A judge on Tuesday sentenced a Montebello man to 57 years for shooting to death a father and son at a 2008 graduation party in Montebello and for trying to kill a gang member about two blocks away. Joe Dorantes received 15 years to life for each murder and 27 years for the attempted murder, Deputy District Attorney Luke Sisak said. The court also ordered Dorantes to pay restitution of about $32,000, he said. “This is something that has been a long time coming,” Sisak said. Dorantes, 38, didn’t speak at his sentencing held at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, ac ..read more

After years of community engagement and planning, Montebello has three new land-use plans aimed at guiding city and downtown projects. The Montebello City Council unanimously approved the 2040 Citywide General Plan, the Downtown Montebello Specific Plan, and the Citywide Bicycle Master Plan, which city officials say will offer a promising future that protects, enhances, grows neighborhoods, and ensures a better quality of life. The city held over 30 public meetings across the city for three years to ensure the community was engaged and participated in putting together these three plans, accord ..read more

The Montebello City Council unanimously approved the initial phase for designing a new traffic signal and “scramble” crosswalk at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and 6th Street. The planned site is near the construction site for the Cesar Chavez Foundation housing development project and other popular downtown destinations. Whittier Boulevard serves as a vital regional connector, but this particular intersection through downtown Montebello has posed serious risks for pedestrians navigating their way around shops and eateries, such as Angry Horse Brewery and BLVD MRKT, city officials sai ..read more

Students from ATC, Schurr and Bell Gardens High Schools help serve during the annual Senior Citizen Prom at the Montebello Senior Center on Friday April 5, 2024. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer) Alicia Esparza dances during the annual Senior Citizen Prom at the Montebello Senior Center on Friday April 5, 2024. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer) Seniors dress up as they attend the annual Senior Citizen Prom at the Montebello Senior Center on Friday April 5, 2024. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer) Enrique Flores, cent ..read more

Montebello’s Adaptive Inclusive Recreation Program will be hosting a resource fair on Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chet Holifield Community Center, 1060 S. Greenwood Ave. The event is free to attend, and to support families with children and young adults with disabilities. The newly launched program was created to help social interaction, creativity, emotional release and physical activity for children and young adults with disabilities, as well as support for families in the area, according to the city’s website. “Don’t miss out on the inaugural event at Chet Holifield Pa ..read more

The City of Montebello is inviting residents to get involved in this year’s city budget process. Each year, Montebello looks to residents and business owners to help make decisions about city services, programs and infrastructure prior to the approval of a budget from the City Council, according to the city website. For fiscal year 2024-25, the city is hosting three in-person community meetings for residents to learn about the budget process and provide input on what they think is important. Here is when and where the three meetings will take place: Thursday, Feb. 15, at Montebello Senior Cen ..read more

Central Basin Municipal Water District’s board has placed General Manager Alex Rojas on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the legitimacy of contracts tied to a company accused of paying bribes to Rojas at his previous job. Though the water agency’s board approved the investigation back in September, it could not reach a consensus on what to do with Rojas, who continued to lead the district despite his arrest in 2022 for allegedly accepting bribes while he was the superintendent in the Bassett Unified School District. A narrow majority wante ..read more

Registration is open for the 2024 L.A. Chinatown Firecracker event on Feb. 24-25. The 46th annual event includes bike rides, run/walks, a dog and owner walk and a Kiddie Run. The ’50 Mile Half Century Bike Ride’ route on Feb. 24 includes Altadena, Pasadena San Marino and South Pasadena. In the file photo: Julie To, center, of San Gabriel, holds Mickey as they pose for a photo with Ed Lew, emcee for the 45th L.A. Chinatown Firecracker event in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023. The two-day event started with a 40-mile and 20-mile bike ride as well as a walk for dogs and their owners. (Phot ..read more

There’s a bit of a rematch happening in California’s 38th congressional district. Rep. Linda Sánchez, a Democrat from Whittier who is serving her 11th term, is being challenged by Walnut City Councilmember Eric Ching, pastor John Sarega and entrepreneur Robert Zhang Ochoa. She faced Ching and Sarega in the midterm election in 2022. Voter Guide Series Editor’s Note: This story is part of a series breaking down each of the six congressional races in 2024 in Orange County. We explore the districts and candidates’ platforms. For more, check out our comprehensive voter guide here. Sánchez’s seat is ..read more

Having an accessible business for healthy food options in Montebello is what inspired co-owners Dasha and Brian Hunter to bring the TRU Bowl Superfood Bar franchise to the city. The couple grew tired of having to leave Montebello in order to find healthy food options. Instead of moving to where they could find what they were looking for, their business backgrounds led them to open the establishment they were looking for, and provide it to the entire community. “People have been saying that this has been needed – a healthy, clean option that is definitely cost efficient,” Dasha Hunter said. TRU ..read more