Tag Archives: los angeles county

US

4.2-magnitude earthquake shakes Malibu area, followed by multiple aftershocks

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4.2-magnitude earthquake rattles Malibu area

Officials say the quake was followed by a series of aftershocks.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. – A preliminary 4.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the Malibu coast early Wednesday morning followed by multiple aftershocks. 

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first earthquake happened at 2 a.m. about 10 miles south of Malibu Beach and 15 miles southwest of Santa Monica. Its depth was reported at about 9.2 miles, according to the USGS.

Just seconds after the first jolt, a second earthquake was reported – a preliminary 3.5-magnitude earthquake, also 10 miles south of Malibu Beach. The depth for the second earthquake was reported at about 8 miles, according to USGS.

Resident reacts to Malibu quake

FOX 11 viewers said they felt the quake and its aftershocks from Malibu to Lake Arrowhead.

Roughly 22 minutes after the initial quake, a 2.8-magnitude aftershock was reported in the same location by the USGS. The depth of the second aftershock was just over six miles.

Multiple aftershocks were reported following an initial 4.2-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Malibu Beach, California, early Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, 2023. / FOX Weather (FOX Weather)

At 2:38 a.m., a third, 2.6-magnitude aftershock struck the same area, according to USGS.

Despite striking offshore, the National Weather Service said there is no Tsunami threat.

“The LAFD is now in earthquake mode. All 106 neighborhood fire stations will conduct a strategic survey of their districts, examining all major areas of concern (transportation infrastructures, large places of assemblages, apartment buildings, power-lines, etc). This survey will be conducted from the ground, air and sea. Once this process is complete and reports are consolidated, assuming there is no significant damage, Earthquake mode will be complete. This process typically takes less than one hour,” Nicholas Prange with the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a statement around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Shortly before 9 a.m., the department announced that the survey was complete.

RELATED: 

How to prepare for an earthquake

Are you ready for the next big one? Here are a few supplies and items you’ll need in case of an emergency.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. While there are many variables involved, geologists say damage does not usually occur until the earthquake magnitude reaches somewhere above 4 or 5.

Malibu city officials said motorists should proceed with extreme caution on Malibu Canyon Road, Kanan Dume Road and other canyons as loose rocks from the recent storms may continue to fall. 

RELATED: Surviving the earthquake: Prepare, Survive, Recover

USGS provides information about earthquakes by state and preparedness information, including helpful information for those in California.

RELATED: Quakes push Californians to prepare for the next big jolt

The series of quakes were felt from the Westside of Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley.

Wednesday morning’s earthquake comes on the five-year anniversary of a 4.0-magnitude earthquake that struck around the same time – just after 2 a.m. – near Trabuco Canyon on January 25, 2018.

The USGS is asking anyone who felt the quakes to submit a brief report. You can click here for more information.

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US

Law enforcement recruits in critical condition after being hit by car during morning run in Whittier

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Witnesses describe horrific crash after law enforcement recruits were hit in Whittier

Whittier residents described what they saw after law enforcements recruits were hit by a car during their morning run.

WHITTIER, Calif. – A group of law enforcement recruits are in critical condition after they were hit by a car during their morning run in Whittier, authorities said. 

The California Highway Patrol said the incident was reported at 6:30 a.m. near the intersection of Mills Avenue and Telegraph Road. The recruits attend the Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services (STARS) Center located in the 11500 block of Colima Road, which is roughly a mile and a half from the crash site. 

Whittier is located 20 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Authorities confirmed the driver underwent a sobriety test and was taken into custody. The results of the sobriety test are unknown.

SkyFOX was over the scene and showed the debris from the wreckage as well as additional patients being triaged by medical personnel.

11 in critical condition after car hits sheriff’s recruits

Officials said 15 cadets were hit by a car.

The 11 victims have been rushed to area trauma centers, some airlifted, and up to 15 recruits may have been hit. 

The circumstances leading up to the driver striking the victims are under investigation. 

A neighbor told FOX 11 that the recruits often jog in the area and run in packs wearing high-visibility vests.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he’s on his way to area hospitals to check in with the victims and says some may have suffered injuries that are life-threatening. 

Roads are expected to be closed in the area for the investigation. 

No further information was immediately released. 

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
 

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Business

Average gas price in Los Angeles County rises to record high at $6.46

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose seven-tenths of a cent to a record $6.466 Monday, topping the previous high of $6.462 set June 14.

The average price has risen 31 consecutive days, increasing $1.22, including 1 cent Sunday and 15.3 cents Thursday, the largest daily increase since the record 19.2-cent hike on Oct. 5, 2012, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The increases Sunday and Monday are the smallest since a half-cent increase Sept. 19.

The average price is 62.6 cents more than one week ago, $1.202 higher than one month ago and $2.05 greater than one year ago.

The streak of increases follows a run of 78 decreases in 80 days totaling $1.216 that began June 15, one day after the average price rose to a record $6.462.

The Orange County average price rose one-tenth of a cent to $6.423, one day after dropping seven-tenths of a cent. It rose 4.3 cents Saturday to a record $6.429, topping the previous high of $6.41 set June 12.

Sunday’s decrease ended a 12-day streak of increases totaling $1.033, including a 15.9-cent increase Thursday, the largest daily increase since the record 19.5-cent hike on Oct. 5, 2012.

The Orange County average price is 59.2 cents more than one week ago, $1.23 higher than one month ago, and $2.044 greater than one year ago.

The rising prices are the result of insufficient supply to meet demand caused in part by reduced production of gasoline from refineries undergoing maintenance, Marie Montgomery, a public relations specialist with the Automobile Club of Southern California, told City News Service.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked refineries to switch to their winter blend gas earlier than normal. The blend is typically cheaper, but analysts say it is unclear how soon drivers will see that change at the pump.

Meanwhile, some relief could come soon arrive through gas rebate checks for Californians who filed their 2020 tax returns.

Checks could be rolled out as early as Friday.

The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.79.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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Business

Southern California gas prices are skyrocketing again

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LOS ANGELES (CNS) — The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose for the 22nd consecutive day, increasing 7.4 cents Saturday to $5.689.

The average price has increased 44.3 cents over the past 22 days, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 26.1 cents more than one week ago, 37.1 cents higher than one month ago, and $1.286 greater than one year ago.

The current streak of increases follows a run of 78 decreases in 80 days totaling $1.216. The average price is 77.3 cents less than the record high of $6.462 set June 14.

The Orange County average price rose for the seventh time in the last eight days, increasing 6.4 cents to $5.668. It has increased 28.4 cents over the past eight days, and is 27.9 cents more than one week ago, 45.2 cents more than one month ago, and $1.312 higher than one year ago.

The Orange County average price is 74.2 cents less than the record of $6.41 set on June 12.

“Oil Price Information Service reports that several local refineries are undergoing unplanned maintenance as fuel inventories are at their lowest levels in a decade, which caused Los Angeles wholesale gas prices to rise sharply this week,” said Doug Shupe, the Automobile Club of Southern California’s corporate communications and programs manager.

The national average price rose for the fourth consecutive day following a 98-streak of decreases, increasing 1.1 cents to $3.70. It is 1.8 cents more than one week ago, 18.3 cents lower than one month ago, and 51.1 cents more than one year ago.

The national average price is $1.316 less than the record $5.016 set June 14.

Copyright 2022, City News Service, Inc.

Copyright © 2022 by City News Service, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



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Health

Los Angeles County public health officials investigating person’s death possibly caused by monkeypox

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Health officials on Thursday said they were investigating a death in Los Angeles County that was possibly caused by monkeypox.

The investigation was announced by Dr. Rita Singhal, chief medical officer of the county Department of Public Health.

“We are early in the investigation and do not have additional details available at this time,” Singhal said. “As soon as details become available, we will share them while maintaining confidentiality and privacy.”

The death is the second in the United States being investigated as possibly caused by monkeypox, according to Singhal.

She said the county will be working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state as it investigates the circumstances of the person’s death.

The U.S. leads the world with monkeypox infections – as of Wednesday, 21,274 cases had been reported – with men accounting for about 98% of cases and men who said they had recent sexual contact with other men about 93% of cases.

Monkeypox, which can cause a rash, fever, body aches and chills, is spread through close skin-to-skin contact and prolonged exposure to respiratory droplets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that men or transgender people who have had multiple male sex partners consider vaccination.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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Sports

Kobe Bryant crash photos trial: Jury finds LA County must pay Vanessa Bryant $16 million and Chris Chester $15 million

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A federal jury Wednesday ordered Los Angeles County to pay $31 million in damages over the actions of deputies and firefighters who took and shared gruesome photos from the scene of the 2020 helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven other people.

The damages were awarded to Bryant’s widow, Vanessa, and co-plaintiff Chris Chester, whose wife Sarah and 13-year-old daughter Payton also died in the Jan. 26, 2020, crash in Calabasas.

Vanessa Bryant was awarded $16 million and Chris Chester was awarded $15 million.

The jury deliberated for 4 1/2 hours before reaching the verdict. Vanessa Bryant cried quietly as it was read.

RELATED: Vanessa Bryant gives emotional testimony in Kobe crash photos trial

Chester and Bryant sued the county in federal court for negligence and invasion of privacy over photos of human remains taken at the scene and shared by first responders.

Bryant and Chester alleged mental anguish over the thought that one day in the future, those photos will turn up in public.

Bryant’s attorneys did not give jurors a dollar amount they thought their client deserved, but Chester’s attorney gave them suggested guidelines that would have meant tens of millions for each plaintiff.

Kobe Bryant photos trial: OC man who lost wife, daughter in crash describes day of accident

After the verdicts were read, Bryant and Chester hugged in the courtroom. She also hugged her attorney.

Bryant did not speak after leaving court.

She later posted on Instagram a picture of herself, Kobe and Gianna with a caption that read: “All for you! I love you! JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi! #Betonyourself #MambaDay 8-24-22 #MambaMentality.”

Along with Chester and Bryant’s loved ones, the crash killed Alyssa Altobelli, 14; Keri Altobelli, 46; John Altobelli, 56; Christina Mauser, 38; and pilot Ara Zobayan, 50.

Two other families separately settled with the county over the photos for $1.25 million each. All of the victims’ families reached a settlement with the helicopter company over the crash, but those terms remain confidential.

For 10 days jurors heard testimony from L.A. County firefighters and sheriff’s personnel — some accused of taking the photos, others of receiving them.

The county’s lead lawyer argued during her summation that the photos have not surfaced in public in the 2 1/2 years since the tragedy, which proves they have been permanently deleted.

Kobe Bryant photos trial: Former LA County fire captain testifies, walks off witness stand 3 times

“This is a photo case, but there are no photos,” the attorney told jurors in Los Angeles federal court. “There’s a simple truth that cannot be ignored — there’s been no public dissemination.”

Vanessa Bryant’s lawyer Luis Li told jurors that the close-up photos had no official or investigative purpose, and were mere “visual gossip” shared out of a gruesome curiosity.

County attorney J. Mira Hashmall argued during the trial that the photos were a necessary tool for assessing the situation.

She acknowledged that they should not have been shared with everyone who saw them. But she emphasized that the photos had never appeared publicly, and had never even been seen by the plaintiffs. She said that meant that Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other officials had taken decisive and effective action when they ordered those who had the photos to delete them.

RELATED: Vanessa Bryant’s attorney argues photos of Kobe Bryant’s remains shared ‘for a laugh’

L.A. County provided the following statement from Hashmall, its lead outside counsel in the case:

“We are grateful for the jury’s hard work in this case. While we disagree with the jury’s findings as to the County’s liability, we believe the monetary award shows that jurors didn’t believe the evidence supported the Plaintiffs’ request of $75 million for emotional distress. We will be discussing next steps with our client. Meanwhile, we hope the Bryant and Chester families continue to heal from their tragic loss.”

The jury returned its verdict on Kobe Bryant Day, which is celebrated on Aug. 24 because it uses both of his jersey numbers — 8 and 24 — and is the day after his birthday. Tuesday would have been Kobe’s 44th birthday.

City News Service and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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Entertainment

Actress Anne Heche crashes car into Mar Vista home, sparking large fire

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Video shows car belonging to actress Anne Heche speeding before crashing into home

Ring video caught the moments Heche’s blue Mini Copper was speeding down a residential street prior to crashing into a home in Mar Vista.

LOS ANGELES – The driver who crashed into a Mar Vista home, sparking a fire, has been identified as actress Anne Heche.

Firefighters were sent to the 1800 block of South Walgrove Avenue just before 11 a.m.

The car, a 2020 Mini Copper, went through the house, causing a massive fire. Firefighters knocked down the flames within an hour and eventually pulled the car out of the home. 

LAFD says Heche was rescued and taken to the hospital in critical condition. Images from SkyFOX appear to show Heche trying to get out of the gurney she was placed in. 

Actress Anne Heche crashes car into Mar Vista home

The driver who crashed into a Mar Vista home, sparking a fire, has been identified as actress Anne Heche.

Ring camera footage shows a blue Mini Copper speeding down a residential street prior to the accident. It is unknown if drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash. 

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the vehicle came to rest within a 738- square-foot two-story home, built in 1952, causing structural compromise and erupting in heavy fire. Witnesses say a neighbor ran to the home and got the homeowner and her pets out of the house safely. He tried to get Heche out of the vehicle but couldn’t due to heavy smoke. 

No other injuries were reported. The cause of the crash is under investigation. 

Heche is an Emmy nominated actress. Her most recent film was ’13 Minutes’. She also stared in ‘Six days seven nights’ and ‘Volcano’. She also dated talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. 

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US

LA County mask mandate: Health officials decline to impose universal public indoor rule

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — The Los Angeles County Health Department declined Thursday to impose a universal public indoor mask mandate, citing a “decent decrease” in cases and hospitalizations.

Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer made the announcement during a livestreamed meeting.

“Given the declines in case of hospitalization numbers, we’re hopeful that the admission rate over the next few days remains under 10 new admissions per 100,000 residents and L.A. County is soon officially moved by (the Centers for Disease Control) to the ‘medium’ community level,” Ferrer said. “As I noted last week, any indication that the county would soon be moving to the medium community level would be a good reason to not move forward with universal indoor masking.”

For most of the pandemic, L.A. County has required masks in some indoor spaces, including health care facilities, Metro trains and buses, airports, jails and homeless shelters. The new mandate would have expanded the requirement to all indoor public spaces, including shared offices, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, retail stores, restaurants and bars, theaters and schools.

WATCH | Dr. Barbara Ferrer discusses county’s decision to not reinstate indoor mask mandate

Supervisor Kathryn Barger hailed the decision to hold off on reinstating the rule.

“Unenforceable mandates don’t work,” Barger said in a statement Thursday afternoon. “We must continue to marshal our mandates and resources effectively in the fight against COVID-19.”

Supervisor Janice Hahn had joined her in opposing a mandate, saying she feared imposing such a rule would be “very divisive for L.A. County.”

“I honestly believe there are a significant number of the population who are not willing to accept mask mandates at this point,” Hahn said. “And many of them, the ones that have contacted me, pointed out that we do have more tools now than we had at the beginning of the pandemic.”

The county entered the “high” category two weeks ago when the average daily rate of COVID-related hospital admissions rose above 10 per 100,000 residents. As of July 21, the rate was 11.7 admissions per 100,000 residents.

Earlier this week, as residents awaited the decision, several cities — Beverly Hills, El Segundo, Pasadena and Long Beach — announced they would not enforce an indoor mask mandate if one were implemented.

The El Segundo City Council voted during a special meeting Tuesday night against enforcing a possible mask order.

The Beverly Hills City Council cast a similar vote Monday night. The cities of Long Beach and Pasadena — both of which operate their own health departments separate from the county — announced Tuesday they would not issue mask mandates, even if the county did.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said cases may have slowed, but he would support whatever health officials decide.

“If they say this is something we need to do for a couple weeks to help gets kids in schools, I’ll be supportive of that,” Garcetti told reporters. “But it does look like it may have crested in terms of the number of cases. If that happens with hospitalizations as well, we may not need to go to mandatory masking.”

City News Service contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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Health

Universal indoor masking may soon return in Los Angeles County as omicron subvariants surge

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Los Angeles County is getting closer to bringing back an indoor masking mandate.

The county is on the verge of moving into the CDC’s “high” level of community transmission as early as Thursday. Staying two weeks at that level would automatically trigger an indoor masking mandate.

A return of the mandate appears imminent as new omicron subvariants fuel a summer surge.

But how do people feel about it?

Like many residents, Roman Lomtadze says he’s not ready to go back to masking.

“I’m really not sure about it,” he said.

“I think they do work. But telling people that they must wear them? I think that’s where I’m starting to have a problem with that,” Lomtadze said.

Health officials report the highly transmissible omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 now account for 40% of sequenced cases.

“That’s two and a half times higher than it was just two weeks earlier,” said L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer. “Both BA.4 and BA.5 are of special concern because of their ability to evade prior immunity.”

This means people who were previously infected with other variants can get it again.

“This is real, and the county has indicated that we’re heading towards indoor masking again,” said L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.

L.A. County reported 100 COVID-19 deaths in the past week – the highest total in three months.

“More people have died this year from COVID than flu, than from homicides, than from car accidents combined. I think all of us want this to be done. We think that it’s done, but it’s still quite dangerous,” said Garcetti.

He said the goal of universal indoor masking is to knock down the spread. And if everyone participated, we wouldn’t have to do it for long.

“It’s for the safety of you but it’s also for the safety of others,” said Orian Gaston who is visiting from Texas.

“If everybody does it, then yes if it’s required,” said tourist Mark Freegard

“We’d be happy to wear a mask if that was the mandate and everybody was doing it,” said Freegard’s wife, Alison.

“You know it sucks,” said Clyde Hayes of Los Angeles.

“But we got to do what we got to do,” said Kayla Star of Los Angeles.

“We gotta do what we gotta do to get back to normal,” said Hayes.

The White House COVID-19 response team is urging eligible Americans to get caught up on their vaccines and boosters. Wednesday, the FDA authorized the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 and older, making it the fourth vaccine to receive an emergency use authorization.

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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Health

Los Angeles County reports 14 total probable cases of monkeypox as infections slowly rise across US

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As the number of monkeypox infections continues to rise across the U.S., Los Angeles County public health officials on Thursday reported 14 total probable cases in the region.

L.A. County confirmed its first presumptive case of monkeypox on June 2 after an adult county resident traveled, and had a known close contact to a case.

The L.A. County Public Health Department continues to investigate and conduct contact tracing — monitoring and coordinating post-exposure prevention for close contacts as needed.

Public health officials say the risk of monkeypox in the general population remains low “based on the information available.”

Since May, cases of monkeypox have been reported to the World Health Organization from 12 member states.

The CDC issued a health advisory on May 20 after a confirmed case of monkeypox in Massachusetts, as well as multiple clusters of infections in other countries that don’t usually have monkeypox cases.

To see a CDC map of monkeypox cases in the U.S., click here.

Copyright © 2022 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.



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