Storm is Over, but High Surf, Flooding Issues Linger

A strong Pacific storm that doused Southern California with rain, damaging winds and flooding was largely out of the area Friday, but it left behind some remnant damage and continuing high surf that has led to some instances of coastal flooding. Some roadways across the Southland became overrun Thursday with water and debris, forcing some […]

LACo Urges Post-Holiday COVID Testing, Masks for Returning Workers, Students

With kids going back to school and many employees heading back to work after the holidays, Los Angeles County health officials Friday urged people to test for COVID-19 before returning to workplaces or campuses, and to wear a mask for 10 days to help prevent virus spread. County health officials pointed to the rising influence […]

Ex-USC Athletics Official Sentenced to Prison in Admissions Scandal

A former senior USC athletics administrator was sentenced Friday to six months behind bars for her role in the fraud and bribery scheme in which the children of wealthy parents gained admission to some of the country’s top universities as fake sports recruits. Donna Heinel, 61, was also ordered to serve two years of supervised […]

SoCal Gas Triples Contribution to Fund for Customers Impacted by High Prices

The Southern California Gas Co. Friday announced a $1 million contribution to the Gas Assistance Fund, a program that helps income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bills. Customers will be facing bills that could be double or higher compared to last year’s winter bills. The high bills are a result of historically high natural gas […]

Walk of Fame Star for Billy Idol Unveiled in Hollywood

A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled Friday honoring pioneering punk singer Billy Idol for a career in which he sold more than 40 million albums and was one of MTV’s first stars. Fellow punk singer Henry Rollins and artist Shepard Fairey were among those joining Idol at the ceremony in front […]

Man Sentenced to Life for Fire That Killed 10, Including Two Pregnant Women

A Palmdale man who was convicted of the murders of 10 people, including two pregnant women who died nearly three decades ago in an arson fire at an apartment building in the Westlake area of Los Angeles, was sentenced Friday to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Ramiro Alberto Valerio — whom prosecutors […]

Two Women Killed in Palmdale Crash ID’d

Two women who died in a crash in Palmdale were identified Friday. The crash was reported at 2:41 p.m. Thursday at 100th Street East and East Avenue R, according to the California Highway Patrol. The women were identified as 26-year-old Ericka Gonzalez of Los Angeles and 23-year-old Esmeralda Rangel of Little Rock, according to the […]

Woman Seeks to Move Remainder of Sexual Battery Case Back to Court

A woman who alleges she was forced to strip to her underwear and hug another undressed co-worker as part of a team-building activity while working at a Panda Express restaurant in Santa Clarita wants the remainder of her case removed from arbitration now that the restaurant chain has been dismissed as a defendant. In court […]

West LA Man Pleads Guilty to Production of Child Porn, Enticement of a Minor

A resident of the Westside of Los Angeles pleaded guilty Friday to federal criminal charges for using websites and apps such as Snapchat to meet and entice children to engage in sexually explicit conduct via video-chat then take screen shot images and videos of them. Mark David Wallin, 42, of the Del Rey area, pleaded […]

Former Bank Manager Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Yorba Linda

A former Bank of America Yorba Linda branch manager pleaded guilty Friday to stealing $1.2 million from the accounts of elderly customers. Lana Pothos, 59, of Anaheim pleaded guilty to a count of bank fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced July 10. Pothos and co-defendant Theron Fox, 49, of Tustin, who is awaiting trial, […]

Man Killed in Crash on 405 Freeway

A man was killed after being ejected during a multi-vehicle crash Friday on the San Diego (405) Freeway. Officers from the California Highway Patrol were called at 2:11 a.m. to the southbound 405 Freeway and the Santa Monica Boulevard off ramp where they found the victim on the freeway after the collision, a CHP spokesman […]