Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - City officials just announced the death of Mayor Pro Tem Tzeitel Paras-Caracci.

Caracci, 49, died after a battle with fourth-stage lung cancer June 25 at her home. She was surrounded by family, according to the City of Duarte.

Caracci endured a three-year battle with cancer. She credited her longevity to the doctors at City of Hope National Medical Center, according to the City of Duarte.

A Philippines native and Duarte High School graduate, Caracci was first elected to Duarte City of Council in 2001. She served as mayor in 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2019.

During her time as a public servant, Caracci also served on a number of local boards and organizations, such as the League of California Cities, director for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Foothill Transit board member, Duarte Community Coordinating Council and was elected by her colleagues to the National League of Cities Board of Directors, according to the City of Duarte.

Caracci recently served as president of the Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials. She also initiated the Mayor’s Youth Council.

“We have suffered a huge loss in our city and I am profoundly saddened as Tzeitel was an immensely capable member of our Council, as well as a great personal friend to me, as well as many others. Her smile and energy were infectious, and it was an honor to serve on Council with her,” said Mayor Margaret Finlay. “On behalf of the Council and City Staff, we express our condolences to her family and offer our full support in this time of need.”

Caracci is survived by her parents, Lino and Russel Paras, husband, K.C. Caracci, stepdaughter Blake Caracci, son, Jack Russell, her brothers Bertrand and John Paul George and their wives.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking those that wish to honor Tzeitel Paras-Caracci to donate to the City of Hope.

Read the full city statement here.

DUARTE – Additional patrols have been added to all Duarte neighborhoods after a man reportedly dressed as an Amazon delivery worker stole a package from a home, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced June 21.

A suspect in an Amazon delivery shirt was caught on surveillance video “appearing to impersonate an Amazon delivery driver,” according to the City of Duarte. The incident was recorded June 16 in the 2500 block of Elda Street at 3:30 p.m.

”Witnesses reported that the man was sitting in his vehicle waiting on the street for the Amazon delivery driver, and after the delivery came, he followed to steal the package,” according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in a written statement.

The suspect drove in a yellow Kia EV6.

Deputies ask residents to be vigilant, but to refrain from confronting strangers. Report suspicious persons, vehicles and to write down a license plate number if it is available. Report possible crimes in progress to the Sheriff’s Temple Station at 626-448-9861.

DUARTE – Authorities reported the Fish Fire was 100 percent contained June 14 at 9:45 a.m.
 
The fire scorched just a little more than 55 acres of the San Gabriel Mountains after it first ignited Sunday, June 12, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
 
All forward progress was stopped June 13 after firefighters worked to establish a line around the majority of the fire, with cliffs having provided difficulty to access, the Los Angeles County Fire Department announced Monday.
 
Encanto Drive was previously reopened along with Mel Canyon Road and Brookridge Road. Encanto Park, the established site for Helicopter water refueling, has since been reopened as well.
 
Firefighters remained on fire watch into Tuesday night to ensure nothing flared up.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

UPDATE, 8:20 p.m.: The Fire in the Duarte foothills is 20 percent contained. As of 7:20 p.m., 25 to 30 acres were scorched. The small fire in the San Gabriel Riverbed was 100 contained, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The Mel Canyon area and streets around Encanto Park will remain closed until 10 p.m, according to the City of Duarte.

UPDATE, 5:23 p.m.: Firefighters have requested a second-alarm for the brush fire burning above Duarte. The fire has burned about 15 to 20 acres, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

The fire is reportedly burning north of Brookridge Road and Opal Canyon Road. There is no threat to the homes below. Traffic is blocked at the intersection of Mel Canyon Road and Royal Oaks Road, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station.

DUARTE - Firefighters are reporting 3 acres of brush are burning above Duarte Sunday afternoon.

The fire is burning with a moderate rate of spread in an easterly direction above Brookridge Drive and Mell Canyon Road. One structure is possibly threatened, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department radio traffic.

A full brush fire response has been initiated by Los Angeles County Fire.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Detectives renewed their calls for public assistance in identifying a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the early morning hours of April 10.

Detectives offered a much clearer image of the man they believe committed the assault in the 1200 block of Huntington Drive at 3 a.m.

The suspect is described as a black man who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 200 pounds. He has curly hair and was last seen wearing a blue sweater, blue pants and was carrying a dark-colored camouflage backpack.

Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call the sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau toll-free tip line at 877-710-5273. You can also email [email protected], or Sergeant Jamie Yamasaki at 562-946-7989.

Provide information anonymously by calling LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477), through the P3Tips mobile app, or lacrimestoppers.org.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

DUARTE - Administrators at an arts school cancelled Thursday classes after a perceived threat in which a student allegedly joked about taking a gun to school.

California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley, 1401 Highland Ave., announced in a message to parents Wednesday night that classes June 2 would be cancelled and a decision on how students could make up final exams would be made.

“We wanted to inform you that it has been reported that a student made what was described by witnesses as a “joke” about bringing a gun to school tomorrow,” according to CSArts in the parents message.

The scheduled graduation pre-rehearsal was also cancelled.

“We have shared the reports with law enforcement and are in the process of completing a full investigation into the allegations,” according to CSArts in the parents message.

Several attempts to speak with Det. Sgt. Richard Lewis of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Temple Station were unsuccessful.

It is unclear if the student was cited or arrested, or even located.

California School of the Arts - San Gabriel Valley boasts itself as a public charter school, offering college preparatory education. CSArts is a tuition-free donation-dependent school, made possible through a public-private partnership with the Duarte Unified School District, according to the CSArts website.