INDEPENDENT glendaleindependent.com
Hit-andRun Legislation clears final committee
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 05 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2013 - Volume 1, No. 5
California Statewide Fire Summary
Bill by Mike Gatto would extend the statute of limitations for hit-and-run offenders, bringing time, and hope, to injured victims. Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s (D-Los Angeles) bill to address the epidemic of hit-and-run offenses in California cleared a key legislative hurdle today, passing the Senate Appropriations Committee by a 7-0 vote. The legislation, AB 184, provides an additional tool to law-enforcement officers investigating hit-and-run offenses by extending the current threeyear statute of limitations for such offenses to six years from the date of the offense. “AB 184 will allow victims of hit-and-runs and law enforcement to obtain justice from cowards who do everything possible to avoid responsibility for their actions,” said Gatto. “Thousands of hit-and-run victims suffer lifethreatening injuries annually. Allowing the perpetrators to avoid prosecution just adds insult to these injuries.” The committee’s decision comes just days after yet another deadly series of hitand-runs in California. In the past three weeks, incidents took the lives of seven people in the City of Los Angeles and another five in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Victims include a 3-year-old, several college students, and two elderly men. In the Sacramento region, recent hitand-runs have taken the lives of two people, and a 70-yearold motorcyclist and his wife narrowly escaped last weekend after being rear-ended. And in San Jose, Bipin Patel was killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bicycle to work, leaving his wife and three children without answers about the person rePlease see page 5
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Measure to provide additional green space for residents awaits Governor’s signature Assembly Bill 1359 authored by Assemblymember Roger Hernández (D-West Covina) passed the Assembly Floor on a 45-22 Concurrence vote and now goes to the Governor’s desk for signature. This bill amends the Quimby Act to allow local governments to allocate existing funds, used for the purpose of developing facilities, to areas within the local government that are most in need. This bill also allows Please see page 4
California firefighters attack a recent fire from the air in this file photo -Photo by Terry Miller
Over 7,500 firefighters continue to battle seven major wildfires across California. Yesterday, CAL FIRE crews contained the 80 acre Centerville Fire in Butte County. A new fire ignited on Saturday on the Tule Indian Reservation burning 250 acres. While a majority of the large wildfires are burning on federal
land, CAL FIRE and local fire departments continue to support the US Forest Service in their battle. Great progress was made overnight on the Rim Fire burning near and in Yosemite National Park. The fire has burned 228,670 acres (357 square miles) and is now 60% contained. The Rim Fire
remains the 4th largest wildfire in California’s recorded history. See the Top 20 list. Much of Northern California will experience cooler temperatures and even light rainfall in some areas. By mid-week, a drying trend is likely along with very gusty winds, which will increase the fire
danger. In Southern California higher humidity and light winds will continue to cause the large fire threat to be low for the next several days. While many Californians are enjoying outdoor Labor Day activities, CAL FIRE continues to urge all residents and visitors to Please see page 3
the chemical attacks. “During the past ten days I have been receiving updated intelligence briefings and reports, and the evidence is now compelling that the Assad regime gassed its own people on August 21,
Assembly Bill 263 authored by Assemblymember Roger Hernández passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on a 5-2 vote. This bill addresses employer retaliation of against employees who may be vulnerable to workplace abuse due to their immigration status. “AB 263 prohibits employers from using immi-
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Rep. Adam Schiff speaks out for military action in Syria Congressman Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a senior Member of the Intelligence Committee, released the following statement after briefings by the Administration over the past few days on the Syria crisis . Schiff joins a growing list of Democrats and Republicans who feel that action is warranted now after
Hernández applauds senate committee for protecting workers against retaliation