Gatto Introduces a Legislative Cure for “Affluenza”Would Prohibit the Defense that an Entitled Upbringing Absolves or Mitigates Criminal Guilt
Assemblyman Mike Gatto introduced legislation Tuesday to forbid the use of “affluenza” as a defense at trial or as a mitigating circumstance in post-trial sentencing. “Affluenza” in the criminal-defense realm is the notion that an affluent or overly permissive upbringing prevents a defendant from fully understanding the consequences of criminal actions. Gatto’s AB 1508 would forbid […]
Schiff Statement on Funding for Planetary Science in Omnibus Spending Bill
Today, Rep. Adam Schiff, released the following statement after the Appropriations Committee posted language for the omnibus spending bill late last night: “I am pleased that the spending bill contains strong funding for the continued development of the Mars 2020 rover and for a mission to Jupiter and its moon Europa. I hope that this […]
Gatto Introduces Data Privacy Bill
Would Prohibit, Among Other Things, School Districts from Retaining Students’ Social Media Data Assemblyman Mike Gatto has introduced legislation to lessen the chances that government collection of “Big Data” jeopardizes the privacy of citizens. The broad mandate, AB 1442, would strengthen the notice requirements before the government gathers personal data and would require […]
Preserve to Gain an Outdoor Classroom
Boy Scout Eagle project targeted to expand on Rosemont Preserve’s teaching abilities. By Mary O’KEEFE Over the years, the Crescenta Valley has benefited from Boy Scout Eagle projects and Girl Scout Gold Award projects. From creating a welcoming garden at Pennsylvania Avenue and the Foothill (210) Freeway to the numerous gardens and murals around the […]
Auburn Strikes Up the Band at GCC
By Michael J. ARVIZU Tandy Culpepper still gets a little teary eyed whenever he talks about his beloved Auburn Tigers. The Auburn University alum was just a “scrawny” (he said) 18-year-old when he walked onto campus for the first time. Culpepper was one of about 30 fans that gathered at Glendale Community College’s Sartoris Field […]
Adios, Plastic! Glendale Ushers in Plastic Bag Ban Phase 2
By Ted AYALA Residents who have enjoyed finding alternative uses for plastic grocery bags –doggy deposit pick up, trash can liners, make-shift shower caps, you name it – may soon find themselves seeking out other options. Beginning on Jan. 1, the second phase of Glendale’s plastic bag ban went into effect. The first phase of […]
Weather in the Foothills
“I think we are bound to, and by, nature. We may want to deny this connection and try to believe we control the external world, but every time there’s a snowstorm or drought, we know our fate is tied to the world around us. ~ Alice Hoffman, American novelist It seemed Christmas passed as quickly […]
from the desk of the publisher
A Healthy New Year As many of you know, my parents died relatively young. My dad died at 52 from an apparent heart attack. My mother, a smoker her whole life, died at 63 from lung cancer that had metastasized to her brain. Probably because of this, I am fascinated by aging and health, specifically […]
Gatto Introduces Bill to Protect Victims of Crimes on College Campuses
By Mary O’KEEFE Assemblymember Mike Gatto has introduced legislation that he hopes will ensure that crimes, specifically rape, committed on college campuses are reported and investigated. “The bill has been in the works for a year,” Gatto said. AB 1433 amends the state Education Code to require any report of a Part 1 violent crime, […]