La Cañada History: Then-Gov. Schwarzenegger consoles victims in wake of mudslides
Ten Years Ago
The first weekend of February 2010, characterized by a slow-moving rainstorm that dropped 4 inches of rain on areas vulnerable to mudslides in the wake of the 2009 Station fire, battered La Cañada. The overwhelmed Mullally Debris Basin in Paradise Valley at the top of Ocean View Boulevard overflowed, as did the Big Briar Debris Basin east of it. Mud filled yards and homes; vehicles were tossed around by the flows as if they were lightweight toys. Then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger toured the area that Sunday morning, meeting property owners affected by the mudslides of the day before and promising a coordinated cleanup effort. On Arroyo Summit Drive off Angeles Crest Highway, more than 100 volunteers turned out with shovels to remove mud from properties on that cul-de-sac. “The emotion didn’t hit us until we saw how many people came out and helped us,” said one mudslide victim.
Twenty Years Ago
Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief John P. Harris told about 80 La Cañada residents gathered at the Crescenta-Cañada YMCA for a fire safety forum that it was critical they take an active interest in clearing vegetation from around their properties “or burn.” Of particular concern to Harris was the heavily forested neighborhoods in the upper Alta Canyada area where canopy fires could get started in the tall deodar trees if high winds were to fan sparks from a brush fire.
Thirty Years Ago
A 28-year-old Glendale man was convicted of manslaughter in February 1990 for driving drunk and killing two mothers and their two daughters as they waited on a traffic island to cross the street in Glendale just north of Oakmont Country Club. The July 13, 1988 accident killed Patricia Carr, 36, a 1970 graduate of La Cañada High School, her 6-year-old daughter, Caren and their friends Valerie Cramer, 32 and Brianna Cramer, 9. The driver was sentenced to 11 years in prison.
Forty Years Ago
An 8-year-old La Cañada boy who reportedly admitted to the crime was arrested by sheriff’s deputies in connection with a burglary at a neighbor’s home, during which two rifles valued at $600 were stolen. The boy was released to the custody of his father.
Fifty Years Ago
Members of the La Cañada Flintrige Chamber of Commerce were told during a regular board meeting that the La Cañada Country Club’s public restaurant, the Golden Helmet, had to close its doors after it was found to be in violation of county zoning laws. Citizen complaints led to the closure.
Sixty Years Ago
Verdugo Hills Bowl on Foothill Boulevard in La Crescenta held its grand opening, which featured noted bowling personalities. Television’s Bozo the Clown was also there to perform a show for youngsters. The new center boasted 28 alleys, a children’s play room, a snack bar, a billiard room and a cocktail lounge.
Compiled from the Valley Sun archives.
