, sports, and many more groups in the community. The Weekly News has also recognized schools, businesses and members of the community in their weekly newspaper and on their social media. The Weekly News’ Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/TheWeeklyNews, and their Twitter is @anapr4.

Councilmember Eric Ching started off his congratulations by saying he didn’t expect the Editor, Sarah Armijo, to look so young. After everyone chuckled at the very true statement, he expressed his appreciation and congratulated the Weekly News for their many years of service.

Mayor Cartagena mentioned that he met the Armijo family back when The Weekly News first started and was beginning to grow. He said he remembers that The Weekly News started in the late 90s and that the family was very involved in different activities and different organizations. Cartagena recalled that he remembers when Sarah was just a little girl (signaling how tall she was when he first met her). “I remember that you were studying in the Walnut Valley School District and very active in the student activities. And because of the participation, because of that involvement, and because you were diligent in studying your lessons, now you are the editor of a very popular newspaper, The Weekly News,” he said to Sarah. “They started here in Walnut and we are very proud of that,” added Cartagena.

The Weekly News is now delivered to homes in Walnut, Diamond Bar and Chino Hills. Armijo Newspapers also has other publications that reach 30 cities in the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Cartagena also mentioned that Armijo Newspapers does Public Relations in addition to owning newspapers, and is also involved in the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff Boosters Club. He said that the Sheriff Booster Club is a “Very important organization that really caters to the needs of the Sheriff’s Department.” The Sheriff Booster Club raises funds for items that are needed in the Sheriff’s Department that are not in the budget, such as helping pay for items for Reserve Officers, Volunteers, and Explorers.

Mayor Cartagena presented two certificates at the end of the recognition. The first certificate was given to Diane Armijo, in honor of The Weekly News. “Congratulations on your 16th Anniversary. We extend our appreciation to Michael, Diane, and Sarah Armijo for their continued support of local city projects and activities including the recent fundraiser to assist the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff Station. The City of Walnut applauds your impressive accomplishments on reporting and providing quality news in the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire.” The second certificate was given to Sarah Armijo after Cartagena said, “Congratulations to Sarah Armijo in recognition to your exceptional accomplishments as Editor of the Weekly News. The City of Walnut extends best wishes for your continued growth and success.”

Sarah Armijo expressed her gratitude in a recent interview. “On behalf of the Weekly News and my family, we want to thank the Walnut City Council for taking the time to recognize us and for their very kind words about our family and business.” “My parents started our company in Walnut when I was just a little girl. Now that I have been educated through the Walnut Valley Unified School District, I felt confident enough to take over the newspaper that started it all. Even through the tough economy, our goal was to keep the Weekly News available, so the community could stay informed about what’s going on in the area. We are very grateful to have the support of such a great and welcoming community. Walnut will always have a place in my family’s heart.”