San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is set to announce Friday his intentions of running for lieutenant governor, according to many sources close to the mayor.
As you may recall last year Mr. Newsom was considered to be the democratic front running for governor, however in October the mayor stepped down from the race citing "personal reasons."
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Some Peculiarities
Here is a round up of interesting peculiarities about Southern California.
Following up on today's story by Maeve Reston in the Los Angeles Times, the Times is asking you, have ever received a parking ticket at a broken parking meter from the swift-acting Los Angeles Department of Transportation Parking Enforcement bureau.
Ms. Reston noted in her story that between 10% and 12% of the city's meters are failing at any given time according to a recent study by an outside firm
Amir Sedadi, assistant general manager of the Transportation Department, speaking at a Transportation Committee meeting Wednesday, says broken meters can inexplicably snap back into operation, which could be why some Angelenos have been ticketed.
So, have you been ticketed unfairly?
**
The Atlantic, known for thought provoking articles concerning all aspects of foreign affairs, politics, and the economy tackles one issue pressing California, "Chinese and Doughnuts: A California Mystery."
While visiting L.A. a few years ago Atlantic writer Katie Robbins noticed the juxtaposition of American Chinese food and donuts, (and none of Hong Kong's long crispy crullers called you tiao to be found in the donut store).
In her article Ms. Robbins interviews several shop owners and many owners cite economical reasons for operating such food offerings.
**
Viewers and observers of local television news are in for no real surprise as according to a new study from USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, an average half-hour of Los Angeles local newscasts contains just 22 seconds of local government coverage.
The study found if it bleeds it leads take up most newscasts.
The study found that crime stories averaged two minutes, 50 seconds in a newscast, while sports and weather took up 3:36.
According to the study KCOP, which is owned by News Corp. and produced by KTTV/Fox 11, carries the most crime related stories in their newscast.
The least reporting from the it bleed it leads department, the study found KCBS and KNBC spend the least amount of the time reporting on crime.
As for the most stories on local government affairs and the economy, the study found KCAL spends the most time covering such stories.
Meanwhile the L.A. Times, according to the study, devotes 10% of its front page space to local government and 6% to L.A. business and economy.
**
The Sunset-Vine Tower, which has undergone massive renovation since being bought by the CIM Group in 2003, is set to finally reopen.
Located on the southeast corner of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood the building has been under construction for most of the past decade and is finally set to open as an upscale residential building featuring three restaurants and a wine bar.
The Sunset-Vine Tower was built in 1963 and is generally believed to be the first skyscraper built after the city of L.A. repealed its 14-story height limit.
Many may remember the building was featured in the epically ridiculous 1974 disaster flick "Earthquake," where Charlton Heston's character worked. In the film the building, aside from having a perfect view of seeing the Capital Records building disintegrate during "The Big One," was nearly destroyed trapping several people, only to be rescued by Heston.
The Sunset-Vine Tower was almost destroyed twice by disaster in real life.
In 2001 a fire in the electric room deemed the building unsafe. (So much to the point where, according to the Times, "the electrical meltdown knocked out the building's fire alarm system, city inspectors and fire officials for months barred workers from entering to remove files, office equipment and personal property.") The building was seemingly abandoned until 2003 when CIM Group began their efforts to sink $70 million in recouping and reviving the building.
Along the way of rehabilitation in 2005 workers were dismantling portions of the rooftop when one of their torches set the building on fire.
Through it all the tower that seem to set as nothing more than a building skeleton for a few years is finally reopening to residential rents between $2,500 and $10,000.
More at the Times.
**
Finally, songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman received, what in the Disneyesque world the equivalent of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, their names permanently painted on a window along Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A Thursday.
While their names may not jump out at you, you will surely recognize their music.
The brothers wrote the quintessential seemingly never-ending tune forever ubiquitous with Disneyland, "It's A Small World."
Along with "It's A Small World" the brothers Sherman wrote the song "The Tiki Tiki Room," along with composing music for the film "Mary Poppins."
Altogether the brothers wrote over 150 songs for Disney.
Following up on today's story by Maeve Reston in the Los Angeles Times, the Times is asking you, have ever received a parking ticket at a broken parking meter from the swift-acting Los Angeles Department of Transportation Parking Enforcement bureau.
Ms. Reston noted in her story that between 10% and 12% of the city's meters are failing at any given time according to a recent study by an outside firm
Amir Sedadi, assistant general manager of the Transportation Department, speaking at a Transportation Committee meeting Wednesday, says broken meters can inexplicably snap back into operation, which could be why some Angelenos have been ticketed.
So, have you been ticketed unfairly?
**
The Atlantic, known for thought provoking articles concerning all aspects of foreign affairs, politics, and the economy tackles one issue pressing California, "Chinese and Doughnuts: A California Mystery."
While visiting L.A. a few years ago Atlantic writer Katie Robbins noticed the juxtaposition of American Chinese food and donuts, (and none of Hong Kong's long crispy crullers called you tiao to be found in the donut store).
In her article Ms. Robbins interviews several shop owners and many owners cite economical reasons for operating such food offerings.
**
Viewers and observers of local television news are in for no real surprise as according to a new study from USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, an average half-hour of Los Angeles local newscasts contains just 22 seconds of local government coverage.
The study found if it bleeds it leads take up most newscasts.
The study found that crime stories averaged two minutes, 50 seconds in a newscast, while sports and weather took up 3:36.
According to the study KCOP, which is owned by News Corp. and produced by KTTV/Fox 11, carries the most crime related stories in their newscast.
The least reporting from the it bleed it leads department, the study found KCBS and KNBC spend the least amount of the time reporting on crime.
As for the most stories on local government affairs and the economy, the study found KCAL spends the most time covering such stories.
Meanwhile the L.A. Times, according to the study, devotes 10% of its front page space to local government and 6% to L.A. business and economy.
**
The Sunset-Vine Tower, which has undergone massive renovation since being bought by the CIM Group in 2003, is set to finally reopen.
Located on the southeast corner of Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood the building has been under construction for most of the past decade and is finally set to open as an upscale residential building featuring three restaurants and a wine bar.
The Sunset-Vine Tower was built in 1963 and is generally believed to be the first skyscraper built after the city of L.A. repealed its 14-story height limit.
Many may remember the building was featured in the epically ridiculous 1974 disaster flick "Earthquake," where Charlton Heston's character worked. In the film the building, aside from having a perfect view of seeing the Capital Records building disintegrate during "The Big One," was nearly destroyed trapping several people, only to be rescued by Heston.
The Sunset-Vine Tower was almost destroyed twice by disaster in real life.
In 2001 a fire in the electric room deemed the building unsafe. (So much to the point where, according to the Times, "the electrical meltdown knocked out the building's fire alarm system, city inspectors and fire officials for months barred workers from entering to remove files, office equipment and personal property.") The building was seemingly abandoned until 2003 when CIM Group began their efforts to sink $70 million in recouping and reviving the building.
Along the way of rehabilitation in 2005 workers were dismantling portions of the rooftop when one of their torches set the building on fire.
Through it all the tower that seem to set as nothing more than a building skeleton for a few years is finally reopening to residential rents between $2,500 and $10,000.
More at the Times.
**
Finally, songwriters Richard and Robert Sherman received, what in the Disneyesque world the equivalent of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, their names permanently painted on a window along Disneyland's Main Street, U.S.A Thursday.
While their names may not jump out at you, you will surely recognize their music.
The brothers wrote the quintessential seemingly never-ending tune forever ubiquitous with Disneyland, "It's A Small World."
Along with "It's A Small World" the brothers Sherman wrote the song "The Tiki Tiki Room," along with composing music for the film "Mary Poppins."
Altogether the brothers wrote over 150 songs for Disney.
Monday, March 8, 2010
4.0 San Diego County Quake
At 8:18 p.m. Monday evening a magnitude 4.0 earthquake occurred about 14 miles east-southeast of Julian in San Diego County, according to the United States Geological Survey.
In maps provided by USGS the earthquake was felt throughout much of east San Diego County, north into the Hemet area, west into the city of San Diego and felt south in Tijuana.
There have been no reports of damage or injuries.
According to data by USGS it appears this earthquake was located right on the Elsinore Fault Zone.
The Elsinore Fault Zone, which has the potential to produce an earthquake between magnitude 6.5-7.5, has been rather puzzling to many geologists as for being one of Southern California's largest faults it has remained "quiet."
The last notable earthquake on this fault occurred on May 15, 1910 when a magnitude 6.0 occurred near Temescal Valley.
The interval between major ruptures on the Elsinore Fault, according to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, is about 250 years. The last major rupture was during the 18th Century.
Beginning south the fault begins southeast of Julian, just north of I-8, moving northwest running just under the I-15/I-215 interchange in Murrieta, then paralleling I-15 and finally splitting into the Whittier Fault and Chino Fault in Corona (of which both faults cross the 91 freeway).
While no doubt a threat to the cities and communities along the I-15 the Elsinore Fault is, behind the Newport-Inglewood Fault, a major threat for Orange County.
At 10:08 p.m. there was a small 2.5 aftershock, according to USGS.
In maps provided by USGS the earthquake was felt throughout much of east San Diego County, north into the Hemet area, west into the city of San Diego and felt south in Tijuana.
There have been no reports of damage or injuries.
According to data by USGS it appears this earthquake was located right on the Elsinore Fault Zone.
The Elsinore Fault Zone, which has the potential to produce an earthquake between magnitude 6.5-7.5, has been rather puzzling to many geologists as for being one of Southern California's largest faults it has remained "quiet."
The last notable earthquake on this fault occurred on May 15, 1910 when a magnitude 6.0 occurred near Temescal Valley.
The interval between major ruptures on the Elsinore Fault, according to the Southern California Earthquake Data Center, is about 250 years. The last major rupture was during the 18th Century.
Beginning south the fault begins southeast of Julian, just north of I-8, moving northwest running just under the I-15/I-215 interchange in Murrieta, then paralleling I-15 and finally splitting into the Whittier Fault and Chino Fault in Corona (of which both faults cross the 91 freeway).
While no doubt a threat to the cities and communities along the I-15 the Elsinore Fault is, behind the Newport-Inglewood Fault, a major threat for Orange County.
At 10:08 p.m. there was a small 2.5 aftershock, according to USGS.
SIG ALERT: Big Sur Rock Slide
If you have plans to drive along Pacific Coast Highway into the Central Coast do know a Sig-Alert in the Big Sur area will affect your plans as a significant rock slide has limited access along the famous scenic route.
Cal-Trans officials are blaming recent rains for the slide.
Officials from Cal-Trans strongly advise using U.S. 101 as an alternative, however if you must use PCH know from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. PCH will be closed, and during the morning and afternoon Cal-Trans along with the California Highway Patrol will be coordinating one-way traffic. Officials from both agencies advise motorists to expect at least a two-hour delay.
Businesses along the coast will remain open.
During the hours of closure motorists driving north along PCH to the Monterey area are advised to take state route 46 from Cambria to U.S. 101 to state route 68 into Monterey.
Cal-Trans officials are not sure when they plan to have the rock slide cleared and both lanes of traffic reopened.
Nobody was injured during the rock slide.
Cal-Trans officials are blaming recent rains for the slide.
Officials from Cal-Trans strongly advise using U.S. 101 as an alternative, however if you must use PCH know from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. PCH will be closed, and during the morning and afternoon Cal-Trans along with the California Highway Patrol will be coordinating one-way traffic. Officials from both agencies advise motorists to expect at least a two-hour delay.
Businesses along the coast will remain open.
During the hours of closure motorists driving north along PCH to the Monterey area are advised to take state route 46 from Cambria to U.S. 101 to state route 68 into Monterey.
Cal-Trans officials are not sure when they plan to have the rock slide cleared and both lanes of traffic reopened.
Nobody was injured during the rock slide.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tsunami Update
On Saturday morning a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Chile killing hundreds of people, causing widespread damage in the South American country and producing a tsunami that for a time threatened Hawaii and caused minor concern along the Southern California coast.
Before 3:30 a.m. Saturday a tsunami advisory for Southern California was issued, but despite reports of possible surges of six-to-eight feet the low-level warning was later lifted with no major incident along our coast.
Three-foot high waves were reported along the Orange County coast about 13 hours after the earthquake. These are the largest waves resulting from a tsunami to occur along the Orange County coast since the 1964 Alaskan earthquake.
For precautionary measures beach areas along the coast were closed for a short time.
The only notable event was some rip currents in Long Beach, which threw a boat on to shore.
Also in Ventura a small dock was ripped from its post.
In Hawaii a tsunami warning was issued and massive evacuations were ordered, but aside from a few swells the expected arrival of the tsunami was rather uneventful.
In Central and Northern California a tsunami advisory still remains in effect until Saturday evening.
Meanwhile Japan is preparing and expecting a ten-foot surge along their northern coast expected to strike late Saturday evening.
Before 3:30 a.m. Saturday a tsunami advisory for Southern California was issued, but despite reports of possible surges of six-to-eight feet the low-level warning was later lifted with no major incident along our coast.
Three-foot high waves were reported along the Orange County coast about 13 hours after the earthquake. These are the largest waves resulting from a tsunami to occur along the Orange County coast since the 1964 Alaskan earthquake.
For precautionary measures beach areas along the coast were closed for a short time.
The only notable event was some rip currents in Long Beach, which threw a boat on to shore.
Also in Ventura a small dock was ripped from its post.
In Hawaii a tsunami warning was issued and massive evacuations were ordered, but aside from a few swells the expected arrival of the tsunami was rather uneventful.
In Central and Northern California a tsunami advisory still remains in effect until Saturday evening.
Meanwhile Japan is preparing and expecting a ten-foot surge along their northern coast expected to strike late Saturday evening.
Tsunami Clarification
Tsunami warnings and advisories have been issued throughout the Pacific region following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Chile early Saturday morning.
To put this in perspective let us take a moment and explain the difference between the warning levels.
A tsunami advisory, which has been issued for the West Coast, is the lowest level warning and basically means "heads up" as something might be coming to the coast, and if it does it is highly likely to be no more than a small increase, perhaps a few inches, in the waves.
A tsunami warning, which has been issued for Hawaii, means a tsunami is expected and preparations and evacuations along the coast should be taking place with great urgency.
Speaking with CNN Pacific Tsunami Warning Center geophysicist Barry Hirshon says some areas of Hawaii could "possibly" expect waves between 10-15 feet.
In Southern California what we could expect is likely a repeat that followed last year's American Samoa earthquake that produced a tsunami throughout the Pacific, which generated six-inch waves in Huntington Beach.
UPDATE 4:47 a.m.: From Hawaii, tsunami warning sirens will be activated at 6:00 a.m. local time, about five hours before the first tsunami wave is expected, along Waikiki and Oahu where thousands are expected to be evacuated.
In 1960 61 people were killed and over 500 homes and businesses in Hawaii were destroyed following the 1960 magnitude 9.5 Chile earthquake, which is the largest earthquake in recorded history.
To put this in perspective let us take a moment and explain the difference between the warning levels.
A tsunami advisory, which has been issued for the West Coast, is the lowest level warning and basically means "heads up" as something might be coming to the coast, and if it does it is highly likely to be no more than a small increase, perhaps a few inches, in the waves.
A tsunami warning, which has been issued for Hawaii, means a tsunami is expected and preparations and evacuations along the coast should be taking place with great urgency.
Speaking with CNN Pacific Tsunami Warning Center geophysicist Barry Hirshon says some areas of Hawaii could "possibly" expect waves between 10-15 feet.
In Southern California what we could expect is likely a repeat that followed last year's American Samoa earthquake that produced a tsunami throughout the Pacific, which generated six-inch waves in Huntington Beach.
UPDATE 4:47 a.m.: From Hawaii, tsunami warning sirens will be activated at 6:00 a.m. local time, about five hours before the first tsunami wave is expected, along Waikiki and Oahu where thousands are expected to be evacuated.
In 1960 61 people were killed and over 500 homes and businesses in Hawaii were destroyed following the 1960 magnitude 9.5 Chile earthquake, which is the largest earthquake in recorded history.
BREAKING: Chile 8.8 Earthquake; Tsunami Advisory Issued for West Coast
The News Wire is monitoring a major earthquake that occurred early Saturday morning.
According to the United States Geological Survey the earthquake measured 8.8 with an epicenter 60 miles north-northwest of Chillan, Chile, and 200 miles southwest of Chile's capital, Santiago.
There are reports coming in of widespread heavy damage in Santiago.
Dozens are reported dead and damage is widespread throughout the country, however the extent of damage will not be known until sunrise.
Americans seeking information about relatives in Chile are directed to telephone, 1-800-407-4747.
The earthquake has generated a tsunami and there are reports a huge wave reached a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, which is about 410 miles off the Chilean coast.
Much of the Pacific region is now under either a tsunami warning or advisory.
A tsunami warning has been issued for all of Hawaii.
The bulletin directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE ALONG COASTLINES OF ALL ISLANDS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY."
The first waves are expected to arrive in Hawaii around 11 a.m. Southern California time.
At around 3:15 a.m. a tsunami advisory was issued for the West Coast.
As such officials at NOAA do not expect any major rise in sea activity off the Southern California coast, however, much like last summer's American Samoa earthquake the sea level could rise a few inches.
The first waves are expected to arrive in San Diego at 12:02 p.m. and at Newport Beach at 12:12 p.m.
The largest earthquake ever recorded, as long as records have been kept, struck the same area of Chile on May 22, 1960 measuring 9.5. The earthquake killed 1,655 people and left 2 million homeless. The tsunami that it caused killed people in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines and caused damage to the west coast of the United States.
According to the United States Geological Survey the earthquake measured 8.8 with an epicenter 60 miles north-northwest of Chillan, Chile, and 200 miles southwest of Chile's capital, Santiago.
There are reports coming in of widespread heavy damage in Santiago.
Dozens are reported dead and damage is widespread throughout the country, however the extent of damage will not be known until sunrise.
Americans seeking information about relatives in Chile are directed to telephone, 1-800-407-4747.
The earthquake has generated a tsunami and there are reports a huge wave reached a populated area in the Robinson Crusoe Islands, which is about 410 miles off the Chilean coast.
Much of the Pacific region is now under either a tsunami warning or advisory.
A tsunami warning has been issued for all of Hawaii.
The bulletin directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: "A TSUNAMI HAS BEEN GENERATED THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE ALONG COASTLINES OF ALL ISLANDS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII. URGENT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY."
The first waves are expected to arrive in Hawaii around 11 a.m. Southern California time.
At around 3:15 a.m. a tsunami advisory was issued for the West Coast.
As such officials at NOAA do not expect any major rise in sea activity off the Southern California coast, however, much like last summer's American Samoa earthquake the sea level could rise a few inches.
The first waves are expected to arrive in San Diego at 12:02 p.m. and at Newport Beach at 12:12 p.m.
The largest earthquake ever recorded, as long as records have been kept, struck the same area of Chile on May 22, 1960 measuring 9.5. The earthquake killed 1,655 people and left 2 million homeless. The tsunami that it caused killed people in Hawaii, Japan and the Philippines and caused damage to the west coast of the United States.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Boston Taking a Big Bite Out of One Local Food Chain
In a very surprising and unexpected announcement Friday a major Southern California fast food chain is expected to be sold to a Boston-based private equity firm.
CKE Restaurants Inc., parent company of Carl's Jr and Hardees, will be sold to Thomas H. Lee Partners for $928, while assuming $309 million in debt.
Thomas H. Lee Partners will offer CKE shareholders a 24% premium off Thursday's closing price, giving them $11.05 in cash for each share. Following today's announcement CKE shares shot up 25% on the New York Stock Exchange closing at $11.16.
If approved by shareholders and federal regulators the deal is expected to close at the end of the second-quarter.
Among other interests the private equity firm holds Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts in their portfolio following a $2.4 billion cash deal with Bain Capital Partners and the Carlyle Group in 2006.
Officials at CKE along with Thomas H. Lee Partners declined to give specific reasons for the sale.
Fast food industry analysis say to the Associated Press sales at CKE restaurants have tumbled as consumers reduced visits amid the worst recession the fast food industry has seen in decades.
Last November CKE chief executive officer Andrew F. Puzder said to Reuters, "Unemployment rates have continued to worsen while our competitors have escalated the deep discount burger wars ... Both these events are having an adverse impact on same-store sales results for everyone, including us."
According to earnings reports CKE revenue through the 2010 fiscal year is down more than 4% to $1.08 billion, compared with $1.13 billion in 2009. Broken down, sales at Carl's Jr. nose-dived 8.7% while sales sunk 2.5% at Hardee's.
CKE was originally incorporated in 1964 by Carl's Jr. founder Carl Karcher as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc.
In 1997 CKE expanding their reach into the Midwest and East Coast by acquiring Hardee's, which, after the sale was final, CKE rebranded Hardee's with the Carl's Jr. star, logo and font, along with integrating Carl's Jr's. menu options.
CKE maintains headquarters in Carpinteria along with corporate offices and an distribution center in Anaheim, which was the site of the first Carl's Jr. opened by Mr. Karcher in 1956.
Prior to opening Carl's Jr. Mr. Karcher had a successful hot dog cart business in Los Angeles.
Now known for their copious hamburgers and sultry advertisements featuring scantly clad nouveau riche socialites the chain has distinguished itself as embracing and celebrating indulgences in less-than-healthy fast food. This as other fast food chains, most noticeably McDonald's, have changed menu options and gone on major public relations campaigns in the last decade to tout the healthy virtues of fast food amid criticism fast food was a leading cause of health problems in America.
Most employees at their offices in Carpinteria and Anaheim, along with restaurant employees only learned of the sale upon arriving to work.
The News Wire has attempted to contact officials at CKE, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Carl's Jr. restaurants, however one employee at a restaurant in Santa Ana said they were ordered not to talk with the public about the sale.
The Carl's Jr. employee in Santa Ana, who asked to remain anonymous, said when word spread of the sale there were fears of job cuts.
The News Wire, along with other news organizations, have been pressing both parties about the potential of job cuts, however CKE and Thomas H. Lee Partners would not comment.
CKE maintains nearly 3,000 restaurants in the country and various locations around the world, including China, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia and Singapore, employing over 11,000 people.
The big question for consumers, what changes could be in store, that remains to be seen.
CKE will accept other acquisition proposals until April 6.
CKE Restaurants Inc., parent company of Carl's Jr and Hardees, will be sold to Thomas H. Lee Partners for $928, while assuming $309 million in debt.
Thomas H. Lee Partners will offer CKE shareholders a 24% premium off Thursday's closing price, giving them $11.05 in cash for each share. Following today's announcement CKE shares shot up 25% on the New York Stock Exchange closing at $11.16.
If approved by shareholders and federal regulators the deal is expected to close at the end of the second-quarter.
Among other interests the private equity firm holds Baskin-Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts in their portfolio following a $2.4 billion cash deal with Bain Capital Partners and the Carlyle Group in 2006.
Officials at CKE along with Thomas H. Lee Partners declined to give specific reasons for the sale.
Fast food industry analysis say to the Associated Press sales at CKE restaurants have tumbled as consumers reduced visits amid the worst recession the fast food industry has seen in decades.
Last November CKE chief executive officer Andrew F. Puzder said to Reuters, "Unemployment rates have continued to worsen while our competitors have escalated the deep discount burger wars ... Both these events are having an adverse impact on same-store sales results for everyone, including us."
According to earnings reports CKE revenue through the 2010 fiscal year is down more than 4% to $1.08 billion, compared with $1.13 billion in 2009. Broken down, sales at Carl's Jr. nose-dived 8.7% while sales sunk 2.5% at Hardee's.
CKE was originally incorporated in 1964 by Carl's Jr. founder Carl Karcher as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc.
In 1997 CKE expanding their reach into the Midwest and East Coast by acquiring Hardee's, which, after the sale was final, CKE rebranded Hardee's with the Carl's Jr. star, logo and font, along with integrating Carl's Jr's. menu options.
CKE maintains headquarters in Carpinteria along with corporate offices and an distribution center in Anaheim, which was the site of the first Carl's Jr. opened by Mr. Karcher in 1956.
Prior to opening Carl's Jr. Mr. Karcher had a successful hot dog cart business in Los Angeles.
Now known for their copious hamburgers and sultry advertisements featuring scantly clad nouveau riche socialites the chain has distinguished itself as embracing and celebrating indulgences in less-than-healthy fast food. This as other fast food chains, most noticeably McDonald's, have changed menu options and gone on major public relations campaigns in the last decade to tout the healthy virtues of fast food amid criticism fast food was a leading cause of health problems in America.
Most employees at their offices in Carpinteria and Anaheim, along with restaurant employees only learned of the sale upon arriving to work.
The News Wire has attempted to contact officials at CKE, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Carl's Jr. restaurants, however one employee at a restaurant in Santa Ana said they were ordered not to talk with the public about the sale.
The Carl's Jr. employee in Santa Ana, who asked to remain anonymous, said when word spread of the sale there were fears of job cuts.
The News Wire, along with other news organizations, have been pressing both parties about the potential of job cuts, however CKE and Thomas H. Lee Partners would not comment.
CKE maintains nearly 3,000 restaurants in the country and various locations around the world, including China, Russia, Mexico, Indonesia and Singapore, employing over 11,000 people.
The big question for consumers, what changes could be in store, that remains to be seen.
CKE will accept other acquisition proposals until April 6.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The New Beverly Cinema is Saved
The last remaining daily double feature film revival cinema in Southern California has been saved.
Tucked away in a rundown old building amid a renewed sleek trendy Fairfax District the New Beverly Cinema, which features obscure rare films to cinematic camp, has been struggling for most of the past decade with paying rising rent costs, combined with competing with the Criterion Collection in an era of Netflix.
Part of the cinema's colorful history, built in 1929 as the Beverly Cinema to show first run films and vaudeville shows, included being a night club once owned by mobster Mickey Cohen and later being apart of the infamous Pussycat movie theater chain. In May 1978 location scout Sherman Torgan took the cinema into a different direction, switching from seedy films to unique classic films rebranding it, the New Beverly Cinema.
What soon followed over the years were many industry bigwigs holding special screenings and sharing their film collection, along with fielding questions from lovers of film and would be auteurs.
Through the 1980s and 90s the New Beverly faced competition from the rising home video market, in particular the rapid rise of the video rental market, however the cinema on Beverly Boulevard still attained a very loyal following.
What began to sound the death-knell for the theater was the changing demographics of the neighborhood. The quiet Hassidic Fairfax District was now becoming a trendy Los Angeles hot spot, ushered in by the opening of The Grove in 2002. With trendy neighborhoods in the City of Angels comes the ubiquitous confusing parking regulations and trying to make sense of the three-to-five relevant parking signs on the pole.
In a 2003 interview with the L.A. Weekly Mr. Torgan attributed the decline in theater attendance to new permit parking around his theater. Mr. Sherman keenly noted the homes in the area all have driveways and garages, so why restrict parking.
To help bring money in the New Beverly began, on occasion, to show new films. Also fundraisers were held and outside groups paid the New Beverly to screen their films and hold private parties.
In 2007 tragedy struck when Mr. Torgan died of a heart attack while riding his bike. Following the tragic death Mr. Torgan's son Mike took over the family business.
Shortly after Mr. Torgan's death the landlord, as if problems for the family were not already horrific, decided to sell the property, which commercial property in that area can bring in more than a few pretty pennies, and the new buyer was reportedly set to turn the beloved theater into a chain hair salon.
It almost seem like a done deal and another Southern California landmark was going to be a memory talked depressingly among people in years to come as the property went into escrow.
In the three-decade old rental agreement there was a clause where Mr. Torgan or his family could buy the building, but property in a hip zip code was more than the Torgan family could afford.
Perhaps like a plot out of classical Hollywood cinema comes the hero, Quentin Tarantino.
Mr. Tarantino told reporters he has been, "going to the New Beverly ever since I could drive."
The personal history between Mr. Tarantino and the New Beverly goes back to the early 1990s when Mr. Sherman began showing Reservoir Dogs during midnight showings, which prompted Mr. Tarantino to bring the whole cast for a special midnight screening.
During the last decade when the New Beverly was facing money shortages Mr. Tarantino donated money to keep the theater afloat, and in recent years paid for much needed upgrades to the theater, including new seats.
According to The Hollywood Reporter Mr. Tarantino was paying $5,000 a month to keep the New Beverly afloat, "I considered it a contribution to cinema," Mr. Tarantino told the Reporter.
So when the threat of the theater being closed for good almost came to pass Mr. Tarantino just bought the theater outright and, "I always considered the New Beverly my charity - an investment I never wanted back ... I already had a good relationship with the family and the theater, so it was a natural step," as Mr. Tarantino tells the Reporter.
Just as it seem all was restored to the preservation of the celluloid universe came the surprise plot twist when the prospective buyer blocked Mr. Tarantino's move to buy the theater. After a few months a deal was worked out, however a nondisclosure agreement prevents the Torgans or Mr. Tarantino from revealing the deal made with the prospective buyer, the purchase price or the identity of the former landlord.
The Torgans will continue to operate the New Beverly as they always have, with occasional input and screenings from Mr. Tarantino.
Tucked away in a rundown old building amid a renewed sleek trendy Fairfax District the New Beverly Cinema, which features obscure rare films to cinematic camp, has been struggling for most of the past decade with paying rising rent costs, combined with competing with the Criterion Collection in an era of Netflix.
Part of the cinema's colorful history, built in 1929 as the Beverly Cinema to show first run films and vaudeville shows, included being a night club once owned by mobster Mickey Cohen and later being apart of the infamous Pussycat movie theater chain. In May 1978 location scout Sherman Torgan took the cinema into a different direction, switching from seedy films to unique classic films rebranding it, the New Beverly Cinema.
What soon followed over the years were many industry bigwigs holding special screenings and sharing their film collection, along with fielding questions from lovers of film and would be auteurs.
Through the 1980s and 90s the New Beverly faced competition from the rising home video market, in particular the rapid rise of the video rental market, however the cinema on Beverly Boulevard still attained a very loyal following.
What began to sound the death-knell for the theater was the changing demographics of the neighborhood. The quiet Hassidic Fairfax District was now becoming a trendy Los Angeles hot spot, ushered in by the opening of The Grove in 2002. With trendy neighborhoods in the City of Angels comes the ubiquitous confusing parking regulations and trying to make sense of the three-to-five relevant parking signs on the pole.
In a 2003 interview with the L.A. Weekly Mr. Torgan attributed the decline in theater attendance to new permit parking around his theater. Mr. Sherman keenly noted the homes in the area all have driveways and garages, so why restrict parking.
To help bring money in the New Beverly began, on occasion, to show new films. Also fundraisers were held and outside groups paid the New Beverly to screen their films and hold private parties.
In 2007 tragedy struck when Mr. Torgan died of a heart attack while riding his bike. Following the tragic death Mr. Torgan's son Mike took over the family business.
Shortly after Mr. Torgan's death the landlord, as if problems for the family were not already horrific, decided to sell the property, which commercial property in that area can bring in more than a few pretty pennies, and the new buyer was reportedly set to turn the beloved theater into a chain hair salon.
It almost seem like a done deal and another Southern California landmark was going to be a memory talked depressingly among people in years to come as the property went into escrow.
In the three-decade old rental agreement there was a clause where Mr. Torgan or his family could buy the building, but property in a hip zip code was more than the Torgan family could afford.
Perhaps like a plot out of classical Hollywood cinema comes the hero, Quentin Tarantino.
Mr. Tarantino told reporters he has been, "going to the New Beverly ever since I could drive."
The personal history between Mr. Tarantino and the New Beverly goes back to the early 1990s when Mr. Sherman began showing Reservoir Dogs during midnight showings, which prompted Mr. Tarantino to bring the whole cast for a special midnight screening.
During the last decade when the New Beverly was facing money shortages Mr. Tarantino donated money to keep the theater afloat, and in recent years paid for much needed upgrades to the theater, including new seats.
According to The Hollywood Reporter Mr. Tarantino was paying $5,000 a month to keep the New Beverly afloat, "I considered it a contribution to cinema," Mr. Tarantino told the Reporter.
So when the threat of the theater being closed for good almost came to pass Mr. Tarantino just bought the theater outright and, "I always considered the New Beverly my charity - an investment I never wanted back ... I already had a good relationship with the family and the theater, so it was a natural step," as Mr. Tarantino tells the Reporter.
Just as it seem all was restored to the preservation of the celluloid universe came the surprise plot twist when the prospective buyer blocked Mr. Tarantino's move to buy the theater. After a few months a deal was worked out, however a nondisclosure agreement prevents the Torgans or Mr. Tarantino from revealing the deal made with the prospective buyer, the purchase price or the identity of the former landlord.
The Torgans will continue to operate the New Beverly as they always have, with occasional input and screenings from Mr. Tarantino.
Another Local Bank Fails and Seized by Feds
Federal regulators Friday evening took over Rancho Santa Fe-based La Jolla Bank, which has ten branches, including three in Riverside County.
La Jolla Bank's deposits, which had $3.6 billion in total assets and $2.8 billion in deposits, will be taken over and reopen Monday by Pasadena based OneWest Bank, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Officials at the FDIC attribute La Jolla Bank's failure to bad real estate loans to residential developers. The bank reported $401.6 million in delinquent loans in last year's third-quarter report.
A spokesman for OneWest Bank says come Monday morning all branches will reopen with the same staff and hours, and will continue operating under the La Jolla Bank name until the integration with OneWest Bank is complete.
Also seized by regulators Friday were George Washington Savings Bank of Orland Park, Illinois and La Coste National Bank of La Coste, Texas.
Friday's bank closures brings the total number of financial institutions closed since the beginning of the year to 20.
La Jolla Bank's deposits, which had $3.6 billion in total assets and $2.8 billion in deposits, will be taken over and reopen Monday by Pasadena based OneWest Bank, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Officials at the FDIC attribute La Jolla Bank's failure to bad real estate loans to residential developers. The bank reported $401.6 million in delinquent loans in last year's third-quarter report.
A spokesman for OneWest Bank says come Monday morning all branches will reopen with the same staff and hours, and will continue operating under the La Jolla Bank name until the integration with OneWest Bank is complete.
Also seized by regulators Friday were George Washington Savings Bank of Orland Park, Illinois and La Coste National Bank of La Coste, Texas.
Friday's bank closures brings the total number of financial institutions closed since the beginning of the year to 20.
Friday, February 19, 2010
More Redlands Shaking
Within the span of four minutes four earthquakes above magnitude 3 occurred in Redlands late this morning.
According to the United States Geological Survey the first earthquake struck at 11:53 a.m. and measured 3.4, the second quake struck less than a minter later measuring 3.3, then at 11:56 a.m. the largest of the series of quakes struck, a magnitude 3.6, which was shortly followed at 11:57 a.m. by another magnitude 3.3 quake.
These earthquakes are just another series of small shakes occurring in Redlands. Within the last week nearly 100 small, but notable, earthquakes have occurred following a magnitude 4.1 earthquake that rattled Redlands last Saturday afternoon.
Following today's series of earthquakes there have been more microshocks.
It appears, according to USGS, these earthquakes have occurred along the San Jacinto Fault system.
Geologists are not too sure what to make of this swarm of earthquakes.
Caltech geologist Erik Pounders told the Riverside Press-Enterprise on Thursday, "It doesn't mean anything is imminent; it doesn't mean it's not. What it does do is bring to everyone's mind that earthquakes are a real hazard."
Mr. Pounders suggested the series of earthquakes is not a swarm.
According to the United States Geological Survey the first earthquake struck at 11:53 a.m. and measured 3.4, the second quake struck less than a minter later measuring 3.3, then at 11:56 a.m. the largest of the series of quakes struck, a magnitude 3.6, which was shortly followed at 11:57 a.m. by another magnitude 3.3 quake.
These earthquakes are just another series of small shakes occurring in Redlands. Within the last week nearly 100 small, but notable, earthquakes have occurred following a magnitude 4.1 earthquake that rattled Redlands last Saturday afternoon.
Following today's series of earthquakes there have been more microshocks.
It appears, according to USGS, these earthquakes have occurred along the San Jacinto Fault system.
Geologists are not too sure what to make of this swarm of earthquakes.
Caltech geologist Erik Pounders told the Riverside Press-Enterprise on Thursday, "It doesn't mean anything is imminent; it doesn't mean it's not. What it does do is bring to everyone's mind that earthquakes are a real hazard."
Mr. Pounders suggested the series of earthquakes is not a swarm.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Domestic Suicide Attack has a Southern California Connection
The News Wire is investigating reports the suspect in Thursday's apparent suicide attack in Austin, Texas, Joseph Andrew Stack, who flew an small airplane into a building that has offices for the Federal Bureau of Investigation, owned property in Southern California.
State records show Mr. Stack, who authorities believe was killed upon impact though his body has not been found, once owned property in Orange and Riverside Counties.
Records indicate Mr. Stack lived in Corona.
According to Mr. Stack's rambling suicide letter, which he railed against politicians, the Catholic Church, the "unthinkable atrocities" committed by big business, and government bailouts, he was involved with activist groups in Los Angeles.
Mr. Stack was apparently disgruntled at the Internal Revenue Service.
According to federal officials in Washington, DC the building attacked is not a FBI district office rather, "it's a generic office building that the FBI has space in."
According to Mr. Stack's business website, Embedded Art, his company was, "Founded by Joe Stack in 1983 (under the name of Prowess Engineering) in Southern California, the company thrived for 15 years until shifting focus to the Sacramento area to take advantage of growth in the Silicon Valley."
In the attack 15 people were injured, two critically.
UPDATE 4:42 p.m.: Search and rescue officials in Austin report finding a burnt body in the building, however officials will not say if the body is that of Mr. Stack.
State records show Mr. Stack, who authorities believe was killed upon impact though his body has not been found, once owned property in Orange and Riverside Counties.
Records indicate Mr. Stack lived in Corona.
According to Mr. Stack's rambling suicide letter, which he railed against politicians, the Catholic Church, the "unthinkable atrocities" committed by big business, and government bailouts, he was involved with activist groups in Los Angeles.
Mr. Stack was apparently disgruntled at the Internal Revenue Service.
According to federal officials in Washington, DC the building attacked is not a FBI district office rather, "it's a generic office building that the FBI has space in."
According to Mr. Stack's business website, Embedded Art, his company was, "Founded by Joe Stack in 1983 (under the name of Prowess Engineering) in Southern California, the company thrived for 15 years until shifting focus to the Sacramento area to take advantage of growth in the Silicon Valley."
In the attack 15 people were injured, two critically.
UPDATE 4:42 p.m.: Search and rescue officials in Austin report finding a burnt body in the building, however officials will not say if the body is that of Mr. Stack.
BREAKING: More Los Angeles City Job Cuts Ordered
In a 9-3 decision following a hours long closed session meeting with Los Angeles City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana the L.A. City Council has just ordered 3,000 more jobs cut by July 1 by, according to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, "any means means necessary."
The new call for job reductions comes following Mr. Villaraigosa call last week for 1,300 job cuts and wage reductions.
The city council ordered the latest round of job cuts under the threat of a credit downgrade.
Under this new round of layoffs city police and fire service workers would not be exempt from possible layoffs, however Mr. Villaraigosa is expected to oppose any cuts to public safety.
Within the next 20 days Mr. Santana is expected to report back to the city council with an analysis of 3,000 positions that should be eliminated.
The new call for job reductions comes following Mr. Villaraigosa call last week for 1,300 job cuts and wage reductions.
The city council ordered the latest round of job cuts under the threat of a credit downgrade.
Under this new round of layoffs city police and fire service workers would not be exempt from possible layoffs, however Mr. Villaraigosa is expected to oppose any cuts to public safety.
Within the next 20 days Mr. Santana is expected to report back to the city council with an analysis of 3,000 positions that should be eliminated.
ALERT: Major Sig-Alert
A landslide at the Kellogg Interchange in Pomona has resulted in the closure of the transition road to the northbound 57 from the westbound 10, which Cal-Trans officials expect will be closed for at least a week.
The hill began sliding around 8:30 a.m. and Cal-Trans engineers are trying to stablize the hillside.
Why the hillside gave way is unclear at this time.
As a precaution the northbound 71 to the northbound 57 also was closed as Cal-Trans investigates possible earth movement in that area.
Area commuters should prepare for the obvious delays and detours.
If you use the 57 from the 10 your best bet will be to take Garey Avenue in Pomona north to the 210.
The hill began sliding around 8:30 a.m. and Cal-Trans engineers are trying to stablize the hillside.
Why the hillside gave way is unclear at this time.
As a precaution the northbound 71 to the northbound 57 also was closed as Cal-Trans investigates possible earth movement in that area.
Area commuters should prepare for the obvious delays and detours.
If you use the 57 from the 10 your best bet will be to take Garey Avenue in Pomona north to the 210.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Coso Junction Quake
At 4:07 p.m. a magnitude 4.1 occurred five miles east-northeast of Coso Junction in Inyo County, north of San Bernardino County, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Tecate Quake
At 1:35 p.m. an magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred 21 miles south of Tecate, Baja California Norte, Mexico, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The earthquake was felt in the San Diego area and in the El Centro-Calexico area.
Tecate is about 60 miles east of San Diego.
Within the past three months there has been several moderate size earthquakes within a 40 mile radius of the U.S.-Mexican border.
Geologists do not believe these earthquakes are leading up to anything major.
The earthquake was felt in the San Diego area and in the El Centro-Calexico area.
Tecate is about 60 miles east of San Diego.
Within the past three months there has been several moderate size earthquakes within a 40 mile radius of the U.S.-Mexican border.
Geologists do not believe these earthquakes are leading up to anything major.
What Is Happening?
A little bit of the news happening around the land of Southern California this weekend.
A standoff with West Covina SWAT officers that began late Saturday evening when a man took a person hostage ended Sunday morning when a SWAT officer shot and killed the male suspect. West Covina police responded to a call of shots fired in the 1800 block of West Badillo Street about 10:20 p.m. Upon the police's arrival the man took a hostage. Shortly after midnight police heard a shot inside the house and saw the man holding a handgun to the hostage's head. According to reports that is when a SWAT officer fired one shot into the suspect's upper torso killing him. The hostage was not injured. No names have been released and information on why the suspect took an hostage was not made available.
A deadly accident on Interstate 15 Saturday in Ontario leaves four dead. According to the California Highway Patrol two adults and two children were killed when the car they were driving in caught fire after being sandwiched between two semi-trucks. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Still looking for that perfect Valentine Day's gift, how about buying a mall near Disneyland. On March 9 the Anaheim GardenWalk goes on sale after property and development owner Excel Realty defaulted on a $210 million loan. During the sale shoppers at the mall will not notice any changes.
On Tuesday the Loma Linda City Council is poised to end the city's red-light camera program between now and the end of the year. City officials contend they are losing money on the red-light cameras and they are driving visitors and much needed sales tax-revenue away from their city.
The Orange County Register reports DUI checkpoints are trapping more than just drunk drivers. Teri Sforza reports local police departments are more likely to impound vehicles of unlicensed motorists, which defy a 2005 federal appellate court ruling that determined police cannot impound cars solely because the driver is unlicensed, than those who are under the influence.
A standoff with West Covina SWAT officers that began late Saturday evening when a man took a person hostage ended Sunday morning when a SWAT officer shot and killed the male suspect. West Covina police responded to a call of shots fired in the 1800 block of West Badillo Street about 10:20 p.m. Upon the police's arrival the man took a hostage. Shortly after midnight police heard a shot inside the house and saw the man holding a handgun to the hostage's head. According to reports that is when a SWAT officer fired one shot into the suspect's upper torso killing him. The hostage was not injured. No names have been released and information on why the suspect took an hostage was not made available.
A deadly accident on Interstate 15 Saturday in Ontario leaves four dead. According to the California Highway Patrol two adults and two children were killed when the car they were driving in caught fire after being sandwiched between two semi-trucks. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Still looking for that perfect Valentine Day's gift, how about buying a mall near Disneyland. On March 9 the Anaheim GardenWalk goes on sale after property and development owner Excel Realty defaulted on a $210 million loan. During the sale shoppers at the mall will not notice any changes.
On Tuesday the Loma Linda City Council is poised to end the city's red-light camera program between now and the end of the year. City officials contend they are losing money on the red-light cameras and they are driving visitors and much needed sales tax-revenue away from their city.
The Orange County Register reports DUI checkpoints are trapping more than just drunk drivers. Teri Sforza reports local police departments are more likely to impound vehicles of unlicensed motorists, which defy a 2005 federal appellate court ruling that determined police cannot impound cars solely because the driver is unlicensed, than those who are under the influence.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Redlands Quake
At 1:39 p.m. Saturday a magnitude 4.1 earthquake occurred three miles south of Redlands, according to the United States Geological Survey.
According to maps provided by USGS the earthquake was felt throughout the Inland Empire, east into Palm Springs and west into Orange County. It was also felt in parts of the San Diego area.
No damage or injuries have been reported.
There have been an handful of small aftershocks, the largest being a magnitude 2.5 occurring at 1:54 p.m., according to USGS.
This earthquake appears to have occurred on the San Jacinto Fault system.
The slip rate of the San Jacinto Fault is between 7 and 17 millimeters per year.
The last major earthquake to occur on the San Jacinto Fault was on April 9, 1968, when a magnitude 6.5 struck on the Coyote Creek section of the fault.
According to maps provided by USGS the earthquake was felt throughout the Inland Empire, east into Palm Springs and west into Orange County. It was also felt in parts of the San Diego area.
No damage or injuries have been reported.
There have been an handful of small aftershocks, the largest being a magnitude 2.5 occurring at 1:54 p.m., according to USGS.
This earthquake appears to have occurred on the San Jacinto Fault system.
The slip rate of the San Jacinto Fault is between 7 and 17 millimeters per year.
The last major earthquake to occur on the San Jacinto Fault was on April 9, 1968, when a magnitude 6.5 struck on the Coyote Creek section of the fault.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Another Bad Day in the News... Business
More dismal news for another Southern California media outlet.
Reports today the entire news and sports copy desk of Ventura County Star will be moved to Corpus Christi, Texas.
Newspaper owner Scripps is reportedly centralizing their copy desk operations to the Gulf port town, and that will mean between 15-20 local editors and designers of the Star will be out of work.
According to Facebook chatter those facing job loss can (re)apply for the new position in Corpus Christi, but that would mean for all, moving to the Lone Star State.
The News Wire is attempting to contact Scripps for the reason in centralizing their news operation.
Also the News Wire has attempted to contact the Star, but nobody had any comment.
Reports today the entire news and sports copy desk of Ventura County Star will be moved to Corpus Christi, Texas.
Newspaper owner Scripps is reportedly centralizing their copy desk operations to the Gulf port town, and that will mean between 15-20 local editors and designers of the Star will be out of work.
According to Facebook chatter those facing job loss can (re)apply for the new position in Corpus Christi, but that would mean for all, moving to the Lone Star State.
The News Wire is attempting to contact Scripps for the reason in centralizing their news operation.
Also the News Wire has attempted to contact the Star, but nobody had any comment.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Charge of Involuntary Manslaughter
Today the Los Angeles County District Attorney office charged Michael Jackson’s personal physician, cardiologist Doctor Conrad Murray, with involuntary manslaughter in connection with administering a combination of surgical anesthetic and sedatives blamed for causing Mr. Jackson's shocking death last June.
Sometime during the afternoon Mr. Murray is expected to finally turn himself into authorities. This follows a week of speculation that Mr. Murray's attorney was negotiating with Los Angeles Police on the best way for the doctor to turn himself in without sparking a media frenzy.
Involuntary manslaughter is the least serious homicide charge available that carries a maximum punishment of four years in prison. The charge applies to an unlawful killing committed without malice or intent to kill.
Prosecutors believe Mr. Murray gave Mr. Jackson propofol for the unapproved purpose of treating Mr. Jackson's insomnia, and administrating it outside of the normal operating room setting.
Sometime during the afternoon Mr. Murray is expected to finally turn himself into authorities. This follows a week of speculation that Mr. Murray's attorney was negotiating with Los Angeles Police on the best way for the doctor to turn himself in without sparking a media frenzy.
Involuntary manslaughter is the least serious homicide charge available that carries a maximum punishment of four years in prison. The charge applies to an unlawful killing committed without malice or intent to kill.
Prosecutors believe Mr. Murray gave Mr. Jackson propofol for the unapproved purpose of treating Mr. Jackson's insomnia, and administrating it outside of the normal operating room setting.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
BREAKING: Angeles Crest Highway Damage
A portion of Angeles Crest Highway above Altadena has washed away.
Aerial footage from local television shows eastbound lanes of state route 2 have collapsed.
It is unclear when the Angeles Crest Highway may reopen.
Aerial footage from local television shows eastbound lanes of state route 2 have collapsed.
It is unclear when the Angeles Crest Highway may reopen.
FYI: Disneyland Closes Early
Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure will close early tonight due to the storms.
Disney's California Adventure will close at 6 p.m. and Disneyland will close at 9 p.m.
This is not the first time Disneyland has closed early due to storms.
During the week of heavy storms in January Disneyland closed early.
Disney's California Adventure will close at 6 p.m. and Disneyland will close at 9 p.m.
This is not the first time Disneyland has closed early due to storms.
During the week of heavy storms in January Disneyland closed early.
JUST IN: Malibu Canyon Road Mudslide
The California Highway Patrol is reporting an mudslide along Malibu Canyon Road just south of the tunnel.
The CHP along with Los Angeles County officials are assessing the damage and report the road may need to be closed.
UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: A very large boulder has landed on Las Virgenes Road in Malibu. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department arrived and attempted to move the boulder, however it was reported too heavy to move.
The CHP along with Los Angeles County officials are assessing the damage and report the road may need to be closed.
UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: A very large boulder has landed on Las Virgenes Road in Malibu. The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department arrived and attempted to move the boulder, however it was reported too heavy to move.
Weather Update
The overnight hours brought an unexpected downpour accompanied by loud thunder, bringing over two inches of rain in many areas.
Saturday's storm was expected to be like Friday's storm, a light to moderate rainfall.
Right now in some areas the sun may be out shining, but the next wave of rain is expected to fall between 3 and 4 p.m. and, according to the National Weather Service, will bring another inch of rain.
The next wave of rain will come in bands and is expected to last until Sunday morning.
Much like this morning's storm sudden thunderstorms and massive downpours are likely.
UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: A band of rain is sitting off the Orange County coast and the NWS doppler radar is showing this cell gaining strength as it continues to move east into Orange County.
A flash flood warning has been issued for the Station Fire burn areas until 4:45 p.m.
Within the past 24-hours Hollywood reported over four inches of rain.
Saturday's storm was expected to be like Friday's storm, a light to moderate rainfall.
Right now in some areas the sun may be out shining, but the next wave of rain is expected to fall between 3 and 4 p.m. and, according to the National Weather Service, will bring another inch of rain.
The next wave of rain will come in bands and is expected to last until Sunday morning.
Much like this morning's storm sudden thunderstorms and massive downpours are likely.
UPDATE 3:04 p.m.: A band of rain is sitting off the Orange County coast and the NWS doppler radar is showing this cell gaining strength as it continues to move east into Orange County.
A flash flood warning has been issued for the Station Fire burn areas until 4:45 p.m.
Within the past 24-hours Hollywood reported over four inches of rain.
BREAKING: Ortega Highway Washed Out
The Ortega Highway, a major link between south Orange County and Riverside County, has been washed out.
According to the California Highway Patrol westbound lanes of the 74 have caved in.
For now, according to the CHP, the Ortega Highway is open only to residents and businesses.
The highway is expected to reopen at 6 a.m. tomorrow.
There are no reports of injuries.
As you may recall last month a small brush fire broke out along the Ortega Highway, though right now it is unclear if the burnt barren hills caused this wash out.
According to the California Highway Patrol westbound lanes of the 74 have caved in.
For now, according to the CHP, the Ortega Highway is open only to residents and businesses.
The highway is expected to reopen at 6 a.m. tomorrow.
There are no reports of injuries.
As you may recall last month a small brush fire broke out along the Ortega Highway, though right now it is unclear if the burnt barren hills caused this wash out.
BREAKING: Foothill Mudslide Damages Homes
What has been feared since the start of our unusually busy rainy season is regrettably coming to pass.
At least 41 homes have been damaged along the northern edge of Ocean View Boulevard near Manistee Drive in La Cañada Flintridge as an unexpected powerful storm collapsed a hillside, bringing rocks and heavy mud into neighborhoods, along with overflowing debris basin.
Nine homes have been "red-tagged," deemed uninhabitable by Los Angeles County officials. Another five homes are reportedly inundated with mud.
Along with homes damaged 25 vehicles have been damaged.
Geologist Sue Cannon of the United States Geological Survey reports four and a half inches of rain has fallen in the burn area within 20 hours, the highest recorded since the rainy season began.
At least 400-500 La Cañada Flintridge residents have been evacuated.
An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, located at 4463 Oak Grove Drive.
Meanwhile the city of Sierra Madre has ordered mandatory evacuations over the fear mudslides could occur.
Thus far, much like previous storms, an small stream of mud has been flowing down into Sierra Madre.
The evacuation area includes all streets above Churchill Road and Canyon Crest Drive, all streets above Brookside Lane and Sturtevant Drive, all streets above Lotus Lane at Camillo Lane, and the private sections of Auburn Avenue above Elm Street.
An evacuation center has been established at the Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard.
There has been another mudslide, this time in the Hollywood Hills.
In the Nichols Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills an mudslide caused damage to a backyard and moved cars.
In all these mudslides there have been no injuries.
At least 41 homes have been damaged along the northern edge of Ocean View Boulevard near Manistee Drive in La Cañada Flintridge as an unexpected powerful storm collapsed a hillside, bringing rocks and heavy mud into neighborhoods, along with overflowing debris basin.
Nine homes have been "red-tagged," deemed uninhabitable by Los Angeles County officials. Another five homes are reportedly inundated with mud.
Along with homes damaged 25 vehicles have been damaged.
Geologist Sue Cannon of the United States Geological Survey reports four and a half inches of rain has fallen in the burn area within 20 hours, the highest recorded since the rainy season began.
At least 400-500 La Cañada Flintridge residents have been evacuated.
An evacuation center has been set up at La Cañada High School, located at 4463 Oak Grove Drive.
Meanwhile the city of Sierra Madre has ordered mandatory evacuations over the fear mudslides could occur.
Thus far, much like previous storms, an small stream of mud has been flowing down into Sierra Madre.
The evacuation area includes all streets above Churchill Road and Canyon Crest Drive, all streets above Brookside Lane and Sturtevant Drive, all streets above Lotus Lane at Camillo Lane, and the private sections of Auburn Avenue above Elm Street.
An evacuation center has been established at the Community Recreation Center at 611 E. Sierra Madre Boulevard.
There has been another mudslide, this time in the Hollywood Hills.
In the Nichols Canyon area of the Hollywood Hills an mudslide caused damage to a backyard and moved cars.
In all these mudslides there have been no injuries.
JUST IN: Hollywood Sinkhole
There are reports of a sinkhole at Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street in Hollywood.
UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: Aerial footage from local television shows no sinkhole in the area.
UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: Aerial footage from local television shows no sinkhole in the area.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
JUST IN: More Toyota Problems
Problems continue to mount for Toyota.
This afternoon Toyota says it is investigating possible brake problems with their Lexus hybrid in Japan and U.S.
This afternoon Toyota says it is investigating possible brake problems with their Lexus hybrid in Japan and U.S.
JUST IN: Major City Layoffs
Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has just ordered the elimination 1,000 city jobs to balance the city budget, which is about $212 million in the red.
Jobs expected to be immediately affected would be members of the Engineers and Architects Association that represents about 6,500 city employees. Also any city employee that is not represented by a union will be affected.
A labor agreement forbids Mr. Villaraigosa from laying off city workers within the Coalition for L.A. City Unions, which represents another 22,000 civilian employees. That agreement is set to expire July 1, by which time the mayor could order layoffs from those unions.
Mr. Villaraigosa said on his Twitter, "I call for these layoffs with a heavy heart. "We simply cannot put this off any longer--our long term fiscal health depends on it."
This action follows the city council's lack of votes yesterday to begin dealing with the budget problem.
Within the past week the threat of layoffs loomed at City Hall as Mr. Villaraigosa was urging compromises to save jobs, such as reduce pay and furlough days.
"If you think I’m not going to move ahead, you don’t know me well," Mr. Villaraigosa told reporters. "I don’t do this because I want to, I do this because I must."
In the name of protecting L.A.'s economic future Mr. Villaraigosa sent a letter to department heads stating he would first use powers provided within the City Charter to eliminate jobs.
Jobs expected to be immediately affected would be members of the Engineers and Architects Association that represents about 6,500 city employees. Also any city employee that is not represented by a union will be affected.
A labor agreement forbids Mr. Villaraigosa from laying off city workers within the Coalition for L.A. City Unions, which represents another 22,000 civilian employees. That agreement is set to expire July 1, by which time the mayor could order layoffs from those unions.
Mr. Villaraigosa said on his Twitter, "I call for these layoffs with a heavy heart. "We simply cannot put this off any longer--our long term fiscal health depends on it."
This action follows the city council's lack of votes yesterday to begin dealing with the budget problem.
Within the past week the threat of layoffs loomed at City Hall as Mr. Villaraigosa was urging compromises to save jobs, such as reduce pay and furlough days.
"If you think I’m not going to move ahead, you don’t know me well," Mr. Villaraigosa told reporters. "I don’t do this because I want to, I do this because I must."
In the name of protecting L.A.'s economic future Mr. Villaraigosa sent a letter to department heads stating he would first use powers provided within the City Charter to eliminate jobs.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
CNN Changes
Changes coming to CNN next weekend.
Beginning next week Candy Crowley will take over John King's spot on "State of the Union." Mr. King launches his new daily 4 p.m. PST show permanently filling in the gap left by Lou Dobbs when he resigned on November 11, 2009.
The plans for Mr. King to move into the afternoons has been in the works since last November when just one day after Mr. Dobbs gave his on-air resignation CNN President Jonathan Klein issued an statement outlining plans to reposition CNN for 2010.
In a statement released today Ms. Crowley said, “To me, Sunday morning is a sweet spot, a weekly meeting place to bring the hopes, worries and questions of everyday Americans I talk with along the campaign trail to the people I talk with in the Corridors of Power. "Add to those conversations interviews with A-team experts and international heavyweights making sense of global issues, and what you have is interesting, relevant information. I can’t wait."
Mr. King's new show, according to an press release from Mr. Klein, "[W]ill reflect what CNN is all about: straight facts from our anchors and the widest range of opinions from across the political spectrum. "John has enthralled CNN viewers with his vast political knowledge, and he has spent the past year reporting from beyond the Beltway on pressing policy issues and the real people they impact. Every night, he'll share his passion and his insights about what is really going on in Washington and across America."
Since Mr. Dobbs' resignation "Lou Dobbs Tonight" has been replaced with "CNN Tonight," a general news program that has occasionally been anchored by Mr. King, along with other CNN anchors.
Beginning next week Candy Crowley will take over John King's spot on "State of the Union." Mr. King launches his new daily 4 p.m. PST show permanently filling in the gap left by Lou Dobbs when he resigned on November 11, 2009.
The plans for Mr. King to move into the afternoons has been in the works since last November when just one day after Mr. Dobbs gave his on-air resignation CNN President Jonathan Klein issued an statement outlining plans to reposition CNN for 2010.
In a statement released today Ms. Crowley said, “To me, Sunday morning is a sweet spot, a weekly meeting place to bring the hopes, worries and questions of everyday Americans I talk with along the campaign trail to the people I talk with in the Corridors of Power. "Add to those conversations interviews with A-team experts and international heavyweights making sense of global issues, and what you have is interesting, relevant information. I can’t wait."
Mr. King's new show, according to an press release from Mr. Klein, "[W]ill reflect what CNN is all about: straight facts from our anchors and the widest range of opinions from across the political spectrum. "John has enthralled CNN viewers with his vast political knowledge, and he has spent the past year reporting from beyond the Beltway on pressing policy issues and the real people they impact. Every night, he'll share his passion and his insights about what is really going on in Washington and across America."
Since Mr. Dobbs' resignation "Lou Dobbs Tonight" has been replaced with "CNN Tonight," a general news program that has occasionally been anchored by Mr. King, along with other CNN anchors.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Changes At Channel 7
By changes at Channel 7 I am speaking of the time from February 1, 1954 when KECA-TV changed their call letters to, KABC-TV.
This was back when the American Broadcasting Company still had studios in Hollywood.
Quite the find indeed!
Maybe is it me, but at 26-seconds does it sound a little like the old PBS jingle to you?
This was back when the American Broadcasting Company still had studios in Hollywood.
Quite the find indeed!
Maybe is it me, but at 26-seconds does it sound a little like the old PBS jingle to you?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Police Pursuit Ends Peacefully
An nearly 90-minute pursuit that began about 10:00 p.m. in Palmdale came to an peaceful end in Buena Park on Beach Boulevard.
The pursuit began when the suspect, who has not been identified, failed to yield for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department on the 33700 block of 52nd Street in Palmdale after allegedly being involved in an domestic dispute.
Reports indicate the suspect fired shots during the dispute.
During the pursuit the suspect's girlfriend, who has not been identified, was on the telephone with L.A. Sheriffs' claiming her suspect boyfriend was distrait and this action was out of character, and was apparently going to his mother's house in North Hollywood.
The girlfriend also told authorities her suspect boyfriend was apparently trying to find an way to end the pursuit, but was afraid of what might happen once the pursuit ends.
The suspect exited the I-5 at Sunland Boulevard and led police through residential streets around North Hollywood where police believe he was going to his mother's house.
Authorities believe the suspect either saw or was tipped off police would be at this predetermined located in North Hollywood, and that is why police believe he led the pursuit back on the freeway, this time on the 101 southbound.
The pursuit suspect led an series of police units down the 101 southbound though Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles before rejoining the I-5 southbound at the East Los Angeles interchange.
Hoping to stop the pursuit on the I-5 just south of Valley View Avenue in La Mirada the CHP set up an spike strip, however the suspect swerved and missed the spike strip.
Shortly after the suspect exited the Santa Ana Freeway turning south on Beach Boulevard for about an half-mile until performing an "U"-turn back to the freeway. Just before crossing the freeway overpass the suspect halted his vehicle and sat in the car for about five minutes before surrendering to police.
The pursuit began when the suspect, who has not been identified, failed to yield for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department on the 33700 block of 52nd Street in Palmdale after allegedly being involved in an domestic dispute.
Reports indicate the suspect fired shots during the dispute.
During the pursuit the suspect's girlfriend, who has not been identified, was on the telephone with L.A. Sheriffs' claiming her suspect boyfriend was distrait and this action was out of character, and was apparently going to his mother's house in North Hollywood.
The girlfriend also told authorities her suspect boyfriend was apparently trying to find an way to end the pursuit, but was afraid of what might happen once the pursuit ends.
The suspect exited the I-5 at Sunland Boulevard and led police through residential streets around North Hollywood where police believe he was going to his mother's house.
Authorities believe the suspect either saw or was tipped off police would be at this predetermined located in North Hollywood, and that is why police believe he led the pursuit back on the freeway, this time on the 101 southbound.
The pursuit suspect led an series of police units down the 101 southbound though Hollywood and downtown Los Angeles before rejoining the I-5 southbound at the East Los Angeles interchange.
Hoping to stop the pursuit on the I-5 just south of Valley View Avenue in La Mirada the CHP set up an spike strip, however the suspect swerved and missed the spike strip.
Shortly after the suspect exited the Santa Ana Freeway turning south on Beach Boulevard for about an half-mile until performing an "U"-turn back to the freeway. Just before crossing the freeway overpass the suspect halted his vehicle and sat in the car for about five minutes before surrendering to police.
Weather Update
Here is the weather and what to expect.
The major storm cells are expected to taper off by 5-5:30 p.m., leaving scattered showers in Southern California until around 11 p.m.
During the overnight hours the skies may clear a bit and some stars may shine and the moon may smile upon us.
Tomorrow the dark gray clouds return with heavy rain expected at 11 a.m. This storm system is expected to be just like today's storm and will last about seven hours.
Then heavy storms give way to scattered showers into the late evening.
On Friday yet another storm is expected, however this will be an much weaker system.
Friday's storm will last into Saturday afternoon, where skies will clear up for an few days.
There is another system that may rain on us in the mid part of next week.
The major storm cells are expected to taper off by 5-5:30 p.m., leaving scattered showers in Southern California until around 11 p.m.
During the overnight hours the skies may clear a bit and some stars may shine and the moon may smile upon us.
Tomorrow the dark gray clouds return with heavy rain expected at 11 a.m. This storm system is expected to be just like today's storm and will last about seven hours.
Then heavy storms give way to scattered showers into the late evening.
On Friday yet another storm is expected, however this will be an much weaker system.
Friday's storm will last into Saturday afternoon, where skies will clear up for an few days.
There is another system that may rain on us in the mid part of next week.
JUST IN: Classes Canceled
All classes have been canceled tomorrow at Cal State Long Beach due to the weather.
JUST IN: Flash Flood Warning
The National Weather Service has issued an flash flood warning for the La Canada Flintridge area until 6:30 p.m.
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
Here is the official bulletin from NWS.
***
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OXNARD CA
342 PM PST WED JAN 20 2010
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OXNARD HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
THE STATION...SANTA ANITA...AND MORRIS BURN AREAS IN CENTRAL LOS
ANGELES COUNTY
* UNTIL 630 PM PST
* AT 340 PM PST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN OVER THE BURN AREA...WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT
RAIN EXPECTED TO PUSH INTO THE REGION THROUGH 430 PM THEN RAINFALL
WILL DIMINISH.
* RAIN GAGE REPORTS INDICATE THAT RATES HAVE EXCEEDED BOTH ONE AND
THREE HOUR RAINFALL THRESHOLDS THAT SHOULD PRODUCE DEBRIS FLOWS.
ALTHOUGH THE RAIN MAY TAPER OFF BY 500 PM...STORM RUNOFF WILL
CONTINUE THE THREAT FOR DEBRIS FLOWS UNTIL 630 PM PST.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
RESIDENTS AND MOTORISTS IN AND BELOW RECENTLY BURNED AREAS SHOULD BE
ALERT TO FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS WHICH MAY BLOCK ROADS AND
CULVERTS.
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
Here is the official bulletin from NWS.
***
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OXNARD CA
342 PM PST WED JAN 20 2010
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN OXNARD HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR...
THE STATION...SANTA ANITA...AND MORRIS BURN AREAS IN CENTRAL LOS
ANGELES COUNTY
* UNTIL 630 PM PST
* AT 340 PM PST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED
MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN OVER THE BURN AREA...WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT
RAIN EXPECTED TO PUSH INTO THE REGION THROUGH 430 PM THEN RAINFALL
WILL DIMINISH.
* RAIN GAGE REPORTS INDICATE THAT RATES HAVE EXCEEDED BOTH ONE AND
THREE HOUR RAINFALL THRESHOLDS THAT SHOULD PRODUCE DEBRIS FLOWS.
ALTHOUGH THE RAIN MAY TAPER OFF BY 500 PM...STORM RUNOFF WILL
CONTINUE THE THREAT FOR DEBRIS FLOWS UNTIL 630 PM PST.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
RESIDENTS AND MOTORISTS IN AND BELOW RECENTLY BURNED AREAS SHOULD BE
ALERT TO FLASH FLOODING AND DEBRIS FLOWS WHICH MAY BLOCK ROADS AND
CULVERTS.
JUST IN: Grapevine Closed
The California Highway Patrol has closed Interstate 5 through The Grapevine in both directions for an unknown amount of time due to snow.
High-Speed Rail Meeting Tonight
Do not let the rain stop you, just break out the umbrellas and come to Anaheim City Hall tonight to find out the latest on California's high-speed rail project, and let your voice be heard on the project.
Progress on the railway has been getting under way following the November 2008 voter approved bond measure 1A that allocates $9.95 billion to the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which $9 billion will be used to construct core segments from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Public involvement is an important part of developing this ambitious project and the CHSRA along with the Orange County Transportation Authority are hosting a public open house and meeting to provide Orange County with a project update, information about the proposed alternative alignments, design options, and the latest environmental process.
Anaheim is set to be an major CHSRA port for Orange County with proposed service from Anaheim to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
In recent months there has been tentative talks of building an high-speed rail line from Anaheim to Las Vegas, however plans for creating that line will not be associated with or funded by CHSRA.
Also on display will be models for the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center. Currently in the environmental phase the proposed transit center would integrate bus and rail service and would include a mixed-use activity center that would all be located just across the street from The Honda Center.
The meeting will last from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., with an presentation beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Anaheim City Hall is located at 200 s. Anaheim Boulevard.
Progress on the railway has been getting under way following the November 2008 voter approved bond measure 1A that allocates $9.95 billion to the California High-Speed Rail Authority, which $9 billion will be used to construct core segments from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Public involvement is an important part of developing this ambitious project and the CHSRA along with the Orange County Transportation Authority are hosting a public open house and meeting to provide Orange County with a project update, information about the proposed alternative alignments, design options, and the latest environmental process.
Anaheim is set to be an major CHSRA port for Orange County with proposed service from Anaheim to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
In recent months there has been tentative talks of building an high-speed rail line from Anaheim to Las Vegas, however plans for creating that line will not be associated with or funded by CHSRA.
Also on display will be models for the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center. Currently in the environmental phase the proposed transit center would integrate bus and rail service and would include a mixed-use activity center that would all be located just across the street from The Honda Center.
The meeting will last from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., with an presentation beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Anaheim City Hall is located at 200 s. Anaheim Boulevard.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
New Weather Warnings
A tornado warning has been issued for south Orange County until 2:30 p.m. and an severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for the San Bernardino area.
Irvine Roof Collapse
In speaking with KCAL-TV 9 Orange County Captain Greg McKeown reported an roof collapse in Irvine.
Scanner reports indicate two people are trapped.
This incident is being referred to as the El Toro incident.
Scanner reports indicate two people are trapped.
This incident is being referred to as the El Toro incident.
Seal Beach Sirens
For an reason unknown at this time several sirens are going off along the coast of Seal Beach.
The News Wire is trying to determine why the coastal alert system has been activated.
The News Wire is trying to determine why the coastal alert system has been activated.
Seal Beach Damage
What authorities believe was an tornado has overturned an Ford Explorer in Seal Beach, along with tiles being blown off the roof.
Nobody was inside the vehicle.
We will have the address shortly.
Nobody was inside the vehicle.
We will have the address shortly.
Long Beach Flooding
The area of Warlock Road and Cherry Avenue near Cal State Long Beach is flooded.
JUST IN: Mudslide
The Laguna Beach Fire Department is reporting an mudslide at 495 Panorama Drive.
The National Weather Service radar is showing extreme heavy rain falling in the area.
The National Weather Service radar is showing extreme heavy rain falling in the area.
Storm Update
The main storm cell is now moving out towards the Inland Empire, however a very strong storm cell still remains off the coast between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.
If you must drive along Pacific Coast Highway down the Orange County coast use caution as heavy rain, wind and hail are likely, along with the possibility of an tornado.
The National Weather Service is reporting waterspouts off the Orange County coast.
Several lightening strikes are reported with these cells.
These cells are moving in an northeast direction at about 35-mph.
If you must drive along Pacific Coast Highway down the Orange County coast use caution as heavy rain, wind and hail are likely, along with the possibility of an tornado.
The National Weather Service is reporting waterspouts off the Orange County coast.
Several lightening strikes are reported with these cells.
These cells are moving in an northeast direction at about 35-mph.
BREAKING: Tornado Spotted
A tornado has been spotted by the Coast Guard about six-miles west of Seal Beach.
The Seal Beach Police Department is now evacuating the downtown and pier area reporting that an tornado is coming, according to an report on KCAL-TV 9.
UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: The News Wire has talked with people in Seal Beach and thus far no tornado has been reported on land.
The Seal Beach Police Department is now evacuating the downtown and pier area reporting that an tornado is coming, according to an report on KCAL-TV 9.
UPDATE 1:09 p.m.: The News Wire has talked with people in Seal Beach and thus far no tornado has been reported on land.
JUST IN: Tornado Warning
This is an first for the News Wire.
The National Weather Service has issued an tornado warning for the Long Beach area until 1:30 p.m.
UPDATE 12:51 p.m.: The NWS has extended its tornado warning into north Orange County.
What this means is with the storm cell coming through the possibility of an tornado exists, but does not mean an tornado will occur.
Heavy rain and possible hail is expected to fall in the Long Beach and north Orange County area in the next hour.
UPDATE 12:55 p.m.: A tornado has been spotted by the Coast Guard about six-miles west of Seal Beach.
The National Weather Service has issued an tornado warning for the Long Beach area until 1:30 p.m.
UPDATE 12:51 p.m.: The NWS has extended its tornado warning into north Orange County.
What this means is with the storm cell coming through the possibility of an tornado exists, but does not mean an tornado will occur.
Heavy rain and possible hail is expected to fall in the Long Beach and north Orange County area in the next hour.
UPDATE 12:55 p.m.: A tornado has been spotted by the Coast Guard about six-miles west of Seal Beach.
Important Reminder
The News Wire would like to take this time and remind you while we are receiving more than an generous amount of water from above California is still in an drought.
So this week save the water in our reserves and shut off the sprinklers.
By Friday evening Southern California will receive enough water to keep your lawn lush.
So this week save the water in our reserves and shut off the sprinklers.
By Friday evening Southern California will receive enough water to keep your lawn lush.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Power Outage Update
Southern California Edison is reporting about 50,000 of their customers are still without power.
Officials with Edison report the hardest hit areas are Big Bear, Manhattan Beach, Santa Ana, Calabasas, West Hollywood and South Pasadena.
Edison spokesman Steve Conroy tells the News Wire crews are working to restore power and most areas should have power restored before the evening is over.
Mr. Conroy advises Edison customers to be prepared for potential power outages this week as two more storms are expected.
Have some flashlights, batteries, and radio on hand.
Do not light candles as an burst of wind or human accident can quickly create an bigger problem.
Officials with Edison report the hardest hit areas are Big Bear, Manhattan Beach, Santa Ana, Calabasas, West Hollywood and South Pasadena.
Edison spokesman Steve Conroy tells the News Wire crews are working to restore power and most areas should have power restored before the evening is over.
Mr. Conroy advises Edison customers to be prepared for potential power outages this week as two more storms are expected.
Have some flashlights, batteries, and radio on hand.
Do not light candles as an burst of wind or human accident can quickly create an bigger problem.
JUST IN: Bridge Collapse
Canyon Crest Road above Altadena is closed after an bridge partially collapsed.
Further up the road three cars were stranded, but the good news, the motorists have been rescued.
Canyon Crest Road is the only road that leads to an handful of homes above the bridge, and now the residents are stranded in their neighborhood not allowed to cross the bridge down into Altadena.
Further up the road three cars were stranded, but the good news, the motorists have been rescued.
Canyon Crest Road is the only road that leads to an handful of homes above the bridge, and now the residents are stranded in their neighborhood not allowed to cross the bridge down into Altadena.
JUST IN: Roof Collapse
An roof has collapsed at an medical building located in the 1800 block of Dyer Road in Santa Ana.
No injuries are reported.
No injuries are reported.
JUST IN: LAFD Rescue
The Los Angeles City Fire Department is on the scene of an swift water rescue in Big Tujunga Canyon.
The LAFD believes an homeless person is stranded on an tiny island amid rising waters.
The LAFD believes an homeless person is stranded on an tiny island amid rising waters.
Developing: Storm Death
The News Wire is following an story out of San Diego County where an 21-year old man was killed by a falling tree amid winds gusting to near 85-mph.
JUST IN: New Evacuations
Within the last hour the Los Angeles Police and Fire Departments issued an mandatory evacuation of 83 residents in the northeast San Fernando Valley foothill neighborhoods of Riverwood Ranch, Alpine Village, Zachaou Canyon, Haines Canyon and Blanchard Canyon.
An evacuation center has been established at Sunland Park.
An evacuation center has been established at Sunland Park.
Storm Shuts Down Hearst Castle Tours
Strong winds up to 60 mph in San Luis Obispo County forced the closure of Hearst Castle tours Monday after tiles were blown off the famed castle.
State park officials closed tours at 9:30 a.m. citing an public safety hazard.
Nobody was hurt and no major damage was done to the castle William Randolph Hearst created.
The visitor center and theater will remain open today.
Castle tours are expected to resume tomorrow.
State park officials closed tours at 9:30 a.m. citing an public safety hazard.
Nobody was hurt and no major damage was done to the castle William Randolph Hearst created.
The visitor center and theater will remain open today.
Castle tours are expected to resume tomorrow.
JUST IN: More Freeway Flooding
There is some more freeway flooding this afternoon.
The California Highway Patrol is reporting flooding in the area of I-5 and Jamboree Road.
Major flooding is reported on the westbound 101 at Van Nuys Boulevard where only two lanes are open.
The California Highway Patrol is reporting flooding in the area of I-5 and Jamboree Road.
Major flooding is reported on the westbound 101 at Van Nuys Boulevard where only two lanes are open.
JUST IN: More Costa Mesa Flooding
About an mile away from from the Saint Clair and Bear Street incident the Costa Mesa Fire Department is reporting flooding in the area of Yukon Avenue and Mackenzie Place.
Scanner reports indicate water is reaching the windows of cars.
Authorities are asking if you have no business in the area please stay away.
Scanner reports indicate water is reaching the windows of cars.
Authorities are asking if you have no business in the area please stay away.
Theme Parks Rained On
The Disneyland Resort is Anaheim will close early today due to the rain.
Disneyland will close at 8 p.m. and Disney's California Adventure will close at 6 p.m.
In Buena Park Knott's Berry Farm has been closed all day due to the heavy wet weather.
The famous Orange County theme parks are still contemplating their plans for tomorrow and the rainy week ahead.
If you are thinking on playing out in the rain with Mickey or Snoopy, the theme parks ask you check their website or telephone ahead to see when they may be open.
Disneyland will close at 8 p.m. and Disney's California Adventure will close at 6 p.m.
In Buena Park Knott's Berry Farm has been closed all day due to the heavy wet weather.
The famous Orange County theme parks are still contemplating their plans for tomorrow and the rainy week ahead.
If you are thinking on playing out in the rain with Mickey or Snoopy, the theme parks ask you check their website or telephone ahead to see when they may be open.
JUST IN: Costa Mesa Flooding
The Costa Mesa Fire Department is reporting the flood control channel between Bear Street and Saint Clair Street is beginning to crest with flooding occurring in the area.
Bear Street south of Baker Street is now closed.
Authorities are now preparing to evacuate residents.
Bear Street south of Baker Street is now closed.
Authorities are now preparing to evacuate residents.
JUST IN: Sig Alert
In South El Monte on the eastbound 60 at the 605 three right lanes are blocked with a crash and an oil spill.
The break lights begin at Atlantic Boulevard.
The break lights begin at Atlantic Boulevard.
JUST IN: Mandatory Evacuations
Los Angeles County authorities are now evacuating 106 homes in Paradise Valley area of La Canada Flintridge.
Evacuation Center has been established in the south gym at La Canada High School, located at 4463 Oak Grove Drive.
Evacuation Center has been established in the south gym at La Canada High School, located at 4463 Oak Grove Drive.
JUST IN: Traffic Signals Out
The Los Angeles City Fire Department is reporting "several" traffic signals are out along Winnetka Avenue.
JUST IN: Big Bear Power Outage
The News Wire is following reports power is out in most of the Big Bear area due to high winds knocking power lines down.
The Big Bear City Fire Department is advising residents to be without power for several hours.
Along with power outages snow is now beginning to fall in the area.
The Big Bear City Fire Department is advising residents to be without power for several hours.
Along with power outages snow is now beginning to fall in the area.
JUST IN: Flooding
The Los Angeles City Fire Department is reporting flooding in the area of the Santa Monica Freeway and Crenshaw Boulevard.
Also the LAFD is reporting flooding at Ventura Boulevard and Dixie Canyon Avenue where 15 businesses may be affected.
Also the LAFD is reporting flooding at Ventura Boulevard and Dixie Canyon Avenue where 15 businesses may be affected.
Rain Keeps Falling
"It's an hell of an storm!"
Those are the words from one Anaheim Public Utilities worker repairing down power lines along Ball Road blown down amid moments of furious rain and wind.
By noon Southern California's famously bright skies were rather dark as an powerful storm brings rain and concern.
Concern of course for the burn areas as the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Station Fire and Morris Fire burn areas until 4:15 p.m.
One dire warning from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works late last year advised in the event of an massive mudslide an mud flow could reach Foothill Boulevard.
Already in Sierra Madre a stream of mud debris was flowing down one street.
Authorities are stressing when an evacuation order has been issued make sure to leave as rescue workers may not be able to reach you should you find yourself in peril.
Today's rainy weather is just the beginning of what to expect for the rest of the week as rain in one form or another is expected to last until Saturday.
By the end of the week some areas may have up to 20" inches of rains.
Today, Tuesday and Thursday is expected to be the heaviest of the rain.
Wednesday rain is expected, however the sun might just peek through an little bit.
By Friday the seemingly relentless rainfall slowly backs off, but is expected to last until Saturday.
By Sunday expect some clearing, however by Monday there may be some more rain as an weak pressure system moves through.
For all breaking news concerning the weather the News Wire will have the latest.
Those are the words from one Anaheim Public Utilities worker repairing down power lines along Ball Road blown down amid moments of furious rain and wind.
By noon Southern California's famously bright skies were rather dark as an powerful storm brings rain and concern.
Concern of course for the burn areas as the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Station Fire and Morris Fire burn areas until 4:15 p.m.
One dire warning from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works late last year advised in the event of an massive mudslide an mud flow could reach Foothill Boulevard.
Already in Sierra Madre a stream of mud debris was flowing down one street.
Authorities are stressing when an evacuation order has been issued make sure to leave as rescue workers may not be able to reach you should you find yourself in peril.
Today's rainy weather is just the beginning of what to expect for the rest of the week as rain in one form or another is expected to last until Saturday.
By the end of the week some areas may have up to 20" inches of rains.
Today, Tuesday and Thursday is expected to be the heaviest of the rain.
Wednesday rain is expected, however the sun might just peek through an little bit.
By Friday the seemingly relentless rainfall slowly backs off, but is expected to last until Saturday.
By Sunday expect some clearing, however by Monday there may be some more rain as an weak pressure system moves through.
For all breaking news concerning the weather the News Wire will have the latest.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Still Waiting for Aid
UPDATE for Monday January 18: After waiting around March Air Reserve Base for deployment to Haiti the Task Force is breaking down and going back home. More as details become available.
***
On Wednesday we reported California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 was preparing to leave later that afternoon to assist in the perilous search and rescue effort in Haiti.
Well, the Task Force, which is sponsored by the Orange County Fire Authority and made up of 80 members of the OCFA, Anaheim, Montebello, Orange and Santa Ana Fire Departments, along with members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is still waiting for their deployment at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside.
Captain Greg McKeown of the OCFA says there has not been any indication when the Task Force will be deployed.
Southern Californian rescue workers are not the only ones waiting on the tarmac as other Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams from Sacramento, Ohio and Texas are still waiting to be deployed.
The reason for the delay, so much aid is arriving into Haiti's damaged airport, which only has one runway open amid briefly uncontrolled airspace where reportedly "near misses" with aircraft have occurred, that much needed additional aid from corners of the world have to be grounded or diverted for their own safety.
Some aircraft already en route have been diverted to The Dominican Republic where they continue to wait on the runway.
To help expedite aircraft into the troubled nation yesterday the United States signed an agreement with the Haitian government allowing the U.S. to temporarily control Haitian airspace.
Also yesterday in an almost unprecedented move Cuba is allowing the U.S. to use Cuban airspace for aid and evacuation flights, saving about 90-minutes on an one-way flight from Miami to Haiti.
The deal also allows flights easier access to and from Guantanamo Bay where some U.S. medical evacuees from Haiti have been taken and treated for their injures before flying back to Miami.
As for Task Force 5, while waiting they continue to practice and train for deployment at March ARB, however the more time passes, the more it becomes an recover effort for the Task Force once they arrive in Haiti.
***
On Wednesday we reported California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 was preparing to leave later that afternoon to assist in the perilous search and rescue effort in Haiti.
Well, the Task Force, which is sponsored by the Orange County Fire Authority and made up of 80 members of the OCFA, Anaheim, Montebello, Orange and Santa Ana Fire Departments, along with members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, is still waiting for their deployment at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside.
Captain Greg McKeown of the OCFA says there has not been any indication when the Task Force will be deployed.
Southern Californian rescue workers are not the only ones waiting on the tarmac as other Urban Search and Rescue Task Force teams from Sacramento, Ohio and Texas are still waiting to be deployed.
The reason for the delay, so much aid is arriving into Haiti's damaged airport, which only has one runway open amid briefly uncontrolled airspace where reportedly "near misses" with aircraft have occurred, that much needed additional aid from corners of the world have to be grounded or diverted for their own safety.
Some aircraft already en route have been diverted to The Dominican Republic where they continue to wait on the runway.
To help expedite aircraft into the troubled nation yesterday the United States signed an agreement with the Haitian government allowing the U.S. to temporarily control Haitian airspace.
Also yesterday in an almost unprecedented move Cuba is allowing the U.S. to use Cuban airspace for aid and evacuation flights, saving about 90-minutes on an one-way flight from Miami to Haiti.
The deal also allows flights easier access to and from Guantanamo Bay where some U.S. medical evacuees from Haiti have been taken and treated for their injures before flying back to Miami.
As for Task Force 5, while waiting they continue to practice and train for deployment at March ARB, however the more time passes, the more it becomes an recover effort for the Task Force once they arrive in Haiti.
Another Pass Quake
Another noticeable earthquake occurred this morning in the Banning Pass area. An magnitude 4.3 with an epicenter three miles west-northwest of Beaumont shook the area at 4:03 a.m., according to the United States Geological Survey.
Riverside County Cal-Fire officials say there were no reports of damage or injuries.
According to maps provided by the USGS the earthquake was felt in an rather wide area from Kern County down into the San Diego area.
There have been an handful of micro aftershocks.
On Monday an earthquake of the same magnitude occurred just an couple miles east of today's earthquake.
There is no word as to whether these earthquakes are related.
If you felt it please let the USGS know.
As reported in last Monday's story the Banning Pass area is an highly seismic area as several fault lines are compressed through the area, including the Banning Fault Zone, San Andreas Fault, Garnet Hill Fault, Mission Creek Fault, and San Gorgonio Fault Zone.
Many of these fault lines can produce an earthquake between magnitude 6.5-7.5, and if the rupture is associated with the San Andreas Fault an earthquake of magnitude 8 is possible.
Geologists believe the last major fault rupture in Banning Pass was during the late Quaternary or possibly Holocene era.
While there has been more activity than usual in this area the chances for an major earthquake remain slim as historically seismic activity ebbs and flows and will average out over time.
This information is presented not to cause concern, rather to help understand the basic geology in the area and, if you have not already, motivate you and your family to put together an emergency plan and preparedness kit.
Riverside County Cal-Fire officials say there were no reports of damage or injuries.
According to maps provided by the USGS the earthquake was felt in an rather wide area from Kern County down into the San Diego area.
There have been an handful of micro aftershocks.
On Monday an earthquake of the same magnitude occurred just an couple miles east of today's earthquake.
There is no word as to whether these earthquakes are related.
If you felt it please let the USGS know.
As reported in last Monday's story the Banning Pass area is an highly seismic area as several fault lines are compressed through the area, including the Banning Fault Zone, San Andreas Fault, Garnet Hill Fault, Mission Creek Fault, and San Gorgonio Fault Zone.
Many of these fault lines can produce an earthquake between magnitude 6.5-7.5, and if the rupture is associated with the San Andreas Fault an earthquake of magnitude 8 is possible.
Geologists believe the last major fault rupture in Banning Pass was during the late Quaternary or possibly Holocene era.
While there has been more activity than usual in this area the chances for an major earthquake remain slim as historically seismic activity ebbs and flows and will average out over time.
This information is presented not to cause concern, rather to help understand the basic geology in the area and, if you have not already, motivate you and your family to put together an emergency plan and preparedness kit.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Maybe The Newspaper Is Not Dying After All
The trade magazine about the newspaper industry that was set to close after 125 years in business has been revived by an Orange County business.
On Thursday Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. of Irvine, publisher of several boating magazines and producer of the Newport Boat Show, bought Editor & Publisher.
Last December The Nielsen Co. announced it was closing the publication. Shortly after the announcement Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. owner Duncan McIntosh tells the Orange County Register he jumped at the chance to own it and immediately sent an email inquiry.
Speaking with the Register Mr. McIntosh says no immediate changes will transpire and the editorial offices will remain in New York, for now. It is Mr. McIntosh's plan to help lead newspaper industry as it transitions to a new business model.
On Thursday Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. of Irvine, publisher of several boating magazines and producer of the Newport Boat Show, bought Editor & Publisher.
Last December The Nielsen Co. announced it was closing the publication. Shortly after the announcement Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. owner Duncan McIntosh tells the Orange County Register he jumped at the chance to own it and immediately sent an email inquiry.
Speaking with the Register Mr. McIntosh says no immediate changes will transpire and the editorial offices will remain in New York, for now. It is Mr. McIntosh's plan to help lead newspaper industry as it transitions to a new business model.
Developing: Jay Leno Back to "The Tonight Show"
The late night drama ordeal continues and it is looking more like Conan O'Brien's days at the Peacock are limited.
Reports out of Burbank today say Jay Leno has made an new deal with NBC to host "The Tonight Show," and Conan O'Brien will reportedly tape his final episode hosting "The Tonight Show" next Friday, January 22. Sources said there been no such determination and the situation remained incredibly fluid as of late Thursday.
The reason for an new deal, Mr. Leno was guaranteed the 10 p.m. hour, so to get him out of that contract the Peacock and their lawyers had to renegotiate an new contract.
Exact details on the new contact was not made available.
[UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: Tracy St. Pierre of NBC Entertainment is denying reports from multiple sources Mr. Leno is moving back to "The Tonight Show." Furthermore NBC is saying next Friday will not be Mr. O'Brien's final show and the situation remains incredibly fluid.]
As for Mr. O'Brien, who publicly announced in an open-letter earlier this week he would not host "The Tonight Show" in an different time slot as it would "seriously damage what I [O'Brien] consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting," no word yet if he is officially out at NBC.
Lots of speculation Mr. O'Brien may end up on Fox, though in the same announcement earlier this week the seven-month old host of "The Tonight Show" said he has no current offers from anybody.
The idea of Mr. O'Brien moving to Fox sounds exciting and not too far out of the realm of possibility, but there has been further speculation Fox affiliates may not be too happy with that idea.
Many Fox affiliates do quite well during the 11 p.m. hour and often beat local news in some markets with reruns and other first-run syndicated fare.
Fox affiliate owners who may be planning to put up an preemptive fight may want to read the fine print in their contracts as Fox reserves the right to air programming in the 11 p.m. hour.
For now, we wait for the other shoe to drop as Mr. O'Brien announces his next move.
One wonders once Mr. Leno takes back the reins of "The Tonight Show" if ratings and the public are going to be kind. Through this late night drama Mr. Leno has become the public villain in the mess.
Certainly it is unfair all the blame should fall on Mr. Leno. Much of the blame goes to NBC for making shortsighted programming decisions, but now with being branded as the villain and public animosity seemingly growing daily towards Mr. Leno along with the possibility Mr. O'Brien may have an late night show starting an half-hour earlier on an competing network, one wonders if NBC is yet again making another ill-suited decision.
This is an historic pop culture moment and it is doubtful we will ever witness the overnight destruction of a venerated entertainment brand again.
The last host to walk off "The Tonight Show" was back when the show was film in New York and the host was Jack Paar. On February 11, 1960 Mr. Paar, who was "The Tonight Show's" first host in 1954, walked off the show to protest NBC censoring an joke.
What was censored, a joke about a "water-closet," which NBC Standard and Practices, a nice way of saying "The Censors," claimed was in poor taste. Mr. Paar reportedly stormed off the set in tears and did not return to the show for a month.
Reports out of Burbank today say Jay Leno has made an new deal with NBC to host "The Tonight Show," and Conan O'Brien will reportedly tape his final episode hosting "The Tonight Show" next Friday, January 22. Sources said there been no such determination and the situation remained incredibly fluid as of late Thursday.
The reason for an new deal, Mr. Leno was guaranteed the 10 p.m. hour, so to get him out of that contract the Peacock and their lawyers had to renegotiate an new contract.
Exact details on the new contact was not made available.
[UPDATE 6:58 p.m.: Tracy St. Pierre of NBC Entertainment is denying reports from multiple sources Mr. Leno is moving back to "The Tonight Show." Furthermore NBC is saying next Friday will not be Mr. O'Brien's final show and the situation remains incredibly fluid.]
As for Mr. O'Brien, who publicly announced in an open-letter earlier this week he would not host "The Tonight Show" in an different time slot as it would "seriously damage what I [O'Brien] consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting," no word yet if he is officially out at NBC.
Lots of speculation Mr. O'Brien may end up on Fox, though in the same announcement earlier this week the seven-month old host of "The Tonight Show" said he has no current offers from anybody.
The idea of Mr. O'Brien moving to Fox sounds exciting and not too far out of the realm of possibility, but there has been further speculation Fox affiliates may not be too happy with that idea.
Many Fox affiliates do quite well during the 11 p.m. hour and often beat local news in some markets with reruns and other first-run syndicated fare.
Fox affiliate owners who may be planning to put up an preemptive fight may want to read the fine print in their contracts as Fox reserves the right to air programming in the 11 p.m. hour.
For now, we wait for the other shoe to drop as Mr. O'Brien announces his next move.
One wonders once Mr. Leno takes back the reins of "The Tonight Show" if ratings and the public are going to be kind. Through this late night drama Mr. Leno has become the public villain in the mess.
Certainly it is unfair all the blame should fall on Mr. Leno. Much of the blame goes to NBC for making shortsighted programming decisions, but now with being branded as the villain and public animosity seemingly growing daily towards Mr. Leno along with the possibility Mr. O'Brien may have an late night show starting an half-hour earlier on an competing network, one wonders if NBC is yet again making another ill-suited decision.
This is an historic pop culture moment and it is doubtful we will ever witness the overnight destruction of a venerated entertainment brand again.
The last host to walk off "The Tonight Show" was back when the show was film in New York and the host was Jack Paar. On February 11, 1960 Mr. Paar, who was "The Tonight Show's" first host in 1954, walked off the show to protest NBC censoring an joke.
What was censored, a joke about a "water-closet," which NBC Standard and Practices, a nice way of saying "The Censors," claimed was in poor taste. Mr. Paar reportedly stormed off the set in tears and did not return to the show for a month.
BREAKING: Metrolink Delays from Union Station
Due to an piece of concrete falling from Cesar Chavez Avenue bridge where it crosses over Vignes and Alameda Streets in downtown Los Angeles has resulted in most Metrolink trains being halted from leaving Union Station.
Metrolink officials say expect major delays to and from Union Station.
Asking to remain anonymous an Metrolink worker told the News Wire commuters should expect delays and cancellations all day today, but every effort is being made to restore service and bus service may be brought in to help get commuters home.
UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: All but Tracks 7 and 8 at Union Station have reopened, but commuters should expect and plan for delays this afternoon and into the evening.
The Cesar Chavez Avenue bridge remains closed as L.A. city engineers are inspecting the bridge.
What caused the piece of concrete to fall is under investigation.
Metrolink officials say expect major delays to and from Union Station.
Asking to remain anonymous an Metrolink worker told the News Wire commuters should expect delays and cancellations all day today, but every effort is being made to restore service and bus service may be brought in to help get commuters home.
UPDATE 2:23 p.m.: All but Tracks 7 and 8 at Union Station have reopened, but commuters should expect and plan for delays this afternoon and into the evening.
The Cesar Chavez Avenue bridge remains closed as L.A. city engineers are inspecting the bridge.
What caused the piece of concrete to fall is under investigation.
BREAKING: Ortega Highway Brush Fire
The News Wire is monitoring an rapidly growing brush fire that has broken out near Ortega Highway and Tenaja Truck Trail above Lake Elsinore in the Cleveland National Forest where structures are reportedly threatened.
A Girl Scout camp is being evacuated.
Cal-Fire officials are reporting at least 125 acres have burnt, and with heavy fuel in the area Cal-Fire officials fear this fire could continue to spread rapidly.
UPDATE 2:02 p.m.: Firefighters have made progress in slowing the advance of the fire.
UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Winds have died down and television footage is showing significant progress made on the fire.
UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: Firefighters have the fire 25% contained and have halted the spread of the fire.
Firefighters from Riverside County/Cal-Fire, the Orange County Fire Authority and San Diego County Fire Department are on the scene.
Incident commend has ordered four fixed-wing aircraft and two bulldozers.
The fire was first reported around 12:30 p.m. when dispatchers with Riverside County/Cal-Fire received "several" calls of smoke in the area. The fire was soon spotted by an OCFA helicopter.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning today, which is expected to remain in effect until 10 p.m. with north to northeast winds between 60 to 80 mph expected to blow through the canyons.
Ortega Highway remains open.
There has been no word how this fire may have started.
A Girl Scout camp is being evacuated.
Cal-Fire officials are reporting at least 125 acres have burnt, and with heavy fuel in the area Cal-Fire officials fear this fire could continue to spread rapidly.
UPDATE 2:02 p.m.: Firefighters have made progress in slowing the advance of the fire.
UPDATE 2:29 p.m.: Winds have died down and television footage is showing significant progress made on the fire.
UPDATE 5:58 p.m.: Firefighters have the fire 25% contained and have halted the spread of the fire.
Firefighters from Riverside County/Cal-Fire, the Orange County Fire Authority and San Diego County Fire Department are on the scene.
Incident commend has ordered four fixed-wing aircraft and two bulldozers.
The fire was first reported around 12:30 p.m. when dispatchers with Riverside County/Cal-Fire received "several" calls of smoke in the area. The fire was soon spotted by an OCFA helicopter.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning today, which is expected to remain in effect until 10 p.m. with north to northeast winds between 60 to 80 mph expected to blow through the canyons.
Ortega Highway remains open.
There has been no word how this fire may have started.
Almost Sold!
Newport Beach-based Craig Realty Group, developer of outlet malls such as Cabazon Outlets near Casino Morongo, the Citadel Outlet just off I-5 in the City of Commerce and the Lake Elsinore Outlet, along with developing Plaza San Clemente, has submitted the highest bid of $56.5 million for the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.
Craig Realty Group C.E.O. and President Steven Craig pledges to keep the annual O.C. Super Fair operating, however he did note in speaking with the Los Angeles Times, "[W]e’d like to find a way to make it financially viable. "Maybe a private enterprise approach will work."
In speaking with the Orange County Register Mr. Craig said, "[T]here's a number of things that can be improved."
What those things are that need to be improved Mr. Craig would not speculate.
Speaking with the Register Costa Mesa Councilwoman Katrina Foley said her concerns about the winning bid were two-fold as she questioned the intent of the developer and whether he would maintain the fairgrounds as-is, adding, "we should not be selling very valuable property for dirt cheap prices."
Other initial offers included $6.5 from Orange County and the city of Costa Mesa, the only public entities to submit an bid, $17 million from Advanced Real Estate Services, $20 million from Anaheim Sports Holding, $42.5 million from Craig Realty Group and $2 million from the consulting firm Forde & Mollrich.
Now the sale of the Fairgrounds needs to be approved, or denied, by the state, which could happen by spring.
The reason for the sale of the Fairgrounds is to help balance the state's imfamous deficit.
The winning bid by Craig Realty Group is much lower than what state officials had anticipated. Last year state officials said the sale of the Fairgrounds could bring in between $90 million to $180 million for the state.
The sale of the Fairgrounds has angered Costa Mesa and Orange County officials along with many residents.
Leading up to the bidding process several elected city and county officials, along with state senators, pleaded with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at his office inside the state capital in Sacramento to halt the sale.
Earlier this week an handful of local elected officials delivered to Mr. Schwarzenegger by wheelbarrow petitions with 50,000 signatures of area residents voicing their disdain for the sale.
Costa Mesa is considering an ballet initiative in June that would require any development of the Fairgrounds to go through an public vote, in the hope of making land development complicated and less attractive to any investors.
Along with Mr. Schwarzenegger the sale of the Fairgrounds was originally backed by some Orange County officials, however they later backed away from supporting the sale when concerns arose on what just might happen to the land once the sale is final.
Also there is talk from Sacramento with such adverse reaction over the sale of the Fairgrounds the state is reconsidering the potential sale of other high-profile properties.
So what happens now, the state still has the power to approve or decline the sale, and until then local officials and residents will continue to protest.
Craig Realty Group C.E.O. and President Steven Craig pledges to keep the annual O.C. Super Fair operating, however he did note in speaking with the Los Angeles Times, "[W]e’d like to find a way to make it financially viable. "Maybe a private enterprise approach will work."
In speaking with the Orange County Register Mr. Craig said, "[T]here's a number of things that can be improved."
What those things are that need to be improved Mr. Craig would not speculate.
Speaking with the Register Costa Mesa Councilwoman Katrina Foley said her concerns about the winning bid were two-fold as she questioned the intent of the developer and whether he would maintain the fairgrounds as-is, adding, "we should not be selling very valuable property for dirt cheap prices."
Other initial offers included $6.5 from Orange County and the city of Costa Mesa, the only public entities to submit an bid, $17 million from Advanced Real Estate Services, $20 million from Anaheim Sports Holding, $42.5 million from Craig Realty Group and $2 million from the consulting firm Forde & Mollrich.
Now the sale of the Fairgrounds needs to be approved, or denied, by the state, which could happen by spring.
The reason for the sale of the Fairgrounds is to help balance the state's imfamous deficit.
The winning bid by Craig Realty Group is much lower than what state officials had anticipated. Last year state officials said the sale of the Fairgrounds could bring in between $90 million to $180 million for the state.
The sale of the Fairgrounds has angered Costa Mesa and Orange County officials along with many residents.
Leading up to the bidding process several elected city and county officials, along with state senators, pleaded with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at his office inside the state capital in Sacramento to halt the sale.
Earlier this week an handful of local elected officials delivered to Mr. Schwarzenegger by wheelbarrow petitions with 50,000 signatures of area residents voicing their disdain for the sale.
Costa Mesa is considering an ballet initiative in June that would require any development of the Fairgrounds to go through an public vote, in the hope of making land development complicated and less attractive to any investors.
Along with Mr. Schwarzenegger the sale of the Fairgrounds was originally backed by some Orange County officials, however they later backed away from supporting the sale when concerns arose on what just might happen to the land once the sale is final.
Also there is talk from Sacramento with such adverse reaction over the sale of the Fairgrounds the state is reconsidering the potential sale of other high-profile properties.
So what happens now, the state still has the power to approve or decline the sale, and until then local officials and residents will continue to protest.
More Southern California Aid Pouring into Grief Stricken Haiti
Southern California continues to lend an much needed helping hand in the wake of Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Early this morning the elite California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 was dispatched to Haiti for an call that is expected to last two-to-four weeks.
California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 is sponsored by the Orange County Fire Authority and along with the OCFA includes 80 members of the Anaheim, Montebello, Orange and Santa Ana Fire Departments, along with members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The team was expected to leave March Air Reserve Base in Riverside at 6 a.m., however there was an delay and the team is now expected to be airborne sometime around 12 noon.
The team and their equipment, which includes detection devices and equipment to bolster damaged buildings and safely move hunks of concrete, will board an C-5 and should arrive in Haiti by nightfall.
Previously the Task Force had been dispatched to The Gulf Coast following the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, and to New York following the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attack.
The California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 is one of 28 such task forces in the nation that responds to regional and national disasters.
All 28 task forces were not designed to respond to situations overseas.
This morning OCFA Captain Greg McKeown says, "There's the possibility of disease and a lot of other factors that are unknown." Mr. McKeown noted to reporters, "It's unknown terrain [and] it's very dangerous for the firefighters, but that is what we're trained for."
On Tuesday an magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred with its epicenter about ten miles west of Port-au-Prince, the largest earthquake on the island since 1984, and the largest earthquake of such magnitude to occur in nearly 200 years.
Officials in Haiti and in the United States fear thousands are dead and many more are still buried alive amid the rubble.
To give an idea of the casualties expected the International Red Cross sent an airplane full of body bags to the grief stricken nation.
As is the case with such massive disasters, the best of humankind is displayed.
Along with Southern California and the rest of America international aid from most corners of the world began seemingly immediately when the scope of the calamity became known.
The modern age of social media has shined through the haze of this horrible disaster.
The first text-message donation campaign was started about two hours after the earthquake by singer Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.
Mr. Jean posted the information on his Twitter account to his 1.4 million followers that rapidly grew to become the largest text-based fundraising campaign for disaster relief in history.
Exact numbers for Mr. Jean's disaster relief campaign were not available.
Meanwhile following the steps of Mr. Jean an text-donation campaign started by the American Red Cross went viral by the evening following the earthquake and netted $800,000 by 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The News Wire will have more on the Haiti earthquake as the situation develops.
CORRECTION: In the first copy of this story the Orange County Fire Authority was originally identified as the Orange County Fire Department.
Early this morning the elite California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 was dispatched to Haiti for an call that is expected to last two-to-four weeks.
California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 is sponsored by the Orange County Fire Authority and along with the OCFA includes 80 members of the Anaheim, Montebello, Orange and Santa Ana Fire Departments, along with members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The team was expected to leave March Air Reserve Base in Riverside at 6 a.m., however there was an delay and the team is now expected to be airborne sometime around 12 noon.
The team and their equipment, which includes detection devices and equipment to bolster damaged buildings and safely move hunks of concrete, will board an C-5 and should arrive in Haiti by nightfall.
Previously the Task Force had been dispatched to The Gulf Coast following the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, and to New York following the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attack.
The California Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5 is one of 28 such task forces in the nation that responds to regional and national disasters.
All 28 task forces were not designed to respond to situations overseas.
This morning OCFA Captain Greg McKeown says, "There's the possibility of disease and a lot of other factors that are unknown." Mr. McKeown noted to reporters, "It's unknown terrain [and] it's very dangerous for the firefighters, but that is what we're trained for."
On Tuesday an magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred with its epicenter about ten miles west of Port-au-Prince, the largest earthquake on the island since 1984, and the largest earthquake of such magnitude to occur in nearly 200 years.
Officials in Haiti and in the United States fear thousands are dead and many more are still buried alive amid the rubble.
To give an idea of the casualties expected the International Red Cross sent an airplane full of body bags to the grief stricken nation.
As is the case with such massive disasters, the best of humankind is displayed.
Along with Southern California and the rest of America international aid from most corners of the world began seemingly immediately when the scope of the calamity became known.
The modern age of social media has shined through the haze of this horrible disaster.
The first text-message donation campaign was started about two hours after the earthquake by singer Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund.
Mr. Jean posted the information on his Twitter account to his 1.4 million followers that rapidly grew to become the largest text-based fundraising campaign for disaster relief in history.
Exact numbers for Mr. Jean's disaster relief campaign were not available.
Meanwhile following the steps of Mr. Jean an text-donation campaign started by the American Red Cross went viral by the evening following the earthquake and netted $800,000 by 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The News Wire will have more on the Haiti earthquake as the situation develops.
CORRECTION: In the first copy of this story the Orange County Fire Authority was originally identified as the Orange County Fire Department.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
JUST IN: Supreme Court Bans Camera From Trial
With conservative justices in the majority The United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 today to ban video cameras indefinitely from covering the contentious federal court trial in San Francisco on the constitutionality of California's ban on same-sex marriage following controversial voter approved Proposition 8.
How To Help
Grim reports are coming out of Haiti putting the death toll over 100,000 as an humanitarian disaster of epic proportions unfolds.
Even those who were sent to protect and restore stability to Haiti prior to the earthquake are themselves victims of the disaster as an number of The United Nations peacekeepers and aid workers, part of The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, are missing and the U.N. headquarters at the Hotel Christopher collapsed, where over 100 peacekeepers are feared trapped under the rubble.
The U.N. has more than 9,000 peacekeeping troops and police in Haiti, and an additional 1,900 civilian personnel.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon would not confirm reports that 15 peacekeepers were killed.
Officials from the U.N. stress the mission's main logistics base in Port-au-Prince is intact.
The U.N. reports 3,000 of their peacekeepers are stationed in Port-au-Prince and many of them are assisting in rescue efforts.
For those looking to donate money and/or time and services to the victims of the Haiti earthquake, MSNBC has put together an rather comprehensive list of organizations.
If you desire to help immediately it is now simple as sending an text message. All you need to do is text HAITI to 90999 and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts by way of being charged to your cell-phone bill.
The State Department has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti, 1-888-407-4747.
Meanwhile the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue 72-member team are preparing to leave for Haiti from March Air Reserve Base in Riverside later this afternoon.
According to L.A. County Fire Department the team consist of firefighters and paramedics rescue specialists, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, canine search dogs and handlers, hazardous materials technicians, communications specialists, and logistics specialists.
More on the devastating earthquake and how Southern Californians are leading an hand as this crisis unfolds.
Even those who were sent to protect and restore stability to Haiti prior to the earthquake are themselves victims of the disaster as an number of The United Nations peacekeepers and aid workers, part of The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, are missing and the U.N. headquarters at the Hotel Christopher collapsed, where over 100 peacekeepers are feared trapped under the rubble.
The U.N. has more than 9,000 peacekeeping troops and police in Haiti, and an additional 1,900 civilian personnel.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon would not confirm reports that 15 peacekeepers were killed.
Officials from the U.N. stress the mission's main logistics base in Port-au-Prince is intact.
The U.N. reports 3,000 of their peacekeepers are stationed in Port-au-Prince and many of them are assisting in rescue efforts.
For those looking to donate money and/or time and services to the victims of the Haiti earthquake, MSNBC has put together an rather comprehensive list of organizations.
If you desire to help immediately it is now simple as sending an text message. All you need to do is text HAITI to 90999 and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts by way of being charged to your cell-phone bill.
The State Department has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti, 1-888-407-4747.
Meanwhile the Los Angeles County Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue 72-member team are preparing to leave for Haiti from March Air Reserve Base in Riverside later this afternoon.
According to L.A. County Fire Department the team consist of firefighters and paramedics rescue specialists, emergency room physicians, structural engineers, heavy equipment specialists, canine search dogs and handlers, hazardous materials technicians, communications specialists, and logistics specialists.
More on the devastating earthquake and how Southern Californians are leading an hand as this crisis unfolds.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Do It Now!
With today's earthquake in Haiti, Saturday's shaker in Eureka and the little shaker in Banning Monday, please take this time to prepare an emergency plan.
BREAKING: Haiti Earthquake
The News Wire is monitoring an developing story outside of the country.
A "catastrophe of major proportions" is unfolding.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake has hit about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti at 1:53 p.m. Southern California time, according to the United States Geological Survey.
This is the largest earthquake to ever occur in Haiti as far as records have been kept.
Several reports indicate homes have collapsed along with an hospital and reports from CNN say the situation is dire as "several buildings collapsed" and "dead bodies are all around."
Haiti's Presidential Palace has reportedly been destroyed, but president René Préval and his wife Elisabeth Débrosse Delatour are okay.
One report to CNN says an "large dust cloud hungover the area for about 20-minutes."
So far two large aftershocks, magnitude 5.9 and 5.5, respectively have occurred.
The earthquake occurred on an slip-strike fault and its hypocenter was about six miles deep.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued an Tsunami Watch for Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas and Dominican Republic, however based on historic data NOAA does not believe the conditions for an major destructive tsunami exist.
UPDATE 4:07 p.m.: The Tsunami Watch has been canceled.
There has been no word of damage in the Dominican Republic.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is assembling its 72-member urban search and rescue team for deployment to Haiti after being requested by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The team is expected to leave March Reserve Base in Riverside tonight and arrive in quake devastated Haiti tomorrow.
Other urban search and rescue teams from around the country are expected to help with the rescue and recovery in Haiti.
Upon learning about the earthquake President Barack Obama said, "My thoughts and prayers go to those affected by earthquake ... We are closely monitoring the situation [and] stand ready to assist."
Beginning her eight-day tour of the Pacific region Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Hawaii today, "The United States is offering our full assistance to Haiti and to others in the region. "We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance and our prayers are with the people who have suffered, their families and their loved ones."
The State Department is working to reach all Americans in Haiti, but with power out, cell and land-line phone service down, officials are expecting an long process.
Reports indicate the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is "okay."
According to their website the American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation.
There is an report from CNN American Airlines flight 1908 from Port-au-Prince to Miami with 176 passengers and 11 crew members was preparing to leave to the United States was preparing to leave when the earthquake struck.
The airplane is grounded as airport workers reportedly assess damage to the runway.
The earthquake was reportedly felt very strongly in Cuba.
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.
After various coup d'états Haiti has begun to seen minimal growing stability and its garment industry rebound, though still most people there live on $1 an day.
The last major earthquake to occur in this area was an magnitude 6.7 back in 1984, according to USGS data.
To donate to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean region, please visit UNICEF's website or telephone 1-800-4UNICEF.
A "catastrophe of major proportions" is unfolding.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake has hit about 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti at 1:53 p.m. Southern California time, according to the United States Geological Survey.
This is the largest earthquake to ever occur in Haiti as far as records have been kept.
Several reports indicate homes have collapsed along with an hospital and reports from CNN say the situation is dire as "several buildings collapsed" and "dead bodies are all around."
Haiti's Presidential Palace has reportedly been destroyed, but president René Préval and his wife Elisabeth Débrosse Delatour are okay.
One report to CNN says an "large dust cloud hungover the area for about 20-minutes."
So far two large aftershocks, magnitude 5.9 and 5.5, respectively have occurred.
The earthquake occurred on an slip-strike fault and its hypocenter was about six miles deep.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued an Tsunami Watch for Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas and Dominican Republic, however based on historic data NOAA does not believe the conditions for an major destructive tsunami exist.
UPDATE 4:07 p.m.: The Tsunami Watch has been canceled.
There has been no word of damage in the Dominican Republic.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is assembling its 72-member urban search and rescue team for deployment to Haiti after being requested by the U.S. Agency for International Development. The team is expected to leave March Reserve Base in Riverside tonight and arrive in quake devastated Haiti tomorrow.
Other urban search and rescue teams from around the country are expected to help with the rescue and recovery in Haiti.
Upon learning about the earthquake President Barack Obama said, "My thoughts and prayers go to those affected by earthquake ... We are closely monitoring the situation [and] stand ready to assist."
Beginning her eight-day tour of the Pacific region Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Hawaii today, "The United States is offering our full assistance to Haiti and to others in the region. "We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance and our prayers are with the people who have suffered, their families and their loved ones."
The State Department is working to reach all Americans in Haiti, but with power out, cell and land-line phone service down, officials are expecting an long process.
Reports indicate the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince is "okay."
According to their website the American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation.
There is an report from CNN American Airlines flight 1908 from Port-au-Prince to Miami with 176 passengers and 11 crew members was preparing to leave to the United States was preparing to leave when the earthquake struck.
The airplane is grounded as airport workers reportedly assess damage to the runway.
The earthquake was reportedly felt very strongly in Cuba.
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere.
After various coup d'états Haiti has begun to seen minimal growing stability and its garment industry rebound, though still most people there live on $1 an day.
The last major earthquake to occur in this area was an magnitude 6.7 back in 1984, according to USGS data.
To donate to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean region, please visit UNICEF's website or telephone 1-800-4UNICEF.
Fair Sale Update
On Monday one piece of land in Costa Mesa received seven bids, and that piece of land is the Orange County Fairgrounds, which begins the live bidding process Thursday.
The Fairgrounds were put up for sale by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who plans to use the proceeds to help balance the state's growing deficit.
The sale of the Fairgrounds has sparked an highly contentious battle between both Costa Mesa and Orange County officials, and the governor.
Local officials are concern the sale will result in lost jobs and revenue if an new owner decides to redevelop the Fairgrounds.
Aside from the yearly summertime O.C. Super Fair held in July other events, such as swap meets, concerts and equestrian events, are held throughout the year at the Fairgrounds.
Now among the bidders is Advanced Real Estate Services in Lake Forest and, a joint bid by Costa Mesa and Orange County.
According to sources it is unclear if the Orange County Fair and Event Center Foundation made any sort of bid.
Meanwhile the Foundation gathered 50,000 signatures by upset Orange County residents on petitions and were delivered to the governor's office by wheelbarrows by Assemblymen Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana), Van Tran (R-Westminster), Jim Silva (R-Huntington Beach), and Hector De La Torre (D-Los Angeles), along with State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), and Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Katrina Foley in attempt to stop the sale.
What effect this will have on halting the sale remains unclear.
Earlier today the Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard Assembly Bill 1590 that would repeal the sale of the Fairgrounds.
The bill passed 8-0.
Much like the petition drive it is unclear if this vote by the Committee will halt any sales.
Hoping to devalue the land to potential investors Costa Mesa is contemplating an June ballet measure that would require an public vote before anything could be built on the Fairgrounds.
Last week Costa Mesa and Orange County officials met personally with Mr. Schwarzenegger at his office in Sacramento, to no avail, pleading to stop the sale of the Fairgrounds.
For now the only recourse in saving the fair, barring the governor stepping in, is hoping the state rejects offers they deem too low.
Under the bill approved by the Legislature this summer, the state does not have to accept any bids if it finds the prices asked are too low.
The bill approved originally called for the sale of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Cow Palace in San Francisco and San Quentin State Prison, among other notable state landmarks. Plans to sell the Coliseum and Cow Palace were later discarded, however the governor went ahead with the sale of the Fairgrounds.
The sale of the Fairgrounds went ahead in part because it initially had the backing of some local lawmakers and governments, including the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
The Board later changed its mind after too many unanswered questions about that fate of the Fairgrounds remained unanswered.
The bottom line, despite extensive efforts the only thing known right now is the future of the Fairgrounds remains unknown.
The Fairgrounds were put up for sale by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who plans to use the proceeds to help balance the state's growing deficit.
The sale of the Fairgrounds has sparked an highly contentious battle between both Costa Mesa and Orange County officials, and the governor.
Local officials are concern the sale will result in lost jobs and revenue if an new owner decides to redevelop the Fairgrounds.
Aside from the yearly summertime O.C. Super Fair held in July other events, such as swap meets, concerts and equestrian events, are held throughout the year at the Fairgrounds.
Now among the bidders is Advanced Real Estate Services in Lake Forest and, a joint bid by Costa Mesa and Orange County.
According to sources it is unclear if the Orange County Fair and Event Center Foundation made any sort of bid.
Meanwhile the Foundation gathered 50,000 signatures by upset Orange County residents on petitions and were delivered to the governor's office by wheelbarrows by Assemblymen Jose Solorio (D-Santa Ana), Van Tran (R-Westminster), Jim Silva (R-Huntington Beach), and Hector De La Torre (D-Los Angeles), along with State Senator Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana), and Costa Mesa City Councilwoman Katrina Foley in attempt to stop the sale.
What effect this will have on halting the sale remains unclear.
Earlier today the Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard Assembly Bill 1590 that would repeal the sale of the Fairgrounds.
The bill passed 8-0.
Much like the petition drive it is unclear if this vote by the Committee will halt any sales.
Hoping to devalue the land to potential investors Costa Mesa is contemplating an June ballet measure that would require an public vote before anything could be built on the Fairgrounds.
Last week Costa Mesa and Orange County officials met personally with Mr. Schwarzenegger at his office in Sacramento, to no avail, pleading to stop the sale of the Fairgrounds.
For now the only recourse in saving the fair, barring the governor stepping in, is hoping the state rejects offers they deem too low.
Under the bill approved by the Legislature this summer, the state does not have to accept any bids if it finds the prices asked are too low.
The bill approved originally called for the sale of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Cow Palace in San Francisco and San Quentin State Prison, among other notable state landmarks. Plans to sell the Coliseum and Cow Palace were later discarded, however the governor went ahead with the sale of the Fairgrounds.
The sale of the Fairgrounds went ahead in part because it initially had the backing of some local lawmakers and governments, including the Orange County Board of Supervisors.
The Board later changed its mind after too many unanswered questions about that fate of the Fairgrounds remained unanswered.
The bottom line, despite extensive efforts the only thing known right now is the future of the Fairgrounds remains unknown.
DEVELOPING: The Late Night Plot Thickens
The plot thickens in The Late Shift 2.0 as Conan O'Brien says he will not do "The Tonight Show" at 12:05 a.m. following Jay Leno's newly installed half-hour show.
UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: NBC is floating rumors they are looking for guest hosts for "The Tonight Show."
UPDATE 3:57 p.m.: TMZ is reporting Jay Leno will get "The Tonight Show" back.
Mr. O'Brien issued an statement two days after NBC officially announced Jay Leno will be moving back into the 11:35 p.m. spot, and just days after Fox put some gas on the fire of speculation when news of the late night turmoil began.
Mr. O'Brien's statement in full:
People of Earth:
In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.
Yours,
Conan
What comes next in the late night drama?
Does Jimmy Fallen take the reins of "The Tonight Show," or does Mr. Leno get his full hour back along with the title of "The Tonight Show?"
The biggest question, is Mr. O'Brien and his people at the William Morris Endeavor agency going to call Fox and make some plans and talk some numbers?
Meanwhile some rumors are flying about Carson Daly may be the odd man out at NBC when the dollars and dust settle.
Lots of speculation and no clear answers, yet.
Whatever the end result shall be one thing is clear, NBC has created the biggest, money drowning dilemma in modern broadcast television history, and public relations nightmare on top of those problems.
UPDATE 3:08 p.m.: NBC is floating rumors they are looking for guest hosts for "The Tonight Show."
UPDATE 3:57 p.m.: TMZ is reporting Jay Leno will get "The Tonight Show" back.
Mr. O'Brien issued an statement two days after NBC officially announced Jay Leno will be moving back into the 11:35 p.m. spot, and just days after Fox put some gas on the fire of speculation when news of the late night turmoil began.
Mr. O'Brien's statement in full:
People of Earth:
In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.
Yours,
Conan
What comes next in the late night drama?
Does Jimmy Fallen take the reins of "The Tonight Show," or does Mr. Leno get his full hour back along with the title of "The Tonight Show?"
The biggest question, is Mr. O'Brien and his people at the William Morris Endeavor agency going to call Fox and make some plans and talk some numbers?
Meanwhile some rumors are flying about Carson Daly may be the odd man out at NBC when the dollars and dust settle.
Lots of speculation and no clear answers, yet.
Whatever the end result shall be one thing is clear, NBC has created the biggest, money drowning dilemma in modern broadcast television history, and public relations nightmare on top of those problems.
Morning Police Pursuit
In case you missed that almost unique Southern California pastime here is the play-by-play.
Local television broadcast an police pursuit this morning that began in West Los Angeles, where the California Highway Patrol originally attempted to pull over the suspect for allegedly running a red light in front of an CHP unit, according to an CHP spokesman.
The pursuing suspect led police on an stop-and-go chase along the 405 to Long Beach, then up the 710 to the East L.A. area.
After being stuck in heavy traffic on the Long Beach Freeway the suspect rapidly exited the Atlantic Boulevard off-ramp.
After another round of the suspect tempting police with an stop-and-go maneuver on surface streets, the suspect sped off again along Olympic Boulevard headed towards East L.A.
Luck, such as it is, ran out for the suspect as an CHP unit performed an "pit maneuver" spinning out the suspect's car.
From there CHP officers detained and arrested the suspect and at 9:13 a.m. the CHP gave the "all clear."
Aside from failing to pull over for running an red light it is unclear why this suspect led the CHP on an pursuit.
Local television broadcast an police pursuit this morning that began in West Los Angeles, where the California Highway Patrol originally attempted to pull over the suspect for allegedly running a red light in front of an CHP unit, according to an CHP spokesman.
The pursuing suspect led police on an stop-and-go chase along the 405 to Long Beach, then up the 710 to the East L.A. area.
After being stuck in heavy traffic on the Long Beach Freeway the suspect rapidly exited the Atlantic Boulevard off-ramp.
After another round of the suspect tempting police with an stop-and-go maneuver on surface streets, the suspect sped off again along Olympic Boulevard headed towards East L.A.
Luck, such as it is, ran out for the suspect as an CHP unit performed an "pit maneuver" spinning out the suspect's car.
From there CHP officers detained and arrested the suspect and at 9:13 a.m. the CHP gave the "all clear."
Aside from failing to pull over for running an red light it is unclear why this suspect led the CHP on an pursuit.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Banning Pass Quakes
A little bit of shaking this evening in the Banning area as an magnitude 4.3 earthquake rattled the area at 6:36 p.m., according to the United States Geological Survey.
Preliminary measurements put the earthquake's hypocenter about four miles deep along the Banning Fault Zone.
The quake was felt in an wide area, from Palm Springs out to Long Beach and into Orange County.
Aside from some jolted nerves in the area no damage or injuries have been reported from this earthquake.
This earthquake was preceded by six minor earthquakes this afternoon, including an magnitude 3.1 at 3:24 p.m. and magnitude 3.2 at 3:33 p.m., according to USGS.
The Banning Pass area is an highly seismic area as several fault lines are compressed through the area, including the Banning Fault Zone, San Andreas Fault, Garnet Hill Fault, Mission Creek Fault, and San Gorgonio Fault Zone.
Many of these fault lines can produce an earthquake between magnitude 6.5-7.5, and if the rupture is associated with the San Andreas Fault an earthquake of magnitude 8 is possible.
Geologists believe the last major fault rupture in Banning Pass was during the late Quaternary or possibly Holocene era.
If you felt this one let USGS know.
Preliminary measurements put the earthquake's hypocenter about four miles deep along the Banning Fault Zone.
The quake was felt in an wide area, from Palm Springs out to Long Beach and into Orange County.
Aside from some jolted nerves in the area no damage or injuries have been reported from this earthquake.
This earthquake was preceded by six minor earthquakes this afternoon, including an magnitude 3.1 at 3:24 p.m. and magnitude 3.2 at 3:33 p.m., according to USGS.
The Banning Pass area is an highly seismic area as several fault lines are compressed through the area, including the Banning Fault Zone, San Andreas Fault, Garnet Hill Fault, Mission Creek Fault, and San Gorgonio Fault Zone.
Many of these fault lines can produce an earthquake between magnitude 6.5-7.5, and if the rupture is associated with the San Andreas Fault an earthquake of magnitude 8 is possible.
Geologists believe the last major fault rupture in Banning Pass was during the late Quaternary or possibly Holocene era.
If you felt this one let USGS know.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Metrolink Service Cuts and an Debt Ridden Year Ahead
Facing an $15 million deficit for the 2010-11 fiscal year on Friday the Metrolink board voted to reduce weekend and off-peak weekday service between the Inland Empire and Orange County, but the silver lining is Metrolink, for now, will not raise fares.
In an press release Metrolink officials say trains being eliminated had less than 100 riders since last October.
In all ten trains will be eliminated.
In addition to train service reductions the Metrolink board also voted to implement an "hard" hiring freeze and suspending time-off accruals for Metrolink employees.
Last August the board proposed to raise fares by 6%, just on top of an recent 3% fare increase, however amid protest board members delayed voting on any fare increases.
Metrolink's new chief executive Eric Haley warned with such an huge deficit facing the commuter rail more service cuts and fare raises will be considered in the months to come.
In an press release Metrolink officials say trains being eliminated had less than 100 riders since last October.
In all ten trains will be eliminated.
In addition to train service reductions the Metrolink board also voted to implement an "hard" hiring freeze and suspending time-off accruals for Metrolink employees.
Last August the board proposed to raise fares by 6%, just on top of an recent 3% fare increase, however amid protest board members delayed voting on any fare increases.
Metrolink's new chief executive Eric Haley warned with such an huge deficit facing the commuter rail more service cuts and fare raises will be considered in the months to come.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
BREAKING: Offshore Northern California Quake
The News Wire is monitoring an magnitude 6.5 that struck off the coast 22 miles west-northwest of Ferndale in Northern California at 4:27 p.m., according to the United States Geological Survey.
The epicenter of this earthquake is roughly between Petrolia and Eureka in Humboldt County.
Some area residents are posting to internet sites minor damage of items falling off shelves and windows broken.
There are reports Ferndale City Hall has been damaged and cracks are reported in buildings in Old Town Eureka.
Two photographs by way of Twitter are showing broke windows and bookshelves overturned at the Booklegger in downtown Eureka.
There are scattered reports of older homes knocked off foundations in Humboldt County.
Firefighters were on the scene of an fire at Grizzly Bluff Road east of Ferndale.
Scanner reports say one building has partially collapse with one-foot offset displacement.
There have been reports of gas leaks.
Saint Joseph's Memorial Hospital in Eureka reports 10 to 15 patients with moderate injuries, mostly head injuries and cuts.
Cal-Trans has been dispatched to check out the integrity of bridges in the area. Thus far there gave been no reports of roads damaged.
UPDATE 6:25 p.m.: Cal-Trans and the California Highway Patrol report no damage to area roadways.
There are reports in the Eureka area of power outages and local television stations are reportedly without power.
Local scanner reports a "wide power outage" in Eureka.
Curiously local media in the North Coast has not updated information on their website.
Power company PG&E now has an map of the affected areas without power.
UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith says around 25,000 people are without power in Humboldt County.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration no tsunami is expected to be generated from this earthquake.
Thus far the largest aftershock has been an magnitude 3.8 at 4:48 p.m. with its epicenter in the same area, according to USGS.
The earthquake was felt as far north as Eugene, Oregon, south into the Bay Area and Monterey area and east into the Reno area.
Where today's earthquake occurred is no stranger to seismic activity as several major and moderate earthquake have occurred in this region in the past hundred years, including an swarm of earthquakes back in 2005.
Between April 25 and 26, 1992 three major earthquakes occurred in this same area, magnitude 7.2, 6.5, and 6.7, respectively, according to USGS, which resulted in over $66 million worth of damage.
The last destructive earthquake in California was the magnitude 6.5 December 22, 2003 San Simeon earthquake that killed two people.
UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: At 6:21 p.m. an magnitude 4.5 aftershock occurred about 27 miles west of Ferndale, according to USGS.
The epicenter of this earthquake is roughly between Petrolia and Eureka in Humboldt County.
Some area residents are posting to internet sites minor damage of items falling off shelves and windows broken.
There are reports Ferndale City Hall has been damaged and cracks are reported in buildings in Old Town Eureka.
Two photographs by way of Twitter are showing broke windows and bookshelves overturned at the Booklegger in downtown Eureka.
There are scattered reports of older homes knocked off foundations in Humboldt County.
Firefighters were on the scene of an fire at Grizzly Bluff Road east of Ferndale.
Scanner reports say one building has partially collapse with one-foot offset displacement.
There have been reports of gas leaks.
Saint Joseph's Memorial Hospital in Eureka reports 10 to 15 patients with moderate injuries, mostly head injuries and cuts.
Cal-Trans has been dispatched to check out the integrity of bridges in the area. Thus far there gave been no reports of roads damaged.
UPDATE 6:25 p.m.: Cal-Trans and the California Highway Patrol report no damage to area roadways.
There are reports in the Eureka area of power outages and local television stations are reportedly without power.
Local scanner reports a "wide power outage" in Eureka.
Curiously local media in the North Coast has not updated information on their website.
Power company PG&E now has an map of the affected areas without power.
UPDATE 6:47 p.m.: PG&E spokesman Jeff Smith says around 25,000 people are without power in Humboldt County.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration no tsunami is expected to be generated from this earthquake.
Thus far the largest aftershock has been an magnitude 3.8 at 4:48 p.m. with its epicenter in the same area, according to USGS.
The earthquake was felt as far north as Eugene, Oregon, south into the Bay Area and Monterey area and east into the Reno area.
Where today's earthquake occurred is no stranger to seismic activity as several major and moderate earthquake have occurred in this region in the past hundred years, including an swarm of earthquakes back in 2005.
Between April 25 and 26, 1992 three major earthquakes occurred in this same area, magnitude 7.2, 6.5, and 6.7, respectively, according to USGS, which resulted in over $66 million worth of damage.
The last destructive earthquake in California was the magnitude 6.5 December 22, 2003 San Simeon earthquake that killed two people.
UPDATE 6:37 p.m.: At 6:21 p.m. an magnitude 4.5 aftershock occurred about 27 miles west of Ferndale, according to USGS.
Goodbye Gumby
Long before Pixar animation and CGI graphics there was once an little slab of green clay, and his name was Gumby.
The brainchild behind Gumby was Art Clokey, who, along with his wife, created Gumby at their Covina home shortly after Mr. Clokey graduated from the University of Southern California.
Gumby soon made his national debut on "The Howdy Doody Show," and after delighting many Gumby had his own television show and franchise that lasted in one incarnation or another over the next five decades.
The man responsible for leading Gumby on adventures walking through books and playing with toys, Mr. Clockey, died Friday at his home in Los Osos at age 88 after battling bladder infections.
More on Mr. Clokey's incredible journey from the Los Angeles Times.
The brainchild behind Gumby was Art Clokey, who, along with his wife, created Gumby at their Covina home shortly after Mr. Clokey graduated from the University of Southern California.
Gumby soon made his national debut on "The Howdy Doody Show," and after delighting many Gumby had his own television show and franchise that lasted in one incarnation or another over the next five decades.
The man responsible for leading Gumby on adventures walking through books and playing with toys, Mr. Clockey, died Friday at his home in Los Osos at age 88 after battling bladder infections.
More on Mr. Clokey's incredible journey from the Los Angeles Times.
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