Get Connected! Shop Eastvale!

Eastvale City Manager

Carol Jacobs, Eastvale City Manager

City Manager

Let’s face it, we live in a digital age.  There are ever-growing ways to connect with people across the globe and snail mail is losing its glory and immediacy.  People want accurate, timely information sooner than later and through multiple means that meet their needs at any given moment in time.

Eastvale residents are predominately young and technologically savvy which means that City Hall needs to keep pace with the trends in communications that are utilized by our citizens.  Thankfully, Eastvale City Council and staff recognize the priority and the need to keep our citizens well-informed and engaged in the operations, news, events and more coming from City Hall.   We encourage all residents and visitors to register for e-notification on the City’s website to get the latest updates on community news, meetings, events and more at http://www.eastvaleca.gov.

It’s important to keep the doors of communications open, fresh and engaging at all times and that is why we keep raising the bar and meeting the latest trends in communication.  This past month, the city launched Instagram so that the city and our residents can tell the pictorial story of Eastvale.  Instagram is a free online photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking platform that allows its users to take pictures and videos, apply digital filters to them, and share them on a variety of social networking services.   As the old adage goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Follow the City of Eastvale on Instagram: thecityofeastvaleca

At the same time, the City launched a LinkedIn profile which is a more business-oriented social media method for connecting with business and industry professionals.  If social media is more your speed, the City of Eastvale has plenty of ways to connect:

Instagram: http://instagram.com/#thecityofeastvaleca

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-eastvale-ca  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityofEastvaleCA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityEastvaleCA Give a little Tweet @CityEastvaleCA

The City has also launched our Shop Eastvale program and website – just in time for holiday shopping!  The Shop Eastvale program is part of the City’s economic development initiative and represents, in part our commitment to the success and growth of the Eastvale business community.  It’s important to help the Eastvale businesses grow and thrive and we are honored to have the support and collaboration of the Eastvale Chamber of Commerce.  The excitement is not over yet!  In just a short time, we will also have a Shop Eastvale App to complement our new program and help our residents and business community stay connected to shopping in Eastvale.  This app will be available for Apple and Android users. For more information on our Shop Eastvale program, please visit: http://www.shopeastvaleca.com

Should you have any questions or comments, City Hall may be reached at Hall (951) 361-0900. City Hall office hours are Monday-Thursday from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm, closed every Friday.

Shop Eastvale!

 

Eastvale Receives DUI Checkpoint Grant

Staff Reports

 

Eastvale – The Police Department for the City of Eastvale has been awarded a 2014 Traffic Safety Grant for an anti-DUI Program.  The $52,975 award from the California Office of Traffic Safety (through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) will be used to help prevent deaths and injuries, and keep our Eastvale roadways safe through enforcement and education.

The grant activities will specifically target impaired driving offenders as well as educate the public on the dangers of impaired driving through the use of DUI/driver’s license checkpoints. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 30 people die every day in the United States in vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver.  This amounts to one death every 48 minutes.  The annual cost of alcohol-related accidents totals more than $51 billion.  However, statistics show that these numbers can drop up to 20 percent when well-publicized checkpoints are conducted on a frequent basis.  Checkpoints have proven to be the most effective of any of the DUI enforcement strategies, while yielding a considerable cost savings of six dollars for every one dollar spent.  DUI Checkpoints are also supported by nearly 90 percent of California drivers.

You can do your part, too.  In this season of celebrations, remember to celebrate responsibly and always drive sober.

Oswalt Academy Named Distinguished

RUSD

Walnut – For the fifth consecutive year, Stanley G. Oswalt Academy is pleased to announce that it has been named an “Apple Distinguished School” for 2013-2014. Oswalt Academy was recognized for this achievement at the December 10th Rowland Unified School District Board of Education Meeting. Oswalt Academy, a K-8 International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School, joins a select class of institutions that Apple is recognizing as exemplary learning environments.
“The Oswalt family is proud to receive the honor of Apple Distinguished School once again. The 1:1 laptop program has completely changed the way students learn and through the hard work of our teachers and students and integration of technology we are proud to say we have helped students grow into successful 21st century learners,” said Oswalt Principal Kevin Despard.
Oswalt Academy has more than 500 one-to-one laptops in grades 5 – 8 that are parent funded and in use daily. The school has continued to expand its technology-infused learning in grades K-4 with the use of more than 200 iPod Touches in the classrooms. Academic achievement is evidenced by the school’s API score reaching 919 this year.
The Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for schools like Oswalt that integrate Apple technology in education and showcase visionary leadership in creating successful 21st Century teaching and learning environments. Since initiating the Laptop for Learning program in 2008, Oswalt has transformed the school into a digital learning haven that has garnered remarkable results in closing the achievement gap in math and literacy. “We are also proud that our school has achieved a statewide rank of 10 out of 10. The statewide rank compares an individual school’s API to all of the schools in its grade level statewide. This achievement has resulted in part due to the dynamic learning that is taking place utilizing technology for students 24/7,” said Despard.
Oswalt Academy is for students in grades K – 8, and is located at 19501 Shadow Oak Drive in Walnut. For more information, visit http://www.oswaltacademy.org or contact Principal Kevin Despard at (626) 810-4109.

Comfort Suites “Your Home Away From Home”

Comfort Suites Hotels La PuenteStaff Reports

La Puente – With a welcoming atmosphere, friendly service and a range of vacation and travel packages, Comfort Suites really is your home away from home. They offer everything you need for a successful business trip, a memorable family vacation or a fun weekend getaway.
The owners of Comfort Suites want you to come and enjoy your stay at their hotel and take advantage of the unique opportunity to enjoy the areas rich history, culture and urban energy. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities and a prime central location to top businesses and conference facilities. La Puente Comfort Suites is located near The Irwindale Speedway, Industry Hills Expo Center, Raging Waters, Huntington Library and much more!
With a three-star rating from AAA, Comfort Suite’s staff ensures that guests are always satisfied with their stay at their hotel.
AAA is one of the most widely respected information sources for travelers throughout the United States and recommends hotels on a 1 – 4 scale.
One thing guests will not find at Comfort Suites is a hotel room, as all rooms are suites. One of the great things about Comfort Suites is that you can stay in one of their suites for the price of a regular room.
Some of the amenities that guests will find at Comfort Suites in La Puente are free Wi-Fi, cable/satellite TV, a flat screen/plasma TV, a fitness center and a 100% smoke free hotel. Every guest will also receive a hot breakfast every morning.
While staying at Comfort Suites, visitors of every age and interest will find a whole list of fun things to do, as La Puente is in the center of many fun activities. So whether you’re into theme parks, racing, hiking, history tours, or shopping, you’ll find plenty of things to do at attractions near La Puente.
Comfort Suites also offers specials throughout the year and is now offering 10% off with their ad on page 7 in the Weekly News.
Prospective customers can also view photos of the La Puente hotel by visiting http://www.industryhillshotel.com to get a glimpse of what Comfort Suites has to offer.
Comfort Suites, La Puente, is located at 753 Glendora Avenue, La Puente, CA 91744 and can be reached at (626) 330-0030.

“Vacation Hold” Burglars Plead Not Guilty

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

Walnut Council Corner: Proposed Six-Home Development

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

AB109: What Does It Really Mean?

By Jennifer Madrigal

Eastvale – With the enactment of AB109, the realignment law that shifts responsibility from the state parole system to the county probation department, the number of prisoners who have been released seems at first to be overwhelming. In 2013, 7,000 prisoners were released early into Riverside County, and 9,000 are expected to be released in 2014.  With their release, many residents are concerned and confused about what AB109 means and especially about how these prisoners will be supervised and rehabilitated back into the population. Cost and time are also major concerns to both the county and residents, as an already struggling county tries to fund the appropriate programs and hire the staff necessary to carry them through. At the core of this issue, however, is the understanding of what AB109 really is and how it works in our county.

The biggest misconception about AB109 is that there are large amounts of prisoners being released without serving their sentences. In fact, it is only low-risk, non-violent, non-sexual and non-serious offenders who are released “early” from county jails due to overcrowding. Prisoners who are incarcerated within the state prisons serve every minute of their sentence.  Good behavior credit is now day by day, meaning that a three year sentence served without any incidents can be shortened in half due to good behavior. Before AB109 (also referred to as “Re-Alignment”), state prisoners were released to the state parole board to be monitored.  They were the responsibility of the state until their parole was completed. Now, prisoners are released to the County Probation Department and are monitored by the county. The financial responsibility is also now on the county for probation and incarceration. The challenge with this process has been the short amount of time to prepare and lack of funds.

When AB109 was passed in 2011, there was very little time for counties to prepare for the large amount of money and staff that would be needed. According to John Field from Supervisor Tavaglione’s Riverside County Second District office, “Although there is money expected to come from the state for additional monitoring and additional probation officers, we still face a pretty serious issue because the county just can’t afford to build the beds and house the criminals to the extent of their sentences”.  While money was somewhat sufficient in the beginning, the money has just not been enough to cover what is needed.

The Riverside County Probation Department wants to make the public aware that this is something that they have been diligently working on. Before any prisoner is even considered for early release there is a process that has to be followed. First, an assessment tool is used to measure the risks and the needs of the prisoner to prevent them from re-offending. This tool gives out a score and ranks them as being at a high, medium or low chance of re-offending. The newly released prisoners are then referred to as clients and are then put on the case load of a staff member that is able to monitor them.  This is to ensure that the staff monitoring the high-need clients has adequate time and resources to do so. The clients are then monitored at a frequency that is cohesive with their risk. This monitoring is done via ankle bracelets, compliance checks, etc., and is based on the needs of each individual. The probation department is supervising each and every client and holding those not in compliance accountable. They do this in different ways such as increasing the frequency of office visits, increasing sanctions, increasing the frequency of drug and alcohol tests, etc. If the clients still are unable to be responsible, the Probation Department will not hesitate to re-incarcerate them.

Chief Mark Hake of the Riverside Probation Department stated, “The biggest challenge that we have faced has been the short amount of time that they have had to ramp up and prepare for realignment. Hiring more staff has been a challenge as each person takes five to six months to complete the hiring process”. Yet, even with all the challenges, the department has found ways to improve their processes. This is especially true with the homeless population. While many newly released prisoners are really homeless, many report that they are homeless in an effort to avoid officers knowing their actual residence.  The probation department monitors these individuals by assigning them to an office in the general area of where they are homeless and often requires them to check-in daily via a special kiosk. These Daily Reporting Centers (DRC) take a picture of them and require them to key in a specific pin number and answer a series of questions. This helps the officers to keep track of their clients as well as to observe who really is or isn’t homeless.  Housing resources such as transitional housing and half-way houses are being set up to try and help solve these problems by giving the homeless population a place to get on their feet.

The real question that seems to be haunting local communities is, are these recently released clients really being monitored? Chief Hake assures the community that the Probation Department is aware of the unease. One of the ways that they are doing this is by creating accountability and compliance teams in the west end, east end and mid-county areas of Riverside County to track down the portion of AB109 high profile offenders and to locate those individuals that they have very little information on. Hake says that “…The success of these teams is a direct result of the teamwork and collaboration of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney and the local Police Departments, and as a result they have been able to clear 85-90% of the warrants; criminals that were wanted for violations or new crimes have been caught and dealt with”.

While AB109 and the realignment of funding from the state to the counties is still an ongoing problem, Chief Hake hopes that with the continued support of the community and local law enforcement groups, as well as an increase in funding, the effects of AB109 will be handled as effectively as possible.  More information about what happens at the DRCs can be found in next month’s issue.

High School Happenings

By Reza Moreno

Eastvale – With the seasons changing, so are the sports. Although fall sports are finally over, the teams did end their year with a bang. On Nov. 7, the football team ended their last game with a win against King with a score of 27-21. Another sport that was on a roll is Cross Country. They made it to CIF and had their prelims on Nov. 16. The seven varsity girls that ran were Jana Warrick, Morgan Tapia, Amber Allen, Jaden Warrick, Liz Unzueta, Crystal Valiente, and Lily Vargas. Although the girls weren’t able to make it to finals they did exceptional as a team and were able to go as far as the prelims and placed 3rd. As for the Varsity Boy runners, Jeremy Beck, Braden Randall, Andrew Graciano, Julio Martinez, Jesse Phipps, Anthony Hinojosa, and Hector Chavez all ran their best as a team. Branden Randall received a time of 15:10 and came in first in the race. He was able to go to finals which were on Nov. 24. He was able to compete at the state championships held in Fresno on Saturday, Nov. 30 and came in 10th with a time of 15:27.

With January approaching quickly, winter sports are preparing for their 2014 season. The boy’s soccer team is ready to increase their chances of going to CIF. The captains are Stephen Rainsbury and Nicholas Martello. Eric Vanderweerd, who has been coaching the boy’s varsity team for years, is excited about what this team will bring. Their first league game takes place on Jan. 15, 2014 at Santiago High School.

As for the girl’s soccer team, the captains Elena Morrison and Riley Brieno, both seniors, are ready to end their final year with a victory to CIF. The team is excited to welcome their new coach of the season, Annie Wilson. Their first game of the season is Jan. 15, 2014 at 5:30 p.m. against their rival Santiago at the ERHS stadium.

Wrestling is another great sport that is ready to make a title for itself. Senior captains, Elijah Castro and Nour Abdullatif, are both excited to finish strong and reach their goals this season. The coach for the team, Michael Cataline, have the wrestlers preparing and training daily in order to be ready for this intense sport.

Varsity Basketball is a major winter sport that is no doubt going to bring hype this year. The captains this year are seniors Taelin Webb, Adam Turner, and Lonnie Hinchen. The head coach, Vonn Webb, and the assistant coaches, Eder Sanchez and Brian Salone, are preparing the team for their games to increase their chances of going to the playoffs. Coach Webb is a very experienced coach and has numerous wins from CIF under his belt. One of the team’s motto is “Building from ground Zero”, and that is exactly what they plan to do.

So be sure to come out and support these extraordinary athletes and represent the Mustang orange and blue.

Howell Resigns: Who Will Fill Her Seat?

By: Jennifer Madrigal

Eastvale City Council Member Kelly Howell

Kelly Howell Resigns

Eastvale – With the November 30 resignation of Eastvale City Council Member, Kelly Howell, the City must now make the difficult decision of how to fill her seat. According to the City’s existing ordinance, “If a vacancy occurs in a City Council seat, the City Council may, within thirty days from the commencement of the vacancy, fill the vacancy by appointment or call for a special election.”   The cost of a special election could be up to $70,000, and with the next election season less than a year away it would seem that the best solution is for the council members to appoint someone to fill her spot until then.

The process of deciding who will fill her seat is one that requires thorough discussion and will ultimately be a tough decision. However, Mayor Bootsma feels that the logical decision will be to appoint someone to fill her spot. “Most likely we will have candidates send in resumes and hold interviews in January, with a decision being made by mid-January,” said Bootsma. The council member position and what action will be taken to fill her seat will be discussed in more detail at the December 11 City Council Meeting, held at Rosa Parks Elementary at 6:30 p.m.

Kelly Howell has served the City of Eastvale since 2010, and was part of the City’s first Council as well as the Incorporation Committee. She made the difficult decision to resign in order to spend more time with her two children. She is currently a Special Education teacher and in a Master’s Program, as well as serving as Assistant Director of the Eastvale Community Foundation.  Howell has been an integral part of the thriving growth of Eastvale; she will be missed.

First Light

By Mark Hopper

We have a tradition at our house that we pull out all the Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. The next Pastor Mark Hopper Diamond Bartwo days are busy setting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house for the holidays.
My wife does most of the work. She loves this time of year. She loves putting out all of her decorations that have been stored away for the past 12 months.
In addition to all the work inside the house, it is my job to put the Christmas lights up on the outside of the house.
I am pleased to report that we were the first house on our block to have our outdoor Christmas lights up this year. However, I am not pleased to report that so far, we are the only house with Christmas lights on our house.
It seems to me that there are fewer and fewer houses with outdoor Christmas decorations these days. Maybe it is due to the economy. Maybe people are just trying to save electricity. Maybe it is just an old fashioned idea that people don’t care about any more.
Some people complain that they have to decorate their house. It is a lot of work and take a lot of time. But, don’t grumble that you have to decorate your house, be thankful you have a house to decorate!
Personally, I love the Christmas season. After all, we are celebrating the birth of Christ. In addition, Christmas gives us the opportunity to share gifts with loved one and friends.
Don’t wait any longer. Pull down those boxes in the garage and get out those Christmas decorations. Help brighten your neighborhood with some Christmas decorations this year.
You will be glad you did and your neighbors will be glad too!
Pastor Mark Hopper
Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar 3255 South Diamond Bar Blvd (909) 594-7604 Sunday Services: 9:00 & 10:45 AM Christmas Eve Services: 4:00 & 6:00 PM website: http://www.efreedb.org.

Mark Hopper

New DB Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem

Diamond Bar Mayor Carol Herrera 2014

Mayor Carol Herrera

 

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

Diamond Bar Mayor-Pro Tem Steve Tye

Mayor Pro-Tem Steve Tye

 

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

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

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

 

Walnut: Local Woman Goes To Trial for Murder

STAFF REPORTS

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

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

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

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

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

Weekly News 11-30-2013

The Weekly News 11-30-13

Local Home Invasions Instill Fear

Staff Reports SGV – After the ten burglaries that took place in Walnut two weeks ago, burglars have struck again by invading two more local homes in just one night. On Monday, Nov. 25, at about 9:45 p.m., three victims were held hostage in their home, while intruders used fear and intimidation to keep them at bay as they were robbed. An elderly couple, a 95-year old man and his 87-year old wife, along with their maid, was held captive by two Hispanic males, in their early thirties, wearing dark clothing. The suspects entered the home, in the 15000 block of Facilidad Street in Hacienda Heights, through a bathroom window. One suspect held the three victims in the downstairs part of the home for 45 minutes, repeatedly shining a flashlight in their eyes and telling them to remain quiet. The other suspect ransacked the home, and took approximately $2,000 in cash and several pieces of jewelry. Both suspects left with the valuables through the front door, leaving the victims shaken, but unharmed. The victims then contacted the Sheriff’s Department. Also on Monday, Nov. 25, at about 11:20 p.m. two suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts entered a home in the 500 block of Macenta Lane in Diamond Bar. A family of three was ordered to lie down, while money was taken from a purse and wallet. The suspects then left, leaving the family uninjured. Anyone with information regarding the Hacienda Heights crime is encouraged to contact Sergeant Bob Boese or Captain Timothy Murakami at the Industry Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau at (626) 330-3322. If you have information regarding the crime in Diamond Bar, contact the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station at (909) 595-2264 or (626) 913-1715, or visit http://www.Walnut.DiamondBar.lasd.org. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “Crime Stoppers’ at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or text the letters TIPLA, plus your tip, to CRIMES (274637). You can also visit the website at http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Industry Sheriff Deputies Rescue Suicidal Woman

Staff Reports Industry – This week, Industry Sheriff Deputies rescued a woman who was trying to commit suicide in the City of Industry. On Friday, Nov. 22, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), Industry Station, received a call regarding a female observed suspended on the outside rails of the overpass on Azusa Bridge. Shortly after 10 a.m., deputies Lorenzo Bright and Ruben Valencia were dispatched to the scene. The woman was partially standing on the pavement and holding onto the rails, as if she was in the process of jumping off. Deputies Bright and Valencia efficiently and cautiously approached the woman from opposite sides, grabbed her arms, and prevented her from jumping. They pulled her to safety on Azusa Avenue. The woman, identified as Marcelena Gonzales, mid-30s, is a local transient who has had multiple contacts with the Industry Sheriff’s Station. She was treated at the scene and transported to a hospital in West Covina, where she was admitted for a 72-hour mental observation. LASD would like to remind you that the holidays can be a time of great stress. Regardless of the issues, there are people who care and resources available for help. If you find yourself with no one to turn to, please call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-TALK (8255), or visit the website at http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The phone lines and website are staffed 24-hours a day.

The Whole Enchilada Caters To Your Holiday Needs

The Whole Enchilada Diamond Bar

By Sarah Armijo

Diamond Bar – With the holidays coming quickly, we all will be busy with holiday parties, family gatherings, and holiday shopping. But The Whole Enchilada in Diamond Bar has made this season easier by catering to our holiday needs with festive food, gift cards, and a place to host your holiday parties.

With Thanksgiving coming up in a few weeks, you can ease the stress of making dinner by ordering delicious tamales from The Whole Enchilada. This traditional holiday dish are sold by the dozen and are available in pork, beef, chicken, green chile and cheese. But tamales don’t stop at Thanksgiving, because they are now available all year round!

Holiday parties can be planned easily at a home or a business with The Whole Enchilada’s catering service available. From platters and entrée meals to taco bars, The Whole Enchilada provides a variety of options to serve their fresh authentic Mexican recipes their resident chef brought from their homeland.

“All our food is made fresh daily,” says Lil Palmer of The Whole Enchilada. The restaurant has been in business for over 30 years, offering a variety of delicious Mexican food ranging from tacos and burritos to carne asada and fajitas.

The Whole Enchilada’s food is only one reason to celebrate the upcoming holidays at their restaurant. They also pride on their excellent customer service due to their family friendly servers being attentive, courteous, and knowledgeable and able to answer any question you might have about their wonderful food. This is why you should host your holiday party at The Whole Enchilada by calling in advance to book a portion of the restaurant.

Gift cards are also available for easy shopping during this holiday season or for easy raffle prizes at your office party. You can buy your gift cards in person or you can buy them online at www.wholeenchilada.com at your convenience.

After purchasing your gift card, make sure to stay at The Whole Enchilada for lunch or dinner and use one of the coupons on page 12 of The Weekly News for special discounts. There’s no need to put a hole in your wallet with The Whole Enchilada’s ½ off coupon and “2 for 20” deal.

But The Whole Enchilada is much more than a place to eat. The staff is there to help you celebrate special moments, raise money for your team or organization, and provide a wonderful experience for your children.  They love working with the community to help with fundraisers, and special events for churches, sports, schools, clubs, and more.

Birthday parties are always fun at The Whole Enchilada as well. No matter how old you are, you will have a great time at The Whole Enchilada! On your birthday, the staff will sing to you, you will receive a special picture to take home, a free birthday hat, a free dessert, and best of all, five “Enchilada Bucks” to use the next time you come in.

“Kids Club” is where your child will receive four mailings per year that entitle them to a free meal when accompanied by an adult, as well as a birthday mailing for a free meal and birthday dessert.

The Whole Enchilada also offers a combo punch card. Just ask your server for one and when you buy any of their nine combination dinners, you will receive the 10th combination dinner free.

The Whole Enchilada is located at 1114 S. Diamond Bar Blvd, (at Grand Ave.) Diamond Bar, CA 91765. You can reach them at (909) 861-5340.