Los Angeles

Former Inglewood teacher recently convicted in cold-case murder, kidnapping dies in jail

A former Inglewood teacher convicted last month of murdering one woman and kidnapping and sexually assaulting a second one nearly two decades ago has died in custody while awaiting sentencing, according to law enforcement records. Charles Wright, 59, died on Aug. 13, about a month before his scheduled Sept. 10 sentencing for the cold-case crimes, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Lt. Steven De Jong, of the sheriff’s department, said Wright had been housed on a medical ward since April due to a medical condition that predated his arrest. De Jong said jail personnel attempted to render aid after discovering Wright unresponsive, and that no foul play is suspected. A list of in-custody deaths on the sheriff’s website does not provide a cause of Wright’s death, saying it is pending a final autopsy report. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s website lists Wright’s cause of death as “deferred.” Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascón’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. Gascón’s office said last month that it expected Wright to be sentenced to 50 years to life

Los Angeles

61-year-old Orange County cyclist dies weeks after colliding with car

An Irvine man died nearly three weeks after he collided with a car while riding a beach cruiser bike, according to authorities. The Irvine Police Department said in a news release on Saturday that the collision took place on Thursday, Aug. 1 at about 1:18 p.m. The man, identified as 61-year-old Scott Andrew Morris, was riding the bike northbound on MacArthur in the right turn lane of the I-405 on-ramp when he suddenly turned to his left. Police said his handlebars collided with the passenger-side door and mirror of a Chevrolet Suburban. Morris, who wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time, was ejected from the bike. He was immediately transported to a local hospital with head injuries. The driver of the Suburban stayed at the scene and cooperated with police in their investigation. Morris died on Thursday, police confirmed. No additional details were immediately made available.

Los Angeles

Bicyclist, 61, Dies After Crash in Irvine Earlier This Month

A 61-year-old man who was fatally struck by an SUV while riding a bicycle in Irvine earlier this month died from his injuries on Thursday, authorities said Saturday. Officers dispatched at about 1:20 p.m. on Aug. 1 to the San Diego (405) Freeway and MacArthur Boulevard located Scott Andrew Morris suffering from a moderate head injury, according to the Irvine Police Department. Morris had been riding his bicycle north on MacArthur in the right turn lane to the freeway on-ramp, when he suddenly made a left turn into a Chevrolet Suburban as it was traveling in the lane next to him, police said. “Morris’ left handlebar struck the Suburban’s front passenger door and mirror, causing him to be ejected from his bicycle. Morris was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision,” police said. The motorist behind the wheel of the SUV stayed at the scene and cooperated with police. Paramedics rushed Morris to a hospital and Irvine police were notified Friday that the Irvine resident died from his injuries on Thursday. Anyone with information regarding the crash was asked to call police

Los Angeles

Firefighters Knock Down Detached Garage Fire in South Los Angeles

Firefighters Saturday knocked down a detached garage fire that was threatening a catering truck in the Broadway-Manchester community of south Los Angeles, authorities said. The 30 firefighters dispatched at 10:33 a.m. to 10016 S. Main St. had the fire out within 17 minutes of their arrival, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

San Diego

Matthew Strauss, San Diego native and philanthropic force, dies at 91

Matthew Strauss, a philanthropic force in San Diego who spent decades infusing his community with art and charitable giving, has passed away. He was 91 years old. The legacy he left behind is an undeniable tribute to his enduring curiosity — for new areas of knowledge and the many lives he touched, family members said. Strauss, well-known for his and his wife’s substantial contemporary art collection, didn’t just travel the world to find new artists. He studied the subject area so closely, he ended up writing his own art history text. It was 800 pages long. Matthew Strauss passed away Aug. 20. He was 91. (Steven Strauss) When his two daughters got diagnosed with cancer, he pored over research articles to better understand their illnesses. And then he funneled resources into some of the best medical centers in the region that were studying the diseases to help others who fell ill. “I think he was very grateful for his success, which was all self-made, and so he was very committed to wanting to give back to others — to give others an opportunity,” his son

Los Angeles

Rams vs. Texans takeaways: Sean McVay makes a decision on Stetson Bennett

Aug. 24, 2024 Updated 3:08 PM PT 1 Here are seven takeaways from the Rams’ 17-15 preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday at NRG Stadium. 2 Stetson Bennett on track to be backup QB Rams coach Sean McVay did not take any chances. With veteran Jimmy Garoppolo suspended by the NFL for the first two games, Bennett was in line to back up Matthew Stafford in the Sept. 8 opener at Detroit. But after the first two preseason games — both of which included multiple turnovers by Bennett that became moot when he tossed fourth-quarter touchdown passes — McVay had not committed to that scenario, saying Bennett was still being evaluated. McVay made up his mind and kept Bennett out of the line up against the Texans. “He got a body of work in terms of both of those games going from wire to wire,” McVay told reporters in Houston after the game. “I think he’s done really well in some of the practice settings. “When you do look at it, you’re obviously very fortunate to have Jimmy that will be coming back on

Los Angeles

Plaschke: Sho-Time is back! Ohtani dramatically swings his way into history

Shohei Ohtani didn’t just make history, he wore it. As he danced across home plate into the arms of bouncing, disbelieving Dodgers Friday night, the magnitude of his accomplishment was evident in the condition of his uniform. His shirt was soaked from being sprayed with water, marking his 40th home run. His left pants leg contained large cakes of dirt, marking his 40th steal. No other player in baseball history has ever looked quite like that. No other player in baseball history joined the exclusive 40/40 club by reaching both the steals and home-run milestones in the same game, just five innings apart, with the finishing touch coming on a walk-off grand slam. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called it “storybook.” Ohtani said he was “very ecstatic.” I’m like, are you kidding me? The Dodgers and their fans have never seen anyone like this guy, ever, ever, ever, 40 times ever, a fact that was proven again Friday in their dramatic 7-3 win over the Tampa Rays in front of a roaring, stomping mob at Dodger Stadium. “Shohei just never ceases to amaze,” Roberts told reporters

Sacramento

Woman shot and killed following an argument near Hookah Lounge in Fresno, police say

Sunday, August 25, 2024 9:02PM The Fresno Police Department is investigating a homicide after a woman was found shot on Saturday morning. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Fresno Police Department is investigating a homicide after a woman was found shot on Saturday morning. Officers responded to a Rite Aid on Cedar and Nees Avenues at 3:00 a.m. and found a 19-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died. Investigators say the woman was involved in an argument with an unknown woman across the street in the parking lot of Hookah Lounge. The argument moved to the Rite Aid parking lot, where police say a fistfight broke out moments before the shooting. Police are searching for the woman involved in the argument. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Fresno Police. Copyright © 2024 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved. Top Stories

Sacramento

Man driving Go-Kart killed in hit and run crash in Fresno County

Sunday, August 25, 2024 3:48AM The California Highway Patrol is investigating after a man driving a Go-Kart was killed in a hit-and-run crash in Fresno County. FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — The California Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly crash involving a Go-Kart on Saturday morning. The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office first responded to the area of Mountain View Avenue near Peach Avenue shortly after 6:30 a.m. CHP Officers say an unidentified person was driving a Toyota Tacoma west on Mountain View Avenue, and a man was driving a Go-Kart that is not street legal, in the same direction in front of the Toyota. As the Toyota approached the go-kart from behind, it struck the man. Investigators say the driver of the Toyota stopped momentarily and then drove away without aiding the victim. Deputies could not save the man from his critical injuries, pronouncing him dead at the scene. It is unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash. Initial evidence at the scene suggests the suspect vehicle may be a white 2012-2015 Toyota Tacoma with front-end damage. If you have any

Sacramento

Teen detained in deadly knife attack at German festival; Islamic State group claims responsibility

By Nadine El-Bawab and Felix Franz Saturday, August 24, 2024 7:24PM Police are looking for the person responsible for a Solingen, Germany stabbing attack that killed three at the Festival of Diversity. SOLINGEN, Germany — The Islamic State group Saturday claimed responsibility for a knife attack in Solingen, Germany that killed three people, according to its Amaq news site. The group said the attacker targeted Christians and is a “soldier of the Islamic State” who carried out the attack “to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.” THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE FROM AP. The following is ABC News’ previous story. German police said they have detained a 15-year-old boy and are working to verify if the teen is connected to the stabbing of several people at a music festival in Solingen on Friday. Three people were killed in the attack and eight others were injured — four of whom are considered “very seriously injured.” Police are continuing to search for the attacker. The people killed in the attack include two men ages 67 and 57 and a woman aged 56, authorities said. The 15-year-old

Bay Area

Islamic State group claims responsibility for knife attack in Solingen, Germany that killed 3

By Daniel Niemann and Stephanie Liechtenstein | Associated Press SOLINGEN, Germany (AP) — The Islamic State group Saturday claimed responsibility for a knife attack in Solingen, Germany that killed three people and wounded eight others, according to its Amaq news site. The group said the attacker targeted Christians and is a “soldier of the Islamic State” who carried out the attack “to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.” Police began raiding a home for asylum seekers in the city center of Solingen, including with special forces, the German news agency DPA reported. “We have received tips and therefore we are currently conducting police activities,” a police spokesperson said. Special police units had joined the search for the unknown knifeman who cut the throats of revelers at a crowded festival in the western German city, killing three people and wounding at least eight others, four of them seriously. A 15-year-old boy was arrested early Saturday. Police said he was suspected of knowing about the planned attack and failing to inform authorities, but he was not the attacker. Markus Caspers, from the counterterrorism section of the public

Bay Area

This invasive beetle has killed tens of thousands of trees in Southern California. Now it’s in the Bay Area

An invasive species of beetle that has killed tens of thousands of healthy trees across Southern California has been detected in San Jose, posing a threat to over 65 species of trees in the area. The shothole borer tunnels into trees, introducing a fungus that serves as food for the beetles, and prevents the trees from transporting water and nutrients, often killing them in the process, the Santa Clara County Division of Agriculture announced Friday. Native to southeast Asia, the beetle was first found in Los Angeles in 2003 and is believed to have arrived via packaging materials. Agriculture officials and arborists have been fighting the epidemic for years in L.A., Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. “it is a significant threat to our urban forests,” said Rhonda Berry, the CEO of of Our City Forest, the San Jose nonprofit that’s been working to develop the urban canopy for 30 years. It’s unclear when the beetle made its way to the Bay Area, or how widespread the infestation is, officials said — it’s possible the insects have been in San Jose

Bay Area

Conflicting federal policies may cost residents more on flood insurance, and leave them at risk

By David A. Lieb | Associated Press Conflicting federal policies may force thousands of residents in flood-prone areas to pay more for flood insurance or be left unaware of danger posed by dams built upstream from their homes and worksites, according to an Associated Press review of federal records and data. The problem stems from a complex set of flood policies and some national security precautions taken after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. To get the best discount on flood insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency‘s points-based rating system requires communities to chart all the homes, businesses and critical facilities endangered by a potential dam failure and warn people of their risk. But that’s difficult or even impossible in some communities because other federal agencies restrict the release of such information for hundreds of dams that they own or regulate across the U.S., citing security risks. The quandary has persisted for years, though federal officials have been warned of its implications. Federal “dam information sharing procedures costs communities points, homeowners money, and potentially citizens lives,” a California emergency services official warned in a January

Sacramento

SF Giants recall closer Camilo Doval from Triple-A

The Giants welcomed back Camilo Doval Saturday. An All-Star closer in 2022, Doval was optioned to Sacramento on Aug. 9 after a run of ineffective outings saw his earned run average balloon to 4.70 and included five blown saves. Doval is available out of the bullpen as the Giants visit the Seattle Mariners after losing 6-5 in 10 innings Friday night. In five games with the River Cats, Doval was 1-0 with a 3.18 earned run average with one walk and seven strikeouts. Given that Doval had walked 29 batters in 44 innings this season, the reduced walk total is considered encouraging. “We were just hoping that he understood what was going on and realized this is an opportunity for him to tighten things up,” Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters before the game. “There’s always the possibility anybody could go down and feel a little bit betrayed. It was anything but. He worked on these things. I give him a lot of credit for a guy that was an All-Star last year to take this time to really be productive.” The Giants announced the

San Diego

Sister says hiker still missing in Grand Canyon flash flood amid intrepid search

SUPAI, Ariz. (AP) — Search and rescue crews at Grand Canyon National Park were searching for an Arizona woman nearly two days after she was swept into a creek during a flash flood, the woman’s sister said on social media Saturday. Chenoa Nickerson of Gilbert was hiking in Havasu Creek, about a half-mile (800 meters) from where it meets up with the Colorado River, when the flash flood struck Thursday in the early afternoon. The National Park Service said the 33-year-old stayed overnight at a campground near the village of Supai on the Havasupai reservation, deep in a gorge off the Grand Canyon. The flood trapped several hikers in the area above and below Beaver Falls, one of a series of usually blue-green waterfalls that draw tourists from around the world to the Havasupai Tribe’s reservation. The area is prone to flooding that turns its iconic waterfalls chocolate brown. Other hikers made it to the village, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the campground, where they awaited helicopter rides. Gov. Katie Hobbs has activated the Arizona National Guard, including Blackhawk helicopters, to help evacuate hikers

San Diego

Italian prosecutors open shipwreck and manslaughter investigation into superyacht sinking

ROME (AP) — Prosecutors in Italy said Saturday they have opened an investigation into culpable shipwreck and multiple manslaughter after a superyacht capsized during a storm off the coast of Sicily, killing seven people onboard. They included British tech magnate Mike Lynch and his daughter. Termini Imerese prosecutor Ambrogio Cartosio confirmed the investigation has been launched, but hasn’t identified a suspect. “We are only in the initial phase of the investigation. We can’t exclude any sort of development at present,” he told reporters at a news conference. Cartosio said his team will carefully consider each possible element of responsibility, including those of the Bayesian’s captain, the crew, individuals in charge of supervision, the yacht’s manufacturer and others. “For me, it is probable that offences were committed, that it could be a case of manslaughter, but we can only establish that if you give us the time to investigate,” he said. The main question investigators are focusing on is how a sailing vessel deemed “unsinkable” by its manufacturer, Italian shipyard Perini Navi, sank while a nearby sailboat remained largely unscathed. Prosecutors said the event was “extremely

Los Angeles

L.A. councilmember calls for more police after latest robberies at 7-Eleven stores

A Los Angeles city councilmember is calling for more police officers and resources following the latest in a string of robberies and ransacking at 7-Eleven convenience stores. Police received a call about a theft suspect in the 100 block of North Gaffey Street in San Pedro around 1:39 a.m. Saturday, according to LAPD Officer Rosario Cervantes. She said people went inside a business, took items and vandalized the store. Officers took a robbery report, but no arrests have been made. Although Cervantes said she did not have information on what or how much was stolen from the store, KTLA-TV reported that more than 1,000 packs of cigarettes and two cash registers, which contained around $5,000, were stolen. ABC7 placed the number much higher, at about $40,000 in goods, including $1,000 worth of cigarettes and $20,000 worth of lottery tickets. KTLA obtained surveillance video that showed a group of people jumping over the counter and grabbing cigarettes and other items. The news outlet reported that a large crowd had gathered for a street takeover near the store. Councilman Tim McOsker, whose district includes San Pedro, said

Los Angeles

Los Angeles punk band front man accused of ‘terrorizing trek’ through Yosemite region

The front man for a hardcore Los Angeles punk band named Cancer Christ faces a slate of criminal charges after allegedly going on a “terrorizing trek” through Yosemite National Park and surrounding areas Wednesday, according to local law enforcement. Anthony Mehlhaff, 40, allegedly assaulted a restaurant employee, led park rangers on a car chase, crashed the car, stole a bicycle and then threatened workers at another lodge with a knife, according to Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese. Then, Mehlhaff allegedly stripped to his underwear, attempted to kidnap a store manager, stole that manager’s car and started ramming it into another vehicle on a local road, crashed again and was taken into custody before assaulting deputies during an assessment at a local hospital, Briese wrote in a statement about the incident. “This man drove all around our county terrorizing our visitors and community members,” Briese said. “I am extremely happy that no one was seriously injured. This man’s behavior was erratic and dangerous.” Booking records showed Mehlhaff faces charges of vandalism, vehicle theft, reckless driving, kidnapping, theft, first-degree burglary, robbery, obstructing an officer and battery. Mariposa

Los Angeles

More free COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail, government says

Updated on: August 24, 2024 / 2:40 PM EDT / CBS/AP FDA approves new COVID-19 booster COVID-19 cases continue rising, FDA approves new booster 03:19 On the heels of a summer wave of COVID-19 cases, Americans will be able to get free virus test kits mailed to their homes, starting in late September. U.S. households will be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests when the federal program reopens, according to the website, COVIDtests.gov. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency that oversees the testing has not announced an exact date for ordering to begin. The tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season when family and friends gather for celebrations, an HHS spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year. The announcement also comes as the government is once again urging people to get an updated COVID-19 booster, ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season.  A woman squeezing the sample liquid on a test strip while carrying out a Covid-19 rapid self test

Los Angeles

8/24: Saturday Morning

8/24: Saturday Morning – CBS News Watch CBS News RFK Jr. endorses Trump as Harris campaign builds on DNC momentum; How a New York City culinary school is celebrating a decade of cooking and community. Be the first to know Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Not Now Turn On