Notable headlines from around L.A. County this weekend:
Father of Missing Hawaii Woman Found Dead Near LAX
Ryan Kobayashi, father of missing Hawaii resident Hannah Kobayashi, was discovered deceased in a parking structure near Los Angeles International Airport on November 24, 2024. Ryan had traveled to Los Angeles to search for his 30-year-old daughter, who vanished after missing a connecting flight to New York City from Maui on November 8. Despite confirmed sightings at LAX and concerning messages from Hannah on November 11, her whereabouts remain unknown. The cause of Ryan’s death has not been disclosed. A GoFundMe page has been established to support the Kobayashi family during this challenging time.
Menendez Brothers’ Resentencing Hearing Draws Public Interest
The Los Angeles County Superior Court is set to hold a public lottery to allocate 16 seats for the general public at a hearing on Monday, where Erik and Lyle Menendez could potentially be freed after over three decades in prison. The brothers, convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, have been serving life sentences without parole. Renewed attention to their case has emerged due to a Netflix documentary and new evidence supporting their claims of childhood sexual abuse by their father. District Attorney George Gascón has recommended reducing their sentences, which could make them eligible for parole. Their lawyers are advocating for reducing their convictions to manslaughter, for which they have already served extensively. The hearing could lead to their release, following significant public support and clemency requests.
Fatal Crash in Winnetka Following Police Pursuit
A police chase involving a reportedly stolen Mercedes-Benz in Winnetka ended tragically when the vehicle collided with a Tesla at high speed. The incident occurred at the intersection of Saticoy Street and Mason Avenue, resulting in the death of the Tesla driver, a woman in her 40s, and minor injuries to three others. The suspect, a man also in his 40s, attempted to flee but was apprehended and taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Witnesses described the scene as extremely distressing. The area has a history of frequent accidents.
Phillips 66 Indicted for Clean Water Act Violations
Phillips 66 has been indicted for violating the Clean Water Act by discharging 790,000 gallons of industrial wastewater into Los Angeles County’s sewer system without reporting the violations. The discharges from their Carson facility contained oil and grease concentrations far exceeding permitted levels, posing risks to the Pacific Ocean and employee safety. The company faces four counts of knowingly and two counts of negligently violating federal law, potentially resulting in up to five years probation per count and $2.4 million in fines. Phillips 66 has expressed its intention to cooperate with authorities and present its case in court.
Basic Income Program Launched for LA Community College Students
A new initiative funded by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation will provide $1,000 monthly basic income for 12 months to 250 community college students in Los Angeles pursuing health careers. The program, part of the Building Outstanding Opportunities for Students to Thrive (BOOST) initiative, aims to support students from four colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District. The first payments are scheduled before Thanksgiving. This effort aligns with broader trends of guaranteed basic income programs across the U.S., similar to LA’s Big Leap program, which reportedly improved employment, food security, and home lives for participants.
