🌱 Vendor Robberies On Florence + Mystery Food Delivery + LAUSD Preps

Hello, everybody! Today’s National Backyard Day; did you know that ZYRTEC®, the allergy relief medicine, designated the first observance of the day in 2021? Sylvia here with your Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the local information you need to know right now, including news on:

• 🧑‍🚒 A rescue at the water reclamation plant
• ✝️ Celebrating Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell’s life
• 🚌 LAUSD’s plans in case of a strike

💗 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:

Occasional rain; cooler. High: 64 Low: 53.

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

• Sinclair at 10740 Vanowen St., $4.49
• Sinaco Oil at 9930 National Blvd., $4.49
• Chevron at 1359 W Century Blvd., $4.50

😋 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?

• 26.3% Funnel cake
• 24.6% Candy apples
• 15.8% Corndogs
• 5.3% Guacamole
• 3.5% Cotton candy, Cheesecake, Tri-Tip sandwiches
• 1.8% Turkey legs, Guacamole with cheese, Pork chop on a stick. Deep-friend bacon-wrapped pickle, Cinnamon rolls, Spicy sausage link on a French roll, Fried cheese curds, Deep-fried butter

The rest have the willpower to stay away from fair food.

📰 Here are the top stories today in Los Angeles:

1. Los Angeles taco vendors closing their stands are being targeted by robbers. Reportedly, four vendors were robbed at gunpoint in 10 days. “The vendors were located along the Florence Avenue corridor at Crenshaw Boulevard, Grammercy Place, and Normandie Avenue.” (KTLA)
2. On Thursday, a 32-year-old man fell into a hole at the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant (12000 South Vista Del Mar). The 3' x 3' opening had an estimated depth of about 15 feet. He was trapped and reportedly suffered a shoulder injury. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) came to the rescue, helped the man escape from the hole, and readied him for transportation to a hospital. (LAFD)
3. Who’s paying to send Uber Eats fast food deliveries to Highland Park? Nobody ordered them. “People have been getting upwards of 30 to 40 orders,” a resident said. In addition to paying for the orders, the anonymous sender also paid for the drivers’ tips. Uber Eats says it’s “taken action against a number of accounts.” (ABC)
4. Residents and parishioners are looking for a way to grieve the February 18 killing of 69-year-old Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles set up an exhibit honoring his life at downtown’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Archbishop José Gomez invites you to come and celebrate O'Connell’s life, “which was truly lived for Jesus.” Due to his service as an associate pastor across the Southland, many parishioners feel the loss. (Fox)
5. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is prepared to batten down the hatches if a strike is unavoidable on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Schools will offer “free student supervision drop-offs and meals” at a few selected locations between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Because the various sites have limited capacity, parents have to check the school district’s map that identifies sites at capacity, which means you may have to drive a little farther to find a location for junior. By the way, remember that Paper.co or Tutor.com offer on-demand FREE tutoring, so this may be an opportunity to catch up for some learners. (LAUSD)

📆 Today in Los Angeles:

• The L.A. Marathon starts at Dodger Stadium (6:30 AM)
• It's time for LATINAFest 2023: "Sembrando and Cultivating Our Future" at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (11 AM)
• Artist Leslie Garcia performs and talks at Cinelounge® Sunset (1 PM)
• Celebrate the Life and Legacy of World-Renowned African American Ballerina Raven Wilkinson at The Ebell of Los Angeles (4 PM)
• Friendship Buddies Stand-Up Comedy at the Verdugo Bar (8 PM)

🖊️ From my notebook:

• "On Tuesday, March 21, three days' worth of meals will be provided to all LA Schools students at 24 local parks and recreation centers across the District." (Los Angeles Unified via Instagram)
• "To access student activities and resources, please log on to Schoology at lms.lausd.net." (Los Angeles Unified via Instagram)
• "Great news! The Watts City Hall and Engine Company No. 65 building was designated as a Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). 🙌 The Conservancy submitted the nomination to ensure this historic place is protected as a rare pre-World War II institutional building constructed in the Watts neighborhood." (Los Angeles Conservancy via Facebook)
• "The City of Los Angeles is now accepting applications for Construction Inspector! Salary $100,432 - $111,937 - Closes: March 30, 2023 - Visit https://governmentjobs.com/car... for more information on this opportunity!" (City of Los Angeles - Jobs via Instagram)
• "How does the Sheriff's Department safely conduct a pursuit? Clearing intersections, navigating around civilian vehicles and slowing down traffic were just a few of the maneuvers showcased by LASDHQ at a recently-held media day." (Los Angeles County)

🏡 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!

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Featured events:

• A Concert of Eternal Life | Hosted by The Church of God (March 19)
• 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)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you Tuesday!

— 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