This Week In The News (02/03-02/07)

Kobe Bryant Death: No Engine Failure in Helicopter Crash, Preliminary NTSB Report Says

Friday, February 7 (ABC 7) – An NTSB report following the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant, his daughter Giana, and seven others last month found no evidence of engine failure. Investigators found a cut tree branch at the site, suggesting the engines and rotors were running at the time of impact. The report also said the helicopter gained altitude over the 101 Freeway, traveling at a speed of 184 mph, turned left, and descended. A witness reported seeing the aircraft flying forward and downward through the fog before crashing into the hillside. The helicopter did not have a recommended Terrain Awareness and Warning System.

Mulholland Drive Closed in Hollywood Hills After Overturned Tanker Truck Spills Gallons of Substance

Friday, February 7 (ABC 7) – On Friday morning, a tanker truck overturned on Mulholland Drive, causing both sides of the road to be closed. Hazmat teams were dispatched to the scene in Hollywood Hills, between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Drive, before 8:00 a.m. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the tanker was carrying 500 gallons of water and 60 gallons of a soil fumigant. Crews contained and were working to clean up the spill, while the driver of the truck was hospitalized with minor injuries.

Mid-City Motel Fire Leaves 1 Dead, 1 in Critical Condition

Friday, February 7 (CBS Los Angeles) – One person died and eight others were injured in a fire at the Venice Hotel reported at about 2:00 a.m. Friday. A firefighter was among those injured. The fire affected multiple units on two floors of the motel, located at 8686 W. Venice Blvd., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Smoke alarms in the building woke some residents during the fire. Firefighters extinguished it within 40 minutes, and determined it was ignited by a space heater placed too close to combustible materials.

2nd Plane Carrying American Coronavirus Evacuees Arrives in San Diego

Friday, February 7 (Fox 5 San Diego) – On Friday morning, a second plane transporting 167 coronavirus evacuees from Wuhan, China, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar. They will be quarantined for two weeks, an MCAS Miramar report said. Five individuals developed symptoms and were hospitalized (three at UC San Diego Health and two at Rady Children’s Hospital). A second plane on Friday took evacuees from Travis Air Force Base near Sacramento to Lackland Air Force Base, near San Antonio, Texas. So far, there have been 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S.

‘I Did Nothing Wrong’: Trump Defiant After Senate Acquittal

Thursday, February 6 (CapRadio) – After declaring victory Thursday following his Senate acquittal on two articles of impeachment, President Trump lashed out at his political opponents. Trump said he did nothing wrong, praised his legal team, and criticized the FBI. His speech lasted over an hour and also included comments about Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah; lead House manager Adam Schiff, D-California; and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Schiff told NPR he’d still like to hear from officials such as Mick Mulvaney and Mike Pompeo, suggesting there could be further investigation.

California Proposes Amendments to Proposition 65 Warning Regulations

Friday, February 7 (The National Law Review) – California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment proposed amendments to Proposition 65 warning regulations on January 31, to address certain ambiguities. The Proposition 65 law requires people to be warned of potential exposure to carcinogens or reproductive toxicants. The proposed amendments include clarifying mobile devices are included in internet sales, electronic devices can convey warnings only at physical stores, the types of products that warnings apply to, and product-specific warnings must be provided for online or catalog sales, with foreign language translations. The proposal also includes several provisions for alcoholic beverages.

Pedestrian Killed in Pacoima Hit-and-Run, Driver Arrested

Friday, February 7 (NBC Los Angeles) – On Thursday night, a pedestrian was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Pacoima. The accident occurred at the intersection of Glenoaks Boulevard and Desmond Street, at about 8:15 p.m., according to police. The driver of a burgundy or red SUV was taken into custody a short time later.

Firefighters Who Helped Battle Australian Wildfires Coming Home to LA

Wednesday, February 5 (NBC Los Angeles) – On Wednesday, 20 firefighters returning from Australia were applauded by onlookers as they arrived at Los Angeles International Airport. The Los Angeles National Forest firefighters had been battling raging wildfires since being deployed on January 6. According to Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia, they spent an estimated total of 7,200 hours fighting brush fires alongside the Victoria Rural Fire Service. They were reunited with loved ones at Los Angeles Fire Department Station 5.