Local News
Fall is here, but experts say communities need a heat plan – NBC Los Angeles
Heat is the leading cause of climate-related deaths in the country, but knowing how deadly it is? That’s not as clear.
The Centers for Disease Control counted roughly 2,300 heat-related deaths last year, with more than three-fourths of them from six states that included California. A study from Texas A&M, however, projects the actual number could be four times greater, with approximately 11,000 Americans dying from extreme heat last year.
A new pilot program in California is in the works to create a revamped heat warning system.
“Through that, the state of California has pledged to make their information about EMS visits and all sorts of that kind of information more available to communities more quickly,” V. Kelly Turner, Associate Professor of Urban Planning at UCLA & Associate Director of the Luskin Center for Innovation, said.
Turner says we can get a better understanding of how extreme heat is affecting us as it’s happening, which could create more immediate heat protocols to protect people at home, at schools and at work. She says communities are already trying out efforts to battle the heat
“Communities everywhere are tinkering around with some good ideas like trying to plant more trees or trying to get mechanical cooling like air conditioning and heat pumps into people’s homes or get cooling centers in communities in places where people actually go. Those are some good ideas. However, we need to do a better job at getting people specific information,” Turner said.
New research in the publication, Nature, led by Jennifer Vanos from the School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, looks at a person’s distinct physiology, which could then determine how we individually react to temperature and humidity on any given day
Turner explains it like this:
“I see a future where everyone has not only their weather app on their phone but also another app maybe that draws in some of that personal data and it can give them really detailed information. For instance, we could say today it’s 100 degrees, 60% humidity and until 10 a.m., it is perfectly safe for you to go to on a run if you are in the shade or you could walk in the sun. But after that, you should probably stay inside or get somewhere cool because it’s not safe to do either,” she said.
She points to how this might help outdoor workers like those in construction or agriculture, and in turn, forecast policies needed to help these workers.
Los Angeles, which has its own Heat Officer, and Los Angeles County are expected to soon release Heat Action Plans.
The state of California already has one.
Beginning only a few months back, it allowed local governments, community-based groups and others to apply for grants to help create projects and cooling strategies like adding shade or making buildings more surface reflective through the Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program.
Turner says her group at UCLA recently received funding through NOAA to have a Center for Heat Resilient Communities, which will be convening teams of experts throughout the United States to create a blueprint for what a heat resilient community looks like and then create a roadmap for actions that communities can do to get prepared.
She says they will be field testing with 30 communities over the next three years. Information on this program can be found online.
Local News
Devastated family of woman killed by rock thrown through car windshield speaks out – NBC Los Angeles
The devastated family of Sarina Rodriguez who was killed after someone threw a rock through her car windshield is speaking out about the tragedy as the person responsible remains at large.
Rodriguez was driving with her boyfriend along Highway 138 near Highway 18 in Antelope Valley just after midnight on Oct. 8 when a large rock was thrown through her windshield, according to CHP. The rock struck and killed the 25-year-old driver.
“It happened right before I went into the turn. A car passed me never went into the turn, the rock was directly for the driver right above the cluster it broke the steering wheel ring,” recounted Franko Martinez, who was the passenger in the vehicle.
Martinez said he was able to steer the car to the shoulder but there was nothing he could do to help Rodriguez.
“All I can do is pray right now. It’s hard to sleep,” said Martinez.
CHP continues to investigate the tragedy and at least one other similar incident that happened two days before Rodriguez was killed, where a large rock was thrown at another car’s windshield.
“I didn’t get to say goodbye to her and I didn’t get to tell her how much I loved her because I do. I did. I always will,” said Sylvia Perez, sister to Rodriguez.
The heartbroken family asks anyone on the road that day who may have seen something to come forward to help keep other drivers safe and bring justice to Rodriguez.
“There is a killer on this road and we have to find this person,” said Drew Harrity, uncle to Rodriguez. “There was a whole life behind this story that was cut short and a promising future that she had. I can promise you if anyone out there met her they would love her too. That’s who she was.”
Local News
7-Eleven owners back Prop 36 with $1 million check following wave of robberies – NBC Los Angeles
7-Eleven owners, city officials and law enforcement rallied together Thursday to support Prop 36, after a string of brazen smash-and-grab robberies.
From Anaheim to Pico-Robertson, 7-Elevens across Southern California have been targeted by thieves. The rally for Prop 36 comes just days after a 7-Eleven was ransacked and two employees were assaulted in Hollywood.
Prop 36 aims to increase punishments for some theft and drug possession offenses.
The 7-Eleven franchise owner whose store hosted the press conference said passing Prop 36 will benefit not only business owners but also citizens.
“I’ve operated in this area for nearly 25 years and have seen the growth in crime rates firsthand,” said Franchisee Jawad Ursani. “We need Prop 36 to ensure that businesses can operate without fear of crime and that Californians feel safe in their communities.”
Over $2 million was raised by Franchisees and 7-Eleven, Inc. in support of the proposition. Franchisees made the most recent donation of $500,000 which was matched by 7-Eleven, Inc to show support to business owners and the communities they serve.
“Today’s event is a testament to the dedication of our Franchisees and the entire 7-Eleven family,” said Randy Quinn, Senior Vice President of Franchise Operations for 7-Eleven, Inc. “We cannot accept a status quo that allows crime to flourish. Together, we are taking a stand.”
Franchisees who have fallen victim to retail crime also spoke at the event about their experiences.
In a statement, 7-Eleven wrote they will continue to advocate for a safer environment for the community and business owners throughout California as the November election approaches.
Local News
Group of female skydivers break world record in Perris – NBC Los Angeles
A group of women, representing 21 countries, have set a world skydiving record in Southern California skies.
The women, aging from 21 to 70, have been practicing these unique, snowflake-like formations for around a year.
At speeds over 120 mph, they jumped from four airplanes flying at 16,500 ft.
They had 60 seconds to link hands and create the first formation, release and build their second formation before letting go and opening their parachutes.
Beyond record setting, the women said it’s about pushing boundaries and showing what is possible when women come together.
“We are all sisters,” a skydiver said. “And it was just amazing to see how we supported each other.”
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