San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Around the Region

ARCADIA - One person was arrested and several people received minor injuries after large fight broke out Saturday at the Santa Anita Park race track, officials said. The fight was reported about 5p.m. at the park, 285 W. Huntington Drive, as the race track was hosting the KROQ Microbrew Festival, Arcadia police said.

Detectives, Suspect Look for Sword

MOUNT BALDY - An Ontario man accused of nearly cutting off a friend's arm during a cabin sword fight was back on the mountain Monday with detectives searching for the weapon. Wesley Brockway was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon Sunday after a fight over the sword left an unidentified 27-year-old man and another man wounded.

Vandals Strike Covina

COVINA - A pellet gun shooting spree targeting businesses Monday morning caused thousands of dollars in damage, authorities said. The windows of nearly 20 businesses along Citrus Avenue south of Badillo Street and on Rowland Avenue east of Citrus Avenue were destroyed.

Whittier College Plans to Give Writers Honorary Doctorates

WHITTIER - Famed authors and humanitarians Isabel Allende and husband William Gordon, a Whittier High School graduate, will receive honorary doctorates from Whittier College during a formal ceremony, reception and book-signing on campus Thursday. This is the first such event for the college, which had previously awarded honorary degrees to guests and speakers only during annual commencement ceremonies.

Enrollment Dip in Bassett Forces Moves

LA PUENTE - A higher than projected enrollment drop forced Bassett Unified School District officials to move kindergarten students from several schools, including 21 students from Van Wig Elementary School. Cynthia Byrd, district assistant superintendent, said the officials had originally projected a loss of of 200 students for the 2007-08 school year. Bassett Unified is down 290 students this year, Byrd said.

Finding Some Hope

ARCADIA - Unemployed and desperate, Patrick Ellis walked into the Vine Church one day seeking comfort. "He told church members, 'Pray for me,' but he never asked for anything," recalled the Rev. Marcus Choi, the church's senior pastor.

Council Candidates Helping Other Hopefuls

SANTA FE SPRINGS - Two City Council members are in opposition to one another in their donations and loans to candidates in the Nov. 6 council election. The committee to re-elect Councilwoman Betty Putnam gave $1,000 to Francis Carbajal's campaign and $2,000 to William Rounds' campaign.

Around the Valley

IRWINDALE - A new entryway to the Santa Fe Dam's bike trail will be constructed thanks to a $50,000 grant approved Tuesday by the county Board of Supervisors. The project will include a decorative gate, a rest area, a drinking fountain and seating. The funding will also pay for directional signs and signs informing people about native plants and insects they might see along the trail, said Gary Boze, a spokesman for the county Public Works Department.

District, City to Pay Cost of Deputy

LA MIRADA - The school district and the city have agreed to split the cost of a second sheriff's deputy to work in schools here. Ginger Shattuck, , said the new deputy will help prevent problems by working closely with all of the schools in La Mirada.

Crash Snarls Morning Commute

INDUSTRY - Four people were injured today in a crash involving several vehicles on the southbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway, authorities said. Police shut down all southbound lanes on the 605 Freeway except for the transition lane leading to the 60 Freeway, Sgt. Raul Duran said.