Tag: Regional News

Irvine Teacher Accused of Hiding Recording Device In High School Restroom

IRVINE, Calif.—A teacher at Beckman High School in Irvine was arrested Feb. 27 on suspicion of hiding recording devices in a bathroom at the school. Siu Kong Sit was arrested for possession of or manufacturing child pornography, burglary, and on two misdemeanor charges and was booked at the Orange County Jail, said Irvine Police Department…


Newsom’s Plan to Cap Oil Profits in California Faces Bipartisan Skepticism

Californians might have to choose between higher gas prices or scaling back its climate agenda, state regulators told legislators last week at a special state Senate hearing on a proposed oil industry windfall profits penalty. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the special session of the Legislature Feb. 22 to consider imposing penalties on oil companies to…


Pedestrian Killed in Fairmount Park Hit-and-Run Crash, Driver at Large

SAN DIEGO—Investigators Feb. 27 sought to identify and locate a motorist who fled following a fatal weekend traffic crash in a Fairmount Park-area neighborhood. The victim, described only as male, was found lying mortally injured in the roadway at Trailing Drive and Tulip Street about 10 p.m. Sunday, according to the San Diego Police Department…


Irvine Unified Students ‘Snowed In’ at San Bernardino Mountain Camps

Hundreds of Irvine Unified students were snowed in at science camps in the San Bernardino mountains this weekend—but some are now beginning to return home, according to district officials. About 500 students from Irvine Unified’s Cadence Park, Oak Creek, and Stone Creek schools were expected to return from Running Springs’s Camp Pali Feb. 24—but heavy…


California Could Face $7 Billion Higher Budget Deficit Than First Forecast

As revenues continue to fall, California may face a $7 billion higher budget deficit than the governor forecast in January, according to the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office. “Although the Governor’s budget revenue estimates are reasonable, they are likely a bit too high,” according to Legislative Analyst Gabriel Petek’s 2023–24 Multiyear Assessment report issued Feb. 15….


2nd Suspect in Goshen Family’s ‘Cartel-Style’ Massacre Pleads Not Guilty

A second suspect pleaded not guilty last week to multiple murder and illegal gun charges in what the county sheriff called a “cartel-like” slaying of multiple family members Jan. 16 in the small central California area of Goshen. Angel “Nanu” Uriarte, of Goshen, and Noah Beard, 25, of Visalia were arrested Feb. 3. Beard pleaded…


Southern California Gas Seeks 13 Percent Monthly Bill Increase

The pain might not be over for southern California gas customers. As millions recover from exorbitant utility bills, the state is considering Southern California Gas Company’s (SoCalGas) request to raise monthly rates by 13.2 percent next year for the 5.9 million households and businesses it serves. Although the increase is a routine request made by…


Remains Found in Texas National Park ID’d as Those of San Diego Woman

SAN DIEGO—The remains of a woman found in a Texas open-space preserve three weeks ago are those of a San Diego woman who went missing last year and is believed to have been murdered, authorities confirmed Feb. 27. A Texas Department of Transportation worker found the remains of Felicia Johnson, 24, in Sam Houston National…


Former Santa Ana Church Youth Pastor Sentenced to 12 Years for Molesting Girl

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 60-year-old former Santa Ana church youth pastor pleaded guilty and was immediately sentenced Feb. 24 to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl. The victim came forward to police in October 2018 and said Jonathan Lamont Jenkins started making “sexual advances toward her” in January 2018, according to police….


Five Months On, Victims of Hurricane Ian Are Still Living in Limbo

MATLACHA, Fla.—Jeff Funchion sits in a wicker loveseat in the slim shade of a travel trailer with a fan pushing air and carpets unrolled before him on a crushed-shell driveway with a 50-foot long cement pad at the end. He’s waiting for a buyer this Sunday afternoon, hoping someone will come along and purchase his…