INDEPENDENT
burbankindependent.com
Rep. Schiff announces Annual Art Contest and online voting Rep. Adam Schiff (DBurbank) announced that he will host the annual Congressional Art Competition Forum & Exhibit for the 28th District, featuring high school students’ artwork from the region, on Sunday, April 27. The Congressional Art Competition is an annual contest, with submissions from across the country. The winner from each Congressional District has their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. In addition, Schiff has opened up the competition with a “People’s Choice” award, which will be decided through an online vote. To vote for the “People’s Choice,” constituents should go to Schiff’s website. Voting will be open from Monday, April 14th through Wednesday, April 23rd. “Every year, I am amazed at the talent and creativity displayed in the art I receive from students across the 28th Congressional District. This year, students, their families and constituents from across our community will be able to weigh in – just like the esteemed panel of judges – and pick their favorite for the ‘People’s Choice’ winner online,” said Schiff. “I look forward to seeing all the entries and welcoming artists and their families at the exhibition. Go to my website and vote – I’m excited to see who my constituents pick as the winner.” The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have participated in the nationwide competition. The first place winner’s artwork will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year, the piece awarded second place will hang in the CongressPlease see page 2
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VOLUME 2, NO. 16
Thousands gather at El Monte High to remember Adrian Castro
Calvin Aceves, who survived the crash, told thousands gathered at El Monte that he sat in front of Castro on the bus last Thursday. Castro, an El Monte High School football player and oldest of three boys, let Aceves lean his seat back then plugged in speakers to his phone so the people around him could listen to music. “He passed away trying to help others,” Aceves was consoled by Coach Joel Sanchez as he broke down in tears. –Photo by Terry Miller
BY DENA BURROUGHS Thousands of people gathered at the El Monte High School (EMHS) quad Monday night to celebrate the life of Adrian Castro, one of ten people who died last Thursday when a charter bus collided with a Fedex truck near Orland, CA. Adrian was a popular
18-year-old, part of the Lions football squad and remembered for his always pleasant demeanor. He was on his way to Humboldt State University, a school he was considering to attend next year because he was interested in a career in kinesiology. The EMHS Cheerleaders cancelled their try-out practice to attend the vigil,
Gatto Secures $20,000 Grant for American Legion Post 288 Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) and The Home Depot Foundation announced a $20,000 grant and construction overhaul for the American Legion Verdugo Hills Post 288 in La Crescenta. In addition to funding, Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate-led volunteer force, will visit Post 288 on May 1-3, 2014 to remodel two bathrooms, repaint the interior of the building, replace ceiling tiles, and remove and replace kitchen counters and cabinets, among other improve-
ments. This is the second major grant that Gatto has secured for Crescenta Valley veterans in the last two years. In 2012, he secured a $5,000 grant for the restoration of the Two Strike Park Memorial Wall. "I have always considered philanthropy a duty of those who are able, especially when it comes to honoring our veterans," said Gatto. "I thank The Home Depot Foundation Please see page 3
which was also attended by those who are most often seen as rivals but this night were instead supporters - football players from every high school in the City. Also present were his family members, various City officials, Mayor Andre Quintero, and even a young man who had only met him on the charter bus the day of
the accident. Judee, whose daughter Krystal is a freshman at EMHS, attended the event. “Just [seeing] the people that showed up told of what a great guy he was,” she said. “Teachers and coaches spoke highly of him. His friends said Adrian was alPlease see page 4
Naked man bound, assaulted and burned found on 60 freeway dies Arson and Explosives Detail (AED) Detectives continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the assault of a man on the northbound 605 freeway, just north of the 60 freeway. Detectives have learned that at approximately 1:49 PM the unidentified male-adult was discovered along the 605 freeway suffering from severe burns to the face and body. The victim appeared to have crawled from a wash, beneath the freeway, to the freeway roadway where he was discovered by passing motorists.
HLR Readers want to know: Just what is Readers’ Choice?
It’s coming soon! The largest edition of the year where you, the reader, pick your favorite business in town and we let everyone know. Readers’ Choice is our popular annual tip-of-the-hat to local tradesmen and women, selected by you our readers, as tops in their chosen profession. The publication is the direct result of your input -by filling out our annual questionnaire published on line and in all HLR newspapers. The annual glossy publication reveals the results of questionnaire/ballot that you fill out and submit to us. Additionally, those who Please see page 3
JPL celebrates Earth Day April 22, 26-27
Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was assaulted prior to being burned. The victim was naked at the time of his discovery and his identity remains unknown at this time. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died. LASD is investigating the death as a homicide. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Arson Explosive Detail at (323) 881-7500.
JPL will mark Earth Day (April 22) at a pair of public events: Theater Arts Caltech will present a special Earth Day production of the play “Dr. Keeling’s Curve,” starring Mike Farrell, on April 22 at 8 p.m. in Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium. “Dr. Keeling’s Curve” is a play that both entertains and enlightens. It is the story of how one man came to discover the impact of carbon dioxide on our planet’s health and well-being. He learned that the rising carbon dioxide levels are the primary cause of global warming. JPL scientists will participate in a Q&A session after the performance. More information is at: http://tacit.
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