Apuñalamiento fatal afuera de Target en Tracy lleva al arresto de un adolescente de 15 años

The attack occurred on Nov. 25, 2024, near the 300-block of Bollenbacher Drive in the Bolsa Knolls area of Salinas. When police arrived, they found three people with stab wounds and sent them all to the hospital; all three survived their injuries.

The Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni was quoted in the new article. The sheriff's statement was made in a social media post on Friday. The article is by Aaron Sousa of The Canadian Press.

The Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni was quoted in the new article. The sheriff's statement was made in a social media post on Friday. The article is by Aaron Sousa of The Canadian Press.

The female victim had told Vanderhoef she had cut off contact with him to focus on her relationship with her boyfriend, and the two were his intended targets. Vanderhoef will be eligible for parole in around 19 years. The boyfriend disarmed Vanderhoef and stabbed him repeatedly with a pair of scissors given to him by his girlfriend. Co-defendant Darius Avery Whyte was initially questioned at the scene and allowed to leave after telling investigators he did not know what was happening; he was later arrested on a tarmac in San Jose while preparing to fly back to Canada. Whyte was sentenced to probation, which was terminated that same day after he had spent the entire time in jail during court proceedings, and is now back in Canada. Whyte testified he had no idea Vanderhoef was planning the attack and had been told he was visiting California with an old friend from school; Vanderhoef paid for his expedited passport and plane ticket. The case was investigated by Detective Arras Wilson of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Darius Avery Whyte, who accompanied Vanderhoef, pleaded guilty to assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury and being an accessory after the fact to a felony, and was sentenced on April 3, 2026.

A Canadian man who traveled from British Columbia to Monterey County, California, with the intent to kill a woman he met through online gaming was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive life terms for attempted murder.

Devin Wolfgang Vanderhoef, 26, of North Vancouver, British Columbia, met a woman from Salinas, California, through online gaming. According to prosecutors, he became obsessed with her over the course of a year.

In November 2024, Vanderhoef flew to Monterey County, where he purchased knives, handcuffs, and duct tape, and surveilled the victim's home and workplace.

Posing as an Amazon delivery driver, Vanderhoef approached the victim's home on the night of the attack. When the female victim's boyfriend answered the door, Vanderhoef forced his way inside and stabbed the boyfriend.

Both victims managed to flee outside as the attack continued. The boyfriend was able to disarm Vanderhoef and stab him, but Vanderhoef then tackled the female victim and choked her until she could not breathe.

Vanderhoef confessed that he had been planning the attack for more than a month before flying to California, stating that his plan was to 'actually kill someone.' He traveled with a friend, Darius Avery White, who was arrested while sitting on a flight back to Canada. White testified against Vanderhoef, pleaded guilty to assault charges, and was sentenced in April.

In addition to the two consecutive life sentences, Vanderhoef was sentenced to five consecutive years for inflicting bodily injury and using a weapon during the commission of a crime. He was convicted after a jury trial in February.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, 'We hope this case serves as a powerful reminder that online interactions can carry real world consequences, and we encourage parents and community members to remain engaged, informed, and proactive in protecting themselves and their children.'

The state dashboard reported 135 West Nile virus positive mosquito samples and 89 positive dead birds as of Friday, with Los Angeles County listed as the source of the single human case and 20 positive mosquito samples in the county to date. Mosquito traps in Long Beach and Pico Rivera tested positive for West Nile virus in May, an early sign of mosquito season.

The patient was over 55 years old. There was just one case of West Nile virus infection in Long Beach last year.

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case. The individual is the first symptomatic case reported in California for the 2026 season. There have been West Nile virus positive mosquito detections in Long Beach. Acting City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada urged precautions. The Health Department’s Vector Control Program, along with partner agencies Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District and Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District, treat areas with high mosquito populations daily. A Mosquito Hotline is available at 562.570.4132. Information is available at longbeach.gov/WNV and social media accounts @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept on Instagram, Facebook and X. Media inquiries can be directed to [email protected].

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the case. The individual is the first symptomatic case reported in California for the 2026 season. There have been West Nile virus positive mosquito detections in Long Beach. Acting City Health Officer Dr. Cliff Okada urged precautions. The Health Department’s Vector Control Program, along with partner agencies Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District and Compton Creek Mosquito Abatement District, treat areas with high mosquito populations daily. A Mosquito Hotline is available at 562.570.4132. Information is available at longbeach.gov/WNV and social media accounts @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept on Instagram, Facebook and X. Media inquiries can be directed to [email protected].

The article was originally published by LAist on June 27, 2026. Additional prevention tips include installing or repairing door and window screens, dumping and draining standing water around the home, and reporting dead birds online or by calling 877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473).

The first human case of West Nile virus in California this year has been confirmed in Long Beach, according to an announcement by city officials on Friday. The individual was hospitalized with a neuroinvasive form of the illness and is now recovering at home, the city said in a statement.

West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. While most people infected with the virus experience no symptoms, less than 1% of patients develop neuroinvasive disease, which can manifest as meningitis, encephalitis, or acute flaccid myelitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People over the age of 50 or those with chronic health conditions are at higher risk for severe illness. Health officials urge anyone experiencing severe symptoms to seek immediate medical care.

There is currently no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile virus.

The risk of West Nile virus increases during hot weather, typically between June and October. Although mosquitoes have tested positive for the virus elsewhere in California, this is the first symptomatic case in the state this year.

Long Beach officials noted that no West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes have been detected within the city limits.

To reduce the risk of infection, health officials recommend taking precautions against mosquito bites. These include applying insect repellent with EPA-registered active ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or lemon eucalyptus before going outdoors.

Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants during dawn and dusk, when West Nile-carrying mosquitoes are most active, is also advised.

Residents of Los Angeles County, particularly those in Long Beach, should remain vigilant as the summer heat increases mosquito activity and the potential for virus transmission.

The new article reveals that the food insecurity rate among military families is nearly three times the national rate of food insecurity in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It also states that 85% of respondents were paying more than they could comfortably afford for housing, rent, or utility payments, and that junior enlisted families reported the highest rate of food insecurity at about 74%. For the first time in over a decade, military families identified grocery prices as a significant factor preventing them from making ends meet, with nearly 58% saying rising food costs were the biggest barrier to saving money. Spouse unemployment among currently-serving families is nearly a third, compared with 19% across the entire population, driven largely by lack of affordable child care. Nearly 60% of active duty families are paying more than their basic allowance for housing. The rate of respondents with less than $500 in emergency savings was highest among veteran and retiree families, at 36%. The report urged treating military families’ financial health as a national security imperative, stating "economic security has emerged not just as a matter of household welfare but as the foundational infrastructure for readiness." Active duty spouses were the least likely to recommend military life. The increase from 2023 was partly driven by changes in the survey population, which included a larger share of currently serving families and enlisted respondents.

Over a third of military families (34.1%) have less than $500 of emergency savings, according to a Military Family 360 study released this week. The report states that rising grocery prices and housing costs are the main contributors to financial stress, and that "food security, housing burden and financial well-being are strongly associated.

A new survey from the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) reveals a dramatic increase in food insecurity among military families, with more than 41% of respondents reporting they are struggling to afford enough food. This marks a sharp jump from 16% in 2023, even before the inflationary effects of the Iran war that began in February.

The biennial report, based on responses from over 10,000 families surveyed between October 2025 and January 2026, highlights the mounting economic pressures on those who serve.

The survey found that more than half of respondents (53.8%) cited food costs as a major barrier to eating healthy, pointing to high grocery prices and limited access to nutritious options. Perhaps most alarming, many families reported skipping meals or cutting portions so that other household members could eat.

One spouse of a deployed service member living near Camp Pendleton in Southern California, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, said: "Things have gotten a lot more expensive, especially with the gas prices." Her family currently receives extra pay during her husband's deployment, but she worries about when that ends.

The report also underscores severe mental health challenges within the military community. One in four military households (25.1%) said a member had used an emergency room for mental health care because they could not get a timely appointment.

Military spouses emerged as the most vulnerable demographic, with a concerning prevalence of suicidal ideation. MFAN CEO Shannon Razsadin noted: "We've seen it consistently over time, but it became more acute this time, specifically as it relates to mental health."

Financial strain is also pushing families toward predatory lending. The survey found that 10.3% of respondents had used auto title loans and 5.5% had taken out payday loans.

Frequent military moves create additional burdens, with many families paying over $1,000 out of pocket beyond what they are reimbursed—up sharply from 44.9% to between 63% and 69% depending on the expense category. Razsadin emphasized that this is a national security issue: "This is truly a national security imperative that military spouses are able to be whole while they're supporting the service member and raising a family."

The Defense Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. While some findings showed improvement—such as a drop in reports of poor family health by more than half since 2023—the overall picture remains grim.

Razsadin called for better support systems, including expanded access to mental health care and broader resources for military families.

The investigation into Miranda's Rescue began April 22 after the sheriff's office received credible information of allegations of felony animal abuse, animal cruelty, fraud and conspiracy. A search warrant served May 1 at the site resulted in detectives finding evidence related to the investigation. Forensic veterinarians and the USDA examined 70 of the dogs and preliminarily determined the cause of death for many of them to be gunshot wounds. No charges have been filed, and the case will be forwarded to the district attorney for review if sufficient evidence is found. A news conference will be held on Monday at 2 p.m. by the sheriff's office to provide more information.

After three days of excavation at the Miranda’s Rescue property in Fortuna, the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office announced Friday that investigators had discovered the intact remains of more than 100 dogs at two separate dig sites. The discovery is part of a multi-agency investigation into allegations of animal cruelty and fraud.

The sheriff's office reported that 117 intact dog carcasses were found, in various stages of decomposition. Seventy of the animals were X-rayed on site, and many showed evidence of bullet fragments.

Most of the recovered dogs were microchipped, and analysts are reviewing the data to identify the animals. In a separate dig location near the main site, investigators also found 21 canine skulls, hundreds of bones, and six loose microchips.

Inside a barn on the property, investigators identified an area believed to be where the dogs were likely killed. In the same area, more than 600 dog collars were recovered.

“This investigation is just getting started. There is a tremendous amount of data to process, witnesses to interview, and evidence to examine,” Sheriff William Honsal said in a statement.

He added that the Major Crimes Division is focused on the case and will continue working with state and federal partners.

The sheriff's office executed a search warrant on the property on Tuesday, June 23, with the assistance of local, state, and federal agencies, including the California Attorney General's Office, USDA, and FBI. The operation concluded on Thursday.

During a press conference, Honsal said that between January and May 2025, Miranda’s Rescue received over 900 animals from shelters across the state, but only about 100 could be accounted for through adoptions, leaving 730 unaccounted for.

Founder Shannon Miranda has denied wrongdoing but admitted to shooting five dogs, claiming it was for public safety. He also denied the existence of a mass grave.

However, the evidence recovered includes not only the 117 intact dogs but also additional remains in advanced stages of decomposition. Investigators chose not to remove those due to the advanced decomposition, documenting the site instead.

Under California law, a rescue can euthanize an animal with a gun if done humanely, but killing animals for financial gain or failing to provide promised services could lead to fraud or cruelty charges. The sheriff's office stated that the investigation is ongoing, and evidence will be thoroughly reviewed before any charges are filed.

Other agencies involved include the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office, Cal Poly Humboldt Anthropology Department, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the Yurok Tribe, which provided ground-penetrating radar. The sheriff's office emphasized that the evidence review will take significant time and urged patience from the public.

The city of Stockton has declared a local emergency in response to the rapid spread of golden mussels, an invasive species that is clogging critical water intake infrastructure and threatening the city's ability to meet summer water demand. The declaration, approved unanimously by the city council on Tuesday, aims to unlock state and federal reimbursement funds to cover the costs of mitigation efforts.

Travis Small, deputy director of water resources for Stockton's Municipal Utilities Department (MUD), reported that screens on intake pipes from the Delta—which prevent fish from entering the city's water system—are now 30% to 40% clogged with golden mussels. The city is spending $209,000 this week to have divers manually clean the underwater screens and related equipment.

"The golden mussel invasion represents an immediate threat to municipal water conveyance at our Delta intake station," Small told the council. "If we lose our Delta intake station, it's going to be really tough to meet summer demand."

Golden mussels, typically only about an inch long, attach to underwater surfaces and grow on top of each other, forming dense clusters. They can foul engine cooling systems in boats, clog irrigation pipes, and pose risks to water reclamation systems, hydropower plants, and the entire State Water Project.

Small noted that the Delta provides a "very, very suitable habitat" for the species, calling them "the very definition of an invasive species."

The problem extends beyond Stockton. The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office recently pulled a wrecked pickup truck from a local slough that was completely covered in golden mussels.

Farmers are alarmed at how quickly the pests have clogged irrigation pipes, and environmentalists fear the mussels could reach pristine waters such as Lake Tahoe.

While the city explores long-term solutions—including safe chemicals or infrared lights—Small said the only realistic option for now is physical removal by divers. "We'll keep working on it until we have a long-term solution," he vowed.

The emergency declaration is a crucial step to make the city eligible for state and federal reimbursements as Stockton and other communities across California battle this fast-spreading aquatic invader.