Here are some of the stories in the Southland on Saturday...
NEWPORT BEACH WOMAN DIES SKYDIVING
A Newport Beach woman died in a skydiving accident in Perris, Calif., on Friday. Brooke Baum, 33, of Newport Beach, was pronounced dead at 11:34 a.m. Friday in an open field in the 2000 block of Goetz Road, according to the coroner. An operations supervisor at Perris Valley Skydiving confirmed the fatality. The facility is based at Perris Valley Airport on Goetz Road just south of the Escondido (215) Freeway.
PEDESTRIAN KILLED AT SIDE OF 10 FREEWAY WAS UCLA GRAD
The mother of a UCLA graduate who was killed while walking on the San Bernardino (10) Freeway says she cannot understand why her daughter was so far from home. Pooneh Sue Siadat, 25, was struck by an SUV on the freeway in Colton, more than 50 miles from her home in southern Orange County. The crash was an accident, the CHP says, and no charges have been filed. The daughter was taking medication for a chemical disorder, her mom says, and she suspects someone forced the woman into a car in Rancho Santa Margarita.
"SANTA" KILLINGS
Coroner's officials say they will probably use X-rays to identify the bodies of nine victims killed by a Santa-clad gunman on Christmas Eve. Bruce Pardo went to his former in-laws' Covina home and after discharging automatic pistols at the adults and children set off a fire that gutted the house. The LA Times reports that the breakup of Pardo's marriage may have been triggered by his long-standing secret -- a severely-handicapped child from an earlier relationship whose existence had not been disclosed by the man.
NB 71 FREEWAY BLOCKED BY BIG RIG CRASH
The northbound 71 Freeway in Pomona was totally blocked by a big rig that overturned around 5 a.m. Saturday. No one was injured in the crash which happened just north of Mission Boulevard.
IN-HOME CARE PROGRAM ARRESTS
Officials in the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office are preparing to arrest employees of the county's in-home care program involved in more than 700 cases of alleged fraud. Investigations by a grand jury and the state Department of Health Care Services have turned up widespread scams, according to officials. The number of county residents receiving in-home care has doubled to 174,000 in the past decade, and the program costs $1.6 billion. The LA County Department of Public Social Services has about
14,000 employees.
ARMED HOME INTRUSION IN ARCADA
A neighborhood is alarmed after two armed men force their way into a home in Arcadia and rob the residents. (Pasadena Star-News)
GAS PRICES
While gasoline prices have continued to fall across the U.S., they've been going up again in California. Well, now the good news is that after nine days the rising streak may be broken in Los Angeles County. The average price of a gallon of self-serve unleaded regular in the county fell one-tenth of a cent to $1.78. That compares to the record high of $4.62 set on June 21. Orange County is not so lucky. The average price there rose two-tenths of a cent to $1.77, the 10th consecutive daily increase.
PORTABLE ELECTRICITY WARNING
With winter upon us, the Los Angeles Fire Department is warning people to watch out if they use portable electric generators for their homes. The fumes can kill, as can electric shock, and an incorrectly connected generator can backfeed along power lines and electrocute lineworkers making repairs. The biggest no-no: using a generator indoors. The carbon monoxide can kill in minutes.
WARMER WEATHER ON TAP
After all the warnings of a freeze, the Southland shivered overnight, but not as much as anticipated. Where there has been wind the temperatures have stayed above freezing. In sheltered areas there's been enough frost to hit tender plants and animals on porches. The California Highway Patrol reported no problems with snow and ice on the roads except in the San Bernardino National Forest, where chains are required. It'll warm up Saturday, with highs around 60, and sunny. Sunday will be another five degrees warmer.
