Category: Southern California

Man Shot to Death in Costa Mesa, 20-Year-Old Arrested

COSTA MESA, Calif.—Detectives arrested a 20-year-old man in the shooting death of a 38-year-old man in Costa Mesa, authorities said July 4. The Costa Mesa Police Department received calls of gunshots heard in the 2000 block of Sterling Alley, near Pomona Avenue, at about 10:45 p.m. Monday, police said. Arriving officers found the victim on…


California Deploys 101 New Highway Patrol Officers, Recruiting Push Underway

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced 101 newly sworn-in California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers in a press release June 30. The graduating class of cadets is a manifestation of the state’s “CHP 1,000” campaign—a program launched in 2022 to expand the group of officers representing the nation’s largest state police force. “This diverse group of officers…


California Creates Task Force to Ensure ‘Inclusive’ Curriculum in Local School Districts

California education leaders have created a new task force dedicated to ensuring school textbooks are “inclusive” of minority groups amid controversy over several local governing boards rejecting books they say are inappropriate for minors. The new Task Force on Inclusive Education—consisting of State Superintendent Tony Thurmond along with several state legislators—convened June 21 for the…


3 More Horses Die at Southern California Race Tracks

LOS ANGELES—Three more racehorses have died from racing or training injuries at Southern California tracks, state horse racing officials announced July 3. Two of the fatal injuries occurred at Santa Anita, and one at Los Alamitos, the California Horse Racing Board reported. Twentyseventrouts—a 6-year-old bay mare with eight career starts and one first-place finish—was leading…


Los Angeles Homeowner Faces Charges for Running Makeshift Park for 15 RVs in Backyard

A Los Angeles homeowner is facing two misdemeanor charges for having over five recreational vehicles (RV) parked behind her home, according to Fox News. The homeowner renting the backyard in the 14000 block of Hubbard Street in Sylmar—the northernmost neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles City—to these RV owners is reportedly making $10,000 a month,…


Boy, 14, Hit With Stray Bullet in Long Beach

A 14-year-old boy was shot when a stray round went through a window frame at his Long Beach home on July 2, authorities said. Officers were dispatched at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday to the 1500 block of West Burnett Street, according to the Long Beach Police Department. Police said an unknown suspect fired shots outside…


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…