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Quick and Smart Thinking by Two Ladera Ranch Boys Undoubtedly Saved Their Lives
By Michele Ruvalcaba
Two Ladera Ranch boys, both ages 12, escaped an attempted kidnapping and sexual assault, late Sunday evening while playing on the swings at Ladera Ranch Elementary School. According to Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, the blatant attack happened while the two youths were playing on the swings of the school playground adjacent to Founder’s Park on Sunday, March 10, at approximately 7:30 pm, when they were approached on by a man foot in a hooded sweatshirt with a red bandana covering his face. He was armed with a folding pocketknife. As the suspect approached, one of the boys jumped off the swing and ran to get help.  He was able to flag down a passing motorist who assisted him in calling 911. The suspect grabbed the second boy off of the swings and proceeded to threaten him at knifepoint. He then dragged the youth over to a hedge about 15 feet away and ordered him to remove his pants and his undergarments. The quick thinking youth was able to grab a handful of wood chips and threw them in the suspect’s face, distracting him long enough to make an escape. More...>

OC Sheriff's Department to Hold Safety & Law Enforcement Meeting at Oak Knoll April 2
 The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is holding a Neighborhood Watch meeting to address the community on all matters concerning safety and law enforcement in Ladera Ranch at the Oak Knoll Clubhouse on Tuesday, April 2, beginning at 7:00 pm. The meeting is open to the public.

Join Ladera Times on Twitter @laderatimes to Keep Abreast of Breaking News & Updates
New Info in Last Month's Murder/Suicide
After this story ran in the March 2013 Ladera Times about the murder of 

Courtney Aoki (far right), 20, and the subsequent suicide of suspect, Ali Syed, also 20, the 

Sheriff's Department issued an update in which it said a suicide note was found on Ali Syed's computer, indicating that the events of the tragedy were planned in advance. It's also been reported that the victim was pregnant at the time of her murder. More...>

Ladera Times Is the ONLY  Source for Ladera Ranch News
 The only real source of news and information about Ladera Ranch is the Ladera Times, Ladera's hometown community newspaper. The March 2013 issue was delivered to every home, business and apartment complex in Ladera Ranch on Thursday, February 28. If you didn't receive your free copy, you can pick one up at most stores in Ladera Ranch, but hurry, they go quickly. This month's issue features a cover story on the Hills Family, which inspired the creation of the first Ronald McDonald House, a tragic story about the murder that took place in the Bannister Street Business District (see update below), a change in LARMAC executive management, and a membership drive by the Ladera Ranchero Chamber of Commerce, as well as the ever popular Police Blotter, and many of your favorite monthly columns including Pat Bates Speaks and CUSD News. To view a PDF of the issue online, click on March 2013 Ladera Times (allow time for the file to download). You can also read this and any of the past 12 issues online by clicking on "Back Issues."

Seeking Help to Raise Funds for Prosthetic Arm for Ladera's 6-Month-Old Blake McGraw
by Jim May
    Our little 6-month-old Ladera neighbor Blake McGraw needs our help to reach a goal of $20,000 for his much-needed prosthetic arm (see page 10 of the November 2012 Ladera Times). Everyone can help by spreading the appeal to their friends, neighbors, and business contacts. We have a simple fund raising package that is perfect for social groups, clubs, or friends and neighbors. We'd like to distribute it through volunteers in order to network the announcement to all those who may be interested and wish to help. Let's do this as a community! Rob and Janet Campbell have made a significant pledge from their Blackstone Realty Group to contribute 50% of their commission from the next home listing or sale. We plan to have a drawing for an original oil painting of Town Green by me. Each $50 donation earns one complimentary entry in the drawing for the oil painting (i.e., $100 = 2 entries). We plan to have Blake, shown above with his family (l-r): sister Brooklyn, father Milo, sister Kendall, and mother Krystal, pull the winner with his new hand when he is able. Please contact me anytime day or night for any further specifics and/or delivery of the information. I can email, mail, or hand-deliver it. To contact me: Jim May, 26 Drackert Lane, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694, email: jmay@maygroupinc.com, tel:949-388-0274 Cell:949-981-0776. In addition the Village Presbyterian Church has offered to become. Be sure to watch the video, entitled "Meet Blake" at www.halosforblake.com.

Ladera Thunder AYSO Girls Win Area Playoffs

The Ladera Ranch AYSO Girls-U14 team l won its Area Playoffs in which the team equalized the game 1-1 in the final minute of play and went on to win the ensuing penalty shootout 3-2 in what any of the spectators would testify was an extremely dramatic game of soccer. In the photo above are the Ladera Thunder, AYSO Fall 2012 team, back row, l-r: Petra Beal, Coach Dennis Baker, Leia O'Brian, Lauren Kesic, Kendall Anderson, Gillian Lado, Coach Mike Delaby, Kelly Baker, Lauryn Song, Coach Brent Song, and Julia Pacific.
Front row, l-r are Stephanie Magnelli, Shayah LaCour, Sarah Delaby-Gonzalez, Monica Aguirre, Nicole Garrido, Devyn Nguyen, and Julia Brecker.

18-Y-O Connor Traut Is Youngest Candidate
Elected to the Ladera Ranch Civic Council
by Jett McCormick
      The Ladera Ranch Civic Council (LRCC) held its elections online from September 12 to the 19.  There were four seats up for election and seven candidates. The four elected are Connor Traut, Jeff Hamilton, Jett McCormick, and Mike Mazza. Jett McCormick and Jeff Hamilton are incumbents. Last year, Connor Traut (right) was ruled ineligible to run as he was not 18, but committed to run again this year. His persistence paid off and he is now the youngest Board Member ever of the LRCC. Mike Mazza is a long time resident and community volunteer. Mike and Connor’s fresh perspective are a welcomed addition to the LRCC Board.


Free Homeowner's Mortgage Help Available
         Hundreds turned out recently for a free HOME (Home Owner Mobile Education) Preservation Workshop to learn about important steps to preserve home-ownership and avoid foreclosure, some traveling from as far away as Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties to attend the event. Learn more about this free federal service by calling 888-954-5337  or visiting www.KeepYourHomeCalifornia.org. More . . .>

'Open Mic' Hot Topics & Guests on 'OC Talk Radio'
        If you're not listening to Ladera Times Editor and Publisher Jim Schmitt's show, "Open Mic" on www.OCTalkRadio.net, you're missing a lot of fun, arguments, and dialogue as Jim and his guests deal with the hot topics of the day. Aired every Wednesday from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Open Mic features residents and business people of Ladera Ranch who have an interesting story to tell or subject to discuss. What's more, you can call in and join in the dialogue. You can also listen to re-runs of previous shows. More . . . >

List Your Business in 'Shop Ladera' Databank
        Ladera Times is launching a "Shop Ladera" campaign and to get things rolling, we’re creating a database of Ladera Ranch storefront and home-based businesses. It’s free to register your business in the data- base. Simply click on “Shop Ladera.” (Logo designed by Alex Dehesa, Creative Director.) To be listed in the database, which can be accessed by clicking on "Shop Ladera," a business must meet one of two criteria: 
                o Have a storefront or home-based business in Ladera Ranch, or 
                o Live in Ladera Ranch and have a business elsewhere.
Monthly Ladera Times Poll
Are you registered to vote in the November 6 Presidential Election (deadline is Monday, October 22, register online at www.ocvote.com.)



Letters to the Editor Must Be Identified 
    Signed letters, articles, photos, and news tips are not only welcomed but encouraged. However, the following policy with regard to submission of letters or news leads, posted under "About Us," is adhered to by responsibvle news organizations.
    o All submissions must contain the name, address, phone number, and signature of the person submitting the material. Email addresses would also be appreciated. 
    o Ladera Times reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit editorial material, photos, letters to the editor, and/or advertisements as it deems appropriate and consistent with the editorial policy of the publication. For more info on this and related matters, click About Us.

Ladera Events Posted on Website
   Ladera's 2010 activities are iin the Calendar of Events. Organizations intererested in posting their events are asked to email all details to LaderaTimes@cox.net.

 
 
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