Local News

Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Against Members of Statewide Organized Retail Theft Ring

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the arrest of and felony charges against members of an organized retail theft ring operating throughout California, including Los Angeles, Alameda, Fresno, Kern, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Ventura counties. The California Department of Justice filed charges against nine defendants following a California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigation that began in 2021. During a search and arrest operation in Los Angeles on Monday, officers arrested five of the targeted suspects and recovered approximately $62,000 in cash and $135,000 of stolen merchandise from major retailers, including Macy’s, Columbia Sportswear, Abercrombie & Fitch, J.C. Penney, and Lululemon. An additional suspect from the operation was charged on Tuesday and remains at large. Three suspects were charged in a separate complaint on Tuesday for allegedly possessing over $17,000 in stolen merchandise.

County Leaders and Partners Unite to Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, April 5th, proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Awareness month as public and private family advocates launched a month of activities aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect. “Abuse and neglect negatively impact the physical health, mental health and overall wellbeing of victims throughout their lives,” said Board Chair and District 5 Supervisor Jeff Hewitt. “We must do all we can do to prevent abuse. An important way is for communities to promote activities and resources that strengthen and support families.” County departments and community partners hosted an awareness event in downtown Riverside on Tuesday. The activities are part of the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, a national initiative to educate community members, support families and raise funds to prevent child abuse and neglect.

California utility to pay $55 million for massive wildfires

Pacific Gas & Electric, the nation’s largest utility, has agreed to pay more than $55 million to avoid criminal prosecution for two major wildfires sparked by its aging Northern California power lines and submit to five years of oversight in an attempt to prevent more deadly blazes.

Report to California Legislature: Prepare for sweeping effects of climate change

From housing and health to transportation and education, the Legislative Analyst’s Office provides a litany of sobering climate change impacts for California legislators to address as they enact policies and set budgets. Painting alarming scenes of fires, floods and economic disruption, the California Legislature’s advisors released a series of reports that lays out in stark terms the impacts of climate change across the state.

Ramona Plaza sells for $13.9 million

Ramona Plaza, a 102,546-square-foot retail center in Hemet, has been sold. The project at 1300-1480 East Florida Avenue, sold for $13.9 million, according to a statement released by SRS Real Estate Partners’ National Net Lease Group, which helped negotiate the sale.

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