Tag: Southern California

San Diego to Purchase 3 Hotels to Provide Affordable Housing Units

The San Diego Housing Commission voted unanimously 4–0 to purchase three hotel properties for nearly $158 million to be converted to permanent affordable housing—dependent upon receiving state funds—during a meeting on April 20. The Housing Commission is hoping to receive a grant from Homekey—a statewide program by the California Department of Housing and Community Development…


Trial Ordered for Man Accused in 78-Year-Old’s Sex Assault at San Diego Church

SAN DIEGO—A man accused of sexually assaulting a 78-year-old woman at a Mira Mesa church was ordered May 1 to stand trial on charges of assault with intent to commit rape and dissuading a witness. Hugo Jonathan Espinoza-Martinez, 27, is accused of assaulting the woman on Nov. 25, 2022, at Summit Point Church on Rickert…


Victims of Deadly Harbison Canyon House-Party Shooting ID’d

SAN DIEGO—Authorities May 1 publicly identified two San Diego men who were killed last week in a predawn shooting during a crowded house party in a rural neighborhood east of El Cajon. Jaden Davis, 20, and 29-year-old Seandell Jones were fatally shot by an unknown assailant or assailants in the 800 block of Renfro Way…


Mallard Duck Shot With Mini Crossbow Gun Gets 2nd Chance at Life

COSTA MESA, Calif.—Following its four-week recovery after being shot in the neck, a mallard duck was released back into the wild April 28 at TeWinkle Park by the wildlife rehabbers that saved its life. According to Newport Beach Police, the duck had been shot in the neck and cheek with a mini crossbow gun and…


New LAUSD Contract Slights Students, Taxpayers

Commentary The unfortunate students of the Los Angeles Unified School District! The new contract the district worked out with the United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) union says it’s to help the kids, but it’s really only to help the union and its members—with the taxpayers picking up the tab. The UTLA’s website boasted the…


LA County Restaurants Must Use Recyclable Food Ware Starting May 1

LOS ANGELES—Beginning May 1, restaurants and food facilities in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County must provide only recyclable or compostable food ware such as containers, cups, dishes, and cutlery under a new ordinance aimed at reducing waste and fossil fuels. The ordinance also requires full-service restaurants to use reusable food service ware for dine-in…


Students Sickened at Arlington Heights Middle School; Investigation Underway

LOS ANGELES—Three students at Johnnie L. Cochran Middle School in Arlington Heights were sickened May 1 after possibly ingesting an unknown substance. Paramedics went to the campus in the 4000 block of Johnnie Cochran Vista about 11:35 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). Officers were sent to the scene on a “possible…


Man Who Killed Father in Laguna Niguel Committed to Mental Health Hospital

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 22-year-old man was committed indefinitely May 1 to a state mental health facility after he was found to have been insane when he killed his father on a Laguna Niguel trail the day after Thanksgiving in 2018. Maximilian Gregory Ludwig was convicted March 21 of murder with a special circumstances allegation of…


What It’s Like to Perform Stand-up in Today’s Climate: California Comedians

Los Angeles-based comedians have much to say on the topic of cancel culture, both on stage and off. As prominent comics like Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock critique American audiences for what the duo describes as an increasing “oversensitivity” to jokes due to political polarization, others in the sphere performing in California—a known bastion of…


Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon to Pay Nearly $24 Million to Settle Allegations

LOS ANGELES—A Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, his son, medical practices and billing company have agreed to pay $23.9 million to resolve allegations that they violated federal law by submitting or causing the submission of false claims to both Medicare and Medicaid, officials announced April 28. The settlement resolves allegations that Dr. Joel Aronowitz, Daniel Aronowitz,…