Ditching Tipping; Abandoned, Blind Horse Finds Hope: CA Stories

CALIFORNIA — It was another busy news week across California. Missed the headlines on Patch?

Whether you're looking for breaking, bizarre, sweet or silly news, we've rounded up some of the most share-worthy stories from the past week.

Take a look at some of the top news stories from across the state.

--------------

Giant Marilyn Monroe Statue: Installation Begins In Palm Springs

• The statue of the iconic star reimagines her dress-flying pose from the 1955 romantic comedy "The Seven Year Itch."

'Fair Wage' Charge: Some Bay Area Eateries Ditch Tipping System

• A San Francisco eatery will begin placing 20% "fair wage" charges on dining bills when it reopens. Other restaurants are doing the same.

Abandoned, Blind Horse Found Near Lake Elsinore: Hearts Step Up

• The starving animal didn't have a chance until the equestrian community came to her rescue.

Illegal Fireworks Destroy Home In Pasadena, Fire Department Says

• Investigators with the Pasadena Fire Department say two boys were playing with illegal fireworks before the fire broke out.

San Rafael Robbery Suspect Lands In Troubled Waters

• A Coast Guard boat and a CHP helicopter were summoned after the suspect swam into the San Francisco Bay to elude arrest, police said.

'He Scares Me': VTA Shooter Had History Of Workplace Conflict

• But VTA personnel files and documents didn't indicate any formal discipline for threatening behavior or violence regarding Samuel Cassidy.

Fourth Freeway Shooting In 3 Days Rattles Southland

• Authorities do not believe any of the unsettling freeway shootings are connected.

Biker In 'I Don't Stop 4 Cops' Sweatshirt Leads Police On Chase

• Officers were undeterred by the message, chasing the biker for 90 minutes even as he stopped for gas and triggered a bomb scare in Pasadena.

Weekend At A Winery: Where Wine Pairs With Classic Cars

• Come for the wine & stay for the vintage autos. Or vice versa. Both are worth a visit to unique Deer Park Winery & Auto Museum in Escondido.

San Diego Safari Park Condor Chicks Given High-Flying Names

• Three California condor chicks hatched at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in March were given names by members of the Kumeyaay bands of SD.

Marin Private School Embroiled In Sex Abuse Lawsuit: Report

• The plaintiff alleges one of the state's most celebrated basketball coaches tried to silence her. Jonas Honick denies the allegations.

Suspect In Brutal Attack On Venice Street Performer Arrested

• A suspect who attacked a Venice street performer Sunday was arrested, the Los Angeles Police Department announced this week.

Laguna Beach Sewage Spill Settlement Approved At $1.5 Million

• Thanksgiving 2019, 1.7 million gallons of raw sewage spilled onto Laguna's beaches and into the ocean, closing a 16-mile stretch of coast.

Man Charged With Stealing Blank COVID-19 Vaccine Cards In Pomona

• Muhammad Rauf Ahmed, 45, worked as a nonclinical contract worker at the Pomona Fairplex COVID-19 mass vaccination site.

CA Teen Wins Big In International Fair For COVID Symptom Monitor

• After losing a relative to coronavirus, Gatik Trivedi, just 14, was determined to build something that could save lives.

15 More '$50,000 Friday' Calif. Vaccine Lottery Winners Picked

• Gov. Newsom highlighted high vaccine numbers, the success of the "Vax for the Win" program, low COVID rates and CA's economic recovery.