Here are some of the stories in the Southland Friday...
Body Found in Mojave Desert ID'd as Missing Pomona Woman
The body of a 58-year-old Pomona woman who was reported missing by her family was found in the Mojave Desert, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department confirmed on Friday. The body of Luisa Aguilar was found Tuesday near the Mojave National Preserve. Aguilar had not been seen since leaving Las Vegas on Nov. 16 with her grandson, Arturo Hernandez, 18, on a trip to Madera, California. When the family did not hear from Aguilar or Hernandez for several days, they became concerned for her safety and reported her missing. Investigators said there is no indication Aguilar's death was a homicide. They are still looking for Aguilar's grandson.
Local Reaction to India Attacks
Southlanders are reacting with anger and sorrow to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India's financial capital. The coordinated attacks have so far left at least 143 people dead and more than 300 injured. But the toll of dead and wounded is sure to rise as two Americans -- a father and daughter -- once listed as missing have now been confirmed as dead. Three other Americans were wounded and there are media reports that a number of Jewish hostages have been killed by their captors. Residents of Artesia in LA County. an area known as little India, are worried about family members and angry their homeland has suffered what is being called India's 9-11. The perpetrators, believed to be radical Islamic Jihadists, targeted Westerners and Jews.Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, called for a special session of the United Nations to deal with worldwide terrorism.
Man Shot in Head in Hollywood
A man was shot in the head early Friday in Hollywood. Los Angeles police said the victim, whose name and condition have not been released, got into a verbal argument with two men around 2 a.m. near Virginia and Western avenues. The argument escalated and one man took out a gun and fired a single shot at the victim's head at about 2:20 a.m., near the intersection of Virginia and Western avenues. Witnesses say the shooter, who may have also robbed the victim, fled the scene in a new red Chevrolet, four-door car with paper plates. The victim was in critical condition after surgery.
Painting Stolen from San Luis Obispo Gallery
Police say a painting worth $20,000 by famed artist Patrick Nagel has been stolen from a downtown San Luis Obispo art gallery. Officers who arrived at the Just Looking Gallery at 4 a.m. yesterday discovered a window had been broken and Nagel's acrylic painting "Crouching Woman" had been snatched. Nagel, who died in 1984, was known for his stylized illustrations of women in Playboy magazine and the cover of Duran Duran's chart-topping album "Rio."
Assault Weapons Found, 8 Arrested in Santa Rosa
An anonymous tip led Sonoma County authorities to a group of men carrying an illegal arsenal of assault weapons. Eight men are being held without bail after deputies stopped the SUV and the pickup truck they were riding in Tuesday in Santa Rosa. When the two vehicles were searched, deputies said they found four assault rifles, six loaded assault rifle magazines, two shotguns and ammunition. Deputies later went to a Santa Rosa home where they found a large amount of processed marijuana and drug paraphernalia. All of the men are expected in court Monday.
Friday Forecast
Due to strong, gusty winds, the California Highway Patrol issued a wind advisory Friday morning for both north and southbound traffic on the Golden (5) State Freeway from Castaic to the Kern County Line. After morning fog in some areas, Friday is expected to be mostly sunny across the Southland, with highs ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-70s.
