Will Indoor Mask Mandate Soon Return in LA County?

As expected, Los Angeles County moved Thursday into the federal government’s “high” COVID-19 activity category, sparking stepped-up warnings of widespread transmission of the virus and moving the area closer to another indoor mask-wearing mandate. The county had been in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “medium” COVID activity level. But that changed Thursday […]

After Series of Close Encounters, Wildlife Officials Plan Capture of P-22 Lion

After a series of close encounters with residents and apparent attacks on two dogs, wildlife officials announced plans Thursday to capture and evaluate the health of the Southland’s most famous mountain lion, P-22. The lion, one of many Southland-area cats being tracked by National Park Service researchers, has gained fame locally for his persistence and […]

Man Killed Crossing Street in Arleta ID’d

Authorities Thursday sought the public’s help to find a hit-and-run motorist responsible for fatally injuring a pedestrian in Arleta. The man died at the scene of his injury, which occurred about 10:20 p.m. Wednesday on Terra Bella Street west of Canterbury Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was later identified as Richard […]

LA Planning Commission Approves of Wildlife District in Santa Monica Mountains

In a first step of a pilot effort to coexist development in Los Angeles’ hillsides with its wildlife population, a proposed ordinance that would create a wildlife district in the Santa Monica Mountains between the 405 and 101 freeways passed the city’s planning commission Thursday by a 4-0 vote. If approved by the City Council, […]

Waiting Game Continues as Jury Deliberates in Weinstein Sex Assault Case

Jurors in the sex assault trial of former film producer Harvey Weinstein gathered for a fifth day of deliberations Thursday. The panel deliberated for about four hours Wednesday, following roughly 4 1/2 hours on both Monday and Tuesday and about two hours Friday afternoon. Thus far, the jury has not submitted any evidentiary questions to […]

Suspect Shot Victim Before Fire at Valley Glen Apartment, Police Say

A 24-year-old man was fatally shot early Thursday inside a Valley Glen apartment that was then set on fire, with firefighters discovering the body once the flames were doused. Fire crews were called just before 1 a.m. to 13833 W. Oxnard St. west of Woodman Avenue, where they found heavy flames coming from a first-floor […]

Fire Damages Former Church Building in Pomona Area

A fire damaged a building formerly housing a church in the Pomona area Thursday. Firefighters were sent to the 600 block of North Mills Avenue at 7:36 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation. The building formerly housed From the Heart […]

Woman, 25, With Diminished Mental Capacity, Goes Missing in Downey

Police Thursday circulated a photo of a 25-year-old woman who went missing in Downey. Regan “Reina” Koeppe, who has a diminished mental capacity, was last seen Wednesday at her home in Downey, said Lorena Duran of the Downey Police Department. Koeppe was described as a 5-foot tall Latino woman with brown hair, brown eyes and […]

Deputies Search for Armed Man Who Was at West Hollywood Bar

A search was continuing Thursday for a man who was seen flashing a gun inside a popular gay bar in West Hollywood. Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station received a call from The Abbey’s security team around midnight regarding an armed man inside the bar. Deputies evacuated The Abbey and […]

Nick Carter Accused of Sex Assault in New Lawsuit

A woman who claims Backstreet Boys singer Nick Carter raped her when she was a teenager after one of the group’s concerts in 2001 announced in Beverly Hills Thursday the filing of a lawsuit. Shannon “Shay” Ruth, now 39, contends she was just 17 when Carter took her into his tour bus following a Backstreet […]

Authorities ID Man Found Dead in Park in Santa Clarita

Authorities Thursday identified a man who was found dead in a park in Santa Clarita. The body was discovered about 7 a.m. Wednesday in a park behind Charles Helmers Elementary School, in the 27300 block of Grandview Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. On Thursday, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office identified […]