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Exclusive: How L.A. Metro is trying to protect passengers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

In response to KTLA's investigation into the current conditions on the L.A. Metro, KTLA received exclusive access into their operations and what they are doing to make it safer for passengers and employees. Also, for the first time, we are hearing from law enforcement whose job it is to patrol and police Metro's trains and buses. "There's not enough of us," said L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy Kari Mercer, who patrols Metro's trains overnight. We asked her directly why she thinks passengers don’t feel safe. Her answer was succinct."Well, they're not safe. Because you never know how someone under the influence is going to respond. Sometimes they're violent." Ambassadors confront homeless individuals at an LA Metro station. June 2023. (KTLA)Mercer says she constantly responds to calls where people are acting violent and erratic."They're speaking to themselves. They're swinging their arms around. We get there and that person has already struck somebody," she told us. T...

Thieves use 5-finger discount to steal pair of 6 strings in Palmdale, Sheriff's Department says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is asking for the public's help in identifying two people who allegedly shoplifted musical instruments from a Guitar Center in Palmdale.The two suspects each grabbed a guitar and left the store, located at 1011 W. Avenue P, without paying the more than $1,300 the instruments are worth in total, the LASD said in a news release. The date and time of the alleged theft were not provided.Because the value of the guitars is more than $950, it can be charged as grand theft, a felony, instead of misdemeanor shoplifting.The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provided these undated surveillance images of suspected thieves who struck a Palmdale Guitar Center.One suspect is a man about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds. The other is a woman who is about 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. They fled in a silver Toyota 4Runner, authorities said.Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Alcaraz at 661-272-2475.T...

Downey man accused of killing sex worker in Tijuana to remain detained ahead of expected extradition

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

U.S. authorities have arrested a California man accused of killing three women in the Mexican border city of Tijuana and crossing back and forth across the border after each of the deaths that occurred over the course of nearly a year starting in 2021.According to U.S. court records, 30-year-old Bryant Rivera, a resident of Downey, was arrested July 6 on a femicide charge in the strangulation death of Angela Carolina Acosta Flores, whose body was found in a hotel room in Tijuana on Jan. 25, 2022. Downey man accused of killing sex worker in Tijuana may be tied to 2 other deaths Mexico plans to request his extradition in order to present evidence to add charges for the deaths of two more women in Tijuana, according to court filings. Ricardo Ivan Carpio, the attorney general of the state of Baja California, said they will include new evidence found when Rivera was arrested in California. It was not immediately known if Rivera had retained an attorney.Rivera appeared in federal court ...

'Top Chef' taps former champion to replace Padma Lakshmi

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

Fans of Bravo's "Top Chef" received some reassuring news on Tuesday: Padma Lakshmi's replacement as host is a fan favorite of the franchise.Kristen Kish, who won the show's 10th season in 2012, will replace the longtime host Lakshmi, who announced her departure from the show last month. Lakshmi hosted 19 of the show's first 20 seasons, as Katie Lee hosted the first season.Lakshmi posted of photo of Kish and herself on social media once the selection was announced, adding that she's "so proud of" Kish and "over the moon that you'll be taking over for me.""I’ll be rooting for you and our whole crew next season," she wrote. "Congratulations!!!" How Padma Lakshmi’s ‘Taste the Nation’ opens minds and palates Judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons posted praise of their own and shared their excitement."Really looking forward to working with Kristen. She is a world class chef and knows what it takes to win top chef," Colicchio wrote on Twitter. Simmons posted a photo of herself and "my gi...

Angels' Ohtani likely to fetch over half a billion dollars in free agency

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

At some point, Shohei Ohtani will entertain the idea of talking about his pending free agency, and what it could mean to the finances of baseball.But that didn’t stop others from pondering what could happen this offseason when perhaps the most unique free agent in history hits the open market.Kansas City’s Salvador Perez and Toronto’s Jordan Romano both tossed out $600 million as a suggested number. Baltimore’s Austin Hays offered everything in his theoretical wallet.Dodgers’ star Freddie Freeman simply called him a unicorn with a price that can’t be quantified.American League's Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Angels, walks back to the outfield after the All-Star Game player availability, Monday, July 10, 2023, in Seattle. The All-Star Game will be played Tuesday, July 11. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)“He’s going to get a lot of money and he deserves it. There’s no other player out there like him,” Atlanta’s Sean Murphy said Monday. “I don’t know what I would do if I was in the positi...

15-foot python goes missing in L.A.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

Residents in Los Angeles' Chatsworth neighborhood have been told to watch out for a 15-foot reticulated python that escaped from a home and could be a danger to cats and smaller dogs.The snake disappeared from its owner's backyard in the 10500 block of Willowbrae Avenue on July 3, according to a post on the MyChatsworth Facebook page. Alex Villalta says the 8-inch-thick constrictor snake is "really friendly to humans" but has the potential to eat cats and small to medium-sized dogs. The snake disappeared from its owner’s backyard in the 10500 block of Willowbrae Avenue on July 3, according to a post on the MyChatsworth Facebook page.The snake is light in color and had been a family pet for several years. Villalta said his son was sad the snake was missing and pleaded with the public to help find the snake. “Please do not kill her,” the post reads. Reticulated pythons that grow large enough can pose a threat to humans, according to regardingreptiles.com.Anyone who locates the snake w...

More than 50% of homes in these California cities cost over $1 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

For prospective homeowners in California, it may seem like every house has an asking price that’s in the seven-figure range, but depending on where you are house-hunting, that might be true.A new report from Point2 looked at home listings in 30 of the largest markets in the U.S., among the 100 most populous in the country with at least a 500,000 population, to see which cities have had the biggest share of seven-figure homes for sale. Rent is decreasing nationwide: Here is how California cities compare, study says Unsurprisingly, California cities took the top four spots.More than 50% of the homes for sale in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and San Diego were listed for more than $1 million, according to the report.In Los Angeles, nearly 64% of the homes for sale had a seven-figure price tag; in San Francisco, that percentage was 62.1% and in San Jose and San Diego, the percentage was 60.6% and 58.6%, respectively, according to the report.  The city also has about 12% of...

Officer Hospitalized after Two-Vehicle Accident on Florence Avenue [Bell Gardens, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

Officer Injured in 2-Car Collision on Eastern AvenueBELL GARDENS, CA (July 11, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, one officer was hospitalized after a two-vehicle accident on Florence Avenue.The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m., near Eastern Avenue on June 22nd.Per reports, the driver of a white SUV was doing donuts and traveling at high rates of speed at the intersection. An officer then attempted to pull him over when the suspect slammed into the patrol vehicle multiple times.Police then opened fire on the suspect upon hitting him the third time. The suspect did not stop and continued to hit the patrol car before striking a light pole.Officers then arrested the suspect and transported him to a hospital. In addition, the involved police officer sustained minor injuries.Meanwhile, all off-ramps leading to eastbound Florence Avenue were closed during cleanup and preliminary duties.Operating a vehicle is a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. If you find yourself unab...

Douglas Vermeeren: Unveiling the Chilling Secrets of Jack the Ripper in new film Ripper Revealed

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

Renowned actor Douglas Vermeeren, celebrated for his versatility and dedication to his craft, is set to mesmerize audiences once again with his role in the upcoming project, “Ripper Revealed.” Known for his ability to seamlessly transition between genres and captivating roles, Vermeeren continues to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. This time, he delves into the enigmatic world of “Ripper Revealed,” a gripping thriller that promises to unravel the chilling mystery behind one of history’s most infamous figures—the notorious Jack the Ripper.While “Ripper Revealed” maintains the gripping intensity expected from a thriller, it also presents a unique perspective on the enigmatic Jack the Ripper,. The film immerses viewers in the detective’s tireless quest for truth, shedding light on the psychological toll it takes and the sacrifices required to confront the darkness within. Vermeeren’s masterful performance bring...

Insidious: The Red Door Slams Open With Scares, Again

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 12:59:46 GMT

If you want jolts, you’ve come to the right place, but if you’re looking for human depth or drama, try something else. This is typical of Insidious, the horror franchise that’s essentially a jump-scare machine at this point. With Leigh Whannell once again in the writer’s chair and the film’s star, Patrick Wilson, making his directorial debut,  Insidious: The Red Door  is another conveyor belt of frights that lives up to the original, even if it fails to deliver in storytelling, which this time, concerns a family separated by the ghostly fog of doubt.The movie –which topped the box office this past weekend– doesn’t have much new or interesting to say compared with the first two James Wan-directed movies. Two prequels followed those films so Red Door marks a return to the Lambert family. After a brief recap on how this supernatural stuff works– something about a twilight realm called “The Further”– we pick back up with the murky subplot....