Category Archives: Weekly News Top Stories

Car Blazes On Grand Ave

Photo by Michael Armijo

By Michael Armijo

 

Diamond Bar – Anyone who drove past Summit ridge Park last week couldn’t help but notice the formerly white but now burnt out BMW X5 on fire in the parking lot at 1600 Grand Ave in the early morning hours. LA County Sheriff deputies were on hand to oversee what happened to the car.

“This may be a crime scene,” said one LA County Deputy. “We haven’t determined the cause yet.”

“The deputy was investigating if it was arson, insurance fraud, or vandalism, but none of those were evident,” said Walnut-Diamond Bar station captain Al Reyes. “It stemmed from a call of non-criminal auto fire we received.”

Captain Reyes told OurWeeklyNews.com that the owner of the vehicle noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment while she was driving. She pulled into Summit Ridge Park and called 911 to report her car was on fire.

“The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The cause is still unknown. The vehicle was identified as a 2008 BMW,” the Captain said.

If anyone has any information on the incident please contact the Walnut Sheriff Station at 909.595.2264.

 

David Hall Passes Away

By Anthony Saude

Walnut – It is with great sadness we mourn the passing of the Regional Chamber of Commerce

San Gabriel Valley Board Chair/President, Dr. David Hall, he fought courageously during his long battle with cancer.

 

David K. Hall, 72, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018, he was surrounded by friends and loved ones.

 

David was born on July 16, 1945 in Coffeyville, Kansas and graduated from the University of Kansas in 1966, David was a dedicated Jayhawk sports fan his entire life. He obtained his doctorate in political science from Stanford University. David enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War years, there he taught at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After his years in the service he taught at Brown University and at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. In the early 90’s he changed life direction and moved to Los Angeles, joining Hitchcock Automotive Resources.

 

David’s long list of professional accomplishments and accolades are remarkable but his community and public service efforts are what defined him in his life. As a longtime elected Trustee for Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, California, David mentored countless students and helped transform the college. He always made time to meet with students privately, advise them on career paths and participate in campus events. Annually, he’d even perform in some of the on campus stage shows to help raise funds for student scholarships.

 

Everything David committed to he did with dedication, passion in an approachable, coachable and infectious way. His sense of humor was contagious allowing him to elicit laughter even in tense situations. He was a practical joker, never missing a chance to play a trick on a close friend or colleague. Endearingly, he found his own antics very funny.

 

David was so many things to so many people: a teacher, a friend, a confidant, a mentor, a public servant, a philanthropist, a partner and a leader. While his soul is laid to rest, his legacy lives on.

David is Survived by his Fiancé Earnestine Tu, and his two brothers Bruce and Roger Hall.

 

A close friend of David’s, Michael Armijo said,” He had a strong genuine concern for the community, he was constantly trying to help people and he gave his heart to the residents. He was like a brother to me, he always made time”.

 

Celebration of Life services will be held at Mt. San Antonio College on May 11th at 9:30 am in the Clark auditorium.

 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Dr. David K. Hall Business Scholarship

 

Walnut Students Complete PTLW Biomedical Sciences Program

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT—For 20 Walnut High School seniors, years of tremendous dedication and hard work in a rigorous biomedical sciences program they began as sophomores have paid finally off.

The teens were presented with white lab coats and honor medallions marking the completion of the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme/Project Lead the Way (IBCP-PLTW) Biomedical Sciences Program.

“I’m excited, I’ve been waiting for this day for three years!” said Samuel Chien, 18, before the White Coat Ceremony held Tuesday evening.

Congratulations to the following Class of 2018 honorees: Jordyn Arce, Chriselle Badua, Brian Chang, Selena Chen, Kevin Cheng, Samuel Chien, Jocelyn Do, Isaac Duran, Emily Gehringer, Audrey Kuo, Alicia Lu, Michael Lu, Arianha Montelongo, Jodee-Anne Pagusan, Janelle Pham, Gina Pinsakul, Omar Sultan, Aryaman Trikala, Aaron Tsay, and Brandon Tueng.

“These students are remarkable and exemplify why we have the best IBCP-PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program in the state,” said instructional dean Barbie Cole.

Additionally, three students received special awards for displaying exemplary effort during the course of the program: Brandon Yeung – Enthusiastic Learner, Samuel Chien – Excellence in Biomedical Science, and Chriselle Badua – Exemplary IB Learner.

PLTW teachers Chiara Morgan, Bryn Schultz, and Ellie Blanchard presented awards during the event attended by families, staff, and District officials.

The Walnut High students displayed knowledge, ability, and aptitude in the area of biomedical science.

Brandon Yueng said he discovered his career path during the program. The 17-year-old is looking at going into anesthesiology or cardiology.

“While we were studying the human body systems I did really well on the heart and circulation. So, I started getting more interested and then learned about it in our career journals,” he said.

Walnut High has also been selected as a 2018 PLTW Distinguished High School. The award is designed to honor schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in the PTLW program.
Since launching in 2013, Walnut High has remained the only school in the state to offer both IBCP with the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program as its career-related component.

There are currently only 179 IBCP schools worldwide, 96 in the United States, and three in California.

Being a part of this program has meant a lot to this group, Chien added.

“We’ve been together in so many classes, not just the IBCP program, and we’ve developed great friendships!”

The program requires students to complete four biomedical science courses and two IB diploma courses with end-of-year exams in each. Students also complete a personal and professional skills course, numerous service-learning projects, and a written reflective project.

The white lab coat is the distinctive dress of the biomedical scientist. Receiving or wearing the coat denotes that the wearer is not only deserving of the respect for his profession, but also an ethical, learned person of science.

 

Volunteer Recognition and Pinning Ceremony

By Anthony Saude
Diamond Bar – On April 26, the Sheriff’s Department held their annual Volunteer Recognition award and Pinning Ceremony at the STARS Center in Whittier. STARS is the primary training site for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Deputy Explorer program and is a learning for life certified law enforcement explorer academy.

This event recognizes Civilian Volunteers who have donated in excess of 5,000 hours of their time. The Helen Reardon award is presented annually in recognition of the Volunteer of the Year. All those who were nominated for the Helen Reardon Volunteer of the Year Award were recognized and honored.

The Walnut Station Booster Club President Gil Rivera was presented with the Helen Reardon Award this year. “Gil was nominated due to his countless hours of working to keep the Booster Club financially secure and successful,” said Sgt. Saldecke. “I was surprised and honored to win the award,” said Gil. “It represents the hundreds of hours that are put in by all of the board members to ensure that we have the funds needed to support the efforts of the volunteers at the station.”

Gil, along with the Booster Club Board of Directors, work tirelessly to ensure funding for our Disaster Communications Service, Explorer, Reserve Deputy, and all the Volunteer Programs training and equipment needs.

 

 

 

USATF Pulls Olympic Trials From Mt. SAC

Staff Reports

Walnut – Mt. San Antonio College was recently informed by USA Track and Field (USATF), that it will no longer host the 2020 USA Olympic Team Track and Field Trials. This decision means that USATF would reopen bidding for a new event venue.

While we are disappointed, we accept that the terms of the agreement give USATF the authority to withdraw from this commitment.

In June 2017, Mt. SAC was selected to host the 10-day event because of its long history of successfully holding world-class track and field events.  In the press release from USATF announcing our selection, board chair Steve Miller said, “Mt. SAC has long been one of the top meets in the country, from an athlete performance perspective as well as from an organizational perspective.”

The USATF referenced litigation from the City of Walnut and United Walnut Taxpayers as the reason for its decision. The two lawsuits that were mentioned have either been settled or ruled by a judge in the college’s favor, as was reported in Our Weekly News last week. Officials at Mt. SAC remain confident in their ability to deliver a completed stadium on time and a have a very successful event.

There will certainly be big losses at the college, including financial commitments, relationships with new and existing partners and thousands of hours of lost time. Most importantly, the entire Greater Los Angeles region will lose the economic impact of at least $37 million, which is the amount generated in 2016 by this event.

The Mt. SAC Local Organizing Committee is ready to execute the plans to host the 2020 in the event USATF reconsiders their decision. Regardless of what the future holds, Mt. SAC will be looking forward to continuing their well-established, positive relationship with USATF. Nobody knows what the future brings and if it brings the Trials back someday, they will be ready.

Mt. SAC has always prided itself on providing service to the sport by hosting world-class events. Like the Mt. SAC Relays and Cross Country Invitational that they have hosted for more than 60 years.

The college’s plans to build a stadium for their students and community, and to keep hosting top notch events remain unchanged. Mt. SAC officials are confident that they can continue to be the place where the world’s best athletes compete.

 

New On-Ramps, Off-Ramps in Diamond Bar Now Open

Photo: diamondbarca.gov

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – Two of the three legs of the new Lemon Avenue interchange of the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar opened on Tuesday, May 1 in time for the busy morning commute.

Caltrans will clear away the orange cones at 6 a.m. and officially allowed commuters to enter the westbound 60 Freeway via the brand new Lemon Avenue on-ramp. When they return home eastbound they will be exiting on the brand new newly constructed off – ramp for Lemon Avenue.

An eastbound freeway on-ramp, also at Lemon Avenue is scheduled to open sometime in June. When that is open it will complete the three-legged interchange that has been in the works for 14 years in the eastern section of Los Angeles County, at the corner of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange counties.

ACE the lead agency, Caltrans, Los Angeles County and the cities of Diamond Bar and City of Industry have been working together on this idea of adding the new exit/entrance to this busy section of freeway since 2004.

After the contract was finally signed in 2011 the vision began to take shape. The construction on this project has led to weekend lane closures, detours and delays for the past year and a half. The increase in truck traffic from the ports in Los Angeles and Long Beach has long clogged the 60 Freeway in the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire along the so called “truck route.” Hundreds of 18-wheeler trucks carry goods from the ports to warehouses in City of Industry as well as Ontario, Moreno Valley, San Bernardino and Riverside every day.

The eastbound off-ramp at Brea Canyon Road in Diamond Bar will be permanently closed. Motorists will no longer be able to exit the freeway there.

The eastbound on-ramp to the freeway at Brea Canyon will remain open until construction is complete on the Lemon Avenue on-ramp sometime in June.

Once the work is finished, the $22.5 million project will swap the Brea Canyon Road entrance and exit with a new Lemon Avenue entrance and exit a few miles to the west.

This project, it is said, will reduce existing traffic congestion, delays and  improve mobility and access to and from the 60 Freeway in Diamond Bar and Industry. According to ACE this will eliminate the weaving and confusion many drivers experience when approaching the busy 57 /60 Freeway interchange.

The hopes of the county and the nearby communities is that the truck traffic will be diverted away from the Diamond Bar, Brea Canyon Road area and the nearby streets going toward City of Industry. “For decades, drivers have got lost and end up driving the back streets of Diamond Bar looking for their destinations”, said Diamond Bar Councilwoman Carol Herrera in February.

Closing the Brea Canyon Road ramps and diverting cars and trucks to Lemon Avenue is just a precursor to a full-fledged reconfiguration of the larger 57/60 freeways where they join together for a two-mile stretch in Diamond Bar, known as the SR 57/60 Freeway Confluence.

The larger, $260-million project has been billed as a fix to the No. 1 freeway interchange in the state for truck accidents and delays as ranked by the American Transportation Research Institute.

DB Community Photo Contest

City of Diamond Bar

 

From its people to its places, Diamond Bar is brimming with photo-taking opportunities. If you live in town, we invite you to find some of these opportunities, photograph them and enter them into this year’s Through My Lens photo contest.

Co-sponsored by the City and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation, Through My Lens is now in its eight year and aims to raise community spirit while highlighting the best of Diamond Bar as captured through the camera lenses of residents.

The contest runs through Monday, October 15, with entries accepted in two age divisions (adult and youth) and five categories (people, pets, places, nature and digitally-altered).

Photo entries will be judged based on consistency with the “Diamond Bar living” theme, aesthetic appeal, originality, and creativity.

One entry will be selected as the winner in each of the divisions and categories, and those that come in a close second will receive an honorable mention. The overall top vote-getter will earn the grand prize title.

All winners will receive recognition by the Diamond Bar City Council and the Diamond Bar Community Foundation, and cash prizes of $50 for honorable mentions, $100 for winners, and $150 for the grand prize.

Official contest rules and the entry form is available at Diamond Bar City Hall, located at 21810 Copley Drive, or may also be downloaded from the City website at www.diamondbarca.gov/photocontest. To speak to someone about the contest, contact the City’s Public Information Division at 909.839.7057 or photocontest@diamondbarca.gov.

 

Child Abuse Suspect Faces 140 Years In Prison

By Anthony Saude

Chino Hills – A 29 year old Perris man faces 140 years in state prison when he is sentenced in June for sexually abusing two children over an eight-year span in Chino and Perris, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorneys’ office.

A jury of his peers convicted Alberto Ray Chavez, 29, of multiple felony counts in Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court on Thursday April 19, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

Chavez was convicted of one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child – sodomy, two counts of sexual intercourse or sodomy with a child 10 years old or younger, three counts of oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger, and two counts of committing a lewd act upon a child, according to a news release.

Sentencing for Chavez will be carried out on June 1 inside a West Valley Superior Courtroom in Rancho Cucamonga. Currently Chaves is being detained at West Valley Detention Center in the city of Rancho Cucamonga.

According to reports out of the Chino Police Department investigators were first alerted to the abuse on January 23, 2016. An investigation into the allegations was launched and Chavez was arrested and booked on February 3, 2016, on the 17500 block of Perris Boulevard in Moreno Valley.

It was determined by the investigating Detectives that Chavez sexually abused the victims over an eight year span on multiple occasions in Chino and Perris, according to Chino police. He pled not guilty to the charges in February 2016.

 

Diamond Bar Man Dies In Fatal Accident

Photo: insidesocal.com
A man died after his vehicle rolled down an emabankment about 700 on Angeles Crest Highway in the forest just north of La Canada Flintridge

By Anthony Saude

DIAMOND BAR —A Diamond Bar man was killed in tragic automobile accident authorities said. The Los Angeles County Coroner identified the victim as George McCreary Jr., age 64 of Diamond Bar. He had been driving late on Tuesday night near the Mt. Wilson area in the Altadena area when he lost control of his vehicle and went tumbling down a steep embankment.

According to the California Highway Patrol, “The crash was reported at 8:15 p.m. on Mt. Wilson Red Box Road.” According reports, Coroner’s spokesman Ed winter said that the paramedics pronounced McCreary dead at the scene.

McCreary was driving his Ford southbound on Mt. Wilson Red Box Road when, for unknown reasons, it veered to the right up onto a raised curb and smashed into a metal guardrail, traveled down a steep embankment, and slammed into several large trees on the way down, CHP reports said.

The Ford eventually stopped its descent laying on its right side against a large tree.

The vehicle eventually came to a rest on its right side against a large tree.

 

Magnolia Junior High Turns 50

By Anthony Saude

Chino – Magnolia Junior High of Chino celebrated its Golden Anniversary on April 13 with food, games, a presentation and special performances.

The school first opened in September of 1967 with more than 350 students enrolled. Walnut Avenue Elementary was also new and was bursting at the seams. It was decided that one of its fifth grade classes would transfer to Magnolia.

Nine years later construction was completed and in the same year, the school was rededicated.

Ramona Elementary vice Principal Victor Paulson, was named the school’s first principal and served loyally until he was promoted to Chino High principal. Then Dick Meyer who came from Arizona was named the new principal at Magnolia.

Klaas Weis, the wife of a dairy man and a mother, was the first ever parent-teacher organization president.

The celebration was rich with quality speakers which included current Magnolia principal Matt McCain and former principal John Miller, now the principal at Chino High.

Chino city councilman Gary George, retired physical education teacher Bob Dyer, and Bruce Warner, a teacher of Magnolia from the day the school opened until his retirement also spoke.

The school’s alumni band prepared a special musical performance just for the event.

Sean Jenkins, the school’s band instructor of 26 years, put together a community band comprised of former Magnolia students.

Most of the 40 band members were students of Chino High School, older alumni and a few advanced band students at the school also joined in.

Mr. Jenkins, is also an associate director of the USC school marching band, he said the band culture at Magnolia was set by, Perry Hal his predecessor as the school’s band director from 1992-2002. Mr. Hall’s position at Magnolia was filled by Mr. Jenkins when Hall left to teach at the high school. There are 113 students in the band and color guard program today  at Magnolia, this includes the advanced band members.

“Feedback from competition judges is that our students play better than many high schools,” Mr. Jenkins said.

Gaylen Roe, has spent all of her 28 years as a teacher at the school in the same classroom, said students there benefit from the collaborative teaching environment that has been created at the school.

Mrs. Roe will be retiring in June. She teaches an elective life skills class, that some of the older people used to know as home economics. Magnolia’s culinary arts program feeds into the culinary and hospitality academy offered at Chino High.

Magnolia currently has 659 students of which 73 percent are from low-income households.

Parent volunteer Elena Gomez-Lecaro said the school is connected by family generations and supportive community members.

The general feeling of the residents is that Magnolia is one of the best junior high schools in the community.

Boy Hit By SUV in Diamond Bar

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar -A nine-year-old boy was riding his scooter was struck by a sport-utility vehicle in Diamond Bar on Wednesday night, April 25. He suffered a broken jaw and minor internal injuries after he hit Wednesday night, deputies said.

As a precaution, a helicopter flew the child to the hospital.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s Detective David Timberlake said the Diamond Bar boy was in stable condition at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. The crash occurred just before 6 p.m. in a gated community in the 21100 block of Willow Heights Drive.

Timberlake said a Diamond Bar man was driving along the street between 8 to 10 mph. The boy was riding his scooter in his drive way when he went down the driveway and into the street right into the path of the SUV, the detective said.

The injured boy was taken to Diamond Bar High School where he waited for the helicopter to arrive to take him to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle was not arrested but the investigation is ongoing.

 

Planes of Fame Air Show

Photo Courtesy: PlanesofFame.org

STAFF REPORTS

Chino – Look to the skies on the weekend of May 5 and 6 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and watch all your favorite Planes of Fame as they soar through the skies at the Chino Airport. This year’s air show will be featuring over 40 historic aircraft, including P-47 Thunderbolts, P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs flying for your enjoyment. We invite you to join us in honoring the history, contributions, and sacrifices of our Veterans.
Performers include: A-10 Thunderbolt and Heritage Flight; Sean D. Tucker Team Oracle Aerobatics; World’s fastest piston engine aircraft P-51 Mustang Voodoo; N9MB Flying Wing Demo; Pacific, European, Korean & Vietnam Flight Displays, Sanders Sea Fury Aerobatics, Gregory ‘Wired’ Colyer T-33 Aerobatics and Rob Harrison the Tumbling Bear.

In addition to many other fantastic airplanes that will be performing and on static display, there will be a special panel discussion with some of our honored Veterans.

Follow our Planes of Fame Air show Facebook page to receive up to the minute news on Performers and attending Aircraft and Veterans!

This is an incredible event whether you are an aircraft enthusiast, or just looking to enjoy an amazing day.

The gates will open at 8 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, with the flying show running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Static displays and vendors will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with special merchandise and delicious food and beverages available. See all your favorite airplanes fly!

There will be a Kids Zone, static displays, food & vendors, and more!
SAVE $5 ORDER TICKETS ONLINE! (Hurry! Limited Time Offer)

Free Admission Kids 11 Years & Under, General $25 FREE PARKING! (Preferred Parking $17.50) FOR INFO AND TICKETS GO TO http://www.planesoffame.org

The airport and museum are located at 7000 Merrill Avenue, in Chino.

 

Lawsuit Over Air Show Settled

By Anthony Saude

Chino– Spectators will get an up-close look at aircraft at the 2018 Planes of Fame Air Show. A lawsuit filed last year by several Chino Airport tenants, who were hoping to shut down the annual event, was settled last month. Allowing the May 5 and 6 events to proceed. So it appears that the show will go on.

A civil lawsuit was filed last year by several Chino Airport tenants including Zangeneh Aeronautics, Socal MRO, Flying Tigers Aviation, Yanks Air Museum, and AFT Center to shut down the annual Planes of Fame Museum air show. The lawsuit that claimed their businesses were affected adversely by the air show by physically blocking and obstructing various airport businesses from operating by erecting fences and other barriers that kept customers from accessing their businesses.” All parties have agreed to a settlement on the lawsuit, allowing the Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6 event to go on as scheduled.

“We are happy to have reached an agreement so Planes of Fame Air Museum can bring to the aviation community one of the premier aviation events in the United States and the world,” said Planes of Fame president Steve Hinton in a statement on Tuesday. “We are pleased that the tradition will continue as many in the aviation community from all over the world look forward to their annual trip to Chino for the air show.”

The lawsuit also stated that the plaintiffs were seeking compensation for lost business, dating back to the year 2013. Since the lawsuit was filed, parties on both sides have been working together feverishly to come up with a solution that everybody could agree on. According to San Bernardino County Court records the lawsuit was dismissed last month, so it appears that they were able to reach an agreeement.

“I’m glad we have settled the lawsuit and are looking forward to better serving the aviation community,” said Flying Tigers president Michael Thayer in a news article. “I know with the additional support of Flying Tigers FBO and Yanks Air Museum, it will be the best air show ever and create a win-win for us all.” Moving forward, it looks like the airport tenants have pledged to work together with Planes of Fame for the success of future air shows. Which is good news for fans of the Annual Air Show.

Proposed Mental Health Hospital Concerns

Photo : youtube.com
Residents have concerns over the 50 bed mental health hospital being added to the prison.

By Anthony Saude

Chino – The news that a 50-bed mental health hospital is being proposed for the California Institution for Men (CIM) got out it wasn’t welcomed with open arms by all residents. The residents from the College Park neighborhood in Chino have concerns and showed up to a scheduled meeting to voice them to the prison’s citizens advisory committee on Tuesday at 8:30 am. When they arrived they were told that prison officials had given some inaccurate information about the 8:30 start time and they had missed the opening by 30 minutes.

The residents, the neighbors north of CIM, ended up at the California Institution for Women’s citizens advisory committee that was being held at a conference room on the Chaffey College campus. The Women’s advisory committee and prison official allowed the residents to present their concerns to them even if they were addressing the wrong group.

Residents read about the mental health hospital being proposed and were shocked. It was said that they don’t want to increase the prison population; they would rather see a decrease. The possible increased safety issues that could arise by putting a mental hospital in a residential community were also an expressed concern. The residents were informed that the city plans to discuss the facility at length with Scott Kernan the secretary for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) at a date that has not yet been determined.

Courts are now requiring that all inmates that suffer from a mental illness must be treated so the prisons are essentially being forced to have the same complete care as mental health hospitals. The 50 beds in this facility will be used for inmates in crisis, after treatment they will either be sent back to the prison they were assigned or they will be transferred to a state mental health hospital if more extensive treatment has been prescribed.

It is obviously very important to have controls in place so that the inmates don’t become a danger to the community upon release, and that good security is in place to prevent escapes. It is policy that nobody from CIM is ever released into the community where the prison is located. The law actually requires the inmates to be returned to the county they came from and then released.

 

 

 

 

 

City of Diamond Bar’s Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration

Staff Reports

 

It will be all things environmental at the City of Diamond Bar’s annual Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration, which will be held Saturday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Coast Air Quality Management District located at 21865 Copley Drive in Diamond Bar.

There will be plenty to see and do at this outdoor event, including:

Free Smart Gardening and Composting Workshop – 9:30 to 11 a.m. – Pre-registration is required

Learn how to spruce up your lawn or garden with plants and flowers that are water-thrifty but big on curb appeal and how to turn kitchen waste into nutrient-rich compost at this workshop.

Workshop attendees have a chance to purchase a compost bin at a reduced price of $40 (conventional bin) or $65 (worm bin with half-pound of worms). Only cash or check payment is accepted.

Paper Shredding – Bring up to five grocery bags or two banker boxes of household financial documents, personal medical records and other sensitive documents for on-site destruction and proper disposal. Make sure bags or boxes contain only documents and no batteries, binders, plastics or metals; folded, enveloped, stapled or paper-clipped papers are OK.

E-Waste and Textile Recycling – Have obsolete or broken electronics or clothing, shoes or linen that are too worn or damaged to donate? Bring them to the event to have them recycled.

Garden Mulch – Come ready with gloves, a shovel, and containers to collect and take home up to 80 gallons of mulch for your home garden.

Children’s Fun Area – Free earth-themed arts and crafts, and the chance to learn about, observe and touch more than 10 species of ocean animals inside the Long Beach Aquarium on Wheels that will be part of the kid-friendly offerings at this event.

Green Exhibits – Attendees will have the opportunity to check out displays of electric and plug-in hybrid-electronic vehicles, and visit various information booths to pick up giveaways and information about special programs to save money while conserving energy, water and preventing pollution.

For more information, call 909.839.7015 or visit http://www.diamondbarca.gov/earthday

City Council Reviews City’s Long-Term Financial Outlook

Staff Reports 

Norco – At a public Study Session on April 4, 2018, the Norco City Council received a presentation from staff regarding the long-term financial outlook of the City’s General Fund and various Capital Project Funds used for the construction, replacement and maintenance of City streets, trails, buildings, parks and parking lots. The video recording of the Study Session can be viewed here (https://bit.ly/2v13n2l). 

The presentation included a 10-year projection of revenues and expenditures for the City’s General Fund. The General Fund is the City’s primary operating fund and is the source of monies used to pay for public safety services, including police and fire, as well as park operations and maintenance, building maintenance, planning, building safety inspections, animal control, senior programs, general City administration and other expenditures of the City with no dedicated revenue source. In addition to the financial forecast for the General Fund, staff provided a 20-year infrastructure funding needs projection for streets, trails, buildings, parks and parking lots. A copy of the presentation can be viewed on the City’s website here (https://bit.ly/2HckXFI). 

While the City’s General Fund “rainy day” reserve amount currently stands at over $10 million, the financial forecast estimates that this amount will be depleted by fiscal year 2021-2022 if appropriate actions are not taken to eliminate the projected “structural operating budget deficit” in the General Fund. The anticipated deficit is due to expenditures, especially public safety costs, growing at a faster rate than the rate of growth for tax and other revenue receipts. The presentation outlined various previous actions taken by the City Council to reduce expenditures and enhance existing revenues. These previous expenditure reduction actions included contracting fire and emergency medical services, increasing pension and medical cost contributions by employees, and eliminating the motorcycle traffic enforcement program. The presentation also highlighted previous actions to improve revenue receipts through aggressive economic development. These efforts have resulted in the development of new retail establishments, Silver Lakes, hotels and other projects. 

While these efforts will continue in the future, Mayor Hoffman remarked that these measures will not be sufficient to generate the revenues needed to maintain current service levels and fund the replacement of City infrastructure. The 20-year forecast for infrastructure estimates that the City will need over $5 million in new revenues annually to protect investments in infrastructure and maintain the equestrian lifestyle that is cherished by Norco residents. Subsequently, in the coming weeks, the documents necessary to place a revenue measure on the November 2018 ballot for voters’ consideration will be presented to the City Council for action. Additional information will be posted on the City’s website as it becomes available. 

Inland Christian Home: Quality Environment For Seniors

Photo Caption: Inland Christian Home offers a community that assists seniors in many ways. They are located at 1950 S. Mountain Ave. in Ontario. For more info call 909-983-0084 or visit http://www.ichome.org.

Staff Reports

Ontario- Inland Christian Home, was founded by a number of local churches and began providing services in 1978. The primary mission of the community is a reflection of the heritage of its founders: to provide quality affordable individualized careto seniors in a Christian environment, it’s a place you can feel right at home. The community’s non-profit status promotes this mission as there are no owners who profit from its operation and all the revenues received are reinvested into the operations of the facility. As the baby boomer generation continues to age, it is important to know they have options. The aging process is not always an easy one and, at times requires the assistance of others. Inland Christian Home offers a community that assists in many ways. Its primary mission is to provide quality, affordable, individualized care to seniors in a Christian environment, making it a place you can feel right at home. Inland Christian Home, being licensed as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) through the Department of Social Services, provides many different levels of care which include Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Adult day care, Skilled Nursing and Rehab and Custodial Home care Services. The availability of diffe rent levels of care and service arrangements on the same grounds, offers seniors very unique advantages. Our philosophy is to encourage our residents to live as independently as possible at the lowest level of care. Our residents’ individual needs and desires are always considered in the arrangement of these services. We want Inland to be their home, not the facility in which they live, where all are treated as individuals and they participate and are given choices in how they live. The availability of different levels of care and service arrangements on the same grounds offers residents some very unique advantages. Residents can continue to reside at the community even though their abilities may change. Resident and their families have the comfort in knowing that their needs will be met. Inland Christian Home is a close-knit community that promotes the maintaining of social relationship residents have with other residents, friends, and family. Inland Christian Home also provides services to those who prefer to stay in their own homes. Custodial Home Care services make it possible by providing assistance with housekeeping, cooking, shopping, meal preparation, bathing, and dressing through educated caregivers. Inland Christian Home is here to promote aging in place, and gives seniors the ability to live at the lowest level of care even though their abilities change and their families have the comfort in knowing their needs will be met; making it a place you can feel right at home.

Wanna Get Away? AAA Travel Has Your Ticket

By Anthony Saude

I had always wanted to be an AAA member, if for nothing else, so I didn’t have to go to the DMV and stand in line for hours on end just to register my car. When I walked into the office I was delighted to see that they offered so many other services that I could take advantage of. It just so happened that my family was planning a vacation. I decided to stay around and spend a little more time learning about all of the services my membership would allow me. Everybody knows about or has heard about AAA Automobile Club DMV services and roadside assistance if your car breaks down on the side of the road and those are great things to have. You might even know that they have maps and discounts for all your travel needs but did you know that they have a full service travel agency as well? “AAA travel is a full service Travel Agency which offers personalized service to members and non-members for all of their travel needs,” says Diamond Bar branch manager, Beth Planavsky. Whether you want to embark on a weekend staycation, a cross-country road trip, or an excursion to the other side of the globe, “Our travel agents are very experienced and knowledgeable about all travel destinations,” said Beth. Where ever your plans take you, a personal travel agent will be assigned to you to make sure you get a customized once in a lifetime vacation experience. From taking your passport photo, to planning your itinerary step by step, to making sure that you take advantage of the full spectrum of discounts that are available to you along the way, AAA travel has your back. Members can also access a variety of travel resources including vacation guides and free maps for your domestic travel needs. Beth said, “Providing legendary service to our members is our number one goal here at the Diamond Bar Branch.” With all the AAA discounts that you get, the personalized service and Beth with her 30 years of experience in the industry a visit to the Diamond Bar Branch makes sense. When you are there you might as well check out all of the other services that AAA has to offer as well, like we said they are a “one stop shop.”Visit the Travel Agency at the Automobile Club of Southern California Diamond Bar office located in the Country Hills Towne Center. 2843 S. Diamond Bar Blvd, Diamond Bar, CA 91765 on the corner of Diamond Bar Blvd and Fountain Springs 909-444-029 serving Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Rowland Heights and Pomona.

FREE Sustainable Gardening Workshop

By Anthony Saude

Diamond Bar – The City of Diamond Bar is hosting a FREE Sustainable Gardening Workshop on Saturday, April 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:0a.m. The free Basic Composting Workshop will provide instructions on composting, worm composting, and water-wise gardening including a selection of drought tolerant plant.

California is either just starting a drought, in the middle of a drought or the last drought just ended but one way or another we are always in a drought. This can become a real problem and has even led to laws being changed and penalties being handed out. If we want to be a responsible California resident then we should always be learning new ways to conserve water and use our natural resources.

The City wants to invite residents to participate and learn about the plant combinations that require less water and add more color to your garden. Compost bins will be available for purchase at a discounted price of $45 for this event. Worm compost bins will also be available for the discounted price of $65. The FREE composting workshop will take place at the AQMD – West parking lot located at 21865 Copley Drive.

The workshop is OPEN to ALL Los Angeles County residents; however space is limited so pre registration is suggested. To register send an email to greendb@diamondbarca.gov, be sure to include your name and phone number or call the City’s Environmental Services Division at 909-839-7015.

WVUSD Celebrates Stellar Students And Volunteers

By Kelli Gile

WALNUT—Each month, Walnut Valley USD Board of Trustees celebrates hard-working students and dedicated community members.

During the March 14 meeting, Evergreen and Maple Hill Elementary leaders took to the podium to introduce their hand-picked honorees.

Evergreen fifth grader Luis Bartolo received the Super Star Student Award.

“Luis is always so positive and friendly to everyone he meets,” said Principal Trina Dryer recalling when a first grader visited his special education class for social lessons.

“Luis was chosen to walk the student back to his class and they could be seen holding hands, talking away as they walked and skipped down the hall. It truly showed Luis’s leadership and his caring for others!” she said.

Luis is also brave and willing to try new things even though he might afraid or anxious, Dryer said.

He recently went on a field trip to an equestrian center and was able to ride a horse successfully.

And at the recent Talent Show, Luis performed a song all by himself in front of an audience of over 650 students.  This is something that most people would not do!

“Luis, your Evergreen family is so proud of all your growth and accomplishments. We are going to miss you next year when you go to middle school!”

Mike Yamashiro and Ken Tragarz were honored with Partner in Education Awards.

During the annual Open House, the Walnut High School Astronomy Club, under the direction of teacher Mike Yamashiro, hosts a Star Party and Ken Tragarz with the Boy Scout Troop 737 cook up peach cobbler and other desserts in Dutch ovens.

“The Star Party has been a fun addition to our Open House event for the past six years,” Dryer said.

Families get to look through huge telescopes at the night sky.  There are usually lines of people waiting for their special turn to peer at the stars and planets.

The` Boy Scouts offer their delicious desserts and hot chocolate free of charge.

“They are quickly taken and eaten. I never get any!” Dryer said.

“We are very grateful to Mike, the Astronomy Club, Ken with the Boy Scout Troop for volunteering their time and hard work to make it an even more special evening!”

Maple Hill Elementary fifth grader Ethan McNeil was lauded with the Super Star Student Award.

“Ethan is a legacy who has paved his own way with his kind heart, strong mind, and great spirit,” shared Principal Kelly Morris.

He is compassionate, selfless, a talented athlete, and champion for kids that are underdogs.

“In class, he is like a Jedi – focused, disciplined, enthusiastic, and motivated,” Morris said.

“And all of his teachers will 100% agree that he has a heart of gold!”

When his grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, Ethan was compelled to advocate and support others affected with cancer.

With his sister’s help, Ethan created a school fundraising campaign that raised $1,500 for the WVUSD Relay for Life.

“Gentle souls like Ethan will be the calm force that the world needs to be a better place. And how lucky are we to be the village that’s helping to raise this stellar human being!” Morris said.

Parent volunteer and “everyday superhero” Steve Samaniego was honored with the Partner in Education Award.

The dedicated volunteer has run three reading groups every Monday morning for the past four years.

“He has positively impacted the lives of approximately 100 reluctant readers. But more importantly, he has had an impact on their hearts,” Principal Morris said.

During a 2nd grade musical, Steve was in the audience watching his daughter Vera perform, and during the opening number it was obvious that one student from his morning reading group was anxiously scanning the audience in search of his parents. At first, despair washed over his face, but within one small moment his sorrow turned into elation.

“I assumed that he spotted his parents, but when I peered over the many cameras, I saw that boy was looking directly at Mr. Samaniego who was giving him a thumbs-up, smiling ear to ear, and mouthing words of praise and encouragement,” Morris described.

“Mr. Samaniego isn’t just a parent who volunteers his time, he is a parent that volunteers his heart!”