Bridge Fire in LA, San Bernardino Counties Destroys Dozens of Structures

The Bridge Fire that erupted in the San Gabriel Canyon above Glendora continued to swell in size Wednesday as it chewed through terrain and structures in San Bernardino County, becoming the largest active blaze in California. The wildfire was reported around 3 p.m. Sunday near the area of East Fork and Glendora Mountain roads, according […]

LA, Southland Remember Lives Lost in Sept. 11 Terror Attacks

Walking around rows of wood, pipes and other materials, Thomas Kitahata was focused on renovating his garage until he was paged by his wife and he looked up at screens in front of the hardware store, watching as the events of Sept. 11, 2001, unfolded. Twenty-three years later, Kitahata, who is now a captain with […]

Infant Abducted, Found; Father Arrested

A 9-month-old boy, allegedly abducted by his father overnight, was found unharmed Wednesday and the suspect was arrested a couple of hours afterward, authorities said. According to the California Highway Patrol, which issued an Amber Alert on behalf of the Huntington Park Police Department, Jaydan Avalos was taken by 18-year-old David Avalos, whose last known […]

Temperatures Dipping, but Fire Danger Still High in Some Areas

After a week of often-oppressive heat, cooler temperatures began to give the Southland a cool-down Wednesday, but forecasters warned that the fire danger will remain elevated in some areas due to continued dry conditions. A red flag warning of heightened fire danger will remain in effect until 10 a.m. Thursday in the eastern San Gabriel […]

Defendant in Johnny Wactor Murder Case Pleads to Theft, Attempted Robbery

One of four people charged in connection with the shooting death of former “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempted robbery and grand theft charges. Leonel Gutierrez, 18, made an open plea to the court, meaning his guilty plea was made without any agreement with prosecutors about his sentence. It will be […]

Man Found Competent to Stand Trial in Fatal Metro Train Stabbing

A man has been found mentally competent to stand trial for allegedly fatally stabbing a woman on a Metro B (Red) Line train in the Studio City area. Elliott Tramel Nowden — who appeared Wednesday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom — is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 17 on one count each of murder […]

LA City Council Takes One Step Closer to Right to Counsel Ordinance

The city of Los Angeles moved one step closer to establishing a right to counsel ordinance Wednesday, which would codify legal defense for renters facing eviction. City Council members voted 11-0 to direct the city attorney to revise a draft ordinance for clarity purposes, as well as to better define certain provisions within. The city […]

Trial Begins for Man Accused of Gunning Down Passenger in Car in Irvine

A 43-year-old man opened fire on a friendly acquaintance from work in the passenger seat of a rental car while the two were returning home from a drug run to northern California, killing the victim, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday as the defendant’s attorney said it was a case of self-defense. Vicente Dulay Deguzman is […]

Six Arrested in Connection with ID Theft Cases

Six Orange County residents were rounded up Wednesday by federal authorities on indictments for identity theft to collect unemployment benefits. Three indictments allege seven defendants were involved in the thefts of identities to illegally collect unemployment benefits, federal prosecutors said. Tien Vo, 43, of Westminster, Crystal Nguyen, 35, of Garden Grove, Thao Nguyen, 46, of […]

Federal Appeals Panel Affirms Real Estate Company’s Convictions in Huizar Case

A federal appeals court Wednesday upheld a Chinese-owned real estate development company’s convictions for bribing disgraced former Los Angeles City Councilman José Huizar with more than $1.5 million in cash, gambling trips and escorts in exchange for the then-councilman’s support of a planned downtown hotel project. The company, Shen Zhen New World I, was owned […]

Authorities ID Pedestrian Killed in Hit-And-Run in Lancaster

A 48-year-old woman who was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver while walking in Lancaster was identified Wednesday. Guillermina Valencia was struck around 10:30 p.m. Monday at Third Street East and Avenue I, according to the county Department of Medical Examiner and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. She was pronounced dead at the scene. […]