🌱 RIP Vin Scully + Poppy Park Controversy Mars Ongoing Development

Hello, everybody; today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, which pays homage to Ruth Graves Wakefield’s 1937 invention. I'm here right on time with your fresh copy of the Los Angeles Daily, filled with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Enjoy...

We lost the City’s most recognizable voice. Also, is gentrification leading to cut corners in a Poppy Park development? Finally, a young male Hispanic is at a hospital and nobody knows who he is.

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First, today's weather:

An a.m. shower; partly sunny. High: 85 Low: 67.

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 🚗

• Berri Brothers at 3860 E 3rd St., $4.59
• Valero at 500 S Alameda St., $4.99
• Arco at 2740 E Olympic Blvd., $4.99

💻 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, 40.2% say the kids should just go back to school, 24.8% say that kids should wear masks, 31.6% want there to be distancing and sanitizing, while 3.4% prefer distance learning for the kids.

Here are the top five stories in Los Angeles today:

1. Vin Scully, the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers, died on Tuesday at the age of 94. He was the beloved Hall-of-Fame broadcaster and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, who called the games we listened to at our grandparents’ homes and later in our own cars. “The Dodgers changed players, managers, executives, owners — and even coasts — but Scully and his soothing, insightful style remained a constant for the fans.” (ESPN)
2. Measuring “7.5 acres over 16 parcels of land,” Poppy Peak is a “hillside area in the northern part of Highland Park.” We learned on Tuesday that it is also at the heart of a controversy. A developer allegedly “skirted environmental laws” when undertaking construction. A “Save Poppy Peak” movement criticizes what is considered an impact of gentrification. Proponents suggest that new property tax revenues would benefit the area. Residents want to hold on to a neighborhood park that “provides opportunities for people to exercise and connect with nature.” (University Times)
3. Since the end of July, the County-USC Medical Center has been caring for “a male Hispanic between 16 and 20 years old. He is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 154 pounds.” However, nobody knows who he is. “The Medical Center described him as having a thin stature with short dark hair and brown eyes. The patient also has a tattoo of a cross under his right eye and another tattoo on his right hand.” If you know who this young man might be, please call Cesar Robles at 323-409-6884. (KTLA)
4. On Tuesday, Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti declared a local emergency about monkeypox. As of Wednesday, there are 431 confirmed cases in the county. This is up from 306 cases on July 29. The mayor asks “residents to learn about the signs and symptoms, preventative measures, and vaccine eligibility.” (Public Health Department, LA Mayor)
5. Mark your calendars! The Maestro Luciano Pavarotti will receive his star (posthumously) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony is scheduled for August 24 at 11:30 a.m. Join fans at 7065 Hollywood Boulevard! (Italy in LA)

Today in Los Angeles:

• Tie-Dye Time For Kids at the Valley Plaza Branch Library (3:30 p.m.)
• DPR IAN will be singing CDs at Amoeba Music (4 p.m.)
• Yoga With Analyn R. at the Hyde Park Miriam Matthews Branch Library (6:30 p.m.)
• Dubvision at the Avalon Hollywood & Bardot (10 p.m.)
• Mysta Crooks spins throwback reggae and dancehall hits at the Paper Tiger Bar (10 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Please visit Los Angeles Unified’s website for updated COVID-19 protocols and safety measures. (Los Angeles Unified via Instagram)
• Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Undersheriff Timothy Murakami met with Police Consul Yonguk Lee from the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles and a senior Korean National Police Agency official to discuss hate crimes. (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department via Facebook)
• Please welcome Park Ranger Herrera and Park Ranger Fuentes to the LA City Park Ranger Division family. Our newest Rangers will now start their field training program, working with various training officers. (Los Angeles City Park Rangers via Instagram)
• Our Loyola Village neighbor is looking for a referral for an acupuncturist in the Westchester area. (Nextdoor)
• An El Sereno Hills neighbor found a cat. Black and white cat with bushy tail and yellow/green eyes. Showed up on La Calandria. Very friendly, follows us around closely, meows and paws at door to come inside house. (Nextdoor)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with a new 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 Daily? Contact me at losangeles@patch.com