Kidnapping Caught On Tape; Ortega Highway Tragedy: Today Around Orange County

LOS ANGELES, CA — Here are your Los Angeles and Orange County Patch stories that people are talking about today:

• Mysterious LA Kidnapping Captured On Video Police are hoping someone will recognize a man who grabbed a woman off the street and forced her into his van in Sylmar Wednesday
• Ortega Highway Crash: One Dead, Three Hospitalized, CHP Says SR-74 was closed for approximately three hours after the deadly wreck Thursday morning, according to the CHP.
• Yarn Bomb Brings Explosion Of Color To Franklin Park Franklin Park got "Yarn Bombed," when artists from around the city came to install their art within nature.
• Fugitive Hospital Staffer Suspected Of Sexually Assaulting Patients Arrested In 11-Year Manhunt A Most-Wanted fugitive suspected of sexually assaulting patients at a Tarzana hospital has been captured after an 11-year manhunt.
• The Pro-Charter Era Begins With New LAUSD Board Two new LAUSD board members backed by charter supporters took office Thursday, officially swinging the board's majority pro-charter.
• 4th Of July Bullet Pierces Outdoor Pool Near Glendora An above-ground backyard swimming pool was pierced by a bullet near Glendora. Police say could be from 4th of July celebrations
• Alleged LA Burglars Lead Police On Cross County Car Chase Arrests were made following a cross-county car chase and subsequent crash in OC. You'll never guess what the cops found in the car.
• For Hollywood Royalty, Only A Castle Will Do WOW House: The home once occupied by Hollywood royalty Carole Lombard and Clark Gable looks like a Spanish castle, as it should.
• Recognize This Griffith Park Car Burglary Suspect? A witness snapped a photo of a man police believe to be part of a crew of smash and grab burglars at Griffith Park
• 4th of July Fireworks Fizzle In Rancho Santa Margarita Think you missed the 4th of July fireworks in Rancho Santa Margarita? Think again. A malfunction ruined the night for many holiday hopefuls.
• Brush Fire Scorches Elysian Park, Hikers Evacuated Firefighters battled a small brush fire at Elysian Park Thursday.
• Violent Crime Increases In LA For Third Straight Year Violent crime is up in LA so far in 2017, but the increase is slowing, and LAPD Chief Beck predicts a drop by year's end: BREAKING.
• Joan Lee, Wife And Muse Of Comic Book Legend Stan Lee, Has Died "I took one look at her, and she was the girl I had been drawing all my life," Stan Lee said of the first time he saw wife Joan Lee.
• Chatsworth Brush Fire Threatens Homes Firefighters are working to protect Heather Lee Lane homes in Chatsworth from a brush fire in Stoney Point Park
• Philanthropist Alex von Furstenberg Donates Land With Ocean View To Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Alex von Furstenberg donated 38 acres of Malibu open space overlooking the ocean to the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority.