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La Habra’s Independent Community Newspaper
www.lahabrajournal.com
Citizen of the Year
No. 95483
July 21, 2016
LH set to combat West Nile with spray By Jay Seidel La Habra Journal
Photo by Jay Seidel/La Habra Journal
Award winner: John Campos receives the award from La Habra Mayor Jim Gomez after being named Citizen of the Year by the La Habra Area Chamber of Commerce at its award luncheon last Wednesday at Westridge Golf Club. For more of the awards ceremony, including a list of winners, see Page 8.
Heights looks to create fire group By Jay Seidel La Habra Journal
LA HABRA HEIGHTS
The La Habra Heights City Council asked interim City Manager Tom Robinson to develop a community-centered fire watch program. According to La Habra Heights Mayor Kyle Miller, a comprehensive program to help safeguard the city is important due to the high fire risk in the Heights. Two citizen groups have been operating in the city and helping to watch for fire and safety hazards across the city, Fire Watch and Heights Watch. Robinson said that he would like to work with La Habra Heights Fire Chief Doug Graft come up with a recommendation for the council to discuss and possibly accept.
Mayor Pro Tem Jane Williams stressed that the plan should consider and incorporate the work that has been done by Fire Watch, and acknowledged the personal investment the citizen members have committed to the public safety organization. Robinson said that the staff would reach out and work with all parties invested in the public and fire safety to come up with a comprehensive recommendation. Miller and the city council authorized Robinson to develop the program. Some of these issues might be discussed at the barbecue event that Heights Watch is hosting on August 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the
Park on Hacienda Road. Residents must RSVP to attend. Call 562-315-8494 for more information. The Heights council also approved a contract with CivilSource, the city's design civil engineer, to examine and propose new guardrails along Fullerton and Hacienda Roads. There are 750 linear feet of guardrail along the two roads and the council agreed that most are in need of repair. CalTrans has adjusted and changed some specifications of guardrails since the current ones were installed. CivilSource will analyze and prepare a report and cost estimate for the council. CivilSource will be paid $14,500 from the city's Gas Tax Fund for their
Once again La Habra and La Habra Heights residents have to be aware of West Nile Virus from mosquitoes. This year, La Habra has had eight mosquito samples that have tested positive for West Nile Virus, which makes it the most in Orange County according to Jared Dever from the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control. The positive tests came from areas centered around La Bonita and Orsonio Parks. Orsonio Park is on the border of La Habra and La Habra Heights. OC Vector Control personnel have been focused on these areas. They have been working with the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District, which covers Whittier and La Habra Heights, but have been taking the lead on addressing these cases in La Habra. Dever explained that the organization has dedicated additional inspectors, laboratory staff, and community outreach staff to the areas with the highest concentrations of the virus. Vector Control has used aerial surveillance to determine areas that could be potential breeding grounds. Stagnant or standing water, “green” pools, and still water in flood channels have been identified and residents have been notified. OCMVCD also worked with the city to identify public areas that could be breeding grounds. Based on the great health risk, OCMVCD will be treating the neighborhoods and areas around the two parks. "The last thing we want is for somebody to become sick," said Jim Gomez, mayor of La Habra. There have been cases of La Habra residents that have contracted the virus in the past. There were eight fatalities attributed to West Nile Virus in the county last year. Treatment of homes, front and back yards, will occur over two consecutive nights, Wednesday July 20 and Thursday July 21 from 6 – 9 p.m. OCMVCD personnel will use a backpack fogger and spend about five to eight minutes on each home. See MOSQUITOES Page 4
WHAT ’ S INSIDE THIS ISSUE City recognizes State Champion 18U Softball team NEWS PAGE 2
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Former Sonora student helps band go green
Chamber presents community awards
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