Los Angeles, Ca
Cougars on the prowl in Southern California neighborhood
Residents in a region of San Bernardino County are on high alert after home surveillance cameras have spotted several mountain lions roaming neighborhoods.
One Redlands resident, identified only as Virginia, spotted a lone prowler on her property on Drake Ridge Crest, the big cat strolling across the porch in the evening hours.
“It was obvious it was a mountain lion just the way it walked, like it was king of the roost,” she told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson.
Virginia, who frequently checks her camera footage for a stray cat that she’s been feeding, said the cougar was on her property last Thursday and it was definitely a different cat that she expected to see.
“It kind of made my jaw drop because I’ve never seen a mountain lion before,” she added.
California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife told KTLA that it has received several reports of mountain lions in the area, with many residents posting videos to social media.
Near Hillside Memorial Park, less than three miles from Redlands, one person’s security cameras captured a mountain lion in their backyard.
“Specifically where these reports came from, on the edge of Redlands, adjacent to the San Timoteo Canyon, [this is] where lions – all wildlife really – use that canyon as a migration corridor,” CDFW representative Kevin Howells explained.
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A mountain spotted in the backyard of a home near Hillside Memorial Park. (viewer photo) -
Mountain lion captured on surveillance cameras in San Bernardino County. (@kdprince) -
Mountain lion captured on surveillance cameras in San Bernardino County. (viewer photo)
These areas, according to Howells, are mountain lion territory and sightings are to be expected, particularly since more people now have cameras.
“People are detecting what has been walking around the entire time,” he explained.
Additionally, Howells said it’s the end of kitten season and mature female cougars have likely already given birth and are stashing their offspring while they go out and hunt for food.
Earlier this month, in Thousand Oaks, a baby mountain lion was captured on home surveillance cameras stalking a house cat.
However, the number one food source for mountain lions are deer, so Howells recommends people deer proof their homes.
“Trim back any excess cover, any vegetation that these animals may use,” he advised.
As for Redlands resident Robert Zielinski, who owns a dog that seems like it might stand a chance with a mountain lion, he says he’s staying prepared.
“We usually lower [our] guard. I don’t panic, but after watching that video, I double check that all the gates are locked, closed, that the doors are closed and windows,” he said.
Wildlife officials couldn’t confirm if all the sightings involve the same cougar, but did warn residents who may come upon a stash of kittens to not approach it because the mother may be nearby and will be returning.
Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
“Their case, though circumstantial, is strong,” KTLA legal analyst Alison Triessl said. “The defense is relying on, can they (prosecutors) show beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Rinderknecht actually started this fire and it wasn’t the result of fireworks or some intervening cause.”
The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
Los Angeles, Ca
Boyle Heights warehouse cleanup begins as crews face 85 million pounds of spoiled food
Cleanup efforts are underway Thursday at the Boyle Heights cold-storage warehouse that burned for eight days after firefighters officially declared the massive blaze knocked down Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews remain at the Lineage warehouse near Union Pacific Avenue and South La Puente Street as they transition into the overhaul phase, searching for […]
A hospital needs help identifying a male patient who was found injured and unconscious in downtown Los Angeles.
The man is believed to be in his 30s, according to the Los Angeles General Medical Center.
He was found injured on the ground on Omar Street and has been hospitalized since June 22.
He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 176 pounds. He has brown eyes, dark brown hair and tattoos across his upper body.
He did not have any personal belongings to help staff identify him or contact loved ones. Workers did not disclose the nature of his injuries.
Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to call clinical social worker Cesar Robles at 323-409-6885.
The public can also call the L.A. General Medical Center’s Department of Social Work at 323-409-5253 or, after hours from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., call 323-409-6883. On weekends, call 323-409-5254.
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