At around 10:30 a.m. cell phone video captured a black Toyota Prius being set on fire, sending flames and dark billowing smoke into the air. As the flames continued to grow, they spread to a white Jeep Cherokee SUV parked alongside the Prius. 

According to witnesses, the female suspect, described as a White woman with light brunette hair. ran into an apartment complex where she reportedly attacked a woman with an axe, KTLA reported. She also reportedly threatened bystanders with the weapon.

Los Angeles Police Department officers responded to the scene and arrested the female suspect who was bloodied. The female victim who was targeted was transported to a local hospital. The severity of the victim’s condition has not been disclosed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished both burning vehicles. Both vehicles were destroyed in the fire. No other victims or property damage has been reported. 

It remains unclear what the suspect’s motive was or if the owner of the Prius is the woman she attacked. The investigation remains ongoing.

The post Woman Attacks Victim With Axe, Sets Cars Ablaze appeared first on Canyon News.

In a Jewish Voices for Peace, Los Angeles (JVP LA) press release provided to Canyon News, it said, “As onlookers are distracted by the Academy Awards, Israeli Defense Forces have coordinated a planned invasion of Rafah, a small town in the southern Gaza Strip with a population that has ballooned to over 1.5 million people due to the displacement of refugees fleeing the ongoing, U.S.-backed genocide and forced famine.” 

At 2 p.m. on Sunday, JVP LA – along with Adalah Justice Project, SAG-AFTRA Members for Ceasefire, Writers Against the War on Gaza and Film Workers for Palestine – amassed a group of hundreds out front of the Cinerama Dome, consisting of Jews, film workers, artists and pro-Palestinian activists such as rapper Macklemore and Alana Hadid, sister to supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid. Their rally, “Eyes On Rafah,” consisted of a speaking program, followed by marches towards Dolby Theatre where the Oscars were taking place.

Demonstrators held Palestinian flags, and signs that read, “No Oscars During A Genocide,” wore shirts that said, “Jews Say Ceasefire Now,” and Keffiyeh’s – a traditional Arab headdress – as a symbol for Palestinian solidarity. Chants of “While you’re watching, bombs are dropping” could be heard. “International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees” members held a banner that read, “IATSE Members For A Free Palestine.” 

“While the entertainment industry is not itself responsible for U.S. geopolitical strategy… it has played a vital role in creating the consensus that the U.S. and Israel share a special bond,” the press release continued. “Since Israel’s founding in 1948, films, novels, journalism, museums, and more have used narratives of redemption, suffering, and victimization to justify the use of military force to displace the native population of Palestine.”

“As artists and storytellers, we have an obligation and responsibility in this moment to use our voices. And for everyone in this industry who is silent right now, I urge you to remember what inspired you to become an artist and a storyteller” actress, activist and SAG-AFTRA member Poppy Liu said at the rally.  

Earlier on Sunday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Highland Avenue, USCPN (US Palestinian Community Network), CentroCSO (Community Service Organization), National Alliance Against Racists and Political Repression, Black Lives Matter, Los Angeles, the Free Democratic Palestine Movement and the International League of Peoples’ Struggle, mobilized another large group of protestors sharing the same issue. This group ended up blocking traffic into the Academy Awards and as a result, some celebrities arrived late to the show.

“We’re late! The Palestinian protests shut down the Oscars tonight! Humanity Wins!”, Oscar-nominated actor, Mark Ruffalo, told reporters after arriving on the red carpet. 

Celebrities, including Ruffalo, singer Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, actors Riz Ahmed, Ramy Youssef and Mahershala Ali, and director Ava DuVernay, all showed their support for Palestine by wearing “Artists4Ceasefire” pins. Youssef spoke candidly with reporters about what the pin means and called for an immediate ceasefire. And while accepting the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film for his film “The Zone of Interest,” director Jonathan Glazer said, “Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people.”

Israel’s war on Gaza continues after 150 days. As of March 11, 2024, Gaza Health Ministry reports that the Palestinian death toll has reached 31,000, including at least 95 journalists and over 136 UNWRA workers, with tens of thousands of Palestinians wounded. Israel reports 1,200 Israelis, including 589 soldiers and 61 police officers, have died. 134 hostages remain in Hamas captivity.

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According to a message sent by district and school administrators to parents and staff, students brought the images to the attention of school officials on Wednesday, February 21, who later notified the Beverly Hills Police Department. BHPD began conducting an investigation into “the creation and dissemination by other students of artificial intelligence generated (AI) images that superimposed the faces of [Beverly Vista Middle School] students onto AI-generated nude bodies,” the message said. 16 eighth-grade students were reportedly targeted in the scandal. 

By Monday, February 26, the school’s principal, Kelly Skon, reportedly met with most students from the sixth to eighth grades to discuss a number of issues raised by the incident, the Los Angeles Times reported. Principal Skon reportedly asked students to reflect on how you use social media and “don’t be afraid to leave any situation that does not align with your values,” and to “make sure your social media accounts are private and you do not have people you do not know following your accounts.”

Superintendent of Beverly Hills School District, Dr. Michael Bregy, told NBC that the misuse of this kind of technology has occurred within a number of school districts. Schools in New Jersey and Washington state have reportedly faced similar issues with AI-generated fake nudes. 

Lawmakers in New Jersey are seeking to pass legislation to ban the material, and a bill has been introduced in Washington D.C. seeking to protect “national security against the threats posed by deepfake technology and to provide legal recourse to victims of harmful deepfakes.” 

“It’s uncharted territory and we want to ensure that this isn’t something that continues,” Dr. Bregy told NBC. In a message sent to parents Thursday evening, March 7, Dr. Bregy said, “This incident has spurred crucial discussions on the ethical use of technology, including AI, underscoring the importance of vigilant and informed engagement within digital environments. In response, our district is steadfast in its commitment to enhancing education around digital citizenship, privacy, and safety for our students, staff, and parents which was immediately reemphasized at all schools following the incident,” the Los Angeles Times reported. 

Numerous “deepfake” apps have emerged in recent years, making it easy to create sophisticated fake nude and fake pornographic content. Major social media platforms and search engines allow them to be easily searchable and shared. Women, including Grammy award-winning artist, Taylor Swift, and actress, Jenna Ortega, have been victimized in fake nude scandals since.   

No criminal charges have reportedly been brought in this incident and the BHPD investigation remains ongoing. However, no laws yet exist within California that criminalize fake photos impersonating real people. Due to the suspects being minors, the identities of the five students will remain confidential. The technology used to create the fake nudes in this particular incident has not been disclosed. 

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At 12:10 a.m, LAPD officers responded to a radio call of an assault with a deadly weapon. Officer units arrived at the scene and located two shooting victims – identified as both male and 24 and 25-years-old – suffering from gunshot wounds. The party and incident reportedly took place at an AirBnb rental property, Officer Madison said. A couple of loaded firearms were located in the bushes of the residence, no further description of the weapons were disclosed nor  if they were the weapons used. 

Both victims were transported to a local hospital and listed in stable condition.

A video posted on Instagram by @stillbrazy, shows several LAPD officer units at the scene. LAPD Air Ops can also be heard above. Officers appeared to be transporting the victims to a location down the street and away from the scene, to be transported into an ambulance. In the video, one victim – a black male – appears to have been shot in the rear and bleeding. This victim can be seen getting walked from the officer vehicle and transported on a gurney to be put in the ambulance. 

Two possible suspects were apprehended and questioned at the scene, but were later released, Officer Madison said. Suspects remain at-large with no further description disclosed at this time. No other victims or injuries were reported. 

This is an on-going investigation.

The post Two Victims Shot During House Party appeared first on Canyon News.

The burglar, identified as 36-year-old David Verdun, broke into a home in Beverly Hills, ABC 7 reported. While attempting to flee the scene, Verdun climbed out of a window of the home and tried using a ladder to climb over the barrier wall. Verdun fell off the ladder and into the home’s pool. 

Prior to the incident, the home’s security system alerted BHPD of the break-in. BHPD sent a drone to survey the property and caught the incident on camera. 

Upon getting out of the pool, Verdun reportedly tried to hide in the backyard, but police found him, and he was arrested.

No further detail has been disclosed about the incident or what Verdun was attempting to steal.

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At around 2:45 p.m., LAFD firefighters responded to bystander reports that a man, whose identity has not been disclosed, jumped into the Pacoima Wash in pursuit of his dog. Crews responded to several bridges and access points down river and located the canine, who managed to swim to the edge and escape the rapids, LAFD’s Nicholas Prange said in a statement. 

LAFD Air Ops located the man, still conscious, and lowered a rescuer into the water to grab him. The man was lifted into the helicopter and transported to a local hospital by air. His dog was taken to a local animal shelter to receive treatment for minor injuries. 

“Thanks to our friends at LA Animal Services for taking care of [the dog] while his owner received medical treatment after such a harrowing experience,” the Los Angeles Police Department posted on Instagram.

The man and his dog reportedly sustained minor injuries. No other victims were involved in this incident. 

This is one of the many water rescues, including 16 people and five cats, that have unfolded across the Los Angeles area since the atmospheric river hit on Sunday, where five to ten inches of rain has fallen across the area, and more is to be expected. It’s more rain than the city averages for February, which is 3.64 inches, Fox Weather reported.  

Three deaths have been confirmed and by Monday afternoon, 6.7 inches of rain had fallen at the Downtown Los Angeles measuring station, the National Weather Service reported. Nearly half the yearly average of 14.25 inches has fallen throughout the Los Angeles area. By Monday, it was recorded as the third-wettest two-day period since 1877, NWS reported. 

All of Southern California has been declared under a State of Emergency and flash flood warnings have been issued. Individuals have been asked to limit unnecessary traveling while the storm persists.

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At around 4:50 p.m., the victim was followed into FÜMA Salon by two suspects, who demanded his watch. The salon’s security camera footage shows one suspect chasing the victim around the salon, then proceeds to pistol-whip the victim when he resists. The victim was shoved to the ground, then both suspects violently pulled the victim’s watch from his wrist. The suspects then fled in a white 2014 Toyota Corolla. The victim left the scene in a black SUV before the officer’s arrival. There were three witnesses inside the salon when this occurred.

The first suspect was described as a 20 to 25-year-old male, Black, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds, the LAPD statement said. He was seen wearing a gray jumpsuit and armed with a handgun. The second suspect was described as a 20 to 25-year-old male, Black, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 120 pounds. He was seen wearing dark jeans, a dark hoodie and black sneakers. 

By Wednesday, January 31, at around 9:45 p.m., Riverside County Sheriff’s Department located suspect two, who was driving a white 2014 Toyota Corolla, near the 22800 block of Calle San Juan De Los Lagos in the city of Moreno Valley. Suspect two has been identified as Demetri Sherman. Sherman was arrested and booked for robbery. 

Suspect one remains at large. No injuries were reported. 

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call Wilshire Robbery Detective A. Aguayo at (213) 922 – 8215. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800- 222-8477).

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At around 9:39 a.m., BHPD responded to 850 Wilshire Boulevard, for a call from hotel staff requesting a welfare check on a male guest, Leonardi, staying at the hotel who they believed was armed. Prior to officers arriving, hotel security allegedly knocked on Leonardi’s door and heard, “I’m going to shoot through the door!” Lieutenant Myers said.  

BHPD utilized a drone and observed the suspect on his room balcony with a gun in hand. Resources began to arrive on scene, including SWAT personnel, Crisis Negotiation (CNT) personnel, detectives, and mutual aid resources, when BHPD officers requested Leonardi to exit his room unarmed. He complied and Leonardi was safely taken into custody.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Leonardi, a resident of Woodland Hills, is a convicted felon and had fired several rounds inside the hotel room. Details of the firearm were not disclosed and no injuries were reported. 

This is an ongoing investigation.

The post Joseph Leonardi Arrested At Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills appeared first on Canyon News.

At around 1:50 p.m., Los Angeles Police Department Hollywood division officers responded to a radio call of a shooting, Citizen app reported. Upon arrival at the scene, LAPD officers located two male victims – identified as James and Jose – suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

In an initial investigation, officers believe that the shooting was a result of neighbors arguing over a dog. One victim reportedly pulled out a knife and the suspect pulled out an undisclosed gun. Officers were told by a neighbor that the suspect – described as a heavy set black man wearing a blue and white striped shirt –  lived in the apartment complex and was possibly barricaded in the building. 

According to a Citizen video – filmed by neighbor, EZ Montana Edwards, KTLA reported – James claimed he was shot in both his arms and once in his leg. Jose appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound around his abdomen.

Los Angeles Fire Department and medical personnel were at the scene and transported both victims to a local hospital where they were listed in critical, but stable condition.

By 4:15 p.m., LAPD evacuated residents near the scene and set up a containment perimeter to search for the suspect. 

SWAT negotiators, along with the Mental Health Evaluation Unit, arrived on scene and attempted to talk to the suspect over a loudspeaker and called his phone. Both attempts went unanswered.  

Tenants were not allowed back inside the building for approximately five hours while the investigation took place. 

Officers reportedly recovered the gun used in the incident, but the suspect was not found. The identity of the suspect has not yet been released. 

This is a developing story.

The post Two Men Shot After Neighbor Dispute; Suspect At Large appeared first on Canyon News.

Masterson, 47, was sentenced in Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Olmedo on Thursday, September 7, to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women in 2003. 

“We support victims…we have done this historically through our work and we will continue to do so,” Kunis said in their apology. “The letters were not written to question the legitimacy of the judicial system or the validity of the jury’s ruling,” Kunis continued. “They were intended for the judge to read and not to undermine the testimony of the victims or retraumatize them in any way,” Kutcher added. “We’re sorry if that has taken place.”

Kutcher and Kunis were among several friends and family members who wrote letters to Judge Olemdo in hopes to help lessen Masterson’s sentence. Masterson’s wife, Bijou Phillips, actor Billy Baldwin – who is married to Phillip’s half-sister, Chynna Phillips – Masterson’s sister, Alanna Masterson and actors Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, who starred alongside Masterson in That ‘70s Show, also wrote character letters on behalf of Masterson. 

The letters received major backlash from the public and from Masterson’s victims.  

“Dear Ashton, I know the secrets your “role model” keeps for you. Ones that would end you. Did you forget I was there?” Chrissie Bixler, a longtime girlfriend and accuser of Masterson said on social media. “In my opinion, you’re just as sick as your “mentor.””

“Dear Mila, I pray you begin to process what you experienced as a child on that set,” Bixler continued. “You all must forget I was there the whole time those first five years of “That 70’s Show”. I remember everything.”

Masterson was found guilty by a jury on two counts of forcible rape of two women, N. Trout and Jennifer B., back on May 31, 2023. The jury deadlocked on a third count of forcible rape of Masterson’s longtime girlfriend, Chrissie Bixler.  

Both rapes reportedly occurred at Masterson’s home in Los Angeles back in 2003 – at the time, Masterson was starring as Steven Hyde in the hit show “That ‘70s Show”.  

Throughout the trial, Masterson maintained his innocence. The victims also accused the Church of Scientology – in which Masterson is affiliated with and his victims were members of at the time – of protecting Masterson, by harassing them into not reporting the allegations to authorities.

N. Trout and Jennifer B. gave emotional impact statements prior to Masterson’s sentence being read:

“The world is better off with you in prison,” Trout said in court. “You relish in hurting women. It is your addiction. It is without question, your favorite thing to do,” Trout continued. “Listen to the brightness of nothing and get well. I forgive you.”

“[Masterson] has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused,” Jennifer B. said. “I’m so sorry and I’m so upset. I wish I’d reported him sooner to the police.”

Masterson, a husband and father of a nine-year old girl, will not be eligible for parole until he is 77-years-old.

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At approximately 3:20 p.m., a 911 caller reported that shots were fired. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound, LAPD Officer Cervantes told Canyon News. The identity of the victim, and their condition, was unable to be disclosed at this time. 

According to Citizen app, the weapon used was a silver revolver. LAPD is attempting to take two suspects into custody. Canyon News was able to confirm with LAPD Officer Cervantes, that one suspect has been detained on Santa Monica Boulevard and St. Andrew Street, next to Fiesta Mexicana restaurant. Officer Cervantes was unable to confirm their identity at this time.

The other suspect was last seen fleeing on a bus on Santa Monica Boulevard, going westbound from Santa Monica Boulevard and North St. Andrew Street. The suspect is described as an approximately 16-year-old Hispanic male, five foot five inches, wearing a black sweater and gray pants.

Canyon News will be updating this developing story as information comes in.

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Cook had been vacationing on the island alone – and was staying in Lahaina at the Best Western Pioneer Inn at 658 Wharf Street – when the fires broke out on Tuesday, August 8. She was scheduled to fly home to Sacramento the following day on Wednesday, August 9. 

“She had messaged us and said she was having a wonderful time, and the island was so healing,” Cook’s daughter, Melissa Kornweibel, told KCRA news. According to Kornweibel and Cook’s son, Adam Cook, Hawaii has always been a special place to the family.

Cook reportedly was evacuated from her hotel and was last seen fleeing on foot. She was unable to be reached and was missing for nine days. During that time, Kornweibel and Cook attempted to track down their mother and reportedly sought answers from the Red Cross, the Coast Guard and numerous Facebook groups. 

Their questions remained unanswered until this past week, when Kornweibel received the news that their mother was identified as one of the 115 victims of the fire. 

“It wasn’t a coordinated effort, just as much as with anybody, they had no warning,” Kornweibel told KCRA. “They were just left to their own devices,” she continued. “I don’t blame anybody, things happen, natural disasters happen, we’re human, we make mistakes and do the best with the information we’re given…but it just wasn’t fast enough and we’re not alone [in this loss].”

The Maui fires are now considered to be the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, with 115 people confirmed dead and over 1,000 people still missing. 43 have been identified and the names of half of the victims have been released – all, except for Cook, have been identified as Lahaina residents, ranging from ages 45-90-years-old. 

Cook is survived by her two children, Melissa Kornweibel and Adam Cook, as well as her grandchildren. Kornweibal and Cook have set up a GoFundMe to aid in the burial costs for their mother. 

In an effort to help authorities identify remains, the State of Hawaii is requesting that relatives and family members submit DNA swabs. Maui locals have been submitting DNA samples at the Family Assistance Center in Kaanapali. Those living on the mainland of the United States or on other islands can submit a DNA swab by contacting the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Honolulu Division at 808-566-4300.

The post Theresa Cook Identified As First Tourist Victim Of Maui Fires appeared first on Canyon News.

At approximately 6:06 p.m., LAFD and LAPD arrived on scene and discovered water flowing down the street, reportedly reaching all the way to Santa Monica Boulevard. Fountain Avenue was reportedly shut down in both directions at Ogden Drive. The intersection at Fountain and Ogden appeared to be concaving in. 

Fountain avenue will reportedly be shut down for days while LA City crews assess the situation and fix any damage. LAFD issued an alert to please avoid the area and expect traffic delays.

This incident occurred the day after Tropical Storm Hilary made landfall in Los Angeles. How the water main broke has not been disclosed.

Canyon News will be updating this story as information comes in.

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According to Citizen app, at around 10:20 p.m., LAPD received a report about an unconfirmed incident at the Chateau El Cerrito, at the northeast corner of Franklin and El Cerrito Place. Upon arrival, LAPD Hollywood Division officers reportedly entered the building and went to the second floor where a suspect – identified as Lauren and described as a tall, skinny Black or Hispanic female – pointed a gun at them. Officers took cover and Lauren disappeared into an apartment. 

A Citizen user inside the building – and tenant of the Chateau El Cerrito – shared a video where you can hear LAPD Officers inside the building, saying “Lauren, we know that you’re in there, come out with your hands free and your hands up! This is the Los Angeles Police Department.” 

By 10:27 p.m., LAPD called for backup and barricaded the building. LAPD Air 16 was circling overhead. 

From 10:33 p.m. to 10:48 p.m., LAPD shut down Outpost Drive, then Franklin Avenue, West of Highland Avenue and evacuated some of the units on the southside of the building, facing Franklin Avenue. 

By 11 p.m., officers on the street outside of the building announced over a loudspeaker, “Lauren in apartment 46, this is the LAPD, please exit the apartment with your hands in the air.”

By 12:20 a.m., LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit arrived on scene, entered the building and headed to the second floor of the complex. 

By 12:33 a.m., LAPD broke down the perimeter and reportedly vacated the building. There are no additional details about how the incident transpired or whether Lauren has been apprehended. 

Canyon News will be updating this story as news comes in.

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“These individuals stand accused of violating the commitments they made to protect the United States and betraying the public trust, to the benefit of the PRC government,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said. 

According to a federal indictment, Wei – a machinist mate responsible for the maintenance and operational status of the amphibious assault ship, the U.S.S. Essex – began communicating with a PRC intelligence officer back in February 2022, who requested that Wei provide information about the U.S.S. Essex and other U.S. Navy ships. Wei held a security clearance and had access to sensitive national defense information about the ship’s weapons, propulsion and desalination systems.

In February 2022, Wei reportedly told a fellow U.S. sailor that he was “being recruited for what is quite obviously (expletive) espionage,” the Associated Press reported. Wei was applying to become a U.S. naturalized citizen at the time. 

From March 2022 to present, Wei provided the PRC intelligence officer with photos, videos and documents concerning U.S. Navy ships and their systems, in exchange for money. The two hid their communications by deleting records and using encrypted forms of communication. Wei was reportedly paid $10,000 to $15,000 throughout his role in the conspiracy. 

In the second case involving Zhao – who worked at Port Hueneme and held a U.S. security clearance – he conspired with a Chinese military officer posing as a maritime economic researcher, to collect bribes in exchange for non-public sensitive U.S. military information. 

From August 2021 to at least May 2023, Zhao sent the Chinese military officer self-made recordings, photographs, videos and operational plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise in the Indo-Pacific Region, which detailed the specific location and timing of Naval force movements, amphibious landings, maritime operations and logistics support, the indictment said. 

Zhao also photographed electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system stationed on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan. 

Over the course of the scheme, the Chinese military officer reportedly paid $14,866 to Zhao for his efforts. The two made a collective effort to conceal and destroy evidence of their relationship. 

If convicted, Zhao potentially faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. 

“These arrests are a reminder of the relentless, aggressive efforts of the People’s Republic of China to undermine our democracy and threaten those who defend it,” Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division said. 

China “stands apart in terms of the threat that its government poses to the United States,” Olsen said. “China is unrivaled in its audacity, and in the range of its maligned efforts to subvert our laws.”

Wei pleaded not guilty in a San Diego courtroom and Zhao pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom. Both have been assigned federal public defenders.

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According to Lt. Reynaga, the black barrel was first spotted floating in the lagoon around 3 p.m. on July 30, by a maintenance worker from the state park. The worker kayaked out to the barrel and brought it to shore but refrained from opening it because it was “too heavy.” It was left on the shore.  

On Monday around 10 a.m., a lifeguard noticed the barrel floating out again in the lagoon, and swam out to it and brought it onto the beach. They opened the barrel and discovered the body.

By 10:30 a.m., LASD Homicide Bureau investigators arrived at the scene at the 23300 block of Pacific Coast Highway. By the afternoon, the barrel – still containing the body – was covered with an easy-up tent while investigators waited for officials from the coroner’s office to arrive. 

The beach was sectioned off for hours, but beach-goers were still swimming about 100 yards away, the Los Angeles Times reported. 

It is unknown if the barrel floated into the lagoon from the ocean, or washed out from the shore at this time. 

“At about 8 p.m., there’s a high tide here,” Lt. Reynaga stated. “And there’s a possibility that the container could have come in from the ocean and then got stuck in the lagoon — but we don’t know.”

“It didn’t look, to me, like the body was decomposing or had been there awhile,” Lt. Reynaga said. 

The identity and cause of death of the victim was disclosed on Monday, July 31, as Javonnta Marshann Murphy, 32, from the Los Angeles region.

The investigation remains ongoing and homicide investigators will reportedly be canvassing nearby camera footage to search for clues, the Los Angeles Times reported.

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At around 2:00 a.m., LAPD Hollywood Division officers responded to a radio call about an assault with a deadly weapon. Upon arriving, officers were directed to the victim lying on the ground, unconscious and not breathing. 

The victim – whose name has been identified as Daniel, according to Citizen app – was working as a security guard for a Tee Grizzley show, an artist from Detroit, at the venue. A group of seven to eleven, Black male suspects in their 20s, confronted Daniel – for reasons unknown at this time – and caused the victim to lose his footing and fall to the street. The suspects proceeded to kick and stomp the victim on the ground, then fled on foot heading westbound on Santa Monica Boulevard to southbound Hudson Avenue.

Officers summoned the Los Angeles Fire Department to the scene, who transported Daniel to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

The motive behind the brutal attack and the identities of the suspects are unknown at this time. The full identity of the victim, Daniel, has not yet been disclosed either.  

This remains an open investigation and anyone with additional information is urged to call Operations West Bureau Homicide Division, at (213) 382-9470. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

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Spacey reportedly cried as the verdict was read aloud and hugged his manager and legal team afterwards. He was acquitted on multiple counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. 

“I imagine that many of you can understand that there’s a lot for me to process after what has just happened today,” Spacey told a group of press outside of the courtroom. “But I would like to say that I’m enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision,” he continued. “I am humbled by the outcome of today.”

Allegations against Spacey began to surface back in 2017 during the emergence of the #MeToo Movement. The first trial against him was brought about by actor Anthony Rapp, who filed a $40 million lawsuit in Manhattan claiming Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance towards him when he was 14-years-old in 1986. 

Spacey was subsequently fired from his role in the TV show “House of Cards” and his scenes from the movie “All The Money In the World” were taken out and he was replaced by actor Christopher Plummer. Spacey was “canceled” in Hollywood and unable to work as an actor for over six years.

In the fall of 2022, the federal jury in Manhattan found Spacey not guilty.  

Now in this second trial, the London jury heard from four accusers – over the course of a month-long trial – who claimed that Spacey sexually assaulted them in separate incidents that occurred between 2001 and 2013. Spacey was the artistic director of the Old Vic Theater, a major playhouse in London, during that time. 

Three of the defendants accused Spacey of forcefully grabbing their crotches. The fourth defendant said he awoke in Spacey’s London apartment after a party, to Spacey performing oral sex on him. 

One defendant who worked as Spacey’s driver for years, said that Spacey groped him numerous times. One time in particular, Spacey allegedly grabbed him so hard while he was driving to Elton John’s “White Tie & Tiara Ball,” that he almost ran off the road. 

Elton John and his husband, David Furnish, testified by video and provided a timeline that cast doubt on the driver’s accusations. According to John and Furnish, the only time Spacey attended the party was in 2001, several years before the accusation was said to have occurred.

Spacey denied all of the accusations and admitted to the jury that he was a “big flirt” that had consensual encounters with men. He described the allegations against him as a “stab in the back” and that being “promiscuous does not make [him] a bad person.”

Now that he’s been cleared of all allegations, Spacey has plans to make a comeback. Last month, he told German Magazine Zeit that there were “people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared of these charges in London.”

The post Kevin Spacey Acquitted On All Sexual Assault Charges appeared first on Canyon News.

At approximately 7:12 a.m., Los Angeles Fire Department personnel and California Highway Patrol West Valley Area units responded to reports of a pedestrian down on the Northbound 405 Freeway near Ventura Boulevard. LAFD firefighters located the victim – later identified as Mullarney – upon arriving at the scene. Mullarney was declared dead at the scene by LAFD personnel. 

A SIG-ALERT was issued for the number five and number six lanes of the northbound I-405 and the northbound Ventura Boulevard off-ramp from approximately 7:45 a.m. to 11 a.m., to facilitate CHP on-scene investigation and Caltrans clean-up, a CHP news release said.

Initial evidence suggests Mullarney was struck by a hit-and-run vehicle and he may have been walking in or near traffic prior to the collision. CHP units received a possible description of the vehicle – a Toyota – but a follow-up investigation ruled the Toyota out of the collision involvement. 

According to the CHP news release, two people were inside the vehicle that struck Mullarney. No further description of their identities or of the vehicle is available at this time. 

Mullarney’s cause of death was determined to be traumatic injuries as a result of being hit by a car, LA County Medical Examiner released. The events leading up to the crash are still under investigation.

Witnesses are encouraged to contact the CHP West Valley Area office at (818) 888-0980. After hours please contact the Los Angeles Communications Center at (323) 259-3200.

The post Gary Mullarney Identified As Pedestrian Fatally Struck On 405 appeared first on Canyon News.

Nobrega was working as a successful actor for much of his adult life. He has appeared in movie roles and television shows, such as Criminal Minds and The Young and the Restless, theater shows and traveled around performing in a Broadway national tour for A Christmas Story, amongst many other entertainment related endeavors. 

According to Nobrega, about three or four years ago, casting began to drastically change and he was no longer booking the jobs he once did. 

“I hung on for as long as I could but by around 2021, I wasn’t making any money and SAG canceled my health insurance,” Nobrega said. “It was on the heels of that that I was diagnosed with cancer.”

With no income, depleting savings and no health insurance, Nobrega eventually sought government health insurance through Blue Shield of California in order to receive aid for a surgery he needed to help stop the spread of cancer. Blue Shield refused to pay for it, he appealed the decision and eventually won, but the insurance company has yet to reimburse him for the surgery he was forced to pay out of pocket for. 

“While fighting and dealing with the stress of all that, the post-surgical tests came back and showed that the surgery wasn’t entirely successful and my doctor told me that I would most likely need radiation treatment. It was a lot,” Nobrega said. “Since I don’t have a family of my own, no income, no career and prospects for work in sight, I admit I was feeling anger, self-pity and I spiraled down,” Nobrega continued. “My life felt like it had no meaning anymore, I wanted to give up.”

Nobrega came across a book, Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl, which changed his life. Frankl – a psychiatrist and holocaust survivor – argues that over pleasure, it’s man’s search for meaning in life that is the central motivational force. Humans cannot avoid suffering, but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it and move forward.

“I thought if someone like [Frankl] could survive the holocaust, find meaning in life, including forgiveness for the Nazis and reasons for gratitude given his circumstances, how could I not?” Nobrega tearfully said. “The phrase ‘give what you need’ came to mind and I knew I had to act.”

Motivation and inspiration are two aspects Nobrega admits were missing in his life, and those two themes are the foundation of what his business wants to provide. 

Nobrega officially launched his business three months ago, but only recently launched his social media channels. He researches daily to find quotes and motivational topics to write about and share on his YouTube channel. He also writes daily in a gratitude journal. 

“Getting to do this everyday helps me, it has a direct positive effect on my health,” Nobrega explains. “I have only a few subscribers and followers at the moment, but if I can offer to others the inspiration and blessings I’ve received on this journey so far, I believe they will come.”

Recent blood tests show that Nobrega is currently stable. His doctor explained that radiation treatment is inevitable but Nobrega is choosing to celebrate the fact that his number’s have stabilized. 

“I have purpose and meaning in my life and I have found gratitude in a journey I didn’t ask for,” Nobrega said. “The world has been pretty weird and negative lately, and it feels like there’s never been a better time to shine a light on what’s good. It makes me feel better providing this to other people.”

If you find yourself in need of some motivation and inspiration, subscribe to Motivation Mojo’s YouTube Channel, follow on Instagram and/or Facebook and you can purchase Nobrega’s “Gratitude In Action” journal here.

The post Inspiration, Motivation and Empowerment With Motivation Mojo appeared first on Canyon News.