San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Plan Touts Inland Truck 'Port'

Seeking a solution to L.A's congested freeways, a county official has proposed creating an "inland port" in the Antelope Valley where big rigs would pick up goods transported there by rail instead of driving to seaside ports. The idea by Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich aims to shift a significant chunk of the 22,000 truck trips made each day in and out of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles to the county's rural outskirts on the 5, 14 and 15 freeways.

Around the Valley

INDUSTRY - One person was injured Tuesday in a multivehicle crash on the eastbound Pomona (60) Freeway in Industry, according to the California Highway Patrol. Paramedics sent to the freeway near Nogales Street at 8:29 a.m. took the injured person to a park, where he or she was put on a helicopter bound for a hospital, said CHP Officer John Seumanutafa.

Caruso Pitches Plan for Mall

ARCADIA - Nearly the final hand in its bid to win city approval for The Shops at Santa Anita, developer Caruso Affiliated played the "Rick" card Monday night. Although the firm will have to wait until tonight for the Planning Commission to meet again and make a recommendation for or against the proposal, its CEO, Rick Caruso, brought his charismatic appeal to the more than 800 people packing the Arcadia Masonic Temple.

Helping Nasa Plan for Mars

In 10 days, Alejandro Diaz will be making his second trip to the Mars Desert Research Station in Utah, where the 1993 Walnut High School graduate will be part of a crew that spends two weeks simulating life and work on Mars. The barren landscape of Canyonlands desert is similar to Mars- like terrain and appearance, where a two-story, 30-foot-wide cylinder mimics a space habitat complete with sleeping quarters, a kitchen, bathrooms and airlocks.

Senior Housing Planned for S. El Monte

SOUTH EL MONTE - Plans are under way to build the first senior housing project in the city since its incorporation in 1958. City officials estimate the $13.5million senior housing project, which will include 56 affordable rental and 16 market-rate units, is within months of groundbreaking.

Suspect Wants to Represent Self

POMONA - A Glendora man accused of the shooting his mother and her companion to death at their home in October continued to insist on representing himself in court Tuesday. Robert Lee Lewis, 34, could face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted of murdering his mother, Pamela Dumais, 51, and her companion, Rodney Courtright, 52, on Oct. 24.

Migrant Reform Bill Vow Given

Sen. Ted Kennedy vowed Monday that immigration reform - including citizenship for undocumented workers - will hit the Senate floor by June, despite attempts by the White House and other opponents to massage the bill. With California Assembly Speaker Fabian Nu ez by his side, the Massachusetts Democrat said he and presidential contender Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., are negotiating the measure and that he hopes to introduce legislation "in the very near future."

Burglary Suspect Dies at Hospital

WEST COVINA - A burglary suspect died Saturday after he fought with a West Covina police officer and a sheriff's deputy in a hospital emergency room, detectives said Monday. The officer used a Taser on the suspect and three other officers responded and helped to subdue him at the Citrus Valley Medical Center - Queen of the Valley campus. A sheriff's official said the man then was found to be unresponsive. He died while the hospital staff was giving him medical aid.