Mountain areas of Southern California were battered by powerful winds on Sunday night.
According to the National Weather Service, by 10 p.m. wind gusts were clocked at 86 mph in Montecito Hills and 87 mph at Whitaker Peak in Angeles National Forest.
The NWS warned of possible downed trees and power lines along the Interstate 5 corridor.
High winds were expected to continue until 9 a.m. Monday, the agency said.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesMountain areas of Southern California were battered by powerful winds on Sunday night.
According to the National Weather Service, by 10 p.m. wind gusts were clocked at 86 mph in Montecito Hills and 87 mph at Whitaker Peak in Angeles National Forest.
The NWS warned of possible downed trees and power lines along the Interstate 5 corridor.
High winds were expected to continue until 9 a.m. Monday, the agency said.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesMountain areas of Southern California were battered by powerful winds on Sunday night.
According to the National Weather Service, by 10 p.m. wind gusts were clocked at 86 mph in Montecito Hills and 87 mph at Whitaker Peak in Angeles National Forest.
The NWS warned of possible downed trees and power lines along the Interstate 5 corridor.
High winds were expected to continue until 9 a.m. Monday, the agency said.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesTo the editor: I am deeply troubled by the idea of Los Angeles Police Department officers wearing body cameras. ("Have a full and open debate on rules for LAPD body cameras," Editorial, Dec. 17)
Why do we as a society need our everyday behaviors to be recorded? From malls to many streets, much of what we do in public is already captured on camera. Now add to this our interactions with officers.
The expectation, according to the editorial, is that we will behave better. Do we distrust our society and our system so much that we need to be recorded to ensure civilized behavior?
When will we finally put a limit on where to place cameras? Do we draw the line at our homes, or will we one day come to believe that cameras can prevent domestic violence? Step by step, we head toward a "1984"-like nation — without even noticing.
Rosana Campos, North Hollywood
..
To the editor: Your editorial sees body cameras as providing an "objective record of the interaction" and "increased transparency," which might help address the way black citizens say they are treated by police. Unfortunately, the effect of such equipment will be marginal.
Cameras have a restricted frame of view, and many contentious interactions can be expected to take place outside what they can capture.
The greater problem lies with the very nature of perception. What we call "facts" are actually the product of external stimuli interacting with our minds; hence, cameras will be of little help in the "court of public opinion," which is now radically divided.
Cameras may be of some help in the actual courtroom, but they probably will not address the kind of disturbances we are witnessing. Many will still see what they want to see.
Jack Kaczorowski, Los Angeles
Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesTo the editor: I am deeply troubled by the idea of Los Angeles Police Department officers wearing body cameras. ("Have a full and open debate on rules for LAPD body cameras," Editorial, Dec. 17)
Why do we as a society need our everyday behaviors to be recorded? From malls to many streets, much of what we do in public is already captured on camera. Now add to this our interactions with officers.
The expectation, according to the editorial, is that we will behave better. Do we distrust our society and our system so much that we need to be recorded to ensure civilized behavior?
When will we finally put a limit on where to place cameras? Do we draw the line at our homes, or will we one day come to believe that cameras can prevent domestic violence? Step by step, we head toward a "1984"-like nation — without even noticing.
Rosana Campos, North Hollywood
..
To the editor: Your editorial sees body cameras as providing an "objective record of the interaction" and "increased transparency," which might help address the way black citizens say they are treated by police. Unfortunately, the effect of such equipment will be marginal.
Cameras have a restricted frame of view, and many contentious interactions can be expected to take place outside what they can capture.
The greater problem lies with the very nature of perception. What we call "facts" are actually the product of external stimuli interacting with our minds; hence, cameras will be of little help in the "court of public opinion," which is now radically divided.
Cameras may be of some help in the actual courtroom, but they probably will not address the kind of disturbances we are witnessing. Many will still see what they want to see.
Jack Kaczorowski, Los Angeles
Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesThe Taliban attacked a checkpoint in northern Afghanistan late Saturday, killing at least seven policemen, an official said. In Kabul, a reporter wounded in an attack earlier this month on a French-run school died of his injuries.
The checkpoint attack took place in Jawzjan province, said Abdul Manan Raoufi, the region's police operational chief. Along with the seven killed, five other policemen were wounded in the attack in a village in the province's Qashtepa district.
Police reinforcements were sent to the location and a gunbattle ensued in which five insurgents died, Raoufi said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Meanwhile, a battle has been raging between insurgents and government forces for more than a week in eastern Kunar province, said Abdul Ghani Musamem, spokesman for the provincial governor. He said it was difficult to determine exact casualty figures, though at least three civilians had been killed and around 28 insurgents so far.
"There are casualties among civilians who are stuck in the battlefield but we don't know how many right now," he said.
Elsewhere in Kunar, seven civilians, including two children, were killed when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Nari district late Saturday, the spokesman said. Three other civilians were wounded in the blast.
Also late Saturday, 22-year-old journalist Zubair Hatami died in Kabul from wounds sustained in a Taliban attack on a French-run school this month.
Hatami, a cameraman with the privately-run Mitra Television, was seriously wounded when a teenage suicide bomber blew himself up during a performance at the Etsiqlal High School on Dec. 11. A German aid worker was also killed in that attack.
Taliban militants have intensified their war on the Afghan government in recent months, and have been hitting soft targets such as schools and foreign guesthouses in the capital ahead of the withdrawal of most foreign combat forces on Dec. 31.
What an ending to a stellar high school career for Jake Browning.
The senior quarterback, who will enroll at Washington in January after graduating this month, threw six touchdown passes to give him a national record-tying 91 this season and increase his career total to a national record 229 as Folsom routed Oceanside, 68-7, in the CIF Division I state bowl game Friday night at StubHub Center.
"Yeah, I'm surprised at the score because they're a great team but we got pressure with our front four and my offensive line did a great job," said Browning, who completed 27 of 34 throws for 445 yards and scored Folsom's first touchdown on a four-yard run. "This was our goal from the beginning of the season and this is probably our best game of the season. I don't know how to describe it."
It was the most points Oceanside (14-1) has ever allowed.
After spotting the Pirates a 7-0 lead, Folsom scored six unanswered touchdowns in the first half to build an insurmountable 41-7 lead. Northern California swept Friday's doubleheader, which drew an attendance of 5,113. The Bulldogs (16-0) scored more points than any team in state bowl history and the second-most points in a season with 915.
"We started kind of slow, but once we start going we don't stop," said senior running back-linebacker Sam Whittingham. "We watched hours upon hours of tape to prepare. There's no better feeling than winning a state championship."
Browning spread his touchdowns to six different receivers. Jake Jeffrey caught eight passes for 99 yards and one touchdown, Josiah Deguara had six receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown, Cole Thompson had four catches for 66 yards and one touchdown and Tre Green added four catches for 62 yards and one score.
Matthew Romero completed 15 of 26 passes for 166 yards, with one interception, and scored the Pirates' only touchdown on an eight-yard run.
Asked if he wished his team could play Concord De La Salle, Browning was diplomatic: "I don't make the rules but I hope they beat Centennial and represent the north."
Linebacker Bailey Laolagi's 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown on the final play increased the final margin to 61 points -- the largest in state bowl history.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesWhat an ending to a stellar high school career for Jake Browning.
The senior quarterback, who will enroll at Washington in January after graduating this month, threw six touchdown passes to give him a national record-tying 91 this season and increase his career total to a national record 229 as Folsom routed Oceanside, 68-7, in the CIF Division I state bowl game Friday night at StubHub Center.
"Yeah, I'm surprised at the score because they're a great team but we got pressure with our front four and my offensive line did a great job," said Browning, who completed 27 of 34 throws for 445 yards and scored Folsom's first touchdown on a four-yard run. "This was our goal from the beginning of the season and this is probably our best game of the season. I don't know how to describe it."
It was the most points Oceanside (14-1) has ever allowed.
After spotting the Pirates a 7-0 lead, Folsom scored six unanswered touchdowns in the first half to build an insurmountable 41-7 lead. Northern California swept Friday's doubleheader, which drew an attendance of 5,113. The Bulldogs (16-0) scored more points than any team in state bowl history and the second-most points in a season with 915.
"We started kind of slow, but once we start going we don't stop," said senior running back-linebacker Sam Whittingham. "We watched hours upon hours of tape to prepare. There's no better feeling than winning a state championship."
Browning spread his touchdowns to six different receivers. Jake Jeffrey caught eight passes for 99 yards and one touchdown, Josiah Deguara had six receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown, Cole Thompson had four catches for 66 yards and one touchdown and Tre Green added four catches for 62 yards and one score.
Matthew Romero completed 15 of 26 passes for 166 yards, with one interception, and scored the Pirates' only touchdown on an eight-yard run.
Asked if he wished his team could play Concord De La Salle, Browning was diplomatic: "I don't make the rules but I hope they beat Centennial and represent the north."
Linebacker Bailey Laolagi's 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown on the final play increased the final margin to 61 points -- the largest in state bowl history.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesWhat an ending to a stellar high school career for Jake Browning.
The senior quarterback, who will enroll at Washington in January after graduating this month, threw six touchdown passes to give him a national record-tying 91 this season and increase his career total to a national record 229 as Folsom routed Oceanside, 68-7, in the CIF Division I state bowl game Friday night at StubHub Center.
"Yeah, I'm surprised at the score because they're a great team but we got pressure with our front four and my offensive line did a great job," said Browning, who completed 27 of 34 throws for 445 yards and scored Folsom's first touchdown on a four-yard run. "This was our goal from the beginning of the season and this is probably our best game of the season. I don't know how to describe it."
It was the most points Oceanside (14-1) has ever allowed.
After spotting the Pirates a 7-0 lead, Folsom scored six unanswered touchdowns in the first half to build an insurmountable 41-7 lead. Northern California swept Friday's doubleheader, which drew an attendance of 5,113. The Bulldogs (16-0) scored more points than any team in state bowl history and the second-most points in a season with 915.
"We started kind of slow, but once we start going we don't stop," said senior running back-linebacker Sam Whittingham. "We watched hours upon hours of tape to prepare. There's no better feeling than winning a state championship."
Browning spread his touchdowns to six different receivers. Jake Jeffrey caught eight passes for 99 yards and one touchdown, Josiah Deguara had six receptions for 82 yards and one touchdown, Cole Thompson had four catches for 66 yards and one touchdown and Tre Green added four catches for 62 yards and one score.
Matthew Romero completed 15 of 26 passes for 166 yards, with one interception, and scored the Pirates' only touchdown on an eight-yard run.
Asked if he wished his team could play Concord De La Salle, Browning was diplomatic: "I don't make the rules but I hope they beat Centennial and represent the north."
Linebacker Bailey Laolagi's 62-yard fumble return for a touchdown on the final play increased the final margin to 61 points -- the largest in state bowl history.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles TimesAuthorities in Australia are investigating the stabbing deaths of eight children, all discovered in a home Friday afternoon.
The victims range in age from 18 months to 15 years, according to a news release from Queensland state police.
The home is in the Cairns suburb of Manoora, in the country's north.
An unidentified woman, believed to be in her 30s, was also in the house and was suffering from "serious injuries," the release said.
Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said forensic teams were inside the home collecting evidence. According to the Associated Press, he declined to specify how the children died.
"As it stands at the moment, there's no need for the public to be concerned about this other than the fact that it's a tragic, tragic event," Asnicar said.
Officials had not yet identified any suspects, but were talking to a range of people, he told AP.
Acting Chief Superintendent Russell Miller said officials believe it was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the rest of the community, AP reported.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the news was heartbreaking.
"Tonight, there will be tears and prayers for these children across our country," Abbott said in a statement from his office.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Follow Ryan Parker for breaking news at @theryanparker and on Facebook.
12:45 a.m.: This story has been updated with comments from investigators as told to the Associated Press.
9:09 p.m.: This story has been updated with a comment from Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
This story was originally published at 7:52 p.m.
