Lindsay William-Ross

Remember those two teens found dead inside a vacant Huntington Beach apartment in January? Found on scene was a variety of evidence indicating likely drug and alcohol use, including an empty bottle of Four Loko, the energy drink that has been banned in some states. Today the coroner has released a report indicating the teens died from drug overdoses, though alcohol played a role in one of the two's death, according to the OC...

A 19-year-old Riverside man has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old boy with a toy lightsaber, according to KTLA. Javier Enrique Perez was found guilty on four felony counts, including "sexual penetration by foreign object by force." The crime took place while a handful of other children and teens watched; Perez assaulted the boy in the kitchen with the light saber by holding him down against the kitchen table. In addition, Perez "was...

Steve Cooley | Photo via L.A. District Attorney's Office Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley finally admitted Tuesday that he will not seek a fourth term in 2012. Cooley cites the primary reason for opting out of an upcoming race as his age--"he will be 65 when he completes his term," notes the Daily News, and has worked nearly 40 years as a prosecutor. Cooley's announcement ends months of speculation, much of which...

Mildred "Patty" Baena (via MySpace) In a "world exclusive" report, tabloid site RadarOnline has revealed the identity of the staffer with whom former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had a son. Her name is Mildred Patricia Baena, she goes by the name Patty, she is 50 years old, and her son was born about 14 years ago. Baena was employed for 20 years as a housekeeper in the home Schwarzenegger shared with his wife, Maria...

Asian fusion tacos from the Flying Pig Truck (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist) From the streets to, well, just one street, the Flying Pig Truck has announced they will be setting up shop in Little Tokyo with a permanent restaurant space. The Flying Pig Café is the truck's chef and owner Joe Kim's first brick-and-mortar endeavor, and is slated to open in June. The Flying Pig Café menu will showcase the same Asian and Pacific Rim flavors...

Photo by Jennifer Gaillard via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr Ring, ring! Civic duty is calling, Angelenos! Today is a City of Los Angeles General Municipal Election day. Polls are open today from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Information about today's election, as well as polling places, and, later today, poll results, are available online via the City Clerk's Election page. On the ballot: Two education runoff races. One is the Los...

Photo by futureatlas.com via Flickr These days the pain at the pump is felt by the motorists, but on Sunday, one gas station owner in Wilmington had a "computer glitch" to blame for his pump-prompted pain. Kenny Nguyen, proprietor of a Valero station, unwittingly charged customers $1.10 per gallon for Premium Unleaded gasoline for four hours--when the price should have been around $4.29, according to the Daily Breeze. Word got out that the gas...

Compressed melon salad from Bouchon on offer during one of the tasting events at the 2010 Taste of Beverly Hills event (Lindsay William-Ross/LAist) Initially separate--though not equal, by a longshot--last year's inaugural Food & Wine Taste of Beverly Hills has merged with the Los Angeles Times' Celebration of Food and Wine and their spawn is called The Taste. The event will be a four-day celebration of epicurean delights, showcasing local chefs, restaurants, food personalities...

(Paul Abell/AP) Police in Inglewood are working to determine who fatally shot Cali Swag rapper Mante "M-Bone" Talbert Sunday night, but as of yet have no motive or suspects, even after speaking with multiple witnesses. Authorities, however, have been able to get "a description of the car that was involved," in the drive-by shooting, according to L.A. Now. A rep from the rap group Cali Swag have released a statement about the group's loss,...

If you've just reached for a late-morning snack stashed in your workplace's cupboards or drawers, do yourself a favor and check the packaging. Bimbo Bakeries USA Inc. have announced the recall of six kinds of mini-donuts they sell since "they may develop an uncharacteristic smell and become moldy," explains the OC Register. Mmm, tasty: Mold! The recall covers three kinds of Entenmann's Pop 'Ems in four western states, including California, which "come in blue...

Photo by CarbonNYC via Flickr A 49-year-old Hummer driver was arrested yesterday evening and charged with vehicular manslaughter for his role in a series of three hit-and-run accidents he perpetrated while under the influence, according to the Ventura County Star. Satnam Singh of Ventura struck and injured a pair of bicyclists, a family in a pickup truck, and, in the last collision, killed a 20-year-old man. Singh first ran into a mother and daughter...

On Big Sunday it's okay to get a little dirt on your hands! (Photo via Big Sunday) Los Angeles, it is time to roll up your sleeves, and pitch in. From getting down and dirty (in community and school gardens) to using some old fashioned elbow grease (to clean up communities) there are hundreds of opportunities to do some big time good as part of Big Sunday this weekend. Once again, volunteer brigades all...