Get into these museums free on Saturday, March 23

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:43:39 +0000

Do you like free stuff? Do you like to wander through museums? Then I’ve got a deal for you.

On March 23, dozens of Southern California museums in Southern California are opening their doors and inviting you to visit. For free. Yes, I said no charge. (Sadly, sometimes the parking is not free, but still …)

Note that some places ask you to reserve in advance, so read up on the details. And the free admission applies to the general museum, not any specially ticketed exhibitions. If I were you, I’d get there right when they open, because this will be one crowded day.

Here’s the freebie list, courtesy of the SoCalMuseums.org website. It’s a good idea to check for new additions. And note that some of these museums are free all the time!

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Exhibits on the movies, film showings and more. (Advance reservations are sold out, but you can still show up and try to get in.). www.academymuseum.org

A pair of Judy Garland’s ruby slippers on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles DailyNews/SCNG)

American Museum of Ceramic Art, 399 N. Garey Ave., Pomona. One of the largest collections of ceramic art in the nation. (Make mandatory advance reservations at amoca.org/events/freeforall_24/ or by email to communications@amoca.org or call 909-865-3146). amoca.org

Armory Center for the Arts 145 North Raymond Ave., Pasadena. No reservations required. Note that this place in Old Pasadena is always free! Offers exhibitions, workshops and more. www.armoryarts.org

Autry Museum of the American West 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles. (Advance reservations required. Visit theautry.org to make a reservation). Interesting museum exploring the frontier of the American West, including Native American culture, cowboys, artwork and rotating exhibitions. Free parking. theautry.org

Teepees make up part of the American Indian Arts Marketplace at the Autry Museum of the American West Sunday afternoon. The event featured Native American arts, crafts, dance and music. (Photo by Andy Holzman/Contributing photographer).

Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College, 120 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont. This museum of contemporary and historic art is always free. www.pomona.edu/museum

Bowers Museum, 2002 North Main St., Santa Ana. Museum of arts and crafts from cultures around the world. Free admission and discounted $10 tickets to the Asian Comics exhibition. www.bowers.org

The Broad 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Contemporary art museum across from Walt Disney Hall downtown that’s fun and highlights the extensive collection of the late Eli Broad. Always free. Paid parking. If you don’t make reservations, you’ll be standing in a long walk-up line. (Visit broad.org to make a reservation)

California Botanic Garden 1500 N. College Ave., Claremont. Features 86 acres with 22,000 California native plants. calbg.org

California Science Center 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles. Always free. Excellent museum with many fine exhibits for families. Paid parking in Exposition Park. californiasciencecenter.org

Visitors enjoy the Kelp Forest exhibit at the California Science Center. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum. Cal State Long Beach. Horn Center, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Always free but paid parking on campus. csulb.edu/carolyn-campagna-kleefeld-contemporary-art-museum

Catalina Museum for Art & History 217 Metropole Ave., Avalon. Explores the history and creativity of Catalina Island. catalinamuseum.org

Cayton Children’s Museum 395 Santa Monica Place, level 3, Santa Monica. Kids’ touch and play museum. (Advanced reservations required. Visit caytonmuseum.org)

Columbia Memorial Space Center 12400 Columbia Way, Downey. Educates students about science and technology. columbiaspacescience.org

Craft Contemporary 5814 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles. Museum devoted to high quality crafts with exhibits and workshops. craftcontemporary.org

Forest Lawn Museum 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale. Museum in a huge cemetery that includes reproductions of famous works of art. forestlawn.com/museum

Julika Lackner’s “Twilight 81 (Forest Lawn Museum Looking West),” 2021, oil and acrylic on canvas, was on exhibit at Forest Lawn in Glendale. (Photo courtesy of Julika Lackner)

Fowler Museum at UCLA 308 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles. Always free. Paid parking. Specializes in ethnic arts and culture. fowler.ucla.edu

Frederick R. Weisman of Art at Pepperdine University, Lisa Smith Wengler Center, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu Contemporary art museum. Always free. Paid and free parking. arts.pepperdine.edu/museum

The Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. The richest museum in the world, it cost $1 billion to build. Always free. Paid parking. Get a free timed ticket online. getty.edu/visit/center

Admission to the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades is free but timed admission tickets must be obtained online before visiting. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

The Getty Villa 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. Stunning replica of a Pompeian villa and gardens, filled with ancient art. Always free, Paid parking. Advance tickets required. getty.edu

GRAMMY Museum at LA Live 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Museum that covers the top echelons of the music industry. Paid parking. grammymuseum.org

The Grammy Museum’s exhibit on Shakira at the downtown Los Angeles museum, (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Hammer Museum at UCLA. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Always free. Paid parking. Art from around the world. hammer.ucla.edu

Holocaust Museum LA 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles. Founded by Holocaust survivors, it explores the horror of the concentration camp and Jewish experience during World War II. Free every Sunday and always to students. Paid parking. Reserve tickets at holocaustmuseumla.org.

An archive image at the Holocaust Museum LA shows families living in the Warsaw Jewish Ghetto in the 1940s. (Photo courtesy of Carla Schalman/Holocaust Museum LA)

Institute of Contemporary Art, LA 1717 E. 7th St., Los Angeles. Showcase of current art, as well as special events. Always free. theicala.org/en

The International Printing Museum 315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson. Learn about printing and book arts. printmuseum.org

Japanese American National Museum 100 N. Central Ave. in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Excellent look at the Japanese experience in the U.S. Reservations recommended. Paid parking. janm.org/visit

TAIKOPROJECT performs during the 2020 Oshogatsu Family Festival at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan 05, 2020. (Photo by Ed Crisostomo, Contributing Photographer)

Laguna Art Museum 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. This museum, on a bluff overlooking the ocean, exhibits art that “embodies and preserves the California experience.” lagunaartmuseum.org

La Brea Tar Pits & Museum 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Fascinating look at the local Ice Age, complete with skeletons of extinct creatures. Advance tickets required. Book online. tarpits.org

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles, adjacent to Olvera Street, Community center and museum housed in two historic buildings next to Olvera Street.

Carson unveils new drone policy to enhance city services

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:47:00 +0000

Carson this week announced the implementation of a new drone policy, becoming one of a growing number of California cities to reap the benefit of unmanned aircraft systems to enhance city services.

This policy, unanimously adopted during the Carson City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 6, allows the use of drones across various city departments and city-contracted work. City officials touted it as an “unprecedented move that sets the tone for the future of city governance and service delivery.”.

“Today, I am thrilled to announce the adoption of our new drone policy, which promises to revolutionize the way we approach tasks like inspections, emergency response, and environmental monitoring.” Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said in a statement. “With this drone policy, we’re soaring towards that future.”

With the advancement and widespread availability of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), many cities have integrated drones into their operations as a cost-effective alternative.

Drones are already employed across numerous public agencies for tasks such as search and rescue operations, locating missing persons, inspecting public infrastructure and surveying environmental conditions.

Despite their benefits, civil rights advocates have raised concerns about potential privacy violations stemming from the use of drones by government agencies.

For example, Jay Stanley, senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union, warned in a report published in July 2023 about the proliferation of law enforcement drones and advised communities to establish statutory guardrails to prevent excessive drone use beyond reasonable boundaries.

Carson officials, for their part, said the new policy “ensures that all operations uphold the highest standards of safety, privacy, and compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.”

The city developed the policy in partnership with Airspace Link, a consultant in airspace management and drone operations. The document sets forth guidelines for drone usage by the city, covering aspects such as purpose, scope, operational guidelines, training, certification, safety protocols, as well as legal and privacy considerations.

This policy does not cover operations conducted by non-city entities, such as commercial operators or hobbyists, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Moreover, it does not amend regulations outlined in Chapter 16 of the Carson Municipal that pertains to UAS.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which have their own drone policies in place, are also exempted from this policy.

Some examples of city drone usage under this policy are documenting areas of erosion at construction sites, capturing aerial reviews of disaster-affected areas, assessing the condition of city-owned street trees, SWAT deployments, and city video production for outreach purposes.

The policy covers drones weighing less than 55 pounds and operating below 400 feet above the ground. Drones weighing 55 pounds or more and/or flying above 400 feet above ground level need a separate policy and approvals from the FAA.

“We’re committed to ensuring that our technological advancements benefit every Carson resident.” Davis-Holmes added. “I invite everyone to join us on March 21st to the State of the City where I will reveal exciting new initiatives that build on this commitment.”

Carson citywide street repair project underway

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:07:39 +0000

A citywide street repair project is underway in Carson.

The ongoing project, launched this month, is unprecedented in magnitude because work is being done in Carson’s four districts simultaneously, city officials said. It aims to tackle long-overdue road maintenance, including tasks such as grinding roadway surfaces and applying fresh asphalt layers.

“These improvements will greatly enhance safety, accessibility, and overall quality of life for our residents,” Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said in a statement. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we work to make Carson an even better place to live, work, and play,”

The schedule for the ongoing maintenance project will be continuously updated. As per the initial schedule, some of the first roads slated for improvement include: Dunbrooke Avenue, and Brenner and Eddington drives, in District 1; 234th and 228th streets and Moneta Avenue, in District 2; Dominguez Street, Bataan Avenue and 223rd Street, in District 3; and 238th, Idbel and 236th streets, in District 4.

Construction occurs from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m during the weekdays, except on city-observed holidays. “No parking” signs will be placed across the project site, indicating scheduled work dates for each area. Access for through traffic may experience delays during construction.

City officials also asked residents to comply with the following:

1. Please adhere to all parking restrictions as indicated. Cars parked in designated “no parking” areas may be towed, potentially slowing down the repaving project.

2. Residents should anticipate possible interruptions to trash collection and street sweeping services. Stay informed with upcoming notices for further updates.

3. Please keep children away from the construction site for their safety.

In November, the Carson City Council unanimously approved allocating $32 million from its general fund reserve to initiate the long-deferred road maintenance project.

The city has wanted to improve its roadway conditions for some time, City Manager David C. Roberts, Jr. said, but it wasn’t able to do so previously because of a lack of funding.

With $108 million in its general fund reserve, thanks to increases in sales and property tax revenues, Carson is finally able to address its long-delayed infrastructure improvement.

Roberts estimated that the entire project, which aims to tackle around 254 streets divided over Carson’s four districts within the next several years, will take $50 to $75 million to complete.

Carson is on track to meet its budget goal, city officials say

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:49 +0000

Carson is on track to meet its budget goal for the end of this fiscal year, Carson’s officials said during a recent mid-year financial update.

“The mid-year picture is reflective of the mayor, council and city staff’s hard work and dedication (to) closely monitor the city’s general fund operating budget,” Carson Finance Director William Jefferson said in an email Wednesday. “The total revenue projected budget of $121 million is on track to be collected at the end of the year.”

The mid-year report, which Jefferson presented to the City Council earlier this week, paints a picture of Carson’s financial situation in the 2023-24 fiscal year based on actual revenue and expenditures from July 1 to Dec. 31.

The city has collected $43 million in revenue so far this fiscal year, which accounts for 36% of the anticipated $121 million by the end of June.

“In prior years,” Jefferson said in his email, “the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarter is when the city collects the majority of the projected revenue.”

While $10 million in sales tax revenue came in from July to December, for example, an additional $5 million has been collected so far this calendar year, Jefferson said during his presentation, bringing the total sales tax revenue to $15 million.

The four largest sources of revenue for Carson are sales tax, property tax, transaction user tax — approved by residents as Measure K in 2020 — and oil business tax, which voters OK’d in 2017 as Measure C, according to the slides Jefferson used during the Tuesday, Feb. 20, presentation.

Carson had $222.9 million for its general fund balance at the end of last fiscal year, a significant increase from FY 18-19’s ending balance of $45.2 million.

Out of the $222.9 million, $79 million is unrestricted funds the city can use for future projects.

Of the $143.9 million in restricted funds, meanwhile, $86 million came from Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company LLC and Phillips 66 through the oil industry business license tax.

But the oil companies have contested the tax payment and are pursuing legal action against the city to get their money back. So Carson has set aside the $86 million to remain untouched while the litigation unfolds.

Of the restricted funds, $27 million has been allocated for capital improvement projects, $5 million has been set aside for the city’s self insurance and $24 million comprises the 20% minimum the city is required to have in its reserves for economic uncertainties, Jefferson said during his presentation.

The $79 million in unrestricted funds has been whittled down to $28 million because of additional projects started after the beginning of the fiscal year, including allocations for street repairs and park security, Jefferson said.

“The increase of the expenditure operating budget also contributed to the budget being underspent by 12%,” Jefferson said in his Wednesday email. “Various ongoing projects will decrease the underspent percentage by the end of the year.”

The primary cause of budget underspending has been vacancies, according to the city staffers. There are 32 open positions across all city departments; that’s a 9% vacancy rate. But even that seems poised to turn around.

“Recruitment efforts have increased,” Jefferson said, “which by year end will reflect a much lower percentage.”

4 teens injured in Carson warehouse party shooting

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 15:58:54 +0000

A shooting at a warehouse party in Carson left four teenage boys injured on Sunday, Feb. 18, with authorities still piecing together what led to the shooting.

A party was underway at the warehouse in the area near East Dominguez Street and Belshaw Avenue around midnight when the shots were fired, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Veronica Rodriguez. The four teens were struck by gunfire and taken to a hospital.

The shooting location is east of the 405 Freeway and south of Del Amo Boulevard.

Information on how many people were in attendance was not immediately available.

Another victim was located a few blocks away along the 1100 block of Dominguez Street, said Deputy Michael Chen.

Information on their injuries was not immediately released by authorities.

A motive for the shooting had not been determined on Monday, Chen said.

No arrests were announced on Monday and a description of the suspect or suspects was not available.

San Pedro Film Festival to screen Oscar-nominated shorts in February, March

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 17:31:35 +0000

The San Pedro Film Festival will kick off its preview programs on Saturday, Feb. 17, with the 2024 Oscar Nominated Shorts program, featuring narrative/live action, animation and documentary offerings.

The series features live action shorts (7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, and March 9); animation (7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24); and documentary shorts (6:45 p.m. March 2).

The showings will be at the Starlight Terrace Cinema, 28901 S. Western Ave., in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Tickets are available online through Eventbrite and are $15 per night or $45 for a three-night package. Tickets are also available at the box-office the nights of the showings, both cash and cards are accepted.

The San Pedro Film Festival’s preview event includes more than a dozen offerings. Most are about 30 minutes long but some are only about 10 minutes. Live action shorts will be shown Saturday and March 9, while animated shorts will be shown on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The live action and animated films are:

“Invincible” (live action), a 2022 Canadian film, inspired by a true story, recounting the last 48 hours in the life of Marc-Antoine Bernier, a 14-year-old boy on a desperate quest for freedom.
“Knight of Fortune” (live action), a 2023 Danish film about the loss of a loved one.
“Red, White and Blue” (live action), which was made in the United States in 2023 and highlights a single parent living paycheck-to-paycheck and dealing with an unplanned pregnancy that takes her across state lines for an abortion.
“The After” (live action), a 2023 film from the United Kingdom that follows the story of a Londoner who has to reconnect with himself and society after witnessing a violent attack.
“The Wonderful Story of Henry” (live action), another 2023 United Kingdom film, which recounts a beloved story by Roald Dahl about a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.
“Our Uniform” (animated), an Iranian film, in Farsi, featuring an Iranian girl unfolding her school memories using the wrinkles and fabrics of her old uniform.
“Letter to a Pig” (animated), a film in Hebrew about a Holocaust survivor who reads a letter he wrote to the “pig” who saved his life.
“Pachyderm” (animated), a U.S. film about a young girl who visits her grandparents for a vacation in a year that features snow falling in summer and a monster who will die.
“Ninety-Five Senses” (animated), a U.S. film that’s an ode to the body’s five senses, delivered by a man with little time left to enjoy them.
“War is Over!” (animated), a U.S. film inspired by the music of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, and set in an alternate World War I reality where a senseless war rages on and two soldiers, on opposite sides of the conflict, play a joyful game of chess.

The documentary shorts being shown on March 2 include “Island Between Synopsis,” which looks at the relatuonship between Taiwan and China; “Nai Nai & Wai Po” (Mandarin), about the directors grandmothers; “The ABCs of Book Banning,” which interviews children and authors; “The Barber of Little Rock,” which looks at America’s widening racial wealth gap through the story of a local barber; and “The Last Repair Shop,” which tells the story of four unassuming heroes who ensure no student is deprived of the joy of music.

The short films constitute the first event that would normally be held at the downtown San Pedro Warner Grand Theatre — but can’t because it’s temporarily closed for at least a two-year renovation period.

“In prior years, it was always at the Warner Grand,” said Ziggy Mrkich[, founder of the San Pedro Film Festival, now in its 13th year. “It’s a little different.”

While they’ve used some other venues in the past, the festival, which will host its main offerings in November, has always been centered around downtown San Pedro, she said.

She said it’s not clear yet where the larger annual festival will land come November — but the search is on.

“We have to take a look at what other venues there are,” Mrkich said. “We’ve screened (films) at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (auditorium in the past) but there are time restrictions there — no Sundays and it has to finish up by 5 p.m.”

Liz Schindler Johnson of the Grand Vision Foundation — the group that helps raise money for the Warner Grand — said there will be challenges ahead for many of the film festivals, stage offerings, concerts and other local programs that will need to find new venues in 2024 and 2025. Challenges will include possibly paying higher fees, along with restrictions on parking, seating and scheduling. Folks also may have to drive a bit farther, with some events possibly being held in El Segundo or other communities outside of the Harbor Area.

“I think the ‘Nutcracker’ (San Pedro Ballet) is looking at Dana (Middle School in San Pedro) and at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center,” Johnson said. “I know the Golden State Pops (Orchestra) is still taking a hard look” at its options, she added.

The Starlight Terrace theaters, where Mrkich is screening her Oscar-nominated shorts, is another site that likely will be used for some of the film events.

But some presentations, Mrkich said, just need the historic ambiance of San Pedro’s Warner Grand Theatre.

Each year at Christmas, for example, her group has put on a showing of the beloved holiday movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

“How do you screen ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at a newer theater?” she said.

Carson hires new human resources director after about six-month vacancy

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:57:12 +0000

Carson recently hired a new human resources director — almost half a year after the last HR leader retired.

Joshua Boudreaux, who brings “a vast and diverse experience within the public sector,” has joined the city’s executive team, Carson announced in a recent press release.

Boudreaux began his new position on Monday, Feb. 5, with an annual salary of $180,000, a city spokesperson said Thursday, Feb. 15.

He took over the position from Crystal Williams, who became Carson’s human resources director in June 2022 and retired a little more than a year later.

Boudreaux’s recruitment marked the most-recent addition to a series of new leadership hires in Carson, which coincided with the city’s improved financial situation. The city, which had previously faced financial challenges, has bolstered its fiscal stability, thanks in part to an increase in sales and property tax revenues.

Carson, which had once dealt with eight budget deficits in 11 years, is on track to have a $1.2 million surplus for fiscal year 2023-24. That money is in addition to the $88 million it had already accumulated over the last several years, Carson Finance Director William Jefferson previously said.

Boudreaux, meanwhile, previously served as a labor representative for around 18,000 members of the Orange County Employees Association.

He also worked for the Orange County Fire Authority, where he helped create the Professional Standards Unit.

Boudreaux also previously served as the administrative manager for Orange County and as the president of the Orange County Human Resources Consortium.

His private sector experience includes working for Koff & Associates, a human resources recruiting firm. While at the company, Boudreaux oversaw recruitment processes for various California public sector entities, including cities, counties and special districts.

Bondreaux graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in political science, with a focus on American politics. He also has a master’s degree in public administration from Chapman University and a master’s certificate in human resources, with an emphasis on labor relations, from Cornell University.

“We look forward to working with Mr. Boudreaux,” Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said in a statement. “His vast experience will enhance our executive team, and we are thrilled that he has joined our Carson Family.”

LA Port Police arrest 3 suspects in San Pedro, South Bay plaque theft case

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:07:13 +0000

The monument at Bruce’s Beach Park in Manhattan Beach sits empty on Jan. 30, 2024. The day before thieves pried the large bronze plaque off its pedestal. It’s another of a rash of bronze thefts across LA County. Though, in the seaside city, its loss is particularly jolting as the journey to reach concensus about that city’s racist history — when land was taken from a Black couple in the 1920s — was a difficult one. (Photo by Michael Hixon/SCNG)
The pedestal at Bruce’s Beach Park, 2600 Highland Avenue, sits empty on Jan. 29, 2024. Thieves took the bronze plaque, installed in Feb. 2023, that details the racially motivated taking of land from Willa and Charles Bruce in an emminent domain action. (Photo courtesy city of Manhattan Beach.)
Plaques have been stolen from San Pedro’s large public memorials on Harbor Boulevard, including this monument honoring the fishing industry. Thieves steal them for the valuable metals. Now the monuments are fenced off, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Plaques have been stolen from San Pedro’s large public memorials on Harbor Boulevard in recent months, with thieves stealing the valuable metals. Now the monuments are fenced off. The plaque which was on this piece of concrete near the Port of LA administration building is now missing in San Pedro on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Plaques have been stolen from San Pedro’s large public memorials on Harbor Boulevard in recent months, with thieves stealing the valuable metals. Now the monuments are fenced off on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Plaques have been stolen from San Pedro’s large public memorials on Harbor Boulevard in recent months, with thieves stealing the valuable metals. Now the monuments are fenced off. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Plaques have been stolen from San Pedro’s large public memorials on Harbor Boulevard in recent months, with thieves stealing the valuable metals. Now the monuments are fenced off and heavy patrols in place by the Los Angeles Port Police. An investigation is ongoing. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Plaques have been stolen from San Pedro’s large public memorials on Harbor Boulevard in recent months, with thieves stealing the valuable metals from the displays honoring the town’s fishing industry, Merchant Mariners and dockworkers. Now the monuments are fenced off, heavy patrols in place by the Los Angeles Port Police and investigations ongoing. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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Los Angeles Port Police arrested three people in connection with numerous memorial plaque thefts in the Harbor Area and South Bay on Tuesday, Feb. 13, officials said.

They were picked up Tuesday afternoon after a traffic stop in South Los Angeles, said Capt. Daniel Cobos, of the Support Services Division for the Los Angeles Port Police.

One Los Angeles resident, aged 42, was arrested on suspicion of grand theft, while two other LA residents — aged 37 and 28 — were arrested on suspicion of receiving stolen property, Cobos said.

The suspects, riding in the same car, had a brass cemetery burial plaque and a plaque from a building in Long Beach when they were pulled over, Cobos said. Police earlier had identified the suspects from surveillance camera footage on Dec. 2 and put the word out to law enforcement agencies to be on the look out for them.

It is not known how many of the stolen plaques with valuable metals may have already been melted and sold.

Thefts of numerous plaques from throughout the area were reported in recent months, including those taken from several large memorials to the fishing industry and longshore workers on Harbor Boulevard in San Pedro. The Bruce’s Beach plaque in Manhattan Beach and the Veterans Memorial in Redondo Beach were also stolen.

Police believe several of the thefts may be connected to the suspects, Cobos said.

Cobos described the thefts as “atrocious.” Many residents have expressed dismay over the losses that commemorate founding San Pedro family members going back for more than a century.

Los Angeles Councilmember Tim McOsker, who represents the Harbor Area, expressed gratitude on news of the arrests.

“The heartless theft of these plaques was an insult to the memories of families who built this region through the fishing industry, who moved goods as part of the ILWU (International Longshore and Warehouse Union), and who protected our country during the war as Merchant Marine sailors,” McOsker said in a written comment released late Tuesday. “It was an affront to our entire community, and today the Harbor Area and the great people who shaped our history and culture are on the path to justice.”

Detectives and law enforcement officers worked “tirelessly” to find the suspects once the identities were known, Cobos said.

Port Police have been working closely with other area law enforcement agencies throughout the region where similar thefts have taken place in the past few months, Cobos said.

The suspects were taken to the Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th Division jail to be booked and were expected to be released by Tuesday evening.

The cemetery plaque found in their possession on Tuesday appeared to be a marker for a priest, Cobos said. It was not clear which cemetery it was from, but thefts of more than 100 plaques were reported from Carson’s historic Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in January.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact Los Angeles Port Police detectives at 310-732-3500.

Central Basin general manager placed on leave pending investigation

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 07:58:33 +0000

Central Basin Municipal Water District’s board has placed General Manager Alex Rojas on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an independent investigation into the legitimacy of contracts tied to a company accused of paying bribes to Rojas at his previous job.

Though the water agency’s board approved the investigation back in September, it could not reach a consensus on what to do with Rojas, who continued to lead the district despite his arrest in 2022 for allegedly accepting bribes while he was the superintendent in the Bassett Unified School District.

A narrow majority wanted to place him on leave over the potential connection to his criminal case, but the district’s general counsel at the time advised that protections in Rojas’ contract required the support of six of seven board members to take any “adverse action” against him.

The board hired a new attorney in December who appears to have a different interpretation. This time, the vote to place Rojas on leave Wednesday, Feb. 7 passed with four votes in favor, one against and two board members absent.

Rojas could not be reached for comment.

The board’s vice president, Juan Garza, said the leave is effective immediately and will last until the investigation into the district’s work with Capstone Partners Group is resolved and a related forensic audit is completed.

The contract with Capstone faced little scrutiny until last year, when a deposition revealed that Capstone owner Manuel Jaramillo secretly worked for the Del Terra Group, a company that county prosecutors allege paid $400,000 in bribes to Rojas while he served as superintendent in Bassett. Capstone, set up with help from Del Terra’s owner, also paid Del Terra directly for the use of at least one other employee, according to Jaramillo’s testimony.

Garza stressed that Rojas would be able to return to duty if the findings determine that Capstone’s hiring was above board.

“We are confident his return would be successful once the results are finalized and their findings demonstrate our agency and its operation have never been compromised under his leadership,” he said.

The district’s newly hired general counsel, Victor Ponto, will serve as acting general manager until the board can find a replacement. Garza said the board intends for Ponto, a lawyer with the firm Burke, Williams & Sorensen, to stay in the role for a short period of time due to the need for someone with more expertise.

The administrative investigation, contracted out to an Alabama-based accounting firm, is expected to review how Capstone was selected and the work it performed.

Central Basin, a water wholesaler that serves 1.6 million people from 24 cities and unincorporated areas in Southeast Los Angeles County, hired Capstone in November 2020 to provide construction and project management services.

Public records show the company was formed just three days before it submitted its bid.

Jaramillo voluntarily terminated Capstone’s contract with Central Basin in August 2022, the same month that the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged Rojas and Del Terra’s owner, Luis Rojas, who isn’t related, on 18 counts, including money laundering, bribery, perjury and embezzlement.

That case is still pending. Both Alex Rojas, who has been at the helm of Central Basin since August 2020, and Luis Rojas have denied the allegations.

In an interview last year, Rojas said he was not aware of Capstone’s close ties with Del Terra prior to the termination of the contract. Though he sat in on interviews, he did not participate in the scoring, he said.

Capstone’s bid rose to the top because its proposed team included water infrastructure experts well-known in the industry, Rojas said at the time. The team members in the proposal provided resumes listing public projects they had worked on without mentioning any current or previous employers.

Garza, the board vice president, said he is hopeful the forensic audit and investigation will clear up any concerns about the contract and ultimately restore trust in the water agency.

“I think this is the first step,” he said.

Wilmington turns out in force to cheer, celebrate and play on the town’s sparkling new waterfront

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:52:28 +0000

Visitors stroll along the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors enjoy one of the interactive play areas at the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors check out the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Local residents Marisol Varela and her daughter, Ada, 7, visit the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors check out the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors enjoy one of the interactive play areas at the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Children spin around in a play area at the Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass attends the grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, second from left, is is joined by officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, left, is seated with other elected officials and representatives of the Port of Los Angeles at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is joined by other elected officials representatives of the Port of Los Angeles as she cuts the ribbon in a ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, left, and County Supervisor Janice Hahn are among the elected officials on hand for the grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker (15th District) addresses the large crowd on hand for the grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Invited officials and area residents attend the grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Invited officials and area residents attend the grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Elected officials and and representatives of the Port of Los Angeles are seated behind LA Mayor Karen Bass as she delivers remarks at the grand opening ceremony for the newly completed Wilmington Waterfront Promenade on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in Wilmington. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Balloons Released On Anniversary Of Unsolved Murders Of Carson Mother, Son Gunned Down In Front Of Their Home

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 17:39:42 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — Six years later, a Carson family hasn’t given up hope they will find justice for a mother and son who were gunned down in front of their home.

(credit: Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department)

On Feb. 27, 2016, Michele and Jordan Love were shot to death just before midnight as they drove up to the garage of their home on Tillman Avenue in Carson. Since the murders, homicide detectives say they have had leads, but witnesses have been reluctant to come forward.

On Sunday, the family held their annual balloon release at the Tillman Avenue home to remember the mother and son who were taken too soon.

A $25,000 reward for information for information leading to the killer is available from the City of Carson. Anyone with information about the murders can contact Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.

Carson Homeowner Unable To Move Into New House Due To Pandemic Renter Protections

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 00:56:51 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – A Carson couple who purchased a home in June has been unable to move into their new house because a tenant from the previous owner has refused to leave.

Feb. 3, 2022 (CBSLA)

As it turns out, the tenant doesn’t have to leave because the Board of Supervisors voted in January to extend most pandemic eviction protections through the end of the year.

According to Enrique Cardona and his wife, who live across the street from the home they own, it’s the kind of house that people like to stop and look at.

“Everybody gawks at it. People almost get in accidents stopping to look at it,” Enrique said, adding they often would sit on their porch and fantasize about what it would be like to own the home.

However, in June of last year, their wish came true when they purchased the property for a little over $500,000.

At the time, there were three tenants living in the home. Two of them moved out, but one remained.

“He basically said he wanted to stay here until February of this year, and I said, ‘We can give you 30 [days],’ and he said, ‘No, I’m staying,'” Enrique said.

The tenant is protected by the county’s eviction moratorium, which is set to run through the end of the year.

“My wife and inadvertently became landlords,” Enrique said. “We have only been in this predicament for seven months. I feel the strain, but can only imagine what people feel who have had to do this for two years.”

There are some cases where an LA County homeowner can evict a tenant during the moratorium, but if that tenant is low income, elderly or disabled, then the landlord has little recourse other than to wait or come to some sort of deal with the renter.

“But you will also pay relocation fees and those relocation fees are based on the number of bedrooms and can range anywhere from $10,000 to $22,000,” Eviction Attorney Melissa Marsh said.

The Cardonas’ tenant is a low-income senior. Marsh said the only thing the couple can do is wait for the pandemic renter protections to expire.

“He can negotiate with the tenant and offer them maybe $50,000 and maybe he’ll accept it,” Marsh said.

There is a Housing is Key program where the state will reimburse landlords the back rent they’re owed. Cardona did apply for that in September, but said so far he’s not seen a dime.

“We are paying the property taxes and the mortgage and still, we can’t do what we want with the property we purchased,” he said.

County Board Supervisor Holly Mitchell, who represents Carson and voted to extend the eviction moratorium, provided CBSLA with the following statement regarding this situation:

“This pandemic has raised unprecedented hardships in different ways for different populations. Everyone has been asked to sacrifice in some way to protect us all from from even greater tragedies. The protections the county put into place have ensured that renters were not put out onto the street in the midst of the pandemic. Those protections are being phased out, and we have are continuing to balance effects on renters and effects on landlords. I know some people wish we were moving to phase out protections faster, but many, many low income and especially vulnerable elderly renters remain greatly at risk and we must keep seniors from losing their home during the pandemic.”

Trio Accused In Hammer Smash-And-Grab Robberies Of 6 Cell Phone Stores In 1 Day

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 23:34:14 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Three men have been indicted by a federal grand jury in the hammer robberies of half-a-dozen cell phone stores in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and have been linked to as many as 50 similar robberies across the region.

Tony Tyron Lee Stewart, 21, of Highland; Rayford Newsome, 23, of Compton; and Jerome Gregory Belser, 20, of San Bernardino, are in federal custody and are scheduled to be arraigned in federal court on Feb. 10. The trio has been accused of stealing $33,795 worth of merchandise, and have been linked to more than 50 cell phone store robberies throughout Southern California.

According to the federal indictment, Newsom drove Stewart and Belser in a blue Kia Optima vehicle on Jan. 15 to rob T-Mobile stores in Long Beach, Carson, Inglewood, Encino, and Camarillo, and an AT&T Wireless store in Woodland Hills. Prosecutors say Stewart and Belser used hammers to smash display cases and phone displays to steal iPhones and other electronics at each of the stores, while Newsome was the getaway driver.

According to an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint in this case, GPS location data for Stewart’s and Newsome’s phones, and the blue Kia Optima, showed that the phones and the vehicle were in the area of the robberies when they occurred. Later that night, investigators used the vehicle’s GPS data to track it down to North Hollywood, according to federal prosecutors.

The trio was found in the car after a short pursuit, along with devices taken from the Encino store, and hammers with distinctive handle coloring resembling the ones used during that robbery.

All three men have been charged with one count each of conspiracy and six counts each of interference with commerce by robbery.

LA County Seeks Civil Penalties Over Foul Stench In Dominguez Channel, Lawsuit Names 10 Defendants

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 01:26:58 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – On Thursday, officials with LA County announced a lawsuit seeking millions in civil penalties related to the noxious odor that began emanating from the Dominguez Channel and engulfed the City of Carson in October last year.

The suit, filed in Superior Court, named 10 defendants, including tenants and property owners of the warehouse in Carson where a massive Sept. 30 fire released illegally-stored chemicals into the Dominguez Channel and created hydrogen sulfide gas odors that caused a public nuisance affecting thousands of residents.

RELATED: Massive Warehouse Fire Likely Caused Foul Odor In Carson, Authorities Say

Among the defendants, Liberty Property Limited Partnership, which owns the warehouse, and its parent company, Prologis Inc., were named.

According to the county, both the tenants and corporate owners of the warehouse facility were aware of the hazards and danger and could have prevented the conditions that lead to the fire.

“As a result of the fire, chemicals from the site entered the storm drain and then the Channel resulting in the creation of hydrogen sulfide gas that significantly impacted thousands of County residents,” officials said in the release.

Officials also said that the county and its Flood Control District incurred tens of millions of dollars in response costs as a result of the incident, such as relocation for residents, air filters and abatement measures.

The lawsuit seeks to recover the county’s costs in responding to the incident, as well as obtain injunctive relief and civil penalties for the public nuisance, unlawful business practices and the violation of hazardous waste and other laws.

“What the residents along the Dominguez Channel were put through is unforgivable. The months-long odor meant financial and emotional stress, on top of the weeks of discomfort,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “While this lawsuit can’t make up for what happened to everyone who was displaced from their homes, it is important that these businesses are held accountable. I also hope this will help prevent this from ever happening again.”

CHP Issues Silver Alert For 74-Year-Old Melody Hudgins, Last Seen December 15 In Carson

Sat, 08 Jan 2022 23:27:35 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – Sheriff’s detectives asked for the public’s help Saturday to find a 74-year-old woman who went missing in Carson.

Courtesy California Highway Patrol. Jan. 8, 2022.

Melody Hudgins was last seen on Dec. 15, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Hudgins is white, 5-feet-6 inches tall and weighs about 146 pounds.

She has gray hair and hazel eyes, the LASD reported.

She was reportedly on foot and last seen wearing a green hat, white sweater, blue jeans and red shoes.

A silver alert was issued by the California Highway Patrol on behalf of the LASD. The silver alert program was established by the CHP to issue and coordinate alerts involving the unexplained or suspicious disappearance of elderly, developmentally disabled or cognitively impaired individuals.

Anyone with information on Hudgins’ whereabouts was asked to call the LASD’s Missing Persons Unit at 323-890-5500 or 911. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Woman Injured In Shooting Involving Deputies In Carson

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 22:07:58 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – A woman was injured in a shooting involving sheriff’s deputies in Carson Wednesday.

Deputies were sent about 1 p.m. to a residence in the area of East Dominguez Street and South Prospect Avenue on a family disturbance call and a person armed with a knife and a gun prior to the shooting, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities said when deputies arrived, they set up a containment of the location and asked for the occupants to exit the residence.

The suspect, described a Black woman in 20’s, exited the residence with two family members. She was armed with a knife in one hand and a firearm in the other. The female suspect refused to comply with commands to drop the weapons and, at one point, pointed the firearm at deputies, officials said.

A deputy-involved shooting occurred at that point.

The woman was struck several times. She was transported to a local hospital where she is in fair condition.

No deputies or other civilians were injured during the incident.

Both the firearm and the knife were recovered at the scene.
Massive Warehouse Fire Likely Caused Foul Odor In Carson, Authorities Say

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 20:10:40 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – Officials say a massive September fire at a warehouse which contained wellness and beauty products is likely to blame for the foul odor which has engulfed the city of Carson over the past few months.

A fire smolders at a commercial distribution center on Oct. 1, 2021, in Carson, Calif. The blaze broke out on Sept. 30, but continued to burn the following day. (L.A. County Fire Department)

Following an investigation, the South Coast Air Quality Management District on Friday issued five notices of violation to multiple companies, along with Los Angeles County, for allegedly causing the elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide enter the Dominguez Channel.

The enormous industrial fire broke out Sept. 30 at a commercial distribution center at 16325 S. Avalon Blvd.

According to South Coast AQMD, two companies were storing large amounts of wellness and beauty products in the warehouse which burned. The chemicals from the products, which included ethanol, went into the sewer system and entered the Dominguez Channel.

“This was followed by the anaerobic decay of organic materials in the channel, which caused elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide to be emitted into the air,” South Coast AQMD said in a news release.

About three days after the fire, South Coast AQMD began to receive odor complaints from residents, the agency says.

South Coast AQMD has since gotten more than 4,600 odor complains from residents. It also found that hydrogen sulfide levels were 230 times higher than the state nuisance standard.

The violations were issued to:
- Virgin Scent, Inc. dba Art Naturals
- Day to Day Imports, Inc.
- Liberty Properties Limited Partnership and its parent company, Prologis, Inc.
- Los Angeles County, which operates the Dominguez Channel.
According to South Coast AQMD, violation notices can lead to either civil penalties or civil lawsuits if no settlement is reached.

The odor forced the city of Carson to relocate over 1,300 residents to hotel rooms.

About three weeks after the blaze, a group of residents brought a class-action lawsuit against the businesses associated with the warehouse over the odor.
Levels Of Hydrogen Sulfide From Dominguez Channel Down As County Continues Daily Spraying Of Odor Neutralizer At 6 Locations

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:04:37 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — Smell that? County officials say they’re seeing an improvement in the air quality around the Dominguez Channel in Carson, where residents have been living with a nauseating odor since last month.

At a virtual town hall, county officials reported they are now spraying thousands of gallons of odor neutralizer at six locations every day, and aerating the Dominguez Channel. The efforts have improved the air quality by reducing the hydrogen sulfide emanating from the channel, which is the source of the rotten egg odor.

“All this data tells us we’re doing the right thing, and we’ve figured out what is actually happening within the water that’s causing this smell,” Director of LA County Public Works Mark Pastrella said.

Pastrella said the county is also providing portable air filters to residents and has relocated 2,000 families to local hotels since the odor was first reported on Oct. 7. Carson has announced a state of emergency over the odor, which residents say has permeated their homes and caused headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

Ultimately, the county will need to restore the estuary to prevent the hydrogen sulfide odor from occurring again, which could take up to two years, officials said.

LA Board Supervisor Asks Newsom To Declare State Of Emergency Over Carson Odor

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 15:22:35 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – As a sulfurous odor continues to plague Carson, one county official Tuesday called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to step in and help address the issue.

The Dominguez Channel in Carson, Calif., as seen from Avalon Blvd. Oct. 11, 2021. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images)

Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell called on Newsom to declare a state of emergency over the foul smell which has been afflicting Carson and other surrounding communities for weeks.

On Tuesday, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors declare a local emergency in Carson over the odor, which has been traced to hydrogen sulfide gas coming from decaying material in the Dominguez Channel.

The board said the local emergency declaration was prompted by a need to provide more resources to the affected communities, and not because of any new health concerns in the area.

As of last week, the city of Carson had relocated over 1,300 residents to hotel rooms due to the odor. Carson has also declared its own state of emergency.

“It has been nearly one month of this persistent sulfurous odor that is causing countless residents in Carson and in surrounding communities near the Dominguez Channel to experience nausea and headaches and forcing many to have to temporarily relocate,” Mitchell wrote.

“As we continue to work with the state in assessing this incident, I am asking that the governor join in proclaiming a state of emergency to ensure we are bringing all resources to bear to solve this issue,” Mitchell added.

L.A. County Public Works officials said they are looking into the possibility chemicals from local refineries, chemical plants and other facilities might be partially to blame for the odor. A 4.3-magnitude earthquake near Carson in September may have disrupted the lines.

Public works employees have taken steps that the county said drastically reduced the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas emanating from the channel. Still, even low concentrations of the gas are continuing to create a nuisance for nearby communities.

The L.A. County Department of Public Health has conducted door-to-door outreach to more than 8,970 Carson residents, including medically fragile individuals, Mitchell said, as well as reaching out to businesses and schools and manning a related hotline.

Public Works has coordinated with multiple experts and spent an estimated $5.4 million to date on remediation and providing or reimbursing residents for air filters, air purifiers and temporary relocation.

In a statement last week, the city of Carson said a permanent solution could involve dredging the channel and turning it into “an amenity to the city rather than a detraction.”

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Authorities Have Arrested The Suspect In Carson Shooting That Killed One

Sat, 30 Oct 2021 04:30:46 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – Local authorities responded to the scene of a shooting in Carson at the 21600 block of South Figueroa Street on Friday evening.

Deputy Alejandra Parra of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau reported that the shooting happened at approximately 4:30PM.

A man was shot and mortally wounded at the scene. He later died at a nearby hospital. The victim, 55, was reportedly involved in a confrontation of some sort prior to the shooting, along with one other person.

Police have the suspect in custody, as he was arrested in the shopping center; the weapon was also recovered at the scene.

Parra reported that, “a deputy patrolling Carson was stopped for a red light at the intersection of Carson Street and South Figueroa Street when his attention was drawn by the sound of shouting to the retail center on the northeast corner of the intersection.”

The deputy saw a man pointing a handgun at an unseen target from where he was standing. The man with the handgun fired approximately six or seven rounds before running north into the retail center.

Deputies were able to quickly contain the scene, when they learned there was a second victim. That person was not injured.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call homicide detectives at 323- 890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Foul Odor From Dominguez Channel Moving Into Communities Outside Carson

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 01:23:24 +0000

WILMINGTON (CBSLA) – The stench of hydrogen sulfide coming from the Dominguez Channel, which has plagued Carson residents for weeks, now appears to be moving into other communities, even after the city and county officials declared a state of emergency over the issue.

CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 11, 2021: Overall, shows the Dominguez Channel in Carson as seen from Carson St. A foul odor is emanating from the Dominguez Channel and public health officials are recommending Carson residents keep their doors and windows closed as authorities work to address the odor. The Dominguez Channel is a drain channel that crosses through industrial areas on its way to the Port of Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Some Wilmington residents said the noxious odor has also creeped into their neighborhoods.

Officials have said that the stench is caused by decaying organic material in the channel.

“When it first started happening, it was like headaches. It was just really bad, you would lose your appetite,” said Wilmington resident Alan Sevilla.

Angel Magana, who also lives in Wilmington, is worried about health consequences that can’t been seen.

“The biggest concern is what it’s doing to my health inside,” Magana said.

RELATED: Carson Officially Announces State Of Emergency Over Foul Odor

Many people in the Carson area, and now outside the area, said they’ve been getting headaches and nausea since the smell started last month. Authorities said the hydrogen sulfide gas that’s being emitted from the channel is not currently at dangerous levels.

“I even put my mask on inside my house sometimes just to avoid the smell,” Sevilla said.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends that residents in affected communities reduce their outdoor exposure when the odors are strong. They are strongest between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m.

San Pedro residents like Ruben Rodriguez said the odor has also drifted into their community.

“You get the stench. I work graveyard shift, so when I get off work at 4:30 in the morning, it is really, really potent. It’s bad,” Rodriguez said and added that he and his fiancé try to stay inside as much as possible. “We kinda keep everything locked up, you know. We have our AC and we run it.”

In a zoom town hall meeting meeting on Wednesday evening, water and air quality authorities said they were looking into the possibility that chemicals from local refineries, chemical plants and other facilities may be partially to blame after the 4.3 magnitude earthquake near Carson last month, which may have disrupted lines.

Meanwhile, LA County Department of Public Works said they were able to reduce the smell by spraying biodegradable deoderizer in the channel.

“It’s helped a little bit, but it’s just terrible,” Sevilla said. “It smells like dirty turtle water, that’s my best way of explaining it. Just, basically, get rid of the smell.”

LA County Officials Hold Town Hall To Discuss Carson Foul Odor

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 03:31:45 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – Los Angeles County officials held a virtual town hall Wednesday to provide an update and answer questions about efforts to combat the odor emanating from the area.

In a Zoom meeting, officials with Los Angeles County Public Works said they are looking into the possibility chemicals from local refineries, chemical plants and other facilities might be partially to blame. This comes after a 4.3 magnitude earthquake near Carson last month that may have disrupted the lines.

So far, the City of Carson has relocated over 1300 residents to hotel rooms due to the odor.

Have questions about the odor in #DominguezChannel & what’s being done to stop it? #LACounty officials will take questions & discuss solutions, tmw, Oct.27, at 5:30 pm. Call in or live stream the event on
YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Submit questions tohttps://t.co/0kSdyENPY1 pic.twitter.com/dfdsEZ8H91

— LA Co Public Works (@LACoPublicWorks) October 26, 2021

The Carson city council and their mayor, Lula Davis-Holmes, officially announced a state of emergency in regards to the foul odor that has been plaguing the city for weeks.

The channel has continued to emit a noxious smell, thanks to high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas found in the decaying material at the bottom of the channel.

Carson residents have reported that the smell has caused them a wide array of nuisances including nausea, constant headaches and having to completely avoid the area to try and escape the odor. However, residents outside of Carson have also indicated that they can smell the stench in their areas of Gardena, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Wilmington and Long Beach.

Mayor Davis-Holmes also asked for help outside of local government, “We are also urging the county, Governor Newsom and President Biden declare a state of emergency as well, to provide access to additional resources for residents and business owners, including but not limited to cutting through red tape to enable the county to move quickly to implement the permanent solution of restoring the channel and implementing environmental remediation.”

Officials with the Los Angeles County of Public Works have stated that their efforts to remove the stench from the area have thus far gone nowhere, but there has been a significant reduction in the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas present. Public Works has been spraying Epoleon, a natural biodegradable spray that mitigates hydrogen sulfide odor by converting the gas into a byproduct of salt.

In a statement from the city on Monday, they suggested a permanent solution to the problem – dredging the channel. They hope that this would change the Dominguez Channel from a detraction on the community to an amenity.

However, Mark Pestrella, Director of the LA County Public Works, argues that it’s easier said than done. The process, which could take months to finish, would be a very particular one, making sure that no other chemicals were released, which could potentially create other problems with the channel. If the channel does in fact need to be dredged, he estimates that about five acre-feet of water would be dredged. One acre-foot is equal to 325,851 gallons of water.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors pushed a proposal to expedite support for those immediately impacted by the situation, with 26 households being moved into three local hotels. They have also asked for help in directly distributing HEPA air filters and filtration units to residents, handing out hotel vouchers, reimbursing cities for supplies and hiring a third party to administer relief supplies and reimbursement. Nearly 3,000 people have applied for reimbursement on similar expenses.

Other residents recently brought litigation into the picture by suing a company and its warehouse that they suppose has liability in the matter. Other residents have even gone as far as moving away from the situation completely.

Last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommended that residents avoid prolonged outdoor activities between the hours of 9 PM and 8 AM, based on patterns seen with air monitoring results, and reduce exposure whenever odors are strong. Schools in the area were told to have discretion when considering outdoor activities.

They also recommended that residents keep their pets indoors and immediately take them to the vet if they seem ill – especially if they seem lethargic, have trouble breathing or start to vomit.

All of this comes despite reports from the Los Angeles County Fire Department that claim the smell is non-lethal.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Carson Officially Announces State Of Emergency Over Foul Odor

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 23:21:00 +0000

CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 11, 2021: Overall, shows the Dominguez Channel in Carson as seen from Carson St. A foul odor is emanating from the Dominguez Channel and public health officials are recommending Carson residents keep their doors and windows closed as authorities work to address the odor. The Dominguez Channel is a drain channel that crosses through industrial areas on its way to the Port of Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

CARSON (CBSLA) – The Carson city council and their mayor, Lula Davis-Holmes, have officially announced a state of emergency in regards to the foul odor that has been plaguing the city for weeks.

The Dominguez Channel has continued to emit a noxious smell, thanks to high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas found in the decaying material at the bottom of the channel.

Carson residents have reported that the smell has caused them a wide array of nuisances including nausea, constant headaches and having to completely avoid the area to try and escape the odor. However, residents outside of Carson have also indicated that they can smell the stench in their areas of Gardena, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Wilmington and Long Beach.

Mayor Davis-Holmes also asked for help outside of local government, “We are also urging the county, Governor Newsom and President Biden declare a state of emergency as well, to provide access to additional resources for residents and business owners, including but not limited to cutting through red tape to enable the county to move quickly to implement the permanent solution of restoring the channel and implementing environmental remediation.”

Officials with the Los Angeles County of Public Works have stated that their efforts to remove the stench from the area have thus far gone nowhere, but there has been a significant reduction in the amount of hydrogen sulfide gas present. Public Works has been spraying Epoleon, a natural biodegradable spray that mitigates hydrogen sulfide odor by converting the gas into a byproduct of salt.

In a statement from the city on Monday, they suggested a permanent solution to the problem – dredging the channel. They hope that this would change the Dominguez Channel from a detraction on the community to an amenity.

However, Mark Pestrella, Director of the LA County Public Works, argues that it’s easier said than done. The process, which could take months to finish, would be a very particular one, making sure that no other chemicals were released, which could potentially create other problems with the channel. If the channel does in fact need to be dredged, he estimates that about five acre-feet of water would be dredged. One acre-foot is equal to 325,851 gallons of water.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors pushed a proposal to expedite support for those immediately impacted by the situation, with 26 households being moved into three local hotels. They have also asked for help in directly distributing HEPA air filters and filtration units to residents, handing out hotel vouchers, reimbursing cities for supplies and hiring a third party to administer relief supplies and reimbursement. Nearly 3,000 people have applied for reimbursement on similar expenses.

Other residents recently brought litigation into the picture by suing a company and its warehouse that they suppose has liability in the matter. Other residents have even gone as far as moving away from the situation completely.

Last week, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommended that residents avoid prolonged outdoor activities between the hours of 9PM and 8AM, based on patterns seen with air monitoring results, and reduce exposure whenever odors are strong. Schools in the area were told to have discretion when considering outdoor activities.

They also also recommended that residents keep their pets indoors and immediately take them to the vet if they seem ill – especially if they seem lethargic, have trouble breathing or start to vomit.

All of this comes despite reports from the Los Angeles County Fire Department that claim the smell is non-lethal.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Authorities Searching 73-Year-Old Caron Woman Missing In Carson

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 23:46:01 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA/CNS) – Authorities are asking for the public’s help in finding Martha Louise Scholz.

The 73-year-old woman was last seen around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, near the 300 block of East Carson Street, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Scholz struggles with dementia and high blood pressure.

She is described as 5-feet-4-inches tall and weighs about 155 pounds, with white hair and brown eyes. Scholz was last seen wearing a gray sweater with black pants.

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to Scholz’s whereabouts to call 323-890-5500. Tipsters can also
call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Officials Report Gas Levels Causing Odor In Carson Area Has Been Reduced As Smell Persists

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 22:31:56 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — As the stench in the area continues to concern Carson residents, officials have said that hydrogen sulfide, the gas that was contributing to it, has been reduced.

The gas — which some residents in nearby communities of Torrance, West Carson, Gardena, Redondo Beach, Wilmington and Long Beach have reported smelling — was coming from organic material decaying in the Dominguez Channel.

Some symptoms that some have reported include burning eyes, headaches and nausea.

RELATED: Carson Residents Bring Lawsuit Over Foul Smell

Mark Pestrella, director of the county Department of Public Works, said the Air Quality Management District’s overnight report showed “drastic reductions” in the gas, which is at the lowest level since the odor was first detected.

As a result of the odor, public health officials said that impacted residents should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion between 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.

County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis on Friday shared with members of the community that the symptoms are expected to be both temporary and reversible.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Carson Residents Bring Lawsuit Over Foul Smell

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:56:32 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – A smell that has been terrorizing Carson residents for over a month has reportedly not gotten any better over recent weeks.

In response, residents and crews from Public Works have taken measures to reduce the odor, to no avail.

While LAFD has reported that the smell is not life-threatening if inhaled, it is still enough to cause many residents to avoid the area completely, remain inside for as many hours of the day as they can and in some cases move away.

Some locals claim to feel constant headaches, nausea, dizziness, and burning eyes as a result of the putrid smell.

A certain group of residents has taken more matters into their hands, bringing a lawsuit to a local business and warehouse that supposedly bear some sort of responsibility in the hydrogen sulfide gas and odor that lingers over their city.

The class-action suit, filed with Los Angeles County Superior Court, states that a fire broke out at the warehouse, just days before the odor began to plague the area. The warehouse reportedly contains highly-flammable ethanol-based hand sanitizer products. The suit also claims that the warehouse lessee maintained unsafe conditions which led to the fire.

“That fire put debris such as cardboard, pallets and ethanol-based hand sanitizer that got into the channel, causing the combustion — causing the hydrogen sulfide that you’re smelling here today,” said attorney Carlos Urzua.

The county director of Public Works also said their investigation was pointing to the fire as a cause of the stench.

“That fire as we mentioned in your press conference is suspect number one for us, in respect to the materials that have entered into the channel,” said Director of Los Angeles County Public works Mark Petrella on Oct.14

Prologis, Inc. and Liberty Property, LP, are named as co-defendants in the suit. Prologis, Inc., the owners of the warehouse, acquired Liberty Property in 2019.

The lawsuit calls for Prologis, Inc. to pay for residents’ relocation expenses as well as for their future medical monitoring, in relation to the odor and problems caused after its initial exposure to the public. Additional statements in the lawsuit reveal that materials from the warehouse and debris from the fire found their way into the Dominguez Channel, where they negatively reacted with the stagnant water and vegetation in the area.

As crews continue to take various measures and work with deodorizers, hydrogen sulfide levels have dropped in recent days. However, the smell still persists.

“It’s a chemical and psychological warfare that I feel we are fighting here in our communities — in our homes,” said resident Monique Alvarez. “There’s a danger lurking in my home at night. I can’t see it. But I can feel it.”

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Crews Working To Neutralize Putrid Odor Coming From Dominguez Channel In Carson

Sat, 16 Oct 2021 01:42:30 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — Residents in Carson who have been dealing with a putrid odor that has lingered for the last two weeks may finally get some relief.

The smell along the Dominguez Channel in Carson is enough to make residents gag.

“Last night it was really awful. We couldn’t breathe,” said one Carson resident.

“I have a condition,” said Carson resident Hermel Rivera. “I’m in remission from cancer so that makes it worse and I have asthma.” said resident Hermel Rivera.

People who live near the channel are desperate for relief and city leaders said relief is coming. On Friday, public works crews were out in boats trying to neutralize the smell with Epoleon.

Epeoleon is an odor neutralizer often used at landfills and sewage treatment plants. County workers are dripping it into the water and also spraying it on the surface. County officials say it should make a difference in three to five days.

“I am going to keep my fingers crossed that this is the solution. They seem confident, and I am going to rely on that. But if not, we will take another step and declare it an emergency,” said Mayor Lulu Davis-Holmes.

Davis-Holmes said her staff is drafting a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom asking him to step in with state funds.

The county said it will reimburse residents for hotel rooms and air filters. According to the mayor, the city has already allocated $100,000 to relocate low-income residents.

“Rooms are being identified as we speak. Right now I can tell you that there are 40 rooms that the city has already locked in for our residents who would like to leave the city because they can’t tolerate the smell anymore,” Davis-Holmes said.

The mayor criticized county health officials for not acting sooner.

“It’s been proven that the Black and brown communities are not responded to in an expeditious manner. I can say that once I called our supervisor, the ball started rolling,” Davis-Holmes said.

Carson residents rallied outside Carson City Hall earlier Thursday, urging city leaders to do more to help.

U.S. Congresswoman Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan called on Newsom Friday to declare a state of emergency to fix the situation.

“The people of Carson deserve the same level of response as the people that have experienced public health emergencies in el Segundo, Porter Ranch and Malibu,” Diaz Barragan said.

“Now this is a matter of public health and is quickly becoming an environmental justice issue,” she said.

Residents can request hotel vouchers, masks and air filters through the city’s hotline at 310-830-7600

Officials Say They Have Solution For Foul Smell Coming From Dominguez Channel In Carson

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 04:22:01 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – Los Angeles County officials announced Thursday that they may have a way of clearing the putrid odor from the Dominguez Channel, which has been plaguing Carson residents for more than a week now.

“We are going to come in with a specific spray called epoleon and also drip and apply on the surface of the water that you see here. I expect that you will some difference of what’s going on within the next three to five days,” said Mark Pestrella, L.A. County Public Works Director.

Pestrella said the spray is water based and organic and should neutralize the rotten egg smell, which is actually hydrogen sulfide coming from plants and other materials essentially rotting in the channel. While these situations are often naturally occurring, Pestrella revealed a pallet fire two weeks ago in Carson may have exacerbated the situation by releasing cardboard and ethanol into the channel.

“The fire is suspect number one for us, with respect to the materials that have entered into the channel,” he said.

Carson residents rallied outside Carson City Hall earlier Thursday, urging city leaders to do more to help.

Fortunately, for me, I’ve been only having to deal with nonstop headaches and bouts of nausea and dizziness,” said Anna Meni, who has lived in Carson for 42 years. She said the city and county need to do more to help residents relocate.

“As of right now, they’re expecting to everybody to pay, pay and then submit for reimbursement and then eventually, in a few months, you will get your money back,” Meni said.

The county is providing around $180.00 for hotel room and air filter reimbursement, as well, but it’s unclear how long it will take to get paid back.

Residents pushed city leaders on the issue at Thursday’s town hall meeting.

Once the odor has been taken care of, according to the public works director, the county will do a deep clean on the Dominguez Channel, dredging up sediment, removing much and growing new vegetation.

Carson Residents Protest Dominguez Channel Stink Ahead Of Virtual Meeting

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 22:11:10 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — About two dozen seniors and low-income residents rallied in Carson Thursday to raise their own stink about a sickening smell coming from the Dominguez Channel.

The city is hosting a discussion on an odor remediation plan at 5 p.m., but because it’s a virtual meeting residents can’t attend in person, they decided to hold an in-person rally beforehand.

The sulphur-like smell has permeated Carson, particularly in neighborhoods closest to the Dominguez Channel. Residents like Carla Zanotti says she can’t sleep because of it, and she can’t get the odor out of her mobile home.

“You wake up in the middle of the night, choking or with headaches,” she said.

County health officials say the smell is caused by decaying vegetation in the channel releasing hydrogen sulfide, and it has been declared a public nuisance. But residents like Ana Meni, who has lived in Carson for 42 years, are skeptical. She says her symptoms are rather mild – headaches and bouts of nausea and dizziness.

But the smell is making others really sick, to the point that she wants city leaders to cover the cost of temporary relocation for impacted residents. Currently, residents are expected to pay up front costs and submit for reimbursement to get their money back.

“You have to be able to afford it to begin with, and we don’t,” Carson resident Valerie Rose said.

The virtual townhall is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday and will stream on the county’s YouTube channel. LA County’s Public Works Director Mark Pestrella, Public Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis, and South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Deputy Executive Officer Terrence Mann are schedule to speak. Questions must be submitted in advance online.

Carson City Leaders Officially Declare Foul Odor To Be Public Nuisance

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 00:50:35 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – LA County Public Works investigators have determined a foul odor described by some to be like “rotten eggs” is due to low levels of hydrogen sulfide being released from decaying vegetation in the Dominguez Channel.

But County and city officials have yet to release a plan to get rid of the foul odor. Some residents have complained of feeling sick after inhaling the stench.

“It makes me have a headache. It’s really strong,” said Diana Wade, a Carson resident.

She said her patience is wearing thin after getting back-to-back headaches from breathing in pungent air in Carson for more than a week now.

Carson city leaders have officially declared the odor a public nuisance, which will give residents access to county funds for upgraded air filters.

“We’re kind of wondering if it’s safe, but we’re just hoping it goes away soon,” said Cesia Garcia, a Carson resident.

Public Works officials have said part of the problem is because the area hasn’t seen much rain, which would normally flush out the Channel.

As officials look at ways to remedy the problem, neighbors say they’ll be spending more time indoors until then.

“I don’t want it to affect my body, you know, because we got COVID, then that’s strong, and it could make me sick,” said Wade. “I have Diabetes and I just don’t want that to affect me.”

County health officials say exposure to hydrogen sulfide at low levels may cause headaches and nausea, but do not cause long term health effects. Residents who must purchase air filters will be reimbursed.

Carson City Council Meets To Discuss Foul Odor Impacting Residents

Tue, 12 Oct 2021 03:21:30 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – The Carson City Council held a special meeting Monday to talk about a foul odor that has been plaguing residents near the Dominguez Channel.

“It smells really terrible,” said Ruth Sanchez, a Carson resident. “Like rotten eggs hitting your face.”

The Los Angeles County Public Works Department, fire department, Department of Public Health, and the Air Quality Management District have been investigating the odor emanating from the channel at the intersection of South Avalon Boulevard.

“We’re theorizing what’s happening in the channel,” said Mark Pestrella, director of the LA Department of Public Works “The water that’s sitting in the channel now is sitting in amongst the vegetation in the channel and the vegetation is decaying. And the decay of the vegetation creates the release of hydrogen sulfide.”

Initial indications suggested the odor, which has been emanating for about a week, was the result of organic material along the channel. On Friday, Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes wrote on Facebook that the cause of the odor had been identified as “a hydrogen sulfide leaking pipeline,” but by Sunday, she wrote that the leaking-pipeline theory “has been ruled out,” saying investigators again were focusing on “organic waste material drying out after being exposed during low tide.”

The Public Works Department recommended that residents near the Dominguez Channel keep doors and windows closed. Those who experience symptoms related to the odors are advised to contact their medical care provider. AQMD and Public Health officials have said, however, the odor does not pose a threat to public health.

The City Council convened its special remote meeting Monday on the city’s website. The council discussed the smell and its “negative impacts on residents living within its close proximity.”

To file an odor complaint or share more information, call 800-CUT-SMOG or 800-288-7664.

City And County Leaders Call For ‘Nuisance Declaration’ Over Pungent Odor In Carson

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 05:42:40 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – Hydrogen sulfide detected in the air near the 405 Freeway may be responsible for the pungent, sulfurous odor plaguing Carson residents for nearly a week now.

“What the hell is the cause of this problem, and while everybody is farting around, all of us are sitting here suffering. You guys have gotten this smell. We’ve been dealing nausea, headaches, all different ailments. Thank God, I’m just dealing with bad migraines,” Carson resident Ana Meni said.

Meni said her patience ran out for the foul smell days ago, though it was outlasted by symptoms of nausea caused by the odor.

Officials believe the stink is hydrogen sulfide coming from a large area of rotting growth in the Dominguez Channel.

“At night, it wakes you up. It’s that strong,” said Carson resident Alfredo Huerta.

Sunday night, a command team of LA County and Carson city leaders, public works and health officials said they’re close to a plan to clear the air. That could mean flushing the channel or putting oxygen into the water, but as much as officials want to clear the air quickly, they said they have to be cautious.

“I want the science to tell me what to do and not to guess. We could uncover this and actually get the smell worse, to be honest with you, take all the water out of it might even create more smell,” Director of LA County Public Works, Mark Pestrella, said.

“It smells bad. We’re all clear about that,” said Holly Mitchell with the LA County Board of Supervisors.

Though officials agree that the smell is bad, unfortunately it might not be quite bad bad enough.

“Based on the levels that we’ve seen in terms of the elevated levels, it’s nothing that has risen to the point that we should declare an emergency, but it is a nuisance and must be addressed,” Dr. Muntu David, LA County Health Officer, said.

While the levels of hydrogen sulfide are elevated, officials say they are not considered hazardous to people’s health. City and county leaders said they will make a nuisance declaration, opening up money for things like getting residents air filters or purifiers, and expect that order to be in place by Monday.

For some residents, though, the nuisance declaration comes as little comfort and feels like living under a new kind of lockdown.

“It’s honestly more than a nuisance. Like, we have to keep our windows closed and even with our windows closed, the smell seeps in. Me and my mom have had headaches every single day. We wake up with headaches, nosebleeds, irritated throats. So, it’s been really bad,” Carson resident Julisa Gonzalez said.

Thousands of residents have already complained of getting sick, and officials said they are relying on residents to report when and where the smell is at its worst.

A town hall meeting to discuss the issue is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Monday.

Pungent Smell In Carson Still Under Investigation, Officials Say It’s Not Lethal

Sun, 10 Oct 2021 04:19:32 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — A pungent smell throughout the Carson area is continuing to concern residents.

It has been around for days now, and despite officials saying it’s not lethal, some are worried it could be making them sick.

“It’s not good to smell it everyday…it’s kinda starting to get a little worrisome,” Carson resident Halima Tillmon said.

Others have said the smell, likely coming from the Dominguez Channel, reminds them of rotten eggs.

After numerous complaints and calls from Carson city leaders, teams from the county Public Works, health department, air quality management, and fire officials have launched an investigation looking into the odor.

Officials have been taking air samples for testing, finding that the smell is “not lethal or deadly,” according to L.A. County Fire Department Capt. Roberto Ruiz.

“We’re going to further investigate with our partners,” Ruiz said.

County investigators said early reports show low levels of hydrogen sulfite — a gas that is released when vegetation decays — in the water. According to officials, exposure to small amounts does not pose long-term health problems, though it may make people nauseous, dizzy or develop headaches.

“It naturally occurs with sewage and it could have been runoff from the recent storms,” Ruiz said. “It could have been there just sitting with some older stuff and possibly releasing a strong odor.”

More than 200 residents have already called to report feeling sick after breathing in the stinky air. People that spoke to CBSLA said they’ll be spending time indoors, until the air outside doesn’t make them queasy.

“I’m trying to stay out of it as much as possible,” Carson resident Pamela Jackson Henderson said. “It kinda makes me want to avoid the areas. I have second thought about coming here today because I knew the smell was right.”

Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said she’s expecting a report on the smell investigation by Tuesday.

Mysterious, Pungent Smell Reported In Carson Near Dominguez Channel

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 05:58:13 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – Residents and people near the Dominguez channel in Carson are reporting a pungent smell currently wafting out of it.

“For lack of a better word, rotten eggs,” Tiffany Davis said.

Davis and her four-year-old son C.J. live right behind the channel. They tell CBS2 reporter Nicole Comstock the smell started rising in the air on Monday. It’s gotten worse each day.

“We have children. I’m pregnant myself, so we don’t know if it’s safe for us to be breathing in,” Davis said.

City of Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said Los Angeles County has not given her an answer on whether or not the odor is harmful to breathe in. As a result, she started asking other experts.

“The odor is believed, after I spoke to a couple of people to be hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen sulfide, if you’re exposed to it for a long length of time, could be harmful,” Davis-Holmes said.

Hydrogen sulfide is highly toxic and is often produced in industries like oil and gas refining. But it also can develop naturally in sewers and is known to cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, which half a dozen people have reported to our newsroom.

South Coast Air Quality Management District told Comstock they’ve received more than 200 complaints about the smell. The company said its investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the LA County Sheriffs Department says LA County public works found that natural processes involving algae may be occurring in the Dominguez channel. The waters were tested and no toxins were found.

Davis-Holmes said the city council plans to launch an investigation and may consider a class-action lawsuit.

AQMD is encouraging residents to continue filing reports with them to assist their investigation. It can be reached at 1-800-CUT-SMOG (288-7664).
Firefighters Remain On Scene Friday As Carson Pallet Yard Fire Still Smolders

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 18:36:44 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — Crews Friday continued to battle an enormous industrial fire that broke out Thursday afternoon in a pallet yard in Carson and quickly spread to a distribution center.

Sept. 30, 2021. (CBSLA)

The greater-alarm fire was reported at 2:12 p.m. at 16325 S. Avalon Blvd. At the fire’s height, more than 200 city and county of Los Angeles firefighters were on the scene, battling the blaze.

It was still smoldering Friday, with firefighters on scene putting out hot spots.

The blaze sparked near the back of a commercial distribution center where there was a large amount of storage, along with semi-trucks and trailers.

“It started outside the building in that backlot where a lot of those big-rigs would pull into those unloading and loading bays,” L.A. County Fire Department spokesperson Jonathan Matheny said.

Large stacks of cardboard packed densely together were seen burning from Sky 9, with several flaming sheets flying up and sparking fires elsewhere on the property. Gusty winds whipped up the flames and black smoke.

Flames also sparked dangerously close to electrical lines and a transformer at an adjacent property. Several truck-trailers were destroyed by the fire.

Oct. 1, 2021. (L.A. County Fire Department)

Several businesses near the fire were evacuated, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.

“Pretty much they told us to get out of the building, because the building started to catch on fire, and we went inside the office,” Victor Chaires, who works at a nearby transportation company, told CBSLA Thursday.

Firefighters were able to prevent significant damage to 11 surrounding buildings that were threatened by the intense flames, which jumped from roof to roof. Officials credited employees at some of those buildings who rolled down warehouse doors to keep the flames from getting inside.

“Wisely, one of the employees got in there and pulled down several of those roll-up doors, thereby preventing the fire from getting inside of that structure,” LACFD spokesperson Sean Ferguson said.

“Had he not done that we would have been looking at a much bigger firefight inside the building itself,” Ferguson added.

Osby said wind was a major factor in the spread of the flames.

“As you can tell by the fire that’s almost a city block, that has impacted three to five commercial structures, that we had a tunnel of wind going behind the buildings, and between the buildings, with a lot of outside storage,” Osby said. “It’s paper, supplies, chemicals, alcohol wipes.”

Four firefighters were injured battling the blaze. Two of them were hospitalized, but are expected to be OK.

“I think our firefighters did an outstanding job as far as attacking the fire and then keeping the fire from significantly impacting the commercial structures,” Osby added.

There is no word on a cause. Matheny said the business where the fire appeared to start is a distribution center which stores large amount of combustible material. Investigators were looking into whether barrels of hand sanitizer caught fire, igniting the flames.

“Knowing that there was containers of these things, and they started to pop, luckily the explosions were somewhat contained in those containers, but it still got out of hand,” Sam Samayon, an employee of a neighboring business, told CBSLA Thursday.

The surrounding businesses remained closed Friday due to the scale of the burn area. Crews have to go section by section and ensure all the flames are out before allowing anyone in, including fire investigators.

“Because of the large footprint of this fire, we’ve got a lot of material to just pull apart, looking for hot spots, smoldering areas,” Matheny said.

Meanwhile, traffic remained heavily impacted at Alondra and Avalon boulevards. Drivers were advised to avoid the area, the sheriff’s department said.
Firefighters continue to put out hot spots this morning after a massive fire at a distribution center in Carson burned for several hours. 3 firefighters were injured. Firefighters say neighboring businesses also suffered minor damage. The story at 11 @CBSLA
USGS.
Jolts from the earthquake were felt around several areas, including Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Torrance, and Studio City.

No injuries or extensive damages were initially reported, but officials still urged locals to have a plan in place for future earthquakes and any potential aftershocks.

L.A. County has a Shake Alert app available on Android and the App Store that notifies users when earthquakes are detected and shaking is expected in their area.

Here are some other earthquake preparedness techniques that L.A. County officials and the USGS have outlined:

Before an earthquake

Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.

Create a disaster preparedness plan.

Identify your building’s potential weaknesses and begin to fix them.

During an earthquake

If you are indoors, stay there! Get under a desk or table and hold on to it (Remember: DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON). Stay clear of fireplaces, windows and appliances. Get out of the kitchen. Do not run downstairs or go outside because there could be a danger of items falling on you.

If you are outdoors, get away from buildings, chimneys, power lines and stay in the open.

If you are driving, carefully come to a stop and stay inside your car until shaking stops. Move far away from traffic. Do not stop under a bridge, overpass, trees, light posts, powerlines or anything that could fall on you. When the shaking stops, look out for debris on the road, broken pavement and bumps in the road.

If you are in a mountainous area, be on the lookout for debris, such as trees, rocks or any other things in the environment that an earthquake can loosen.

If you are near the ocean, see these safety rules from NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
Deputies Revive 21-Month-Old Girl Who Nearly Drowned In Carson

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 16:02:00 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — A toddler who nearly drowned is back home, healthy and happy, thanks to fast actions of Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies.

The deputies responded to a home last Wednesday evening in the 24400 block of Marine Avenue in Carson after a frantic 911 call reported a baby drowning. Deputies Ramirez, Hylands, Carvahlo, and DeBoom were nearby when the call went out.

(credit: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)

The deputies ran into the home’s backyard to find family members trying to perform CPR on the girl, who was not breathing and was unresponsive, according to sheriff’s officials.

Surveillance video shows the deputies carrying the girl to a flat, front lawn area and begin life-saving measures. After she was revived, she was taken to a hospital.

The girl was released two days later and is expected to make a full recovery. Sheriff’s officials say the family has invited all the emergency response personnel who helped the girl to their home for a reunion.

‘He Was Polite, He Was Tactful’: Cameron Hurndon’s Loved Ones Hold Candlelight Vigil In His Memory, Make Plea To Find Killer

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 05:37:05 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — A Southern California family held a vigil Thursday night for their loved one who was shot and killed last week.

38-year-old husband and father, Cameron Hurndon, was gunned down at his home on South Moneta Avenue

“I still can’t believe it even to this day,” said friend Yvonne Wiley, who prayed with family and friends gathered for the vigil. “He had courage he had strength, he was polite, he was tactful.”

Friends say Hurndon’s family hasn’t received much information from investigators regarding the deadly shooting, and it’s unclear if Hurndon was the intended target.

“What we do know is that he was home with his son. And what we do know is he was found outside dead. That’s it. Other than that we don’t know anything else,” said friend Melanie Pearson.

The motive for the murder is still unknown.

Anyone with information is asked to reach out to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at 213-229-1700.

Sale Of Mobile Home Parks In Carson Displaces Hundreds Of Elderly Residents

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 00:45:24 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – A rally was held outside Carson City Hall Thursday in an attempt to bring awareness to three mobile home parks that are closing for new developments, leaving some senior residents who live there now fearing they might become homeless due to higher rents elsewhere.

One of the three mobile home parks closing in Carson, Imperial Avalon Mobile Estates, was bought by real estate firm Imperial Avalon LLC.

Residents of the Imperial Avalon told CBSLA’s Jake Reiner that the main issue is not the fact that Imperial Avalon LLC lawfully purchased the land they live on, but that many of them will simply be unable to afford to live anywhere else.

July 15, 2021. (CBSLA)

“We understand they have to close the park, but we want to get a fair amount,” Claire Anderson, a mobile home resident whose family has owned their Imperial Avalon Mobile Estates homes since 1983, said.

Responding by email, Imperial Avalon LLC said, “…the valuations come from an initial appraisal, a second appraisal by the City (which increased the valuations) and final increases to the amounts by Carson City Council, which increased values again. City Council is also requiring us to pay the coach owners whatever they paid for their coach, which includes values as high as $310,000.”

The company added that they’ve entered into more than 70 successful escrow processes with residents and are being contacted by more residents each day.

However, Anderson and 445 other elderly residents, many of them living on fixed, low incomes are worried about where they might be able to afford to live.

“I can’t afford anymore rent. Nowhere else has $420 a month for their land rent. So, I don’t know what I’m going to do now,” Anderson said. Like many of her neighbors, she’s been living in her rent-controlled housing for years as rents continued to rise all around the area.

Although Imperial Avalon LLC has been meeting with homeowners individually to assist with relocation efforts, many residents said they will have to move out of the Carson area.

“I hyperventilated when I read the first one on the list, the grand rent was almost $1,600 a month,” Anderson, who has struggled to find work as a substitute teacher since the pandemic, said.

“We understand that this is a challenging process, and are going far above and beyond what is legally required – and we are glad to go the extra mile for our seniors as we help them find and relocate to their new homes,” Imperial Avalon LLC said over email.

The real estate company is funding a number of options for residents by helping with the relocation of their coaches to other mobile home parks, including providing moving expenses and setup costs, in addition to any difference in rent for the first 12 months. The company is also offering to buy residents coaches and provide relocation assistance for any of them who are having challenges finding a new place to live they can afford. Finally, Avalon is giving residents the option to return to new housing at the site or in the Carson area with subsidized rents for up to 20 years.

“This is not an easy or simple ‘one size fits all’ process,” Imperial Avalon LLC said over email. “We are making sure that every resident has the one-on-one attention, care, and understanding that they deserve.”

Despite Avalon’s efforts, there are still those that disagree with the sale of the park, especially at this particular time.

“On the one hand, people and businesses should be allowed to conduct their business,” Jeff Steinman, president of the Imperial Avalon Estates Home Owners Association, said. “But when you come up on a situation where you are really displacing people at a time under a pandemic, that do not have the resources to even partially replace what they have or have had for a good number of years…so you’re essentially taking their lives from them.”

An Imperial Avalon spokesperson told CBSLA that the park will be closing no earlier than January 2022. The site is ultimately planned for a mixed-use residential project with for-sale and rental units, to which the current residents can return.

In addition to Imperial Avalon Mobile Home Estates, Park Avalon Mobile Estates and Park Granda Trailer Lodge Mobile are also closing.

On Friday, the Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes released a statement that said, in part:

“The City of Carson, faced with three mobile home park closure applications all filed prior to 2021 by mobile home park owners in recent years, has done its best to balance the property rights of the mobile home park owners against the property rights of the coach owners and the needs of its mobile home park residents, while following the state mandated requirements of the applicable mobile home park closure application law. State law provides that mobile home park owners can close their mobile home parks provided they meet certain requirements related to identifying and mitigating the adverse impacts of the mobile home park closure on the displaced residents’ ability to find adequate housing in another mobile home park.”

She also said the city council would continue “fighting for its mobile home park residents while adhering to its obligations under applicable law.”

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story said Dominguez Hills Estates was one of the mobile home parks slated to close, but representatives for the company Friday released a statement denying the claim saying, in part: “This is absolutely incorrect and we want to reassure our community that Dominguez Hills Estates is not closing. We understand the concern, distress and frustration our tight-knit community felt upon hearing the incorrect news.”

Carson Sheriff’s Station, City Host Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Event

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 21:30:02 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — The Carson Sheriff’s Station and the City of Carson are hosting a catalytic converter theft prevention event on Saturday, July 17.

The event will run from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.

All participants will have their catalytic converters etched with a unique identifying number at no cost.

The etching acts as a theft deterrent and will also provide law enforcement with valuable information should it be stolen and later located by law enforcement personnel.

To attend, people must bring their vehicle, their driver’s license, and a copy of their vehicle’s registration.

Registration is encouraged and appointments are limited. People can register here.

People with questions can contact the Carson Sheriff’s Station Community Relations Office at (310) 847-8386.

Man Killed In Crash On 110 Freeway In Carson

Sat, 03 Jul 2021 19:02:51 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – A man lying on the highway was struck and killed by a vehicle Saturday on the Harbor (110) Freeway in Carson, authorities said.

Officers were dispatched at 12:39 a.m. to the southbound freeway, north of Carson Street, the California Highway Patrol reported.

The pedestrian was lying in the number two lane of the southbound freeway, where he was struck by a 1999 Lexus that was going between 65 to 70 mph, the CHP said. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene and the 17- year-old boy driving the Lexus was not injured.

The name of the pedestrian will be released pending notification of next of kin, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Man In Hospital from Carson Shooting During Robbery Attempt

Sat, 05 Jun 2021 21:47:49 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) – A man is listed as death imminent at an area hospital, the result of a shooting Saturday during an attempted robbery in Carson, authorities said.

It happened just before 7:30 a.m. in the 23400 block of South Avalon Boulevard, Deputy Shawn Du Busky of the Sheriff’s Information Bureau said.

The man and his girlfriend, both in their mid-20s, were seated in a vehicle when they were approached by three men, also in their mid-20s, who attempted to rob the man of his wristwatch, Du Busky said.

“When the male victim refused, one or more of the suspects fired numerous rounds striking the male victim,” he said.

The woman drove the wounded man to a hospital, where he was not expected to survive, Du Bosky said.

Anyone with information regarding the shooting was asked to call homicide detectives at 323-890-5500 or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Big Rig Overturns On 710 Transition Road To 405 Freeway In Carson

Mon, 31 May 2021 18:39:22 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — A Sigalert was issued Monday for a big rig that overturned on a transition road from the 710 Freeway to the 405 Freeway in Carson.

(credit: CBS)

The crash happened at about 10:35 a.m., on the northbound 710 Freeway connector to the southbound 405 Freeway. The driver was able to get out of the cab, but suffered some injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The truck and its cab were left on its left side, on top of the transition road’s guardrail. Diesel was also reported to be leaking from the truck.

A Sigalert for both sides of the freeway was issued for at least two hours.

‘Wanted To Brighten Someone’s Day’: Cerritos Couple Hides Cash In Diaper Boxes, Formula At 3 SoCal Target Stores

Thu, 27 May 2021 16:05:00 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — Krystal Duhaney remembers all too well how much money it takes to keep a baby in diapers and formula, so she decided to help some of her fellow moms.

Duhaney went to Target stores in Manhattan Beach, Carson, and Signal Hill to hide cash in boxes of diapers and under the lids of formula. Altogether, Duhaney and her husband, Patrick, hid about $1,000 in cash.

“No, we didn’t leave any notes or anything, really identifying ourselves, so it really wasn’t something that we wanted them to say, ‘hey, thank you so much.’ We just really wanted to brighten someone’s day,” Duhaney said.

(credit: Krystal Duhaney)

Duhaney posted video on Instagram, showing her hands tucking cash into the products. Captions on the video said they too struggled to make ends meet when Duhaney had her first baby. But the former nurse now has a lactation business, so another message in the video said, “Now that I own a successful business, I wanted to give back.”

The Duhaneys have two children and one more on the way, and they say they are fortunate to be in a place where they can share.

“We know that during the pandemic it’s a little difficult right now, so we really wanted to find a way to give back,” she said.

The Cerritos couple says they are not done giving back, and are looking for other ways to help people at least once a month.

Barbecue Raises Money To Help Lomita Station Front Desk Greeter Diana McWhorter Recover From Stroke

Thu, 29 Apr 2021 15:36:53 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — Los Angeles County Sheriff’s employees put on a delicious event to help one of their longtime employees as she recovers from a stroke.

(credit: CBS)

Diana McWhorter, a 30-year employee of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, works at the Lomita station as its front desk greeter and operator. Her coworkers say she is a kind and generous person, so they wanted to do what they could to help her with medical expenses.

“Law enforcement’s a big family,” sheriff’s Capt. James Powers said. “With all the giving that she does, it’s an opportunity to give back.”

So the Carson Sheriff’s Station hosted a barbecue fundraiser, to help raise money to put toward McWhorter’s medical expenses.

McWhorter suffered a setback at the end of February, after initially recovering from the stroke on Jan. 31. She remains at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance, but her sister Sheryl McWhorter says she’s coming along in her recovery.

A Gofundme has also been set up to help pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance.

COVID-19 Vaccination Site Opens At Dignity Health Sports Park In Carson

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 21:25:56 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — A new COVID-19 vaccination site opened Monday at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson to provided first-dose inoculations this week.

The site was opened as a joint effort by Dignity Health, the LA Galaxy and Dignity Health Sports Park, and will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“It’s so important that we do all we can to help our communities most at risk,” said Julie Sprengel, president of Dignity Health’s Southwest Division.

“Our mission has always been to improve the health of the people we serve and address inequities in health care. We are grateful that the LA Galaxy, Dignity Health Sports Park and AEG also recognize the importance of protecting the most vulnerable from COVID, which disproportionately affects communities of color. I am also extremely proud of the more than 200 Dignity Health employees who have enthusiastically volunteered to participate in this important initiative.”

Organizers hope to vaccinate 20,000 low-income residents over the age of 65 at the event.

“As the Carson City Council continues our fight against COVID-19, we sincerely thank Dignity Health and Dignity Health Sports Park for stepping up to vaccinate those that have been hit hard by this pandemic all across Los Angeles,” Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes said.

Appointments can be scheduled at myturn.ca.gov or by calling 1-833-422-4255.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

Man Charged In Shooting Death Of 50-Year-Old In Long Beach Park

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 00:35:01 +0000

LONG BEACH (CBSLA) – A Long Beach resident was arrested Wednesday in the shooting death of a 50-year-old man at a park last September, police said.

Michael Scott Doss Jr., 21, is set to be arraigned February 24 in connection with the September 25 slaying of Long Beach resident Richard Winfrey, who was killed at a park in the 800 block of East Seventh Street.

Doss was charged Tuesday with one count each of murder, attempted murder; possession of a firearm by a felon, and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Doss was in custody on unrelated charges when he was arrested in connection with the shooting, which detectives believe stemmed from a dispute that escalated, according to Long Beach police, who did not reveal the nature of the dispute.

Co-defendant Christian Lucille Watson, 30, of Carson, is charged with one count each of being an accessory after the fact, possession of a firearm by a felon, and unlawful possession of ammunition, according to the District Attorney’s Office. She is also set to be arraigned February 24.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

2 Seriously Injured After Chain-Reaction Wreck On 110 Freeway In Carson

Tue, 09 Feb 2021 07:58:16 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — Two people were seriously hurt and several more are believed to have suffered minor injuries Monday night after a chain-reaction crash involving six vehicles on the 110 Freeway in Carson.

According to California Highway Patrol, the six cars were involved in two separate collisions at around 8:10 p.m. on the northbound 110 Freeway between Carson Street and Torrance Boulevard. Car parts were left strewn across the freeway.

The first crash occurred when a GMC pickup truck that had been stopped on the shoulder tried to re-enter traffic and was rear-ended by a Lexus sedan. The impact sent the GMC colliding into a big-rig.

The second collision involved a Honda Prelude which was stopped on the freeway because of the first collision, CHP reports. The Prelude was struck by a Ford Mustang, which then lost control and slammed into a Kia Soul.

The driver and passenger of the Prelude were rushed to Harbor UCLA Medical Center with serious injuries, CHP reports.

It’s unclear exactly how many others were hurt, although their injuries were believed to be minor.

CHP shut down the northbound side of the freeway for more than three hours, backing up traffic for miles. It reopened a little before midnight.

NB I-110 JSO CARSON STREET, TRAFFIC COLLISION, ALL LANES BLOCKED FOR UNKNOWN DURATION (CARSON CITY AREA)

— CHP_LA_TRAFFIC (@CHP_LA_TRAFFIC) February 9, 2021

Suspects Open Fire On Carson Homeowners After Knocking On Door

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 00:41:55 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — A Carson couple got a knock at their door just after 6 p.m. on Dec. 21.

The second suspect was wearing a blue hoodie with a red left sleeve and a gray right sleeve, gray sweatpants and gray shoes. Police do not have a description of a potential getaway car. (LASD)

The homeowners thought it was a family member, but when they opened the door, they were met with gunfire.

“Thankfully none of them were hit from the gunfire that struck their home,” Det. Glenn Greathouse, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Carson Station, said.

Doorbell video of the shooting shows a man dressed in all black opened fire first. Then the man who knocked on the door started firing. In a matter of three seconds, five shots had been fired at the home.

“Some hit the walls, the stucco walls,” Greathouse said. “Some went actually through the door and inside the residence.”

According to detectives, the couple moved into the home in the 1800 block of East Turmont Street about four months ago. And with no known enemies of the couple, detectives are investigating whether the shooting might be a case of mistaken identity.

“They’re distraught,” Greathouse said. “They’re still trying to cope with coming back and forth in between the house because of what happened and the emotional shock and everything that they have to deal with.

Investigators said no words were exchanged before the suspects opened fire.

The man who fired first was wearing all black. The second suspect was wearing a blue hoodie with a red left sleeve and a gray right sleeve, gray sweatpants and gray shoes. Police do not have a description of a potential getaway car.

“I consider them armed and dangerous especially going up to a home and just automatically shooting as soon as someone opens up the door,” Greathouse said.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call LASD’s Carson Station at 310-830-1123.

Car Strikes Crowd At Illegal Street Racing Event In Carson, Killing 1 And Injuring Several Others

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 06:35:45 +0000

CARSON (CBSLA) — A photographer at a street racing event was struck and killed on Friday after a car lost control and crashed into the crowd of onlookers.

The illegal street race and crash happened around 1:30 p.m. Friday, on Christmas Day, near East 230th and Banning Streets, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Several other people were hurt in the crash, but the extent of their injuries was not clear.

The victim in the crash who died at the scene was identified as photographer and videographer Daniel Patten, also known as Dano Live.

Pictured, Daniel Patten, who was killed after a car crashed into a crowd of onlookers at a street racing show in Carson on Dec. 25, 2020. (Source: Family Photo)

Patten was there taking pictures of the event, which is held every year on Christmas day.

His girlfriend and other close friends held a vigil for Patten Saturday night, where they talked about his love of cars and his big heart.

Patten’s girlfriend says she hopes the people involved in the crash are caught and people stop illegal street racing…

No arrests have been made so far in connection with the fatal crash, and no one tried to render aid in the crash.

“Nobody tried to render any aid,” a friend of Patten said. “I don’t know if it was even possible because of how devastating his injuries were, but just the fact no one took the time to call 911 is really sad.”

The drivers who were racing and crashed into the crowd fled the scene, leaving the LASD with no suspect information.

The LASD’s Carson Station says this is an active investigation and are asking anyone with information about the suspects to call the station immediately at 310-830-1123.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

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Carson Sheriff’s Station, City Host Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Event

Man Killed In Crash On 110 Freeway In Carson

Man In Hospital from Carson Shooting During Robbery Attempt

Big Rig Overturns On 710 Transition Road To 405 Freeway In Carson

‘Wanted To Brighten Someone’s Day’: Cerritos Couple Hides Cash In Diaper Boxes, Formula At 3 SoCal Target Stores

Barbecue Raises Money To Help Lomita Station Front Desk Greeter Diana McWhorter Recover From Stroke

COVID-19 Vaccination Site Opens At Dignity Health Sports Park In Carson

Man Charged In Shooting Death Of 50-Year-Old In Long Beach Park

2 Seriously Injured After Chain-Reaction Wreck On 110 Freeway In Carson

Suspects Open Fire On Carson Homeowners After Knocking On Door

Car Strikes Crowd At Illegal Street Racing Event In Carson, Killing 1 And Injuring Several Others