San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Knabe Reverses Stance On Sales Tax Measure

LOS ANGELES - Two days after Los Angeles County supervisors denied the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's request to put a half-cent sales-tax measure on the county's November ballot, Supervisor Don Knabe decided to change his vote. Knabe was one of three supervisors who voted against the inclusion of MTA's transit sales-tax measure on the county ballot. But he said he had a change of heart on Thursday when a report prepared by the county clerk concluded that issuing a separate ballot al...

Officials Denied Rockefeller Interview

-- Photo Gallery: Murder Mystery -- Video: Metro Editor Frank Girardot discusses the case on Fox News

Man, Woman Arrested for Theft of Montebello Fire Dept. Vehicle

MONTEBELLO - A man and woman were arrested Wednesday after reportedly stealing a Montebello Fire Department command vehicle and scrawling a cryptic threat on the firehouse floor, officials said. Steven Garcia, 21, of Monterey Park and Angelene Celeste Story, 19, of Alhambra were arrested with the 1999 Chevy Suburban about 6:20p.m. in Banning after being spotted by Banning fire officials, Montebello police said in a written statement.

Religion Briefs

Hot August Nights at New Hope EL MONTE - New Hope Community Church will host its annual Hot August Nights, which consist of fun activities like miniature golf, laser tag, a movie night and trip to see the Quakes play in Rancho Cucamonga. Contact the church for more information.

Woman Pleads Guilty in Prostitution Case

A woman who ran brothels out of chiropractic offices and acupuncture clinics, including a Baldwin Park therapy business, faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty Thursday. Jong Ock Mao, 50, also known as "June," had prostitute rings in Southern California and Dallas. She pleaded guilty to two felony counts before U.S. District Judge James Selna.

Council Members Say Land Deal Cost La Puente

LA PUENTE - Two council members are claiming the city lost out on $4 million by waiting 45 days to finalize a developer for a proposed Hacienda Boulevard retail center. Council members John Solis and Lola Storing said the Charles Co. was willing to pay the city $23 per square foot for about 422,000 square feet of Hacienda Boulevard before the council decided to take a 45-day stay to reassess the project and solicit interest from other developers.

Free Backpack Giveaway in La Puente

The La Puente Foursquare Church will be handing out 3,000 supply- filled backpacks at 10 a.m. Saturday at its fifth annual Back to School Festival. The event also will feature games, food and prizes and is held in collaboration with neighboring churches.

Family, Friends Shave Heads for Breast Cancer Patient

BALDWIN PARK - It was when Louise Duran started losing clumps of her hair from chemotherapy that the 52-year-old decided to just shave it all off. Lucky for Duran, three of her closest friends and family decided to join her in a bold - and bald - statement of support.

Robbers Hit West Covina Credit Union

WEST COVINA - Police are searching for three men who pulled off a violent takeover robbery of a credit union in a busy shopping center Thursday morning. At 9:30 a.m., three men wearing ski masks and mittens entered the First City Savings Federal Credit Union at 471 N. Azusa Ave.

Hospice Seeking Caring Volunteers

Volunteers are needed by the VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of San Gabriel Cities. Hospice volunteers give their time to terminally ill patients and their caregivers during a critical time. In orientation classes they are trained in listening skills, family dynamics and the right words to say to patients at the end of life and their loved ones.

Azusa Company May Be Source of E. Coli

AZUSA - Beef from an Azusa meat packing company may have infected up to 70 people at a Boy Scout camp in Virginia with a potentially deadly E. coli virus, according to government officials. S & S Foods, which is next to the Costco market on Foothill Boulevard, has recalled 153,630 pounds of ground beef that was packed at the facility, according to a statement from Jeff Grohs, the company's vice president of development.

Around the Region

Slaying suspect appears in court POMONA - A Diamond Bar man accused of shooting a man to death during a robbery appeared in court Friday, officials said.

Dmv Suspends Saturday Services

The Department of Motor Vehicles has announced that it will suspend Saturday services at all field offices that regularly offer them for the month of August because of staffing constraints. Starting Aug. 16, all local offices including Fullerton, Glendale and West Covina will not be open for Saturday services.

Texas Hold'em Fundraiser in Hacienda Heights

HACIENDA HEIGHTS - A Texas Hold'em Tournament fundraiser benefiting the Gremlin and Pee Wee football teams will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Steinmetz Senior Center, 1545 S. Stimson Ave., Hacienda Heights. Reserve a buy in at $40 per person, by Wednesday. A $50 buy-in will be taken at the door. Unlimited buy in for the first two hours of play with a power up of $25 for 500 chips at 9 p.m. A $10 donation is asked of non-players.

Developer of Rowland Heights Apartments to Answer Public Questions

ROWLAND HEIGHTS - A developer proposing a 775-unit apartment complex at the site of a school and church will hold a community information meeting as directed by the county's Regional Planning Commission. Trammell Crow Residential will hold the meeting from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Aug. 14 at Rowland High School, 2000 S. Otterbein Ave., in the Hideout Multipurpose Room.