A family is still searching for their missing pit bull, Blue, who disappeared moments before the Mountain Fire took their house in the hills above Camarillo on Nov. 6.

In a rush to escape the flames, Madison O’Donnell, 30, and her father were trying to get their three dogs into the car when a gas tank in a nearby car exploded, startling the dogs, the VC Star reports.

The two dogs that ran into the house were quickly rounded up according to the report, but the 10-year-old pit bull disappeared.

“They searched as the fire spread to their house, her dad running in to check one more time,” details the VC Star. “Still, no Blue.”

O’Donnell and her dad returned to their home on Estaban Drive later that day to look again, but both Blue and their house were gone.

According to the report, O’Donnell says Blue is “the sweetest boy,” who loves sunbathing and has a unique run described as a sort of gallop or “more of a hopping dance.”

O’Donnell also notes that Blue is hard of hearing, but can always sniff out her dad.

“Her dad’s shirts hang on the gate near what she now calls ‘the lot’ instead of home,” reported the VC Star.

The family has also posted signs around their town and online and has reached out to shelters and rescues for help. They’ve even sifted through the rubble of their home to search for his remains, but have not found any.

O’Donnell told the VC Star that sometimes she finds hope in knowing that Blue once survived on his own in an Oxnard field for a time until he ended up at the shelter where she and her father rescued him from about two years ago.

O’Donnell is asking anyone with information on Blue’s whereabouts or possible sightings to email helpusfindblue10@gmail.com.

A listeria outbreak in some ready-to-eat meals is linked to several illnesses in California, and the death of an infant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In total, 11 people have been ill from the outbreak, including seven in California. The lone death, also in California, was from an infant.

It wasn’t clear where in California the infant resided.

Other illnesses were found in New York, Illinois and New Jersey.

According to the CDC, the outbreak originated in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from  Yu Shang Food Inc. All products labeled with “Yu Shang” that were produced before Oct. 28 are recalled, and to be thrown out.

Pork hock, chicken feet, pork feet, duck neck, beef shank and pork tongue are examples of recalled Yu Shang products.

The CDC warns that listeria can survive in refrigerators and spread to other foods and surfaces, so any refrigerator that contained recalled products should be cleaned out.

Pregnant people and individuals older than 65 are most likely to become ill from listeria.

According to the CDC:

• For people who are pregnant, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn.
• For people who are 65 years or older or who have a weakened immune system, Listeria often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.

The mystery remains over who is responsible for placing a series of concrete barriers on streets throughout the West Valley in Southern California.

Some believe the concrete cinder blocks are an effort to prevent homeless encampments and recreational vehicles (RVs) from parking in the area long-term.

Recently, the heavy, bright-colored blocks were installed in an industrial area of Chatsworth, just off Nordhoff Avenue. In other areas, rows of large 60-gallon barrels of water were placed on the street instead. 

Both city officials and the mayor’s office confirmed they did not install the barriers or water barrels. 

Residents in the area remain puzzled. Although the motive remains unclear, homeless advocates said the blocks are not a helpful solution to issues of homelessness.

However, residents and nearby business owners confirmed the barriers have been an effective deterrent against encampments and excess trash. 

Pastor Kathy Huck is the CEO of About My Father’s Business Homeless Outreach, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping and advocating for homeless residents.

Huck said the blocks and barrels are actually hurting the unhoused population.

“These barriers are not the answer,” Huck said. “To live in an RV is, I would say, discouraged because there’s no barrier for tents, but there are barriers in streets all over the West Valley for RVs.”

Huck said about 75% of the people she serves across the San Fernando Valley rely on their RV for shelter.

Many of her clients’ vehicles are in danger and subject to towing or destruction on a daily basis. With these blockades in place, they’re essentially displaced because they can’t find a safe place to park. 

Huck said it also makes the job of homeless outreach workers more difficult because they can’t locate these individuals to help.

“We’re spending money trying to find people so we can get them immediate needs so that they’re taken care of until they are placed,” Huck explained. “How are people finding their clients? So, this undermines the City’s efforts to house people because you can’t house people that you can’t find.”

Tobie Von Bloes and Rob Lowe, a couple who lives in their RV, said it’s been tough to find a safe place to stop and rest.

“I just think people don’t really understand what we’re going through,” Lowe said. “They don’t like us here for some reason.”

“It’s getting really hard to find a place to park,” Von Bloes said. “And we’re just doing the best we can to live our lives. I think there are people that have given us a bad name and so the businesses really frown down on the motor homes.” 

The L.A. Department of Water and Power also said they are unaware of the barriers. KTLA has reached out to the Department of Transportation and is awaiting a response.

If a private group or citizen is responsible for installing the barriers, the legality of the move remains in question.