Tag: San Fernando Valley

WOODLAND HILLS—A persistent water leak on Yucatan Avenue in Woodland Hills has left neighbors demanding answers after years of unresolved complaints. There is a pool of water and sludge on the sidewalk that never fully dries. Crews have responded multiple times over the years, including several visits in 2023.

The standing water has drawn insects like mosquitoes and bees. One nearby resident’s mail carrier stopped delivering mail to their address because of a bee allergy. In an interview with KTLA 5 News, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power indicated the water isn’t coming from the water main but from natural groundwater beneath the street.

Residents argue that no formal inspection or report has ever confirmed that. Two neighbors living adjacent to the leak, Amy Shapiro and Matt Witek spoke to KTLA with, Shapiro indicating she first noticed the leak in 2018, while Witek says he first spotted the issue in 2021, when he moved in.

“It’s basically hearsay which is unacceptable for a geological concern especially given the sinkholes recently in Los Angeles…Not only is this a health and safety hazard for me and my family; it’s a hand being raised in concern for our neighborhood,” Witek told KTLA 5 about LADWP’s explanation.

Neighbors say they have contacted 311, LADWP, and Los Angeles City Council member Bob Blumenfield’s office for years, but no single department has taken accountability. Shapiro says she feels ignored despite paying for city services. According to Shapiro, “Everyone pays taxes to ensure our public streets and utilities are well maintained and safe. We do not feel taken care of by the city.”

Blumenfield is a councilmember for the 3rd Council District which includes the southwestern San Fernando Valley neighborhoods of LA that include Woodland Hills, Winnetka, Canoga Park, Reseda and Tarzana.

By Milan Manesh

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, October 24, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of Oren David Sela, 35, of North Hills (25 miles north of the San Fernando Valley) in an identity theft case of fraudulently obtaining close to $2.6 million allegedly.

Reports indicate that Sela stole mail and packages delivered to Beverly Hills residents and used their personal information to open bank accounts in their names. He proceeded to illegally transfer money out of his victims’ bank accounts.

Sela was charged in an eight-count indictment by a federal grand jury including three counts of bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of possession of 15 or more unauthorized electronic access devices, one count of unlawful possession of five or more identity documents, and two counts of possession of stolen mail.

Reports indicate that Sela had been incarcerated since December 2022, when he was arrested for driving a stolen car. During his arrest, police found several debit cards in the names of at least six of his victims.

Upon further investigation, authorities were able to recover bank account information on at least 18 different victims, several debit cards, and large retail items including a $17,000 watch.

According to prosecutors, if convicted, Sela may face up to 20 years in federal prison for each count of bank fraud, plus up to 10 years in prison for unauthorized possession of access devices, and five additional years prison time for each count of mail fraud. In addition, he could be sentenced to a mandatory two-year prison sentence for aggravated identity theft to be served consecutively with his other sentences.

According to the DOJ, authorities believe there may be up to 20 additional victims from Sela’s identity theft schemes that took place between November 2021 and October 2023.

By Sharon