Good morning, SoCal. Here's what you need to know today.
Your Weather Planner
If you are going to be spending your Presidents Day outside, dress in layers. Temperatures will go from widespread 40s to widespread 70s Monday afternoon. Skies will be mostly sunny.
This is the last benign weather day as we will see big changes beginning on Tuesday.
Cold temperatures, strong winds and periods of rain and low elevation mountain snow will be possible late Tuesday through Saturday.
Get your 7-day forecast: LA West | LA East | San Fernando Valley/Ventura County | Orange County
Around California
1. Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell dies of gunshot wound
Catholics in Los Angeles and elsewhere are mourning the death of Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell Sunday, one day after the longtime cleric was found dead of a gunshot wound at a home in Hacienda Heights, prompting a murder investigation.
In a statement Saturday, Archbishop José Gomez made no reference to the shooting but said: "I am very sad this afternoon to report that our beloved Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell has passed away unexpectedly. It is a shock and I have no words to express my sadness."
O'Connell, 69, was a native of Ireland and had been a priest and later a bishop in Los Angeles for 45 years, Gomez said.
"He was a peacemaker with a heart for the poor and the immigrant, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was honored and protected," the statement continued.
Widely known as "Bishop Dave," O'Connell was pronounced dead at the scene after Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies found him suffering from a gunshot wound at 12:57 p.m. Saturday in the 1500 block of Janlu Avenue, near Turnbull Canyon Road.
Lt. Michael Modica told reporters the man now identified as O'Connell was found dead in a room of the house from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper body. No further details have been released.
The sheriff's department said Sunday that the death was being handled as a murder investigation.
2. California AG's wife recuses herself from state DOJ budget
California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s wife has recused herself from matters related to the state Department of Justice as part of her duties leading a legislative subcommittee that oversees his budget.
Assembly member Mia Bonta, a Democrat, announced the recusal in a statement posted online Sunday. She heads Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5, which oversees public safety spending — including that of the state’s justice department, which is led by Rob Bonta.
Mia Bonta’s statement emphasized that while she believes there is no legal or ethical conflict in her role, she has recused herself so Californians “have absolute confidence in the legislative process.”
KCRA had first reported the possible conflict of interest and repeatedly pressed Mia Bonta on the issue.
The budget subcommittee is scheduled to discuss the Department of Justice’s budget on March 27.
3. Memorial plaque unveiled to honor fallen Huntington Beach Police officer
Officials unveiled a plaque at Marina Park Sunday to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Huntington Beach Police Officer Nicholas Vella, who was killed in a helicopter crash while patrolling over Newport Beach.
“One year has passed, and there is still no words that can adequately express this loss,” Huntington Beach Police Chief Eric Parra said. “We will always remember Nick on this day. He was a selfless and driven police officer who we were blessed to have known.”
Vella was in the Huntington Beach police helicopter HB-1 responding to a call on Feb. 19, 2022, when the helicopter crashed into the water off Newport Beach.
“The city of Newport Beach is honored to celebrate the life and sacrifice of Officer Pilot Vella,” Newport Beach Mayor Noah Blom said. “His bravery and valor shall be remembered forever.”
Around the Nation
1. North Korea fires short-range missiles after making threats
2. Jimmy Carter, 39th U.S. president, enters hospice care at home
3. Funerals held for victims of Michigan State campus attack
Don't Miss This
Only on Spectrum News 1
New PBS docuseries highlights Urban Garden in Watts
As one of the most densely populated areas of Los Angeles County, Watts has very little green space.
It’s one of many reasons Tim Watkins is so proud of the urban garden he’s helped bring to life.
The idea for Mudtown Farms was planted more than a decade ago and is the subject of a new four-episode docuseries called “10 Days in Watts,” airing on PBS SoCal.
Click the link above for more on this story.
SoCal Snapshot
Jon Rahm, of Spain, celebrates with his wife, Kelley, and their two boys, Eneko and Kepa, on the 18th green after winning the Genesis Invitational golf tournament Sunday at Riviera Country Club in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)