Painted Ladies; Mountain Lions; Good Samaritans: Top CA Stories

CALIFORNIA — It was another busy news week across California. Missed the headlines on Patch?

Whether you're looking for breaking or bizarre news, or sweet or silly features, we've rounded up some of the most share-worthy stories from the past week.

Take a look at some of this week's top news stories from across the state.

1. Unusually Strong Flu Virus Sweeps SoCal: Report

An unusually potent B strain of influenza has swept across Southern California, causing a surge in hospitalizations.

2. Deputy Fills Tank Of Woman Stranded, Unable To Afford Gas
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's deputy bought the woman gas after discovering the stranded driver while checking up on a school parking lot.

3. CA Zoo Helps Australia's Wildfire Orphans

A California Zoo is collecting colorful pouches to comfort and warm the tiniest survivors of Australia's catastrophic wildfires.

4. Deputy Struck, Killed Helping Elderly Woman In North Hollywood
LA County Sheriff's Department plans a memorial for West Hollywood Deputy Amber Leist following her sudden death Sunday.

5. Accused Menstrual Blood-Thrower From Boulder Creek Charged

Rebecca Dalelio, 43, was charged with assault on a public official and vandalism after allegedly throwing a blood of menstrual blood.

6. 'Joker' Leads 2020 Oscar Nominations With 11 Nods

As expected period-films "The Irishman," "1917," & "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" were lauded while these snubs surprised Hollywood fans.

7. If Astros Cheated In 2017, Were Dodgers Robbed In World Series?

The Houston Astros were punished by MLB on Monday for sign-stealing, raising a question: were the Dodgers deprived of a World Series title?

8. Families Of 4 Killed In Boat Fire Sue Ship's Owners In L.A.

The September fire in a dive boat off the coast of Santa Barbara killed 34 people, four of whose families sued the ship's owners Monday.

9. 3 CA Cities Rank In Top 50 For Bed Bugs: Orkin

Orkin has released its 2020 rankings of the most bed bug-treated cities in the nation. See where we ranked among other metros.

10. Man Gets 16 Years In Prison For Port-A-Potty Sexual Penetration

A Napa County judge sentenced 42-year-old Peterson Fontes to 16 years and 8 months in California state prison – the maximum allowed by law.

11. One Of San Francisco's Painted Ladies Is For Sale

It's called "postcard row" and features some of the most photographed homes in the world. One of them just went on the market.

12. Car Crashes Into Dog Park, Driver Suspected Of DUI: Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Police suspect a woman was drinking after she drove her car through the Mimi De Marta Park fence Tuesday. Her dog was OK.

13. Benicia Among Top 5 U.S. Towns In Running For $500K Hulu Makeover

Public voting will determine whether the North Bay city is the focus of Season 5 of the hit Hulu series, "The Small Business Revolution."

14. Trial Starts For Ex-LAPD Officer Who Led Murder Manhunt

Henry Solis, an off-duty LAPD officer who fled to Mexico after he was charged with a man's murder in 2015, went on trial starting Monday.

15. 5 CA Mountain Lions Filmed Together In 'Extraordinary' Footage

A surveillance camera outside a home in rural California managed to capture five mountain lions together — a highly unusual sight.