EL
PAISANO RIO HONDO COLLEGE NEWSPAPER est. 1964 Serving the Rio Hondo Community
Tuesday February 27, 2018
Volume 56 Issue 3
ICE Protests Breaks Out at El Monte Northgate Market
Senator Tony Mendoza Resigns CESAR GONZALEZ Reporter cesar.gonzalez6118@my.riohondo.edu
Feb. 22 - Senator Tony Mendoza of Artesia presented his letter of resignation via Facebook at 11:48 a.m. after the accusations made against him last fall 2017. He based his letter on the accusations made against him for sexual misconduct last fall. One woman in her 20s who worked as a Senate-fellow, or participant in the legislative processes, in Mendoza’s Capitol office was the first to speak out, weeks thereafter, other women made the same accusations against the 46-yearold California Senator. Mendoza, before taking a seat in the senate, was a former East Los Angeles school teacher for elementary children. He later made his way to becoming an elected local official for the state government. The investigation against Mendoza had been going on for three months up until his final resignation. In his letter of resignation, he specifically mentioned Senate President Pro Tem Kevin de Leon. Mendoza wrote, “De Leon ordered up a secret investigation in my case, without any due process or providing me with any specific charges, acContinued on page 4
BRAYAN ALTAMIRANO/EL PAISANO NEWS Protestors displayed their animosity towards immigration and ICE in the Northgate Market parking lot, the morning of Feb. 21.
RAMON ALVARADO Editor-in-Chief
ramon.alvarado7328@my.riohondo.edu
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were expected to investigate the Northgate Market in El Monte early Wednesday, Feb. 21 morning. The agents
Reporter
rodolpho.juarezpinedo2776@my.riohondo.edu
OLIVIA VENEGAS
Opinion & Lifestyles Editor olivia.venegas4091@my.riohondo.edu
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour in Buena Park shared their night of success with the public for their second feature on the CNBC’s show The Profit. Farrell’s has been an American ice cream parlor for decades and created the iconic Worlds Famous Farrell’s Zoo. It was the largest sundae in the world that consisted of Continued on page 3
shopping center noticed there were less shoppers than usual. The Northgate Market also appeared to have fewer employees than they regularly do. Only a couple registers were open and only a few workers were on the floor. Outside, protesters waved “Immigrants are Welcomed
Here” and “ICE is not Welcomed Here” signs as cars rode passed the intersection of Peck Rd. and Ramona Blvd, where the market is located. One anti-ICE protester, a young El Monte resident who chose to remain anonymous had a speaker which Continued on page 4
Speech and Debate Team Brings Home Multiple Wins
The Profit Takeover at Farrell’s RODOLFO PINEDO
were to check the Northgate Market’s employees work permits, making sure they were all legally able to work. Police, media and El Monte residents flooded the markets’ parking lot as they awaited the ICE agents’ arrival. Residents who frequently visited the Northgate Market
RODOLFO PINEDO Reporter
rodolpho.juarezpinedo2776@my.riohondo.edu
Rio Hondo had strength and numbers on their side at the Tabor-Venitsky Tournament hosted by Cerritos Community College the weekend of Feb. 16-18. On Friday, Gabriela Rodriguez and Dylan Logan were able to break into the elimination rounds representing Rio Hondo in winning bronze. On Sunday, Rio Hondo showed up especially strong and ready for IPDA Debate with a team size reaching the 20’s. The experienced mem
bers of the team were joined by many new faces wanting to get a feel for the Speech and Debate experience. In the end, Rio’s team did exceptionally well in breaking into the elimination rounds with Rodolfo Juarez-Pinedo, Alberto Sampieri, Dylan Logas, and Brandon Leon
all winning bronze. Vice President of the team Jonathan Kaldas brought home a silver in IPDA Debate. In overall speaking awards, Rio Hondo had many members reach the top 20 with Gabriela Rodriguez in 7th, Jonathan Kaldas in 10th, Felix Rodriguez in 15th, and
Rodolfo Juarez-Pinedo in 17th. For Overall Sweeps, Rio Hondo achieved 4th in the community college bracket. The Tabor-Venitsky tournament was, more importantly, an overall learning experience for the new members of the team. Not only did they learn firsthand how to become great debaters but also bonded over a new experience strengthening the team. Rio Hondo’s Speech and Debate team is currently practicing for their next tournament, the PSCFA Spring Champs. It’s expected to be held on Feb. 23 at Cal State Long Beach.