Category: California

Rider Dies After Being Ejected From Motorcycle in San Diego Crash

SAN DIEGO—A 33-year-old Temecula man died when his motorcycle crashed into the back of Toyota truck on state Route 76 near the La Jolla Indian Reservation, the California Highway Patrol said on July 3. At 6:29 p.m. Sunday, the rider of a Yamaha Tenere 700 was heading westbound on State Route-76 when his motorcycle crashed…


California Death Row Murderers Closer to Parole Eligibility After New Bill Advances

Facing staunch opposition from family members of victims, law enforcement groups, and Republican lawmakers, a bill that would allow for resentencing of inmates convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death passed the Assembly Public Safety Committee June 27 on a partisan vote. Introduced with the intention of allowing a path for release for elderly…


Westminster Man Killed in 7-Vehicle Crash in Lakewood

A 54-year-old man was killed in a seven-vehicle crash on the San Gabriel River 605 Freeway in Lakewood, authorities said July 3. The man was identified as Kelly Drake, of Westminster, according to Medical Examiner’s office. The crash was reported at 8:14 p.m. Sunday on the southbound 605 Freeway at Carson Street, California Highway Patrol…


California Bill to Study Prison Credits, Recidivism Rates Fails in Committee

A proposal intended to study the efficacy of rehabilitation credits in California prisons was voted down by the Assembly Public Safety Committee on June 27. However, the committee did grant reconsideration, allowing for an amended version to be brought back for a hearing on an unspecified date. Introduced by Sen. Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), Senate…


Thousands of Hotel Workers Go on Strike in Southern California Over Rising Living Expenses

Thousands of Southern California hotel workers went on strike on the Fourth of July weekend for a new contract with higher wages and benefits, according to the employees’ union. Non-managerial hotel staff, including cooks, room attendants, dishwashers, servers, bellmen, and front desk workers, were seen picketing outside major hotels in Los Angeles and Orange counties as the…


California Woman Gets 90 Days in Jail for False Report of Kidnapping Attempt

A California woman and Instagram “mom influencer” has been sentenced to 90 days in jail after lying to authorities about a Latino couple allegedly trying to kidnap her children, according to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. Kathleen Sorensen, 31, was sentenced to jail on June 29 for a single count of knowingly making a…


$80,000 a Year Considered ‘Low Income’ in Orange County: California State Report

The California Department of Housing and Community Development released its annual income limit report this week, which showed that the cost of living has increased in most counties. The calculations, which are created using federal guidelines, are used to determine residents’ eligibility for things like affordable housing programs and other social welfare and government entitlements….


Southern California Experiences First Heat Wave Over July 4 Weekend

LOS ANGELES—An excessive heat warning was extended for another day July 2 as parts of Southern California continue to bake under extreme heat during the long holiday weekend. The warning is now in effect until 8 p.m. Monday in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Antelope Valley, and the foothills, according to the National Weather Service…


Woman Killed in Alleged DUI Crash on San Diego Highway

VISTA, Calif.—An Oceanside resident was killed in a two-vehicle crash on State Route 78, and the driver of the other vehicle was arrested on suspicion of DUI, authorities said July 2. The accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. Saturday on the westbound highway, west of Melrose Drive, according to Fox5 and the San Diego Union-Tribune, which…


Hollywood Actors Union Agree to Extend Contract With Studios as Talks Continue

LOS ANGELES—The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) actors union and Hollywood producers agreed to an extension of the 2020 TV/theatrical contracts on June 30, which were to expire at 11:59 p.m. Friday evening, avoiding a possible strike for now. The agreements will now expire on July 12 at 11:59 p.m., according…