Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 19, 2011

6


Mountain Views News Saturday, February 19, 2011

EDISON REPLACING TRANSMISSION TOWERS IN DUARTE

 Southern California Edison has begun work removing electrical conductors in Duarte on the 
westerly towers within the Edison property/easement between Tocino Dr. and Greenbank 
Ave. and within Hacienda Park and the Rancho Duarte Golf Course. The work is being 
done in preparation of replacing tower structures in conjunction with Edison’s Tehachapi 
Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) to construct new and upgraded transmission lines 
and substations between eastern Kern County and San Bernardino County.

On Sunday, Feb. 27, work is scheduled between 6 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Huntington Dr. 
at Encanto Parkway for conductor removal. For safety reasons, the affected portion of 
Huntington Dr. will be closed briefly during that time period.

Edison’s Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project, once completed in 2015, will deliver 
electricity from wind energy generators in Kern County south through Los Angeles County 
and east to San Bernardino County to help meet California’s renewable energy goals. 

LIFE’S CHOICES

Duarte Students Experience a Glimpse into 
Future Career Possibilities at 9th Annual 
Groundhog Shadow Day

Duarte High School senior, Rebekah Klimerck plans to turn her love of music into a career. 
Jessel Urbina, a junior at Duarte High School likes helping people and is considering a 
career as a physical therapist. They and 128 other students from Northview Intermediate 
and Duarte High School were afforded an opportunity to experience how they someday may 
put their dreams to work during the City of Duarte’s 9th annual Groundhog Shadow Day, 
coordinated by Duarte’s Promise – The Alliance for Youth.

Santa Teresita, City of Hope, JPL, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Duarte Public 
Safety and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were among the 34 businesses that 
participated in this year’s event, allowing students to shadow working professionals in their 
day-to-day routine. 

The day began with a breakfast at the Duarte Community Center where students were paired 
with adult mentors. After spending several hours together on the job, they returned to the 
Community Center for a luncheon and talk featuring guest speaker, Tim Rhambo, a gang 
intervention specialist for the San Gabriel based Asian Youth Center, who also serves as an 
assistant boxing coach for the City of Duarte’s highly regarded Youth Boxing Club. Rhambo, 
spoke from his experiences as a one-time gang member who turned his life around, to urge 
the students to choose their friends wisely, continue their education and follow their dreams 
to a successful future. 

Co-sponsors of the event were City of Hope, Southern California Edison, and Cal-Am Water. 


DUARTE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER TO HOST PASADENA 
NAACP’S ACADEMIC, CULTURAL, TECHNOLOGICAL AND 
SCIENTIFIC OLYMPICS COMPETITION

 For the first time the Pasadena branch of the NAACP will participate in a local competition of 
the NAACP’s Academic Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) for African-
American youth, and Duarte will play a major role in the youth initiative project. 

 ACT-SO, founded in 1978 by renowned author and journalist Vernon Jarrett, is an enrichment 
program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and cultural 
achievement among African-American high school students. There are 25 categories of competition 
in the sciences, humanities, performing and visual arts.

 The local competition will take place at the Duarte Performing Arts Center on April 16. More than 
50 students from throughout the San Gabriel Valley are expected to compete in categories including 
biology, math, original essay, poetry, entrepreneurship, computer science, chemistry, physics, oratory, 
dance, dramatics, musical instrumental classic/contemporary, vocal, photography, painting and 
drawing. High school students of African descent, who are citizens of the United States, enrolled in 
grades 9-12 and are amateurs in the categories of competition are invited to participate. Youth who 
achieve a gold medal in their category will proceed to compete in the Nationals to be held in July 
during the 102nd NAACP Convention. 

 Duarte Teen Center Director, Marilyn Mays, who once served as president and executive 
administrator of the NAACP in Eugene, Oregon where she oversaw the ACT-SO program for eight 
years, has been named to chair the Pasadena NAACP’s ACT-SO competition. Duarte Deputy City 
Manager, Karen Herrera and Duarte Public Safety Crime Prevention Specialist, Aida Torres are co-
chairs.

 The ACT-SO program is intended to be a learning experience. The focus is on enrichment and 
mentorship. Students work with ACT-SO volunteer mentors who are professionals in their field who 
serve as coaches in promoting academic and artistic excellence among African-American youth. 
Famous ACT-SO alumni in the performing arts include John Singleton, Kanye West, Jada Pinkett-
Smith, Roy Hargrove, Michael Bard, and Anthony Anderson. 

 Students interested in participating in the ACT-SO competition and adult professional interested 
in serving as a volunteer mentor may contact Marilyn Mays (626) 303-0863, ext. 402, Aida Torres at 
(626) 359-5671, ext. 316, or Karen Herrera, (626) 357-7931, ext. 221.

Duarte High School student Rebekah Klimerck spent time with preschoolers at Santa 
Teresita’s Hayden Child Care Center during the City of Duarte’s 9th annual Groundhog 
Shadow Day. Tim Rhambo, a gang intervention specialist, who is also works as an 
assistant boxing coach for the Duarte Youth Boxing Club, was the keynote speaker at the 
event luncheon. 


Monrovia Police Blotter

During the last seven day period, the Police Department handled 525 service events, resulting in 101 
investigations. Following are the last week's highlighted issues and events:

Update - Gang member sentenced for 2007 attempted murder

On February 2, Monrovia Police Department detectives concluded the prosecution of a Monrovia 
Nuevo Varrio gang member who was responsible for the 2007 shooting and attempted murder of an 
individual in the 200 block of Cherry. The suspect was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

Vehicle Burglary

On February 3 at 8:06 a.m., an officer was dispatched to the 800 block of Wildrose regarding a vehicle 
burglary. He arrived on scene and the victim reported his vehicle had been broken into during the 
night. The loss is unknown and the investigation is continuing.

Injury Traffic Collision

On February 3 at 8:15 p.m., a vehicle collided into a light pole at Mountain, just north of the 210 
Freeway. The light pole fell onto a main power grid line. Officers blocked Mountain until Edison arrived 
to clear the downed active line. The driver of the vehicle was not hurt; however, the passenger 
had minor injuries and was taken to a hospital.

Grand Theft Auto Recovery

On February 4 at 10:46 p.m., an officer on patrol located an unoccupied stolen vehicle. The vehicle 
was a 1995 Honda and was parked on Chestnut in front of a business. A DMV computer check confirmed 
it was stolen out of Monterey Park. No suspects were located.

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer / Public Intoxication - Suspect Arrested

On February 6 at 1:12 a.m., officers responded to a disturbing subject call at a night club in the 300 
block of South Myrtle. As the officer arrived, the subject ran from him. The officer apprehended the 
subject near Ivy and Palm. The subject was determined to be a minor under the influence of alcohol. 
He was arrested and taken into custody. 

Fighting / Drunk in Public - Three Suspects Arrested

On February 6 at 1:56 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Palm and Myrtle observed several 
females fighting. He requested assisting officers, who responded and the involved parties where detained. 
The investigation revealed the females all know each other, but due to their intoxicated state, 
they argued and two of them got into a physical altercation. All three subjects were arrested.

Possession of Methamphetamine / Possession of Drug Paraphernalia - Suspect Arrested

On February 6, a Special Enforcement Team officer conducted a traffic stop, and the resulting search 
revealed the subject was in possession of methamphetamine and a methamphetamine smoking pipe. 
He was arrested for the narcotics charges and three outstanding warrants.

Police Pursuit Suspect Arrested

On February 6 at 9:09 a.m., an officer responded to the 100 block of North Lincoln Place regarding 
vehicle vandalism in progress. The suspect was last seen driving north on Lincoln. An officer located 
the suspect vehicle at Hillcrest, east of Myrtle. Officers attempted a traffic stop with emergency lights, 
but the vehicle failed to yield and increased speed. The vehicle went through several posted stop 
signs and a residential alley. The pursuit ended in the 200 block of Canyon Crest, where the suspect 
fled on foot. Containment was set up with the assistance of two units from Arcadia Police Department. 
Officers conducted a search of the area with no results. As officers were about to leave the area, 
the suspect was spotted in the 100 block of North Ivy. The suspect was taken into custody without 
incident and positively identified by the witness. The suspect was also wanted for criminal threats.

Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer / Possession of Methamphetamine - Suspects Arrested

On February 6 at 4:43 p.m., dispatch received a call reporting two male subjects fighting in the 800 
block of West Duarte. When the officer arrived, he saw a subject loitering near the passenger side of 
a parked vehicle and another subject in the driver's seat. The subject on the outside of the vehicle had 
head injuries consistent with a fight. As the officer approached the vehicle, the driver sped off south 
on Eighth and pulled into the carport area of an apartment complex, where the driver fled on foot. 
The second subject also tried to flee, but was detained. The Foothill Air Support helicopter assisted in 
the search for the first suspect. Officers eventually located the suspect hiding in the laundry room of 
the complex. Further investigation revealed the subject received the head injuries from an unrelated 
traffic collision and had just been released from the hospital. The suspects were arrested for resisting 
and delaying officers. One of the suspects was in possession of methamphetamine when arrested. 

Disturbing Subject / Resisting and Delaying a Peace Officer - Suspect Arrested

On February 6 at 9:51 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 100 block of North Canyon regarding 
an intoxicated adult throwing furniture and demanding vehicle keys from his family members. The 
family members refused to give the suspect the keys because he was too intoxicated to drive. The 
family members locked themselves in a bedroom and called police. When officers arrived, they were 
greeted by the intoxicated suspect, who became aggressive and yelled profanities at the officers. Officers 
attempted to check the welfare of the family members, but were obstructed by the intoxicated 
suspect. Officers had to arrest the suspect in order to control him. The officers were then able to 
check on the family members and found they were not harmed. The suspect was taken into custody 
and later released after a sobering period.

Search Warrant - Three Suspects Arrested

On February 8, 2011, Special Enforcement Team officers and detectives served a search warrant in 
the 500 block of East Foothill. Officers recovered a handgun, drugs and stolen property. Three suspects 
were arrested. 

Animal Problem

On February 7 at 6:49 p.m., a resident in the 600 block of Wildrose called to report a coyote had 
jumped her fence and attacked her cat. Animal Control responded to the location and found the 
coyote had attacked and killed the cat. The coyote had left the location and returned again several 
times during the incident. While Animal Control was at the location the coyote was seen again near 
the yard before it fled the area. Later that same evening police received another call of a coyote seen 
at an apartment complex at Foothill and Magnolia, and later there was another sighting at Magnolia 
and Huntington. The Department of Fish and Game was notified.

Mountain Lion Sighting

On February 9 at 9:06 p.m., a resident driving in the 1100 block of Norumbega saw a mountain lion 
in the middle of the road that was approximately 125 pounds. An officer was dispatched to the area 
and located the mountain lion. The officer used a beanbag gun and managed to send the mountain 
lion back into the hills.

••••••••••••
••••••••••••
••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••••••••••••••
YoGamaDreNew students only.
Limited time offer.
WRITING SERVICES 

 Could you use help in preparing written communications for your business? I have extensive 
experience in writing and editing business documents including brochures, proposals, 
newsletters, resumes, customer success stories, press releases, and articles for newspapers and 
magazines. 

 Current work includes writing the column, “Looking Up with Bob Eklund,” in Mountain 
Views News, and writing newsletters for the Mount Wilson Observatory. I recently published 
a book, First Star I See Tonight: an Exploration of Wonder, and am finishing a second book, 
Winds Aloft. For writing samples and resume, see my web site: www.bobeklund.com. OR 
beklund@sprynet.com (310) 216-5947