STD's On The Rise|Fake Erectile Dysfunction Drugs|Dog Walker-Turned-Burglar|Suspected Burglary Thief Nabbed|Patch PM

Share-worthy stories from across the Southland Patch cities to talk about tonight:

Across California, sexually transmitted diseases were up 40 percent from five years ago, health officials said, and the same rings true for Los Angeles County. According to the county Department of Public Health, there were 59,176 reported cases of chlamydia last year, up 4 percent from the previous year. There were also 22,361 cases of gonorrhea, up 27 percent; 4,018 cases of syphilis, a 16 percent jump; and 37 cases of congenital syphilis, up 67 percent.

An Elysian Park man was caught selling counterfeit erectile dysfunction drugs from his vehicle, City Attorney Mike Feuer announced Wednesday. The man was arrested following an undercover investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and pleaded no contest to one count each of unlawfully furnishing a dangerous drug and possession for sale of a counterfeit mark.

In the South Bay, a dog walker-turned-burglar pled not guilty after allegedly burglarizing the Palos Verdes house using a key that the family had given him to walk their dog. The defendant and his 19-year-old accomplice were both from Hermosa Beach.

In Orange County, a suspected jewelry thief was caught by police after allegedly stealing over $200,000 worth of merchandise from the Shops at the Cliffs Laguna Beach. Read more and see photos of the suspect here.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT:

• 5 Things You Didn't Know About Hugh Hefner, Playboy Extraordinaire: The magazine mogul passed away Wednesday at age 91 in his Los Angeles home.
• Interview With 'Battle Of The Sexes' Star Andrea Riseborough: The actress dishes on her love scene with Emma Stone and the cultural importance of the Billie Jean King tennis biopic.
• Movies Out This Weekend: 'American Made,' 'Our Souls At Night,' 'Flatliners' And 'Till Death Do Us Part': Have you heard Tom Cruise's Baton Rouge accent? Plus, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford reunite on screen in a Netflix original.

COMMUNITY:

• Save On Lyft Rides While Donating To A Good Cause: If you use the promo code, you'll save money on your Lyft trip while donating money to support services for people with disabilities.
• Metro Bike Share Coming Soon To Echo Park: "Echo Park is a fantastic neighborhood to explore – and the Metro Bike Share program will make it easier than ever to do it on two wheels."
• HB Air Show Brings Sights, Sounds & Traffic To Orange County: The Huntington Beach Air Show will fill the skies this weekend with an aerial spectacular! but prepare yourself for the noise & traffic.
• Hundreds Hike With San Clemente On Toll Road Trek: Hundreds of San Clemente residents hiked with city council members, naturalists and learned about the city's lawsuit against the TCA.
• 15,000 Race For The Cure In Newport Beach: Komen Orange County celebrated "Be More Than Pink" this year in the race where 15,000 attended. 75% of funds raised support local programs.

BUSINESS:

• Construction Begins For Ivy Station In Culver City: The $350 million development will feature 200 apartments, ground-floor retail and restaurant space, a 148-room hotel, and more.
• Pros Or Cons Toward Desalinization In OC?: The proposed seawater desalination facility will provide 50 million gallons of water per day, still, it is embroiled in controversy.

HEALTH:

• Laguna Hills Braille Institute Aids OC's "Low Vision" Residents: Braille Institute's workshops open to people with low vision or total blindness; Family, friends & caregivers are encouraged to attend.

POLICE & FIRE LOS ANGELES:

• Gang-Related Murder Of Father – Conviction Upheld: The father of two was shot in the back in Redondo Beach four years ago.
• Compton Man Pleads No Contest To Stabbing Girlfriend In Hospital: The man punched his girlfriend and stabbed her on her hands, arms and neck while visiting her at St. Mary Medical Center.
• Man Arrested After Barricading Himself Inside Wells Fargo: The man entered the Hawthorne bank and handed a teller a note, prompting evacuations, according to reports.
• Phony Immigration Attorney Accused Of Bilking Aliens Seeking Legal Status: U.S. Attorney: Defendant "victimized dozens of immigrants who were attempting to realize the American dream by paying someone they thought was a lawyer."

POLICE & FIRE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY:

• Fatality On Azusa Closes Intersection Thursday Morning: This Azusa intersection is closed Thursday for police investigations following an early morning fatal hit-and-run

POLICE & FIRE ORANGE COUNTY:

• Canyon Fire Update: Smoke Advisories, School Closures & Evacuations Lifted, Thursday: Schools are open and neighbors are back home Thursday, but the smoke is still affecting the air of Orange County, LA County and Riverside.

SPORTS:

• New Voice Of L.A. Kings Debuts At Thursday's Game: Alex Faust, 28, takes over for longtime NHL announcer Bob Miller, who retired last season.

GOVERNMENT:

• Water Agreement: United States, Mexico Sign Pact Governing Colorado River Use: The 9-year deal stresses conservation to make sure that water is available during a drought.

WEATHER:

• Dense Fog Develops In Orange County: Dense fog advisories along the coast and in southern Orange County will limit visibility to less than one-quarter mile Friday.

HOLIDAY:

• Best LA Oktoberfests 2017: Oom-Pah-Pah!: Indulge Bavarian-style. We've rounded up the best fests in the Southland to make it a Fun-tober!
• Halloween Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches 2017: L.A. County: Where and when are the Griffith Park haunted hayrides, Oktoberfests, Day of the Dead events? See our Los Angeles Co. city-by-city guide.
• Halloween Haunted Houses, Hay Mazes, Pumpkin Patches 2017: Orange County: Where and when are the Oktoberfests, Day of the Dead events, Mickey parties and Knotts Scary Farm? See our O.C. city-by-city guide.

» Also Worth A Look Today

• Wall-To-Wall Wonderful: $4.72M In Hollywood Hills
  • WOW House: This Spanish-style home in Outpost Estates is a masterful blend of Old World design with modern amenities.
• 'Mad Men' Magnificent: $1.3M In San Gabriel Valley
  • WOW House: This property has not been up for sale in more than 50 years. Pack the cocktail shaker, and make yourself at home!
• Surfside Magnificence; Mansion With Multiple Boat Docks; Pools Galore: California Wow Houses
  • Here in the Golden State, it's all about outdoor living. Take a look at the amazing homes featured this week!

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