Tag: Southern California

Texas Man Accused of Abducting, Raping Teen Girl; Driving Her to Long Beach

A man who allegedly kidnapped a 13-year-old girl at gunpoint in Texas, then repeatedly sexually assaulted her while driving her to Long Beach, where she was rescued by waving a “help me” note to passersby, was indicted on July 20 on a pair of federal charges. Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, was charged…


California Science Center Starts Complex Process to Display Space Shuttle Endeavour Vertically

LOS ANGELES—A highly technical process began Thursday in Los Angeles to put NASA’s retired Space Shuttle Endeavour on permanent display in the vertical launch position complete with external tank and two solid rocket boosters. Workers used a crane to hoist the bottom segments of the boosters into the California Science Center’s future Samuel Oschin Air…


‘Sound of Freedom’ Pushes Forward California Anti-Trafficking Bill

Commentary Sometimes art influences life. A dramatic case is the recent movie “Sound of Freedom,” which is pushing into law California Senate Bill 14, by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). In the bill’s language, it “would include human trafficking of a minor within the definition of a serious felony for all purposes, including for purposes of…


Attention Turns to Mega Millions After California Store Sells Winning Powerball Ticket

Lottery dreamers are setting their sights on the growing Mega Millions jackpot drawing on Friday after a ticket worth more than $1 billion was sold for the Powerball lottery. Here’s a look at how this drawing compares to other jackpots and why these winnings have become so high. How Does This Latest Mega Millions Jackpot…


Over 100 Juvey Detainees Moved to Los Padrinos Hall in Downey

LOS ANGELES—More than 100 juvenile detainees were successfully transferred out of the troubled Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar to the renovated Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, completing a state-mandated transfer of all Los Angeles County pre-disposition detainees out of two facilities deemed unsuitable for housing, county officials said July 19. The move…


‘Baseball Dream’ Awaits SoCal Teens in New Mexico

A collection of 24 teenagers, most of them from Orange County, California, are about to live out a baseball dream in Farmington, New Mexico. The Southern California Renegades are set to open play in the Connie Mack World Series at 1:30 p.m. July 21. The 12-team tournament, held in Farmington since 1965, guarantees each entrant…


Newsom’s $1.5 Million Fine to School District Over Textbook Rejection May Be Illegal

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to fine a local school district $1.5 million for rejecting what the school board says is an “inappropriate” social studies textbook could be illegal, according to several education leaders and lawmakers. The governor announced the fine in a July 19 statement, adding that the state is securing the textbook in question for all 1–5 grade…


Newsom’s Plan to Fine School District $1.5 Million Over Blocked Textbook Lacks Legal Grounds

There are currently no legal grounds for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decision to fine a local school district $1.5 million for rejecting what the school board says is an “inappropriate” social studies textbook, the state’s top education official confirmed July 20. The governor announced the fine in a July 19 statement, adding that the state…


Anaheim Hires New Chief of Police

Deputy Chief Rick Armendariz—who has served the Anaheim Police Department since 2019—will be sworn in on August 18 as the city’s new chief of police. The Anaheim City Council approved the contract with Mr. Armendariz—an Anaheim resident—on July 18. He will be the 37th chief in the 153-year history of the police department, according to…


Anaheim to Release Investigation Into Angel Stadium Sale to FBI, California AG

The Anaheim City Council has approved releasing details of its independent investigation into corruption allegations surrounding the sale of Anaheim Stadium to state Attorney General Rob Bonta and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Councilors voted unanimously July 18 to waive attorney-client privilege relating to a 200-page report by the JL Group, a Laguna Niguel-based…