Claremont police were on the scene at Chaparral Elementary School Monday morning, donning masks and Kevlar vests as they neutralized an active shooter.
Thankfully, this was only a training exercise.
Officers used the elementary school as an area to train how to respond to a situation every person dreads—an active shooter terrorizing victims in a public area.
The League of Women Voters of Claremont Area was represented by Tressa Kentner and Barbara Nicoll at the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) national convention in Chicago recently.
More than 1,000 nationwide leaders attended workshops and heard from guest speakers about League priorities.
Travelers along Indian Hill Boulevard south of Arrow Highway will see that the jacaranda trees are struggling. City officials say a combination of heat and change in turf are the cause. Dave Roger, deputy director of community services, said the city, under the governor’s April 2015 executive order, had the median turf removed, which may have exacerbated stress caused by an extended drought.
On Thursday, July 12 a South Gate woman was arrested after a routine traffic stop unveiled an apparent credit card theft operation. Police puled over a car driven by 29-year-old Charlene Dix-Arnott around 10:30 a.m. near the intersection of Towne Avenue and Alvarado Street for expired registration.
Greg Gianakos, (center in 1981) owner of Yiannis Greek Restaurant has decided to close the longtime Claremont eatery so he can retire. The Gianakos family has owned the restaurant since 1962 when it was known as the Yale Café, and served classic American fare. They slowly transitioned to Greek food until the early 70s when it became Yiannis. The last day will be the end of July according to Mr. Gianakos. COURIER photo Steven Felschundneff
It was early in the morning of July 5, and Sheryl Bizzell was waiting for her long-lost sister.
Ms. Bizzell, a Claremont resident, was in the main lobby of Ontario International Airport, holding up a sign that said, “long lost sisters.” Ms. Bizzell’s wife, Hilda Bizzell, was filming. Their son, Quentin, was helping out as well.
After what seemed like forever, a familiar-looking woman turned the corner, walked down the staircase and into Sheryl’s arms.
Officers searched Heather Lockwood’s motel room and found personal identifying information for upwards of 100 victims, including mail, checks, credit applications, tax forms, vehicle registrations and photocopies of drivers’ licenses.
Nearly half of registered voters in Claremont cast their ballots for or against Measure SC last month.
A total of 10,383 votes were cast in the June 5 election, representing a 49.24 percent voter turnout, according to the final election results presented by the city. There are currently 21,086 registered voters in Claremont.
“It was higher than previous years,” City Clerk Shelley Desautels said. “It was a good turnout for us.”
The city is holding open enrollment for those interested in joining the Police Station Citizens’ Advisory Committee.
City spokesperson Bevin Handel said that as of Wednesday, eight applications have been turned in, but at least 20 applications have been picked up so far.
“This was to open it up and say whoever wants to be a part of this, we don’t want to discourage it,” Ms. Handel said. “We want all opinions.”
Contractors will begin removing turf in the passive areas of Griffith Park next week. Approximately 36,750 square feet of turf will be removed along Woodbend and Morningside Drives, near Sumner Elementary School.
Drip irrigation and climate appropriate shrubs and mulch will also be installed.
Liability concerns resulted in demolition of the former La Puerta Intermediate School site, according to the Claremont Unified School District.
Lisa Shoemaker, assistant superintendent of business services, explained that the former school site, which was declared surplus property in early 2013, has not yet sold.
“It was decaying so rapidly,” Ms. Shoemaker said. “The building was shot and had become a haven for graffiti. We were concerned about kids climbing around there, fires and loitering.”
Hundreds of people line up in front of Blaze Pizza in Claremont on Tuesday hoping to get free pizza as part of a promotion at the chain. Participating Blaze Pizza locations are celebrating basketball star LeBron James move to Los Angeles with a promotion called the "LABron Free Pizza Party," offering free pizza between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
Police station, city hall building/planning department hours reduced
Beginning Monday, July 9, the Claremont Police Department records bureau/lobby hours will be reduced due to staffing limitations.
The updated police department lobby hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sundays.
Also beginning Monday, July 9, the public counter hours for building and planning will be reduced due to staffing limitations, according to the city manager’s report.
Georgeann Andrus of the League of Women Voters is the 2018 Carolyn Beatty Award winner. The award is presented annually to a League member who has promoted the Claremont chapter’s goals and messages, the League said in a release. The award honors Carolyn Beatty, who spent more than 60 years in service to the League.
