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Tag: Ventura

  • Howard University rescinds Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ honorary degree, citing video of him attacking Cassie Ventura

    Howard University rescinds Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ honorary degree, citing video of him attacking Cassie Ventura

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    Howard University trustees on Friday voted to rescind an honorary degree granted to Sean “Diddy” Combs, citing a recently surfaced video of the hip-hop mogul repeatedly attacking Casandra “Cassie” Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

    Trustees of the Washington, D.C., university also disbanded a scholarship in Combs’ name and terminated a 2016 “gift agreement” in which Combs had contributed $1 million through his foundation, according to a university statement. His foundation’s future financial pledges have also been canceled.

    The university, which Combs attended, said the vote “to accept the return … of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014” was unanimous.

    “Mr. Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor,” the statement continued. “The university is unwavering in its opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence.”

    Friday’s decision is the latest setback for Combs, and comes as federal prosecutors in New York are considering whether a Homeland Security Investigations probe into alleged sex trafficking should result in criminal charges.

    In the 2016 video, obtained and published by CNN last month, Combs is seen chasing, kicking, dragging and hurling a glass vase at Ventura, who was his girlfriend at the time. The video seemed to confirm at least some of the physical abuse allegations against the singer detailed in a lawsuit filed in November — accusations Combs had denied.

    That lawsuit was settled a day after it was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. In it, Ventura alleged that Combs “became extremely intoxicated and punched” her in the face, “giving her a black eye” during an attack in March 2016.

    In a video statement posted on Instagram days after the video’s release, Combs said, “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”

    “I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” he added. “I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

    Federal prosecutors are preparing grand jury subpoenas for witnesses to testify in the sex-trafficking investigation against Combs, according to a source familiar with the matter.

    Investigators have already interviewed several witnesses and told them to be prepared to testify, the source said, though it remains unclear when that testimony will occur or how far federal officials are in determining whether to bring charges. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case is ongoing.

    Combs has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing. The probe was launched after three women, including Ventura, accused him of rape, assault and other abuses dating back three decades.

    In March, investigators searching Combs’ Holmby Hills mansion emptied safes, dismantled electronics and left papers strewn in some rooms, sources told The Times.

    Combs’ lawyers have strongly criticized the federal probe, calling the searches of his homes “militarized” and a “witch hunt.”

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    Richard Winton

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  • Evacuation orders and road closures in effect Tuesday in Southern California

    Evacuation orders and road closures in effect Tuesday in Southern California

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    With another day of rain drenching soggy Southern California, multiple evacuation warnings and orders are in effect Tuesday for residents in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange and San Bernardino counties.

    An evacuation order, which carries the force of law, is a command to leave the area right away because of an immediate threat to life. An evacuation warning is an alert about a potential threat to life or property, and leaving the area is voluntary.

    Los Angeles County

    Authorities issued evacuation orders for the following areas with burn scars from past wildfires that increased the risk of mud and debris flows, urging residents to gather family members, pets and medications and leave immediately.

    • Santa Maria Road north of Topanga Canyon Boulevard
    • Soledad Canyon Road east of Agua Dulce Canyon Road

    Culver City issued an evacuation warning to residents in the Upper Crest neighborhood Monday evening. The warning will be in effect until the end of Tuesday and extends to residents on the following streets:

    • Cranks Road (Tellefson Road to St James Drive)
    • Tellefson Road (Cranks Road to Stubbs Lane )
    • Ranch Road (Tellefson Road to Cranks Road)
    • Stubbs Lane (in its entirety)
    • Lugo Way (in its entirety)
    • Youngworth Road (Ranch Road to Flaxton Street)
    • Flaxton Street (Youngworth Road to Drakewood Ave)
    • Drakewood Avenue (Ranch Road to Northgate Street)
    • Bernardo Road (Tellefson Road to the end)

    The Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Works issued a mudflow alert for homes in the burn scar of the 2020 Ranch 2 Fire. Emergency officials issued an evacuation warning to four homes in the Mountain Cove community, which will be in effect through Tuesday morning.

    Other areas with burn scars received evacuation warnings, instructing residents to leave now if they need extra time to evacuate or have animals that need shelter. The warnings, which are in effect through at least 6 p.m. Tuesday, include:

    • The Juniper Hills and Valyermo areas hit by the Bobcat fire
    • The Lake Hughes and King Canyon areas hit by the Lake fire, particularly the 20000 block of Pine Canyon Road, the 18000 block of Ellstree Drive, the 46000 block of Kings Canyon Road, the 18000 block of Newvale Drive and the 43000 block of Lake Hughes Road
    • All of Topanga Zone 4 in the northeastern part of the canyon not under an evacuation order
    • In the city of Duarte, along Mel Canyon Road between Fish Canyon Road and Brookridge Road

    According to L.A. County officials, shelters are available in two places: ONEgeneration at 18255 Victory Blvd. in Reseda and Marie Kerr Park at 39700 30th St. West in Palmdale. For animal sheltering, the county directs people to the Agoura Animal Care Shelter at 29525 Agoura Road in Agoura Hills and the Castaic Animal Care Center at 31044 Charlie Canyon Road in Castaic.

    Ventura County

    An evacuation warning is in effect for:

    • The unincorporated region around Ojai, Matilija Canyon, North Fork and Camino Cielo. There is no access to the area due to the storm damage, according to emergency officials.

    Orange County

    The Orange County Sheriff’s Department issued evacuation warnings for the following areas:

    • Irvine Lake
    • Black Star and Baker Canyon
    • Silverado Canyon
    • Williams Canyon
    • Modjeska Canyon
    • Live Oak and North Trabuco Canyon
    • Trabuco, Rose, Holy Jim Canyon

    For more information, call 211. Residents who need shelter are encouraged to make arrangements with relatives or friends, or by calling the American Red Cross at (855) 891-7325.

    San Bernardino County

    Evacuation warnings have been issued for three communities in the mountains: Seven Oaks, Angelus Oaks, Barton Flats and Forest Falls. The county also warned of potential flooding in and downstream of burn scars in Oak Glen, Yucaipa and Mountain Home Village.

    Residents in those communities who need a shelter for their small animals can take them to the Devore Animal Shelter at 19777 Shelter Way in San Bernardino. For help, call San Bernardino Animal Care at (800) 472-5609.

    Road closures

    A list of road closures as of Tuesday morning included:

    • Near Dodger Stadium just north of downtown Los Angeles, the connector between the southbound 5 Freeway and the southbound 110 Freeway was closed indefinitely by multiple mudslides. So was the onramp from Riverside Drive to the southbound 5.
    • Near Lake Los Angeles, 110th Street East from Avenue K to Avenue I because of flooding.
    • In South Los Angeles, the westbound 60 Freeway connector to the westbound 10 Freeway was closed indefinitely because of an accident.
    • In the Santa Monica Mountains, State Route 27 is closed from Topanga Canyon School Road to Robinson Road indefinitely by overflowing waters from Topanga Creek. Also, mudslides closed a portion of Hillside Drive east of Summit Road.
    • In Covina, Covina Hills Road from Rancho Del Monico Road to Rancho La Carlota Road was closed because of flooding.
    • In Palmdale, East Palmdale Boulevard was closed at 87th Street East.
    • In the Lancaster community of Roosevelt, Avenue I was closed from 60th Street East to 70th Street East because of flooding. In the community of Quartz Hill, 45th Street West was closed from Avenue K to Avenue K-8 because of pavement failure.
    • In Sylmar, the westbound 210 Freeway onramp was closed indefinitely because of weather conditions.
    • In Southeast Antelope Valley, Mt. Emma Road was closed from Cheseboro Road to 87th Street East because of storm activity.
    • In Castaic, Lake Hughes Road was closed from Pine Canyon Road to Dry Gulch and from Lake Hughes Road to Three Points Road by mud slides.
    • In the San Gabriel Mountains, the Angeles Crest Highway was closed in two stretches: from Mount Wilson Road to just west of Upper Big Tujunga River, and from the State Route 39 junction to Big Pines Highway. Also, State Route 39 was closed from the Angeles Crest Highway south to two miles north of Crystal Lake Road.
    • South of Seal Beach, Pacific Coast Highway was closed indefinitely from Warner Avenue to Seapoint Street because of flood control.
    • In downtown Ventura, one of the three southbound lanes of the 101 Freeway near California Street is closed indefinitely by flooding.
    • In and out of Ojai, State Route 33 is closed indefinitely in both directions from Fairview Road to the Ozema Fire Station by mudslides. A video of the area showed chunks of mud and rocks splayed across the road.
    • Also in Ojai, McNell Road from Reeves Road to Grand Avenue and Camino Cielo from State Route 33 to the end.
    • In North Star Ranch, the ramps connecting the 15 Freeway to Main Street were closed for emergency work.
    • North of Silverwood Lake, State Route 173 was closed from State Route 138 to Lake Arrowhead Road for emergency work.
    • In South Fontana, the eastbound 10 Freeway offramp at Citrus Street was closed due to emergency work.

    Sandbags

    If you need sandbags to protect your home or property, the Los Angeles County Fire Department makes empty sandbags available free to residents at all of its stations, with free sand to fill them at selected locations. To find sandbags and sand near you, go to the county Public Works website or check out this list from the Fire Department.

    In Orange County, sand and sandbags are available from certain fire stations, the county yard and some city public works departments. A list with links is on the Orange County Fire Authority’s website.

    In Ventura County, two dozen fire stations offer free sandbags for residents, although you’ll have to fill them yourself. The Ventura County Fire Department website has a list of participating stations. The Ventura County Public Works Department also offers a list of retailers that sell sandbags, along with instructions for how to fill and handle sandbags safely.

    In San Bernardino County, residents can obtain free, empty sandbags at fire stations across the county, although only some of those stations also offer sand. To find a station near you, consult the list on the San Bernardino Fire Protection District website.



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    Nathan Solis, Jon Healey

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  • Rain expected through Monday as several storms move across L.A.

    Rain expected through Monday as several storms move across L.A.

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    The first in a series of Pacific storms moved across Southern California on Saturday, bringing rainfall and showers and prompting a high surf advisory along west-facing beaches.

    Another weaker system was expected to move through Saturday night and Sunday morning, to be followed by a stronger storm Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The storms will not be as powerful as the systems that drenched Southern California in late December and resulted in huge waves pounding area beaches.

    About a quarter-inch of rain was expected Saturday across the Los Angeles region, the weather service said. Some areas in San Luis Obispo County reported more than an inch.

    Because the storms originated in warmer parts of the Pacific and not off the Alaskan coast, snow was expected only at the highest elevations in local mountains, according to Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the weather service in Oxnard.

    The weather service is predicting an inch to 2 inches of snow between 6,500 and 7,500 feet and 6 to 12 inches above that altitude. The three storms were expected to drop an inch to 3 inches of rain in coastal areas of Southern California and up to 5 inches in the mountains.

    Since Oct. 1, Los Angeles has experienced rainfall levels significantly below normal, said meteorologist Joe Sirard with the weather service’s Oxnard office.

    For the period, Sirard said, the climate station in downtown Los Angeles has recorded 3.4 inches, compared with the average of 5.9 inches.

    However, so far over the water year, which began July 1, L.A. has received 6.4 inches of rain— above the normal of 6.1 inches, Sirard said. This includes rain from Tropical Storm Hilary that battered areas of Southern California in August.

    These figures do not include the rain from Saturday’s storm.

    High surf through Sunday was expected along beaches on the Central Coast and in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, with the possibility of minor flooding in some areas during periods of high tides in the early morning, according to the weather service.

    Wofford said swells would be far smaller than the waves in late December — some of those as high as 20 feet—which led to flooding and forced officials to shut down beaches and piers in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

    In Northern California, the weather service issued a winter storm warning through Monday for parts of the Sierra Nevada and said that 2 inches to 6 inches of snow could fall above 6,500 feet. Wind gusts up to 30 mph were also possible, forecasters said.

    In Southern California, drier weather is expected for much of next week.

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    Robert J. Lopez

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  • Rain, snow and possibly another round of big waves headed for Southern California this week

    Rain, snow and possibly another round of big waves headed for Southern California this week

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    Back-to-back storms off the Pacific Ocean will bring rain and snow to Southern California this week, along with the potential for another round of big waves.

    The swells that closed beaches and piers up and down the California shore eased up over the weekend, but high surf advisories remained in place in several counties as officials warned the public to avoid swimming or walking on rocks near the beach.

    Public health officials in Los Angeles County also issued a warning about high levels of bacteria from storm runoff at some local beaches, including parts of Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice and Redondo Beach.

    The Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard saw 12-foot waves on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The area was pounded last week by waves, including large swells in Ventura that injured several onlookers who had to scramble to safety after ocean water surged over barriers and into the streets.

    In the town of Capitola in Santa Cruz County, several seaside restaurants were damaged Thursday when the rising waters swept in. It’s the second time in less than a year that Capitola has been damaged by flooding. In January, large waves and high tides destroyed parts of the town’s wharf.

    The waves are “trending down, it will continue to trend down through Tuesday,” said Ryan Kittell, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Oxnard.

    At the popular surfing break known as Mavericks near Half Moon Bay, the waves were smaller Sunday after swells that reached highs of 30 feet last week, according to the National Weather Service.

    “We’re coming down pretty good,” said weather service meteorologist Dalton Behringer, who noted that waves from Sonoma County to Monterey County were about 10 to 11 feet Sunday.

    Rain is expected in Southern California and the Central Coast, with scattered showers arriving by Sunday afternoon and widespread rain arriving Tuesday night and Wednesday.

    Also, people headed to the Rose Parade in Pasadena on Monday may want to pack a raincoat or umbrella in case of possible showers. It is expected to be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of rain in the morning, according to the National Weather Service.

    Snow will fall later in the week, with mountain areas above 5,000 feet in L.A. and Ventura counties expected to get 4 to 8 inches of snow, according to the weather service.

    The weather could impact traffic. Lower elevations, including the Grapevine area along Interstate 5, could see an inch or 2 of snow, Kittell said.

    Another round of big waves in L.A. and Ventura counties could start Jan. 7, Kittell said.

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    Dakota Smith

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  • Magnitude 3.5 quake reported outside Bakersfield

    Magnitude 3.5 quake reported outside Bakersfield

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    A magnitude 3.5 earthquake was reported early Monday about 22 miles from Bakersfield, Calif., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

    The earthquake occurred at 2:37 a.m. and was about 25 miles from Tehachapi, 29 miles from California City and 32 miles from Arvin, Calif.

    In the last 10 days, there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.

    An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.

    The earthquake occurred at a depth of 2.7 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.

    The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.5 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.

    Are you ready for when the Big One hits? Get ready for the next big earthquake by signing up for our Unshaken newsletter, which breaks down emergency preparedness into bite-sized steps over six weeks. Learn more about earthquake kits, which apps you need, Lucy Jones’ most important advice and more at latimes.com/Unshaken.

    This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.

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  • Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Cassie settle lawsuit one day after she accused him of rape and abuse

    Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Cassie settle lawsuit one day after she accused him of rape and abuse

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    Sean “Diddy” Combs and R&B singer Cassie reached a settlement Friday in an incendiary lawsuit she filed the day before accusing the mogul and entrepreneur of rape and a “cycle of abuse” during their decade-plus relationship.

    No details of the settlement were released, though Combs’ attorney previously accused Cassie of seeking an eight-figure payout in recent months. Combs had denied the allegations through his attorney.

    Cassie dated the famed hip-hop producer for about 11 years before they split in 2018. She filed her sex trafficking and sexual assault lawsuit against him in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York just days before the expiration of a “lookback window” that allowed adults who alleged they were sexually abused to sue despite the statute of limitations having run out.

    “I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control,” the singer, who sued under her legal name Casandra Ventura, said in a statement issued through her legal team. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”

    Combs issued a similar statement, saying, “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”

    Ventura’s attorney, Douglas Wigdor, said he was “very proud of Ms. Ventura for having the strength to go public with her lawsuit. She ought to be commended for doing so.”

    In the lawsuit, the 37-year-old Ventura accused Combs, 54, of raping her in her home after she tried to leave him; physically attacking and injuring her; forcing her to engage in sex acts with male sex workers while filming the encounters; running around with a firearm; introducing her to “a lifestyle of excessive alcohol and substance abuse”; and requiring her “to procure illicit prescriptions to satisfy his own addictions.”

    According to the lawsuit, Ventura met Combs in 2005, when she was 19 and he was 37. After signing her to his label, the suit alleges, Combs took control of her professional and personal life, and began sexual and physically abusing her with increasing frequency.

    “He signed her to his label, Bad Boy Records, and within a few years, lured Ms. Ventura into an ostentatious, fast-paced and drug-fueled lifestyle, and into a romantic relationship with him — her boss, one of the most powerful men in the entertainment industry, and a vicious, cruel, and controlling man nearly two decades her senior,” the lawsuit said.

    The lawsuit detailed bruises Ventura said she suffered as a result of the alleged abuse, as well as accounts of drug use, voyeurism, male sex workers and more.

    Diddy’s lawyer, Ben Brafman, said in a statement to The Times Thursday that his client “vehemently” denied the “offensive and outrageous allegations” and accused Ventura of being “persistent” in demanding more than $30 million from Diddy for the last six months.

    Brafman added that the lawsuit — which also named Combs’ businesses Bad Boy Entertainment and Bad Boy Records among the defendants, as well as Epic Records and Combs Enterprises LLC — was “riddled with baseless and outrageous lies, aiming to tarnish Mr. Combs’ reputation and seeking a payday.”

    The lawsuit was brought during the one-year window provided by New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which created a one-year “lookback window” during which adults who allege they were sexually abused could sue despite the statute of limitations having run out. Other lawsuits were filed in that state this month against Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, music executive Antonio “L.A.” Reid and former Grammys chief Neil Portnow.

    That window expires next week.

    Times staff writers Nardine Saad, Emily St. Martin and Stacy Perman contributed to this report.

    Resources for survivors of sexual assault

    If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual violence, you can find support using RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline. Call (800) 656-HOPE or visit online.rainn.org to speak with a trained support specialist.

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    Christie D’Zurilla

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  • Magnitude 4.0 earthquake hits near Ventura

    Magnitude 4.0 earthquake hits near Ventura

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    A magnitude 4.0 earthquake was reported Friday afternoon seven miles from Ventura, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

    The earthquake occurred at 1:12 p.m. and eight miles from Santa Paula, 12 miles from Oxnard, 14 miles from Camarillo and 15 miles from Fillmore.

    In the last 10 days, there have been no earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or greater centered nearby.

    An average of 234 earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur per year in California and Nevada, according to a recent three-year data sample.

    The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.5 miles. Did you feel this earthquake? Consider reporting what you felt to the USGS.

    Are you ready for when the Big One hits? Get ready for the next big earthquake by signing up for our Unshaken newsletter, which breaks down emergency preparedness into bite-sized steps over six weeks. Learn more about earthquake kits, which apps you need, Lucy Jones’ most important advice and more at latimes.com/Unshaken.

    This story was automatically generated by Quakebot, a computer application that monitors the latest earthquakes detected by the USGS. A Times editor reviewed the post before it was published. If you’re interested in learning more about the system, visit our list of frequently asked questions.

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    Quakebot

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  • California Scientologists Rally to Help in Fire Crisis

    California Scientologists Rally to Help in Fire Crisis

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    With three fires burning out of control in Ventura, Sylmar and Santa Clarita and tens of thousands evacuated so far, International Scientology Volunteer Minister headquarters in Los Angeles puts out a call for volunteers to respond.

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Dec 6, 2017


    LOS ANGELES, December 6, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
    ​Scientology Churches and Missions throughout Southern California are reaching out to Volunteer Ministers to respond to this disaster. All trained Volunteer Ministers should call their local Church or the International Volunteer Ministers headquarters at (800) 435-7498 or (323) 960-1949. 

    More than 38,000 have been forced from their homes as Southern California firefighters battle three blazes that are raging out of control.  At a press conference Tuesday, Ventura County Sheriff Jeff Dean urged those receiving evacuation notices to cooperate. “We saw the disasters and the losses that happened up north in Sonoma,” he said, “and this is a fast, very dangerous moving fire.” Spread by 25 mph Santa Ana winds gusting up to 60 mph, the blaze has burned some 65,000 acres and continues to spread. 

    The Church of Scientology Volunteer Minister program is a religious social service created in the mid 1970s by L. Ron Hubbard. To make this technology broadly available, the Church provides free online training on the Volunteer Ministers website. Anyone of any culture or creed may train as a Volunteer Minister and use these tools to help their families and communities. 

    Source: Church of Scientology Volunteer Minister

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