Latest news with #CaliforniaDepartmentofTransportation
Los Angeles Times
31-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Caltrans employees accused of throwing wild party with a stripper while on the clock
Twelve California Department of Transportation employees are facing disciplinary action following allegations that they attended a wild retirement party for a co-worker that involved heavy drinking and a hired stripper during work hours. The alleged party took place on July 10 at the Monterey Caltrans yard at 2111 Garden Road, according to Caltrans. The organization began investigating the party the following day and placed 12 employees on paid administrative leave on July 23. Since then, 10 of the employees have received notices of termination, and two employees have received notices of suspension, according to the agency. Employees have a window of time to appeal a notice before the discipline takes effect. After initiating the investigation, Caltrans received a letter from a tipster detailing the alleged debauchery that took place at the party — including the hiring of a stripper, the consumption of alcohol and employees leaving the party while intoxicated. 'Caltrans takes these allegations with the utmost seriousness and is unwavering in holding those involved accountable,' said agency spokesperson Matt Rocco in a statement. 'We quickly launched an investigation and have taken immediate disciplinary action. The behavior described has absolutely no place in our department and stands in direct opposition to our values and ethical standards.' The ongoing investigation was initially reported by local TV news station KSBW, which was sent a copy of the letter by the tipster. The tipster wrote that 'some supervisors were seen consuming alcohol and then driving away from the yard in official state-issued Caltrans vehicles while under the influence,' which is not only 'a blatant violation of Caltrans policy, but also a criminal offense and serious liability,' according to KSBW. Caltrans, like all state agencies, is required to serve employees with notices of proposed disciplinary actions and evidence supporting the proposal prior to the penalty being enacted. Employees who wish to challenge the action may do so by requesting what is known as a Skelly hearing. A Skelly review officer, who is a neutral party uninvolved in the investigation, will then decide whether to uphold the discipline, reduce its severity or recommend further investigation. If the officer upholds the discipline, employees can then appeal the action to the State Personnel Board.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Yahoo
Housing activist who 'reclaimed' state-owned home dies amid eviction protest
Benito Flores, who more than five years ago seized a state-owned home in El Sereno to protest against homelessness in Los Angeles, has died. A 70-year-old retired welder, Flores had been fighting to remain in the home. Last month, he and a group of supporters prevented Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies from evicting him from a small duplex on a narrow street in El Sereno. As part of the eviction defense, Flores constructed an elaborate tree house 28 feet high in an ash tree in the home's backyard, where he planned to retreat if police attempted to haul him out. In the six weeks since the failed eviction attempt, Flores continued to fortify the property, including building additional defenses in a second tree in the backyard. Supporters believe that Flores died after falling out of that tree. Read more: Elderly man builds tree house to protest eviction from state-owned home On Friday afternoon, a neighbor found him unresponsive on the ground near the tree with his safety harness broken, said Roberto Flores, who operates a private community center in El Sereno and helped organize the ongoing protests. "He's a martyr for human rights, for the decent right of housing for everyone," said Roberto Flores, who is not related to Benito. Benito Flores was the final holdout in a protest that captured nationwide interest when it began in March 2020. Flores and a dozen others occupied empty homes owned by the California Department of Transportation, which the agency acquired by the hundreds a half-century ago for a freeway expansion that never happened. Read more: Another group of homeless moms and families are taking over a house — this time in L.A. The activists, who call themselves "Reclaiming Our Homes," argued that the true crime wasn't breaking into empty houses, but rather that publicly owned homes were left vacant while tens of thousands of people lived on the streets of Los Angeles. Backed by a wave of public support, the dozen "Reclaimers" were allowed to stay legally in Caltrans-owned homes for two years through a temporary lease agreement managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. When that expired in late 2022, Flores and many Reclaimers attempted to remain in the properties, saying the alternatives offered by the housing authority were insufficient to keep them permanently housed. But as eviction threats mounted, some of the protesters began accepting settlements to leave and others were evicted. Flores continued the fight. He told The Times on the eve of the June eviction attempt that he wanted to make a statement about political leaders failing to provide housing for all who need it. Flores suffered from diabetes and said if he was removed he would have had no other option except to sleep in his van — where he lived for 14 years before the home seizure. Read more: 'I'm going to resist': Protesters who seized state-owned homes five years ago prepare for eviction battle 'Who is supposed to give permanent housing to elders, disabled and families with children?" Flores told The Times last month. "It is the city and the state. And they are evicting me.' About 50 mourners gathered at Flores' home Friday night for a vigil and ceremony honoring his life and activism. His body, covered with a white sheet, remained in the backyard and supporters placed flowers on it after paying their respects. The official cause of death remains under investigation. Personnel from the L.A. County Medical Examiner arrived at the property Friday evening to remove the body and begin their examination. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
19-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Housing activist who ‘reclaimed' state-owned home dies amid eviction protest
Benito Flores, who more than five years ago seized a state-owned home in El Sereno to protest against homelessness in Los Angeles, has died. A 70-year-old retired welder, Flores had been fighting to remain in the home. Last month, he and a group of supporters prevented Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies from evicting him from a small duplex on a narrow street in El Sereno. As part of the eviction defense, Flores constructed an elaborate tree house 28 feet high in an ash tree in the home's backyard, where he planned to retreat if police attempted to haul him out. In the six weeks since the failed eviction attempt, Flores continued to fortify the property, including building additional defenses in a second tree in the backyard. Supporters believe that Flores died after falling out of that tree. On Friday afternoon, a neighbor found him unresponsive on the ground near the tree with his safety harness broken, said Roberto Flores, who operates a private community center in El Sereno and helped organize the ongoing protests. 'He's a martyr for human rights, for the decent right of housing for everyone,' said Roberto Flores, who is not related to Benito. Benito Flores was the final holdout in a protest that captured nationwide interest when it began in March 2020. Flores and a dozen others occupied empty homes owned by the California Department of Transportation, which the agency acquired by the hundreds a half-century ago for a freeway expansion that never happened. The activists, who call themselves 'Reclaiming Our Homes,' argued that the true crime wasn't breaking into empty houses, but rather that publicly owned homes were left vacant while tens of thousands of people lived on the streets of Los Angeles. Backed by a wave of public support, the dozen 'Reclaimers' were allowed to stay legally in Caltrans-owned homes for two years through a temporary lease agreement managed by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. When that expired in late 2022, Flores and many Reclaimers attempted to remain in the properties, saying the alternatives offered by the housing authority were insufficient to keep them permanently housed. But as eviction threats mounted, some of the protesters began accepting settlements to leave and others were evicted. Flores continued the fight. He told The Times on the eve of the June eviction attempt that he wanted to make a statement about political leaders failing to provide housing for all who need it. Flores suffered from diabetes and said if he was removed he would have had no other option except to sleep in his van — where he lived for 14 years before the home seizure. 'Who is supposed to give permanent housing to elders, disabled and families with children?' Flores told The Times last month. 'It is the city and the state. And they are evicting me.' About 50 mourners gathered at Flores' home Friday night for a vigil and ceremony honoring his life and activism. His body, covered with a white sheet, remained in the backyard and supporters placed flowers on it after paying their respects. The official cause of death remains under investigation. Personnel from the L.A. County Medical Examiner arrived at the property Friday evening to remove the body and begin their examination.
05-07-2025
- Climate
Madre Fire in California explodes to more than 79,000 acres
A massive California wildfire has prompted evacuation orders and a highway closure. The Madre Fire ignited Wednesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo County, according to Cal Fire. It has since grown to 79,630 acres and is 10% contained as of Saturday, fire officials said. The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County, photo posted July 3, 2025. Bureau of Land Management MORE: Wolf Fire in Southern California explodes over 2,400 acres amid dry, windy conditions The fire -- the largest in California so far this year, according to Cal Fire data -- is burning in a largely rural area in the Los Padres National Forest near Highway 166, officials said. Evacuation orders were issued near Highway 166 in San Luis Obispo County. The highway is closed from U.S. 101 near Santa Maria to Perkins Road in the New Cuyama area of Santa Barbara County, according to the California Department of Transportation. All Bureau of Land Management lands in Carrizo Plain National Monument are closed to public access due to the fire, the agency said Thursday. The Madre Fire in San Luis Obispo County, photo posted July 3, 2025. Bureau of Land Management Approximately 50 structures are threatened, according to Cal Fire. Officials warned that the fire has a high rate of spread. "With the current weather, terrain, and fuel conditions this fire has seen exponential growth in less than 24 hours in multiple counties surrounding the San Luis Obispo County area," the U.S. Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest said on social media Thursday morning. "Smoke impacts will be far-reaching." The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
California's largest blaze in 2025 explodes in size as hot weather raises wildfire risk Statewide
A wildfire in a wilderness area of central California exploded in size as dry, hot weather Thursday raised the fire risk for large portions of the State ahead of the July Fourth holiday. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out Wednesday in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. It swiftly grew to more than 82 square miles (212 square kilometers). It was just 10% contained by Thursday evening. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued for tiny communities near State Route 166 as flames moved through hilly terrain toward the Carrizo Plain National Monument, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of Santa Maria. The region about 125 miles (200 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles contains vast grasslands that draw visitors in the spring to see its wildflowers. Part of Route 166 East was closed Thursday, and there was 'no estimate for re-opening,' California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, said on social media. The fire was pushed by summer gusts that typically increase as the sun starts going down, said meteorologist Ryan Kittell with the National Weather Service. 'The winds are pretty light during the day, but they do pick up pretty substantially in the afternoon and evening hours,' Kittell said. He said gusts could reach 40 mph (64 kph) later in the day Thursday, posing new challenges for firefighters working in 95-degree F heat (35 C). Dozens of smaller wildfires were burning across the State. Southern California's Wolf Fire reached 55% containment Thursday after charring more than 3.7 square miles (9.5 square kilometers) of dry brush since breaking out June 29 in Riverside County east of Los Angeles. Unrelated to the wildfires, a fire burned four homes in the Pacoima neighborhood before being brought under control Thursday night. Fireworks were exploding when crews arrived at the scene and a woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition, the Los Angeles Times reported.
