The man accused of igniting the massive Holy fire will stand trial, a judge ruled Thursday, despite authorities not having any physical evidence either tying him to the suspected arson or detailing exactly how the blaze began. Fire investigators, during a two-day long preliminary hearing, relied heavily on threats Forrest Clark is accused of making…
To the courts, she was just a case number. It was impersonal because, at the time, she was one in a long line of “crack babies,” which is what newborns like her were called in 1996. Today, she has a name; Nancy Elizabeth Palmer. And even though she came into the world with little chance…
First in a four-part series It was time for the newborn’s morphine. Neonatal intensive care nurse Jeri Gibbons placed a dropper between his tiny lips and squeezed the clear liquid — often used to relieve cancer pain — directly into his mouth. His thin arms shot out, grasping at empty air — searching, perhaps, for…
The man suspected of fatally shooting a police officer in Stanislaus County was in the country illegally, officials said Thursday. Authorities have identified a suspect in the case but are not releasing his name. “We will relentlessly continue to hunt our suspect down and bring him to justice so…
Dogs who frolic with other dogs are happy. Happy dogs have fewer behavioral issues. Happy, well-behaved dogs are more adoptable. These principles are the foundation of Dogs Playing for Life, a program recently launched at OC Animal Care’s shelter. Staff at OC Animal Care observe dogs during a play session, which is part of the…
An otherwise welcome advance in public health — the widespread reduction in smoking — is having the perverse effect of driving down tobacco tax revenue that, for a generation, has supported some California programs aimed at early childhood education and health. Still, proponents of the programs financed by tobacco taxes are finding new ways to…
Almost two-thirds of Garden Grove voters opted in the November elections to pay a higher sales tax in return for enhanced public safety. City officials recently announced how they are keeping their promise to dedicate the bulk of that new “Measure O” revenue to police and fire services. Even before the 1 cent local sales…
Change is coming to Orange County’s turbulent criminal justice system. A full overhaul is expected under District Attorney-elect Todd Spitzer; a few meaningful tweaks under Sheriff-elect Don Barnes. Spitzer and Barnes are the new faces of Orange County law enforcement, handed the mantle of public safety in the Nov. 6 election. Spitzer won as a…
The Bruins, Pacific Coast Conference champions, were favored by as many as three touchdowns over the Big Nine champion Illinois Fighting Illini. But with backs Buddy Young and Julie Rykovich running wild, Illinois crushed UCLA 45-14.
Horn blower Jay Cohen during horse racing at Santa Anita Park on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 in Arcadia, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG) Jockey Joel Rosario riding Gift Box wins the San Antonio Stakes (Grade II) during horse racing at Santa Anita Park on Wednesday, December 26, 2018 in Arcadia, California. (Photo by…
