Three In Custody For California Wildfire

A campfire fanned by the Santa Ana winds caused a 1,700 acre brush fire that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents in the foothills near Los Angeles.

Three men were being held by Los Angeles County deputies under suspicion of starting the blaze.

At least five homes were completely destroyed and another 17 damaged by the blaze.  A historic retreat that was once the home of the Singer sewing machine family had rental homes burned to the ground although statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary were completely unharmed.

Authorities said the wind faded during the day allowing them to bring the fire under control.

According to Glendora Fire Chief Tim Staab the men in custody were trying to keep a campfire going to stay warm.

LA Airport Gunman Faces Death Penalty

The man believed to have carried out a gun attack at Los Angeles International Airport could be facing the death penalty if convicted of the charges against him.

Paul Ciancia, 23, has been charged with murder of a federal agent, violence at an international airport and multiple other charges. He remains hospitalized after being shot in the mouth and legs by police.

LAX has reopened fully after the investigation on-site was completed.

Police reported that the gunman did not initially kill 39-year-old TSA agent Gerardo Hernandez, the first TSA agent killed in the line of duty. Ciancia had wounded Hernandez before shooting at other agents then returned to kill the fallen agent.

The FBI says Ciancia carried a handwritten note stating he made the conscious decision to kill TSA employees to “instill fear into their traitorous minds.”

He pushed through screening gates and was 100 yards into the secure area before law enforcement reached him and he opened fire near a food court.

Southern California earthquake largest in greater L.A. since 2010

The magnitude-4.7 earthquake that rattled Southern California on Monday was the largest centered in the greater Los Angeles area since 2010, officials said.

“It’s been three years since we had anything this size this close to Los Angeles,” said Susan Hough, a seismologist with the U.S. Geological Survey. She cited a magnitude-5.4 quake that struck the desert area in July 2010. Continue reading

Who Ya Gonna Call? (Pt. 2)

Stan noted with concern that his gas gauge still worked accurately, as the indicator tilted far to the left, hovering precariously close to “E.”  He had planned to get gas anyhow, but he didn’t realize they were so low. This is no time to be out of gas, Stan fumed, frustrated that Christine apparently hadn’t filled up the last time she was out. Why can’t that woman get it through her head—gas isn’t always available these days! We have to get it when we can. Stan whipped the car out of the apartment area and headed toward his usual service station. Even at this hour, the roads leading toward L.A. were congested. Continue reading