Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 3, 2014

4


Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 3, 2014 


Wife 
Charged 

In Death 

of Husband

PCC Re-invites Alumnus 
to be Graduation Speaker


By Dean Lee

 Pasadena City College officials 
flip-flopped Wednesday night 
voting unanimously to re-invite 
Oscar-winning actor Dustin 
Lance Black to deliver the address 
at the college commencement 
on Friday after Pasadena Public 
Health Director Dr. Eric Walsh 
pulled out due to an unforeseen 
scheduling conflict. 

 “The Board earnestly hopes 
that Mr. Black will accept its 
invitation to speak and to 
begin to heal the breach in our 
relationship with an alumnus 
whom the Board greatly 
admires,” said Dr. Mark Rocha, 
PCC Superintendent-President. 
“Commencement is about 
celebrating the graduation of 
our students and the importance 
of higher education. Mr. 
Black’s participation would 
be an opportunity for further 
education and a healing act of 
community.”

 No other information about 
Walsh’s decision not to speak 
was given although reports 
suggest it may have been due 
to unflattering comments that 
surfaced earlier this week online. 

 According to allgov.com, 
Walsh has publicly denounced 
Walt Disney Studios saying 
Disney is full of witchcraft 
and superstition. He made 
the comment during a 
speech, “Evolution and the 
Sorcerer’s Stone” July 22, 2012 
in South Gate. Walsh also 
made comments about comic 
books, including Batman and 
Wonder Woman considered 
by some to be anti-Catholic 
and homophobic. Walsh had 
made a number of other similar 
comments in other speeches.

 City officials said Thursday they 
had launched an investigation 
into the comments. 

 “Dr. Eric Walsh has been 
placed on temporary paid 
administrative leave to provide 
the City of Pasadena the 
opportunity to complete an 
inquiry into statements made 
by him, in his private capacity, 
and to assess the impact those 
statements may have on his 
ability to effectively lead the City’s 
Public Health Department.,” 
said Pasadena City Manager 
Michael Beck “During this 
time, Dr. Vivian Yeh is the 
city’s Acting Health Officer. 
Ms. Leticia Saenz will oversee 
administrative responsibilities 
for the Department.” 

 Beck also noted that Under 
Walsh’s direction; the health 
department opened the first, 
and only, municipal public 
dental clinic in California 
that helps people with HIV/
AIDS, including many who 
were denied basic treatment 
elsewhere. 

 Ironically, Wash was selected 
as commencement speaker 
amid controversy that Black’s 
invitation was rescinded because 
he is openly gay. 

 In a statement PCC Board 
of Trustees denounced the 
allegations saying, at first, Black 
was never officially invited as 
speaker.

 “Due to errors in following 
procedure for which I am 
responsible, we have embarrassed 
our commencement speaker, 
Dr. Walsh, by inadvertently 
involving him in a controversy; 
we have embarrassed our 
esteemed alumnus Dustin 
Lance Black because of an 
invitation that was mistakenly 
delivered to his representative, 
and we owe the public an 
apology for involving Pasadena 
City College in a confusing 
situation that has unfortunately 
spilled over into public 
comment on homophobia,” said 
Dr. Robert Bell, PCC Assistant 
Superintendent and Senior 
Vice President for Academic 
and Student Affairs. ”…at no 
time did a recommendation to 
invite Mr. Black ever reach the 
college president or the Board, 
nor were the college president 
and the Board aware that this 
invitation had been sent to Mr. 
Black’s assistant.

 At press time Black had not yet 
accepted the invitation.

 Public Health Director 
Dr. Eric Walsh placed 
on leave after Anti-gay 
comments made by him 
surface online.


Dustin Lance Black

Gina Sas

Snoopy License Plate to Help Museums

 Police filed involuntary 
manslaughter charges last 
week against a 24-year-old 
woman for the alleged death of 
her 74-year-old husband who 
died in the hospital two weeks 
after being stuck in head. 

 According to police, officers 
responded to a domestic 
violence call in the 200 block 
of S. Arroyo Parkway, on 
April 1, at approximately 3:00 
p.m., and found the Chi-Lung 
Chang standing outside the 
west entrance of his residence. 
He had sustained a small 
laceration to his head. Chang 
was transported to a local 
hospital for medical treatment. 

 During an investigation 
police said it was determined 
that Chang’s wife, Gina Sas, 
25, had caused the injury. At 
the time, Sas was arrested for 
domestic violence and booked 
in the Los Angeles County Jail. 

 Chang remained hospitalized 
with severe head trauma. He 
succumbed to his injury on 
April 18. 

 On April 24, the Los Angeles 
County District Attorney’s 
Office filed, involuntary 
manslaughter and Infliction 
of injury on a spouse, charges 
against Sas.

 Sas remains in custody on 
$125,000.00 bail. Detectives 
are continuing their 
investigation. No information 
was given on the weapon used. 
Sas is scheduled to appear 
in Pasadena Superior Court 
Tuesday.

 Anyone with information 
contact Detective Van Kim 
at 626-744-7128, or the 
Pasadena Police Department 
at (626) 744-4241. You may 
report anonymously through 
Crime Stoppers at (800) 
222-TIPS (8477) or http://
lacrimestoppers.org (insert 
key word PASADENA). 

 Snoopy made an appearance at 
Kidspace Children’s Museum 
at Brookside Park Wednesday 
morning to mark the half-way 
point for a new grant program 
to help fund the state’s museums 
through the sale of license plates 
featuring the Charles Schulz’s 
character.

 Celeste DeWald, executive 
director, California Association 
of Museums said Californians 
have ordered 3,750 of the newest 
special interest license plate. The 
Department of Motor Vehicles 
would begin issuing the Snoopy 
license plates upon receipt of 
7,500 paid applications she said.

 Officials said the plates will 
raise money for a competitive 
grant program to make 
funding available to the state’s 
1,400 museums and science 
centers. California Cultural 
and Historical Endowment, 
CCHE, a state entity recently 
reorganized into the California 
Natural Resources Agency, 
will administer the California 
Museum Grant Program with 
funds raised from the license 
plates. A smaller portion of 
the revenues will support 
professional development 
programs and services provided 
to the museum community by 
the California Association of 
Museums. 

 CCHE was established at the 
California State Library in 2003. 

 Among the speakers was 
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard 
who also posed with Snoopy 
after the event.

 Visit www.snoopyplate.com 
to pre-order a Snoopy license 
plate. 

Pet Safety in 
Hot Weather

 The Pasadena Humane 
Society & SPCA urges all pet 
owners to take these important 
precautions during the next 
few days due to unseasonably 
hot weather:

 Keep your pets hydrated with 
plenty of cool water.

 Provide shade, if your pet is 
outside.

Avoid exercising pets during 
peak hours. Exercise them 
early morning or later in the 
evening.

 A dog’s paw pads can burn 
easily when walking on 
asphalt, artificial grass, cement 
or other similar surfaces. Walk 
them later in the evening or 
early in the morning when it 
is cool.

 Apply sunscreen on your 
dog’s nose, ears and belly to 
prevent sunburn. Ask your 
veterinarian what brand you 
should use.

 For rabbit owners: Place a 
two-liter frozen bottle of water 
in your rabbit’s hutch. This acts 
as a natural air conditioner.

 For cat owners: Place your 
cat in a sink or bathtub with a 
few ice cubes to play with. This 
way your cat can have fun and 
stay cool at the same time!

 For dog owners: Fill a wading 
pool with shallow water and 
let your dog’s play around in 
it. Make sure to supervise your 
dogs while they play.

 Do not leave your pet in the 
car. If you see an animal left 
in a car in hot weather, you 
can report it to the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA. 
Call 626.792.7151 and ask to 
speak with Field Services.

 Pets exhibiting signs of heat 
exhaustion (e.g., excessive 
panting, heavily salivating 
and/or immobile) should 
be taken immediately to a 
veterinarian for assessment.

 Additional information 
including safety videos 
may be found at: www.
pasadenahumane.org or by 
calling 626.792.7151.

City Fire Department to 
Celebrate Service Day 

 
Department will 
hold open houses and 
demonstrations

 
Meet the dedicated men and 
women of the Pasadena Fire 
Department during Fire Service 
Day on Saturday, May 10, from 
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 At Fire Station 33, 515 N. 
Lake Ave., firefighters will 
demonstrate life-saving and 
fire-suppression techniques 
including vehicle fires and 
extinguishments, vehicle rescue 
operation using the Jaws of Life, 
and aerial ladder operations. 
Fire engines, trucks and other 
apparatus will be on display, 
and there will be hot dogs and 
other refreshments as well as 
entertainment. Fire Station 
33 is on the west side of Lake 
Avenue just north of Villa 
Street. 

 Parking will be available in 
Lots C and D at Lake Avenue 
Church one block south of the 
fire station.

 All other fire stations in 
Pasadena will be open to 
the public as well to meet 
firefighters and showcase the 
fire apparatus:

 Fire Station #31, 135 S. Fair 
Oaks Ave.

 Fire Station #32, 2424 E. Villa 
St.

 Fire Station #34, 1138 E. Del 
Mar Blvd.

 Fire Station #36, 1140 N. Fair 
Oaks Ave.

 Fire Station #37, 3430 E. 
Foothill Blvd.

 Fire Station #38, 1150 E. Linda 
Vista Ave.

 Fire Station #39, 50 Avenue 64


Pet of the 
Week

Dr. Eric Walsh

Holden’s Accountability in 
Business Bills Approved

 
The Assembly Accountability 
Committee has approved 
legislation authored by 
Assemblymember Chris 
Holden, to move long-term 
unemployed workers to the 
front of the job line when it 
comes to state contracts.

 AB 1586 will require state 
contractors to give priority 
hiring to those who have 
exhausted their unemployment 
benefits or who live in high 
unemployment areas. The 
bill applies to public service 
contracts of more than $200,000. 
It passed on a vote of 10 – 3.

 In other legislation, Holden’s 
AB 1921 will provide more 
oversight and transparency 
between private businesses 
and government agencies by 
requiring service contractors 
to give government agencies 
access to records explaining 
how the state’s money was spent. 

 “AB 1921 is a step in the 
right direction to provide 
transparency between private 
businesses and government 
agencies,” explained Holden.

 AB 1921 was approved 8 to 3.

Police arrest Midnight 
Bandit/Plaid Shirt Bandit

 


 

 Police said Wednesday 
they arrested a man for the 
Armed Robbery of nearly 60 
Gas Stations, Fast Food and 
Convenience Stores all across 
Southern California and are 
asking for the public’s help with 
more clues and robberies. 

 Police said from April 2012, 
until June 2013, the suspect 
Jermaine Shepherd (dubbed 
The Midnight / Plaid Shirt 
Bandit) committed nearly 60 
armed robberies mostly of gas 
stations and fast food stores. In 
some of the cases, the suspect 
would make the victim lie on 
the ground before fleeing. 

 Using some of the department’s 
technology resources, including 
the unusual gait the suspect 
had when he walked. Their 
investigation led them to 
Bakersfield where additional 
information was obtained

 Major Crimes Bureau 
personnel arrested Shepherd 
Feb 19 with the assistance of 
Bakersfield and Kern County 
Sheriff’s Department.

 Search warrants were executed 
at three locations and evidence 
was recovered including shirts 
believed to be worn in the 
robberies. After the suspect’s 
arrest, further investigation was 
completed with the assistance 
of the listed police agencies. 
A live line-up was conducted 
with witnesses and the District 
Attorney filed an additional 
26 counts. Shepherd’s bail 
was set at 2.4 million dollars. 
The Preliminary hearing is set 
for June 20, 2014, in Pomona 
Court. 

 Robberies occurred in the 
cities of Anaheim, Bell, Buena 
Park, Burbank, Culver City, 
Garden Grove, Glendale, 
Huntington Park, La Palma, 
Los Angeles, Long Beach, 
Los Alamitos, Monterey Park, 
Newport Beach, Pasadena, 
Santa Monica, Southgate, and 
Torrance. 

 Detectives are asking the 
public’s assistance if you have 
any additional information 
and are encouraged to call 
LASD Major Crimes Bureau 
at (562-946-7893), Detectives 
Lorenz or Cabral, or mcbtips@
lasd.org . Anonymous calls are 
welcomed. 

 Suspect committed 
nearly 60 robberies, 
in at least 18 cities, 
including Pasadena. 

 Princess is a four-year-
old white Chihuahua. 
She’s friendly, energetic 
and smart. She knows her 
“sit,” “down” and “rollover” 
commands. She’s been 
out on our mobile unit to 
community events and got 
along well with other dogs 
and people she met. 

 Princess’ adoption 
normal fee is $125, which 
includes her spay surgery, 
a microchip, the first set 
of vaccinations, as well 
as a free follow-up health 
check at a participating vet. 
New adopters will receive 
complimentary health and 
wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well 
as a goody bag filled with 
information on how to 
care for your pet. Ask an 
adoptions counselor for 
more information during 
your visit. 

 Call the Pasadena 
Humane Society & SPCA 
at 626.792.7151 to ask 
about A353301, or visit 
at 361 S. Raymond Ave. 
in Pasadena. Adoption 
hours are 11-4 Sunday, 
9-5 Tuesday –Friday, 9-4 
Saturday. Pets may not 
be available for adoption. 
Directions and photos of all 
pets can be found at www.
pasadenahumane.org.

Castle Green 
Welcomes 
the Public

Learn How to Produce 
Your Own TV Show

 Pasadena’s historic Castle 
Green will host its’ annual 
Spring Tour Friday, June 6th, 
from 5pm to 9pm. Moonlight 
at the Castle will feature a 
public tour of many unique 
Castle residences and a 
musical performance by 
popular period artist Janet 
Klein & Her Parlor Boys. Wine 
and refreshments will also 
be served. Tickets are $40.00 
per person. Tickets can be 
purchased ahead of time by 
going to brownpapertickets.
com. All proceeds from the 
event will be directed toward 
the restoration projects of the 
Friends of the Castle Green. 
Visitors will be able to tour 
the Grand Salon, Turkish and 
Moorish Rooms and see many 
of the splendid features of the 
building that remain in tact 
over the past century. Visitors 
will also be able to tour resident 
apartments throughout the 
6-floor building, including 
the Castle penthouse. For 
more information kindly 
contact: Susan Futterman 
susanfutterman@mac.com 
(626) 824-8482.

 With the opening of the new 
Pasadena Media studios at 150 
S. Los Robles Ave, they are 
offering free television-training 
programs for producers. Plan 
to attend an orientation to 
discover the right classes for 
you. Producers’ Training 
teaches how to produce shows 
for The Arroyo Channel. Studio 
Production/Equipment training 
is also offered to volunteer 
crewmembers. In addition, 
on-going training will soon be 
available in citizen journalism 
and digital film groups. Call the 
office (626) 794-8585 or go to 
PASADENAMEDIA.ORG and 
explore what Pasadena Media 
has to offer.


Class Offerings 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Nightly

Producers Training

Monday May 5 at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

PCAC Board Of Directors - Regular Meeting

Tuesday May 6 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Orientation Training

Monday May 12 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Introduction to Field Production Training

Wednesday May 14 at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Citizen Journalism coming soon

Digital Film Group coming soon