Are you a strategic finance professional ready to lead with vision and integrity The Palmdale Water District is seeking a seasoned Finance Manager/Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee the financial operations of one of California’s most innovative water agencies you will provide strategic oversight for accounting and financial reporting while leading a dedicated team Reporting directly to the General Manager/CEO you’ll play a pivotal role in organizational planning This is an exciting opportunity to shape financial strategy and support the District’s long-term sustainability and service excellence Be part of a mission-driven agency committed to fiscal responsibility Learn more and apply: https://www.cpshr.us/recruitment/pwdcfo Palmdale Water District website: https://www.palmdalewater.org 2025-05-05T07:41:43-07:00May 5 2025-05-02T09:39:58-07:00May 2 2025-05-02T08:40:53-07:00May 2 2025-05-04T09:32:06-07:00April 30 2025-04-30T17:06:48-07:00April 30 A bicyclist was killed following a collision with a vehicle at the intersection of Fort Tejon Road and Essex Drive in Palmdale on Friday evening According to the Palmdale Sheriff’s deputies authorities were dispatched to the scene at approximately 8:10 p.m after receiving reports of a crash involving a vehicle and a bicyclist Initial reports indicate that a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo was traveling northbound on Fort Tejon Road at an unknown speed when it struck the bicyclist who was attempting to cross west to east onto Essex Drive Paramedics from the Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived and attempted lifesaving measures but the bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene Bicycle accidents often lead to severe injuries that can create lasting physical it is important to have experienced legal representation to protect your rights and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve we are committed to advocating for injured cyclists throughout Palmdale Our legal team works diligently to hold negligent parties accountable and secure the results our clients need from obtaining police reports and gathering medical records to negotiating with insurance companies and preparing for trial when necessary Our Palmdale bicycle accident attorneys understand the unique risks cyclists face and the legal strategies required to build a strong, effective claim. With more than $750 million recovered for injury victims across California Arash Law is recognized as a trusted leader in personal injury law Being involved in a bicycle accident can be overwhelming and life-changing The actions you take in the moments and days following the incident are crucial for your health Knowing what to do can make a meaningful difference as you navigate the challenges ahead I HAD AN ACCIDENT In 2023, preventable deaths from bicycle-related transportation incidents increased by 1 percent, rising from 1,364 fatalities in 2022 to 1,377. Over the last decade, bicycle fatalities increased by 53 percent, up from 902 deaths in 2014 preventable nonfatal injuries showed a different trend Bicycle-related injuries rose by 1 percent in 2023 there was a 29 percent decrease over the past ten years dropping from 480,212 injuries in 2014 to 341,774 in 2023 Fatal bicycle accidents tend to spike during warmer months with deaths typically rising in July and remaining high through October October recorded the most bicycle fatalities (156 deaths) Six people were injured following a five-vehicle crash on the northbound 15 Freeway near Highway 138 in the Cajon Pass A bicyclist sustained serious injuries after being hit by a vehicle in Sacramento on Saturday evening According to the Sacramento Police Department and another woman and two children sustained injuries following a two-vehicle head-on crash in El Dorado Hills A motorcyclist was killed following a suspected DUI crash in Merced on Saturday afternoon Two young men were killed following a suspected DUI crash in Fresno on Friday night and two others sustained non-life-threatening injuries following a multi-vehicle collision in the Westlake community of Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon California’s Powerhouse Accident Lawyers With a consecutively proven track record Disclaimer: Not every one of our firm’s attorneys has received the recognitions stated here Visit the attorneys’ specific profile page under the ‘Our Firm’ tab for specific attorney recognitions (888) 488-1391 Do I Have A Case? Let’s Chat 2960 Wilshire Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 9001024hr Local Line: (213) 277-587824hr Local Line: (310) 277-7529Available by appointment only 333 University Ave. #200Sacramento, CA 9582524hr Local Line: (916) 414-9552Available by appointment only 505 Montgomery St. #1000San Francisco, CA 9411124hr Local Line: (415) 969-7799Available by appointment only 15233 Ventura Blvd. #500Sherman Oaks, CA 9140324hr Local Line: (818) 696-4440Available by appointment only 99 South Almaden Blvd. #600San Jose, CA 9511324hr Local Line: (408) 766-3161Available by appointment only 11801 Pierce St. #200Riverside, CA 9250524hr Local Line: (951) 530-4659Available by appointment only 8880 Rio San Diego Dr #800San Diego, CA 9210824hr Local Line: (619) 431-4840Available by appointment only 185 N. Hill Ave. #201Pasadena, CA 9110624hr Local Line: (626) 723-3933Available by appointment only This website is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice Please do not act or refrain from acting based on anything you read on this site Using this site or communicating with the law offices of arash khorsandi through this site does not form an attorney/Client relationship Copyright © 2025 The Law Office of Arash Khorsandi Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Accessibility | Careers WE’VE RECOVERED OVER $750 MILLION FOR OUR CLIENTS Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More — “That was on the president’s desk,” Mayor Austin Bishop said of the replica of the White House that sits on his own desk at Palmdale City Hall It’s a memento from his past when he worked on the TV show “I’m a local 729 set painter and set designer Bishop would get an early start since he had to drive from Palmdale to Burbank or Century City because the 14 Freeway does start getting real busy around that time,” he explained It stays busy all the way till around six or 7 p.m.” Palmdale is a hot spot for so-called super commuters with almost 17% of workers who live in the city commute 90 minutes or more to work “That’s why it’s important to try to bring the opportunities here,” Mayor Bishop said He points to opportunities like the ones created by a massive new Trader Joe’s food assembly and distribution center that’s scheduled to be up and running in the next few weeks The Antelope Valley has long been a hub for the industry and something Republican Congressman Mike Garcia says he’s worked to maintain — particularly jobs connected to Department of Defense contracts “The job is to make sure that we keep these aerospace and defense jobs in Southern California,” he explained “It is difficult to do business with California’s regulations and taxes.” He calls economic development — especially in the Antelope Valley one that “falls into one of the major security buckets of economic security.” He stresses the need to train people to fill current vacancies and attract new companies to the region “We literally have jobs looking for people right now,” he stated “We not only need to find the work and bring the big programs to the district but also help the workforce develop so that we can sustain these programs.” also emphasizes the need to increase the presence of industries of all sizes in the district pointing out that commuting 20 hours a week is like a half-time job just to get to work He told the story of how it took one small business owner in Agua Dulce 14 months to navigate through the LA County permitting process.  “We should be making it easier rather than harder for folks to set up new businesses.”  Whitesides refers to small businesses as “the main driver of job growth in the United States” and would like to see elected officials streamline the process so entrepreneurs can start businesses and stay in business.  “We can look at tax policy to reduce the burden on entrepreneurs and small businesses,” he said “We can look at other ways to support industries like aerospace or medicine or entertainment so that those industries grow in our district.” Mayor Bishop — who now owns his own printing business minutes away — points to the site LA County has selected to open a massive facility where Metro will produce and test thousands of railcars and buses He says big projects like that and the Trader Joes facility mean big infrastructure changes “Because once a large company like this comes in,” he said He hopes to create a road to new opportunities that aren’t a super commute away Wildflower blooms aren't the only thing the spring season seems to have brought to Southern California − a pair of bald eagles has also been swept in with the warm winds in Palmdale Resident wildlife enthusiasts have spotted the pair since the beginning of March according to Lancaster resident David Emenheiser "I don't know if they are just passing through or [if they've found a] new habitat, but they have been around for the last couple of weeks," Emenheiser said in a comment on his post on Facebook The Lancaster resident photographed the couple up close on his Canon R5 which digitized spectacularly clear photos of the pair perched on barren branches in the southeast corner of Fin and Feather streets Emenheiser has always wanted to photograph birds of prey − specifically eagles − but didn't think there were enough around Southern California When he finally made the decision to try and find the American icon he was able to find them in three different locations within a couple of weeks "I've been in the Antelope Valley for 43 years and I've never heard of [eagles] being here before," Emenheiser said Big Bear nest a hub of activity: Jackie and Shadow’s eagle chicks finally named may be the same eagle from Spring Lake Valley High Desert resident Jacqui Fleming said she hopes the Spring Lake Valley eagle finds a mate soon for the type of happy-ever-after that the Big Bear eagle couple Emenheiser reports that the last sighting of the Palmdale pair was about March 29 and thinks that they are still in the area He also saw a tagged eagle 15 minutes from Palmdale at Elizabeth Lake on March 3 which is supposedly from the Channel Islands and hasn't been seen in the area in eight years The two surviving baby birds are growing rapidly spreading their wings in preparation to fly soon (called "wingersizing") and are healthily eating to their heart's content McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@gannett.com Sign Up for Newsletter Los Angeles County’s Pathway Home program recently helped 86 people surviving in makeshift desert encampments and dilapidated RVs in Palmdale move into safe interim housing where they will receive supportive services and other resources to help them transition out of homelessness and into permanent housing The tally is expected to rise as the operation continues “I’m proud of the collaborations that made this Pathway Home operation happen,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger “Every Pathway Home project is unique and requires its own combination of resources to meet the needs of the people experiencing homelessness the County and city of Palmdale are coming together to remove RV encampments by conducting extensive outreach offering interim housing on the spot to those who accept housing offers and leveraging support from the Sheriff’s Department to properly dispose of RVs so they aren’t reused in the future “The LA County Homeless Initiative did an incredible job disbanding the largest homeless encampment in Palmdale,” said Mayor Austin Bishop “They brought much-needed assistance to the unhoused struggling to survive in our harsh climate they helped restore the quality of life to the surrounding neighborhoods and made a significant environmental impact to the desert landscape This is one of many vital collaborations that make our city a more compassionate and better place to live for all.”  LA County conducted Phase 1 of Pathway Home Palmdale on July 22nd during a heat wave when temperatures in the desert reached a high of 106 In addition to bringing 86 people into safe and secure interim housing with running water and air conditioning The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and nonprofit service providers Mental Health America Los Angeles LA Family Housing and Valley Oasis were essential to bringing unsheltered residents in Palmdale indoors after having built trusting relationships with them by providing engagement and support during their unhoused experience Volunteers of America is providing them with supportive services at the motel operating as their interim housing location The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) were also critical partners in the operation particularly the LASD Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) which was instrumental in all aspects of the operation Pathway Home is an LA County Homeless Initiative-led encampment resolution program that is a critical component of the County’s comprehensive response to the local emergency on homelessness adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2023 By leveraging emergency powers and partnerships with local jurisdictions Pathway Home is a full-circle solution that brings people off the streets into immediately available interim housing accompanied by a comprehensive suite of supportive services LA County Homeless Initiative Senior Manager Carter Hewgley briefs the Pathway Home team ahead of their encampment resolution operation in Palmdale — The LASD Civilian Oversight Commission said a whistleblower has come forward with new deputy gang allegations The unnamed deputy says there is a new secret tattooed group of deputies in the Palmdale station.  This revelation arrives as Sherrif Robert Luna said he’s making progress toward eradicating the deputy gangs inside the department Capital & Main reporter Cerise Castle joins Kate Cagle on "Your Afternoon" to discuss Commissioner Hans Johnson says despite Sheriff Luna implementing 19/26 recommendations to eliminate deputy gangs from the Department’s Civilian Oversight Commission, Johnson has heard about a new gang in the Antelope Valley. My sources say it’s called New School. Here is the logo pic.twitter.com/l4YkZSTCdv Print A lieutenant at the Palmdale station announced this week that he will challenge Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna in the primary election becoming the first opposition candidate in a race more than a year away At a campaign kick-off event Wednesday in Santa Clarita Oscar Martinez promised to bring strong leadership to the largest sheriff’s department in country along with a focus on modernizing the agency and supporting deputies “Today, I am putting my career and everything that I’ve worked for on the line, not for personal gain but for my partners in law enforcement as well as for the future of public safety in our communities,” he told attendees. “Radical agendas have taken [over] our schools, many of our city governments, our county board, our state leadership and sadly they are now dismantling law enforcement from within.” A U.S. Marine combat veteran who’s been with the department for 16 years, Martinez is a registered Republican — though he told The Times he didn’t think that would matter, even in a deeply blue place such as Los Angeles. “This is a nonpartisan race, and I’m running to protect the citizens of this county,” he said in an interview. “No politics, just public safety.” Born in the Dominican Republic, Martinez immigrated to the East Coast in his youth and spent eight years in the U.S. Marines, serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. He settled in the Los Angeles area in 2006 and joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department two years later. Since then, he said, he’s worked in the jails, been a chief’s executive aide, served as spokesman under the last administration and currently is watch commander at the Palmdale sheriff’s station. California County sheriff’s deputy was found guilty of excessive force after an incident in which he threw a woman to the ground in Lancaster He said he decided to run for office after other deputies and community members encouraged him to, particularly in the wake of a controversial incident that ended with the federal conviction this year of a Lancaster sheriff’s deputy who was found guilty of using excessive force “Deputies had just had enough — they don’t feel supported,” he said “You have deputies out there worried they’re going to get fired for putting handcuffs a little too tight on a suspect.” Key issues he wants to tackle include defending the 2nd Amendment finding more resources to support veterans in the department and preventing the release of violent criminals On social media and in his interview with The Times, Martinez stressed his interest in pushing the state to change its immigration enforcement approach, saying he would lobby for tweaks to a law that prevents local law enforcement agencies from holding people in jail for extra time solely for immigration agents to pick them up we have to release them into the general population “We need to have a working relationship with ICE.” particularly when it comes to resource allocation deputies should not be diverted away from contract cities to staff specialized teams such as the Mental Evaluation Team which is trained to respond to calls involving people having mental health crises until the department’s staffing levels improve County sheriffs for the decades is the stream of allegations about tattooed internal gangs running amok at certain stations but Martinez acknowledged that exclusionary groups exist in the department “Every institution the size of our agency has cliques,” he said I guarantee if I go to IBM there there’s cliques there.” He said the problem stemmed from a lack of leadership and that by providing strong leadership and vision he would eliminate the need for deputies to joint the controversial groups Challenging an elected sheriff can be a difficult task author of “The Highest Law in the Land,” incumbents win reelection roughly 90% of the time a little-known lieutenant who mounted an improbable campaign to lead one of the nation’s largest policing agencies will replace Jim McDonnell as Los Angeles County sheriff marking a stunning upset for a seat that hasn’t seen an incumbent lose in more than a century he’s faced many of the problems that bedeviled prior sheriffs: poor jail conditions allegations about deputy gangs and persistent staffing woes But he’s also made good on promises to provide more even-keeled leadership and repair fractured relationships with other county leaders Last year, amid speculation to the contrary, he told The Times that he would “absolutely” run for reelection. As of Friday morning, the county registrar’s site listed him and Martinez as the only candidates in the race. In a statement Friday, Luna touted his record of keeping communities safe and bringing stability to the department. “Since becoming Sheriff, violent crime has fallen every year in the areas patrolled by LASD, and 2024 saw the fewest number of homicides in the past five years,” he said. “In addition, uses of force have decreased, and our reforms, including our Office of Constitutional Policing and policy banning law enforcement gangs, have increased public trust in the Department.” Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map Video from the Sheriff’s Department shows a deputy in Palmdale punching a woman carrying her baby after a traffic stop Print Nearly two years after a Black mother sued the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department because a Palmdale deputy punched her in the face during a wrongful arrest Timothy Gardner — who was fired over the 2022 incident — lodged his complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday He accused the Sheriff’s Department of wrongly firing him because it was “bad optics” for a white officer to hit a Black woman which he says he did only in an attempt to save her child from a risky situation “Deputy Gardner saved a baby when the suspect was threatening to break the baby’s legs,” the suit alleged the Sheriff’s Department said it had not yet been served with the lawsuit but that it takes all use-of-force incidents seriously Although the county has not yet responded to the claim in court, lawyers for the county previously defended Gardner’s actions in their response to the 2023 federal lawsuit filed by Yeayo Russell, the young mother Gardner punched “The conduct of the involved deputies was objectively reasonable,” the county’s lawyers wrote in their legal response two years ago adding that the “deputies were acting in self-defense and defense of others.” for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs — the union representing rank-and-file deputies — said Gardner’s handling of the case “deserves praise” and criticized the department’s decision to fire him with little understanding of the circumstances fired Deputy Gardner for his decisive action in rescuing a three-week-old child from the aggressive grip of an irate suspect resisting arrest,” union Vice President Thomas Ferguson told The Times in an emailed statement “ALADS is certain that if the public knew all the details of this case — they would agree that the deputy should be immediately restored to duty.” The deputies arrested the female passengers on suspicion of felony child endangerment. They arrested the male driver on suspicion of felony child endangerment, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. On Wednesday night, the Sheriff’s Department released a video regarding a use-of-force incident. In the course of those arrests, deputies used force on two of the women, one of whom was Russell. The bulk of an eight-minute body-camera video of the incident released by the Sheriff’s Department shows a tense exchange between several deputies and a woman clutching her baby. The deputies repeatedly asked the woman to give up the child so they could arrest her. “Forcefully taking your child from you is not what’s best,” one deputy said. “Taking my child from me is not what’s best,” the woman responded. After several minutes of back-and-forth, the deputies pried the woman’s hands apart and took the child from her arms. Then, deputies said they planned to arrest Russell too. Yeayo Russell, who was at the center of a controversial video, listens as her attorneys discuss the filing of a lawsuit against L.A. County and its deputies in 2023. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) “Y’all gonna have to shoot me dead to take my baby from my arms,” she said, before a struggle ensued. While at least two deputies held her by the wrists and arms, video shows a third threw two punches at her head as she clung to her baby with one arm. The chaotic video footage does not provide a clear perspective, but, according to the lawsuit, at one point Russell’s baby was left hanging upside down as another deputy pulled on the child’s leg. Court filings entered as part of the lawsuit show the matter reached a tentative settlement last year, though the agreement is awaiting approval by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. The records did not specify the dollar value of the settlement, and Russell’s attorneys did not immediately offer comment. Gardner’s filings paint the case differently. “On July 13, 2022, Deputy Gardner rescued a baby from a suspect who was belligerently and defiantly holding the baby precariously and threatening to break the baby’s legs,” the suit alleges. “Deputy Gardner came to the call to assist the handling deputies.” The deputies on the scene “did everything they could” to de-escalate the situation — but their efforts failed, the suit says. Eventually, believing “the baby’s health and life were at risk,” Gardner “did not use his gun or taser, but instead simply used his hands to save the baby.” Lawyers for Yeayo Russell said she was breastfeeding her baby when deputies pulled over the car and arrested her violently tugging on her baby’s leg before taking the child the administration of Alex Villanueva — still the sheriff in the summer of 2022 — reviewed the incident and decided that Gardner had done nothing wrong newly elected Sheriff Robert Luna called a news conference to release body-camera footage of the incident and announce his decision to turn the case over to the FBI for further investigation “I found the punching of the woman and the circumstances completely unacceptable,” he said at the time, adding that he “took swift action” and relieved the deputy of duty after finding out about it a few days earlier. An online fundraiser later garnered more than $39,000 in donations to support Gardner and his family. Ultimately, Gardner was not just relieved of duty but first suspended and then fired, according to the suit. Now, Vincent Miller, the lawyer representing Gardner, says that hasty termination doesn’t square with the department’s arguments in response to Russell’s lawsuit. “Deputy Gardner was terminated for doing no wrong,” Miller wrote in this week’s legal complaint. “As a result of the termination, he has lost 30 years of future income as a peace officer, costing him millions of dollars in salary and retirement.” In addition to damages, Gardner is demanding his job back. World & Nation Print A pedestrian died Saturday night after being struck by a Metrolink train between the Lancaster and Palmdale stations About 70 passengers were stranded on the train for more than 90 minutes during the initial phase of the investigation and travel on the rail route between Lancaster and Union Station in downtown Los Angeles continued to be disrupted well into the evening about 11 minutes after the scheduled departure of Train 1282 from the Palmdale station with arrival at Union Station scheduled for 8:20 p.m The incident did not occur at a crossing — so it was in an area where a pedestrian should not have been approaching the tracks who could not immediately provide a more specific location The train stopped after the collision and first responders were summoned Passengers were kept on the train while an evaluation was made of whether the terrain allowed for a safe evacuation The initial decision was to hold them on board officials decided passengers could disembark Metrolink provided passengers a $50 rideshare voucher to help them get to their destinations “Essentially the train is now part of an investigation,” Gutierrez said “which is why we can’t move it until they complete their investigation.” preventing the passage of trains in either direction Within the first two hours of the fatal collision Metrolink was evaluating whether and when service could be resumed on part of the route Ticketed passengers on other affected trains also are being offered rideshare vouchers Metrolink is providing updates about the status of the service on its website and its X social media account: Lancaster police are investigating the incident. Howard Blume covers education for the Los Angeles Times. He’s won the top investigative reporting prize from the L.A. Press Club and print Journalist of the Year from the L.A. Society of Professional Journalists chapter. He recently retired “Deadline L.A.,” a past honoree for best public-affairs radio program, which he produced and co-hosted on KPFK-FM (90.7) for 15 years. He teaches tap dancing and has two superior daughters. California's leading Internet Service Provider proudly installed fiber internet to the first home in Palmdale kicking off the availability of fast fiber internet to the community Residents now have access to the area's fastest and most reliable fiber internet including previously unattainable performance levels and speeds up to 10 Gbps the Vice President of Construction and OSP at Race Communications is excited about the opportunities Race will bring to the community "It's an exciting time to bring fiber internet to Palmdale," Pacini said "As a city with previously limited options for fast and reliable service we're proud to be expanding our coverage area to the people of Palmdale Residents and business owners will now be able to take advantage of all Race has to offer including the fastest internet speeds in town and California-based customer support," Pacini added the first resident in Palmdale to receive 10 Gbps fiber internet a video game developer who works from home chose Race primarily because of its affordability compared to other providers like Spectrum He also expressed excitement about having a more stable internet connection which will help him communicate more efficiently with his team and enhance his ability to work from home He had previously experienced unreliable service with his former provider and he looks forward to the improvements Race's fiber internet will bring Friday's installation is just the first step in connecting Palmdale to future-proof service and Race is working relentlessly to expand its coverage across California The first Palmdale construction phase will bring service availability to over 6,000 homes and the initial phase of residents are now being connected Race will communicate with the residents to inform them of upcoming efforts using flyers and other measures to keep the public informed All of Palmdale Residents can now place a preorder for services at www.race.com/order  About Race Communications:Race Communications is a leading provider of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) services high-speed internet to communities across California Race has grown to serve hundreds of thousands of communities and continues to expand its network to reach underserved and rural areas Race is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and providing cutting-edge technology to all Californians Race has leveraged public grants and private investments totaling more than $850M Race offers customers everything they need to stay connected and California-based local customer support Customers can expect exceptional internet performance streamlining their communication and connection with the world please visit the Race Communications website at race.com or call 877.722.3833 [email protected] California's leading internet service provider proudly announces the expansion of its fiber-optic network into four new.. Race Communications is proud to announce the upgrade of their most affordable fiber internet plan bringing their minimum fiber internet offering.. Household, Consumer & Cosmetics Banking & Financial Services Telecommunications Industry Carriers and Services Do not sell or share my personal information: The Glades County Post Office site in Palmdale will temporarily halt operations Wednesday due to an unspecified "safety concern" according to an official announcement from the USPS No specific reason was provided for the stoppage at the Palmdale Post Office at 1134 Broadway Street NW The original announcement included a statement from the Postal Service: "The safety and well-being of our customers and our employees is a priority to the U.S We appreciate their patience as we address and resolve this safety concern Updates will be provided as soon as additional information becomes available." president of the Southwest Florida Area of the American Postal Workers Union of Florida representing clerks at Southwest Florida post offices said his union local had not been notified of any issues at the Palmdale facility "We knew nothing about it until I heard it from your station," he said Wednesday "It's a small office but important to people in that community Wood did say that there had been a mold issue at the office a few years ago "They assured me it had been taken care of," he said A query to the USPS on the cause for the stoppage resulted in the following statement from a Postal Service official: "As an integral part of the communities we serve Postal Service strives every day to provide excellent service to our customers Box Operations are being temporarily suspended at the Palmdale Post Office and relocated to the Labelle Post Office regarding the status of the Palmdale Post Office and any information contained in that notice should be disregarded We appreciate the patience of our valued customers and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause." The original announcement also listed that retail and Post Office box services would be available at a listed alternate location: Box customers are reminded to bring proper photo identification for mail and package pickups WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now 2025-04-30T17:06:48-07:00April 30, 2025| As the couple made their way across the parking lot that day, they were approached by two armed men, who robbed them before fleeing. At the time, it seemed like a random act of violence with a big payout, but federal authorities say it was actually an inside job. This week, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced that three Antelope Valley residents were charged in connection with the armed heist. Music Garth Brooks explains why he identified the woman who accused him of rape. Her attorneys claim he ‘outed her because he thinks the laws don’t apply to him.’ ATF officials identified the suspects as 24-year-old Tyjana Grayes of Palmdale, and Lancaster residents Jerry “Poppa” Wimbley Jr., 21, and Roman “Siete” Isaiah Smith, 24. A spokesman for Chase said the guard was an employee of a private security contractor. He said the company is cooperating with authorities. According to a federal grand jury indictment, the planning for the heist may have begun sometime in January after the couple showed up at a Chase branch in Palmdale to deposit a check for $315,301. The pair sought to withdraw about $200,000 but were told to return at a later date. At one point, Grayes, a private security guard for Chase Bank, allegedly learned of the scheduled pickup from a bank teller and passed the information along to Wimbley and Smith, according to the indictment. On Feb. 9, the two suspects allegedly drove to the bank and waited in the parking lot for the victims to pick up the money. Federal investigators said that, while working at the bank, Grayes sent a series of text messages and phone calls about the victims to an unnamed co-conspirator, who then passed the information along to Wimbley and Smith. As the couple were leaving the bank with the cash, federal investigators alleged that Wimbley and Smith exited their vehicle with semiautomatic handguns, threatened to shoot the victims and stole the money. Federal officials said that Wimbley then laundered the money by visiting the Commerce Casino and Hotel in Commerce beginning Feb. 10 through March 8, purchasing about $34,500 in gambling chips and cashing out about $168,700. On some of those visits, federal investigators said, Wimbley cashed out money without purchasing any chips. The suspects, who are scheduled to be arraigned this month, have been charged with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and interference with commerce by robbery; and aiding in or using a firearm during a crime of violence. Wimbley is also charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and three counts of money laundering. Meanwhile, Smith is facing murder charges in a separate case. If convicted of all charges, the suspects would each face a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Ruben Vives is a general assignment reporter for the Los Angeles Times. A native of Guatemala, he got his start in journalism by writing for The Times’ Homicide Report in 2007. He helped uncover the financial corruption in the city of Bell that led to criminal charges against eight city officials. The 2010 investigative series won the Pulitzer Prize for public service and other prestigious awards. Palmdale Oil continues to expand The Florida-based fuels and lubricants provider—which last year absorbed Maassen Oil Company—recently acquired Combs Oil Company Terms of the transaction were not disclosed “Combs Oil Company has built an exceptional reputation for high-quality fuel distribution services for customers across Southwest Florida,” Palmdale CEO Lachlan Cheatham said in a news release “This partnership will expand our presence in a target market and allows us to better serve our collective customers in the region “As we continue to focus on thoughtfully growing our footprint we are excited to expand our service offerings to the Combs customer base and want to thank [Comb Oil president] Dennis [Combs] and his team for all of their hard work building Combs into the business it is today.” Combs Oil boasts a nearly 60-year track record of high-quality distribution of gasoline and diesel fuel related products to customers throughout Southwest Florida Palmdale continues to expand its geographical footprint and strategic bulk plant storage infrastructure in the region “We are thrilled to join forces with Palmdale—a family-founded and operated business that shares our dedication to excellence and personalized customer service,” Combs said “This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Combs as part of an organization equally committed to going above and beyond for its customers “We look forward to bringing an enhanced offering to our customers alongside the Palmdale family.” — The Palmdale post office has been temporarily closed Postal Service says safety concerns are to blame A suspension notice was found on the front door Since Fox 4’s Hendry County Community Correspondent he went to Palmdale to see how neighbors feel about being forced into a longer commute for their mail service Watch Community Correspondent Austin Schargorodski's report here.. This post office has been a part of Palmdale for decades and the building is clearly showing its age Boxes are the only way many residents there can receive their mail “We’re very upset about it because we have to go at least 15-miles to LaBelle to get our mail and you have to deal with a treacherous highway: highway 29,” Gibson said “If you’re unlucky enough to get caught by the drawbridge you’re looking at an hour trip one way just to pick up your mail.” Tonya Sellers and her daughter Samantha worry it will be expensive too Tonya says she needs daily access to her P.O “Driving 15 miles a day one-way works out to 180 miles a week That’s just not feasible on a fixed income when you don’t get that much money for gas.” The Glades County Sheriff’s Office said this post office is privately owned and the owner hasn’t agreed to make the necessary repairs that the building needs Neighbors tell FOX 4 the building floods when it rains and it’s full of mold Postal Service shut it down over safety concerns nor did they provide a timeline for reopening neighbors like Larry and Tonya have sprung into action starting a petition for a solution “We’re trying to get a rural route established that or just get a temporary mail delivery out here,” Gibson said “There’s a community building down the street here they could have access to If they would bring the mail and pick up the old mail that would be sufficient for us until we get a new post office.” Tonya said the petition has gotten more than 300 signatures and she plans to present it to county officials This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.