Whittier Daily News

Band Director Accused of Rape

WHITTIER - The Granada Middle School band director was arrested for allegedly raping a former student on campus five years ago, officials said Tuesday. Phillip Roa, 56, was booked on suspicion of rape by force or fear at the sheriff's Temple Station on July 3 after being arrested by detectives with the sheriff's Special Victims Bureau. The unit investigates sex crimes.

Tae Kwon Do Club Kicks Doors Open

WHITTIER - Victory Tae Kwon Do, 11758 E. Whittier Blvd., will be opening its doors to business and community representatives at 11 a.m. Thursday as they celebrate another great year of business! The free celebration will include an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, to which community leaders, City Council members and Chamber of Commerce representatives have all been invited. Attendees will see the martial arts

'Curb Snakes' Are Signs of the Times

Signs, signs - everywhere a sign. Blocking out the scenery, breaking my mind. Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign? I have had this song stuck in my head this past week as well as the song "Walk the Line."

Float Builder Bill Lofthouse Dies

PASADENA - Bill Lofthouse, a float builder whose name became synonymous with the Tournament of Roses Parade, has died. Lofthouse, 68, died Saturday at his son Chris' home in Arcadia after a short bout with pancreatic cancer.

Around Whittier

WHITTIER - There will a seminar on Medi-Cal for low-income seniors from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Whittier Senior Center, 13225 Walnut St. The presentation will be in English and Spanish. Light refreshments will be served. Call (562) 464-3370 for reservations and information.

Around the Region (7/4/08)

Teens released in slaying probe WEST COVINA - Police released all five individuals arrested in connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Bryan Romo, authorities said Friday.

Resilient Triathlete Able to Go the Distance

WHITTIER - It's a bike that would leave any cyclist green with envy. The bright purple tandem road bike, custom-made by Santana Cycles of La Verne, stands leaning on a car in the garage of the Atkins' residence in Whittier.

Investors Lose Confidence in Troubled Bank

Related Article: Most IndyMac deposits FDIC insured PASADENA - A major stock-rating firm downgraded shares of troubled IndyMac Bancorp Inc. to junk status Tuesday and an analyst said the bank's stock was not worth owning.

Uptown Plan Close to Approval

WHITTIER - Slowly but surely, a long-awaited plan to renovate the Uptown area is inching its way toward approval. After a nearly five-hour Planning Commission hearing Monday on the Whittier Uptown Specific Plan, city officials said Tuesday they think they're just about through.

Friends Aid Families of 3 Men Killed in Alaska

-- Photo Gallery: Benefit Car Wash -- Video: Benefit Car Wash

Company to Buy Indymac Branches

PASADENA - A company announced Tuesday that it was going to buy at least 60 of IndyMac's 150 retail mortgage branches, likely saving about 750 jobs. Prospect Mortgage, funded by Sterling Partners, a private equity fund based in Chicago and Baltimore, will purchase the branches.

Jones Heads Montebello Rotary

WHITTIER - Montebello Rotary President Thomas Millhouse turned over the reins of the presidency to Ted Jones at the club's 84th annual installation dinner recently at Friendly Hills Country Club. Jones has been a member of the club for 15 years and has served in many capacities, including international service chairman and Group Study Exchange coordinator.