Local News
Abandoned Hollywood Hills mansion covered with graffiti – NBC Los Angeles
An abandoned mansion with scenic views in the Hollywood Hills has turned into a four-story eyesore taken over by taggers and squatters.
Neighbors told NBCLA the house has been vacant for about a decade, but squatters started moving in over a year ago. In the last week, fresh graffiti appeared on the mansion, despite walls and fencing placed around the property designed to keep people out.
Records show John Powers Middleton bought the mansion in 2012. Then in October 2022, after it was declared a nuisance, LA’s Department of Building and Safety said Middleton must build a fence and secure the property.
When he didn’t, the city had to build the fence itself.
Video from NewsChopper4 showed the hillside mansion at 7571 Mulholland Drive covered with graffiti in what City Councilmember Nithya Raman’s office described as a “public safety issue with serious consequences for both neighbors and the surrounding community.” In a statement to NBCLA, Raman’s office said Friday that she has been in contact with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Department of Building and Safety about the residence.
“This owner is in egregious violation of the law and we are elevating the issue with the abandoned buildings unit at the Department of Building and Safety to ensure that the fullest extent of enforcement is being implemented urgently and swiftly,” Raman’s office said in the statement.
An abatement order was previously issued by the building and safety department, but Raman’s office said it was ignored by the property owner. The agency attempted to secure the property with fencing, but that “security measure was breached,” the statement continued.
The four-story, six-bedroom mansion with a large pool is perched on a hillside overlooking Los Angeles with views to the east and south. All levels of the exterior and the roof of the home, building in 2003, appear covered in graffiti. Many of the windows are shattered.
“This is really tragic,” said resident Pat Johnston. “This is a fire hazard for us.”
Los Angeles police said officers have responded to the property four times in the last two days.
The mansion isn’t the only target in the neighborhood for taggers, residents said.
“The guys who come tag, they’re tagging other houses on other properties,” said resident Mateo Herrerros. “I could care less about this house. It’s an abandoned house. The owner doesn’t care about it. I don’t really care about it. It’s just the element it brings.”
NBCLA is attempting to contact the property owner. Public records show property taxes have not been paid for years.
“There was a rumor they were going to tear this house down,” Johnston said. “I’d like that.”
Local News
Officer stabbed, suspected attacker dead outside police station in Santa Monica – NBC Los Angeles
A man was shot and killed after stabbing an officer Saturday outside the doors of a police station in Santa Monica.
At around 5:21 p.m., an officer in front of a police station was confronted by a man in his 30s who pulled out a knife on him and began attacking him unprovoked, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
The knife-wielding man slashed, stabbed the officer and continued to follow him as the officer attempted to retreat around the corner of the building.
The officer drew his weapon and opened fire. Santa Monica officers gave the suspect medical aid until the fire department arrived but succumbed to his injuries.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital with serious stab wounds but is expected to survive, police said.
More information on the attacker was not immediately available.
Local News
Officer stabbed, suspected attacker dead outside police station in Santa Monica – NBC Los Angeles
A man was shot and killed after stabbing an officer Saturday outside the doors of a police station in Santa Monica.
At around 5:21 p.m., an officer in front of a police station was confronted by a man in his 30s who pulled out a knife on him and began attacking him unprovoked, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.
The knife-wielding man slashed, stabbed the officer and continued to follow him as the officer attempted to retreat around the corner of the building.
The officer drew his weapon and opened fire. Santa Monica officers gave the suspect medical aid until the fire department arrived but succumbed to his injuries.
The injured officer was transported to a local hospital with serious stab wounds but is expected to survive, police said.
More information on the attacker was not immediately available.
Local News
WWII veteran celebrates 103rd birthday – NBC Los Angeles
Larry Schlesinger, a WWII Army veteran, celebrated his 103rd birthday Saturday surrounded by generations of family and friends, reflecting on over a century of life.
“It feels great to have all these people around me and my whole family going to all this trouble to celebrate my birthday,” said Schlesinger.
The centenarian enlisted in the Army in February of 1942, sailing on the Grey Ghost and the Queen Mary, which served as a troop ship in the war.
Proud of his Jewish heritage, Schlesinger joined the front lines in hopes of putting an end to antisemitism.
“You know at the end of World War Two I came home and thought that will be the end of it. Humanity has learned its lessons. We buried millions of people. We didn’t learn anything. We’ve been at constant war,” said Schlesinger.
The army veteran continues to stay up to date with the current Israel-Hamas war and called the unrest “disturbing.”
He said he never goes to bed without watching the news.
“We live life to enjoy it, stay informed, keep alert to the changes in politics of our country and the rest of the world,” said Schlesinger.
The veteran plans to exercise his American right in the upcoming November election by voting in person.
“We watched the political debates, we pay code attention to the key people involved. And we intend to make our voices heard,” said Schlesinger.
He credits staying interested in the world around him as one of the secrets to a long and healthy life.
“What’s going on in the world is terribly important. Maybe I won’t see if affects me tomorrow or the next day but it will certainly affect my children and grandchildren,” said Schlesinger.
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