This Week In The News (02/25-03/01)

Environmentalists Furious Over Methane Capture Plan In Aliso Canyon Gas Leak Settlement

Monday, February 25 (CBS Los Angeles) – Environmental groups criticized a settlement reached in August between the Southern California Gas Company and the state of California and the city of Los Angeles. The nearly $120 million settlement arose out of the Aliso Canyon gas leak, the largest methane leak in the nation’s history. Environmentalists are criticizing a plan to capture methane from California dairy farms, along with its inefficiency and potential contribution to air quality concerns.

Woman Struck, Killed By Bus She Was Trying to Catch

Tuesday, February 26 (CBS Los Angeles) – Heather Kirkorowicz, 41, was killed early Tuesday morning after being struck by a Metro bus at Wilshire Boulevard and Rossmore Avenue. Kirkorowicz was trying to flag down the bus, and stepped off the sidewalk, at the time of the accident, according to investigators. Police say the bus driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

Motorist Dies After Driving Off 60 Freeway in Boyle Heights

Tuesday, February 26 (The Eastsider) – A 46-year-old Monterey Park resident was killed after driving his white 199 Isuzu Rodeo off an embankment Monday night. The vehicle struck a light post and freeway sign on the 60 Freeway, before overturning. No other vehicles were involved in the accident. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics pronounced the driver dead at the scene.

Driver Killed When Speeding Car Rear-Ends Disabled Truck

Monday, February 25 (Fox 5) – Shortly after 1 p.m., a white sedan crashed into the rear of a disabled truck on Interstate 5 in the East Village neighborhood of San Diego. The driver of the sedan, said to be in his 20s, died at the scene. Witnesses say he was speeding at 80 to 90 mph before the crash, while the truck crew waited to be towed after experiencing a flat tire.

SDPD Officer and Suspect Rushed to Hospital After Being Run Over by Car

Thursday, February 28 (CBS8) – A vandalism suspect and an SDPD officer were hospitalized after being run over by a car at the 3500 block of Midway Drive. According to a witness, the officer had pinned the suspect down, just before 5 a.m., in an unlit area in the middle of the street. The driver remained on the scene and was not speeding or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Mother Arrested for Suspicion of Child Abuse after 7-Year-Old Suffers Severe Injuries

Tuesday, February 26 (ABC4 News) – Reyna Elizabeth Flores-Rosales, 31, of Sandy, Utah, was arrested Monday afternoon after police responded to a call her 7-year-old son was unresponsive in the shower. The child had multiple injuries and scars, as noted by EMS personnel, who performed CPR on the child and transported him to a local hospital. According to police, Flores-Rosales has a history of legal troubles. She was booked for two counts of second-degree felony child abuse and third-degree child endangerment at the Salt Lake County Jail.

California Considering 100 MPH Limit on I-5

Monday, February 25 (Gildshire Magazines) – An editorial in Gildshire Magazines covered a bill recently introduced by Senator John Moorlach (R-Orange County), which would add lanes on Interstate 5 and State Route 99 with no posted speed limit. The proposed legislation would post a “functional limit” of 100 mph in designated areas. Moorlach has reasoned the legislation could reduce idling traffic and greenhouse gases. At 100 mph, drivers could get from Stockton to Bakersfield in less than 2.5 hours.

Rondo Sparks Lakers After Meeting with Walton

Thursday, February 28 (ESPN.com) – Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton put Rajon Rondo into the starting lineup on Wednesday, in an effort to boost the team’s playoff push. Following Rondo’s 11 points and 16 assists, the Lakers managed a 125-119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. The comeback follows Rondo’s previous complaints of back pain and drew praise from Walton, who said “…he’s [Rondo] proven that over his career that when he gets an opportunity, he shows up to play.”