Walnut – Two brothers didn’t celebrate Valentines in love, but instead in near death.

At 2:15 in the afternoon on Feb. 14 deputies responded to a family disturbance with a gunshot victim, according to Captain Dave Halm of the Walnut Diamond Bar Sheriff’s station.

“We responded to a family disturbance and found the victim had been shot,” said Halm.

Deputies arrived in two minutes and discovered one male adult had been shot by his 40 year old brother during an argument. The suspect fled the location prior to the Deputies arrival. The victim’s injury was not considered life threatening.

Sean Kent, 40, of Walnut, reportedly got into an argument with his 43-year-old brother in the 19800 block of Vista Hermosa Drive, which is located in the North West corner of Lemon Avenue and La Puente Road. The argument escalated into an assault with a deadly weapon.

Patrol deputies and station detectives are searching for the suspect and the investigation continues.

Kent may be armed. Anyone with any information about Kent’s whereabouts or who has spotted the suspect should not contact or attempt to detain him.  The public, instead, is urged to dial 9-1-1 or 909.595.2264 if you have any information on  Kent.

“Our investigation is ongoing, and we will continue to look for the suspect,” added Halm.

By Michael Armijo

Diamond Bar, Walnut – It’s that time again – election time. Signs are popping up all over the place, but what the city of Walnut has put regulations in place to rid the streets of excess “vote for,” “elect me,” or “re-elect a winner” signs.

So what is the local rule for our cities? Here’s a breakdown:

Walnut’s ordinance, as of 2009, for political campaign signs regarding any candidate or issue are allowed subject to the following:

1. Size of the sign is limited to 6 square feet.

2. The signs must be located on private property with the consent of the property owner.

3. No signs are allowed on any public right-of-way or on public property.

4. Signs shall not be located on public or private utility poles, including light standards.

5. Signs shall not be located higher than ten feet measured from the top of the sign to the ground immediately below the sign.

6. All signs shall be removed by the owner of the signs or the owner of the property on which the signs are located within seven days after the date of the primary election.

7. Any signs which are not claimed by their owners, agents or representatives within 30 days shall be destroyed or disposed of by the city. The owner and/or person who posted the sign shall be responsible for all costs of removal, storage and disposition.

Other election information is as follows:

The City of Walnut will govern the April 10 election.

Only candidates who filed by Jan. 2012 date will be printed on the ballot; write-ins will still be permitted.

Only legal residents of Walnut may vote and must be registered at least 15 days prior to the April 10 election date. Voting in the city election if not legally residing in Walnut is a felony.

Absentee ballots must be mailed or personally delivered to the City Clerk, or turned in at any polling place within Walnut. An absent voter who is unable to return the ballot may designate a spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling to return the ballot.

No vote by mail ballot shall be returned by any paid or volunteer worker of any general purpose committee, or any other group at the request of the voter. Violation of the absentee ballot provisions is a crime and illegal ballots will not be counted.

Mayor Nancy Tragarz, and councilmember Antonio Cartegena will run for re-election, while councilmember Joaquin Lim has decided not to seek re-election.

Along with the two incumbents, Walnut residents Michael West, John Saleeby and Eric Ching round-out the field of candidates for the council seats.

There are more details of election signage that you can read about by signing onto www.cityofwalnut.com or you may call the planning department at 909.595.7543.

Diamond Bar – In the movie “Live Free or Die Hard” Bruce Willis destroys most of the movie set. Some are wondering if he did the same to Diamond Ranch High, a school that was featured in the film.

Although it was a just movie, unfortunately the reported crumbling of Diamond Ranch High’s foundation, along with the several cracks evident throughout the school, are not part of movie magic.

Sources inside the district say that the foundation beneath the high school bordering Diamond Bar and Pomona has been cracking for years. Concerns are over an earthquake address the school’s ability to survive.

Photos were presented to KTLA Channel 5 News, who broke the story in a segment this week. They showed photos of asphalt, walls, and columns cracking.

Diamond Ranch High School has won several architectural awards and has been featured in movies, including the Bruce Willis blockbuster “Die Hard.” The school was built on a hilltop overlooking Phillips Ranch and a portion of Chino Hills.

The City of Industry sold the land to the Pomona School District for one dollar, and Industry even gave an additional $5 for extensive soil grading. But an environmental impact report (EIR) warned there was potential for slope failure and ground failure due to a landslide, according to the report. This may be why some believe the problem lies in the soil beneath the school, sources say.

Officials say the cracks began to surface soon after the school opened in 2008 and 2009 as students, vehicles and other weight began to increase onto the campus. The District went so far as to hire two engineering firms to investigate the large cracks and tried to repair them.

According to KTLA, an examining engineer wrote in a report that, “…two parts of the structure are not positively tied together.” He was referring to a crack the width of a quarter. “It is obvious that there is some lateral movement at the structure,” the engineer wrote. “…With concrete ready to fall.”

KTLA also reported the school principal was going to grant the news team an interview but when they got onto campus the school declined and were asked to leave. They also reported the same thing happened when they were to interview, School District Superintendent Richard Martinez.

A revised report from the District Office, dated just before KTLA began investigating the alleged damage at the school, states, “…no significant distress has been noted in the school buildings.”

Calls to Principal Suzanne Ripley and the district main office by The Weekly News were unanswered.

By Michael Armijo

Diamond Bar – In the movie “Live Free or Die Hard” Bruce Willis destroys most of the movie set. Some are wondering if he did the same to Diamond Ranch High, a school that was featured in the film.

Although it was a just movie, unfortunately the reported crumbling of Diamond Ranch High’s foundation, along with the several cracks evident throughout the school, are not part of movie magic.

Sources inside the district say that the foundation beneath the high school bordering Diamond Bar and Pomona has been cracking for years. Concerns are over an earthquake address the school’s ability to survive.

Photos were presented to KTLA Channel 5 News, who broke the story in a segment this week. They showed photos of asphalt, walls, and columns cracking.

Diamond Ranch High School has won several architectural awards and has been featured in movies, including the Bruce Willis blockbuster “Die Hard.” The school was built on a hilltop overlooking Phillips Ranch and a portion of Chino Hills.

The City of Industry sold the land to the Pomona School District for one dollar, and Industry even gave an additional $5 for extensive soil grading. But an environmental impact report (EIR) warned there was potential for slope failure and ground failure due to a landslide, according to the report. This may be why some believe the problem lies in the soil beneath the school, sources say.

Officials say the cracks began to surface soon after the school opened in 2008 and 2009 as students, vehicles and other weight began to increase onto the campus. The District went so far as to hire two engineering firms to investigate the large cracks and tried to repair them.

According to KTLA, an examining engineer wrote in a report that, “…two parts of the structure are not positively tied together.” He was referring to a crack the width of a quarter. “It is obvious that there is some lateral movement at the structure,” the engineer wrote. “…With concrete ready to fall.”

KTLA also reported the school principal was going to grant the news team an interview but when they got onto campus the school declined and were asked to leave. They also reported the same thing happened when they were to interview, School District Superintendent Richard Martinez.

A revised report from the District Office, dated just before KTLA began investigating the alleged damage at the school, states, “…no significant distress has been noted in the school buildings.”

Calls to Principal Suzanne Ripley and the district main office by The Weekly News were unanswered.

Brea — A new series of classes is set to begin on April 4 for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT.) Those willing to commit to this nationally recognized citizen assistance program can register now. Additional information and the enrollment form can be found online at www.cityofbrea.net.

CERT training is provided using a 20-hour curriculum approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CERT educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during practical exercises, CERT members can then assist others in their neighborhood or workplace immediately following an event when professional emergency responders are not immediately available to help.

Brea coordinates with Yorba Linda and Placentia to present this program.

Eastvale – Addressing the needs and issues of the people of Eastvale through community cooperation, activities and events is what the Eastvale Community Foundation hopes to accomplish.

The non-profit organization is in its infancy, but hopes to make a big impact on the city in areas that are needed most.

The organization was created late last year by the Eastvale City Council with the purpose to work side-by-side with the council on issues important to residents.

“The main reason we created the foundation was to fill in the gaps that the council isn’t able to do on its own,” said Kelly Howell, Eastvale mayor pro-tem.

“It is a proactive way to ensure our community is getting everything they need from extra equipment for the city, to health and economic fairs,” said Howell.

Foundation Executive Director, Al Nassar agrees with Howell’s assessment of the foundation’s role, but takes it even further.

“We just want to help the people of Eastvale,” said Nassar.  “Yes, we want to fill in the gaps where needed, but we also want to plan activities, events and fundraisers to get residents involved with the city.”

Some of the events planned by the foundation are 5k runs, health and fitness events and to create scholarship programs for local students.

“Our first major event was at the Eastvale Fire Station in December,” said Nassar. 

“Every single church in the city participated in the event.  We had station tours, Christmas tree giveaways and kids had their pictures taken with Santa.  We had a great Santa,” said Nassar.

Nassar said that every event the foundation stages will be done with the purpose to serve the people of Eastvale.

“All the money raised went back to the people of Eastvale.  We’re just trying to be a community here,” said Nassar.

One of the big issues surrounding the foundation is a proposed Community Development Block Grant that is under review by the city council.

If approved, the grant will help fund the scholarship programs the foundation is trying to initiate.

“We’re still waiting to hear from the council on that issue,” said Nassar.

Howell feels that it is just a matter of time before the grant is approved by the council, which could mean up to $45,000 to the foundation.

Rounding out the foundation’s board are Eastvale residents, Jeff Williams, assistant executive director, Julie Reyes, chief financial officer, Eren Cello, secretary and board members Richard Morris, Yvonne Benitez and Jeff DeGrandpre.

“We are very lucky to have a board with a plethora of experience,” said Howell.

The foundation’s mission statement reads:

“Strengthening the Eastvale community by providing leadership, fostering collaboration on local needs and issues, and encouraging giving through programs, scholarships and events.”

Even though the foundation’s administrative infrastructure is in place, volunteers are needed to help ensure the health of the organization.

“We are looking for volunteers from around the community that want to make a difference and help out in any way,” said Nassar.

For more information on the foundation, call (951) 268-4079, or visit the foundations facebook site. 

The foundations website is currently under construction, but once complete can be reached at www.theecf.org.

Walnut – If you’re thinking about losing weight and don’t want to do it alone, Walnut Women’s Fitness Boot Camp is a great option.

The boot camp is a group weight loss program that promotes camaraderie and group support for all the women involved. Certified fitness trainer Eric Bonilla keeps the workouts interesting.

“We use different types of workouts with bands, free weights, medicine balls,” he said.

But just because the workout is for a group, does not mean that your personal needs aren’t met. Bonilla assures clients that everyone gets private, personal attention.

“We’re a personal gym where everyone knows your name,” he said.

Bonilla’s gym is different from chain clubs in that there are no weight machines.

“I don’t sit you down and count reps while holding a clipboard,” he said. “I figure sitting is what got you here in the first place, why would I make you sit again?”

By not having machines, Bonilla keeps clients on their feet and moving which burns more calories and fat.

Also in an effort to keep clients’ motivation and energy up, Fitness Boot Camp has started holding periodic contests. Currently, campers are involved in a “Biggest Loser” body transformation contest.

“It’s great because everyone’s competing against each other but in a friendly way,” Bonilla said. “Everyone offers support and praise when someone else reaches a goal.”

The support doesn’t stop when campers leave the gym. Bonilla has 90 instructional videos on YouTube, as well as a blog that offers supplemental information to weight loss and exercise, www.ericbonilla.blogspot.com.

Bonilla also offers private personal training sessions and right now, you can try the boot camp for two weeks (up to three sessions a week) for free.

To learn more or to register for the Fitness Boot Camp, call (909) 595-2670. Walnut Women’s Fitness Boot Camp and Premier Sports Fitness is located at 3950 Valley Blvd. #B in Walnut.

Our newest location, Monrovia Women’s Boot Camp 110 E Duarte Rd. Monrovia, CA 91016. Is now open, call for details (626) 415-8516.

Monterey Park – A Chino Hills man was killed last week when police officers shot him when they responded to a call that he was breaking windows.

Steven Rodriguez, 22, was killed when two Monterey Park police officers fired ten shots at him after responding to a call that he was breaking a Carl’s Jr. restaurant’s windows with a metal pipe.

Officers said that Rodriguez threatened them with the pipe and that caused them to fear for their safety and use deadly force. The entire scene was caught on a witness’s cell phone. The shooting is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, according to police.

Rodriguez was an East LA College student, and was reportedly in the Monterey Park area after a school function.

Rodriguez’s family say they do not understand why he chose to break the windows that day. They said witnesses said he wasn’t angry, wasn’t attacking people, and didn’t rob anyone. They felt after viewing the video that it didn’t look like he was trying to hurt anyone.

Steven’s brother, Daniel, said his brother was a good student, and wanted to transfer to USC or UCLA to study biology.

His brother also said many community members and charity organizations have come forward to help, raising $1,700 at a car wash on Saturday. Rodriguez said the family plans to use the money for a non-profit organization they are starting in his name.