Tag: Southern California

Majority of California Emerges from Drought Crisis: US Drought Monitor

California has been grappling with one of the longest droughts in its history for nearly three years, and the state is finally seeing a ray of hope. The recent winter storms that hit the Golden State from December until March have resulted in almost complete eradication of drought conditions, according to the latest data from…


3 Americans Sailing to San Diego from Mexico Reported Missing

SAN DIEGO—A search was continuing April 15 for three American citizens who were sailing from Mexico to San Diego but have been missing for more than a week. Kerry O’Brien, Frank O’Brien, and William Gross left Mazatlán, Mexico, on April 4 on the sailing vessel Ocean Bound, a 44-foot La Fitte, and had planned to…


One Killed, 3 Wounded in Northridge Shooting

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.—A man drove up to a group of men in Northridge April 15 and opened fire, killing one victim and wounding three others, police said. The victims were standing near Vanalden Avenue and Parthenia Street at about 12:30 p.m. when the shooter approached in a vehicle and fired several shots, Officer Tony Im of…


Irvine Music School Owner Pleads Guilty to Molesting 2 Girls

SANTA ANA, Calif.—The owner of music teaching schools in Cypress and Irvine pleaded guilty April 14 and was immediately sentenced to time served in jail awaiting trial for molesting two female students, ages 5 and 6. Randal “Randy” Letcher Scott, 62, of Irvine, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of child molesting, according to court…


2 Men Charged in Dodger Stadium Attack After Elton John Concert

LOS ANGELES—Two men are scheduled to be arraigned next month on charges stemming from the beating of a married couple in their 60s in the Dodger Stadium parking lot after an Elton John concert last November. Reece Hopkin, 38, and Chad Reeves, 42, were each charged with one felony count of battery with serious bodily…


Reality Hits Renewable Energy, Nuclear Power Now in Favor

With renewable energy sources failing to deliver enough power to supply demand, evolving political narratives have altered plans for nuclear power plants in California and beyond. “Reality happened,” Jacopo Buongiorno, director of the Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems and professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), told The…


Reality Hits Renewable Energy, Nuclear Power Now in Favor: Experts

With renewable energy sources failing to deliver enough power to supply demand, evolving political narratives have altered plans for nuclear power plants in California and beyond. “Reality happened,” Jacopo Buongiorno, director of the Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems and professor of nuclear science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), told The…


Man Gets 25 to Life for Kidnap-Rape of 11-Year-Old Girl in Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 42-year-old man was sentenced April 14 to 25 years to life in prison for kidnapping and raping an 11-year-old girl in Santa Ana 24 years ago. Jose Andres Plascencia was convicted Feb. 2 of kidnapping to commit a sex crime and five counts of rape, all felonies. Co-defendant Ismael Salgado, 43, is…


California Electric Utilities Announce Income-Based Billing Proposal

Three of California’s largest electricity providers are proposing a new billing system that would charge customers according to their income. Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas and Electric submitted a joint application to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) April 10. “This proposal aims to help lower bills for…


New Chart Shows People Fleeing California, Other Gun-Control States

Commentary I’ve come up with a way to compare state gun controls and population movements. This is in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent interview with Jen Psaki, as part of his Democracy Tour, the early part of which I covered in The Epoch Times. The topic came up regarding Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a…