Echo Park Closed | 'Stop AAPI Hate' Rallies | SoCal In Brief

LOS ANGELES, CA — As the weekend wraps up, we've rounded up all the stories you may have missed Saturday and Sunday to prepare you for Monday.

But before we jump into the Southland's top stories, Golden State residents should know that the state gave the green light for graduation ceremonies to resume, but with some significant modifications. For example, grads might be discouraged from cap throwing, exchanging flowers or hugging at commencement ceremonies this year.

The state also released more guidance on theme parks, which are allowed to reopen Thursday. Some good news for parks like Disneyland, indoor rides will be allowed to reopen — but rides must be under 15 minutes long, masks must be worn and guests will have to line up outside.

Also, thousands rallied behind Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in demonstrations all over the Golden State this weekend to call for an end to a surge in discrimination and violence. The largest demonstration unfolded in Koreatown, where more than 1,000 gathered on Saturday.

"Many Asian Americans have felt invisible for many years," Steve Kang, vice president of Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, told Patch on Saturday. "Our issues are never front and center."

What's more, amid ongoing vaccine supply challenges, the state expects to open eligibility to every Californian by April 15. As of Sunday, the state had administered a total of 17,136,841 vaccine doses.

From Echo Park's controversial closure in Los Angeles to a paraglider injured in San Jacinto — here are the top Southern California stories you might have missed this weekend.

Paraglider Injured After Hitting Hilltop North Of San Jacinto

• A helicopter rescue operation was launched after a paraglider struck a hilltop near the Soboba Indian Reservation.

Higher Temperatures, Sunny Skies Expected For San Diego County

• Higher temperatures and sunny skies were expected across San Diego County this weekend.

1,000+ March In Koreatown To 'Stop Asian Hate'

• Angelenos and public figures rallied behind Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Los Angeles on Saturday. See the photos.

Sharon Osbourne Out At 'The Talk' Amid Meghan Markle Controversy

• Osbourne is leaving the show after 11 years in the wake of a controversy that erupted over her defense of comments made by Piers Morgan.

CA OK's Indoor Rides At Theme Parks, But Guests Must Mask Up

• As coronavirus cases remain low in the Golden State, officials are loosening and reshaping restrictions on theme parks.

Man Shot Dead In L.A.'s Windsor Hills Community

• A man was shot dead in a neighborhood of the Windsor Hills community early Saturday morning.

Echo Park Closed, Repair And Renovation Project Proceeds

• Echo Park Lake was closed Saturday morning, with the last of more than 200 people experiencing homelessness removed.

Escaped Murderer In Ohio Being Sought In Los Angeles Area

• One of the most wanted fugitives in the United States is being sought in the Los Angeles area after escaping from an Ohio prison in 1973.

RivCo Reports Another Drop In Coronavirus Hospitalizations

• Riverside health officials are urging residents to combat "vaccine hesitancy."

Suspect Arrested In Fatal Shooting Of Man In Orange County

• A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the shooting death of a 45-year-old man at a mobile home park.

Lane Closures In Beaumont Scheduled This Week For I-10 Tune-Up

• Beginning Sunday evening, motorists on Interstate 10 between Beaumont and the Coachella Valley are likely to encounter traffic delays.

Man Says He Was Wrongfully Fired For Complaints Against Petco

• The claims in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit include wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation and hostile work environment.

Lake Elsinore Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Minor Arrested

• The suspect was booked into the Murrieta Southwest Justice Center on suspicion of rape and unlawful sex with a minor.

Pair Say Protests Over Lack Of PPE Got Them Fired

• The suit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against Grupo Estrella LLC alleges wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation.

Orange County Could Move Into The Orange Tier This Week

• The number of coronavirus patients in hospitals has continued to decline along with case rates in Orange County.

Councilman Gil Cedillo Launches 'Get Vaccinated' Campaign

• To encourage Latinx seniors in the First Council District to get a vaccine, LA City Councilman Gil Cedilla launched "Get Vaccinated" effort.

Fire Crews Battle Blaze At Abandoned 'The Riverside' Building

• Firefighters responded to a fire at an abandoned building in Lake Elsinore early Saturday morning.

SD Comic Con To Hold In-Person Convention Thanksgiving Weekend

• Organizers for the San Diego Comic Con have set dates for an in-person event and said the organization has suffered a dire loss in revenue.

City, SD Unified Leaders Urge Responsibility Over Spring Break

• As San Diego's largest school system gradually reopens from shutdowns last year, city leaders cautioned students to avoid gatherings.

CA Leads In Pedestrian Deaths In Early Pandemic Days

• As dangerous driving behaviors increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, so did the number of pedestrians killed, a new report says.

No Handshakes: CA To Allow Modified Graduation Ceremonies

• Graduation ceremonies may finally return a year into the pandemic as California released guidance on how to host commencement safely.

California coronavirus data as of Sunday:

• 3,562,191 confirmed cases to date.

• 2,998 newly recorded confirmed cases Saturday.

• 1.7% is the 7-day positivity rate.

• 53,384,553 tests have been conducted in California.

• 57,746 COVID-19 deaths have been reported since the start of the pandemic.

• 17,136,841 vaccine doses have been administered statewide.