COVID's New Symptom | Forklift Rampage | Rare Killer Whales: CA News

CALIFORNIA — On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from all across Southern California. Here's a roundup of some of the most-read stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

New COVID Strain Brings Unusual New Symptom

Coronavirus cases remain low in Los Angeles, but wastewater shows it's spreading — likely due to the contagious new strain Arcturus.

Bed Bath & Beyond Files For Bankruptcy: CA Closing Sales To Begin

Bed Bath & Beyond will shutter 41 stores throughout the Golden State, with closing sales starting this week.

Man Steals Forklift Wednesday Night In Costa Mesa, Police Say

The man was apparently trying to ram pedestrians with the forklift after he stole it from a construction site, according to witnesses.

Mosquitoes Lurk In CA After A Wet Winter

Abundant water and warmer days could provide fertile breeding grounds for mosquitoes in California. Here are a few ways to prepare.

Lake Elsinore Woman Awarded $2.2B In Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit

A RivCo jury spent 3 days mulling the record award for a decade of abuse by an LDS church elder.

CA Teacher Salaries Could Climb 50 Percent Under Proposed Law

Legislation introduced this week aims to raise salaries for teachers and school staffers by 50 percent over the next few years.

City Employee Accused Of Abusing 200 Youths Prompts $122.5M Settlement

Santa Monica reached settlements with 124 alleged victims to resolve suits arising from sexual abuse allegations against one man.

Rare Pod Of Killer Whales Spotted Off Orange County Coast

The rare pod of orcas were spotted by travelers aboard a Newport Coastal Adventure vessel on Monday.

Infant Found Dead In Park In South El Monte

The Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is investigating the discovery of a dead infant in a park on Friday.

Michael Eisner Discounts Malibu Estate — Now Listed For $195M

The property by the numbers: 16 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, 9 structures and 1 pool-to-theater-tunnel.

CA City Launches Its Own Subsidized Uber Competitor

Rides will cost between $1.50 and $3 thanks to a subsidy from Prop A funds.

LAPD Chases Spike With Deadly Consequences For Bystanders

The LAPD averages two car chases per day, and bystanders are more likely to be hurt or killed than suspects, data shows.

Weather 180: Cool Rain Forecast To Follow CA Heat Wave

Do not let this week's heat deceive you: Cooler, wetter weather is eyeing a return to California, and more snow may be coming to the Sierra.

Suspect Bites Finger Off LAPD Sergeant Trying To Escort Him Off Train

The gruesome incident occurs as the city grapples with the perception that Metro has a safety problem.

Help Urgently Needed To ID Kidnapping Victim And Attacker In LA County

A security camera captured an incident in which a man, pistol-whipped a woman and dragged her into his car Tuesday, according to police.

Layoffs And Restructuring At Vice Media Cuts News Program: Report

Vice Media announced Thursday that it would cut 250 jobs globally in an effort to streamline its news division.

Mallard Found With Arrow Stuck Through Neck Ready For Release

After a long four weeks of recovery, the Mallard Drake found shot with a crossbow arrow through its neck and cheek is ready to be released.

SoCal Restaurants Named 'Global Tastemakers' By Food & Wine

According to Food & Wine readers, Los Angeles and San Diego are home to some of the nation's best eats, from fine dining to street food.

Landslide Halts Rail Service Through Orange County Friday

The sudden closure left commuters without alternative means of transportation when the landslide struck Thursday afternoon.

Rodney On The ROQ DJ Accused Of Sexually Abusing Runaways Founder

A woman who founded the band Runaways as a minor is suing Radio personality Rodney Bingenheimer alleging he assaulted her when she was 13.

Mom Killed, Child Hospitalized After Truck Slams Into Them Near School

A six-year-old first grader is in critical condition after a truck struck her and killed her mom before slamming into an apartment building.

Parking Dispute Escalates Into Shooting In Long Beach

The Long Beach Police Department is investigating a traffic collision that escalated into a shooting near Alamitos Heights Thursday night.

Disney Begins Laying Off Thousands In Second Wave Of Cutbacks

The layoffs which will last through Thursday are the second of three rounds of mass layoffs at the entertainment giant.

Suspect, 21, Accused Of Shooting 2 Teens Has History Of Arrests

One of the teens was in critical condition as of Monday night, Orange County Sheriff's deputies said.

NYC Hotspot Marea Restaurant Is Coming to Beverly Hills: Report

Marea is known for its coastal Italian fare and hosting the likes of everyone from President Barack Obama to Beyoncé.

Tragic Crash Prompts City To Pursue Speed Humps For All Schools

A first grader was critically injured and her mom was killed after being struck by a truck in a crosswalk on the way to school Tuesday.

Temecula Mayor Invites 'Lisa From Temecula' To The 2023 State Of City

Temecula Mayor Zak Schwank shared the city's sense of humor and a seat at the table to SNL actress Ego Nwodim AKA 'Lisa from Temecula.'

Gay Disney Exec Drops Lawsuit Over His 'Dead-End Career Track'

Joel Hopkins claimed Disney kept him in the same VP-level position for over 20 years after learning he was gay.

Hollywood Food Festival Set For Saturday

You can support homeless services while sampling food and drink from over 20 local vendors at PATH's Taste of Home in Hollywood.

22-Year-Old Rapper Killed In Prison After Riverside County Conviction

MoneySign Suede, whose real name was Jaime Brugada Valdez, was found slain Tuesday at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad.

US Marine Dies During Training Exercise At Inland Empire Base

The incident is currently under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

Other top stories:

• New Handicapped-Accessible Hot Air Balloon Takes Flight Over Temecula
• 2 Shot, 1 Arrested After Shots Fired Near South OC Community Center
• Crate & Barrel's CB2 Is Coming To Malibu Country Mart
• Olympic Boulevard Businesses Burglarized In Overnight Spree: Police
• Burglary Suspect Found In Dumpster In Irvine, Police Say
• Redfin Profiles Calabasas — Is It A Good Place To Live?
• Mystery Ooze Shuts Down Stretch Of Sepulveda Boulevard
• Riverside County Deputy Killed In Off-Duty Traffic Crash
• Tragic Crash Prompts City To Pursue Speed Humps For All Schools
• Lake Elsinore Man Sought In Attempted Wildomar Carjacking: RSO
• Proposed Hollywood Plan Calls For Adding 35,000 Housing Units
• 3 Pounds Of Narcotics, Multiple Ghost Guns Seized In Long Beach Arrest