Lynwood Watch

Lynwood Unified School District Members Served with Recall

2009-07-22T23:41:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that board members were served with a recall.

Read story here.

Firebaugh Principal Arrested

2009-07-08T20:26:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Former Firebaugh High School principal, Jonas Silverio, who recently received a recognition from the Lynwood City Council was arrested for lewd acts on minors.

Read story here.

Wave Newspapers Attempts to Cover Coverage Gap

2009-06-25T23:44:00.001-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Knight Media Digital Center features an article that questions whether grass roots journalism such as Lynwood Watch helps undeserved communities, and critiques that Wave Newspapers attempt to cover coverage gap.

Read article here.

Mayor and Councilmember Fined by FPPC

2009-06-09T21:58:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - The LA Times informs that Mayor Santilla and Councilmember Rodriguez are fined by the FPPC.

Read Story Here.

14 Students from Firebaugh High Cal State Northridge

2009-06-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA- California State University reports that 14 students from Firebaugh High will attend Cal-State Northridge.

Read story here.

Firebaugh Principal Under Investigation

2009-05-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Firebaugh principal is being investigated.

Read story here.

State Late with Funds

2009-05-11T20:43:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that State is almost late with funds.

Read story here.

Lynwood Unified School District Board Rescinds Layoffs

2009-04-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper rescinds layoffs.

Read story here.

Lynwood City Manager Turns Down Pay Increase

2009-03-19T23:35:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - 90262 Local paper reports that City Manager Roger Haley declines pay increase.

Read story here.

Students Against District Cuts

2009-03-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that students oppose cuts proposed by the Lynwood Unified School District.

Read story here.

Lynwood Unified Schoold District Considers Layoofs

2009-03-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Lynwood Unified School District is considering layoffs.

Read story here.

Student Hit by Bullet at Lynwood High

2009-02-11T23:26:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Lynwood student was hit by a stray bullet outside of Lynwood High School.

Read story here.

Lawyer Tells Ninth Circuit that Paul Richards was Target of Vendetta

2009-01-14T21:58:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - The Metropolitan News-Enterprise reports that Paul Richards alleges he was target of a vendetta.

Read story here.

LUSD Board Reorganizes

2008-12-20T22:17:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Local paper reports that the Lynwood Unified School District reogarnized.

Read story here.

Rodent Infestation at Lynwood Middle School Cafeteria

2008-11-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Newspaper and TV report rodent infestation at Lynwood Middle School.

Read story here.

Mayor Protem Castro Hired by District

2008-11-26T23:57:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood Unified School District has hired Aide Castro for a newly created position.

Read story here.

Election Results

2008-11-05T03:30:00.000-08:00

As of Date: 11/05/2008 Time: 03:24                            Votes  Percent
                                                                           
LYNWOOD                      MEASURE                                        
                                                                           
    HH - UTILITY TAX ADVISORY       - YES                    6,698    59.45
         (ADVISORY VOTE ONLY)       - NO                     4,569    40.55
                                                                           
    II - UTILITY TAX RATIFICATION   - YES                    7,053    64.86
         (MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST)   - NO                     3,822    35.14
                                                                           
     C - CITY COUNCIL TERM LIMITS   - YES                    8,320    74.22
         (MAJORITY OF VOTES CAST)   - NO                     2,890    25.78
                                                                           
TOTAL PRECINCTS         24            PRECINCTS REPORTING        24   100.00
REGISTRATION        19,548                                               
                                                                                      
                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       
As of Date: 11/05/2008 Time: 03:24                            Votes  Percent
                                                                           
CENTRAL BASIN MUNI WATER     BOARD OF DIRECTORS DIV 4                       
                                                                           
  RUDY C MONTALVO                                           24,714    51.11
  LETICIA VASQUEZ                                           23,641    48.89
                                                                           
TOTAL PRECINCTS        132            PRECINCTS REPORTING       132   100.00
REGISTRATION        92,837

Meeting at Mayor's House Violation of Brown Act

2008-10-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspapers reports that meeting at current Mayor Santillan's house a violation of the Brown Act, and says that the DA found that “we did not find that there was any criminal wrongdoing, nor did we find that there was necessarily an intention to violate the Brown Act.”

Read story here.

Lynwood Recall Attorney Submits $266,000 Bill

2008-10-23T22:02:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that attorney for Aide Castro and Joanette Gutierrez submits bill for $266,000.

Read story here.

Deputy Fatally Shoots Suspect in Lynwood

2008-10-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Deputy shoots suspect in Lynwood, he died later at the hospital.

Read story here.

CDBG Board Rejects UUT Presentation

2008-10-08T21:01:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the CDBG Board rejected UUT presentation.

Read story here.

County Monitors Lynwood Schools

2008-10-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the county will monitor Lynwood schools.

Read story here.

Woman Arrested Near Marshall Elementary

2008-10-08T20:57:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that a woman was arrested at Marshall Elementary.

Read story here.

City Uses Popular Youtube Service to Broadcast UUT Interview

2008-10-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

Meeting at Mayor's Home Criticized

2008-09-18T02:17:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that a meeting held at current Mayor Santillan's home is criticized.

Read story here.

New Curruculum Plan

2008-09-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that School district gets new curriculum plan.

Read story here.

Former Councilmember Arturo Reyes Pleads Guilty

2008-09-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Former Councilmember Arturo Reyes pleads guilty to grand theft and agreed to testify against other ex-councilmembers.

Read story here.

User Utility Tax - Voters to Decide

2008-08-20T20:07:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that residents will decide on the User Utility Tax.

Read story here.

Autra Adams' Charges on Hold

2008-07-24T22:06:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that charges against Autra Adams are on hold.

Read story here.

Lynwood City Council Cuts Budget by $4.2 Million

2008-07-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood City Council reduced the budget by 4.2 million.

Read story here.

Two Measures on Ballot

2008-07-21T01:11:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood City Council has placed two measures in the November ballot.

Read story here.

Judge Rules Against Stadium Project

2008-06-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that a judge has ruled against Angel's Fields.

Read story here.

Angeles Fields Lawsuit Against City Resumes

2008-05-29T20:51:00.001-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the lawsuit between the City of Lynwood, and Angeles Fields will resume on Monday, June 2, 2008.

Read story here.

City Manager's Assistant Autra Adams Arrested

2008-05-22T23:47:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Paul Richard's goddaughter and current City Manager's Aide was arrested by gang investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on suspicion of felonies, including being an accessory to robbery and possessing a stolen handgun.

Adams was wanted as an accessory to various crimes in which she allegedly provided rental vehicles for use by criminal suspects. Deputies found a loaded 9-mm handgun, as well fraudulent credentials identifying Adams as a member of the Lynwood City Council.

Read story here.

Lynwood Chamber of Commerce in Bitter Fight with City

2008-05-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood Chamber of Commerce faces a bitter fight with the City.

Read story here.

School Board Agrees to Superintendent's Contract

2008-05-22T19:53:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that School board agrees on Dhyan Lal’s $200,000-a-year contract with minor changes to the benefit package.

Read story here.

March Against Prostitution

2008-05-11T21:56:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that council and residents will march against prostitution on May 16, 2008.

Read story here.

Future Teachers Work with Lynwood Students

2008-04-30T22:38:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that 2 future teachers practice with Lynwood students.

Read story here.

Consultant Hired for Utility Tax Vote

2008-04-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that council gets heat for hiring consultant for Utility Tax vote.

Read story here.

Lynwood Teacher Pleads Guilty to Possessig Child Porn

2008-04-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - A first-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School Monday pleaded "guilty as charged" to a single felony count of possession of child pornography.

Read story here.

Fraudulent Section 8 Vouchers Sold at World Literacy Crusade

2008-03-19T22:08:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Newspaper reportas that about 100 people demands answers from Alfreddie Johnson's World Literacy Crusade regarding fraudulent Section 8 vouchers.

Read story here.

Superintendent Leaves Meeting Before Scheduled Evaluation

2008-02-27T22:09:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Dr. Lal left the school board meeting right before his performance evaluation.

Read story here.

Corruption or Entrapment?

2008-02-26T20:56:00.000-08:00

Morton Appointed to Council

2008-02-20T22:01:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - On a 4-0 vote, the Lynwood City Council appoints Jim Morton to occupy vacant seat.

Read story here.

Tony Martinez Quits Council

2008-02-13T21:47:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Councilman Tony Martinez has submitted his resignation.

Read story here.

Cesar Chavez Student Calls Radio Station and Reports Alleged Rape

2008-01-17T22:10:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - A 12 year old Cesar Chaves Middle School student calls Spanish speaking radio station 1020am and reports alleged rape. Student tells radio station that two male students held her and raped her with an object, allegedly a bottle.
The teen's mother tells station that boys were suspended a couple of days, but are back in school.

Trash Collection Fee Upsets Residents

2008-01-16T21:43:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Residents get angry over trash collection fee increase.

Read story here.

Lynwod Teachers Angry Over Negotiations

2008-01-02T22:01:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that teachers are angry with negotiations.

Read story here.

Aide Castro Chosen as Mayor Pro-Tem

2007-12-17T21:42:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - Recently elected Aide Castro is chosen as Mayor Pro-Tem.

Read story here.

Lincoln Elementary Teacher Arrested for Possessing Child Pornography

2007-11-29T23:00:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA - First grade teacher Kenneth Kothe at Lynwood Elementary has been arrested on possession of child pornography.

Kothe was arrested as a result of Operation Predator, an ongoing probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into the downloading of child pornography off the Internet.

Officers found hundreds of pictures of child pornography at his home in Alhambra. The Lynwood Unified School District have placed Kothe on unpaid administrative leave.

Read story here.

Lynwood School Board Members Ignore Community

2007-11-22T08:16:00.000-08:00

Lynwood, CA -Close to 100 teachers, parents and community activists demanded the superintendent's termination. The Lynwood School Board ignored the requests.

Read Story Here.

Election Results

2007-11-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

LYNWOOD CITY GENERAL MUNI    COUNCILMEMBER                                  
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN   2                                                   
                                                                           
  AIDE CASTRO                                                  845    13.94
  ALFREDO FLORES                                               764    12.61
  JIM MORTON                                                   745    12.29
  PATRICIA CARR                                                708    11.68
  LETICIA VASQUEZ                                              583     9.62
  LOUIS BYRD                                                   436     7.19
  RAMON RODRIGUEZ                                              427     7.05
  EDWIN R JACINTO                                              264     4.36
  K WICKER-AMEY                                                260     4.29
  MARGARET ARAUJO                                              218     3.60
  FERNANDO PEDROZA                                             209     3.45
  HAROLD TUCKER                                                190     3.13
  REBECCA J WELLS                                              190     3.13
  JUAN J ENCISO                                                132     2.18
  ARTHUR MARTINEZ                                               46     0.76
  HARRY GIBBENS                                                 44     0.73
                                                                           
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING        11   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,672

                                                                      
As of Date: 11/06/2007 Time: 23:40                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY GENERAL MUNI    CITY CLERK                                    
                                                                         
 MARIA QUINONEZ                                             1,684    65.63
 NANETTE COLEMAN                                              882    34.37
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING        10    90.91
REGISTRATION        17,672

                                                                      
As of Date: 11/06/2007 Time: 23:40                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY GENERAL MUNI    CITY TREASURER                                
                                                                         
 SALVADOR ALATORRE                                          1,595    57.13
 IRIS PYGATT                                                1,197    42.87
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING        10    90.91
REGISTRATION        17,672                                                 
                                                                         
LYNWOOD UNIFIED SCHOOL       GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER                        
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN   3                                                  
                                                                         
 JOSE LUIS SOLACHE                                          1,849    26.60
 MARIA G LOPEZ                                              1,442    20.75
 OSCAR ESPINOZA                                             1,408    20.26
 D PLUMMER-JONES                                            1,127    16.22
 G R RODRIGUEZ                                              1,124    16.17
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS         11            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9    81.82
REGISTRATION        17,898

New Mayor, and Councilmembers

2007-10-31T21:35:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - The new Mayor and the new members of the City Council cut own travel budget, eliminate council deputy positions, and fire two attorneys.

Read story here.

New Councilmember Sworn In, Santillan Mayor

2007-10-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - The newly elected councilmembers were sworn in. Maria Santillan was elected Mayor.

Read article here.

Council Ignores Recall

2007-10-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - May consider council's refusal to step down an act of vengeance to the community that recalled them.

Latimes.com
wavenewspapers.com

La Gente de Lynwood

2007-10-01T06:10:00.000-07:00

Anti Immigrant group protests outside of Plaza Mexico on Sunday, September 30, 2007.

≈
La Gente de Lynwood - Watch more free videos

School Employee Assaults 13 Year Old Student

2007-09-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the investigation into the assault of a 13 year old student at Cesar Chavez.

Read story here.

Mayor and 3 Councilmembers Recalled

2007-09-27T20:36:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA- The associated press reports that the Mayor and 3 members of the associated press were overwhelmingly recalled.

Read story here.

Four Councilmembers Recalled

2007-09-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Historic elections in Lynwood result in the recall of Louis Byrd, Alfreddie Johnson, Leticia Vasquez, and Fernando Pedroza.

Infamous Burro became
the mascot of the recall movement

Election Results

2007-09-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-BYRD                                  
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF LOUIS BYRD       - YES                    2,411    72.95
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                       894    27.05
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED L BYRD                             
                                                                         
 ALFREDO FLORES                                             1,133    39.33
 PATRICIA CARR                                              1,098    38.11
 MARGARET ARAUJO                                              650    22.56
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-JOHNSON                               
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF A. JOHNSON       - YES                    2,353    72.36
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                       899    27.64
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED A JOHNSON                          
                                                                         
 J "TONY" MARTINEZ                                          1,632    57.44
 ANDREA L HOOPER                                            1,209    42.56
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-PEDROZA                               
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF F. PEDROZA       - YES                    2,389    72.81
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                       892    27.19
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED F PEDROZA                          
                                                                         
 RAMON RODRIGUEZ                                            1,169    41.62
 WALTER A LOPEZ                                               978    34.82
 EDWIN R JACINTO                                              662    23.57
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          MEASURE-VASQUEZ                               
                                                                         
 0001 - RECALL OF L. VASQUEZ       - YES                    2,317    69.31
        (MAJORITY OF VOTES)        - NO                     1,026    30.69
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

                                                                      
As of Date: 09/25/2007 Time: 22:13                            Votes  Percent
                                                                         
LYNWOOD CITY RECALL          TO SUCCEED L VASQUEZ                          
                                                                         
 JIM MORTON                                                 1,431    51.00
 AIDE CASTRO                                                1,375    49.00
                                                                         
TOTAL PRECINCTS          9            PRECINCTS REPORTING         9   100.00
REGISTRATION        17,422

Recall Election Nears

2007-09-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports on four council members facing recall.

Read story here.

Fernando Pedroza Claims False Endorsement

2007-09-18T23:00:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - In a letter dated September 14, 2007, Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez accuses Pedroza of misleading voters by "listing her in a category of previous and current endorsements."

The Congresswoman has asked Pedroza to cease from listing her in his mailings as an endorsee past or present.

City Hires Firm to Conduct Survey

2007-08-30T20:00:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood City Council hired Alvin Parra and Roland Aranjo of Milagro Strategies to conduct a survey on Angeles Fields.

Read story here.

Democratic Party Accusses Jim Morton and Edwin Jacinto of Voter Fraud

2007-08-21T19:28:00.001-07:00

Lynwood, CA - The Los Angeles County Democratic Party has send out an urgent Voter Fraud Alert indicating that Candidate Edward R. Jacinto, running to replace City Councilmember Fernando Pedroza and Jim Morton, running to replace City Councilmember Leticia Vasquez, have falsely claimed the endorsement on their campaign literature and at public events.

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party states that it has not endorsed any candidates running in the Lynwood City Special Recall Election.

Read alert here.

County Takes Over Recall Election

2007-07-23T20:43:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - State legislature voted on Friday to allow county election officials to take over Lynwood's recall election.

Read story from LA Times.
(Requires suscription)

Read Story from Wavenewspapers here.

Jim Morton (For Vasquez' Seat)

2007-07-23T20:39:00.002-07:00

Aide Castro (For Vasquez' Seat)

2007-07-23T20:39:00.001-07:00

Walter Lopez (For Pedroza's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:38:00.004-07:00

Edwin Jacinto (For Pedroza's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:38:00.003-07:00

Ramon Rodriguez (For Pedroza's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:38:00.001-07:00

Andrea Hooper (For Johnson's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:37:00.003-07:00

Jose Antonio Martinez (For Johnson's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:37:00.001-07:00

Alfredo Flores (For Byrd's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:36:00.002-07:00

Patricia Carr (For Byrd's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:36:00.001-07:00

Margaret Araujo (For Byrd's Seat)

2007-07-23T20:35:00.004-07:00

Louis Byrd (Incumbent)

2007-07-23T20:35:00.003-07:00

Leticia Vasquez (Incumbent)

2007-07-23T20:35:00.001-07:00

Alfreddie Johnson (Incumbent)

2007-07-23T20:34:00.001-07:00

Fernando Pedroza (Incumbent)

2007-07-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

Judge Orders Recall Election to Move Forward

2007-07-19T20:06:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Despite allegations by councilmembers of fraud, Court Judge Dzintra I. Janavs ordered the recall election to continue.

Read story here.

Arnoldo Beltran Fired as City Attorney

2007-07-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Arnoldo Beltran, who has been highly criticized for his excesive billing to the Ctiy, was fired as city attorney by a 4-1 vote of the City Council.

Read story here.

Lynwood City Council Approves Changes to Promenade

2007-07-17T23:03:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - The Lynwood city council approved July 17, 2007 an amendment to the proposed promenade project. A press release was made public before the council voted on the item.

Read story here.

Cadidate Packages for Recall Election Ready

2007-07-05T22:41:00.000-07:00

Candidate Packages for the recall election can be picked up in the
City Manager’s Office
effective immediately.

Deadline is July 12 2007, 5:00p.m. PST.

For questions please call (310) 603-0220 ext. 501.

Office Hours:

July 5, 2007
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

July 9 - 12, 2007
7:30 am - 5:00 pm

Please remember to VOTE !!!

City's website here.

Councilmembers Fear Facing Electorate

2007-07-05T05:27:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - The Press Telegram reports that the Lynwood City Council members that are target of a recall, may be afraid of losing their plum jobs and facing the electorate.

Read story here.

Elected Official Court Date August 13, 2007

2007-06-21T23:46:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Lynwood elected officials must appear in court on August 13, 2007.

Read Story here.

Pet Shop Owner Sanctioned by Council Faces 22 Years in Prison

2007-06-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA – The owner of Animal Pet House, Young Sam Park 52, faces 22 felony counts of animal cruelty that range from torturing to mutilation. Park, who was exceedingly defended by Mayor Louis Byrd, and other members of the City Council, was jailed on more than $450,000 bail.

Read story here.

City Clerk Duties Removed

2007-06-14T21:03:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that Vasquez, Johnson, Pedroza, and Byrd took away the City Clerk's role of presiding over city elections, including the recall drive.

Read story here.

Vasquez tops Travel Expense

2007-06-05T06:41:00.000-07:00

Vasquez tops travel expense in the first quarter of 2007 with $12,715. Following is Byrd $11,993, Johnson $9,779, Pedroza $9,228 and Santillan $0. The Lynwood City Council spent $43,715 in only four months. This information is based on a public information request that may be obtained at the City Clerk's Office.

Last years total travel expense was $100,205.
Byrd - $27,141
Pedroza $24,531
Johnson $20,428
Vasquez $18,470
Santillan $9,635

Lynwood Politics Tainted by Racial Strifes

2007-06-05T05:15:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - The Los Angeles Times reports that Lynwood is at center of a political and racial strife.
Read story from latimes.com

Lynwood Welcomes Paris Hilton

2007-06-04T21:24:00.000-07:00

Recall to be Investigated

2007-05-30T21:46:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the Lynwood City Council voted in favor of hiring the firm Strategic Counsel to investigate the recall.

Read story here.

Recall Signatures Certified

2007-05-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the recall signatures have been certified.
If the council does not set a date for the recall election by May 30, the county by law will set one by June 4.

Read story here.

Not Guilty Pleas at Arraignment

2007-05-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Lynwoo, CA - Local newspaper reports that the four accussed current and former officials enter not guilty pleas at arraignmet.

Read story here.

Paris Hilton's Sexual Indiscretions and Fernando Pedroza's Porn Habits Bring City Needed Attention

2007-05-09T22:24:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newsper discusses how, among other things, Paris Hilton's sexual indiscretions, and Fernando Pedroza's porn habits have brought Lynwood national and international attention.

Read story here.

Arraignment to Take Place Tuesday, May 15, 2007

2007-05-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the arraignment of two current and three former council members is expected to take place Tuesday, May 15, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at Compton Superior Court, Division 12, before Judge John J. Cheroske.

Read story here.

Registrar-Recorder May Have Verified Petitions by Memorial Day

2007-05-07T19:29:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports on recall signatures submitted to the City Clerk's Office.
3,700 signatures are needed on petitions to recall Vasquez, Johnson, Pedroza, and Byrd.

Read story here.

Senior Center Opens

2007-05-07T18:27:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports on opening of Lynwood's Senior Center.

Read story here.

Recall Proponents Submit Over 4,500 Signatures

2007-04-30T21:36:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Recall proponents submitted over 4,500 signatures today to recall Louis Byrd, and Fernando Pedroza, who have recently been charged with misappropriating over $100,000 dollars each. The recall signatures also include Leticia Vazquez and Alfreddie Johnson.

Lynwood Case Shows Need for Local Vigilance

2007-04-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Barnstablepatriot.com critiques the Lynwood case, and highlights need for local vigilance.

Read story here.

Byrd, Pedroza, and Three Former Councilmembers Charged with Misappropriating More than $100,000 in Taxpayer Money

2007-04-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

Lynwood, CA - Current Mayor Louis Byrd, and Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Pedroza are chaged with misuse of public funds. Some of the charges include trips, and in the case of Pedroza, a session with exotic dancers.

Former Councilmembers Armando Rea, Arturo Reyes, and Ricardo Sanchez will also be prosecuted. If convicted, they face 6 years in state prison.

Read press release by DA

Los Angeles Times

CBS2

N. Enrique Martinez Declines to comment on charges

Read La Opinion

View arrest details (from Sheriff's website)