Westwood

WESTWOOD—On Friday October 20 at approximately 5:56 p.m. the California Highway Patrol (CHP) located an individual that fit the description of a suspect wanted in connection with a fatal incident that Lassen County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies had just responded to at 4:48 p.m. the same day.

CHP arrested and detained Edward Harold Biggs in connection with that incident. Reports indicate that witnesses told police that they saw Biggs and the victim, later identified as Marty Robert Ashley Sr., who first responders found lying on the side of the road with severe head and facial injuries. Life-saving techniques were administered to the victim to no avail. Mr. Ashley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lassen County Sheriff’s deputies indicated that witnesses were able to identify the assailant. CHP officers located Biggs in his big red truck on highway 36 close to Manton Road near Red Bluff. Biggs was taken into custody and according to LCSO is currently incarcerated at the Tahama County Jail on a murder charge.

This case is currently under investigation.  If you know anything about the altercation between the victim and suspect you are encouraged to contact LCSO at 530-251-8013.

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—Two vehicles collided on Saturday, April 29 on Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica that resulted in one person being killed and nine others injured. The crash occurred at 3:10 p.m. in the 1000 block of PCH, near the California Incline, Santa Monica Police Lt. Erika Aklufi indicated.

“A Kia with six adults and two small children was northbound on PCH and attempting to turn left into Beach Lot Four North when it was T-boned by a southbound Toyota Camry with two adults,” said Lt. Aklufi.

All of the passengers were transported to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood. A passenger in the back of the Kia suffered a major leg injury and later died at the hospital. The name of the victim has not been disclosed to the public.

Authorities indicated the of the injuries were minor.

The Santa Monica Police Department shut down northbound lanes of PCH between the 900 and 1000 blocks of road, and the California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert at 4:50 p.m., shutting down the westbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway at Fourth Street.

By Rob

WESTWOOD—On March 19, at approximately 12:05 p.m., a wreck on Highway 99 and Oswald Road claimed the life of Steven Tadeo, 30, of Westwood.

Reports indicate that Tadeo was traveling northbound on the highway at approximately 65 mph in his Toyota Tacoma truck when the driver of a semi-truck took a left, crossing the highway directly in the path of Tadeo. The semi-truck driver was traveling at an accelerated rate of speed when it struck Tadeo’s car.

Reports from the California Highway Patrol indicate that Tadeo’s truck initially struck the landing gear on the left-hand side of the semi and was pinned underneath. Steven died at the scene from blunt force trauma caused by the crash.

Highway 99 between Barry and Oswald Roads were closed to the public for approximately two hours as officers investigated the crash.

Canyon News reached out to Sutter County Sheriff’s Office where Under Sheriff Scott Smallwood indicated the incident is being investigated by the CHP. Canyon News contacted the CHP for more information, but did not hear back before print.

Anyone with details on the incident is asked to call the CHP Yuba-Sutter Office at (530) 645-6200.

By Sharon

WESTWOOD—UCLA’s unofficial mascot known by students and staff as the Powell Cat passed away on Thursday, March 9. The cat was found under a tree near its home, in front of Kaufman Hall.

The cause of death has yet to be determined. According to Powell Cat’s official Instagram, which was run by a staff caretaker, the cat was alive at around 9 a.m. that day. At around 4:09 p.m. the account confirmed Powell Cat’s death. There are plans to have a memorial gathering which will be on Thursday, March 16 at 5 p.m. The location has yet to be announced. Updates can be found on Powell Cat’s Instagram.

Many students took to social media to post their memories of the cat and their condolences. Students said Powell Cat was a friend and source of joy on campus and expressed their shock at their sudden passing. Many students gathered outside Kaufman Hall on Thursday afternoon to check on the cat following a post in the UCLA subreddit around 3 p.m. first alleging Powell Cat’s death.

Powell Cat was a stray that was first discovered on UCLA’s campus back in 2015. Kathleen Brown, a staff member at the UCLA Library who was one of Powell’s caretakers, explained to NBC that the history is unclear but that it is possible that Powell’s mother, renamed Midgeley, could be the one who lived inside Powell Library. Everyone suspected that the cat was probably born around 2013. 

Throughout Powell Cat’s life UCLA staff members took it upon themselves to provide food, snacks, water and other necessities for the cat. 

A UCLA student who chose to remain anonymous spoke with Canyon News in an interview. “Powell Cat was a beloved member of my school and community. They were the reason I looked forward to coming to campus. They were our unofficial mascot for myself and many students,” the student explained. “I would sit beside them, greet them hello and goodbye, wish them well, give them pets and playtime, take pictures, like many other students and faculty would.”

The same student informed Canyon News that students are urging the UCLA Campus to erect a permanent memorial for Powell Cat. “I feel that a memorial of Powell Cat should be erected, because as I’ve said, they were a beloved member of UCLA and gave the proper morale that students including myself needed on a bad day. I would say they constantly served us with their presence and we owe them our gratitude,” the student concluded. 

By Christianne

WESTWOOD—Nurses affiliated with the California Nurses Association, which represents more than 18,000 nurses at the University of California, are calling upon the University of California – Los Angeles to address unsafe patient practices within their facilities.  

“We have tried to warn UCLA about the existing patient safety issues with shared rooms,” said Mary Gay Dacquel, RN, in a news release from the California Nurses Association on February 27. “UCLA has ignored our recommendations and refused to tell us their plan after the [California Department of Public Health] waiver expires.” 

According to CNA, issues have been going on for months and they are deeply concerned about “the patient care conditions and the lack of patient privacy and dignity due to the ongoing use of shared rooms and hallway beds.”

“Putting two patients into a room meant for one makes our incredibly tough and demanding job even more stressful,” said RN and CNA Nurse Representative Thuy Nguyen. “Not only do we have to navigate twice the number of visitors and equipment in a small room meant for just one patient, the cramped space also means patients lose their privacy and potentially expose each other to Covid-19. This should only be a practice when absolutely necessary, not a band-aid for deeper failures by management to plan for inevitable surges in patients.”

The group of unionized nurses plans on holding a demonstration in front of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on Wednesday, March 1. This follows another demonstration that will be held by RNs at the University of San Francisco concerned over the same issues. They plan on organizing on Tuesday, February 28, between 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. at UCSF Parnassus Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue in San Francisco. 

Studies have shown when nurses are assigned too many patients to safely care for at once, the patients are at an increased risk for preventable medical errors, avoidable complications, increased length of stay, readmissions, and even death. Studies have shown that assigning nurses too many patients to safely care for at once also leads to ongoing moral distress and job dissatisfaction.

According to the U.S. News, UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles is ranked #5 on the Best Hospitals Honor Roll. It is nationally ranked in 14 adult and 7 pediatric specialties and rated high performing in 17 adult procedures and conditions. It is a general medical and surgical facility that works to instruct upcoming medical professionals. The evaluation of UCLA Medical Center also includes data from Mattel Children’s Hospital.

Also ranked the #2 hospital in California & Los Angeles metro area and nationally ranked in the top 5 in Cancer, Diabetes & Endocrinology, Ear, Nose & Throat, Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, Geriatrics, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics and Pulmonology & Lung Surgery, UCLA Medical Center excels at caring for the sickest, most medically complex patients in these specialties and more. It is rated High Performing in nearly all procedures and conditions.

By Christianne

WESTWOOD—On February 6, the University of California-Los Angeles campus police reported at least two females were assaulted by the same individual on Sunday, February 5. Both incidents occurred near campus parking structures.

The first incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m. on February 5 by UCLA Parking Structure 1 located on Gayley Avenue nearest LaConte Avenue. A male approached the victim demanding money.

According to reports, the suspect grabbed the victim, held her hands together, and would not let her go claiming to have a gun. He was attempting to kidnap the young woman when she was able to break free and get away.

The second victim reported she was approached at approximately 6:45 p.m. the same day. The assailant approached the woman, threatening her close to Parking Structure 7. She was also able to escape and report the incident.

One of the women reported she was walking with a friend on campus Sunday evening when a man approached them and blocked their path. “The entire time I was thinking about how I could escape the situation,” she told UCLA campus police.

The suspect is described as a Black male between 25 and 40 years of age and standing approximately 5 foot and 10 inches tall. He has dark hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a dark blue shirt with white lettering on it at the time of the assaults.

UCLA Police sent a “Attempted Burglary/Assault” alert and posted it on the campus police Twitter page. 

UCLA has a section on its website for student safety under “Residential Life” titled “Living in Los Angeles” that notes the following:

While the UCLA campus and nearby Westwood neighborhoods are generally safe, it is important that you help educate your students about personal safety. Some tips that you may want to discuss with your student are:

• Lock all doors and windows whenever you leave. Take your keys with you, even if you leave for only a short while.
• Avoid bringing large sums of money, jewelry, or valuable items to college. Leave them in a secure location at home.
• Make sure your purse or backpack is securely closed. Carry purses close to your body.
• Carry enough cash for cab fare, bus fare or telephone calls in case you become uncomfortable and need to go home.
• When walking or exercising, use a well-traveled route, walk purposefully, be observant, and avoid being out alone at night.
• To travel within the campus, call the free Campus Escort Service, a friend, or wait for a campus shuttle to help you get home.
• Report to the police any unusual or suspicious activity or persons.

By Sharon

WESTWOOD—Five windows of a Carvel Ice cream shop located in Westwood were shattered by vandals on Sunday, January 1. The store’s cash register containing less than $200 was taken during the process. 

The business’s owner, Steve Winick, discovered the damage through a friend who sent him images of the shattered windows. 

It is unknown how many people were involved in the crime. In months prior, the property owner removed security cameras and according to the store operator, were never replaced. 

Winick set up a GoFundMe account to help cover his $5,000 deductible for the damage and have raised a total of $1,804 of the goal. 

On January 3, Armando Chavez, who works at a window company offered to help Winick replace his shop’s windows and clean up after hearing initial reports of the crime. Winick offered free ice cream to Chavez and his 500 employees as a thank you for the gesture. 

There have been three other businesses near Carvel Ice Cream subjected to similar crimes in recent months. It is unknown if the crimes are related. 

Canyon News reached out to Winick for a statement but did not hear back before print.

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills indicated in a press release that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) will issue a new Health Officer Order that requires customers to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination prior to entering indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges.

Under the modified Order, employees and customers are required to have at least one vaccine dose by October 7 and both doses by November 4.

The New Health Officer Order will require workers and attendees at outdoor mega events (consisting of crowds over 10,000 people) to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before working or attending the event.

Attendees at indoor mega events are already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to entry. These requirements will also apply to theme parks within the county.

While not required, LACDPH also recommends vaccine verification at indoor portions of restaurants to reduce transmission risk.

This announcement impacts businesses in the City of Beverly Hills. When available, theupdated Health Officer Order can be viewed at beverlyhills.org/coronavirus.

To find the nearest vaccination site, visit VaccinateLACounty.com or beverlyhills.org/covidvaccine. For questions about business impacts from the new Health Office Order, email businessrecovery@beverlyhills.org.

To stay updated on the latest COVID-19 news, visit beverlyhills.org/coronavirus or call the City’s COVID-19 Hotline Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 310-550-4680.

By Donald