La Mirada News Briefs Only one home left at Olive Walk

Photo: Olson Homes

La Mirada-  There is only one home still available in the Olive Walk development built by urban living specialist Olson Homes at 12000 La Mirada Blvd.

The home available is a model home, includes furnishings inside the model and Olson has but the price this weekend only.

Interested buyers can also make backup offers for homes that could still allow you to grab a home if a pending sale falls apart.

Contact the Olive Walk sales office for further information at (562) 370-9514. or www.olivewalk.com

La Mirada Chili Holiday Celebration returns Dec. 1 

La Mirada's signature Holiday event will be held next weekend at Splash! Regional Aquatics Park from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The event features live entertainment including local youth groups singing Christmas Carols for the crowd, free chili, hot dogs, cookies and refreshments,

Snow sledding and other activities will be available and a Tree Lighting Ceremony will be a special highlight.

Event organizers are asking those in attendance to bring non-perishable food items and/or unwrapped toys that will benefit local families in need

Splash! is located behind the La Mirada County Library at 13806 La Mirada Blvd.

For additional information contact La Mirada Community Services Department at (562) 943-7277.

Holiday Food and Toy Drive

The City of La Mirada is asking the public to donate toys and non-perishable food items to one of its six collection points around the city through Friday, December 14 to benefit needy families in the area.

Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

La Mirada Activity Center  13810 La Mirada Blvd.

La Mirada City Hall   13700 La Mirada Blvd.

La Mirada Gymnasium 15105 Alicante Road.

La Mirada County Library 13800 La Mirada Blvd.

La Mirada Resource Center 13710 La Mirada Blvd.

Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center 13816 La Mirada Blvd.

The donations will be distributed by the La Mirada Volunteer Center, Interfaith Food Center, Grace Evangelical Free Church, St. Paul of the Cross Church, and Beatitudes of our Lord Church.


Public is invited to the Biola Tree Lighting Ceremony

The public is invited to the Biola University Chrismas Fair and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday,

November 30 beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Vendors will be selling gifts as carolers sing holiday songs as part of the Christmas Fair on the Bell Tower Walkway from 4:30 pm to 9 p.m.  Hot drinks will also be available for purchase during the Fair.

The highlight of the evening will be from 7:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Metzger Lawn for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

For additional information contact Alumni Relations at (562) 903-4728.

Update** Man that brought gun on Biola campus had been warned earlier

La Mirada-  A man who was arrested by deputies last night after driving onto the Biola University

campus with a concealed weapon was warned by a gate attendant a week earlier that he could not bring a weapon onto the campus.

The man identified by the Biola newspaper 'The Chimes' website as Ben Coffman was released later Tuesday night.  The case is still active and under investigation according to the report.

Campus Safety Chief John Ojeisekhoba stated it appeared that Coffman had been living in his car, arrived at the La Mirada Blvd. shortly after 6 p.m. last night, and told the attendant he was going to go run on one of the campus fields.

The gate attendant notified Campus Safety after he recognized the man as being the one he had warned about the prohibition against weapons on the Biola University grounds, and Biola dispatchers notified the Sheriff's Department.

https://chimesnewspaper.com/43033/news/campus-safety-lasd-arrest-suspect-gun-campus/

La Mirada Sheriff's News: Man carrying gun arrested on Biola campus

Also in Sheriff's News  

Updated Weds. Nov 21, 8:37 p.m.

 **Updated Man that brought gun on 

Biola campus warned last week

La Mirada-  Deputies have arrested a man that drove on to the Biola University campus with a concealed handgun Tuesday evening.

The suspect was detained shortly after 7 p.m. by Biola's Campus Safety department and turned over to deputies upon their arrival.

According to the Biola's Chimes news website, the suspect had a valid concealed weapon's permit (aka a 'CCW Permit) issued in Orange County, but carrying the weapon on a college campus was one of the restrictions that are placed on such a permit.

This is the second serious arrest on the campus in as many weeks. On Monday, Nov. 12 campus officers had a combative trespasser they were forced to using a taser on in order to gain compliance.  That suspect has been arrested for trespass at Biola just two weeks before.

Biola has suffered from a rash of thefts by suspects that do not belong on the campus.

In recent weeks several arrests were made off-campus after a golf cart was taken from the University, and in September several more arrests were made and a large cache of stolen bikes was recovered as a result of an investigation originating on the campus.

https://chimesnewspaper.com/43033/news/campus-safety-lasd-arrest-suspect-gun-campus/

La Mirada Sheriff's Crime Log for September 11, 2018

Image Source: City of La Mirada

Sunday, Aug. 26

8:22 p.m.    An arrest was made at Santa Gertrudes Ave and Alicante Road on a charge of driving under the influence of drugs.

Monday, Aug. 27

12:12 p.m.   A bike theft was reported at Biola University.

Wednesday, Aug. 29

12:31 a.m.    A misdemeanor arrest was made at Rosecrans Ave and Marquardt Av. for possession of a controlled substance.

7:45 p.m.     A non-injury hit-and-run was reported at Ashgrove Drive and Libra Drive.

Thursday, Aug. 30

12:30 a.m.     A cargo trailer was reported stolen in the 14300 block of Alondra Blvd.

12:00 p.m.     A burglary was reported in the 14200 block of Whiterock Drive.  Cash, antiques and a safe key were taken.

12:15 p.m.      A vehicle was reported stolen from the 14500 block of San Feliciano Drive.

Friday, Aug. 31

1:30 a.m.      A vehicle was reported stolen from the 14300 block of Galicia Drive.

3:25 p.m.      A nin-injury hit-and -un was reported at La Mirada Blvd.and Excelsior Drive.

Saturday, Sept. 1

12:26 .a.m.    A non-injury hit-and-run was reported at Valley View Av and Rosecrans Av.

2:00 a.m.       A theft from an unlocked vehicle was reported in the 15300 block of Hayford Street.

4:00 a.m.        A nighttime burglary to a residence was reported in the 14300 block of Ramo Drive. A cell phone, laptop, and key fob were taken.

6:10 p.m.       An intoxicated individual in the 13900 block of Imperial Hwy. was taken into temporary protective custody until sobering up.

Sunday, Sept. 2

8:30 a.m.        A vehicle was reported stolen from the 14700 block of Firestone Blvd.

10:00 a.m.       A burglary was reported at Kling Center, 12900 block of Bluefield Ave.

11:45 a.m.       A burglary at Hutchinson School in the 13900 block of Estero Rd was reported.

2:00 p.m.         The church in the 14000 block of Foster Road reported a break-in..

2:55 p.m.        An arrest on an assault charge was made in the 15000 block of Costa Mesa Drive after a domestic argument turned physical.

9:13 p.m.        A deputy stopped a driver that had reportedly been driving impaired through La Mirada at drunk driver Telegraph Rd. and Telechron Av in South Whittier.  After a field sobriety test, the driver was placed under arrest for DUI.

Monday, Sept. 3

4:32 a.m.      A non-injury hit-and-run was reported in the 14900 block of Rayfield Dr.

10:45 a.m.     A shoplifting citizen's arrest was made in the 12300 block of La Mirada Blvd.

8:15 p.m.        An arrest was made in the 13900 block of Imperial Hwy. for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. 

Tuesday, Sept. 4

2:30 a.m.      A vehicle was reported stolen from the 15700 block of Orsa Drive.

Wednesday, Sept. 5 

1:15 a.m.       An overnight burglary was reported to a business in the Stater Bros. Shopping Center in the 12800 block of La Mirada Blvd.

1:21 a.m.         An arrest was made for misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance at Imperial Hwy and Telegraph Rd.

5:50 p.m.        A misdemeanor marijuana violation was handled at Alondra Blvd. and Trojan Way. 

Thursday, Sept. 6

5:10 p.m.       A misdemeanor arrest was made at Imperial Hwy and Santa Gertrudes Ave for possession of a controlled substance.

Saturday, Sept. 8

9:38 a.m.    A non-injury hit-and-run was reported at Beach Blvd. and Rosecrans Ave.

(

Local News Briefs: Illegal dispensary back in business despite last week's raid, plus more news

Sept. 9, 2018

Dispensary defies court ruling,  reopens business after arrests

File photo of the Plug Source LASD Norwalk 

South Whittier-  The Plig, an illegal marijuana retailer, appears back open for business this weekend just days after deputies from Norwalk Station, and Narcotics Bureau served a search warrant on the business Wednesday arresting four individuals including two that were booked \n an additional charge of violating a court order. 

A check of the building located at 14203 Imperial Hwy shortly after 8 p.m. on Saturday found that it appeared business as usual, with the read door left showing a lit waiting room behind a white security screen door.it.

State grant funding Theatre improvements

State Sen. Ian Calderon (D-Montebello), has secured a $400,000 grant from this year's state budget to make several long-awaited improvements to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. 

The funds will be used to replace seats that are original, and have only been recovered the and not replaced its opening 41 years ago.

More than 250.000 people attend events at the Theatre annually.

Upgrades to the sound system will also be paid for by the grants as the facility prepares for the opening of its 2018-19 season in just over a month when 'Murder on the Orient' will premiere on Friday. October 19.

La Habra Vons facing October closure

An official announcement is expected soon confirming that the Vons market at Imperial Hwy and Beach Blvd will be closing in October.

The location opened originally as a Smith's Food King becoming a Vons Market in the 90's. The competition at the corner became too much in the last decade when competition took hold with three markets after the addition of WalMart and SmartNFinal at the same intersection.

Editor's Note: Update 9/12  The closing has been confirmed and will occur Oct. 12th.  It is also unlikely that apartments will go up on this corner according to sources at La Habra City Hall. Stay tuned.

Biola celebrates chapel makeover

Biola University students and alumni attended a Friday morning worship service to celebrate the recent upgrade to the chapel on campus in a Whittier Daily News story by writer Mike Sprague. 

One of the highlights of the work done was the installation of 32 ornate stained-glass windows imported from Denmark.

https://www.whittierdailynews.com/2018/09/07/biola-university-chapel-gets-makeover-and-its-sparkly/

Biola explosion in recycling container investigated

LA MIRADA-   Fire crews and sheriff's deputies descended on the Biola University campus this morning (May 11) after reports of a loud explosion followed by smoke was reported according to a  Biola student news report.

No injuries or damage was reported other than a view frayed nerves in the 11 A.M. blast that came from a recycling bin.  The cause is under investigation.

http://chimes.biola.edu/story/2017/may/11/recycling-bin-explodes/


*****UPDATE*****   May 11 7:00 p.m.

The Biola student newspaper website has posted an unconfirmed report that the explosion was from a tube from a bicycle tire exploding near the recycling bins.

Biola to host Active-Shooter Drill April 19

LA MIRADA-  More than 100 first responders from multiple agencies will participate in an active-shooter training drill at Biola University this Wednesday morning, April 19 beginning at 7 a.m.

Members of the Sheriff's Department's Tactics and Survival Training Unit will be on hand to provide local deputies, firefighters and Biola Campus Safety staff the skills needed to deal with an active shooter and multiple victims.

Topics will include rapid-response and rescue tactics, tactical planning, multi-agency coordination.

A key component of the drill will be a realistic simulation that will include emergency vehicle response, role-playing victims screaming, simulated gunfire sounds.

Biola Men's Basketball opens NAIA Playoffs with 59-48 victory against Montana-Northern

No. 13 Biola University built an early lead and the defenders turned in another strong performance Thursday night defeating #21 Montana State-Northern 59-48 in the opening round of the NAIA Division 1 National Championship in Kansas City Mo.

Curtis Eatmon scored 16, points for the Eagles (27-5)as the team jumped out to a 30-17 lead at halftime. Dwight Gordon and Nate Rakestraw also had strong games with 10 points each.

The Biola defense, #2 best in the nation, hampered the Lights (24-9) offense most of the night, but did manage to go on a 12-3 run in the 2nd half to bring the score close at 41-39.

The rally attempt ended with six minutes remaining as Biola capitalized on Montana-Northern foul troubles to put the game away.

Biola shot 45% from the field and completed 3 of 12, 3-pt attempts. Northern shot 32% and were 6 of 22 in 3-pt land.

Biola advances to the 2nd round to take on #4 Louisiana State University- Shreveport Friday night at 7:45 p.m.(PDT). LSUS defeated Life (Georgia) 106-80 in the 1st round.

Biola closing in on deal to lease Rancho School site

LA MIRADA- Bursting at it's seams with record enrollment, Biola University is negotiating with the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District to lease the Rancho School site for use as a satellite campus.

Biola officials saw an opportunity to add very much needed elbow room when the school board designated the site surplus property last September, and requested bids for a long-term lease.

The Rancho site is located just east of Neff Park on 8.8 acres and is less a mile from the main campus.

School district and Biola officials are currently finalizing the terms of the lease, which is for an initial five year period at $181,512 annually with Biola having the option for an additional five-year lease.

One of the issues to be hammered out is public use of the athletic fields.

Biola will need to do some modernization work on the school which has only had necessary upkeep performed since 1980. Most of that expense will be directed towards upgrading the electrical system to a standard that will support addition a central air system and computer technology.

The former elementary school was built in 1955 and closed in 1980 as a K-6 campus. The Hearing Impaired Program for the school district was then moved to the school until 1989, becoming the Barbara Dawson Education Center until 2010.

A child day-care program is currently leasing the school through June 30, 2011.

La Mirada Sheriff's Blotter Feb 1 - 6

The following incidents are a sampling of police activity in La Mirada and adjacent areas of unincorporated Whittier taken from area deputy and police reports.

All locations listed are in La Mirada unless otherwise noted.

Tues Feb 1
12:01 a.m. A burglary to a vehicle was reported in the 13500 block of Marquardt St. in Santa Fe Springs.

11:30 a.m. A strong-arm robbery was reported in the 14600 block of Los Fuentes Road. A cell-phone was forcibly taken from the victim.

2:30 p.m. A vehicle stolen last month in Fullerton was located unoccupied and recovered in the 15000 block of Granada Avenue.

4:00 p.m. A misdemeanor theft (loss under $400) was reported from an unlocked vehicle in the 15200 block of Midcrest Drive in East Whittier.

4:15p p.m. A vehicle was reported stolen at Imperial Hwy and Valley View Avenue in South Whittier.

7:30 p.m. Misdemeanor domestic violence was reported in the 13500 block of Brazo Rd.

Weds Feb 2
8:15 a.m. An SUV was reported stolen in the 167000 block of Valley View Avenue.

1:05 p.m. An assault with a firearm was reported in the 15500 block of Talbot Road. The victim was not injured.

4:15 p.m. A purse was taken from a vehicle burglary reported in the 13300 block of Beach Blvd.

4:15 p.m. A residential burglary was reported in the 1470 block of Stanton Avenue.

Thur Feb 3
2:04 a.m. A fire alarm was activated at Rose Hall in the Biola campus. Apparent alarm malfunction only.

8:05 a.m. A trespass investigation at the track field at Biola University resulted in a warning only.

9:30 p.m. A petty theft was reported at a business in the 14200 block of Leffingwell Road in South Whittier.

10:45 p.m. A shoplifter was reported in the 15200 block of Rosecrans Avenue.

11:00 p.m. A grand theft from a home was reported in the 11600 block of 1st Avenue in East Whittier.

Fri Feb 4
9:30 a.m. Grand Theft (loss over $400) was reported from a vehicle in the 15600 block of Leffingwell Road in East Whittier.

1:55 p.m. A strong-arm robbery was reported in the 12300 block of La Mirada Blvd. The suspect took a gardening tool using fear or force from the Home Depot.

6:20 p.m. A fire alarm activation was reported at Emerson Hall at Biola. False alarm.

Sat Feb 5

4:30 a.m. A vehicle was reported stolen in the 15900 block of Marlinton Drive in East Whittier.

Sun Feb 6
7:00 a.m. Two attempted vehicle burglaries were reported in the 15500 block of Alicante Road.

6:00 p.m. A vehicle burglary was reported in the 14000 block of Stage Road in Santa Fe Springs.

La Mirada Sheriff's Crime Blotter

The following police activity selections were made from sheriff's activity reports.

Thursday Sept 9

4:00 p.m. (Delayed report) A bicycle was reported stolen from the Biola University campus.

10:30 p.m. (Delayed report) Another bicycle was reported stolen from Hope Hall at Biola University.

Thursday Sept 16

12:00 p.m. (Delayed report) A bike was reported stolen at the Thomas Hall at 13701 La Mirada Blvd on the Biola campus.

Saturday Sept 18

5:00 p.m. (Delayed report) A bike was stolen from the Sigma Chi building at Biola.

Sunday Sept 26

9:30 p.m. (South Whittier) A shoplifting incident was reported in the 11800 block of Valley View Ave. A 34 year old Whittier man was arrested for Felony theft with a prior and is being held without bail.

Monday Sept 27

11:30 a.m. A commercial grand theft was reported in the 11900 block of La Mirada Blvd.

4:03 p.m. Domestic violence, not physical was reported in the 15500 block of Lofthill Drive.

David Oppedahl, 55, of La Mirada, was arrested for violating a domestic related court order.

Update

In yesterday's blotter an entry indicated Keith Kinkaid, 50, of La Mirada was arrested Saturday in a domestic violence incident and was scheduled for arraignment today.

Today the District Attorney's Office declined to file charges against Mr Kinkaid in the matter. The arrest is now reclassified as a detention only.

College Soccer: Biola blows out San Diego Christian 6-0

EL CAJON- Biola went on an offensive tear, chasing San Diego goal keeper Riley Cameron from the net in the second half in a 6-0 victory Saturday afternoon.

San Diego native Dylan Wingrove had two goals for Biola and Zach Bautista had three assists as goalkeeper Aaron Fenlason tallied his second consecutive shutout for the Eagles.

The match was the first conference game for both teams, and started out as a closely contested battle.

Biola(3-4-1, 1-0) went ahead 1-0 at 15:39 on a goal that deflected in off the goal post on a shot by Junior Phillip Friehe on a play that started out as a free kick by Zach Bautista.

The Eagles caught a break minutes later when Salvador Velazquez of the Hawks was ejected from the game after getting red carded on his third foul of the game.

San Diego Christian (1-4-1, 0-1) paid a heavy price, giving up five goals while short-handed.

First to strike was Dylan Wingrove at 27:14 on another goal deflected of the post followed by Mike Teague at 32:51 with the score 3-0 at half-time.

In the second half with the San Diego goal keeper clearing the ball under pressure, Dylan Wingrove intercepted the clearing pass and fired a 25-foot shot past frustrated Riley Cameron.

A short time later the Hawk coaching staff called it a night of Cameron after Marco Ruvalcalba put Biola ahead 5-0 at 64:08 sending in Christopher Cozzi to finish the game in goal.

Cozzi stopped six of seven shots he faced only surendering a goal to Kennedy Chongo at 70:32.

Biola goalkeeper Aaron Fenlason only faced three shots, stopping all three, and Cameron stopped only one of 6 faced.

Biola will next host California Baptist on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at home.






Dylan Wingrove lead the Eagles with two goals Saturday against San Diego Christian College.

Bursting at the seams, Biola approves parking structure

LA MIRADA- Construction of a four-level parking structure was approved this past week by Biola University officals to address a parking shortage due to an ever growing student enrollment.

The $8.7 million project is slated to have over 600 parking spaces and will be built at the site of a current parking lot on the east side of the campus northeast of the Eagles' baseball field.

Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2011, with completion before the start of the Fall 2011 semester.

Parking on campus has become progressively tighter as Biola hit a record enrollment of over 6,000 students this fall, and the squeeze on parking has spilled over into adjacent residential streets.

The $55.4 million Talbot project is already underway on the west side of the campus with completion of the first phase also expected prior to the start of the Fall 2011 semester.

Workers are currently preparing the East Talbot site for pouring of the foundation which should begin in the next few weeks.

A West Talbot project will begin after completion of the East Talbot complex.

The East Talbot complex will be the new home to the Biblical Studies and Theology departments.


The Talbot Complex site is being readied for the pouring of it's foundation. (Photo Courtesy Biola University)

Biola hosts Great Isaiah Scroll exhibit and lecture series

LA MIRADA- An exact replica of the Great Isaiah scroll will be the focal point of a exhibit and series of lectures about the scroll beginning next week at Biola University.

The Isaiah scroll is the first of over 900 documents about 2,000 years old found in nine caves, now known as the Dead Sea Scrolls.

The original is estimated to have been created from 150 BCE to 70 CE was discovered in caves near the northwest shore of the Dead Sea near Khirbet Quamran on the West Bank by Palestinian Bedouin in 1947.

The exhibit and lecture series will kickoff on Tuesday Sept 7 with a grand opening reception at 7 p.m. at Calvary Chapel on the University campus at 13800 Biola Ave.

The opening night event will feature a lecture by George Giacumakis, Ph.D., California State University, Fullerton, adjunct professor Biola University, and director of the Museum of Biblical and Sacred Writings, about the interest shown worldwide about the scrolls.

The cost for the opening night event is $15, $10 for Biola students. For additional information on the Sept 7 event and to make reservations go to https://connect.biola.edu/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=746

Those attending the opener will also receives a handbook about the scroll and a handbook that translates the scroll.

The exhibit also at Calvary Chapel can be viewed daily Monday through Thursday from Sept 8 until Dec 15. For a daily schedule go to http://www.biola.edu/news/articles/2010/100802_isaiahsch.cfm

The replica scroll on loan from Museum of Biblical and Sacred Writings in Irvine is made of 17 sheets of parchment stitched together to extend 23.5 feet in length.

Oct. 12 – 7:00 p.m. 'The Dead Sea Scrolls and Bible Translation'featuring Jeffrey Volkmer, D.Phil. ABD, Assistant Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University.

Nov. 9 – 7:00 p.m. 'Textual issues in the Great Isaiah Scroll' featuring Thomas J. Finley, Ph.D., Professor of Old Testament and Semitics, Department Chair, Talbot School of Theology at Biola University.

Dec. 14 – 7:00 p.m. 'The Suffering Servant in the Great Isaiah Scroll' presented by Scott Moffatt, Senior Pastor, Legacy Church of Orange County, Irvine, Calif and Adjunct Professor of History, Biola University and Fullerton College.

The last three lectures are free and are held at the Calvary Chapel.

College Soccer: Biola stumbles in regular season opener

LA MIRADA- The Biola University men's soccer team recently selected to the 8th spot preseason NAIA poll were defeated in their home opener Monday night 1-0 to Western Trinity of Langley, BC.

Chase Wickham scored the lone goal on a tough angle shot at 16:15 after completing a run down the left side of the field.

Biola almost tied the game just minutes later off a deflection by a Western Trinity defender on a free kick at 20:48 that would have surely been a goal if Trojan goalkeeper Andrew Kowen had not made a spectacular save.

The Trojans (1-3) were on the second of a two game trip to California fell to Azusa Pacific on Saturday.

Both teams had 14 shots in the game. Biola had 10 corner kicks to Trinity Westerns' 5.

This was the first home opener loss in ten years, going 7-0-2 in the past nine seasons.

Biola will try to get back on track on Thursday against NCAA Division 2 Cal State L.A. on the road, game time 4:00 p.m.