All articles tagged with #los angeles county
Los Angeles County has confirmed its first West Nile virus–related death of 2026 amid a rise in local infections (15 cases so far this year, above the five-year average). Statewide activity is also at a five-year high, prompting officials to urge residents to use insect repellent, remove standing water, and ensure window screens are intact to prevent mosquito bites, especially for older adults and the immunocompromised.
A warm winter and heat wave spurred West Nile virus activity to a five-year high in California, with 30 statewide human cases and three deaths; Los Angeles County recorded its first fatality of the year (a San Fernando Valley resident) and 15 infections, about half in the Valley. Officials urge residents to use DEET, eliminate standing water, and ensure tight screens, noting no vaccine or specific treatment exists and that older or immunocompromised people are at higher risk during peak transmission from June to November. Climate change could worsen future outbreaks.
LA County’s study projects that Paramount Skydance’s merger with Warner Bros. Discovery could erase about $2.78B in local economic value, $1.26B in wages, and $4.06B in lost business output, with roughly 10,365 job-years at risk (4,500 direct, 2,661 indirect, 3,204 induced) and a $547M drop in tax revenue. It warns consolidation could shrink film/TV production and hurt workers, even as executives argue the merger would unlock more production in the long term.
A family-owned A-Z Market in Bellflower was ransacked around 3:30 a.m. during a street takeover, with an estimated 100–150 vehicles blocking the area; three suspects used power tools to break the front window, allowing 40–60 more looters inside. The damage and stolen goods are valued at about $30,000, and no arrests have been made. A GoFundMe has been launched to help repair and restock the store, reflecting a broader rise in street-takeover incidents across Los Angeles County.
A Bellflower business was ransacked early Saturday as about 150 vehicles blocked the intersection in a large street takeover; 20–30 people entered the store while three suspects used power tools to break the front window, and 30–40 more ransacked inside for around two minutes before blending into the crowd. Deputies estimated the loss at nearly $30,000. No arrests had been made and investigators continued probing the incident, with citations issued for the street takeover.
An hour-long pursuit began in San Bernardino and extended into Los Angeles County, with the suspect clocked at over 100 mph on the 10 Freeway before a passenger was ejected mid-pursuit. The driver surrendered near the 60 Freeway exit in Ontario around 3:45 p.m. Authorities are pursuing a possible felony warrant, though details were not released.
A mountain lion wandered through a San Dimas neighborhood, prompting a temporary street closure as wildlife officials tranquilized and removed the big cat for veterinary examination after biologists observed signs of external injuries.
Public health officials in Los Angeles County are investigating a new measles case and warn that anyone at Universal Studios Hollywood on July 26 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. may have been exposed; those exposed could develop symptoms 7 to 21 days after exposure. This marks the ninth measles case in LA County this year, with previous cases linked to LAX, Disneyland, and Burbank Airport. Authorities say most infections occur in unvaccinated or unknown-status individuals and urge people to check their immunity and consult a health care provider if they are not vaccinated.
LA County health officials report a localized flea-borne typhus outbreak in Pico-Union with five people ill this year; all were hospitalized but have recovered. The county is seeing rising cases overall, with fleas spreading the disease from pets and wildlife (rats, stray cats, opossums). Officials urge year-round flea control on pets, keeping pets indoors, avoiding stray animals, securing yards and trash, and reporting wildlife near homes. Symptoms include fever, rash and body aches; early antibiotic treatment is effective and the disease is not spread person-to-person.
A fresh water main break on Santa Monica Boulevard and Laurel Avenue flooded West Hollywood streets this morning, just a week after a nearby pipe burst that left a large sinkhole on Sunset Boulevard; LA DWP crews are repairing both incidents, which officials say are not connected.
A road-rage suspect led CHP on a dangerous high-speed chase across Los Angeles County—from the San Fernando Valley through Hollywood, Koreatown, and the San Gabriel Valley—ending in Montebello when a patrol car rammed the SUV; the driver surrendered, and no injuries were reported; authorities have not released the suspect’s identity.
West Nile virus activity is surging early in Southern California, with Orange County detecting the virus in 10 cities and testing 38 mosquito pools, and Los Angeles County reporting 27 positive mosquito samples; nationwide there have been at least 48 human cases by June 30, including 38 neuroinvasive cases, though California has only one confirmed human infection this year. Health officials urge practical prevention: use EPA-registered repellents with DEET/IR3535/oil of lemon eucalyptus/picaridin, wear long sleeves and pants at dawn/dusk, eliminate standing water, repair screens, and report neglected pools or dead birds to local vector control agencies.
A traveler infected with measles passed through Hollywood Burbank Airport on June 17, potentially exposing dozens of passengers at Gate A4 and at the nearby Thrifty Rental Car facility (June 17–18). Los Angeles County health officials are investigating, noting this is the county’s seventh measles case this year and urging those who were exposed to monitor for symptoms for 7–21 days. Those who have had measles or were vaccinated are likely protected, but exposed individuals should stay vigilant. Public health departments will notify affected travelers, with final monitoring dates set for July 8 (Gate A4) and July 9 (rental car location).
Los Angeles County recorded 2,298 accidental overdose and poisoning deaths in 2025, a 6% drop from 2024 and the third straight year of decline, driven by sustained prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction efforts (including naloxone distribution and fentanyl-focused campaigns). While deaths fell across most age groups, older adults rose and disparities persist for Black residents and men, with the 40–64 age group remaining the most affected.
A jackknifed semi on the eastbound 210 Freeway in Irwindale triggered a multi-vehicle crash that killed a woman and injured about 32 others, including several children. Westbound lanes were closed for hours (and some eastbound lanes as well) while responders treated victims; ten people were hospitalized (six juveniles among them) and investigators are probing the cause.