Two Noteworthy Local Blogs

We've recently placed two blogs on our "must read" list.

We've mentioned the blog Claremont Now by Daily Bulletin reporter Wes Woods II. It came to our notice recently with this piece mentioning that the trial of Xavier Alvarez had been moved from April 29th to June 3. We don't know how the Bulletin decides what to publish in the paper and what to put in the blog, but the blog is updated often and contains perhaps minor things that don't make it into the paper.

Use this link for the Claremont Now Archive, an easy-to-scan list of titles.

We highly recommend, Inland Empire Courts by Bulletin courthouse reporter (and former Claremont-beat journo) Will Bigham. This blog is also updated frequently and gives all the important news from the Pomona Superior courthouse. As an example see here for testimony about what happened in January's home invasion robbery, beating, and attempted murder that took place on West 10th Street. We had missed this one.

As with Claremont Now, note that the Inland Empire Courts Archive is a frequently-updated scannable list of current and older posts by Bigham about court news.

Crime Beat

It may be a sign of the times, but there seems to be more crime in the local news lately.

Claremont Courier reporter Tony Krickl has a blog post reporting about a warning by Claremont police regarding some some suspicious activity near Sycamore School last week:

On Wednesday, February 4, at approximately 1:15 pm, an 11-year-old female Sycamore School student was possibly followed home from school by a male subject. The subject is described as Hispanic, 20-30 years old, 5 foot 10 inches tall, wearing a camouflaged patterned shirt. The suspect stayed 20 feet behind her and did not speak to her.

Krickl reminds parents to make sure their children know not to talk to strangers and that people contact the CPD if they see any more activity like the type Krickl described.

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The Claremont Police Department website has some useful information about a junk mail scam going around in which residents are asked to contact companies that offer to file papers to reduce the homeowner's property taxes for a fee amounting to hundreds dollars.

Here's the information the CPD provides:

Scam Alert - No Fee Necessary for Property Value Review

Various private companies are sending mailings to property owners offering their services to pursue a reduction in their property taxes. These companies may charge hundreds of dollars to file for a reduction in value on behalf of the property owner. Some companies are even imposing late fees if the application is received after an arbitrary deadline. Be aware that solicitations from private companies offering to pursue a reduction in property taxes must clearly indicate that they are NOT a government agency and that their services are NOT approved or endorsed by any government agency. Failure to provide such notice is a violation of California law. If you or someone you know receives an illegal solicitation, please contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs by phone at (800) 973-3370 or visit their website.

Property owners receiving legal solicitations from private companies that properly identify themselves as not being a governmental agency, should be aware that their property may be included in a review the Assessor's Office will be doing in 2009. Over 500,000 single family houses and condos that were purchased between July 2003 and June 2008 will be reviewed. In some areas, earlier purchases will be looked at. There is no reason to pay for a review that will be done for free.

All 500,000 owners whose homes are reviewed will receive a letter by the end of June notifying them of the results. Owners who disagree with the results of the review or were not included in the review, may file an application through December 31. The Decline-In-Value form is simple to complete and readily available online or at one of the Assessor's District Offices. The Assessor's Office will review the application and if a reduction is warranted, the taxable value will be reduced. Please note that there is no charge for a review. Owners are urged to wait until July to decide whether to file an application.

Information obtained from the Los Angeles County, Office of the Assessor website.

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The Daily Bulletin's Will Bigham reports that the two men accused of the attempted murder of local realtor Vincent Gottuso have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them:

The two Pomona men -- Robert LaMonte Jones, 20, and Messigh Liketin Perry-Garner, 16 -- are accused of breaking into a home in the 700 block of West 10th Street on Jan. 20.

While the men were in the house, the homeowner, Vincent J. Gottuso, returned home and confronted the men.

The men beat Gottuso in the head repeatedly with Gottuso's shotgun, according to authorities.

Police believe the men left the home believing Gottuso, 61, would die from his injuries.

You might recall that Gottuso was airlifted to L.A. County USC Medical Center for treatment and faces a long recovery from the injuries he received. For the back story, click here.

Gottuso Home from County USC

This from a friend:

Vince came home today from County USC. It seems the hospital menu didn't include Italian cuisine! :)

Seriously, he's got a long road to recovery ahead, but while he's extremely beat up physically, the Vince we all know and love lives on from the inside out!

Our Best Wishes!

See here for the story.