San Gabriel Valley Tribune

$1 Million Flows Into Land Swap Campaign

GLENDORA - The developer behind Measure A has pumped more than $1 million into its campaign to promote the initiative on Tuesday's ballot, and its committee has outspent the opposition by a factor of more than 8-to-1, campaign finance records show. Texas-based developer NJD Ltd., which is championing the initiative to swap its 200 acres in the Glendora hillsides with the Glendora Country Club, gave $450,000 to its self-sponsored Glendora Hillside Protection Committee from Aug. 20 to Sept. 16,...

Around the Valley

WEST COVINA - Five engines of firefighters from local agencies were in the Lockwood Valley on Wednesday to help combat the Day Fire, which has now burned more than 230 square miles since it started Labor Day, officials said. Two engines from the West Covina Fire Department, as well as one from each of the Los Angeles County Fire Department's San Dimas, Baldwin Park, and Duarte stations left for the burn area Tuesday, said West Covina Fire Department spokesman Scott Gilmore.

Voting System Under Scrutiny

As Los Angeles County officials roll out a new $25 million voting system today, an election watchdog group and others are questioning the software, and its maker's ties to an international gambling firm. Under a deal the county signed earlier this summer, the InkaVote Plus system by Election Systems & Software includes ballot counters and software at 4,900 precincts throughout the region.

Scam Artists Posing As Fire Inspectors

PASADENA - A broad network of phony fire inspectors known to operate throughout the Southland have emerged in Pasadena in recent months, officials said. Local authorities said they have been aware of the scam artists since early this year, and warn that businesses are most commonly targeted.

Groups Split Over Fire Service Plan

MONTEBELLO - Two committees are vying for residents' hearts and minds on the question of whether the city Fire Department should be absorbed into the county's emergency services. The latest appeal to residents was a mailer sent out by Montebello Mayor Bob Bagwell. It seeks to refute claims made in a petition being circulated by council members Bill Molinari and Rosie Vasquez, members of the Save Our Paramedic, Fire and Police Committee.

Water Utility Raises Rates; More Increases Are On Tap

Customers of Southwest Water Co. saw their bills rise 6.4percent this past month, and two additional rate hikes are in the pipeline. The California Public Utilities Commission has approved the initial increase as well as two more at 2.9percent and 2.6percent. The latter will become effective in July 2007 and July 2008, respectively.

Mars Rover Explores New, Larger Crater

-- Video: Victoria Crater LA CAADA FLINTRIDGE - It took the Mars rover Opportunity almost two years of driving, but Monday night it finally reached Victoria Crater - a likely treasure trove of new information about the Red Planet.

Gov. Signs Global Warming Bill

SAN FRANCISCO - By imposing the nation's first universal cap on greenhouse gas emissions, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has challenged the Bush administration and Congress to follow, saying California will lead the way on "one of the most important issues that are facing our time." "Other countries like India and China, Brazil and Mexico will join us when they see all the great work we are doing and so will, finally, also our federal government follow us," Schwarzenegger said. "Trust me."

Report: California Infrastructure Earns Poor Grade

SACRAMENTO - California's infrastructure is in such bad shape that the $42 billion bond package on the November ballot would make only a dent in the problem, according to a report issued Wednesday by an engineers group. The American Society of Civil Engineers gave the state's overall infrastructure a grade of C-minus and said it would take an additional $37 billion annually for at least the next decade to get it up to an acceptable B grade.