Crisis Of Homeless Fires + Best Workplaces + Behind The Masks

Los Angeles CA

19 May, 2021

2:32 AM

Description

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — It's Wednesday. The weekend already beckons and Los Angeles has its usual firehose of midweek news coming your way. There are two celebrity trials underway — one for rape and one for murder. A homeless man accused of setting the Palisades Fire ignited a scorching debate on the homeless crisis and its effect on the quality of life for all Angelenos. And Los Angeles County schools are battling it out in CIF and gearing up for prom and graduation ceremonies. Here's a look at some of the stories we're following this week: Wednesday's Weather: Expect partly cloudy skies on Wednesday, with a high of 74 and a low of 57. Patch Pick: I never thought I'd recommend a UFO story, but these things have been spotted off the SoCal coast by pilots and military officials more than once, and they are a genuine mystery (MORE on Patch). Here are the top 5 stories in Los Angeles County today. The County Board of Supervisors is unhappy with the LA Sheriff Department's ability or willingness to fulfill public requests for records pertaining to police misconduct and shootings. So much so, that they are looking to have another agency take over the role. Want an inside glimpse of how the department responds to records requests? Here's how it responded to a Patch request for shooting records: "We currently have a backlog on PRA requests due to an increase in the number of requests received and an unexpected shortage of personnel. We are working to address the personnel shortage and anticipate making progress in the near future." It's been eight months, and we are still waiting. (MORE) Councilman Joe Buscaino is speaking out in the wake of the Palisades fire, which has charred 1,158 acres as of Tuesday afternoon. After authorities charged a 48-year-old homeless man with arson in connection with the blaze. "Our homelessness crisis is destroying neighborhoods and endangering the lives of the housed and unhoused," contends Buscaino."Over sixty percent of the fires that the LAFD has responded to this year have been related to homelessness (MORE)."A new ranking of the best places to work released this week by Inc. magazine included a slew of Los Angeles area businesses that may be worthy of your skills (MORE).Rep. Maxine Waters, a frequent target of death threats, accused FOX News and similar right-wing outlets of publishing a false story about her and jeopardizing her safety in the process. She threatened to sue, but Fox News is standing by its reporting (MORE).Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Tuesday that for a person fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, "You've got like a suit of armor on, frankly." So what's behind the ongoing mask mandate? The answer is a matter of timing (MORE). Featured Events to look forward to this week: Online Series: Huntington Landscapes in Watercolor, Fridays at 9 a.m. starting May 28 "Join artist and instructor Robert Sherrill for an eight-week virtual course on landscape painting in watercolor. Why Not? - A virtual Art Show, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. Los Angeles contemporary artist George Medici will live stream a studio broadcast of "Why Not?," a virtual art show. Net proceeds of art sales from the show will benefit Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, a nonprofit community organization serving greater Los Angeles. Torrance Antique Street Faire, Sun, May 23 at 8:00 a.m. Join the hunt for vintage treasures when over 150 shoppers transform the streets of downtown Torrance into an eclectic open-air flea market! Antique Appraisal Booth - only $3.00 per item! RESCUING 101: National Rescue Dog Day Virtual Adoption Event, Thursday, May 20 at 12:00 p.m. Learn tips on how to adopt a dog, explore the benefits of rescuing and join us for a live Q&A with Wagmor Pets founder and Celebrity Pet Matchmaker Melissa Bacelar. OPENING: 'Ai Weiwei: Trace' Exhibit 2021: Skirball, Los Angeles The Skirball Cultural Center will resume indoor museum operations Saturday with the Southern California debut of Ai Weiwei: Trace. "Created by Ai Weiwei, one of China's most provocative and socially engaged living artists, the installation features portraits made up of thousands of plastic LEGO® bricks, each assembled by hand and laid out on the floor. See more on the Los Angeles calendar! Patch's sponsors help keep you in the loop about what's happening in Los Angeles County. For sponsorship inquiries, email: [email protected]. Now you're in the loop and ready for the day. But don't miss the latest stories we have to share with you! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content every day of the week. ~Paige Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Los Angeles County Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Los County Patch? Email all inquiries to me at [email protected]. About Paige Austin: I'm a SoCal native, a UCI grad, a mom, a news junkie, and a diehard Kings/Dodgers/Lakers fan, who's been covering the region my whole career.