Here are some of the stories we're following and covering:
MILLIONS PARTICIPATE IN QUAKE DRILL
Millions of residents across Southern California dropped to the floor, crawled to safety or otherwise participated in the country's largest earthquake drill. The drill assumed the area was hit with a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that killed almost 2,000 people. The drill was intended to test the capablities of local and state agencies...and to show Californians what they need to do to prepare for a majod disaster.
FASHION DESIGNER CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS
Fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander has been convicted of 16 counts of sexually abusing women and girls as young as young as 14. The jury acquitted the 34-year-old designer of four other charges. Alexander, who was featured on the TV show "America's Next Top Model," could face as much as life in prison when he is sentenced January 13th.
THIEVES HIT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PROJECT
A Simi Valley Habitat for Humanity project to build homes for 3 single mothers and their children was hit by thieves who stole $10,000 worth of construction equipment. The three mothers and their conmbined nine children were supposed to move into the three homes on Royal Avenue in time for Thanksgiving. Now the charity is hoping the community will help make up the loss...so the homes can still be completed on time.
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INAUGURATION TICKETS BECOMING HOT ITEM
More than 2 months out from the inauguration of President-Elect Barak Obama...and scoring tickets to the event may be next to impossible. E-Bay has just announced that they will not allow scalpers to advertise tickets on the site. Meantime hotel rooms in and around Washington, D.C. are also in short supply for the inauguration.
STUDY SAYS TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE AT RISK FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.
A new report released today by UC Berkeley says that $2.5 trillion worth of the state's real estate is at risk of wildfires, sea level rises or extreme weather conditions linked to global warming. The study attempts to quantify the possible long-term economic damage climate change could cause the state over the next century...and estimates that if nothing is done, climate change could cost California $300 Million to $3.9 Bilion annually.
INLAND EMPIRE FORECLOSURES ON THE DECLINE
For the second straight month, the number of Riverside County homes slipping into foreclosure fell last month, thanks in part to state legislation. RealtyTrac reports a total of 6,897 mortrage default notices, auction sales and bank repossessions in Riverside in October, a 15% decline from September...but still 13% more than one year ago. State law encacted in July now mandages that lenders meet with borrowers to try to figure out a way to prevent foreclosure.
