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Catalytic converter thefts on the decline, insurance data suggests

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

Catalytic converter thefts appear to be on the decline, according to new data from State Farm.The auto insurer said the number of claims filed to report catalytic converter thefts are significantly down in 2023 compared to the previous year.The State Farm data shows a decline in thefts for the first time since 2019.So far, in the first half of 2023, there were around 14,500 claims filed related to catalytic converter thefts. That's down from the 23,000 claims made during the same timeframe in 2022.If that trend continues through the remainder of 2023, State Farm data indicates that the U.S. could see the lowest number of reported thefts in years. These vehicles are the most targeted for catalytic converter thefts in California Catalytic converters are regular targets for thieves. They can be cut from the undercarriage of a car and sold to recyclers for anywhere from $25 to $300 for a standard vehicle and up to $1,400 for hybrid vehicles, according to the vehicle data company Carfa...

Studio City home intruder shouted antisemitic insults, victim says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

A Studio City woman is describing the terror her family endured when she says a man broke into their home early Wednesday morning and threatened to kill them while hurling antisemitic insults.The break-in happened around 5:20 a.m. in the 3000 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, according to Los Angeles Police.The victim, who is nine months pregnant, told KTLA’s Ellina Abovian that the intruder first kicked in the door to their master bedroom. Her husband fought with him while she called 911. “[He said] I’m going to kill you because you are Jewish … Israel kills people,” she said in broken English.A suspect is taken into custody following a home invasion in Studio City, California on Oct. 25, 2023. (KNN)A suspect is taken into custody following a home invasion in Studio City, California on Oct. 25, 2023. (KNN)A suspect is taken into custody following a home invasion in Studio City, California on Oct. 25, 2023. (KNN)The couple's four children were also home at the time.After struggling ...

Halloween pumpkin horror unfolds on California freeway

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

Cleanup crews had to deal with more than old-fashioned smashed jack-o'-lanterns early Wednesday morning after a semi-truck carrying a load of pumpkins caught fire. The blaze broke out on the southbound span of the 5 Freeway at Smoky Bear Road in Lebec shortly after 2 a.m.  Violent brawl at soccer game caught on camera in Irvine Video from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) No i...

Los Angeles City Council members concerned about self-driving taxis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

As self-driving vehicles come closer and closer to widespread use, lawmakers are making clear that they won't give the companies unfettered access to public streets.On Wednesday morning, L.A. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez hosted a news conference to announce his plans to regulate autonomous vehicles, especially those that serve as robotaxis.A day earlier, the California Department of Motor Vehicles suspended necessary operating permits for the autonomous vehicle company Cruise, citing safety concerns. Protesters gather in Venice to push back on self-driving robotaxis Another company, Waymo, recently expanded into Los Angeles, and in addition to drawing the ire of protesting Teamsters, the company has faced safety issues of its own. For instance, a Waymo vehicle struck and killed a dog in San Francisco earlier this year."Let me be clear: the city of Los Angeles should not be a test subject for the tech industry," Soto-Martínez said in the news conference. Fellow Councilmemb...

How much people need to afford a home in these California cities

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

Home prices in some of California’s most popular cities continue to increase, according to a study from Redfin.Potential homeowners looking to buy a house in Anaheim, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles and Oxnard should be making at least six figures, researchers found.These metros are the most expensive markets in the county, according to the study. Median home price hits 15-month high in California To afford a home in these cities, people should make:$300,000 if they plan to move to Anaheim$250,000 if they plan to move to Oakland$241,000 if they plan to move to San Diego$237,000 if they plan to move to Los Angeles$233,000 if they plan to move to OxnardThe high figure income needed to afford a home in California isn’t just an issue in the Golden State either; researchers found that a homebuyer should earn about $115,000 in order to afford a median-price home in the U.S.The high figure is about 15% higher than a year ago and more than 50% higher compared to the start of the pandemic....

Las Vegas teens accused of killing ex-California police chief laugh in courtroom

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

Two Las Vegas teens facing murder charges in connection with the death of a bicyclist appeared in court this week as a judge set their trial date.A grand jury indicted Jesus Ayala, 18, and Jzamir Keys, 16, on Tuesday morning. The two are accused of stealing at least three cars, burglarizing a home, hitting another car on the road, and striking two bicyclists in separate incidents during an hours-long crime spree in August. A 72-year-old man survived the first hit-and-run. The other man — retired Bell, California police chief Andreas Probst, 64 — did not survive. In court on Tuesday, Ayala and Keys appeared to smile at the widow and daughter of Probst."They started trying to intimidate us, mad-dog us," Taylor Probst, the victim's daughter, said. "These guys, they did not respect the court whatsoever."Andreas Probst was struck and killed in an intentional hit-and-run crash, police said. (KLAS)Still image from a viral video taken of the intentional hit-and-run of 64-year-old Andreas Pr...

Two Injured after DUI Crash at Tobacco Buzz [Brea, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

56-Year-Old Woman Arrested after Car Crash on Smoke Shop Near Imperial HighwayBREA, CA (October 25, 2023) – Thursday evening, a DUI crash at Tobacco Buzz in Brea left at least one person injured.The incident occurred around 4:40 p.m. in the area of 800 West Imperial Highway and Arovista Avenue.Based on surveillance footage, a BMW crashed through the entrance of Tobacco Buzz Smoke Shop before stopping inside the building.The impact of the collision pushed and knocked over the display cases, hitting two people inside the store. The extent of their injuries remains unknown.According to the report, a maintenance worker and a customer inside the building sustained unspecified injuries. A city-code inspector also red-tagged the building after sustaining major damage.Meanwhile, authorities arrested the driver, only identified as a 56-year-old woman for suspected DUI. The woman hit the gas pedal instead of the brake while pulling up to a parking space, according to an employee.Thinkin...

Popular Kobe Bryant Mural Saved After Threats Of Removal

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

A landmark mural depicting Kobe Bryant and daughter Gianna Bryant in downtown L.A. will remain after threats of removal.The mural is on the outer wall of Hardcore Fitness Bootcamp on Pico Boulevard, only a few blocks away from the Crypto.com Arena. Painted by a local artist who goes by Sloe, the mural paid tribute to the former Lakers start and his daughter, who tragically died in a plane crash in January 2020. View this post on InstagramA post shared by (@sloe_motions) On September 14, Hardcore Fitness announced that the landlords planned asked for the mural to be removed from the wall with a September 30 deadline.“I was notified by my landlord that I have until September 30, 2023 to remove the Kobe and LA mural from our walls,” Hardcore Fitness owner Cecilia Moran wrote through an Instagram post. “This mural means a lot, not only to the city of L.A. and Laker fans, but most importantly it honors Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi. This mural has saved us during ...

San Jose Sharks injuries keep piling up: Forward out indefinitely

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

San Jose Sharks forward Alexander Barabanov is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury, coach David Quinn said Wednesday.Barabanov was injured late in the third period of the Sharks’ 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers. He was hit by a shot from Sharks winger Mike Hoffman in front of the Panthers’ net and knocked down by a Gustav Forsling cross-check to the back before he was landed on by Oliver Ekman-Larsson.Barabanov, 29, did not play the rest of the game as the Sharks fell to 0-5-1 on the season, marking the first time in team history that they’ve lost their first six games to start the year.“It’ll be a while,” Quinn said of Barabanov’s availability to San Jose Hockey Now in Tampa Bay, where the Sharks will play the Lightning on Thursday. “I don’t have a hard date, but it’ll be a while.”Barabanov had not scored a point yet this season but has largely been a top-six forward for the Sharks since he was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in April 2021. Pri...

1st major snow storm of season drops 1 foot on Montana

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:28 GMT

By Amy Beth Hanson | Associated PressHELENA, Mont. — The first major snowstorm of the season dropped up to a foot (30 centimeters) of snow in the Helena, Montana, area by Wednesday, sending an army of snowplows and sand trucks out on the roads.Residents woke up to swirling snow and the sound of shovels on sidewalks just days after temperatures rose into the lower 80s. Trees decked out in fall colors and some Halloween decorations were weighed down with snow. Helena Public Schools canceled six school bus routes Wednesday morning, but no schools were closed.The National Weather Service warned of hazardous travel on snowy mountain passes and ice on some highways when snow initially melts and then freezes as road temperatures drop.Plows scraped snow off the highways, streets and parking lots and sand was scattered on roads to increase traction as the Montana Highway Patrol responded to dozens of crashes and slide-offs, including jackknifed semi-tractor trailers, according to the patrol&...