Tow Truck

Committee's survey is one-sided Recently, I have followed the news regarding the Glendale Police Department's towing service contract, and I wanted to comment on actions taken regarding Gay's Automotive and Towing Inc. ("Council weighs towing services," Aug. 22) My wife and I have known Carvel and Pat Gay for the past 36 years, and have had many occasions to use their services. We have always received exceptional service through all of these years, and know the owners to be extremely honest and credible citizens of our community.

EDUCATION Glendale Unified stocks up on Blue Ribbons Glendale Unified School District was the only district in the state to have three elementary schools nominated for the Blue Ribbon School Program, part of President Bush's No Child Left Behind education initiative. Monte Vista, Mountain Avenue and Valley View Elementary made their grades, among 35 elementary schools nominated by State Supt. Of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. Each school nominated is ranked among the top 10% of the state and have met state targets for growth and performance, as well as federal progress requirements.

Robert Chacon Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives are looking for a Glendale business owner they believe is a member of a jewelry-store theft ring responsible for stealing items worth millions from businesses across Los Angeles and Orange counties, including a store in La Canada Flintridge. The Sheriff's Department has a $2-million arrest warrant for Ara Karapetian, 42, of Glendale. He owns Mirage Clothing and Armenian Express Inc., a money transfer business in Glendale, Det. Richard Lutz of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station said.

Everybody didn't always have a telephone. I can remember when a youngster would be called in from playing by the owner of the corner candy store to run and tell Mrs. Smith on Elm Street that she was wanted on the telephone in the third booth at Harry's. The youngster would run to the house to deliver the message and would receive 5 cents from Mrs. Smith for doing so as she raced down the street to take her call. Things have changed a whole lot since then.

Robert Chacon A La Canada Flintridge jewelry store owner is feeling a little lucky after he said he nabbed a tow-truck driver who was allegedly driving away with the store's safe. "My God helped me," said Avo Babayan, referring to Wednesday morning's attempted heist. Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies arrested the 38-year-old Los Angeles man who was driving the truck on suspicion of burglary. Deputies arrested a second Los Angeles man on suspicion of burglary, and detectives from the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station are investigating the possibility that more suspects were involved, Detective Sgt. Vic Ibarra said.

legs The driver charged with causing an accident that severed a Glendale man's legs pleaded not guilty Thursday in a Pasadena courtroom, officials said. Choon Suk Ro, 41, of Montrose was charged with two counts of felony hit and run, two counts of felony DUI, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of driving with a suspended license, one count of destruction of evidence, and one count of possession of marijuana in a car, California Highway Patrol Officer Vince Bell said.

Darleene Barrientos A driver who allegedly caused a wreck that severely injured a Glendale tow-truck driver will be arraigned today on nine counts ranging from felony hit-and-run to felony drunk driving. Authorities filed the case Wednesday against Choon Suk Ro, 41, California Highway Patrol Officer Vince Bell said. Ro, who lives in Montrose, was charged with two felony counts of hit-and-run, two felony counts of driving under the influence, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, one count of driving with a suspended license, one count of destruction of evidence, and one count of possession of marijuana in a car, Bell said.

Donations are being accepted to support a local tow-truck driver and his family as he recovers from a car accident that severed his legs. Monterey Tow is accepting donations for the David Garcia Trust Fund at its two Glendale shops on behalf of the 25-year-old Glendale man. The money will be deposited at a Verdugo Banking Co., Monterey Tow owner Bob Morris said. Garcia was called out June 19 to help a disabled car on the shoulder of the northbound Glendale (2)

Darleene Barrientos A Montrose man turned himself in to the California Highway Patrol on Thursday afternoon after he allegedly rear-ended a disabled car and a tow truck, severely injuring the truck driver. Choon Suk Ro, 41, was arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run, CHP Officer Vince Bell said, adding that investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the accident. Ro was driving north on the Glendale (2) Freeway, between Chevy Chase and Holly drives, early Thursday when he struck a car on the shoulder, Bell said.

Gretchen Hoffman Area organizations are offering free rides New Year's Eve to try to keep revelers from getting behind the wheel after they've been drinking. Travelers on Metropolitan Transit Authority buses can ride for free from 9 p.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. Wednesday. The Glendale Beeline will stop running at 7 p.m. Tuesday under its usual schedule. The Automobile Club of Southern California is offering its annual Tipsy Tow program from 6 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday.