This Week In The News (02/10-02/14)

Wrong-Way Crashes Unfold on Southern California Roads Overnight

Sunday, February 16 (CBS Los Angeles) – On Sunday, two people were killed in wrong-way crashes in Southern California. A flatbed truck traveling the wrong way on the 405 Freeway in West Los Angeles struck a Jaguar. The incident occurred just after 2:30 a.m. The truck driver survived, according to the California Highway Patrol, although authorities suspect alcohol was a factor. A wrong way crash also occurred on the 210 Freeway by Huntington Drive after 5:00 a.m.; it involved two cars and killed at least one person.

Vanessa Bryant Delivers Loving Message to Kobe in Instagram Post: ‘To My Forever Valentine, I Love You So Much’

Saturday, February 15 (KABC) – Vanessa Bryant delivered a Valentine’s Day message to late husband Kobe Bryant on Instagram this week. The heartfelt, solemn message included a photo of Bryant and her husband, killed in a recent helicopter crash along with daughter Gianna and seven others, embracing. Audio from Lauryn Hill’s “Tell Him” was included in the message. Vanessa Bryant has been open about her struggles with recent losses on social media. On Friday, details on an upcoming celebration of life at Staples Center for Kobe and Giana were released.

Driver Suspected of DUI After Crashing Into Dentist’s Office

Sunday, February 16 (Fox 5 San Diego) – Police arrested a driver who crashed into a dentist’s office Sunday on suspicion of DUI. The crash occurred in the Normal Heights neighborhood of San Diego, on the 3800 block of El Cajon Boulevard, according to police. It was reported at about 6:30 a.m. There were no serious injuries.

Americans Evacuated From Cruise Ship Near Tokyo Trade One Quarantine for Another

Sunday, February 16 (Fox 5 San Diego) – Cheryl and Paul Molesky, of Syracuse, NY, chose to trade a coronavirus quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship near Tokyo to be brought to the United States for quarantine at a U.S. military facility. Some of the 380 Americans on the ship left Sunday night, according to the Japanese defense ministry. Americans were being flown to Travis Air Force Base in California and Lackland Air Force Base in Texas to undergo another 14 days of quarantine. On Sunday, Japan announced another 70 infections were reported on the ship, including 40 Americans, raising the total onboard cases to 355.

New California Law Aims to Make it Faster for Voters to Update Registration on Election Day

Friday, February 14 (CapRadio) – Senate Bill 207, signed into law this week by Governor Gavin Newson, is intended to make it easier for California voters to change their address and party affiliation before or on the day of California’s March 3 primary. Voters will be able to make changes without filling out a full registration form. The bill was authored by Democratic Senator Melissa Hurtado of the Fresno area.

Activists Call for Investigation 5 Years After Torrance Refinery Explosion That Injured 4

Saturday, February 15 (KTLA) – On Saturday, activists called for an investigation into an explosion at an Exxon Mobile refinery in Torrance on February 18, 2015 that killed four people. The activists raised concerns about a more catastrophic incident that could release toxic chemicals and fumes into the environment. A U.S. Chemical Safety Board investigation found, in the incident, a piece of equipment nearly crashed into a hydrofluoric acid tank. The agency also said the toxic substance, used to make high-octane gasoline, can form a deadly, ground-hugging chemical cloud.

Non-Profit Foundation Pays $3 Million Settlement for Alleged Kickbacks to Medicare Patients

Friday, February 14 (The National Law Review) – Patient Services, Inc. (PSI), which allegedly helped three pharmaceutical companies (Insys, Aegerion, and Alexion) pay kickbacks to Medicare patients, paid $3 million to settle allegations it violated the False Claims Act. Under the act’s Anti-Kickback Statute, such activity is prohibited. The settlement agreement also requires the company enters into a three-year Integrity Agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General. The U.S. government alleged PSI worked with pharmaceutical companies to divert money from manufacturers to Medicare patients, while the kickbacks served as incentives for patients to take on the exorbitant costs charged for the drugs.

3-Year-Old Ejected From Car Seat in Sylmar Crash, 2 Other Children, 2 Adults Injured

Friday, February 14 (CBS Los Angeles) – A two-vehicle crash on the 210 Freeway on Friday afternoon left a 3-year-old boy in critical condition. Two other children, a 6-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy, were also injured, as was a 27-year-old woman and a 42-year-old woman. Their conditions ranged from serious to fair, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The collision occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m. on a transition road from the eastbound side of the freeway, leading to the northbound 5 Freeway.