Insurance Agent Dies Before Fraud Case Goes to Trial

Prosecutors Tuesday dismissed a fraud case against an Orange County businessman who died in April. Robert Stoddard II of San Clemente was facing 15 felony charges of grand theft, theft from an elder adult and money laundering. The 64-year-old Orange County businessman pleaded not guilty to stealing $110,000 from two clients. Stoddard, who was terminally […]

Fire on Hillside Southwest of Perris Scorches over 20 Acres

A brush fire that erupted Tuesday on a hillside in Good Hope scorched over 20 acres and threatened a few structures before Cal Fire aircraft halted its advance, enabling crews to establish tentative containment lines. The non-injury blaze was reported at about 2:10 p.m. in the area of Sharp Road and Highway 74 in the […]

Average LA County Gas Price Rises for 21st Time in 23 Days

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Wednesday for the 21st time in 23 days, increasing 2.3 cents to $6.162. The average price has risen 76.5 cents over the past 23 days, including 2.3 cents Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. […]

Additional Mosquito Control Treatments Set for Palm Springs, Cathedral City

Due to increased West Nile virus activity in the area, the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District will conduct additional truck-mounted mosquito control treatments Wednesday in the Coachella Valley. The treatments are planned to continue through Friday from 1 to 7 a.m. in Palm Springs and Cathedral City, according to a statement from the […]

Jury Deliberations Set in Case of Hollywood Marriage, Sex Therapist’s Killing

Jury deliberations are scheduled to begin Wednesday in the trial of a man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend — a well-known marriage and sex therapist — by throwing her off the third-floor balcony of her Hollywood Hills home. Gareth Pursehouse is charged with one count each of murder and first-degree residential burglary in the death […]

WGA Strike Ends as Leaders Back Deal Pending Members’ Vote

The months-long Hollywood writers strike ended Wednesday, after union leaders endorsed a proposed contract agreement with Hollywood studios, setting the stage for a ratification vote by union members. The agreement endorsed Tuesday allowed writers to resume working at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday for the first time since they walked off the job on May 2. However, […]

Charges Expected Against Man Suspected of Hitting, Killing Jurupa Woman

Felony charges are expected to be filed Wednesday against a motorist suspected of hitting and killing a 42-year-old Jurupa Valley woman and then leaving the scene last week. Jose Manuel Acosta Aguilar, 25, of Jurupa Valley, was arrested and booked into the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside Saturday on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run […]

Man Bitten by Dog in Downtown LA; Dog Fatally Shot by Police

Los Angeles police Tuesday fatally shot a dog who bit a man in downtown Los Angeles. The shooting occurred after officers were sent to Seventh Street and Gladys Avenue at about 9:45 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Police Department. The injured man, in his 60s, was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, police […]

Mega Millions Jackpot Grows to $267 Million

No tickets were sold matching all six numbers in Tuesday evening’s drawing of the multi-state Mega Millions lottery, pushing the estimated jackpot for Friday’s drawing to $267 million. Tuesday’s winning numbers were 15, 30, 35, 42, 60, and the Mega number was 16. Tuesday’s jackpot was $230 million. It was the 12th drawing since the […]

Supervisors OK $15.6M State Grant for LASD to Fight Retail Theft

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday to secure a $15.6 million state grant to boost the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s response to organized retail theft. “The shameless smash and grabs need to be stopped,” said Board Chair Janice Hahn, who co-authored the motion with Supervisor Hilda Solis. “These […]

One Year Ago Today (September 27, 2022)…High School Athletic Trainer Charged With Sex-Related Counts on Teen Girls

One Year Ago Today (September 27, 2022)…An athletic trainer who worked at two San Fernando Valley high schools was charged with sex-related counts involving 10 teenage girls. Richard Alexander Turner, 64, is charged with six counts each of sexual penetration by use of force and sexual battery, four counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious […]