Friday, August 26, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, August 20th

Monday, August 15th

12:00 AM – A theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 2600 block of Lake Avenue. Stolen: black Tom Tom, brown Michael Kors sunglass case and brown Michael Kors sunglasses.
5:02 AM – Pedro Orozco, 22 years old of Altadena was arrested in the area of Figueroa Drive and Olive Avenue for robbery. Suspect Orozco was armed with a knife.
12:47 PM – A battery occurred in the 2200 block of Fair Oaks Avenue. Suspect described as a black female, 25 – 30 years old, between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 5 inches. The suspect was last seen entering a grey Jeep Cherokee being drive by a black male.

Tuesday, August 16th

5:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 3400 block of Chaney Trail. Suspect(s) entered the location via the garage door by using bodily force. Stolen: weed wacker, grinding machine and a welding torch.

Wednesday, August 17th

4:01 PM – Tina Picinisco,

Friday, August 26, 2016

$20,000 Reward Offered to Help Find Killer Who Gunned Down A 4-year old Boy in Altadena Last Month

L.A. County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau investigators made a public plea Thursday in front of the house on the 300 block of West Figueroa Dr. in Altadena where Salvador Esperanza III was killed, asking for help in locating the suspects who fatally shot and killed the 4 year old boy in the front yard. A $20,000 reward has been offered in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the suspect responsible.

“We don’t have much of a description right now. That night, there were quite a few people on the street so we were told that a few people saw what happened, just no one has come forward to help identify that individual,” explained L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept. Homicide Detective Lt. John Corina.

Four year old Salvador Esperanza III of Monrovia was with his parents on July 5 visiting a friend’s home on the corner of Olive and Figueroa in Altadena when and unknown suspect fired numerous rounds in the direction of the house killing Esparza and injuring a 27 year old black male,

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Altadena Library Board Position Vacancy

With the resignation of Trustee Meredith McKenzie, the Altadena Library Board of Trustees is accepting letters of interest from anyone who would like to serve on the board for her unexpired 2016/2017 term. Those applying must be at least 18, a resident of and registered to vote in Altadena. The board will interview potential candidates at the next board meeting at 5 pm on September 26. The applicant selected must agree to be willing to run in the 2017 election for the 4-year term for this seat which expires in 2021.

Interested parties should submit a letter of interest, resume, and completed supplemental questionnaire (on library’s website) to the Library Director by 5 pm on Friday, September 16, 2016.

The Altadena Library is located at 600 E. Mariposa Street in Altadena. For more information about the library, please visit the library’s website at www.altadenalibrary.org.

Monday, August 22, 2016

McDonalds Group Members Talk About Their Commitment to the Group’s Scholarship Award

By VINCE BRYANT, Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development Program Coordinator

The McDonalds group is a group of men that meet every morning at McDonald’s on Lincoln Ave. and Woodbury Rd. in Altadena. Their meetings usually consist of current events and other popular community topics. These topics were all just to invoke thought and conversation until the topic of scholarship money for the young men in our community came up. After their discussion, realizing that our young men needed immediate help, the group decided to take action. So, five years ago they decided to start the McDonalds Men’s Group Scholarship Award. This award has served many young men over this period and continues to do so.

This year, five young men were selected from John Muir High School. These students include DaShon Pulley, D’Mario Lundy, John Pointer, Michael Hawkins and Isaiah Irby which were all very deserving of the award and highly appreciative of the assistance to go on and do great things in their lives.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Inebriated Teenager Requires Helicopter Hoist for Echo Mountain Rescue, Arrested with 3 Others

Fire along with search and rescue crews spent early Saturday morning rescuing four inebriated teenagers — one who was so incapacitated a helicopter was required to hoist and carry her from the mountain.

The rescue was launched shortly after 2 a.m. when authorities received a report of two unconscious persons seen above the water tank across Echo Mountain, above Altadena.

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team along with Los Angeles County Fire Department began searching the mountains for the hikers.

Altadena rescue team members hiked into the the fire break area of the mountain and soon made voice contact with several of the hikers, who said they were disoriented on the steep hillside in the darkness.

It was apparent the hikers were under the influence, authorities said, and the hikers “soon admitted to drinking alcohol.”

One of the hikers, a female juvenile was too inebriated to hike out, even with rescuers assistance.

A Los Angeles County Fire helicopter was used to help search for the hikers and also to hoist the female hiker.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

The Nowhere Men, a Beatles Tribute Band is Performing at Farnsworth Park

A Beatles tribute band, The Nowhere Men is performing a free concert at Farnsworth Park Saturday August 20 at 7:00 p.m. Farnsworth Park located at the top of Lake Avenue at 568 E. Mount Curve Ave.

The Nowhere Men was formed in 2014 by guitarists Bill Wallius and Mike Manning. Their goal, as big fans of The Beatles, was to deliver an authentic experience with all the trademark Beatle sounds. Great harmonies, defining guitar riffs, and a sense of excitement that denotes the British Invasion of the mid 1960’s. Mike’s brother Sean, who with Mike has performed their Irish music act for 10 years at Farnsworth Park, joined the band in late 2015. Mike, Bill, and Sean are all local Altadena residents, and have played at the Rancho Bar, Altadena Ale House, and St. Elizabeth Church. Most of the music performed by the Nowhere Men was performed live by the Beatles in many of their concerts throughout the mid 1960’s.

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, August 13th

Sunday, August 7th

2:00 PM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2000 block of Beverly Drive. Suspect(s) entered the location via the open garage door. Stolen: white and black Cannondale Hybrid bicycle.

Monday, August 8th

10:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 2100 block of Pinecrest Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window. Stolen: red wallet containing credit cards and currency.
11:15 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1900 of E. Loma Alta Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle via unknown means. Stolen: iPad, sunglasses, clothing and a backpack.

Tuesday, August 9th

4:52 PM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 70 block of Mountain View Street. Vehicle described as a gold 1991 Acura Integra.

Wednesday, August 10th

2:40 AM – Hiram Cormier, 39 years old of Pasadena was arrested in the area of Washington Boulevard and Lake Avenue for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

“It Ain’t All Roses”

Letter to the Editor by LORENA MARTÍNEZ, M.Ed. Former Principal, Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and Altadena Elementary School

Dear Community:

I send much love and good wishes as you embark on a new school year. It has been my distinct honor to serve as a Principal and Instructional Leader with the local school district, in the Altadena community since 2012. I have had the pleasure of collaborating and working with your public school community, law enforcement and local business friends; capping a personal twenty-five year career in public schools. I never worked harder, and I never had such dedicated colleagues.

I want to share some positive things going on in your public schools and to say farewell to this beautiful community. I hope that in some small way I have contributed by laying a foundation of dignity, respect and admiration for public schools, educators, parents, and for all who work with children and contribute positive lessons to children every day,

Saturday, August 13, 2016

No Injuries in Shooting Last Night

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said today a shooting occurred Friday night at 11:31 p.m.  in the 2600 block of Glen Avenue. There were no injuries. An unoccupied parked vehicle was struck.

A resident told Altadena Now she heard five shots.

In the wake of recent shootings, Altadena Sheriff’s Station have increased staffing with extra patrol units.

It is unknown if last nights shooting was related to any gang activity.

In a statement, the Department said “we are actively investigating this case. Anyone with any information regarding this shooting is asked to contact Altadena Detective Bureau. (626) 798-1131.”

Friday, August 12, 2016

Altadena Town Council Issues Agenda for August 16, 2016

Diane Marcussen, Chair, Altadena Town Council has issued the agenda for the Council’s August 16, 2016 meeting to be conducted at the Altadena Community Center, 730 East Altadena Drive, starting at 7:00 p.m.

A pdf version is available by clicking here.

1. CALL TO ORDER

1.1. Pledge of Allegiance ___________________________ Councilmember
1.2. Roll Call _____________________________________ Recording Secretary, Damon Hobdy
1.3. Approve August 16, 2016 meeting Agenda

2. OFFICERS’ REPORTS

2.1. Chairman ____________________________________ Okorie Ezieme
2.2. Vice Chairman ________________________________ Diane Marcussen
2.3. Recording Secretary ___________________________ Damon Hobdy
2.3.1. Approve July 19, 2016 Meeting Minutes
2.4. Treasurer ____________________________________ Patricia Sutherlen
2.5. Corresponding Secretary _______________________ Billy Malone

3. PUBLIC SAFETY REPORTS

3.1. California Highway Patrol _______________________ Officer Mike Ulloa
3.2. Altadena Sheriff’s Station ______________________ Captain Stuckey
3.3. Cert ________________________________________
3.4. County Fire __________________________________ Stephanie English

4. SPECIAL PRESENTATION

4.1.