LOCAL NEWS Marine care centers in SoCal overwhelmed with sick sea lions, dolphins by: Josh DuBose, Chris Wolfe

Posted: Jun 25, 2023 / 06:58 PM PDT

Updated: Jun 25, 2023 / 10:23 PM PDT

Sickened sea animals are washing up along the coast of Southern California and experts are blaming an algal bloom for poisoning the marine mammals.

The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, which is the only rehabilitation center for these types of animals in Los Angeles County, is filled to capacity and the situation, according to experts, only appears to be getting worse.

While some of the thousands of sea lions and elephant seals at care centers across the Southland are healthy and ready to be returned to the wild, many others are not and require special care, medication and treatment.

“We’re seeing a really large algal bloom off the coast of California, specifically Central and Southern California,” John Warner, CEO of the Marine Mammal Care Center, told KTLA. “It is a toxic algal bloom that causes domoic acid within our sea lion and dolphin populations, especially.”

Marine mammals poisoned by domoic acid can be prone to seizures, aggression, vomiting and foaming at the mouth. Nursing mothers can lose their milk, and according to wildlife experts, the condition can be fatal.

Care centers up and down the Golden State are working to care for the marine animals, but many of the facilities have limited resources and space.

“It is a naturally occurring algae in the environment,” Warner explained. “It is becoming more intense and larger in scope because of warmer ocean temperatures. We have the hottest temperature on record for the ocean at the moment. That’s a contributing factor which is caused by human impact.”

If the sick animals are captured and treated early enough, there is a very high success rate for rehabilitation and recovery and, ultimately, being able to return them to the wild.

Beachgoers who may encounter a sick animal on the beach are advised to stay clear and contact authorities at animal care and control centers.

Those wishing to volunteer or donate funds to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro can follow this link for more information.

Among top events June 24-25, 2023, throughout OC are Discovery Cube's new Sea Lab & Ocean Encounter in Santa Ana, opening of Joseph Kleitsch: Abroad & At Home In Old Laguna at Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach, and last sunflower-picking days in Costa Mesa.

The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge takes place Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24 at Huntington Beach State Park.

The Garden Grove Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint on June 23, 2023, from 9:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

Orange County condo residents forced to live without gas for weeks by: Vivian Chow, Chip Yost

Posted: Jun 22, 2023 / 08:58 PM PDT

Updated: Jun 23, 2023 / 04:41 AM PDT

For nearly a month, hundreds of residents living in a condominium complex in Orange have been forced to live without natural gas.

SoCalGas said it shut off gas access for the La Veta Monterey Condos on June 2 citing safety concerns after a gas leak was discovered on the premises. The complex houses 212 units with both owners and renters.

Because the leak was discovered on private property, utility officials said responsibility for repairs falls on the complex owners and the homeowners association.

Residents, meanwhile, are fed up with living without hot water or the ability to cook at home.

“We need this gas turned back on,” said resident Betty Talbert. “We are tired of the problems.”

A ton of caution tape can be seen throughout the complex grounds with ongoing underground construction work.

In a letter sent to residents from the homeowners association board president, upgrades to rectify the faulty gas lines were estimated to be costly and lengthy. Residents were told an immediate solution was being sought, but some said the wait time has been unacceptable and unbearable.

“I’m taking cold showers,” said Talbert. “As a matter of fact, three days after this happened, I got really sick with the flu. So with the flu for at least seven days, I was taking cold showers because I didn’t have any other way to do it.”

Some residents said not being able to cook at home has been tough on their finances.

“We’re a family of six and we have to eat,” said resident Nathan Medina. “So spending over $100 on McDonald’s or whatever food is outside, it’s just crazy.”

Medina’s family was forced to bring in a gas grill onto their balcony just to heat up a pot of water for a warm shower.

An estimated timeline to restore gas to units still remains unknown. Neighbors said the letter they received from the homeowners association appeared to discourage them from speaking about the matter to the media.

Some residents, however, told KTLA they wanted attention on the matter so the complex owners could be held accountable. Neighbors also expressed interest in what legal rights they may have.