Local News
Orange County artist creates painting in honor of injured OCFA firefighters – NBC Los Angeles
As well-wishes continue to pour in for the eight injured firefighters from the Airport fire, one Orange County artist thought to show her support through a meaningful painting, which she donated to the Orange County Fire Authority.
Jeanine Brown of Aliso Viejo said she was inspired by the brave men and women who risk their lives every day on the fire lines, including her son who is a firefighter in Chula Vista.
He was deployed to the Line Fire in San Bernardino County when he called his mother with an idea.
“’Mom, they’re lining the fences into camp with thank you posters,” Brown recalled of the conversation. “Could you maybe do something and bring it to your local fire, the Airport Fire?’”
Brown did not hesitate and got to work, sitting on the floor of her home studio in Aliso Viejo, as the Airport Fire burned nearby.
“I paint from my heart,” said Brown.
Brown used pieces of a California map to create the words so that the hometowns of many of the firefighters on the Airport Fire were represented.
“These guys and girls carry that strength,” said Brown. “And you do have to have a brave heart to go out there.”
Brown, a self-taught artist who has been painting most of her life, had arranged to bring her painting to the incident command post on Sept. 20. No one could have imagined that the night before, eight firefighters would be seriously injured in a rollover crash in Irvine coming back from the airport fire.
Brown’s painting happened to depict eight firefighters on the front lines.
“I told my husband ‘Did you see on the news on the morning,’” Brown tearfully recalled. “We put the news on and saw the accident on the 241 involving 8 firefighters.”
For the next several days, family and friends of those injured firefighters, four who are still in the hospital in stable to critical condition, came by base camp to admire Brown’s painting. They signed messages of hope for their injured colleagues.
“More than the crisis you see – the firefighters getting injured, it’s the brotherhood and sisterhood of firefighters and emergency workers that surround them with love,” said Captain Larry Kurtz, with the Orange County Fire Authority. “Surround them with help… surround them with whatever they need, it’s something that is extraordinary.”
Brown said the outpouring of support and gratefulness has been overwhelming.
“I’ve heard from some of the moms and relatives of the firefighters and they are just overjoyed with this depiction, which was unintentional but came to light as this is what it was meant to do,” said Brown. “And I’m very touched.”
Brown is working with the OCFA to create prints of her painting to gift to each of the families of the injured firefighters.
“These men and women are heroes, they’re amazing,” she said. “So the painting, reaching out and touching the lives of the firefighters I think was just meant to be.”
The original painting, along with the messages of well wishes will soon be on display at the OCFA headquarters building in Irvine.
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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