Whittier Daily News

Residents to Make Mad Dash for Ill Kids

WHITTIER - Residents are making a Mad Dash to raise money for pediatric cancer patients this weekend at La Serna High School, where hundreds are expected to turn out for an annual "friendship walk" in honor of young cancer victim Madison Holmes. It's been three years since the 4-year-old Maddi, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, died at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Around Whittier

WHITTIER - The Whittier Conservancy will host its annual Candlelight Walk at 7 p.m. Thursday. The walk will begin at the home of Dorothea Boyd, 13503 Sycamore Drive. Participants will walk along Haviland Avenue to view the eclectic architectural styles on that street.

Process Streamlined for Mixed-Use Developments

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - The county this week streamlined the process to get permits for retail and residential developments in unincorporated areas. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed the ordinance and said mixed-use developments - with commercial or retail on the floor level and living spaces above - are necessary to combat a nationwide housing crisis and growing traffic congestion.

Walking for the Homeless

-- Photo Gallery: St. paul Rallies for Hunger -- Video: St. paul Rallies for Hunger

Driver Who Died Alongside Freeway May Have Shot Self

AZUSA - A man who died on the side of the 210 Freeway on Tuesday with a gunshot wound likely shot himself, officials said Thursday. David Ware Crow, 48, was driving erratically just after 11 p.m. when an off-duty California Highway Patrol officer spotted him, officials said.

Rash of Crimes, Crashes Hits Area

Police agencies throughout the San Gabriel Valley reported a number of unusual incidents Wednesday night and Thursday morning, including a carjacking, a fatal crash and a construction-site robbery. A 24-year-old man was killed in a two-vehicle crash on the westbound Foothill (210) Freeway just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

Local Marine to Head Parade

Parade Lineup: View a list of all parade entries WHITTIER - Lance Cpl. Irene Martinez has marched in the Whittier Uptown Christmas Parade three times in the past as a Whittier High School cheerleader.

Not Guilty the Plea in Pup Thefts

-- File Video: Thief steals 16 puppies DOWNEY - A La Mirada man pleaded not guilty Thursday to breaking into a La Mirada pet store and stealing 16 pure-breed puppies.

Hearing Set for Woman Accused of Killing Family

POMONA - A woman accused of fatally stabbing her husband with a sword and suffocating her two children appeared in court Thursday for a brief hearing. Prosecutors handed Man-Ling Williams' attorneys evidence they've gathered in the case and agreed to hold a preliminary hearing Jan. 28.

Tolls On Car-Pool Lanes?

Grappling with increasingly crowded Southland freeways, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Thursday said it will seek to convert some of Los Angeles County's most popular car-pool lanes to toll roads. Under the plan, solo drivers could use the car-pool lanes if they pay a toll.

Roadblocks at Rio Hondo

WHITTIER - Even President Ted Martinez Jr. will have to find a new place to park at Rio Hondo College next month, when more roadblocks go up around the 20,000-student campus to accommodate ongoing construction work. The hilltop campus has launched a massive effort to overhaul its facilities and has several projects under way - including the construction of a new library/Learning Resource Center and central plant, and the replacement of underground utilities and technology lines.

Pat Diroll: On the Town

Ever think about what it's like to be homeless? I do. Every day I pass the denizens of our neighborhood park - idle, basking in the sunshine and seemingly content with their stress-free lifestyle.