🌱Kidnapping Report On 18th St? + Northside Drive Project Funds Dry Up

Hi all; today is National Be Someone Day, which was founded by the Project Harmony Child Advocacy Center! I'm back in your inbox this warm morning with all the most important things happening these days in Los Angeles. Let's have at it...

There was plenty of police activity in a commercial building on 18th Street. Also, it is a tale of two medians on the Eastside. Finally, two popped tires closed two LAX runways.

First, today's weather:

Areas of low clouds, then sun. High: 85 Low: 64.

FYI: To locate a cooling center in Los Angeles, call 3-1-1, reach out to the Los Angeles Public Library Public Information Office at (213) 228-7555, or find your nearest location and its hours on the current list of county facilities.

🚗 Three Of The Cheapest Gas Stations In Los Angeles 🚗

• Arco at 2740 E Olympic Blvd., $5.39
• SK Gasoline at 11280 National Blvd., $5.39
• United Oil at 705 N Eastern Ave., $5.49

💻 Back To School Poll!
The kids are going back to school soon. Should schools still take COVID precautions? Please let me know your thoughts! As of right now, 50% say the kids should just go back to school, while the other 50% say that kids should wear masks.

Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1. There was a kidnapping investigation Tuesday evening involving a commercial building “located on the 100 block of E. 18th Street.” However, there is no report of anyone being rescued. That said, “between 12 and 20 people were seen sitting in handcuffs on a sidewalk curb.” (KTLA)
2. What does it look like when project funds run out? We learned on Tuesday that you can see it on Northside Drive, where a “a wide traffic median (was transformed) into a mini park with new landscaping, walking paths, benches and exercise equipment.” Go a little farther east, and you see similar wide medians featuring dirt and dead weeds. Residents were promised the same landscaping, but money ran out; however, not before removing trees and then leaving the space “unfinished and without ground cover, creating dust problems for nearby residents.” (The Eastsider LA)
3. Delta Flight 515 landed Tuesday afternoon at LAX with two popped tires on the right side. While passengers were “kept on the plane for an hour before being bused to the terminal,” the airport closed two of its runways “for several hours until the plane was removed.” Nobody was hurt. (KESQ)
4. Did you know that “laws allow rents to rise with inflation?” A Tuesday report highlighted that this means “double-digit rent hikes,” perhaps to the tune of “up to 10%.” And, yes, this also applies to rent-controlled buildings. (LAist)
5. Why doesn’t the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California want Herb Wesson to represent the 10th District? Wesson was brought in when the seat’s holder, Mark Ridley-Thomas, “was suspended from the council last October, following his federal indictment on corruption charges.” A judge blocked Wesson from serving on Tuesday, which was welcomed by the Conference; “decisions made behind closed doors and actions that run counter to the voting public must be met with strong action,” a pastor explained. (Fox)

Today in Los Angeles:

• English Conversation Class at the Woodland Hills Branch Library (noon)
• College Application Essay Workshop at the Mid-Valley Regional Branch Library (3 p.m.)
• Stopped Motion: An Original Exhibition by Jazz Guetta at the Side Street Gallery (7 p.m.)
• Redveil performs at The Roxy Theatre (7 p.m.)
• Triston Marez with Jon Wood at the Hotel Café (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A large long period South swell is currently impacting all Los Angeles County beaches. Elevated surf conditions (4 to 6 feet-plus), strong lateral currents and rip currents will exist. Know your limits. (Los Angeles County Fire Dept. via Instagram)
• After a two-year hiatus, LA County FD & LA County Women’s Fire League hosted its Girls’ Fire Camp on Saturday. Open to everyone 10-17 years of age, the day-long camp taught participants about: 👩‍🚒firefighting skills and techniques 🚒equipment and more. (County of Los Angeles via Instagram)
• ** Action Alert ** On Thursday, July 21 at 10 a.m., we need all preservation-minded Angelenos to tune into the Cultural Heritage Commission and L.A.’s update on the Mills Act program! (Los Angeles Conservancy via Facebook)
• July is Muslim American Heritage Month. Celebrate by exploring books and stories focusing on Muslim Americans, highlighted by LA County Library. (Los Angeles Unified via Instagram)
• A Beachwood Canyon neighbor is calling local sushi eaters. Sushi Ike (6051 Hollywood Blvd#105 @ Gower) is struggling to keep its doors open, so if you have the means to spend your dollars to help, now is the time. (Nextdoor)

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Events:

• Stopped Motion: An Original Exhibition by Jazz Guetta (July 21)
• Garagiste Wine Festival: Rare & Reserve Tasting & Dinner (July 22)
• Drool Brothers @ International Pop Overthrow Festival DTLA (July 22)
• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar (July 23)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. I'll see you soon!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Los Angeles Daily? Contact me at losangeles@patch.com