Tag: Local News

Laguna Niguel Ziggurat Building Up for Auction

The Ziggurat building in Laguna Niguel is up for auction including nearly 100 acres surrounding it, but the iconic pyramid-shaped structure will be preserved, according to federal authorities. The owner of the land, the United States General Services Administration, will begin accepting bid requests March 7 at 9 a.m. There is a minimum starting bid…


New York Bans Pet Stores From Selling Cats, Dogs, and Rabbits

New York has banned the sale of cats, dogs, and rabbits in retail pet stores, making it the latest state to do so amid attempts to stop commercial breeders from operating so-called “puppy mills.” The legislation (pdf), known as the Puppy Mill Pipeline bill, was signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 15 and will go into effect…


3 Charged in Toddler’s Slaying in California Gang Gun Battle

SAN FRANCISCO—A Northern California toddler fatally struck by a stray bullet while sleeping in his car seat last year was the victim of a rolling gun battle between rival gangs on a freeway, prosecutors said Thursday as they announced charges against three people. The 1-year-old boy, Jasper Wu, was killed Nov. 6, 2021, on Interstate…


3 Dead Following Crash Between Bus and Truck in Virginia

WILLIAMSBURG, Va.—Three people have died following a crash that involved a commercial bus carrying 22 people and a tractor trailer on Interstate 64 in Virginia, state police said in a news release on Friday. The crash occurred just after 1:30 a.m. in York County near Williamsburg, which is located between Richmond and Norfolk. All 22…


Father of Slain Athena Strand Files Lawsuit Against Suspect, FedEx, and 3rd-Party Contractor

The father of slain 7-year-old Athena Strand has filed a lawsuit against the delivery driver suspected of killing the girl, FedEx Ground, and Big TopSpin, the third-party contractor who hired the suspect. Jacob Strand is seeking more than $1 million in damages in a jury trial, according to the lawsuit filed in the Wise County…


Purdue Student Charged With Killing Roommate Unfit for Trial

LAFAYETTE, Ind.—A Purdue University student charged with murder in the stabbing death of his dormitory roommate is incompetent to stand trial, a judge ruled Thursday. Tippecanoe Circuit Judge Sean Persin appointed two doctors to treat Ji Min Sha until he is found competent to understand the charges against him and assist in his defense. Sha,…


Man Admits to Killing 4 Women in Anaheim, Gets Life in Prison

SANTA ANA, Calif—A California sex offender who with his best friend kidnapped, raped, and killed four women, some of them while wearing a GPS tracker, was sentenced Dec. 15 to life in prison without parole. Franc Cano, 36, entered murder pleas in Orange County and was immediately sentenced. Cano, who has been in custody since…


California Restaurant Coalition Says It Submitted Enough Signatures for Ballot Measure to Possibly Overturn Fast Food Law

A group of restaurateurs and franchisors said last week they have gathered enough voter signatures for a ballot measure to overturn a law that would set up a “Fast Food Council” to regulate wages and benefits for fast food workers in the state. The Save Local Restaurants Coalition—led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the…


California Restaurant Coalition Says It Submitted Enough Signatures to Overturn Fast Food Law

A group of restaurateurs and franchisors said last week they have gathered enough voter signatures for a ballot measure to overturn a law that would set up a “Fast Food Council” to regulate wages and benefits for fast food workers in the state. The Save Local Restaurants Coalition—led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the…


California Is Impossible for the Middle Class

Commentary As we head toward the end of another year, I’m remembering several friends who left in 2022 for cheaper states. And I’m thinking about several other friends who are planning on leaving in 2023 or 2024. The fact is California is difficult, often impossible, to live in if you’re in the middle class. The…