Two dozen students at two Inland Empire high schools were arrested yesterday in a massive drug investigation. Authorities arrested 12 students at Elsinore High School in Wildomar and another 12 at Vista Del Lago High School in Moreno Valley. Police seized marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and prescription pain killers.A Banning man was behind bars yesterday on suspicion of possessing a homemade bomb, ammunitions and weapons. Leon Edward Ortega was arrested at his home Wednesday, when authorities doing a routine probation search found the items, which Ortega was not allowed to have. Authorities evacuated several nearby residents as a precaution and destroyed the bomb. The 45-year-old Ortega is expected to be arraigned today at the Banning Court.
At least one person died yesterday afternoon in a two-car crash on state Route 74 just east of Lake Elsinore. The crash involving a pickup truck and a Honda Accord happened on eastbound 74 at Riverside Street, and the coroner was summoned to the scene.
Another deadly shooting at Virginia Tech University. A campus police officer was shot to death yesterday. The gunman later killed himself. No word on the motive.
The Labor Department is reporting a big drop in first-time claims for unemployment benefits. The latest report released yesterday shows 381-thousand claims were filed last week, a drop of 23-thousand from the week before. Despite the news, the dow jones closed down yesterday 198 points.
Most Americans know that talking or texting while driving is a bad idea, but they do it anyway. A study by the Transportation Department reveals that most people surveyed admit there are few situations in which they wouldn’t talk or text while driving, but they support moves to limit or outlaw both practices. Distracted driving deaths totaled almost 31-hundred last year.
Inland Empire gas prices continue to drop. The price of unleaded has fallen seven cents in the last week to an average of 3-62 a gallon. Thats the lowest its been since February.
A couple of major sports stories in southern California. The Angels announced that they have signed three time MVP Albert Pujols to a 10 year $254 million dollar deal. Meantime –the NBA has cancelled a blockbuster three team trade that would seen the Lakers acquire all star guard Chris Paul in exchange for Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol.
December 9, 2011 at 6:35 am | David Wylie | No comment
