Previously, the municipal court could handle only small claims of under $25,000 and was forced to send felony cases up to Superior Court after an initial hearing, according to court spokesmen.
The merger, which also includes other smaller judicial districts, also means that Norwalk Superior Court which serves Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Norwalk and Santa Fe Springs, may now handle misdemeanor cases and civil suits for less than $25,000, as well as the felonies and major suits it has handled in the past.
Purpose of the consolidations is to speed up litigation and make more courts available.
Under the agreement with the Downey Judicial District, John A. Clarke, a Superior Court executive officer, will act as administrator for the Downey Municipal Court and coordinate cases between Downey and Norwalk. Geographic coverage of the courts will remain the same but could be removed later, meaning Downey may eventually handle cases from anywhere in the county.
There are 24 judicial districts in L.A. County. On April 2 Downey became the 16th district to formally merge with the Superior Court system.
Judge John D. Lord, presiding judge of Downey, called the consolidation an outgrowth of the continuing cooperation among the judicial districts.
He added the same personnel will serve the court but it will be more "Full-service," handling all types of cases and litigants.
The event celebrates Downey's youth. The newly elected members of the Kidsday Hall of Fame will have their names announced in ceremonies at noon at the park. There will be games, entertainment and informational booths representing youth groups in the area.
The park is at 10419 Rives Ave. (Between Firestone and Florence). For information, call 904-7238.
There will be demonstrations, live fires and displays. Young people will be able to participate in stop, drop and roll drills, and also learn to use a fire hose. There will be a free shuttle to KIDSDAY festivities at Furman Park.
Inside the station will be information booths and blood pressure screening, earthquake preparedness information, the Amateur Radio Club, Swift Water Rescue Equipment, and Downey's Search and Rescue gear.
Among their many responsibilities, hospital board members contribute to the strategic vision and operational direction of Downey Community Hospital and Rio Hondo Hospital.
On staff at DCH since 1986, Dr. Kim also serves as chairman of the Quality Improvement Committee at DCH and is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at UCLA.
A Downey resident since 1933 and a graduate of USC, Lehman began his involvement with the DCH Memorial Trust Foundation (MTF) in 1984 and has served as chairman of this fund-raising organization. His commitment to the hospital, however, began long before his tenure with the MTF. He continues to serve on the boards for both the MTF and the hospital's parent organization, DCH Health Services.
Theme of the contest was "Downey's Pride and History."
First place winners, whose work will be displayed at the Downey City Library through the month of May, received a first place certificate, a winner's ribbon, and a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.
All 23 Downey schools, both public, private and parochial were invited to participate.
The first place winners included: K-1, first place, Ricky Macias, St. Raymond's Catholic School; Grades 2-3, first place, Tyler Day, Calvary Chapel Christian School; Grades 4-5, first place, Ashlei Lien, St. Raymond's; Grade 9-12, first place, Eva Morlok, Warren High School.
Second place finishers included: K-1, Angelica Morales, St. Raymond's; Grades 2-3, Kristopher Johnson, St. Raymond's; Grades 4-5, Alexandra Mora, St. Raymond's.
Third place finishers include: K-1, Nicole Morabe, St. Raymond's; Grades 2-3, Larry Pentard, Calvary Chapel Christian School; Grades 4-5, Julie De La Paz, St. Raymond's.
Each year Warren honors its top students who have excelled in their nominated category. There are 25 subject areas in which a student may receive a pin, medallion or plaque. Each student in attendance knew he or she was a winner. The category they were nominated in was left a surprise until announced Monday night.
The number of nominees in each category is determined by the number of students enrolled in that subject area. Courses of general appeal such as English, mathematics, science and social science have the larger enrollment, and thus, the larger number of nominees.
Plaque winners included Jason Evans for Alternative Programs; Daniel Ra, ASB; Marcin Kosakowski, Boy's Athletics; Peggy Hsieh, Girl's Athletics; John Park, Business Info Systems; Manuel Rivas, Driver Education; Mary Hwang, English; Yakelinn Guttierrez, English Language Development; Lina Kennedy, Foreign Language; Elizabeth Gomez, Home Economics; Amber Davis, Industrial Arts; Jennifer Diaz, Journalism/Year Book; Michael Borghese, Mathematics; Andrew Holdridge, Instrumental Music; Karen Wise, Vocal Music; Aranne Cox, Peer Assistance; Robin Ford, Pep Squad; Phillip Moore, Physical Education; Dominic Bueno, Regional Occupational Programs; Nancy Choi, School Service; Roy Park, Science; Peggy Hsieh, Social Science; Ryan Hartman, Theater Arts; and Becky Chung, Visual Arts.
The highest award to a student at Warren is the Grand Golden Bear. The winner not only has excellence in one class, but must have noted overall ability. This year's winner is John Park. His four years at Warren have been studded with honors and advanced placement courses, and he played varsity football and was the president of the Bible Club. His popularity is exemplified by the fact his name was being chanted even before the award was announced. He has impressed both fellow students and his teachers with all he has accomplished, and was called "The General" during the procession due to his choice to attend West Point in the fall.
Park said later, "I feel very humble, yet honored to receive the award. I am so grateful for everyone who was a part of that night."
There were a multitude of people who contributed to making the evening a success. When so much is heard about the misfortunes of the youth of today, these students show what hard work can accomplish.
Unico is a non-profit organization made up of Italian-Americans, that raises funds for various charities, including victims of earthquakes, blood diseases, mentally disabled and abused children. The group also awards scholarships to outstanding citizens and athletes.
Granato's amazing story includes a comeback following brain surgery. He has come back to his usual feisty and productive game.
He personifies Brian Piccolo in whose name this award is given, when we remember the courage that Piccolo showed in his battle with cancer.
Persons interested in attending the banquet may call Joe Curi at 923-8360.
Terry Blevins was held in lieu of $500,000 bail. He was arrested at an airport in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas in April, and extradited by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department here.
He appeared in a pre-arraignment hearing Friday, May 1, in Downey Municipal Court, and was held over.
Downey Police Detective M. Calvert said he obtained credit card and purchase information from merchants in New Jersey. The information led him to believe that products purchased fraudulently were being sent to a Downey address. His subsequent investigation revealed a loss of more than $65,000, a stolen vehicle and season tickets to the Anaheim Angels games.
The suspect moved from Downey to Salem, Oregon, where the alleged stolen car was recovered, along with numerous other items allegedly purchased with fraudulent credit card numbers.