Welcome to L.A. TACO’s daily news briefs, where we bring our loyal members, readers, and supporters the latest headlines about Los Angeles politics and culture. Stay informed and look closely.
—Highland Park: Highland Park's community Facebook group "90042" is reporting that the famed old school corner taquería "Tacos La Estrella" will be closing tomorrow (Friday, January 13th). The building owner did not want to renew the lease and is reported to be looking at a space across the street, subject to receiving permits to turn it into a restaurant. This taco landmark closing marks the third institution to close in the quickly gentrifying NELA neighborhood in just a couple of weeks, following the news that the 100-year-old theater will be closing next month, and Coco's on York Boulevard. [90042/Facebook)
—Downtown: Los Angeles Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez called Wednesday for the city’s policy analysts to determine whether the council has the power to require that every police officer assigned to the council chamber show up unarmed. LAPD officials did not immediately comment on Hernandez’s motion, which will be forwarded to the council’s rules committee for consideration. However, the union that represents LAPD officers blasted it as “irresponsible,” warning it will “invite harm toward public officials and those that attend City Council meetings.” [LA Times]
—Valencia: A man accused of attacking a deputy has died after he was shot by that Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy Wednesday night in Valencia. [ABC]
—Historic South-Central: Local cannabis grower Jungle Boys shared that the recent rainstorm caused the roof in their South-Central facility to cave in, causing tens of thousands of dollars of damages and losses. "2023 started off with a punch to the stomach but you can't keep an old dog down," they wrote. "A few days of around the clock work and we will have this grow back up." [Jungle Boys/Instagram]
—California's extreme drought has been virtually eliminated after the January storms. In particular, Bay Area sees 'huge gains.' [ABC]
—Long Beach: After seeing a 62 percent increase in the homeless population between 2020 and 2022, the city of Long Beach and its new mayor, Rex Richardson, joins Los Angeles in its state of emergency declaration on homelessness. [CBS]
—Long Beach dock worker pleads guilty to billing health plan for prostitutes. All nine defendants in the case have filed plea agreements, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. [Press-Telegram]
—Chatsworth: Chatsworth sinkhole that swallowed two cars continues to grow. Crews with the Los Angeles Department of Public Works have been working around the clock to stabilize part of Iverson Road. In preparation of Saturday's storm, officials are placing a large tarp over it. [KTLA]
—105,000 L.A. County residents live in areas prone to 100-year floods [LA Times]
