🌱 RIP Raquel Welch + Flat Top Purchase Likely Not Happening

Good morning, hello! Today, we celebrate National Do A Grouch A Favor Day by loving up on those who are a little harder to be around. It's Sylvia, your host of the Patch newsletter. Here are all the most important things to know about what's happening in town. Today's briefing includes news on:

• 🚗 Five PIT maneuvers
• 🚓 A standoff on Brannick
• 🧑‍🚒 A hiker rescue near Sayre

💗 Please help us grow! Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can be in the know, like you!

🌤️ But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 65 Low: 44.

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⛽ Three of the Cheapest Gas Stations in the City of Los Angeles

• 76 at 5436 W 6th St., $4.20
• Sinclair at 1060 S Ditman Ave., $4.25
• Shell at 3047 Glendale Blvd., $4.29

⏰ Daylight Saving Time Poll Results 🤔
Daylight saving time begins on March 12. According to history, we can thank entomologist George Hudson for coming up with the idea in 1895. Implementation took place in 1918 to save resources and extend the work day during wartime. In 1966, daylight saving time became the law of the land, but states could opt out. So far, only Hawaii and Arizona have done so. Now, dueling studies point to the successes and failures of the practice. We asked: where do you stand on the issue? You answered! The majority, 66%, don’t like daylight saving time, while 33.5% do. Only 0.5% don’t care one way or the other. Thank you for participating!

📰 Here are the top stories today in Los Angeles:

1. Actress Raquel Welch died peacefully on Wednesday after a brief illness at the age of 82. Most television audiences remember her for her revealing outfit in “One Million Years B.C.” However, Welch refused to cash in on her looks with nude scenes. Her memoir was humorously entitled “Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage.” (Patch)
2. If you spent any time driving in South L.A. Tuesday evening, you might have run into a two-hour police pursuit. Five PIT maneuvers later, the suspect finally got stopped at Rosecrans Avenue and Alameda Street. Up until then, the driver traversed the 105, 710, a cul-de-sac, and various surface streets. The vehicle was allegedly stolen. (KTLA)
3. Meanwhile, in East L.A., the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department had a standoff on Wednesday with a “suspect (who) opened fire at a home.” The incident began as a reported burglary in the 1200 block of South Brannick Avenue. SWAT rolled, neighbors were evacuated, and the southbound lanes of the 5 were closed but later reopened. It took a while for the situation to be resolved, but the suspect was eventually arrested. (ABC)
4. The city’s initial plan to buy Flat Top, a 36-acre space “on the border of Lincoln Heights and Montecito Heights,” may be kaput. Activists wanted to turn the surface into parkland to prevent more real estate development, and fought for about 10 years to make it happen. Now, however, a report shows that “the property has substantial property title issues that included encroachments and unpaid tax obligations,” which makes it impractical for the city to pursue the purchase. Between then and now, we have a payment of $1.4 million, the involvement of a nonprofit and financial obligations. (The Eastsider LA)
5. On Valentine’s Day, just before 5 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the area of 13000 West Sayre Street, where a hiker was in distress. The 57-year-old woman was injured, and Air Ops conducted another hoist operation. This rescue was made more complicated because she had a dog with her. Firefighters gained the pup’s trust and walked it down the trail. (LAFD)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• Participate in Yoga & Tai Chi at the Mid-Valley Regional Library (10:30 AM)
• The East Hollywood Certified Farmers' Market sets up at 5448 Hollywood Boulevard (3:30 PM)
• Enjoy an elegant night of jazz with Voices Now from Viewpoint School at Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill & Jazz (5:30 PM)
• Come to the Scribble Show at The Yard Theater for sketch and standup (9 PM)
• The Far Side performs live at The Echo (9 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Probably the best apple pie dessert I’ve ever had in my life. - Vicky’s All Day restaurant, 5410 W. Adams Blvd." (Nextdoor)
• "A sea lion pup was discovered in the kitchen of the King Harbor Yacht Club. The Marine Mammal Care Center says this time of year is common to find a stranded sea lion pup, as they're weaning from their mother. If you find a distressed marine animal, call the MMCC hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE" (Spectrum News 1)
• "If Frieze LA 2022 was the last time you were in Los Angeles, you’ll notice that we’ve made a few changes since you’ve been gone. The fair tent has since migrated west to Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, just a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean. At the same time, further east, Hollywood and Mid-Wilshire are booming as gallery hubs." (ArtNews)
• "Join MySafe: LA and LAFD guest speakers for our monthly virtual Fire Safe Council meeting! Learn about historical wildfires in LA and what it looks like to strengthen your community from future wildfire." (LAFD Valley)
• "Vox Femina LA is hosting 'Sounds of SoCal' on February 19 at 3 PM at the Culver City Presbyterian Church. This free choral concert celebrates people and cultures that create an eclectic city. For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3lsXFRy." (City of Culver City)

🏡 What are homes selling for these days in Los Angeles?

• Median Listing Home Price $1.1M
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $658
• Median Sold Home Price $885K

Check out more Los Angeles real estate information!

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Featured events:

• Turn Your Fear of Divorce into Fuel for Your Future (February 17)
• Grand Opening Celebration (February 18)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at losangeles@patch.com