Category: Southern California

Irvine Moves Forward With Transformation of Asphalt Plant

An asphalt plant in Irvine that has repeatedly been criticized by nearby residents for producing foul odors and potentially dangerous pollutants is on track to close in November, according to Irvine city officials. The city council approved the $285 million purchase of All American Asphalt in April after filing a public nuisance lawsuit against it…


Public Pressure Forces California Committee to Reconsider, Pass Child Sex Trafficking Bill

After a child sex trafficking bill was killed by the Assembly Public Safety Committee July 11, pressure from the public, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and the governor led to an abrupt about-face July 13, with the committee passing the measure in a tense, one-minute meeting. Following a contentious debate on the floor…


Public Pressure Forces California Committee to Revive Child Sex Trafficking Bill

After a child sex trafficking bill was killed by the Assembly Public Safety Committee July 11, pressure from the public, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, and the governor led to an abrupt about-face July 13, with the committee passing the measure in a tense, one-minute meeting. Following a contentious debate on the floor…


Two Additional Teenage Suspects Arrested in Fatal Long Beach Shooting

Two additional teenage suspects have been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Long Beach in January, police said on July 12. Long Beach Police Department Special Investigations Division detectives located two 16-year-old boys suspected of fatally shooting Khalil Saleem at two separate locations on July 11, according to the…


Sentencing Due for Orange County Man Who Stalked Online Gamer

LOS ANGELES—A former Marine from Orange County faces sentencing on July 13 for using hundreds of Twitter accounts to torment a professional online gamer he fixated on during a long-running harassment campaign. Evan Baltierra, 30, of Trabuco Canyon, pleaded guilty last year in Los Angeles to one count of stalking, a crime that carries a…


Train Fatally Strikes Pedestrian at Old Town Transit Center

SAN DIEGO—A passenger train fatally struck an unidentified man at Old Town Transit Center on July 11. The southbound Coaster train hit the pedestrian at the rail depot in the 4000 block of Taylor Street in San Diego at about 2:45 p.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The victim, who appeared to…


Train Fatally Strikes Pedestrian in San Diego Old Town

SAN DIEGO—A passenger train fatally struck an unidentified man at Old Town Transit Center on July 11. The southbound Coaster train hit the pedestrian at the rail depot in the 4000 block of Taylor Street in San Diego at about 2:45 p.m., according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. The victim, who appeared to…


California Legislature Taking Up Job Killer Bills

Commentary With a recession likely hitting California, now is the worst time for the Legislature to pass bills costly to state businesses. But that’s just what’s happening. Here are four of the worst bills currently on the 2023 Job Killer List of the California Chamber of Commerce. Senate Bill 399 is by Sen. Aisha Wahab…


More Than 350 Rescues Made in Huntington Beach in a Week Due to Rip Tides

An increase in rip tides and dangerous shore breaks has led to an increase in rescues at Huntington Beach, with more than 350 last week, according to a July 11 Instagram post by Huntington Beach lifeguards. In the post, lifeguards said they also had to take 10,250 preventative actions, like informing beachgoers of the ocean’s…


One Dies When SUV Goes Over Cliff in Rancho Palos Verdes

One person died on July 11 when an SUV plunged over a cliff in the Rancho Palos Verdes area and landed on a rocky beach about 150 below. Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics responded to the area near Palos Verdes Drive and West Calle Entradero around 2:40 p.m. to a report of a vehicle…