Top 20 California Stories Of 2020

San Diego CA

02 January, 2021

12:08 PM

Description

CALIFORNIA – The year has almost come to a close, so we are taking a look back at some of the top stories across California over the past year. As we pause to reflect on 2020, we remember the lives lost and honor the frontline heroes of the deadly coronavirus pandemic. We look back on stay-at-home orders, required face masks and panic shopping. We also remember the lives lost and honor the heroes of the devastating wildfires that impacted our state. We take another look at the historic election, as well as the peaceful police protests and destructive riots. We also recall stories that brought smiles to our faces and filled us with pride, including the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the MLB World Series and the Los Angeles Lakers winning the NBA Championship. From breaking news to heartwarming features, take a look back at some of our top stories from California Patch sites. They are listed in no particular order. 1. California Electors Hand Trump Defeat, Give Biden The White House Joe Biden won the White House Monday when California's 55 electors pushed him across the 270 electoral college vote threshold. Also see: Voting In CA: A Record-Breaking 21 Million RegisterCalifornia GOP Refuses To Remove Unauthorized Ballot BoxesKanye West Listed On CA Ballot As Veep For Far-Right Party 2. Trump Bans Air Travel From Europe To Combat Coronavirus Pandemic The president addressed the nation to announce European travel ban after the World Health Organization declared a pandemic and stocks sunk. Also see: Trump Declares Major Disaster In California Over Coronavirus 3. California Issues 'Stay-At-Home Order': Coronavirus Californians may only leave their home to get food and essential supplies and services, effective immediately and until further notice. Also see: CA: State Of Emergency Declared Amid Coronavirus Death, OutbreakCA Gov. Newsom Halts Evictions Amid Coronavirus EmergencyCA Unemployment Explodes; More Than 1M Claims Filed In 2 WeeksNewsom Unveils $125M Fund For Immigrant Workers In CA IllegallyFace Coverings Now Mandatory In CA, State SaysCoronavirus: CA Schools Should Stay Closed This Year, Newsom SaysCA Schools Will Reopen At Different Times, Superintendent SaysEarly Release For 8,000 California Inmates Amid Coronavirus 4. CA Hits 1M COVID-19 Cases; Records Steepest Surge Since Summer The Golden State's health secretary said he was "worried" as California became the second U.S. state to surpass 1 million coronavirus cases. Also see: Novel Coronavirus: First Bay Area Case ConfirmedFirst CA Coronavirus Death Reported In Northern CaliforniaPreviously Unknown Bay Area Coronavirus Death Was Nation's FirstTom Hanks And Rita Wilson Sickened With CoronavirusDisneyland Resort Closed Until Further Notice Due To CoronavirusDisneyland Resort Reopening Date Pushed Back To 2021Abandoned By Caretakers, 83 Nursing Home Patients EvacuatedGov. Newsom Scrutinized For Attending Napa Wine Country GatheringCA 'Panic Shopping' 2.0: Walmart, Costco Supplies Low Again22,500 Dead: Remembering Californians We Lost To Coronavirus 5. 'Hope Has Arrived': CA's First Doses Of Vaccine Land In State Pfizer's two-dose coronavirus vaccines arrived in California on Sunday, and health care workers will get the first doses Monday morning. Also see: Coronavirus Vaccine: Most In CA Want, But Many Have ConcernsWho's Getting The Coronavirus Vaccine First In California? 6. Navy Fires Captain Of SD-Based Ship Who Sought Help: Coronavirus Currently, 114 sailors from the San Diego-based USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said. Also see: USS Kidd Leaves San Diego After Recovering From COVID-19 Outbreak63 Injured In Fire On Ship At Naval Base San DiegoFire On Ship At Naval Base San Diego Possibly Arson: Report 7. 19 Dead; 3.1M Acres Burned; 3,900 Structures Lost: CA Fires Map Plus, the August fire is now considered the largest in California history in this "record-breaking" year. Also see: CA Fires 2020: 1.38M Acres Burn In 700 Fires In Less Than 2 Weeks 8. Protests Rage On Across LA, Targeting Elite Communities Also see: La Mesa Cleans Up After Night Of Protests, Arson & LootingProtesters March In Santee Against Police Brutality, RacismSanta Monica Police Protests Rage On Outside Cop StationFamily Of Woman Shot By Police Projectile Calls For JusticeLaw Enforcement Agencies Across San Diego County Cease ChokeholdsMayor's Response To Black Lives Matter Question Sparks Outrage 9. 2020 Census Count To End A Early: California Response Rate Plagued by outreach challenges amid the pandemic, the U.S. Census Bureau will end all counting efforts for the 2020 census on Sept. 30. 10. Supreme Court Rejects Trump's Challenge To CA 'Sanctuary' Law The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected the Trump administration's bid to void California's "sanctuary" law, protecting immigrants. 11. Murder Hornet' Sightings In California? No, Says UCR Professor UCR Professor Doug Yanega has studied Asian giant hornets and is watching developments in Washington State and Canada. 12. Kobe Bryant, Daughter, 7 Others Killed In Helicopter Crash Basketball legend Kobe Bryant was killed along with one of his daughters and seven others in a helicopter crash Sunday morning. Also see: Kobe Bryant And Daughter Gianna Laid To Rest In Corona Del Mar 13. Harvey Weinstein Charged With Rape In Los Angeles The disgraced movie mogul is accused of attacking two women over the course of two days in 2013, according to Los Angeles prosecutors. 14. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Move Home To Los Angeles Prince Harry and his wife, Hollywood native Meghan Markle, reportedly made the move to Los Angeles while the getting was good. 15. Lori Loughlin And Husband To Plead Guilty In College Scandal Lori Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli have agreed to go to prison in a plea deal for their role in the wide-ranging conspiracy. Also see: Lori Loughlin Reports To East Bay Prison: College Admissions Scam 16. Elon Musk Leaves California On A Bitter Note Recently made the world's second-richest man, Elon Musk appears to be over California and has moved to tax-friendly Texas. 17. Calif. Supreme Court Overturns Scott Peterson's Death Penalty The justices in a separate ruling upheld Peterson's 2004 murder conviction. 18. Duncan Hunter Sentenced To Prison For Misusing Campaign Funds Former Rep. Duncan Hunter was ordered to surrender to authorities on May 29. Also see: Trump Pardons Former California Rep. Duncan Hunter 19. Lakers Beat The Heat To Win NBA Championship The Lakers brought the trophy back to Los Angeles for the first time in a decade, tying the league record for most championships. 20. Dodgers Win World Series, Ending 32-Year Drought The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to end the city's 32-year World Series drought. Also check out these stories: LA City Leaders Call On MLB To Award Dodgers World Series Titles195 Quarantined At CA Air Base In CDC Coronavirus PrecautionCops Discover Victim's Dark Secrets, Murder Charges DroppedMarine Makes T-Shirt Tourniquet, Helps Injured Girl On FreewayThe Show Must Go On: Student Cast Rallies After School ClosuresFor South Bay's Lue, Coronavirus Funding Isn't Up For DebateClinical Trials To Fight Coronavirus Underway In Long BeachVolunteers Bring Groceries For Seniors Amid Coronavirus PandemicSanta Monica Nurses, Suspended For Demanding Masks, Back On JobCoronavirus: Santa Monica Nurses Ask Hospital For Hotel RoomsSee: Elvis Impersonator Serenades Quarantined Danville NeighborsSouth Bay Teen Takes Coronavirus PPE Fundraiser NationalSantee Grocery Shopper In KKK Hood Sparks Sheriff's InvestigationVista Teen Surprises Sister With Quarantine Prom Amid CoronavirusBeaches, Shops Reopen Across Orange County Mother's Day WeekendMission Viejo Outfielder Leads By Example In Coronavirus ShutdownChatsworth Coach Puts Homeless Residents To WorkHOA Removes Mission Viejo Grads' Yard Sign Celebration: ResidentsWith Brooms And Empathy, Angelenos Pitch In After ProtestsEmbrace And Dance Between Cop, Protester Conquer California CrowdHollywood Protests Marked By Powerful Peace And Tense StandoffsTemecula Mayor Resigns Amid Allegations Of RacismCars Caravan Across San Diego County To Protest Police ViolenceThousands Protest On The Sand From Venice To Santa MonicaSouth Bay Teens Turn BLM Protest Support Into An Art FormSantee Company Steps Up To Provide Sanitizer Amid CoronavirusPandemic 'Creating Substantial Anxiety' In Venice CommunityCounty To Fine, Close Restaurants Flouting COVID-19 Health OrdersCold Case Murder Solved In Huntington Beach 52 Years LaterIn Time Of Trouble, Send Mothers: MOMS Club Chapters Seek ChangeHundreds Of Unmasked Faithful Gather At Murrieta Valley HSHow A Combative Bear Landed In California Cabin's Realtor Listing5 Things To Know About Kamala Harris, Biden's VP ChoiceUSPS' Locking Drop Boxes Arrive In Dana Point; Residents RespondBeloved CA Animal Sanctuary Burns Down, But Not DestroyedCalifornia Man Extinguishes Fire With Bud LightSage Hill Senior's Mental Health Podcasts Aim To Help Teens CopeVenice Beach Black Lives Matter Protests Continue Amid PandemicNew FOUND Hotels Santa Monica Opening Amid PandemicNorth Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry Needs Your HelpSan Francisco Food Bank Volunteers Fight Hunger Amid CoronavirusAlameda County Business Owner: 'I'm Just Devastated'Marin Entrepreneur Competes To Get Pocket Pies On Walmart ShelvesVirtual OC Big Brother Big Sister Mentors Make Real-World Impact28,000 Employees Laid Off At Disneyland, Walt Disney WorldUnauthorized Trump Flag Flies Overnight At LBPD HeadquartersFourth SoCal Whole Foods Worker Tests Positive For CoronavirusNorth Bay Bakery's Pain Doughlorian Exhibit Goes ViralCensus Complicated By 'Mass Exodus' Across LA, Abrupt Count Halt'People Are Dying Alone': Google, Tech Responds To Cruel RealityDisneyland Reopening Schedule, Delays Threaten Nearby BusinessesFire Set At Historic Black Venice Church, Locals Demand JusticeSilverado Fire: Days Of Evacuation End For Lake Forest Families'Stigma About Mental Health' Hitting Front Line Heroes8 CA Congressional Races That Could Help Shape The State's FutureSanta Monica High School Students Work At Vote CenterWWII Vet From Mexico Gets HS Diploma At 95: Riverside CountyCA Veterans Fight To Reopen Posts: 'Not Just Halls With Bars'The Battle Over Protecting Ballona Wetlands — And If They Need ItRescind Newsom's Coronavirus Restrictions! OC Residents Beg BoardGranada Hills Teen Wins $25K For Community WorkLA Artist Asks Us To See Plastic 'We Are All Eating & Breathing'CA 'Panic Shopping' 2.0: Walmart, Costco Supplies Low Again7K Cars Expected At 'We Give Thanks' Drive-Thru Event In OCChef Nancy Silverton Brings New Restaurant To Culver CityFallen Dublin Deputy Honored: 'Life Was Good — Until It Wasn't'Tailgate Party, $25K Grant Help Los Toros Restaurant Hold OnSuicide Rates Down Amid Pandemic In Riverside County And State$5K Reward Offered To Find Whoever Injured Four Pelicans