Ventura
Aussie bus boss gives $15 million bonus to staff
Feb 01, 2012 01:43 EST
An Australian bus operator has stunned his employees by handing out Aus$15 million (US$15.9 million) in thank you bonuses, with workers saying Wednesday they were overwhelmed by his generosity.
"Big Hurt" focuses on Pujols at World Series
Oct 24, 2011 20:51 EDT
ARLINGTON, Texas (Reuters) - Frank Thomas hit baseballs so hard they called him the "Big Hurt" during his big league playing days, so it did not come as much of a surprise when he revealed what he enjoyed most about this World Series.
Tiger Woods takes tenderfoot to task
Oct 11, 2011 22:33 EDT
It didn't take Tiger Woods very long to size up his competition, chiding weekend golf warrior Rick Tolentino for bringing along a belly putter to their outdoor putting challenge.
Maritime smuggling to California on the rise
Jul 30, 2011 15:43 EDT
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - When U.S. immigration agents found a boatload of Mexican castaways huddled on a Malibu beach, and a larger group marooned a week later on an island north of Los Angeles, they realized it was a new trend.
California woman sues after slipping on banana peel
Mar 02, 2011 13:19 EST
NEW YORK, March 1 (Reuters Legal) - A banana peel, the torment of many a cartoon character, has allegedly become the real-life downfall of a woman in California.
California woman sues after slipping on banana peel
Mar 01, 2011 18:49 EST
NEW YORK, March 1 (Reuters Legal) - A banana peel, the torment of many a cartoon character, has allegedly become the real-life downfall of a woman in California. Ida Valentine, 58, is suing the 99 Cents Only store where she slipped on one last April.
Bunny Ranch owner has designs on new Southern brothel, reality show
Jan 10, 2011 19:00 EST
It had been a long spell between my conversations with Dennis Hof, the state's pre-eminent entrepreneur in the sexual gratification industry. Nearly a dozen years had passed since our last chat when I spied Hof entertaining fans over the weekend at the Adult Entertainment Expo at Sands Convention Center.
Suit challenges Calif. approval of farm pesticide
Jan 03, 2011 15:25 EST
Environmental, farmworker groups sue stop agricultural pesticide's use in California. A coalition of environmental and farmworker groups said in a lawsuit announced Monday that state pesticide regulators improperly cut off public comment on a controversial agricultural fumigant in order to secure its passage before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's term ended.
1 million to watch NYC ball drop to ring in 2011
Dec 31, 2010 23:25 EST
US cities prepare for New Year's Eve celebrations amid weather, security preparations. Visitors crowded into Times Square on Friday to await the storied New Year's Eve ball drop, the largest of many events across the country planned to usher in 2011.
Calif approves use of pesticide linked to cancer
Dec 01, 2010 21:21 EST
Calif approves use of pesticide linked to cancer despite opposition from enviros, farmworkers. California regulators approved a pesticide Wednesday for use by fruit and vegetable growers despite heavy opposition from environmental and farmworker groups that cited its links to cancer.
Companies hold holiday parties, but on a budget
Nov 30, 2010 14:37 EST
NEW YORK (Reuters) - American companies are back in the partying mood this holiday season -- but don't count on getting a glass of wine or an appetizer with your dinner.
Documents: 'King of Heroin' caught on wiretaps
Nov 13, 2010 16:05 EST
Documents: Man accused of being 'King of Heroin' caught on wiretaps discussing drug deals. California court documents show the man accused of being Mexico's "King of Heroin" was caught on wiretap conversations talking to coconspirators about drug transactions involving hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Facebook leads authorities to Calif. parole jumper
Nov 04, 2010 13:11 EDT
California parole absconder arrested in northern Montana after posting location on Facebook. A man who absconded from parole in California 12 years ago has been arrested in northern Montana after disclosing his location in an update on his Facebook page.
Facebook leads Mont. cops to Calif. parole jumper
Nov 04, 2010 11:44 EDT
California parole absconder arrested in northern Montana after posting location on Facebook. A man who absconded from parole in California 12 years ago has been arrested in northern Montana after police tracked him down through updates on his Facebook page.
SoCal home sales surge amid foreclosures
Oct 22, 2010 08:40 EDT
Southern California home sales surge as bargain-hunters jump on foreclosed properties. Southern California home sales surged to a 16-month high in July as prices kept falling and bargain-hunters snapped up foreclosed properties, a research firm said Monday.
James Bacon, columnist to the stars, dies at 96
Sep 18, 2010 21:03 EDT
James Bacon, longtime Hollywood columnist, former AP reporter and friend to stars, dies at 96. James Bacon, who began his career at The Associated Press in the 1940s and spent six decades chronicling Hollywood's biggest stars as a reporter, author and syndicated columnist, died Saturday. He was 96.
Metrolink: $200 million to settle LA rail disaster
Aug 25, 2010 18:57 EDT
Metrolink, Connex commit to $200 million maximum liability in Los Angeles rail disaster. Southern California's Metrolink system and Connex Railroad filed court papers Wednesday accepting the maximum $200 million in liability for a 2008 head-on collision between a commuter train and a freight that killed 25 people and injured more than 100.
Off-road racer rolls truck into crowd, killing 8
Aug 15, 2010 19:32 EDT
8 killed when truck in Calif. off-road race rolls into fans who lined up close to track. The crowd at the off-road race could almost touch the trucks as they hurtled and bounced over the desert sand. They were close enough for one mistake to end eight lives.
What recession? US outdoor gear makers 'buoyant'
Aug 08, 2010 15:42 EDT
Recession doesn't slow makers of expensive outdoor gear; a $430 tent with 'air beams'. Despite an economy hammered by recession, sales have doubled every year for a tiny New Hampshire company that makes tents of all things. But these aren't just any tents. They are for outdoor enthusiasts ? not families forced out by foreclosures ? and they are definitely not cheap tents.
Other cities to pay lavish Bell, Calif., pensions
Aug 02, 2010 00:00 EDT
Lavish pensions for Bell, Calif., officials to be paid by other SoCal cities. According to pension experts, cities across Southern California will be on the hook for the pensions paid to municipal officials in Bell, where excessive salaries led to a recent purge of city leaders.
