Photographs by Terry Miller

Runners from Temple Station took over from Sheriff Lee Baca’s team as they arrived in Temple City around 11:30 Friday morning. – Photo by Terry Miller

L.A. Sheriff’s Department Relay Run honors Deputies killed in line of duty

Hundreds of law enforcement officers as well as civilian support staff took part Friday

in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s 34th annual Memorial Torch Relay Run honoring those who have died in the line of duty.

The run began at 9 a.m. at department headquarters at 4700 W. Ramona Blvd. in Monterey Park and made a stop at Temple Station where Sheriff Lee Baca decided he needed a bit of a rest after running all those miles with a team of deputies.

Temple Station deputies took over from that team and continued on the annual run.
This year’s event is in memory of Deputy Charlene Rottler, who died Jan. 3, 2010, from injuries she sustained in a 1972 on-duty traffic accident with a drunk driver; and Philip Ortiz, a California Highway Patrol officer who died June 22, 2010.

Deputies Moore and Sepulveda stand in honor of David March - Photos by Terry Miller

Ten years ago today LASO Deputy David March was shot during a routine traffic stop . Today, as they have for each year on April 29, Deputies honor his memory at the site where March was gunned down in 2002.

Call and make your reservation now for “The Best of Bernstein” this is going to be a wonderful show full of songs from Westside Story, Candide, Wonderful Town and On The Town. The Matinee will be on April 28th with 150 tickets available and the evening show will be on May 5th and only 90 tickets are available. All seats will be assigned and the sooner you reserve your tickets the closer you will sit. If you would like more information or would like to purchase tickets
call 626-282-1440 and leave a message we will call you back.

Photos by Terry Miller

Mission Accomplished

The major windstorm of Dec 1 brought a whole new set of challenges to San Gabriel Valley, and one victim, the crucifix of Jesus at San Gabriel cemetary fell victim to that disaster.
Scores of people turned out on Good Friday to witness the unveiling of the new 14-foot tall wood cross and re-dedication of a life-size 6-foot-tall metal crucifix of Jesus Christ . The project took 150 hours to repair after the Dec. 1, 2011 windstorm damage from a 70-foot tall tree that fell on the cross and crucifix.
San Gabriel Mission Pastor Fr. Steve Niskanen, CMF, and Tongva Chief Anthony Morales Sr. spoke briefly about the memorial dedicated to the more than 5,600 Gabrieleno Tongva indians, more than 90 Claretian Missionary priests and brothers, and a few parishioners buried in the first “modern” cemetery in Los Angeles County which happens to be in San Gabriel.

Florida Mug Shot of Sosa - Courtesy Photo

Temple City Felon Gets $20,000 Wedding Paid by Wish Upon a Wedding

It might just be his biggest and best swindle to date, but convicted felon Manuel Sosa somehow pulled it off.
Records show that Manny Sosa has been arrested numerous times in Florida and is apparently on probation for several years. At one time Sosa had $570,000 bond in liu of his release. On Monday, Sosa got married to Adriana Tafoya at someone elses’ expense to the tune of over $20,000.
A local daily newspaper made a big splash over a couple getting married due to Soss’s alleged failing liver condition due to Hepatitis C and was granted the wedding by Orange County/Los Angeles area chapter of Wish Upon a Wedding .
Sosa who said he has end-stage liver disease, wanted to marry fiance, Adriana Tafoya. The wedding, held at The Maxwell House in Pasadena on Monday night, was estimated to have cost in excess of $20,000. Local vendors apparently footed the bill for time and materials.
A simple check by Beacon Media revealed 18 charges against the felon Sosa who was listed as living in Pomona but now makes Temple City his home. Here are some of the charges we discovered:

STATUTE: 810.02.3b
CHARGE: BURGLOF UNOCCUPIED DWELLING; UNARMED; NO
BOND: 150000
Charge 2
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 3
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 4
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 5
STATUTE: 655.0322.2
CHARGE: BRIBE
BOND: 100000
Charge 6
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000

Charge 7
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 8
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 9
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 10
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 11
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 12
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 13
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 14
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 15
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 16
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 17
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Charge 18
STATUTE: 817.034.4b1
CHARGE: FRAUD-SWINDLE
BOND: 20000
Efforts via email and telephone to Wish Upon a Wedding’s Board of Directors and Media PR people went unanswered Tuesday evening.

Photographs by Terry Miller

From its modest beginnings 66 years ago with a handful of youngsters tossing camellia blossoms to the viewers along Las Tunas Drive, the festival now welcomes more than 5,000 children in its parade and attracts 20,000 visitors throughout the picture perfect weekend.

The drivcer of this car fell asleep at the wheel - Photo by W.A. Olivas

An early morning single vehicle traffifc collision nearly turned the Chase Bank into a drive through Monday morning. The 6am solo collision in front of the bank on Las Tunas felled 2 light poles, 2 cement flower pots as well as a city bench as well as a concrete planter in front of Chase.

- Photo by W.A. Olivas

The driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel & was uninjured as a result. The bank was also uninjured and opened at the regular time. The bank has no plans to open a drive through .

The Crowning ceremony - Photo by Terry Miller

On Friday, February 3, Lorenzo Blanco and Layla Cattani were officially crowned as Royal King and Queen of the 68th Annual Camellia Festival of Temple City. The announcement was made by Trish O’Brien, General Chairperson of the 2012 Camellia Festival. The Coronation Ceremony was held at the Community Center at Live Oak Park.

Excitement Reigns - Photo by Terry Miller

These first graders were chosen from a group of children that participated in our annual Play Day. The Royal Court will reign over the 2012 Camellia Festival, February 24 through 26 and will ride in the parade on February 25 along Las Tunas Drive on a special float build just for them. The Banner Carriers will carry their Majesties Royal Banner in the parade.
Members of the Royal Court

excited parents photograph their children at the ceremony - Photo by Terry Miller

Princess Carter Grimaldi
Prince Tyler Williams
Princess Madison Gillilan
Prince Noah Shifter
Queen Layla Cattani
King Lorenzo Blanco

Banner Carriers-
Madison Kidd
Aidan Chirivella
Emi Sakamoto
Maxson Sexton

The Banner Carriers helped Giordano Camera this year’s theme winner and a first grader at La Rosa Elementary School announce the theme for this year’s event “Let the Good Time Roll”.
Passing on their crowns and capes at the Coronation Ceremony were last year’s
Camellia Festival King Hector Gomez Jr. and Queen Abigail Alfonso.

Deputy Rick wio be Grand Marshal - Photo by Terry Miller

Trish O’Brien, General Chairperson announced the Honorary Grand Marshal, Deputy Rick Adams a 23-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Grand Marshal Jimmy Conrad professional soccer player and Temple City graduate for the 68th Annual Camellia Festival Parade.

Photos by Terry Miller

On Monday, January 2, 2012, at about 4:25PM, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop of a bicyclist in the 10500 block of Lower Azusa Avenue in Temple City.

During the contact,the deputy attempted to place the suspect under arrest for a narcotic related offense.

The suspect resisted the arrest and began fighting with the deputy. During the struggle, the suspect gabbed and attempted to take the deputy’s gun from his holster.

The deputy maintained control of his sidearm and broke the grasp of the suspect.

The suspect kicked and punched the deputy in his face and chest area during the fight.

As the suspect began to run from the location, the deputy ordered the suspect to stop.

As the suspect turned towards the deputy, he pulled a dark object from his waistband.

Believing the suspect had armed himself with a handgun and fearing for his safety, the deputy fired one round at the suspect.

The suspect ran southbound from the location.

It is unknown if the suspect was struck by the round.

A containment (search perimeter) was set up and the subsequent search of the area did not locate the suspect.

The suspect is WANTED for Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer. He is described as:

32-37 year old Hispanic male.
Black hair, light eyes (possibly hazel)
5’08′ – 5’11′ tall
160-180 pounds

The suspect left his bicycle at the scene.

The deputy involved in the incident was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries received during the assault.

An ongoing investigation is being conducted by detectives from Temple Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact Detective Randall Rue-Las, Temple Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau, at (626) 285-7171. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (9274637) or using the website HTTP://lacrimestoppers.org

-Photo by Terry Miller

Thousands of people braved the 70-80 degree winter heat of Pasadena to see the TOR Parade on Januray 2 – one of the warmest Parade Days in recent memory. Those who camped out all night were in for mild weather thoroughout the night with a very quick warm up about half an hour into the parade.
-Photo by Terry Miller

The weather added a sense of fun and festivity to flaots that particulary catered to water sports such as Natural Balance whose surfing bulldogs who seemed to have fun fun fun ’til their handler took their surfboad away.

-Photo by Terry Miller

The theme of the Parade this year was Just Imagine and the majority of the 44 floats in this year’s parade did the theme justice although one veteran parade-goer did point out that the theme did seem a little vague.

With that in mind, there seemed like there was less animation and special effects this year than in years past. However, the crowd of untold thousands who lined the streets seemed to enjoy every minute.
There was a heavy police presence, and in fact one float, US Bank, was escoreted by approximate 10 Pasadena Police officers as it made its way down Colorado. The extra security presumably was because of the Occupy movement.
However there no incidents during the parade but their were 10 pre-parade arrests according to the Pasadena Police Dept.
After the parade, Occupy the Rose Parade saw about 4,000 plus people march behind the end of the parade carrying a massive Constitution replica and countless signs voicing opinions about banks and mortgage holders.
The protestors also formed a giant Octopus and continued their protest to City Hall where a Rally was held.

-Photo by Terry Miller
The list of the winners follows:
Sweepstakes Trophy for most beautiful entry:
Dole, “Preserving Paradise”
Animation Trophy for best display of animation:
Farmers Insurance Group, “The Unimaginable”
Craftsman Trophy for outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact more than 55 feet in length:
Trader Joe’s, “Hot Lava”
Crown City Innovation Trophy for Best use of imagination and innovation to advance the art of float design:
City of Los Angeles, “Dinosaurs in L.A.’s Backyard”
Directors’ Trophy Honoring Jacob Maarse for outstanding artistic merit in design and floral presentation:
Bayer Advanced, “Garden of Imagination”
Extraordinaire Trophy for most spectacular entry including floats that cannot retract to 55 feet in length:
Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc., “Surf’s Up”
Fantasy Trophy for best display of fantasy and imagination:
City of South Pasadena, “When Life Gives You Lemons”
Founders’ Trophy for most beautiful entry built and decorated by volunteers from the sponsoring community or organization:
Downey Rose Float Association, “Enchanted Paradise”
Governor’s Trophy for Best depiction of life in California:
City of Torrance, “Looking Back, Moving Forward”
Grand Marshal’s Trophy for most creative concept and design:
Discover Card, “The Dream Believers”
Bob Hope Humor Trophy for most comical and amusing:
La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association, “If Pigs Could Fly”
International Trophy for most beautiful entry from outside the United States:
China Airlines, “Spirit of Prosperity and Harmony”
Isabella Coleman Trophy for best presentation of color and color harmony:
Odd Fellows & Rebekahs, “Shining Knights Still Exist”
Judges’ Special Trophy for outstanding showmanship and dramatic impact:
Donate Life, “…One More Day”
Lathrop K. Leishman Trophy for most beautiful entry from a non-commercial sponsor:
Kaiser Permanente, “Every Body Walk”

Mayor’s Trophy for Most outstanding city entry:
Burbank Tournament of Roses Association, “The Dream Machine”
________________________________________
National Trophy for Best depiction of life in the United States:
Western Asset Management, “Imagine in America”
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Past Presidents’ Trophy for most innovative use of both floral and non floral materials:
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, “100 Years of Girls Scouts – What Will You Do Today”
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Princesses’ Trophy most beautiful entry under 35 feet in length:
Rotary International, “Inching Towards the End of Polio”
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Queen’s Trophy for best use of roses:
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, “Our Champion”
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Theme Trophy for best presentation of the Rose Parade theme:
US Bank, “Idea Factory”
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Tournament Special Trophy for exceptional merit in multiple classifications:
RFD-TV, “Happy Trails”
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Tournament Volunteers’ Trophy for best floral design of parade theme under 35 feet in length:
Shriners Hospitals for Children, “Soaring for Kids”