BY KELLI GILE

Walnut High School golfers, Patricia Wong and Serena Hou, signed letters of intent on Nov.12 (shown with Athletic Director, Jerry Person). (Photo Courtesy: Kelli Gile)

Walnut – Two Walnut High School seniors, Serena Hou and Patricia Wong, signed letters of intent on Nov. 12 to play golf in college. Their families, teammates, and coach were on hand for the lunchtime ceremony.“Congratulations to both of you – we’re proud and excited,” said Principal Jeff Jordan.

“I’m very excited,” said Hou, who will play at Southern Illinois University. “I’ve been working so hard all my life to reach this goal and my parents have been very supportive. And now we’re here!”

Wong will play at Pepperdine University next year.

“My hand shook a little during the signing, but it’s a wonderful day,” the 17-year old Wong exclaimed. “I feel so blessed for this crazy opportunity!”

Pepperdine was also Wong’s first campus visit.

“It went so well, I said ‘this is my last visit – I want to go here!’” said Wong.

Wong said she couldn’t have achieved the dream without the support of her family.

The Mustang Girls’ Golf Team with Coach Cecil Wood had a perfect 28-0 regular season. The team won the CIF Championship, CIF Southern Section championship, and competed in the state semifinals, explained Athletic Director, Jerry Person.

“Good luck in college!” Person said.

The Eastvale Chamber of Commerce held a Candidates Forum for all 9 candidates last Thursday, Oct 23 at Dr. Augustine Ramirez Intermediate School. The event was free to the public and they captured snippets of each candidate via iPhone to try to assist. Next time the Chamber hopes to have a budget for this event and hire a professional videographer.

BY RAYMOND MENDOZA

Walnut – Residents once again came out in droves on Sat., Oct. 11, for the annual Walnut Family Festival – the City’s largest event with games, food and entertainment.

This year’s event theme was, “Rooted in Fun,” marking the City’s declaration as “Tree City U.S.A,” for being environmentally conscience.

As always, the day was started with an 8 a.m. Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Lions Club, and followed by the parade from Lemon Avenue to Suzanne Road. The parade included special appearances from City officials, local charity organizations, and the Walnut High School Blue Thunder Marching Band.

During the opening ceremonies at Suzanne Park, Congressman Ed Royce joined the Walnut City Council on stage to welcome the residents to the event and congratulate the City on being known as one of the best cities to raise a family with a high quality of life.

“I have an opportunity as a member of congress to see a lot of parts of the world, but when I go to the schools here in Walnut and I see the community events, we all feel really good because this is really, really the example of what all of us aspire for in the United States,” Royce said. “This quality of life, these opportunities for our children – thank you for making it possible.”

Mayor Tragarz thanked everyone for braving the 90 degree weather, especially the community members at the Festival booths raising money for local non-profit organizations.

Walnut Family Festival newcomers, Robert and Renee Carpenter and their son Jacob, were excited to mix with the community and said the Festival was a perfect opportunity to do so. The Carpenters were residents of Monterey Park in Los Angeles until they moved to Walnut six months ago, where the couple immediately agreed that Walnut was a perfect place to raise a family, make friends and retire.

“We’re very happy here,” Robert said about becoming a Walnut resident and enjoying community event like the Walnut Family Festival.

The Carpenters even made their family a little larger at the festival, as they adopted a dog named Buster from the Redland’s Animal Shelter booth.

“I like the adoptions,” Renee said. “I like that they’re putting it out there and getting people to adopt.”

President of the Lions Club and 37-year resident, Jack Keating, said he was glad to be helping raise money for small City projects with the help of his organization’s booth. Keating said he also expects to raise an estimated $400 to $500 from his booth’s popcorn sales this year, which would go toward any of the programs the Lions Club has, including purchasing trees for the City, or the scholarships the group gives to Walnut High School graduates. Keating said the Festival never disappoints and that the strength of the community is what makes Walnut such a great city.

“The festival is about treating and involving yourself with all the people who live in the City of Walnut,” Keating said.

BY K.P. SANDER

Eastvale – It seems at least a couple of scouts in Eastvale’s scout troop 433 had the same idea. Not one to stand in the way of a young lad getting a Communications Merit Badge, I happily offer you the second in the “Boy Scout Seeks Merit Badge” series. Good luck, Dylan. I’m feeling pretty confident about my next Batman Video Game purchase.

Hello Editor:

My name is Dylan Pavone. I am 13 years old, a Boy Scout from troop 433 and this article is for the communication merit badge. I would like to thank you for reading this and if you would put this in as a newspaper article I would really appreciate it, thank you. My article is on the top 10 Batman games we have today. Batman games are better than any other because they are unique in all of their own ways from gadgets to story lines, and how there all different. Thank you for reading this letter.

-Thank you, Dylan Pavone

Top 10 Batman Video Games

Let’s start with a countdown. Number 10, Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes, what makes this Batman game good is that it does not just have Batman and Robin, but as well as the whole Justice League with him, along there are lots of recognizable places that you would see in Gotham.

To number 9, Batman Return of the Joker. What makes this video game good is that Batman has long ranged weapons although he does have a lot of guns, which is something he is not that big of a fan.

Alright Number 8, Revenge of Shinobi. This game may not feature Batman as the main character, but he does show up in it. So there you are on a train to go defeat Peter Parker himself until he turns to Batman which is pretty scary because NO ONE beats the great Bat, but after a short time he turns into Satan which is not that bad compared to Batman, but for his appearance in the game made it good.

Now to number 7, Gotham City Imposters. This game is completely different from what we know as Batman, because he works alone, but the entire thought of a multiplayer Batman game blew everyone away. Not just that, but it’s a 1^st player shooting game along with grappling hooks and other gadgets, but you fight all over Gotham.

Number 6, The Adventure of Batman and Robin (SNES). This game is all about moving platforms, and what makes this one great is that you get to chose what type of gadgets you can bring to battle. Not only these, but you get to fight Gotham’s worst villains.

Half way there, now to number 5, Batman Returns (NES). What makes this game number 5 is that it took the side view to well beat them up like the Teenage Super Mutant Ninja Turtles along with flying kicks, super moves, and dash attacks.

Number 4, The Adventures of Batman and Robin (GENENSIS). Gadgets and move along with platforms, and you might need a game genie because this game is not that easy to beat, and the only things you need are batarangs and fists.

To number 3, Batman Returns (SNES). They made this Batman look like a beast, and not just that, but as well he is a tank and has Brutal strength. The best part about this entire game is that you get to throw bad guys into the wall like nothing.

Number 2, Batman (NES). What makes this Batman game close to 1 is the amazing wall jumping that you can do. With his rocket pistol, and his mighty batarangs this game is one of the best.

The one you’ve been waiting for, Number 1, Batman Arkham Asylum/Arkham City. These games are the greatest games of Batman history because all the many places you can go to, as well with fantastic game play, gadgets, stealth, and pure strength makes this game number 1.

-Dylan Pavone.

The Weekly News covers community news for Diamond Bar, Walnut, Chino Hills, Rowland Heights and surrounding areas of San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Click this link Aug16WeeklyAll to access the complete Aug 16 issue in pdf format.

By R.G. Reyes

Pastor Reyes (center); Deody Barret (second from right); and other members of the fellowship at PNP headquarters in the Philippines

Walnut – During a recent visit to Manila, Chaplain R.G. Reyes, one of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s chaplains assigned to the local Walnut Station, met with Rev. Fr. Police Superintendent, Deody O. Barret, the Director of Chaplain Services – and his staff – at Camp Crame, national headquarters of the Philippines National Police (PNP).

On February 25, the group shared and discussed future fellowship possibilities and a comparison on how the chaplaincy program on both sides of the world provides pastoral and spiritual services to law enforcement and respective members of the local communities.

Other topics that were discussed are the possible accreditation of the local pastors and leaders of New Life Ministries-Philippines as part of the local PNP Chaplain Service, and the invitation of California based law enforcement and police chaplain resource persons to speak at their local conventions and conferences.

If interested, local pastors can email Pastor Reyes at rgreyes53@gmail.com, or call (818) 429- 3575, to get more information on this fellowship; especially those pastors affiliated with churches and ministries in the Philippines.

Chaplain Reyes is also the senior pastor of New Life Ministries California in West Covina, and a member of both the International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC) and the Southern California Chaplains Association (SCCA). He also serves as police chaplain for the Arcadia Police Department

To see video click here: http://vimeo.com/m/102775011

On July 21, 2014, shortly after midnight, a suspect robbed the ARCO AM-PM Gas station at 785 N. Main St. This incident was captured on in-store surveillance video.
The Corona Police Department is attempting to identify the suspect, seen in the video wearing a black hat, sunglasses, and a grey sweatshirt and was believed to have been armed with a handgun.
This same suspect is wanted for questioning in two other robberies that occurred at other nearby businesses.
If you recognize this suspect, do not attempt to apprehend him, please contact Corona Police Department Detective Steve Sears at (951) 279-3572.

BY PASTOR MARK HOPPER

Pastor Mark Hopper

As we continue our journey through the Bible, we were recently studying the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel, about the life of King David. There are a variety of people and events recorded in this book. One passage that caught my attention was in Chapter 23. In this chapter, there is a list of David’s Mighty Men. Thirty different men are listed in this passage, and each one of them distinguished themselves with valor and courage in battle. Some stood alone when other soldiers fled. Some defeated powerful opponents.

In many ways, these mighty men would be equivalent to our country’s Medal of Honor recipients; men who have demonstrated great acts of courage in battle or risked their lives to save others.

In the HBO series entitled, “Band of Brothers,” we see the bond that develops between men who experience combat together. Several of the men who were interviewed for that series shared that they felt closer to their fellow soldiers than to their own family members. David’s Mighty Men were his inner circle. They were his closest friends and trusted advisors.

I am convinced that every man needs the friendship and encouragement of other men. Most men act like they are the Lone Ranger or Rambo in the movies. Men tend to be independent and isolated from the friendship of other men. Even the Lone Ranger had a companion in Tonto.

Men, let me encourage you to allow some other men to become part of your life. Give them the freedom to encourage you when you are discouraged and to warn you when you may be straying into dangerous territory. And let me encourage you to be a friend to them. They need your friendship and support as much as you need theirs. Look for some men who share common interests with you. Find some things to do together, such as camping, fishing, hiking or building; things that can be the first step to building a lasting friendship.

Most of us will probably never experience the hardships of military combat, but most of us can find a friend or two that we can share life’s’ journey with. We all need a Band of Brothers.

Pastor Mark Hopper
Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar
3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd
(909) 594-7604

Father’s Day Fundraiser for Walnut Relay for Life, (American Cancer Society)

Alamo Car Wash and Passionate Florist are hosting a “Father’s Day…Fun Day” to raise money for the Walnut Relay for Life, American Cancer Society. The fundraiser will take place on Sunday, June 15, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Alamo Car Wash, 784 North Nogales, Walnut, CA 91789. On this day, fathers who wash their cars, will receive free food and have an opportunity to have a fun day at the Alamo Car Wash. A portion of all car wash sales will be donated to the Walnut Relay for Life.

For the past six years, Alamo Car Wash and Passionate Florist have had a team at the Walnut, Relay for Life. “I enjoy being involved with my community, and this is one way that the Alamo Car Wash can make a contribution. By working with the Passionate Florist, we are able to pull our resources together and make a difference.” said Danny Gerstner, Alamo Car Wash. For the past Relays, Helena Arellano has been the team captain for the Alamo Car Wash and Passionate Florist.

“The effort involved in this event is well worth it, especially when we listen to cancer survivors during the beautiful Luminaria ceremony in the evening and honor those we have lost to cancer. ” said Helena Arellano. Also at the Luminaria ceremony, there is a slide show of those who have passed from cancer and a silent remembrance walk around the track.

Festivities on “Father’s Day…Fun Day” will include sports channels on all Alamo Car Wash TVs, wrestling table and games. Street Tacos, from Walnut, will provide all the food. Fruit Revolution is providing fruit trays and La Petite Beauty Salon is giving free Man-icures. Alamo Car Wash and Passionate Florist will provide the games and treats.

Walnut Relay for Life is a 24 hour event taking place at Mt. San Antonio College, Hilmer Lodge Stadium, 1100 North Grand Avenue, Walnut, CA 91789. The relay begins on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. and ends on Sunday, June 22, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. Participants may register online at http://www.relayforlife.org/walnutca or they may register onsite at 8:00 a.m.

For additional questions, call: Passionate Florist (626) 506-8014.

Troy Davids, 21, was killed in April by a hit and run driver. Photo: Facebook

EASTVALE- A suspect has been arrested in the hit and run fatality of 21-year old Troy Davids. The suspect’s name is Casey Coltrain, a 26 year old Riverside County resident who will be charged with 2nd degree murder and hit and run. According to Lt. Yates, who has been actively working this case, “This has been an active investigation with thousands of hours used to find this suspect. We never stopped looking for the suspect responsible for this horrific crime and thanks to the hard work of investigators we were able to make an arrest”.

According to a Press Release from the Riverside County Sheriff Department, the suspected driver of a black sedan struck and killed Davids as he rode his bike home from work on April 25. The car sped off, and was last reported turning southbound on Scholar Way. According to the police report, witnesses said the driver didn’t even stop. Davids was transported to the local Ontario Kaiser hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

A few weeks ago, it was revealed that there was a tan Chevrolet Suburban that may have possibly witnessed the accident. Eastvale Police Department’s Traffic Division and local volunteers set up a checkpoint near the incident location on Hamner and Limonite and handed out flyers. The hope was that by getting the public more involved, someone who may have witnessed the incident would come forward with more information.The flyers provided a brief summary of a fatal hit and run traffic collision in the hopes of identifying possible witnesses. At the conclusion of the public outreach, five citizens came forward and provided information to Traffic Investigators about the case.The Eastvale Police Department had also assigned a full-time traffic officer to this case and the officer actively followed up on the many leads that came in.

“The Davids family has been an active part of this investigation. Cooperating and helping us in any way possible and we hope that this arrest can bring them some type of closure”, said Lt. Yates.

News Release Courtesy Chino PD

Chino- The Chino Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team seized over 500 marijuana plants yesterday, when they discovered a marijuana grow house in the 6800 block of Isaac Court. The plants were seized and the investigation is on-going, no arrests have been made. The owner of the property discovered the growing operation when they arrived to take possession of the residence after the tenants were formally evicted.