SGV News covers Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of the San Gabriel Valley; portions of the western Inland Empire; and northern Orange County. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: February 2016 SGV Newspaper
Category Archives: Uncategorized
History 101
Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Monarch
By Carol Heyen
Photo courtesy: Google Images
On February 6, 1952, after a long battle against lung cancer, King George VI of Great Britain and Northern Ireland died in his sleep at the royal estate at Sandringham. Princess Elizabeth, the oldest of the king’s two daughters and next in line to succeed him, was in Kenya at the time of her father’s death. Upon George’s death, Elizabeth became queen. She was formally crowned Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953, at age 27.
Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, born on April 21, 1926, and known to her family as Lilibet, was groomed as a girl to succeed her father. She married a distant cousin, Philip Mountbatten, on November 20, 1947, at London’s Westminster Abbey. The first of Elizabeth’s four children, Prince Charles, was born in 1948.
According to History.com, Elizabeth has understood the value of public relations since the start of her reign, and allowed her 1953 coronation to be televised, despite objections from Prime Minister Winston Churchill and others who felt it would cheapen the ceremony. Elizabeth, the 40th British monarch since William the Conqueror, has worked hard at her royal duties and become a popular figure around the world. In 2012, she celebrated 60 years as Queen with her Diamond Jubilee. On September 10, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning British monarch ever, surpassing the 63 years 7 months that her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria spent on the throne.
The role of Queen in modern times, being that it is largely ceremonial, has come into question as British taxpayers have complained about covering the royal family’s travel expenses and palace upkeep. Still, the royals are effective world ambassadors for Britain and a huge tourism draw.
Here are some interesting facts about Queen Elizabeth II that you may not know:
- She was the first head-of-state to use electronic mail, when in 1976, she sent her first email at a demonstration in Malvern, England;
- She drove a truck in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, and is the only living head of state to have served in WWII;
- She doesn’t have a passport or a driver’s license;
- She paid for the material for her wedding gown with ration coupons;
- She once woke up to find a stalker in her bedroom;
- She loves the Pembroke Welsh Corgi dog breed, and has had Corgis since the 1930s;
- She is an avid horsewoman
- She has four children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
November 2015 SGV News
SGV News covers Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of the San Gabriel Valley; portions of the western Inland Empire; and northern Orange County. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format:November 2015 SGV Newspaper
Sheriff Warns of False Kidnapping Scams
Staff Reports
San Bernardino County – Last week, several victims in various cities in the County of San Bernardino have received phone calls from unknown suspect(s), claiming their child/children had been abducted.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public of these alleged kidnapping phone scams that are on the rise. These scams target parents to extort money from them claiming that they have and will harm their children.
According to Sheriff’s reports, the suspect(s) have threatened to harm or kill the child/children if the victim did not cooperate with their demands. The suspect(s) have personal knowledge of the intended victim(s), including their children’s names. The suspect(s) claims they are monitoring police scanners and would know if law enforcement was notified.
During a couple of the scam calls, the suspect(s) used a child as a decoy, having the child cry and beg for help over the phone. The suspect(s) directed the victims to remain on the phone, proceed directly to a bank and withdraw funds. The suspect(s) instructed the victims to go to a money transfer location and wire the money to them. The suspect(s) kept the victim on the telephone during the entire transaction.
Sheriff’s have no verified kidnappings to date. If a similar call is received, immediately call 911 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-8313 or 760-956-5001 and, verify the whereabouts of your child/children. If you have information regarding the suspects involved in this activity, please contact Sheriff’s Dispatch.
August 2015 SGV News
SGV News covers Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of the San Gabriel Valley; portions of the western Inland Empire; and northern Orange County. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: August 2015 SGV Newspaper
Eastvale Neighborhood Watch
HELP COMBAT CRIME. BE A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH BLOCK CAPTAIN!
START A PROGRAM IN YOUR COMMUNITY
City of Eastvale
Neighborhood Watch SignThe Eastvale Police Department is dedicated to public safety and is offering Eastvale residents an ongoing opportunity to partner in reducing crime and keeping our City safe. Eastvale Police Department is continuously looking for citizens interested in starting an active Neighborhood Watch program.
Neighborhood Watch is a cooperative partnership between neighbors and their police department designed to improve security and reduce crime. Citizens involved with the Eastvale Neighborhood Watch program will learn about the Eastvale Police Department resources and proven principals for increasing security and reducing crime. Public safety is everyone’s responsibility, and together we can make a real difference.
There are currently over 1,000 streets in Eastvale and approximately 100 different housing tracts. Our goals is to establish 100 new Block Captains (10%) and we are well on our way to achieving that goal.
If you are interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch program in your area, please contact Deputy Deanna Myers at (951) 955-9225, or email Deputy Myers at ddmyers@riversidesheriff.org.
In order to assist our citizens in their efforts, the City has created a flyer that citizens can download and edit for their personal use in promoting their Neighborhood Watch program and meetings. <Download the flyer>
Frederick Douglass Liberty Act
SB 539 – Confederate States of America Ban Passes Final Senate Test
Photo Courtesy: Twitter. Senator Bob Huff
Staff Reports
San Dimas – Legislation that would prohibit all public schools, buildings, parks, roadways and other state-owned property from using names associated with Confederate military and elected leaders passed off the Senate Floor on Tues., Sept. 8, and will be sent to the Governor for his signature consideration, according to a release issued by the office of Senator Bob Huff (R-San Dimas). SB 539, authored by Senator Steve Glazer (D-Contra Costa) and co-authored by Senator Huff, passed with a solid majority of 31 ‘aye’ votes.
SB 539 would apply to all elected leaders of the Confederacy and military generals.
“This isn’t a difficult vote for me,” said Huff during the Sept. 8 Senate Floor debate. “It’s not revisionist. It’s not picking and choosing. It’s a matter of moving on as one nation.”
Huff agreed to co-author the measure after meeting with Senator Glazer following the shooting deaths of nine African-American men and women at a church in South Carolina. Both agree that the use of Confederate-associated names in California public schools, buildings, parks, roads and other public property only serves to promote the discriminatory agenda of the Confederate States of America. It is an assault on California’s mission for racial equality.
There are currently two schools named after top Confederate General Robert E. Lee, one in San Diego and the other in Long Beach.
“If South Carolina can take action to remove the Confederate battle flag that flew over their State Capitol, we can certainly take similar action here,” said Huff. “We should have no interest in enshrining the names of Confederate leaders, the secessionist movement or their ideals in our public schools, buildings, parks or other state property.”
Senator Bob Huff represents the 29th Senate District covering portions of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties.
Eastvale Council Recap
By Emily Aguilar and Staff Reports
Eastvale – The Eastvale City Council held a short meeting on May 13 at Rosa Parks Elementary School. Council members present were Clint Lorimore, Joe Tessari, Bill Link, and Mayor Ike Bootsma. Councilman Adam Rush arrived later in the meeting.
The meeting started off with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Mayor Pro Tem Link. After the announcements, upcoming events, and approval of the last City Council Meeting, the New Business section started with the 4.1 Budget Study Session for the Annual Operations and Capital Improvement Budget Fiscal year 2015-2016. The budget draft was presented, which included revenue and expenditure results through the first eight months of the fiscal year 2014-2015, as well as updated projections of general fund results through the end of fiscal year June 30, 2015.
According to the Eastvale City Council Minutes, City Manager Michele Nissen introduced the item and presented her department’s budget. Then, each department head presented their department’s budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Lastly, Council members discussed the item and staff answered related questions.
The City Council did not make any changes to the proposed budget, but thanked staff for all their work on the budget. Nissen stated that the final budget adoption will go before the City Council at the June 10 City Council meeting. After this, the meeting was adjourned at 5:36 p.m.
The second meeting of the month was held on May 27, and was dedicated to Robert Craig, the Jurupa Community Services District board member and committed community volunteer who passed away recently.
The Council focused on a variety of topics ranging from anniversary pins to the cruciality of conserving water.
The meeting began with Pastor Ed Moreno of New Day Christian Church leading the group in prayer, asking the Lord to provide His blessings onto the City.
Skipping the closed session, the meeting started with the Presentations/Announcements. A City golf tournament will take place on Aug. 24; volunteer positions have been opened for the Picnic at the Park event taking place June 26 to 28. The City is also looking forward to the popular Concerts in the Park series every Friday night from July 10 to Aug. 28.
The Student Liaison Report was provided by ERHS Junior, Julia Sung, who gave her report on upcoming school graduation ceremonies.
In regard to the Consent Calendar, the board motioned for the passing of the Surplus City Hall Property, which would declare the outdated City Hall property as being surplus, authorizing the City Manager to dispose of the property.
Moving onto the Public Hearings, City Manager, Michele Nissen, spoke regarding the 2015-2016 Waste Management Rate Increase Request. Having been motioned, the public hearing regarding Waste Management would continue onto the June 10 City Council Meeting agenda.
There were no Old Business items.
Moving on to New Business, there was a brief discussion on a pin design for Eastvale’s 5th Anniversary – Designs A and B – and if it would be best to produce 500, 1,000, or 1,500 pins to sell in the future. After discussion, the committee motioned for the production of 1,500 pins for Design B.
The conversation moved onto the approval of the Landscaping and Lighting Maintenance District No.89-1, which approved the agreement between Riverside and the City, and led to the adoption of levying and collecting assessments.
Before concluding the meeting, Councilman Lorimore addressed the City Manager’s Report. Following a statement Governor Jerry Brown had made in early April, Lorimore reminded the Council that because California was in a crucial drought, Brown has had to impose cities with a severe 25% water usage reduction. Lorimore argued that Eastvale citizens are not overusing water; however, he recommended citizens monitor their water usage to avoid fines from JCSD.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m., and the next meeting will be held on Wed., June 10.
Courts Deny Walnut’s Filing Against Mt. SAC
Staff Reports
Walnut – On April 1, the Los Angeles County Superior Court issued a denial of the City of Walnut’s application for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Mt. San Antonio Community College, and their construction of a forthcoming parking structure.
According to Jill Dolan, MPA, Director of Public Affairs for Mt. SAC, not only was the temporary restraining order denied, but the Court also ruled that the City has not shown that it is likely to prevail on the merits concerning the zoning issues, and, as such, did not set a hearing for a preliminary injunction on the matter.
“The Court ruled that ‘the City acknowledges that its involvement with the project is limited to review of improvements to the sidewalks, curb cuts, and other street improvements,’” said Dolan.
As recently as the Walnut City Council meeting on Mar. 25, some residents of the Timberline neighborhood urged City officials to move toward litigation against Mt. SAC, citing that the imminent parking structure would “increase traffic congestion, noise pollution, air pollution and ruin the backyard views of many of the nearby houses.” These are the same issues that have come to the forefront of Council meetings for some time.
Representatives from Mt. SAC have said that during the planning stages of this project, they have worked with the City of Walnut. Mt. SAC met with the City planning and engineering staffs, and in 2007 presented a plan for the structure to the college’s Board of Trustees. The college also submitted environmental impact reports to the City, as required by the California Environmental Quality Act as early as 2002 – with updates in 2005, 2008 and 2012. The California Division of the State Architect’s office made the final decision to approve the parking structure.
Despite working with City, Walnut’s City Attorney, Michael Montgomery, made it very clear to residents attending the Mar. 11 Council meeting, that the City would likely start litigation against Mt. SAC to halt the parking structure to appease the Timberline residents. Montgomery said the college’s officials exhibited “absolutely arrogance” by refusing to read two separate letters about amending the location of the structure,
In a recent statement, Dr. William Scroggins, President and CEO of Mt. SAC, said, “The court ruling validates that Mt. San Antonio College’s parking structure project has been appropriately designed. The structure is a necessity for the students and the broader community we serve.”
And with that, 1650 additional parking spaces – 13 years in the making – will ultimately benefit the students who spend copious amounts of time driving around the campus trying to find a spot to park.
The parking structure is expected to be completed by Jan. 2017.
Have You Seen Betty?
Photo courtesy: Riverside Sheriff’s Department
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
Riverside – Video surveillance captured Betty Toepfer exiting the RTA bus at the downtown Riverside terminal on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at 9:45 A.M. She was last seen alone, on foot, leaving the bus terminal towards the area of University and Market. In addition to downtown Riverside and the city of Jurpua Valley, it is possible Toepfer may have also taken the bus to the Galleria at Tyler located in the city of Riverside.
Actual surveillance images from 04/08/15 show Toepfer wearing a teal and black colored zip-up jacket, dark pants, black and white converse style tennis shoes, and carrying a medium-sized black purse without a shoulder strap.
On Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at 10:45 PM, deputies from the Jurupa Valley Police Department responded to the 8300 block of 45th Street, in the city of Jurupa Valley in reference to a report of a missing adult. Deputies learned Betty Jean Toepfer, an 87 year old elderly female was last seen at her residence on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at 6:30 A.M.
Toepfer does not drive and is known to take the bus as her primary means of transportation. An extensive search of the area was conducted but Toepfer has not been located. Investigators assigned to the Jurupa Valley Station arrived on scene and assumed the investigation.
Betty Toepfer is described as a white elderly female who stands 5 foot 3 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes possibly wearing a blazer type jacket or sweater and carrying a black purse. According to Betty’s family she wears a hearing aid and has slight memory loss. Toepfer does not have a cell phone and frequents the Jurupa Valley Library located at 8660 44th Street in the city of Jurupa Valley, and the downtown Riverside area.
A Silver Alert was issued through the California Highway Patrol in an effort to locate Toepfer.
Anyone with information regarding Betty Jean Toepfer’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department at (951) 776-1099.
Photo courtesy: Riverside Sheriff’s Department
Photo courtesy: Riverside Sheriff’s Department
The Truth About Dementia
The Truth About Dementia
The word dementia gets used a lot when talking about aging and certain diseases. A common misconception is that dementia is a disease in itself. It is, in fact, a set of symptoms, which can be caused by a number of disorders.
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Brain damage from an injury or a stroke can also cause dementia, as can other diseases like Lewy body dementia and Huntington’s disease.
Dementia vs. Old Age
If you notice memory slips in an elderly relative you might automatically assume that they are in the early stages of dementia, but you might be jumping to the wrong conclusion. Some amount of memory loss is normal as we age.
To be considered dementia, your loved one’s symptoms must interfere with his or her daily life. The symptoms also need to affect more than one category of brain function, such as memory, communication, judgment, or language.
Part 3 of 10
Alzheimer’s Effects on the Brain
Stages of Dementia
Progressive dementia, which is dementia that gets worse with time, is the most common type. Five stages of progressive dementia have been outlined. They are part of the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), which professionals use to evaluate the progression of symptoms in patients with dementia.
The five stages describe a patient’s ability to perform in six different areas of cognition and functioning: orientation, memory, judgment, home and hobbies, personal care, and community.
Part 5 of 10
Stage 1: CDR-0 or No Impairment
Stage one of the CDR represents no impairment in a person’s abilities. If your loved one gets a score of 0, they have no significant memory problems, are fully oriented in time and place, have normal judgment, can function out in the world, have a well-maintained home life, and are fully able to take care of their personal needs.
Alzheimer’s often severely damages the hippocampus, inhibiting your ability to form new memories. As the disease progresses, it impairs the areas of the brain involved in processing speech and spatial awareness.
Stage 2: CDR-0.5 or Questionable Impairment
A score of 0.5 on the CDR scale represents very slight impairments. Your loved one may have minor memory inconsistencies. They might struggle to solve challenging problems and have trouble with timing. Additionally, they may be slipping at work or when engaging in social activities. At this stage, however, they can still manage their own personal care without any help.
Part 7 of 10
Stage 3: CDR-1 or Mild Impairment
With a score of 1, your loved one is noticeably impaired in each area, but the changes are still mild. Short-term memory is suffering and disrupts some aspects of their day. They are starting to become disoriented geographically and may have trouble with directions and getting from one place to another.
They may start to have trouble functioning independently at events and activities outside the home. At home, chores may start to get neglected, and someone may need to remind them when it is time to take care of personal hygiene.
Stage 4: CDR-2 or Moderate Impairment
A score of 2 means that your elderly relative is moderately impaired. They now need help taking care of hygiene. Although well enough to go out to social activities or to do chores, they need to be accompanied.
At this stage there is more disorientation when it comes to time and space. They get lost easily and struggle to understand time relationships. Short-term memory is seriously impaired and it is difficult to remember anything new, including people they just met.
Part 9 of 10
Stage 5: CDR-3 or Severe Impairment
The fifth stage of dementia is the most severe. At this point your loved one cannot function at all without help. They have experienced extreme memory loss. Additionally, they have no understanding of orientation in time or geography. It is almost impossible to go out and engage in everyday activities, even with assistance. Function in the home is completely gone and help is required for attending to personal needs.
Progressive Dementia
When you learn about the five stages of dementia, you begin to understand how devastating these symptoms can be as they get worse. The majority of dementia cases are progressive, but there are some that are reversible.
If dementia is caused by an infection, a nutritional deficiency, as a side effect of a medication or from brain bleeding, the symptoms can be stopped and reversed as long as the underlying cause is treated.
March Madness
By Pastor Mark Hopper
Pastor Mark Hopper
The highlight of the college basketball season is “March Madness.” This is when 64 college teams are selected to participate in the annual NCAA basketball tournament.
During the month of March, these 64 teams will be reduced to the Final Four and only one will be crowned the champion. It is an exciting month.
I have told you that when I was in high school, I played baseball and ran cross country; but, my favorite sport in school was playing basketball.
I am not very tall and I wasn’t very fast, but I loved to play basketball. Unlike baseball and cross country, there were usually a lot of people at a high school basketball game.
There were cheerleaders, lots of fans, and usually a small “pep band” that filled our school gym with noise and energy. It was loud and crazy and lots of fun.
I played point guard on the team. My job was to set up plays and pass the ball to my teammates near the basket. I was also expected to play defense and prevent the other team from getting a fast break and easy bucket at our end of the court.
Basketball is fluid; it keeps moving. Plays and opportunities develop quickly and it was fun to work with other members of our team to score a basket.
Baseball is different. It is a slow paced game where you wait for the pitcher to pitch and the hitter to hit. A baseball game can last for hours. A basket ball game is a lot faster and a lot shorter.
One of my favorite movies is, “Hoosiers.” It is about a basketball team from a small town in Indiana that makes it to the state finals. In one scene, the coach tells a player, “Don’t shoot the ball unless you are right under our basket and no one else is around!”
I think that is what my high school coach said to me. I think he preferred that I pass the ball and shoot as little as possible. I think I usually scored about 4 points a game. I do remember scoring 13 points one time, but most of them were on free throws!
March Madness is almost here. College teams from around the country will be competing for the national title. For a few short weeks, basketball will capture the attention of the sports world and fill our TV screens with many memorable moments.
I hope you can enjoy it. I know I will.
Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.
February 2015 Community News
Community News covers Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of the San Gabriel Valley; portions of the western Inland Empire; and northern Orange County. Click this link to access the complete issue in PDF format: Community News February 2015
Meet Lt. Scott Forbes
(Photo Courtesy: City of Eastvale)
Eastvale’s newest addition, Assistant Chief of Police, Lt. Scott Forbes
Staff Reports
Eastvale – Lt. Scott Forbes has been selected to serve as the new Police Lieutenant and Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Eastvale.
Lt. Forbes earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University before starting his law enforcement career at the Banning Police Department in 1995. He worked assignments in patrol, schools, and investigations, and promoted to the rank of Sergeant before coming to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 2002.
Within the Sheriff’s Department, Forbes has worked assignments in patrol, traffic, contracts, and investigations at the Southwest Station, Perris Station, and Sheriff’s Administration.
In 2014, Forbes promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and transferred to the Jurupa Valley Station where he oversaw the school resource officer and traffic divisions before taking on his current assignment as the Assistant Chief of Police for the City of Eastvale.
Please join us in welcoming Lt. Forbes to the City of Eastvale. He may be reached at the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station at (951) 955-2600, or via email at SForbes@riversidesheriff.org.
The Grass Is Greener
By Michael Armijo
Years ago, I read a Question & Answer column in a local newspaper about Bob Pacheco, and it really moved me.
I picked up the phone that day, and called his office in Sacramento (when he was our local Assemblyman), and asked him about his life. He was very open and candid, and told me the truth about his life in an effort to help me with my own. I thought my life was tough and that I had a rough time. I thought I overcame a lot.
Bob spoke of his father who was a farm worker and didn’t speak any English. He mentioned how his mother was crippled and only had a 2nd Grade education. He recalled helping his father in the fields, and how poor his family was – and yet he managed to graduate from college and finish law school.
I’ve been told to stay away from politics, stay away from mentioning political candidates or endorsing people. But I’m not speaking about Bob the politician; I’m speaking about Bob the human being.
I believe the toughest dreams in life are the ones that require forging new paths. Bob mentioned that when he was in junior college, he took an entrance exam and the counselor asked him what he wanted to do. He said he wanted to be an attorney. She suggested he should be a mechanic.
When I was 16, I was working for Sav-On. My father always spoke of security in income, security in employment, and hoped that I would someday become manager of Sav-On.
Sometimes we need to go against the grain, against the odds, against what others call “the norm”. If Bob and I had listened to others, I would be managing Sav-On and he would be fixing my car.
But I didn’t want to be a manager; I wanted to own the place. I wanted to have enough financial comfort that I could follow my dreams of being a writer, touching lives and helping people. Bob wanted to become a lawyer. He wanted to be in a position where he could help people in serious need; inspiring disadvantaged children who do not believe they have the skills to be accomplished in life.
Although it’s tough disregarding all that we’re told and going with our hearts, I believe that sometimes it’s necessary. I believe that we should always listen to others advice but never abandon our dreams.
When I was in 7th Grade, I realized I wanted to become a writer and now, years later, I make my living as a writer. At 19, Bob Pacheco realized he wanted to be an attorney, and years later, he finished law school and passed the bar exam.
I look at myself now and I like who I’ve become. Friends of mine have taken other routes that brought them picket fences and fancy cars at a young age, while I went against the odds and followed my dreams.
I look at Bob and I see someone who is always trying to help, who always offers a kind word and a warm heart; a man who also has ignored the easy route and chose to follow the tough road of a dreamer.
Many people say that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, and many times it is. That can be very distracting to the dreamers in life. So if the greener grass is distracting and you truly want to follow your heart, then start watering your own yard, and stop looking at the other side of the fence.
Eastvale Chamber Chairman Gala
The Eastvale Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to many exciting events this month, including their 1st Annual Chairman’s Gala, to be held this month on January 22 at 6 p.m. This is an event that will show members how much they are truly appreciated.
The Gala will be held at the Eastvale Community Center at 13820 Schleisman Rd., Eastvale, CA 92880. Tickets are $50 pre-sale and $65 at the door.
The Eastvale Chamber of Commerce can be reached at (951) 768-6000, or visit http://www.eastvalechamberofcommerce.org for more information about events, businesses and membership. The Eastvale Chamber of Commerce is located at 12523 Limonite Avenue, Suite 440-428.
Let your business voice be heard. Support the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce!
L.A. COUNTY FIRE IS HIRING FIREFIGHTERS!
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM JANUARY 21-23, 2015
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Fire Department has posted its Firefighter Trainee examination bulletin on its website. Applications will be accepted for a period of two (2) days, beginning Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at 1 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, until Friday, January 23, 2015, at 1 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
To view the examination bulletin and find additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions and the Firefighter Trainee Study Guide, visit the Department website’s Recruitment information page at http://www.fire.lacounty.gov/be-a-firefighter/.
“We are expecting a large number of applicants, which will ensure that we are able to fill our firefighter vacancies to sustain the necessary level of emergency staffing in the communities we serve,” said Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby.
Last November, the Board of Supervisors passed a motion to create a strike team to expedite and oversee the administration of the Firefighter Trainee examination. This team consists of representatives from the County Equity Oversight Panel, the Department of Human Resources, the Office of County Counsel, Local 1014, and members of the Fire Department, including its Human Resources team.
“The strike team has met to ensure that our Firefighter Trainee examination process meets with Board approval and secures testing validity and confidentiality. While we were already working to safeguard our examination process, we appreciate the collaborative efforts of the strike team,” Osby said.
For more information contact the Department’s Public Information team at (323) 881-2411.
Riverside County: Cal Fire Riverside Promotes New Division Chief
Staff Reports
New Northwest Division Chief, Silvio Lanzas (Photo Courtesy: rvcfire.org)
Riverside County – On Mon., Dec. 1, 2014, Cal Fire’s Riverside County Fire Chief, John R. Hawkins, proudly announced the promotion of Silvio Lanzas to Division Chief, during their Executive Staff Meeting.Lanzas began his career with Cal Fire (then CDF) as a Fire Explorer in 1992 in the San Bernardino Unit. He then furthered his career in the positions of Firefighter I and Firefighter II serving the communities of Highland, Devore, Chino Hills and Yucaipa.
Between fire seasons, Lanzas worked in Cal Fire Riverside’s Perris Emergency Command Center. He remained in the unit as a Fire Apparatus Engineer assigned to fire stations in Menifee, Sun City, Canyon Lake and Moreno Valley. He also worked two special assignments at the Perris Emergency Command Center.
Lanzas promoted to Fire Captain and held assignments in the San Bernardino, and later Riverside, Units.
In 2009, Lanzas promoted to Battalion Chief where he was assigned to the Moreno Valley Battalion prior to his final assignment as a Battalion Chief overseeing the Perris Emergency Command Center.
Lanzas now oversees the Northwest Division, which includes unincorporated areas of Riverside County, the Cities of Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Norco and the Rubidoux Community Services District. His additional responsibilities include operational and administrative supervision of the Cal Fire/CDC Norco Conservation Camp. Lanzas holds two Associate’s Degrees and is a California State-Certified Chief Officer.
Lanza is married to wife, Kara, and they have two sons – Isaiah, 16, and Jakob, 4.
Ontario: Man Arrested For Minor Sex Crimes
Staff Reports
Suspect Cesar Garcia, 39 (Photo Courtesy: Chino Hills Police)
Chino Hills – Deputies from the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Division assisted Chino Hills’ Detectives in the arrest of a 39-year old man who had a year-long sexual relationship with a teen girl, and continued to stalk her through social media after the termination of the relationship.
According to the Chino Hills Police Department, Cesar Garcia, 39, of Ontario, began a relationship with a 15-year old girl he met through his teenage sister. Garcia used the deception of inviting the girl to babysit his children in order to get her into his house on a repeated basis.
Garcia reportedly had profiles on multiple social media sites, and was in contact with the victim and several of her friends. He is also said to have used social media to request and receive child pornography. Witnesses have seen Garcia parked near the victim’s home on several occasions.
A year into the relationship, the victim attempted to end the relationship, but Garcia would not allow it. On Aug. 22, Garcia followed the victim and her friends, confronted the group and ripped her phone from her hands. The confrontation prompted the victim to notify law enforcement.
When Garcia learned law enforcement was involved, he reportedly abandoned his five minor children and fled from his Ontario apartment.
Garcia continued to stalk the victim, including the hacking of her social media sites. He posted inappropriate, sexual content on her sites and used her profiles to have communication with other teen girls (the Chino Hills Police Department notes that some popular social applications used by teens are administered by companies outside of the U.S. that do not comply with law enforcement requests for criminal content). Despite an active warrant for his arrest, Garcia evaded law enforcement for three months, all the while continuing to stalk and harass the victim.
On Mon., Dec. 15, Garcia was arrested in Garden Grove by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Division. Garcia’s daughter, Britnie Garcia, 19, was also arrested for playing an active role in helping her father evade apprehension. Both were booked at the West Valley Detention Center. Cesar Garcia is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Police Detectives are concerned there may be additional victims in this case considering the suspect’s methods and his presence on social media. Anyone who might be a victim or has knowledge regarding this situation is encouraged to contact Detective Harper at the Chino Hills Police Station, at (909) 364-2000. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the process.
Santa Makes House Calls In Chino Hills
Staff Reports
Chino Hills – Santa and his helper will arrive from the North Pole to spread holiday cheer and visit homes in the City of Chino Hills.
The Chino Hills recreation staff is in charge of helping Santa find his way around the City. Reservations may be made at the Recreation Office at City Hall, 14000 City Center Drive.
Santa visits are available December 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21 from 4 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $40 per visit for parties of less than 20 people. Larger parties are charged $50 per visit. Each visit is limited to 15 minutes. Special requests for visits will be considered based upon Santa’s schedule. Two consecutive visits may be scheduled to provide a single 30-minute visit if desired, depending upon availability.
Call (909) 364-2700 for more information. This program is limited to visits within the City of Chino Hills.
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