Survival Stunner + Freeway Shootings + Getting What You Paid For

Good morning, Los Angeles!

We are still riding high from Wednesday night's dramatic comeback win over the Golden State Warriors, securing the Lakers a playoff spot along with the Clippers. In case you missed it, a wounded LeBron James, scored a three-pointer with a second left on the shot clock in the last minute of the game to break the tie.

"After taking a finger to the eye, I was literally seeing 3 three rims out there," James told ESPN. "So I just shot at the middle one."

Aside from playoff fever, there is a lot going on across Los Angeles where two smoldering brush fires have been declared the work of arsonists. Angelenos are also getting ready for graduation season and mourning the death of comedian Paul Mooney. The city is also grappling with antisemitic violence and ongoing tension between pro-Palestinian and Pro-Israeli groups.

Here's a look at some of the stories we're following this week:

Thursday's Weather:

Expect a breezy morning on Thursday, with a high of 71 and a low of 53.

Patch Pick: We love a happy ending! A 58-year-old hiker survived five days lost in a remote area of the Angeles National Forest before he was rescued Thursday. Bedraggled but in good spirits, he flashed the rock and roll sign in a selfie with his rescuer (MORE).

Here are the top 5 stories in Los Angeles County today.

1. The musings of a random man in Venice became headline news Wednesday when his uncanny resemblance to Los Angeles Councilman Mike Bonin confused journalists. He was interviewed on-air as the city leader, and let's just say the real Mike Bonin does not share his views on forcibly pushing out people experiencing homelessness (MORE).
2. Nearly 60 cars have been hit by BB or pellet gunfire on Southern California freeways over the past few weeks, including a California Highway Patrol car. The shootings are spread out between Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside counties, and with each new attack, concerns intensify that the next one could prove deadly (MORE).
3. Did you get ripped off? The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has joined with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission suing the company Frontier while accusing the Internet and cable provider of charging users for more expensive and higher-speed service than was actually provided (MORE).
4. Detectives are investigating an attack at a Beverly Grove restaurant Tuesday night as a hate crime. According to witnesses and police, a pro-Palestinian group shouted antisemitic slurs and attacked patrons dining outside Sushi Fumi (MORE).
5. A man suspected of deliberately starting the Palisades Fire that forced more than 1,000 people to flee their homes this week was spotted in the act by law enforcement and firefighter officials from a helicopter above, authorities said. Deputies were lowered to the ground to try to catch the man, but a wall of flames forced them to retreat. A Cat and Mouse game ensued, leading to the arrest of one suspect (MORE).

Featured Events to look forward to this week:

Online Series: Huntington Landscapes in Watercolor, Fridays at 9 a.m. starting May 28

• "Join artist and instructor Robert Sherrill for an eight-week virtual course on landscape painting in watercolor.

RE-OPENING: Knott's Berry Farm 2021: Buena Park Saturday, May 22 at 10:30 am.

• Opening To General Public For Summer Hours: Friday, May 21, 2021. Re-opening to season pass holders: May 6, 2021 Knotts Berry Farm,8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park CA Click here for more.

Torrance Antique Street Faire, Sun, May 23 at 8:00 a.m.

• Join the hunt for vintage treasures when over 150 shoppers transform the streets of downtown Torrance into an eclectic open-air flea market! Antique Appraisal Booth - only $3.00 per item!

RESCUING 101: National Rescue Dog Day Virtual Adoption Event, Thursday, May 20 at 12:00 p.m.

• Learn tips on how to adopt a dog, explore the benefits of rescuing and join us for a live Q&A with Wagmor Pets founder and Celebrity Pet Matchmaker Melissa Bacelar.

OPENING: 'Ai Weiwei: Trace' Exhibit 2021: Skirball, Los Angeles

• The Skirball Cultural Center will resume indoor museum operations Saturday with the Southern California debut of Ai Weiwei: Trace. "Created by Ai Weiwei, one of China’s most provocative and socially engaged living artists, the installation features portraits made up of thousands of plastic LEGO® bricks, each assembled by hand and laid out on the floor.

See more on the Los Angeles calendar!

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~Paige

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Los Angeles County Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Los County Patch? Email all inquiries to me at paige.austin@patch.com.

About Paige Austin: I'm a SoCal native, a UCI grad, a mom, a news junkie, and a diehard Kings/Dodgers/Lakers fan, who's been covering the region my whole career