SEE PAGE 3 for paranormal investigation event at cypress library
SEE PAGE 2 for the quad bandit bank robberies MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 2014 - AUGUST 10, 2014
cypressnewspress.com
VOLUME 1, NO. 6
Rare lightning strikes all over Southern California Support grows kill 20-year old and injure several others for 2nd by jennifer schlueter annual “Keep On the weekend of July 25Calm & Beat 27, Southern California experienced a rare weather phenomenon for its region: Hundreds H.E.A.T. of lightning strikes jolted LA and its surrounding counties. Rocking & In Venice Beach, one strike proved to be fatal for 20-year Rally” to take old Nick Fagnano, who was in the ocean when it hit him, and injured 13 additional beachgoplace at ers. On Santa Catalina Island, a 57-year-old golfer was struck, Chapman hospitalized, and according to Steve Denning, a law enforcement technician with the Los University Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in a stable condition. A National Weather Service map shows 858 lightning bolts in San Bernardino, 228 in Western and Central Riverside County, 248 in inland San Diego County, 75 in San Diego County along the coast, and 28 in LA County. According to the Los Angeles Times, more than a total of 1,400 lightning strikes were reported in Southern California (see National Weather Service map) throughout the weekend and the following Monday of July 25-28. James Thomas, a meteorologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
Commission Director General Jorge Rescala Pérez. “Mexico and California have a long and rich history of environmental cooperation, and recognize each other as strategic partners in coping with climate change challenges and
Just a few months to go and the support keeps growing as new sponsors sign on to stand up against human exploitation and trafficking for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) 2nd Annual “Keep Calm and Beat H.E.A.T. Rocking & Rally” this coming October. The event will be held on Oct. 24, 2014, at Chapman University, One University Drive, Orange. This is the first year Chapman University will co-host and co-sponsor this event to fight against Human Trafficking and Exploitation (H.E.A.T.) as part of the initiative to go after perpetrators of human trafficking and exploitation with vigor, while taking a comprehensive approach to solve the problem and bring community stakeholders together. There will be an all-day symposium, food trucks, informational booths, and a rock concert at this event. The symposium will be held to increase community awareness on human exploitation and trafficking, the secondlargest criminal enterprise in the nation and a $32 billion a
Please see page 4
Please see page 4
National Weather Service map
ministration told the LA Times: “It’s an unusual amount of lightning strikes... for any time of year for that matter.” The lightning resulted from an unusual high-pressure system pulling hot, moist air up from the Gulf of California and Mexico towards the Southern California coastlines, explained
climatologist Bill Patzert of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the LA Times. “Coastal Southern California is virtually lightning proof,” he added. “Because it’s so unusual, people are not sensitized to the dangers.” Please see page 2
Governor Brown signs agreement with Mexico to reduce dangerous greenhouse gases On the first full day of California’s Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. and Mexican environment officials signed an agreement to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. “California can’t do it alone and with this new part-
nership with Mexico we can make real progress on reducing dangerous greenhouse gases,” said Governor Brown. July 28th’s agreement was signed by Governor Brown, Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy and Mexican National Forestry
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“Quad Bandit,” now suspected in nine bank robberies since April in various cities across Orange and LA Counties A suspect known as the Quad Bandit is believed to have robbed nine banks in multiple cities, including one earlier this week in Anaheim Hills, according to investigators with multiple law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles and Orange Counties who are working jointly to identify the suspect. The unidentified male suspect was nicknamed the “Quad Bandit” after he either robbed or attempted to rob four separate banks in the city of Buena Park in April 2014. Since then, the suspect has been linked to bank robberies or attempted bank robberies in the cities of Cerritos; La Habra; Anaheim and Anaheim Hills. The crimes were linked based on evidence including descriptions by victim tellers and bank surveillance photos that are being released to the media. During the robberies, the suspect known as the Quad Bandit typically passes a note and makes a verbal demand for cash. In some of the robberies, the Quad Bandit has threatened a weapon, or has appeared to have gestured toward what might be a weapon, according to victims. The suspect is further described as follows: Race: white, height: 5’8” – 5’9”, weight: 150-160 lbs., age:
Quad Bandit at the Chase Bank in Buena Park - Courtesy Photo
approximately 40 – 50 years old, eyes: wears sunglasses, hair: dirty blonde, facial hair: goatee, stubble growth, clothing: Wears baseball cap; including L.A Dodgers. Anyone with information about the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is urged to contact their nearest FBI office or dial 911. The investigation to identify and locate the Quad Bandit is being conducted jointly by the FBI; the Orange County Sheriff’s Department; the Buena Park Police Department; La Habra Police Department; the Anaheim Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Additional information can be found at: www.labankrobbers.org.
Dunes seeks ad slogan for Back Bay Bistro via contest Ever wanted to be one of those Madison Avenue ad directors who come up with pithy slogans for their products? Now’s your chance as Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina invites the public to come up with catchy phrases for its onsite critically-acclaimed Back Bay Bistro. Participants may submit no more than 5 entries to BackBayBistroSlogan@ gmail.com no later than August 31st. The winner will receive a 2-night weekend stay at one of the Dunes’ waterfront cottages, brunch at the Back Bay Bistro for up to 4 guests, Duffy boat rental and access to various recreational amenities like paddleboats, surrey bikes, electric boats, hydrobikes, catamarans and stand-up paddle boards. “We were brainstorming as a team on slogans for the Bistro when we decided to open it up to the public,” said Dunes’ Vice President and General Manager Andrew Theodorou. “We look forward to seeing what people come up with.”
The contest is being held in conjunction with several news events involving the Back Bay Bistro including the appointment of a new executive chef, Bruno Massuger, who is retooling the menu and the debut of a new, dedicated gate entry right near the restaurant. Among the features that distinguish the bistro from other restaurants are its spectacular bay views, convertible roof that can open up during warm days, ample parking and plenty of seating to ease crowding. The Back Bay Bistro is a contemporary 199-seat dining establishment featuring a number of innovative design elements. With 60 al fresco seats providing guests with refreshing breezes off Newport’s Back Bay, the restaurant specializes in fresh, sustainable seafood and serves dinner Wed-Sun (5 p.m. – Close), lunch Wed-Sun (opening at 11:00 a.m.) and brunch on Sat & Sun starting at 9 a.m., with breakfast served from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m.
Lightning strikes Continued from page 1
Because thunderstorms are very rare in Southern California, and even less in July, lifeguards and officials were not as well prepared and did not ask people to clear the beaches, as they would have done in Florida or the Midwest, where these weather conditions are more common, states Patzert. Scott Miller, an inspector with the Los Angeles County Fire Department agrees and told National Geographic that lightning strikes are “hard to predict.” Miller added that in the rare event of thunderstorms, LA lifeguards are trained to get people out of the water within 30 seconds. According to the rule “If you hear thunder, head for cover,” looking for shelter should be the next step; how-
ever, LA beaches have no approved rules for this, says Miller. John Jensenius, a lightning safety specialist with the National Weather Service in Silver Spring, Maryland, told National Geographic that lightning currents can travel across the ground and items which can channel electricity, and that most people are struck by ground current. Therefore, he advises not to lie on the ground and to avoid metallic objects such as wires, doors, windows, plumbing, etc. Sturdy buildings and hardtop vehicles provide the best protection. Fagnano was the 16th victim nationwide to have died from a lightning strike in 2014, and the first one in California.
AUGUST 4, 2014 - AUGUST 10, 2014 | 3
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Community supports summer scholarships at the Boys & Girls Club This summer the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress reached out to the local community to ask for financial support of summer scholarships to provide services for families facing financial hardship. The Cypress community responded by donating over $4,500 to provide scholarships to families in need. The Boys & Girls Club of Cypress seeks to provide a safe, enriching and fun place for kids to be. The Club has always promised our community that we will never turn a child away for inability to pay. Here in our local community more and more families are struggling to make ends meet and provide for their children. During the summer months this struggle becomes even more evident when children are out of school and need a safe place to be while their parents are at work. As the summer progresses the demand for scholarships has continued to increase and the Club still needs your support. The club has been operating its summer program since June 16th and will continue until August 22nd to accommodate the Cypress Elementary School District schedule and provide programs for children until the school year begins. On Average the club serves 225 kids each day, with almost 80 of those children receiving a scholarship. The actual weekly cost to accommodate all of the club’s members on scholarship is $3,500. This cost also includes an optional hot lunch program to provide families in need with a healthy meal for their children while they are at the club. The Club is seeking to raise an additional $14,000 to cover the cost of scholarships for the remainder of the summer. With your support we can reach our goal and continue to promise to never turn away families for inability to pay. For more information on how you can support the Boys
Summer members Andrew O., Makaela L, and Gabrielle H. enjoying popsicles at the Boys & Girls Club of Cypress.-Courtesy Photo
& Girls Club of Cypress or to make an online donation visit
our website at www.boysandgirlsclubodcypress.com.
Long Beach Office 3780 Kilroy Airport Way Suite 360 Long Beach, CA 90806 Ph. (562) 472-0071 Fx. (562) 689-0071 Los Angeles Office 5701 South Eastern Avenue Suite 100 Los Angeles, CA 90040 Ph. (323) 727-1144 Fx. (323) 727-9198 www.heger-industrial.com Lic. #00814086
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Agreement with Mexico against dangerous greenhouse gases Continued from page 1
protecting and preserving our natural resources. The agreement signed today will take our joint work to a whole new level of cooperation, which will reflect in tangible and concrete results that will inure to our mutual benefit,” said Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Rodolfo Lacy. The pact seeks to enhance cooperation through a range of activities, including: Aligning greenhouse gas reduction programs and strategies; Collaborating on fire emergency response along the border and other climate change adaption strategies; Improving air quality, including reducing pollution and expanding markets for clean energy technologies; and strengthening fuel and truck efficiency standards and supporting green freight initiatives. “In line with the priorities of the Mexican Government for the forestry sector, the Memorandum of Understanding signed today with the State of California lays down the conditions and excellent opportunities for mutual cooperation to strengthen our capacity to prevent and respond to forest fires, a key issue in our common border,” said Mexican National Forestry Commission Director General
Jorge Rescala Pérez. The agreement with Mexico comes on the heels of similar agreements signed in 2013 with the governments of British Columbia and the states of Oregon and Washington and China’s National Development and Reform Commission – the first agreement of its kind on climate change between the commission and a subnational entity. For the past several years, the California Air Resources Board and Quebec have worked together to fully harmonize their cap-and-trade programs. The Governor first announced the Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico in his 2014 State of the State address and met with Mexican Consuls General from cities across California in March. Last week, ahead of the trip, Governor Brown met with Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs José Antonio Meade Kuribreña in Sacramento and invited Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto to meet later this year in California. The Governor is joined on the Trade and Investment Mission to Mexico by a delegation of state legislators and senior administration officials. A delegation organized by the California Chamber of Commerce with the help of the California
Foundation for Commerce and Education that includes approximately 90 business, economic development, investment and policy leaders from throughout California is also participating in the trade mission. For social media updates and other announcements throughout the trade mission, please follow these twitter handles: @CAMexicoTrade; @JerryBrownGov; @GovPressOffice; @CAGoBiz; @CalChamber and @VisitCA
Paranormal investigation event Dr. Jean-Pierre Giagnoli of the Southern California Paranormal Detectives--www.paranormaldetectives.org--will discuss investigating paranormal phenomena. Join us on Tuesday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cypress Library Meeting Room. Please call the library at 714-826-0350 for more information.
“Keep Calm & Beat H.E.A.T. Rocking & Rally” Continued from page 1
year industry. A rock concert will immediately follow with Director of Music Stan Frazier, of Sugar Ray, at the helm. In April 2013, OCDA formed the Human Exploitation and Trafficking (HEAT) Unit, which targets perpetrators who sexually exploit and traffic women and underage girls for financial gain, including pimps, panderers, and human traffickers. Commercial sex trafficking is the second most lucrative criminal enterprise behind narcotics trafficking. Often the perpetrators are gang members and/or career criminals. To date, the Unit has prosecuted 47 cases with 100% conviction rate. The HEAT Unit also targets defendants who create a demand for prostitution by soliciting and purchasing sex, which increases the commercial sexual exploitation of women and children. The HEAT Unit uses a tactical plan called PERP: Prosecution of human trafficking perpetrators and sex purchasers; Education for law enforcement to properly handle human trafficking and pandering cases; Resources to raise public awareness and provide assistance to the victims; and Publicity to inform the community about the problem and notify human traffickers and
sex purchasers that this crime cannot be perpetrated without suffering severe consequences. Co-Sponsors: The OCDA would also like to thank the co-sponsors for this event: Anaheim Councilwoman Kris Murray, the A21 Campaign, the Casa Youth Shelter, Chapman University, Children of the Night, the Community Service Programs Inc., Crittenton Services for Children and Families, Diamond Bar Councilwoman Ling Ling Chang, Jerry Zomorodian, the Junior League of Orange County, Mike Schroeder, the Orange County Human Relations Commission, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, OCDA Chief of Staff Susan Kang Schroeder, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen, Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Steven Baric, State Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Steel, and Julianna Nagle, a 17-yearold Girl Scout Ambassador who single-handedly raised over $500 for this event. Anyone interested in becoming a co-sponsor can contact Susan Kang Schroeder at (714) 347-8408 or email beatHEAT@da.ocgov.com. Additional sponsors will be named in the months to come.