🌱 SWAT Waits, Venice Home Invader Bathes + Shogun Santa In J-Town

Hi, all! Today, we enjoy a hot cup of tea as we celebrate the First Day of Winter! Sylvia here with your Wednesday edition of the Los Angeles Daily. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening locally, including news on:

• 👮 Scammers targeting rideshare drivers
• 🎨 Robert Vargas Square
• 🚲 The Whitsett Sports Complex toy giveaway

💗 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:

Plenty of sunshine. High: 70 Low: 49.

📰 Here are the top stories in Los Angeles today:

1. A home invader took a bath while SWAT waited on Monday. The man, “possibly armed with a sword,” broke into a residence in the 400 block of Santa Clara Avenue at lunchtime. When confronted, he refused to leave. “Around 4:30 p.m., the suspect surrendered to police, wearing nothing but a towel.” (Fox)
2. Scammers have a new target: rideshare drivers. We learned on Monday that con artists are “targeting their bank accounts after customers ask to borrow their phone.” While the driver thinks the rider wants to change ride destination coordinates, the scammer is logging into the victim’s bank app to transfer money out. One victim reported this crime in late October in the Hollywood area. A report is now also coming out of El Monte. “Authorities said drivers should always maintain control of their cellular phone and consider a stranger’s motivation when asking to use or borrow the device.” (KTLA)
3. The intersection of 1st and State streets is now known as Robert Vargas Square. Monday’s festivities honored the Boyle Heights mural artist, who has garnered international acclaim. Assembly member Miguel Santiago called Vargas a “homegrown hero.” The artist, in the meantime, “is in the process of breaking a record with a 14-story mural that is next to Pershing Square in downtown.” (ABC)
4. The Whitsett Sports Complex in North Hollywood had a great weekend celebration. Paul Krekorian, the president of the L.A. City Council, announced on Monday that his District Office and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) “gave away 30,000 toys while visitors enjoyed a snow slide, a petting zoo, music from the LAPD Mariachis, and more.” (Paul Krekorian)
5. Shogun Santa is a favorite annual tradition in Japanese Village Plaza. He already spent time for photo opportunities with kids and “a cohort of furries.” If you missed your chance, come back on Christmas Eve between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. After that, he’ll spend a couple of hours at the Little Tokyo Galleria at 333 South Alameda Street. (Rafu)

Patch deals of the day:

If you need a last-minute gift and don't want to brave the crowds, here's something to consider. These limited-time offers — hand-selected by the Patch Deals team — can be purchased instantly. You can then let the recipient know what's headed their way and skip the whole wrapping presents fiasco altogether.

* $100 Restaurant.com eGift Card (89% off) — Pay just $11 and get $100 to spend at participating local restaurants.

* Sam's Club 1-Year Membership (50% off) — Save on groceries, kitchen supplies, electronics and more — plus save up to 60 percent on hotel accommodations around the world.

* Skoove Premium Piano Lessons (87% off) — Get a lifetime subscription on interactive piano and keyboard lessons for beginners, intermediate and advanced players.

(Patch may earn a commission on purchases. All deals are as of publication and could change.)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• The Immersive Nutcracker at the Lighthouse (10 AM)
• Beastie Boys EXHIBIT at Beyond the Streets (11 AM)
• Feed Me: A Crowdwork Show at The Pack Theater (9:30 PM)
• Riff Raff Comedy Show at Third Wheel (10 PM)
• Juan Maclean and Ugly Xmas Sweater Party at Station1640 (10 PM)

📓 From my notebook:

• "VAN NUYS - The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a Structure Fire consuming two mobile homes and several vehicles at the 7600 block of North Balboa Boulevard at 5:22 AM on December 18, 2022." (LAFD via Instagram)
• "Our LA Schools California Teachers of the Year were spotted on the Jumbotron at this weekend’s Chargers game. Jason Torres-Rangel and Bridgette Donald-Blue are representing our awesome educators." (Los Angeles Unified via Instagram)
• "Barrier Breakers, on view at Central Library, tells the story of the Negro Leagues and the strong-willed, dedicated athletes, who simply refused to accept the notion that they were unfit to share in the joys of our national pastime." (Los Angeles Public Library via Facebook)
• "Lightscape is now open on Mondays and Tuesdays! The weekdays are an ideal time for a visit, especially if you take advantage of our Value Packs. The packages are available Monday-Thursday." (Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• [Free Masterclass] Increase Your Website Sales & Leads Using SEO (January 14)
• Crossing Over With Psychic Medium John Edward (Live)! (January 19)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• New Business -Vending Machines (Details)
• Add your announcement

You're all caught up for today! See you all tomorrow morning for your next 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