SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE Web » Brewers respond to Budweiser ad. insidesocal.com/beer/ An edition of the Thursday, February 5, 2015 $1.00 COLLEGE RECRUITING MERGER DEAL Did Iman Marshall tip the scales for USC over UCLA? Sports FACEBOOK.COM/SGVTRIBUNE Staples’ Office Depot buy driven by competition TODAY Business » A6 See the full weather forecast » PAGE A15 TWITTER.COM/SGVTRIBUNE VETERANS AFFAIRS FRI. H: 77 L: 53 » SAT. H: 76 L: 50 H: 69 L: 55 sgvtribune.com COVINA-VALLEY USD DA: No sex charges vs. South Hills teachers ‘It lessens the anxiety of veterans calling for an appointment, because now they have an opportunity to (get) an appointment elsewhere.’ GIVING VETS — Richard Valdez, California legislative affairs director for Disabled American Veterans District still going ahead with dismissal notices By Jason Henry [email protected] @JasonMHenry on Twitter The Orange County District Attorney charged two South Hills High School teachers Wednesday with a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly providing five male students with alcohol during an unauthorized camping trip to San Clemente Beach. The two Covina-Valley Unified teachers, Melody Lippert, 38, of Covina, and Michelle Ghirelli, 30, of West Covina, were arrested on Jan. 17. The district placed them on paid leave the next day. Lippert was originally arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Ghirelli was arrested on suspicion of oral copulation and unlawful sex with a minor. “We investigated the sexual charges and we can’t prove those CHARGES » PAGE 10 MEASLES OUTBREAK THE CHOICE 8.7 Health care: Veterans across the region are getting cards allowing them to be treated at non-VA facilities Million veterans served by the VA. 1.9 By Jim Steinberg » [email protected] » @JamesDSteinberg on Twitter Million veterans now authorized to use VA Choice. Thousands of veterans across Southern California, who have endured long waits for medical care under a troubled health care system, are beginning to receive cards for a new Veterans Affairs program designed to shorten the distance and time to meet their health needs. ¶ It’s a simple white card, but it’s an immediate effect from a big plan VA officials are hoping will restore trust in the VA system. ¶ The card allows veterans to be treated at a non-VA health facility in cases where they live more than 40 miles from a VA hospital or clinic. And, it allows them to get treatment 16,750 Health care providers who have signed up to provide care in the region. Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs VETERANS » PAGE 4 Lawmakers hope to repeal vaccination exemption By Susan Abram [email protected] @sabramLA on Twitter As measles cases continue to climb, legislation introduced Wednesday by two state senators would mean no California parent could refuse to vaccinate a child unless there is a medical complication or a religious exemption. Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, a pediatrician, and Sen. Ben Allen, D-Redondo Beach, a former president of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified school board, said the goal behind their legislation is to reduce the number of preventable communicable diseases in California. “As a pediatrician, I’ve been worried about the anti-vaccination trend for a long time,” Pan said in a statement. “I’ve personally witnessed the suffering caused by these preventable diseases, and I am very grateful to the many par- Above: The Choice Card allows veterans to be treated at facilities other than a VA center. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MICAH ESCAMILLA STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Online extra: Get the latest health care news from California and the nation at SGVTRIBUNE. COM/TOPIC/HEALTH MEASLES » PAGE 4 CRASH OPINION HEALTH DINING OUT Taiwan plane hoisted from river; 31 dead San Dimas should stick with the incumbents Lung cancer surpasses breast cancer as top killer Dim sum eating done right at Din Tai Fung Airliner’s wing hits a bridge shortly after takeoff from Taipei airport with 58 aboard, car dashcam shows. PAGEA14 Councilmen Emmett Badar and John Ebiner have proved themselves able leaders in this well-run city. PAGE A11 Leading cause of cancer deaths among women in wealthy countries is linked to smoking, report finds. PAGE A16 The restaurant chain is a perfect spot for dumplings and more. HTTP://BIT.LY/1ZMPRN6 INDEX Lottery ............A2 Cheapskate... A15 Obituaries ..... A10 Business .........A6 Opinion ........... A11 Welcome to your new favorite reading nook Our newest buses feature extra comfy seats, personal reading lights and overhead compartments to store your bags. Find a trip you can cozy up on now at foothilltransit.org. Going Good Places Puzzles .....A12,C2 Comics .A13,C2,3 A NEWSPAPER 7 88685 00006 4