SDPD to begin citing illegal food vendors in Gaslamp Quarter

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) — The Gaslamp Quarter may soon be without illegal street vendors. Starting Friday, a team of San Diego police officers will begin ticketing and possibly impounding illegal food carts. Officers will start by giving warnings on Thursday — the same day fans will fill Petco Park for the Padres home opener. “Tomorrow’s opening day. PD is going to go out and educate the vendors that enforcement will begin on Friday,” CEO of Gaslamp Quarter Michael Trimble said to KUSI on Wednesday. What’s the forecast for Padres opening weekend? Some nights in the Gaslamp Quarter, sidewalk food vendors have seemingly outnumbered the brick and mortar restaurants. “Any given night you can 40 to 60 vendors up and down Fifth Avenue, 10 per corner. It’s just out of control,” Trimble said. In 2018, California enacted the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, decriminalizing sidewalk vending statewide. In 2022, the San Diego City Council approved an ordinance establishing regulations for sidewalk vending, including requiring vending permits and restricting vending in some areas, including Gaslamp Quarter. Petco Park: What’s new to see this season “It’s going to happen,”

A final night at the Conga Room

The iconic L.A. nightclub the Conga Room closed its doors for a final time Wednesday night, but not before filling its walls with one last celebration of Latin music. Drink glasses clinked. Hands clapped. Dresses swayed to the exuberant beats. The night, hosted by founder Brad Gluckstein and co-investors Paul Rodriguez and Jimmy Smits, featured live performances, including a jam session featuring salsero Jerry Rivera, Latin soul performer Andy Vargas, reggaeton singer-songwriter Blessd and a set by salsa legend Gilberto Santa Rosa, known as El Caballero de salsa. “Gilberto Santa Rosa is probably the next-in-line living legend behind Celia [Cruz],” Gluckstein said in an interview preceding the event. “To bookend the Conga Room in tropical music, with Celia to open [in 1998] and Gilberto Santa Rosa to close, has special significance for me.” Salsa has always been a beloved offering of the venue despite its reputation as a pan-Latin hub of music and entertainment. “If the blues were born in New Orleans and the South — they took a note and blew it through a horn,” said Rodriguez, standing onstage wearing a pinstriped suit and

The Broad expansion: What you need to know about the $100-million project

The Broad is planning a $100-million addition to its existing building. It expects to break ground early next year, and the project is slated for completion in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics. What will the extra space mean for the museum itself and downtown L.A. in general? How large is the expansion? The Broad is getting a new 55,000-square-foot building that will be attached to the existing museum via a third-floor entryway that leads to an open-air courtyard with sky views. The original building, which opened in 2015, is 120,000 square feet, so the expansion is about half the size of that and will bring with it 70% more gallery space. It will open onto the Grand Avenue Arts / Bunker Hill Metro station. What does it mean for downtown L.A.? Downtown has struggled to make a comeback after the pandemic and the rise of remote work drastically restricted the number of people regularly frequenting the area. Since then, many restaurants and bars have closed or are struggling to operate, and shuttered storefronts are an increasingly common sight. There is also an ongoing problem

A former CSU Northridge director was gunned down at L.A. Live. Two have been arrested

Two people now face murder charges in a brazen 2023 killing inside a restaurant in the heart of the downtown L.A. Live complex. Investigators believe Phillip Pasco Clark, 33, was the man who stormed into Fixins’ Soul Kitchen on Figueroa Blvd. last November and gunned down Sidney Barrett Morris, 43, while he ate dinner. Morris was an educator and nephew of a Motown singer. Clark “walked straight up to Mr. Morris and shot him in the back of the head,” Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón said during a Thursday morning news conference. Both Clark and 50-year-old Santana Kelly, who police say helped plot the killing, were arrested last week and charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder, authorities said. Both pleaded not guilty in a brief court appearance Tuesday, and it was not immediately clear who their attorneys were. Authorities declined Thursday to discuss a motive in the shooting or describe what, if any, relationship Morris had to the defendants. The brash November shooting was the first homicide recorded at L.A. Live, the sprawling downtown arts and entertainment complex that houses nightclubs

Here are the stores that will be open or closed on Easter Sunday in California

Many of your favorite stores in California may not be open for business on Easter Sunday, and others will have limited hours of operation. It is important to note that Californians should still call stores in their area for the most up-to-date information. These Easter events have been canceled due to the upcoming spring storm Here’s what you need to know: Aldi: Stores won’t be open on Easter Sunday, according to the company’s website. Costco: Warehouse locations will be closed on Easter Sunday. Locations will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Target: Select store locations will be closed on Easter Sunday. Customers can check their nearby location’s store hours here. Sam’s Club: Club locations will be closed on Sunday. Locations will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. Whole Foods Market: Most locations will be open on Easter Sunday but will have limited hours of operation. Trader Joe’s: Stores will be open during regular hours on Sunday.

Mammoth Mountain surpasses 300 inches of snowfall for season

One of California’s most popular ski resorts reached and surpassed a major snowfall milestone. Officials for Mammoth Mountain say more than 300 inches of snowfall have fallen at the resort since the season began. More than 12 inches fell overnight leading into Thursday. That impressive snowfall total will allow Mammoth’s ski season to remain open through at least Memorial Day, May 27. Snow falls at the lodge of Mammoth Mountain on March 27, 2024. (Cody Mathison, Mammoth Mountain) Officials said the recent snowfall in the Eastern Sierra is just the “first wave” of a spring storm cycle that could bring even more snow to the mountain resort through the upcoming weekend. Here’s how much rain Southern California could get this weekend Part of that same storm system is expected to bring wet weather and cool temperatures to Los Angeles County, the Inland Empire and Orange County. A snow plow clears a road at snowy Mammoth Mountain on March 27, 2024. (Cody Mathison, Mammoth Mountain) This ski and snowboard season at Mammoth Mountain kicked off early, starting up in November — only 100 days after the

Celebrity chef’s former restaurant space burns in Moorpark

A Moorpark restaurant space once used by a cheftestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef” caught fire Thursday, prompting a response from the Ventura County Fire Department. The former home of Cafe Firenze on 563 Los Angeles Ave. was ablaze midday Thursday, though the fire was put out by 12:45 p.m., the VCFD said on X, formerly Twitter. Until early 2020, Cafe Firenze drew eager local diners and fans of Fabio Viviani, who won the “Top Chef Fan Favorite” award in the fifth season of the culinary competition show with one-liners like “This is ‘Top Chef,’ it’s not ‘Top Scallop.'” The restaurant closed pre-pandemic due to an inability for Viviani and colleagues to negotiate a new lease with the property landlord, according to a report in the Moorpark Acorn. Chef Fabio Viviani visits Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on Oct. 21, 2019, in Universal City, California. (Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) The space once home to Cafe Firenze is seen after a fire on March 28, 2024. (VCFD) The space once home to Cafe Firenze is seen after a fire on March 28, 2024. (OnScene.TV)

How might third-party candidates impact the 2024 race?

How might third-party candidates impact the 2024 race? – CBS News Watch CBS News Democrats are raising concerns that RFK Jr.’s 2024 White House bid could benefit former President Donald Trump in November. Dennis Kucinich, RFK Jr.’s former campaign manager turned congressional candidate, joins “America Decides” to analyze independent candidates and their potential impact on the ballot. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Breaking down Trump’s free speech claims in Georgia election case

Breaking down Trump’s free speech claims in Georgia election case – CBS News Watch CBS News A judge in the Georgia 2020 election case heard arguments Thursday over whether former President Donald Trump’s First Amendment rights shield him from prosecution. CBS News campaign reporter Katrina Kaufman joins “America Decides” with key takeaways. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

How people with disabilities are fighting to stay out of institutions

How people with disabilities are fighting to stay out of institutions – CBS News Watch CBS News The CBS Reports documentary “No Place Like Home” explores the struggles families in Illinois are experiencing to keep their disabled loved ones from being institutionalized. CBS Chicago’s Dana Kozlov reports. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Biden and 3 former presidents descend on New York City

Biden and 3 former presidents descend on New York City – CBS News Watch CBS News President Biden and three former presidents are all visiting New York on Thursday. CBS News political correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns has the details. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On

Starbucks, Chipotle, McDonald’s: Who’s raising prices in California to pay higher wages

Your next burrito bowl might cost you more than $12 thanks to a California law that’s significantly increasing fast-food workers’ wages next month, a cost increase that big chains like Chipotle say they could pass along to consumers. During an earnings call in February, Chipotle’s chief financial and administrative officer Jack Hartung warned, “To cover the cost of the wage increase, we would need to take a mid-single-digit price increase in California.” The law, Assembly Bill 1228, was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September and takes effect Monday. It requires restaurants — corporate- and franchise-owned — with 60 establishments nationwide to bump their California-based workers’ pay to $20 an hour, $4 higher than the overall state minimum wage of $16 an hour. Though Chipotle has not yet announced a final decision on new pricing, many other chains like McDonald’s, Starbucks and Jack in the Box say they are also planning to push that increase onto consumers or change their operations. The law also called for the creation of a restaurant industry council to set future pay raises and advise on working conditions. Here are

Former top LAPD official accused of tracking woman with AirTag alleges cronyism by ex-chief

After rising to become one of the highest-ranking Latinos in the history of the Los Angeles Police Department — once a possible candidate to be the city’s next chief — Alfred “Al” Labrada was demoted and recommended for firing in the span of a few weeks. Labrada’s precipitous fall came amid allegations last year that he had inappropriately monitored a female colleague with whom he was romantically involved. But in a new claim filed against the LAPD, Labrada argued former LAPD chief Michel Moore showed a double standard by not taking similar action against another top police official who had an inappropriate relationship with the same woman as Labrada. In a March 5 court filing, the one-time assistant chief again denied the allegations of LAPD officer Dawn Silva, who said he placed an Apple AirTag under the bumper of her car in order to track her movements while the couple was in the process of dissolving their domestic partnership. But Labrada’s sharpest barbs were saved for his old boss, Moore, whom he accused of violating his due process rights by publicly discussing his case before

Kristen Stewart will only do a Marvel movie if Greta Gerwig directs

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is fueled by A-list actors including Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson and, most recently, Dakota Johnson. But don’t expect Kristen Stewart to join the starry group anytime soon. On an episode of the podcast “Not Skinny but Not Fat,” Stewart said that although she is “a yes-man,” she wouldn’t want to be a part of the superhero franchise. “I will likely never do a Marvel movie,” she said. “That sounds like a f—ing nightmare actually.” Stewart revealed her hesitation to join a Marvel project after she and podcast host Amanda Hirsch talked about Johnson’s headline-making press tour for the studio’s “ Madame Web .” While she noted that it would be “so stupid” for her to be picky with projects, she said she gravitates toward films that allow for more creative freedom and expression. “The system would have to change. You’d have to put so much money and so much trust into one person, and I think Dakota mentioned this as well, it doesn’t happen,” Stewart said. “What ends up happening is the algorithmic, weird experience where you

Joanna Ling is Arcadia’s senior of the year

The Arcadia Recreation & Community Services Department has declared Joanna Ling the city’s 2023 senior of the year, officials announced Tuesday. A frequent volunteer and active member of a variety of community organizations, Ling was chosen as the 2023 honoree after the department fielded nominations of Arcadia residents 55 and over who have “contributed to better the Arcadia community,” according to the city’s announcement. The Arcadia senior commissioners vote on the nominations.  Since the mid-1990s Ling has served as a volunteer board member to as well as president of many Arcadia organizations, city officials said. Groups she’s been involved with include the Arcadia Unified School District Booster Club, Mentor Mom, Arcadia Chinese Association, Arcadia Library English Conversation Class Chair, Arcadia Library Foundation Board of Trustees, the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage, Las Alas, Arcadia Women’s Club and quite a few more.  “The City of Arcadia would like to congratulate Joanna for her efforts for going above and beyond on her many contributions and accolades within the community,” officials said in a statement.  Ling is set to receive honors at the 2024 Older American Recognition Lunch.

Pasadena officials provide notice of fast food minimum wage raise

Pasadena officials on Wednesday called attention to the April 1 start of a $20 hourly minimum wage for fast food workers and issued a reminder about this summer’s citywide minimum wage hike. The California minimum wage for fast food restaurant employees supersedes Pasadena’s local minimum wage ordinance, according to a city statement. All other workers who aren’t considered “fast food restaurant employees” remain eligible for Pasadena’s $16.93 hourly minimum wage. Starting July 1, the Pasadena minimum wage will increase to $17.50 hourly for all other occupations regardless of a business’ number of employees. This new wage rate will remain in effect until June 30, 2025, when it will again increase. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Assembly Bill 1228 on Sept. 28, raising the minimum wage for certain fast food restaurant workers.  To be considered a “fast food restaurant,” the eatery must be a “‘limited-service restaurant’ that offers limited or no table service, where the customer’s order food or beverage items and pay for those items before the items are consumed,” officials said. The restaurant must also be “part of a restaurant chain of at

Person Killed in Traffic Crash in Jefferson Park Area

A person was fatally injured Thursday in a traffic crash in the Jefferson Park area, and a suspect reportedly was taken into custody for allegedly trying to flee the scene. Paramedics sent to West 29th Street and Arlington Avenue about noon pronounced the person dead at the scene, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Information was not immediately available on the identity of the fatally injured person. According to a videographer at the scene, the victim was a pregnant woman, and the suspect was taken into custody nearby after trying to run from the area.

BLM Protesters Settle Part of Suit Against David Lacey Estate

Three Black Lives Matter demonstrators confronted at gunpoint by former Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s late husband in 2020 have settled the part of their lawsuit against the estate of the spouse of the county’s former top prosecutor. The plaintiffs in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit are Melina Abdullah, Dahlia Ferlito and Justin Marks. Last July, all three settled the portion of the case against Jackie Lacey, leaving for trial causes of action against the estate of David Lacey for assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress. But on Wednesday, the plaintiffs’ attorneys filed court papers with Judge Theresa M. Traber informing her that they were in the process of obtaining signatures finalizing a settlement with the estate and that a request for dismissal will be filed with her once that is done. As with the accord with Jackie Lacey, no terms were divulged. Trial was scheduled to begin Friday. Abdullah is a professor and former chair of the Department of Pan-African Studies at Cal State Los Angeles and a co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter. Lacey was

‘Top Chef’ alumnus’ former restaurant space burns in Moorpark

A Moorpark restaurant space once used by a cheftestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef” caught fire Thursday, prompting a response from the Ventura County Fire Department. The former home of Cafe Firenze on 563 Los Angeles Ave. was ablaze midday Thursday, though the fire was put out by 12:45 p.m., the VCFD said on X, formerly Twitter. Until early 2020, Cafe Firenze drew eager local diners and fans of Fabio Viviani, who won the “Top Chef Fan Favorite” award in the fifth season of the culinary competition show with one-liners like “This is ‘Top Chef,’ it’s not ‘Top Scallop.'” The restaurant closed pre-pandemic due to an inability for Viviani and colleagues to negotiate a new lease with the property landlord, according to a report in the Moorpark Acorn. Chef Fabio Viviani visits Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” at Universal Studios Hollywood on Oct. 21, 2019, in Universal City, California. (Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) The space once home to Cafe Firenze is seen after a fire on March 28, 2024. (VCFD) The space once home to Cafe Firenze is seen after a fire on March 28, 2024. (OnScene.TV)

These Easter events have been canceled due to the upcoming spring storm

It’s looking to be a wet Easter weekend for Southern California residents and due to the weather, many cities have canceled their Easter festivities. A spring storm is expected to arrive in SoCal on Friday and stay until Monday, bringing cooler temperatures and the chance of thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail. This is California’s most ‘popular’ Easter candy, according to DoorDash Due to the forecast, these Easter events have been canceled. Pasadena canceled its Egg Bowl and Bunny Brunch scheduled for Saturday. Guests who purchased the Bunny Brunch and VIP Egg Hunt will be issued a refund. Due to the cancellation, the city is inviting people to its “Hop into Spring” event at the Rose Bowl on April 2. More information can be found here. Santa Anita Park canceled its racing events for Saturday and Sunday and rescheduled an egg hunt due to weather conditions. The popular egg hunt will now occur on April 7 in the infield. The city of Huntington Beach rescheduled its “Easter Hunt Family Fun Day” event, originally slated for March 30, to April 27. Garden Grove’s “Eggscavation,” slated to take

Southern California shark warning system in jeopardy

LOS ANGELES – A high-tech system that alerts swimmers when sharks are lurking in Southern California’s coastal waters could be shuttered as funds have begun to run dry, managers warn. The shark warning alert system has been operated by the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach since 2018. Using a system of buoys, tags and monitors that track the local population of white sharks, sending an alert to local lifeguards when the sharks come within 300 yards of the buoys. The Shark Lab’s director, CSULB professor of marine biology Dr. Chris Lowe, said the lifeguards receive links to their cellphones that he likened to baseball cards of the sharks in the area. Their profiles display their size, location and how long they’ve been at that beach. A shark, as captured by Cal State Long Beach. The school’s shark lab is searching for funding in order to keep running its shark warning alert system, which lets lifeguards know when sharks are coming close to local beaches. (CSU Long Beach) The lab received $3.75 million that was supposed to fund the system for five years, though