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Mountain View News Saturday, July 12, 2025

A MOUNTAIN VIEWS NEWS EXCLUSIVE*:

NEWS BRIEFS

“CAMINO DE SANTIAGO-MY JOURNEY MY WAY IN 29 DAYS

April 17-May 15, 2025”

by: Lorie Veiner-Clause

“SELECTING A BACKPACK”

Having a backpack is a necessity while walking the Camino. After researching and reading reviews, 
I narrowed down a few brands that sparked my interest. The dreaded task of being fitted 
for the backpack caused me anxiety. It requires a great deal of time and effort.

I procrastinated as long as I could. The reality of my departure was quickly approaching. 

Several people on social media recommended a specific sporting goods store. They’re known for 
properly fitting people with backpacks.

There were 3 brands I was most interested in. A water bladder was not necessary as I would be carrying my own 
water bottle.

Upon arriving at the recommended store, I was visually overwhelmed with the number of backpacks hanging on 
the racks. Various sizes. Brands. Colors. However, I was underwhelmed by the initial person assisting me.

I directed them with what I was and was not seeking. And my small, petite body could only carry a certain amount 
of weight. 

The mysterious measuring tape many people spoke about was never revealed to measure me. I was informed this 
was part of the process to get properly fitted.

Frustrated with that experience, I left the store emptyhanded with no backpack after being there for 5 hours.

Realizing my emotions were defeated by this unsuccessful task, another effort was made to visit that store. I spoke 
to an employee that was knowledgeable with backpacks and selected a day to return when that associate was there.

Trying on the 3 original brands I was interested in was necessary.

The associate placed 20 lbs. of weight in each backpack. Walking around the store several times allowed me to test 
it out. 

My immediate response was the comfort on my shoulders, hips, back. One stood out to be the most comfortable. 

My body continued walking in circles around the store. Process of elimination. Shifting weight in the backpack.

I think I have a winner. Yet, I was compelled to call the manufacturer directly. Needing confirmation, it was a good 
backpack for my body size.

Gravitating to a specific backpack confirmed my decision with the size, style and color. Although it was a large 
backpack, my petite body acclimated best with it compared to the others I tried on.

Did I just officially start my Camino?

Buen Camino

#Loriescaminojourney #caminodesantiago #camino2025 #camino #caminofrances #caminodesantiagofrances #caminopilgrim 
#caminoespiritual #americanpilgrims #caminodesantiagoallroutes #caminasabuddysystemforwomenonthecamino #americanpilgrimsonthecamino 
#pilgrimsofsantiago #womenonthecamino #lamarathon #parismarathon #parismarathon2025 #pasadenapacers 
#AzusaPacers #whittierpacers #sierramadre #sierramadrecommunity #sierramadrecalif #sierramadrestrong 
#ilovesierramadre

*This is the third of a series by Sierra Madre resident Lorie-Veiner-Clause's incredibly courageous journey. Follow 
her recollections of 'Camino' each week.. By the way, if you aren't familiar with the Camino Santiago, you will be!

S. Henderson, Publisher/Editor


HUSBAND CHARGED 
IN WIFE’S DEATH, 

FIRE AT FAMILY HOME

A Los Angeles County man faces a 
potential life sentence after he was 
charged with murdering his wife and 
then setting fire to their home earlier 
this year to cover up the crime.

Yoon Lai, 62, was officially charged 
Tuesday with felony counts of 
murder and arson for the Jan. 6 blaze.

Lai is accused of killing his wife, 
56-year-old Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai, 
and then attempting to conceal the 
nature of her death by lighting their 
San Marino home on fire.

Gaw-Lai, who also used the surname Gonzalo, was a respected 
endocrinologist who, according to the Los Angeles Times, had filed for 
divorce from her husband months earlier. She had reportedly attempted to 
file for divorce more than 20 years earlier as well.

Her body was found in a back room of the fire-damaged home on the 2000 
block of Lorain Road. She had apparently suffered traumatic injuries to her 
upper body.

Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai (Gonzalo) is seen in this undated courtesy photo.

After a monthslong investigation, Yoon Lai was identified as a person of 
interest and later arrested in connection with his wife’s death.

On Tuesday, he appeared in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom to be 
formally charged with her murder.

“The violent death of Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai is heartbreaking and deeply 
disturbing,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in 
a news release. “She was not only a respected physician and business leader, 
but a mother who deserved safety and dignity in her own home.”

Yoon Lai’s bail has been set at $2.35 million. He is due back in court on Aug. 
12.

The investigation into Gonzalo’s death is ongoing, and anyone with 
information is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department 
or D.A.’s Office.

CNS


EATON AND PALISADES AIR MONITORING 
UPDATE

Air Monitoring Efforts Conclude

 

DIAMOND BAR – The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South 
Coast AQMD) has concluded its expanded air monitoring efforts in response 
to ongoing debris removal efforts near the Eaton and Palisades fire areas. Reported 
air monitoring data includes particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), air 
toxics (such as lead and arsenic), and asbestos in communities near the burn 
zones.

 

Since South Coast AQMD’s 19-week expanded air monitoring effort began:

 

• A total of 5 monitoring sites were deployed.

• A total of 219 asbestos samples were collected.

• A total of 215 air toxic metal samples were collected (33 air toxic 

 metals were analyzed per sample).

• A total of 28,588 particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10) data points 
were measured.

 

To date, monitoring results have not shown any levels of concern, even during 
peak debris removal activities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has substantially 
completed debris removal efforts, and South Coast AQMD officially 
concluded its expanded monitoring on July 8th, 2025. This will serve as our 
final press release for this special monitoring project. Any sampling results 
finalized after this final press release will be posted online. All current and 
past monitoring data can be found at: www.aqmd.gov/lawildfires or directly 
on the data dashboard. 

 

Residents in and around the burn areas are still encouraged to follow safety 
precautions from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to 
minimize potential exposure to ash, soot, and debris, particularly during periods 
of high winds.

 

EATON AIR MONITORING RESULTS (June 27 – July 3, 2025)

 

Monitoring Site Sample Date Air Toxics Asbestos Continuous 
PM2.5/PM10 

Near Altadena Golf Course 6/27/2025 All air toxic Not Detected PM2.5 and PM10

 6/30/2025 metals were concentrations

 within back- exceeded the

 ground levels federal standard

 level on July 5th

 due to July 4th

 celebrations

 7/03/2025 Sample is DETECTED due to July 4th 
undergoing celebrations

 analysis

Christ the Shepherd 6/27/2025 All air toxic Not Detected PM2.5 and PM10

Lutheran Church metals were concentrations

 within back- exceeded the

 ground levels federal standar

 level on July 5th

 due to July 4th

 celebrations

 6/30/2025 All air toxic DETECTED PM2.5 and PM10

 metals were concentrations

 within back- exceeded the

 ground levels federal standar

 level on July 5th

 due to July 4th

 celebrations 

 7/3/2025 Sample analysis Not Detected

 is undergoing

 analysis

 

Fire Station 11 6/27/2025 All air toxic Not Detected PM2.5 and PM10

 metals were concentrations

 within back- exceeded the

 ground levels federal standar

 level on July 5th

 due to July 4th

 celebrations

 6/30/2025 All air toxic Not Detected PM2.5 and PM10

 metals were concentrations

 within back- exceeded the

 ground levels federal standar

 level on July 5th

 due to July 4th

 celebrations 

 7/3/2025 Sample analysis DETECTED

 is undergoing

 analysis

South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air 
quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino 
counties, including the Coachella Valley. For news, air quality alerts, event 
updates and more, please visit us at www.aqmd.gov, download our award-
winning app, or follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and 
Instagram.


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