■ United States
Manson follower not paroled
Leslie Van Houten, the former Charles Manson follower convicted of taking part in a murderous rampage that terrorized Los Angeles 37 years ago, was denied parole for a 16th time. Now a gray-haired 57-year-old prison inmate, Van Houten was convicted of murder and conspiracy for her role in the 1969 slayings of wealthy grocers Leno and Rosemary La Bianca. The La Biancas were killed in August 1969, one night after Manson's followers killed actress Sharon Tate and four others. Van Houten did not participate in the Tate killings, but went along on the next night when the La Biancas were slain in their home.
■ United States
LA puzzled by mystery signs
Phony signs promoting Donald Trump's new golf course have cropped up along Los Angeles freeways, stumping transportation officials and Trump executives alike. Commuters first spotted the fake signs for the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes a week ago. Since then, California Department of Transportation workers have pulled down at least four of them. Most mimic the green freeway directional signs common throughout California. Mike van der Goes, the golf club's general manager, said Trump has denied any involvement. "We have no idea who put them up," van der Goes said on Wednesday. "I spoke with Mr. Trump and he knows nothing about them." Nor do leaders of a guerrilla artist group known as Heavy Trash that some suspected as the culprit.
RSS