Soap Opera Legend Dies | Cult Members Accused Of Killing Preschooler | Santa Visits NICU | Patch PM

Catch up on Southern California's top stories for Tuesday Dec. 16.

Soap Opera Legend Dies

His controversial storyline evolved into one of the most famous romances in soap opera history, culminating in Luke and Laura's wedding.

Cult Members Carried Out Murders Of 4-Year-Child, Nashville Man In SoCal: Prosecutors

Timothy Thomas, 4, was killed in 2010, and Emilio Salem Ghanem, 40, was killed in 2023, prosecutors said. Murder charges were filed Monday.

Remembering Rob Reiner: Politicians, Celebrities React To Director And His Wife's Killings

Former President Barack Obama said Reiner had a "deep belief in the goodness of people."

SoCal Family Gives $500 To Local Mail Carrier, Is Blessed With Even More In Return

A local influencer asked a family with a disabled son, "If you could have $500 or give that to someone else, which would you do?"

Riverside County Amazon Workers Launch Campaign To Join Teamsters Union

Amazon says its workers have the option to unionize, but some critics contend that the behemoth company actively discourages organizing.

Driver Who Killed OC Youth Pastor Had Fentanyl In Her System, Prosecutors Allege

The 43-year-old woman now faces upgraded charges of vehicular manslaughter in a crash that killed a bicyclist and injured two others in OC.

Reef Restoration Off Palos Verdes Paying Off In Ways ‘Scientists Didn’t Fully Expect’

Years of study and community input went into the reef’s design, wildlife officials said.

Santa Arrives In The NICU At UC San Diego Health

Some of San Diego's smallest babies celebrated their first Christmas with a special photoshoot. See the sweet photos.

Doctor Convicted In Matthew Perry's Overdose Death Avoids Prison Time

The former doctor pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and surrendered his medical license.

Burglary Suspect Shot by LAPD Officers In Winnetka

A "hot prowl" burglary suspect was shot by police in the San Fernando Valley.

Coast Guard Offloads Over $203M In Seized Cocaine In San Diego

The crew members of Coast Guard Cutters Active and Munro seized approximately 27,551 pounds of cocaine.

Riverside County Amazon Workers Launch Campaign To Join Teamsters Union

Amazon says its workers have the option to unionize, but some critics contend that the behemoth company actively discourages organizing.