🌱 Sad Standoff Update + Synthetic Grass Fire + A St. “Pitty’s” Day

Hello all! It’s National Learn About Butterflies Day; did you know that researchers recognize around 20,000 types in the world? I'm back with your fresh edition of the Los Angeles Patch newsletter, hot off the presses. Here's all the community news you need to know right now. Today you'll find news about these stories and more:

• 🚒 Don’t drive over LAFD hoses.
• 💧 It’ll rain again.
• 🦑 Holbox will run a food truck for a month.

❤️ Loving the Los Angeles Daily? Tell a friend and send them this link, so they can subscribe!

🌧️ But first, today's weather:

Cloudy and becoming rainy. High: 59 Low: 54.

Business owners and marketers in Los Angeles: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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

• Berri Brothers at 3860 E 3rd St., $4.47
• United Oil at 4931 W Pico Blvd., $4.59
• G&M at 270 S Western Ave., $4.59

😋 Fair Food Poll!
Fair food is the ultimate cheat meal. Although we all know it’s unhealthy, everyone has a guilty pleasure. Which is your favorite? So far, 33.3% love funnel cake, 22.2% look forward to candy apples, 10.6% munch on corndogs, and 8.3% reach for guacamole. 5.6% each either eat cotton candy, tri-tip sandwiches, or cheesecake. Finally, 2.8% each favor guacamole with cheese, fried cheese curds, or pork chop on a stick.

📰 Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1. Wing Lane standoff update: Last time, we talked about the standoff that began Friday afternoon, after a suspect fired at passersby. Neighbors couldn't return to their homes until Monday morning. At the end of the 50-hour standoff, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department took the offensive and punched holes into the roof where the suspect had barricaded himself. Using cameras, officers saw that he had committed suicide. The last time officials were in contact with the suspect was at 2 a.m. Sunday. (Patch)
2. Early on Monday morning, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to an outdoor fire at 19337 West Ventura Boulevard. Piles of synthetic grass were on fire, but not threatening any buildings. Operations caused the closure of Ventura Boulevard between Tampa and Shirley avenues. Because the LAFD had to spread a four-inch-supply line across the street, a firefighter was injured when a driver ran over it. “This serves as a reminder to NEVER cross over a fire department hose line. Fortunately this was a minor injury, but the potential for life-altering injuries is very real,” the department warned. (LAFD)
3. Beware of more downed power lines and trees! We’re in for another rainstorm today, Tuesday. “The heaviest rain will come Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning.” Because so many hillsides are saturated with water from recent storms, tread lightly. Also, stay away from the L.A. River! (NBC)
4. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles wants you to adopt pitbulls and pitbull mixes. So, for St. Patrick’s Day, the organization declared it St. “Pitty’s” Day and reduced adoption fees to $25 for doggies older than 3 months. Head to the Long Beach or Hawthorne center Wednesday through Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (KTLA)
5. Holbox at 3655 South Grand Avenue is closing while the restaurant undergoes an expansion. However, you can still head over and enjoy the Yucatan-inspired seafood. How is this possible? Chef Gilberto Cetina moved the entire operation into a food truck parked right outside the eatery at the Mercado La Paloma, where it will operate for the anticipated four-weeks' closure. The temporary setup officially opens Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. (Holbox Los Angeles)

From our sponsor:

Tired of the unexpected expenses that come with home repairs? Choice Home Warranty can help. They provide coverage for your home's major systems and appliances, so you can rest easy knowing you're protected. Choice Home Warranty has a nationwide network of over 15,000 technicians, who can help when you need it. And: their sign-up process is simple and easy and doesn't require an inspection. Oh yeah — and the cost? Less than a cup of coffee a day. Don't wait any longer, try Choice Home Warranty today and experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home is protected. Visit Choice Home Warranty to learn more.

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• Bring the littlest ones for Messy Sensory Play at Play 2 Progress (10 AM)
• Come to the Tuesday Tales Traveling Storytime at the Pico Branch Library (10:30 AM)
• The Manhattan Beach Certified Farmers Market sets up at 326 13th St (11 AM)
• Volunteer at the Children's Institute Wardrobe Cycle at the CII-Otis Booth Campus (12:30 PM)
• Come to The Novo for DVSN's "Working On My Karma Tour" (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "Wishing you a vibrant day 💟 "Flag Painting III" by Alex Hubbard is currently on view in "New Abstracts: Recent Acquisitions" through May 29, 2023." (LA County Museum of Art via Instagram)
• "Presenting the nominees for Best Picture of teamwork! This weekend, our LADOT Special Traffic Operations team and Traffic Officers managed safe traffic flow and detours as the Academy Awards took place in Hollywood." (LADOT)
• "National K9 Veterans Day, March 13, is recognized to honor and commemorate the service and sacrifices of the American military and working dogs throughout history. Dogs have been used in distinguished and unique situations." (Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department via Facebook)
• "On March 11th at 5:15AM Your LAFD received reports of a vehicle swept off Oro Vista Ave into the river when it attempted to cross the road. It was unknown whether there were any occupants in the vehicle or in the area needing medical help." (Los Angeles Fire Department via Facebook)
• "Getting your shingles vaccine (Shingrix®) just got easier with Medicare Part D. Now, there is no co-payment. Call your doctor or pharmacist to schedule your vaccine today! To learn more, visit https://cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html#everyone-should-know" (LA Department of Aging)

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

• Median Listing Home Price $1.1M
• Median Listing Home Price/Square Foot $669
• Median Sold Home Price $900K

Check out more Los Angeles real estate information!

🐶 See adorable adoptable Pets Of The Week in the Los Angeles Area!

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Hollywood Burlesque Festival (March 17)
• Hop to It! Pet Photos With Bunny Returns to Del Amo Fashion Center for Easter (March 19)
• Liddy Clark at The Peppermint Club (March 25)
• 2023 Los Angeles International Flamenco Festival (April 1)
• Add your event

That's it for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with 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