Headlines: Criminal Investigation Opened Into Sheriff Villanueva Fundraising; A ‘Mushroom Boom’ In Vernon

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.

—Hollywood: Two plus-size model influencers were denied entrance to The Highlight Room in Hollywood, and are speaking out, alleging discrimination over their body sizes. [NBC]

—Beverlywood: Funds are being collected for funeral services for Alfredo and Jose Linares, two brothers in their 70s from La Puente, who were killed yesterday by the driver of a Honda Civic while crossing the road, along with their third brother, who was not hit. The three brothers made a living with their  own landscaping company, maintaining yards on the Westside. [GoFundMe]

—Los Angeles: The L.A. County D.A. has opened a criminal investigation into L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva for allegedly soliciting donations for his re-election campaign from other employees, which would be a violation of state law and Sheriff's Department rules. The allegations center on a video in which Villanueva is reportedly shown soliciting department deputies for donations of any size and claiming the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs had left the campaign "high and dry." [LAT]

—Hacienda Heights: One man's out-of-control crime spree lead police on a chase through L.A. and Orange Counties, ending with a crash and police shots fired at a Hacienda Heights gas station.The incident included multiple crashes, scrapes, and stolen vehicles, a carjacking, a repeatedly smashed cruiser, home invasion, knife-wielding homeowner, and one big-ass dog, as well as one case of mistaken identity. [ABC]

—Hollywood Hills: A police investigation into a report of shots being fired has closed the Highland and Barham exits on the 101 Freeway this morning. [KTLA]

—Vernon: L.A.'s "mushroom boom" has its epicenter in southeast L.A. in the warehouse of Smallhold, a NY-based company bringing a rainbow of dazzling varietals to grocery store shelves. [LAT]