Woman, 102, Being Evicted From Ladera Heights Home So Landlord’s Daughter Can Move In
A 102-year-old woman is being evicted from her longtime residence in Ladera Heights so the landlord’s daughter can move in instead, according to an eviction notice the woman received.
Thelma Smith was given notice on March 8 that she must vacate the single-family home where she has resided for nearly 30 years.
Her landlords said they were ending Smith’s month-to-month lease because their daughter is graduating from law school.
“The dwelling is needed as her principal place of residence,” the notice said.
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They gave the centenarian three months to get out.
Under Los Angeles’ Rent Stabilization Ordinance, a landlord can legally evict a tenant to accommodate a relative’s housing needs. But the law indicates the person forced to leave first would be the tenant who has moved into a unit of comparable housing most recently. In greater L.A. County, where a temporary rent-stabilization policy for unincorporated areas went into effect in December, the law is weaker.
“They use this law to target long-term, low-paying tenants,” said Larry Gross, executive director of the Coalition for Economic Survival.
Pauline Cooper, a longtime neighbor of Smith’s, said that in the past year, at least one person has moved out of her friend’s small complex, which consists of three brown Craftsman-style homes with rock landscaping. Cooper didn’t know whether the once-empty space was occupied now, though.
“She’s been there a thousand years and is paying very low rent,” said Cooper, who has lived in the quiet neighborhood in the unincorporated area between Culver City and Baldwin Hills since 1999.
As part of the city’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance, relocation assistance is available for evicted tenants in L.A. who are 62 or older, are handicapped or disabled. But elsewhere in Los Angeles County, there’s no such help.
Smith, who did not wish to be interviewed, is relying on friends and faraway family to find a new place to stay, Cooper said. She has offered Smith — a widow she describes as “spry” — a bedroom in her own home, but Smith currently doesn’t want to go anywhere.
“I’m trying to get her settled,” Cooper said.
Los Angeles won its rent stabilization ordinance in 1978, and L.A. County received one in 1979. Four years later, the county’s law expired. If a permanent ordinance does pass, regulations could be added.
“It’s pretty outrageous and heartless to be evicting this woman,” Gross said. “It just shows a perfect example of how tenants without strong rent-controlled protections are vulnerable to displacement and injustices.”
Smith, a former executive secretary for the Sugar Ray Robinson Youth Foundation, a nonprofit that has served underprivileged youths, recently celebrated her birthday in the home where she’s spent three decades.
The celebration may be her last there. She has until June 30 to vacate the property, her landlords say.
via: https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-woman-evicted-20190523-story.htm
Photo Credit: latimes.com/(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
FL High school football star shot dead by friend over video game dispute
A Florida football player was shot dead by a longtime friend this week during a spat over a video game, according to a new report.
Joshua Ancrum, 17, was killed inside his pal’s Miami Gardens home Tuesday afternoon when the gaming dispute between the teens got heated, WPLG Local 10 reported. He was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center, where he was pronounced dead.
“What mother wants to bury their son?” the boy’s distraught mom, Lisa Alvarez, told the station. “It’s supposed to be the other way around.”
Jatwan Phillips, 16, was arrested in connection with the slaying, according to the report. He appeared in court Wednesday and has been charged with aggravated manslaughter, though it’s unclear if he will be charged as an adult.
It was not immediately known which game sparked the fatal squabble.
A judge ordered Phillips to remain in jail on Wednesday, according to the report.
Ancrum’s teammates in the South Florida Express 7on7 Football Team considered him a brother.
“He might have grown up in a bad neighborhood and he had a lot of bad influences and stuff like that, but when he came with us, it was, kind of, you try to lead him in the right direction,” teammate Derek Wingo told the station.
The young athlete had received a football scholarship to Florida International University.
“We are saddened at the news of Joshua’s passing,” the school’s head coach, Butch Davis, said in a statement obtained by the station. “We at FIU will be praying for his family, friends and teammates in these trying times.”
Ancrum had always dreamed of going even further with his football career, but his dreams have been shattered, his mother told the outlet.
“Stop the violence,” she insisted.
The teen’s teammates launched a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his funeral expenses. It had reached $4,372 of its $10,000 goal by late Thursday morning.
via: https://nypost.com/2019/05/23/high-school-football-star-shot-dead-by-friend-over-video-game-dispute/
Photo Credit: nypost.com
Teen electrocuted ‘trying to impress girlfriend’ by climbing on top of train
A teenage boy exploded into flames and died after he suffered an electric shock from 27,500-volt cables when climbing up on top of a train to allegedly impress his girlfriend.
Oleg Khoroshaev, 13, was reportedly taking a selfie during the stunt when he was electrocuted in Karasuk, Russia.
A deeply distressing video was released of the boy writhing and crying in agony after he fell off the side of the carriage by the devastating shock, as police warned children about the “dire threats” from playing near railway tracks.
A female witness said a group of boys and the girl had been walking beside the railway in Karasuk town, Novosibirsk region where there was a stationary cargo train.
“Oleg said that he wanted to climb a carriage and another boy planned to follow him, asking ‘How does it feel up there?’ Suddenly there was an explosion on top of the carriage,” she said.
“Everybody instinctively turned their heads away but when they looked up again they saw a large black mark on Oleg’s chest and then he caught fire.”
The boy was rushed to the hospital and a doctor battled to save his life, but his death was confirmed three days after the incident by Western Siberian transport prosecutors.
“The child has passed away,” they said in a statement.
One friend denied that the boy was taking a selfie but admitted he had his phone with him.
A report said he was “posing in front of his girlfriend and suffered an electric shock before her very eyes.”
Photo Credit: nypost.com/East2West News
Teachers under fire for wearing sombreros, fake mustaches in yearbook pictures
ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) — Several teachers at a California high school are at the center of a controversy for the way they dressed in their yearbook pictures.
In the yearbook, the World Language faculty at San Pasqual High School appeared to dress up in attire related to the language they taught.
One woman who wore a beret was a French teacher, according to students. The Spanish teachers wore sombreros and mustaches, which some found offensive.
The Escondido Union High School District released the following statement:
“The 2019 yearbook for San Pasqual High School, ‘The Golden Legend,’ was released yesterday (5/20/19) to senior students. It has come to our attention it contained photos from the World Language Department that are culturally insensitive and in poor judgment. The photos are a collection of pictures taken at the beginning of the year for use as teacher ID photos.
Administrators have discussed the issue with SPHS staff. Principal Martin Casas and his administrative team are taking precautions to ensure a similar situation does not occur in the future.”
According to Casas, “San Pasqual High School takes pride in its rich history and diversity. It is our intent to use this situation as a tool to remind students, as well as staff, to remember the impacts of their words and actions. We are committed to continuing our efforts to ensure all students, families and staff feel welcome and valued. United…we are San Pasqual.”
Some parents said they didn’t find it offensive while others said they didn’t know how to feel.
“They could be offensive if they’re making fun of us. But it could be something honorable if they’re trying to do honor to the Mexican culture,” said Martin Reyes, whose son goes to San Pasqual. “It would be better without the big mustache and hats.”
Photo Credit: kmov.com
‘Selfie School’ gets grandma and grandpa in the social media game
BLOOMINGDALE, Ill. — Millennials made the selfie ubiquitous, but now Gram and Gramps are getting into the game thanks to a “Selfie School” for seniors.
Sure, they may be a few years behind the trend, but don’t count them out. Residents at the Greenfield of Geneva Retirement Community recently headed out to a selfie studio in Stratford Square to get hip with the kids.
“We really wanted to bridge that gap between seniors and social media,” ClubPhotoBooth Selfie Studio owner Joe O’Connell said.
For nearly two hours, the seniors learned how to shoot selfies with their smartphones while posing in front of colorful and eclectic backdrops.
“It’s been fun,” Donna Sharpe said. “I don’t do selfies so I wasn’t sure what to expect.”
They will never be the most prolific selfie creators, but with their sensible shoes and unrehearsed grins they stand out for their genuine looks.
“I liked it, but I would like to think I’m better looking than what came out in my pictures,” laughs Kathleen Dix.
via: https://pix11.com/2019/05/23/selfie-school-gets-grandma-and-grandpa-in-the-social-media-game/
Photo Credit: pix11.com
Mother, boyfriend beat 7-year-old, tied him up in infested basement
CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. — A 7-year-old boy who Caroline County deputies say was abused by his mother and her boyfriend is in critical care at VCU Medical Center, according to WTVR.
Investigators were trying to get a clearer picture of what the sheriff called “one of the worst abuse and neglect cases” he’s seen in his over 40-year career.
They executed a search warrant at the home where the boy lived with his mom, 29-year-old Ashley Karam and her boyfriend, 40-year-old Edward Childs.
Neighbor Lacey Collins said she had several interactions with the boy months ago at the bus stop. She had a gut feeling that something was wrong, but she didn’t want to make the boy feel awkward.
“He mentioned that his back hurt, but I never checked him or anything,” she said. “I never knew.”
The sheriff’s office got involved Sunday afternoon after a neighbor called saying the boy was at their home and had visible injuries.
Sources said detectives believe the boy was left for extended periods of time at his home, bound by duct tape, surrounded by roaches and moldy walls. The sheriff said he had some old injuries and obvious new ones.
“I don’t even want to describe what the young boy went through,” Sheriff Tony Lippa said.
Karam and Childs have been charged with abduction, abuse and cruelty.
Karam has a history of child abuse dating back to 2012.
WTVR reported a different child was removed from her care after she was convicted of abuse and disregard for life. She was sentenced to five years in prison.
“He didn’t need this. He was so sweet,” Collins said. “His mom would tell me he’s bad, and I was like, ‘He’s not bad,’ you know?”
Aram and Childs are at Pamunkey Regional Jail with no bond.
Deputies said an additional child was found to be in the custody of the accused; that child is now in protective custody.
Photo Credit: pix11.com
102-year-old accused of killing 92-year-old at French retirement home
PARIS – A French centenarian is suspected of strangling and bludgeoning her 92-year-old neighbor to death.
The 102-year-old woman, who has been transferred to a psychiatric hospital, allegedly told a staff member at the retirement home where the two lived that she had “killed someone,” according to the BBC.
The 92-year-old victim was found dead at the home in Chézy-sur-Marne, about 60 miles east of Paris.
An autopsy revealed that the woman died of “strangulation and blows to the head.”
A staff member at the home reportedly found the victim lying unconscious in bed Saturday, according to the AFP.
Authorities believe the suspect may have been going through a dementia-related crisis at the time of the alleged attacks and is now being monitored at the psychiatric hospital.
A homicide investigation is ongoing.
via: https://pix11.com/2019/05/23/102-year-old-accused-of-killing-92-year-old-at-french-retirement-home/
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Walmart cashier surprised with car after officer sees her walking 6 miles to work
SLIDELL, La. –Anita Singleton no longer has to walk six miles to her job at a Louisiana Walmart store, all thanks to a chance encounter with a police officer early Sunday morning.
Officer Bradley Peck saw Singleton walking to work, along a narrow bridge in Slidell, he picked her up thinking she was going to the nearest Walmart.
“She said, ‘No baby, I’m headed to the Northshore.’ I said, ‘Ma’am that’s a really long walk, why don’t you jump in and I’ll give you ride over there.’ She climbed in and we talked the entire way. Like I said in my Facebook post, from faith to life lessons. How I was raised, how she was raised. It was really cool, super sweet lady. (I) got her to Walmart, shook hands, and she went on into work,” Officer Peck told WGNO.
Officer Peck wrote a Facebook post about their encounter.
“We just had a wonderful interaction with one another on that morning,” Anita said.
That post caught the attention of Matt Bowers’ Chevrolet dealership. They decided to let her choose between two cars, even paying the insurance and all the bills that come with it.
“I was momentarily speechless. This is an incredible blessing. I’m so very grateful for it, I really am,” Singleton says.
Her commute to work is now easier. No longer will she have to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to make it to work by 7 a.m.
Officer Peck says he’s inspired by her work ethic – before he left the dealership his message to others was “work like Ms. Anita,” adding, “I’m gonna work harder now. I feel like I’m slacking.”
Photo Credit: pix11.com
Man says intruder broke into his home, cleaned it immaculately, and left
MARLBOROUGH, Mass. – A Massachusetts father came home to a sparkling clean house – but he has no idea who tidied it.
Nate Roman told NBC News he knew something was wrong when he and his son returned to their Marlborough home on May 15th and the 5-year-old noticed the back door was ajar.
The 44-year-old said he was worried someone was still inside, but instead of an intruder he found the smell of cleaning supplies still in the air, and every room except the kitchen immaculately clean.
Roman said his son’s room, which had been a mess that morning, was spotless – complete with a “very neatly folded rose” folded origami-style on his toilet paper.
Unsure of who had been in the house, Roman called the police. Marlborough police officials didn’t immediately return a call for comment, but told NBC News that they had no leads or suspects in the case.
Roman called the experience “creepy,” but thinks it may have been a housecleaning service with the wrong address. The Massachusetts dad said he likely left the back door unlocked, something he doesn’t plan on doing in the future.
via: https://pix11.com/2019/05/23/man-says-intruder-broke-into-his-home-cleaned-it-immaculately-and-left/
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Border Patrol Agent in Ariz. Accused of Raping Multiple Women
An Arizona Border Patrol agent is accused of raping multiple women over the course of seven years, PEOPLE confirms.
Steve Charles Holmes, 33, was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of sexual assault and three counts of aggravated assault, Tucson police announced in a press release obtained by PEOPLE.
On May 13, police were informed of a Border Patrol agent allegedly assaulting a woman. The woman told investigators she had met Holmes on an online dating app and that during their conversation he identified himself as a Border Patrol Agent.
When the pair went out on a date, Holmes allegedly sexually assaulted the woman, she said.
During their investigation, authorities uncovered additional women who alleged having similar experiences with Holmes over the course of seven years, from January 2012 to January 2019.
Holmes has been a Border Patrol agent for seven years.
“We do not tolerate misconduct on or off duty, and will fully cooperate with all investigations of alleged misconduct by our personnel,” the Customs and Border Protection said in a statement to the Arizona Daily Star.
Holmes was arrested and booked into Pima County Jail. It is unclear whether he has an attorney.
Photo Credit: start.att.net