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Owner of abandoned Hollywood Hills mansions provides update on cleanup efforts: 'Significant progress'

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Owner of abandoned Hollywood Hills mansions provides update on cleanup efforts: 'Significant progress'

The owner of two Hollywood Hills mansions that had been overrun by squatters and taggers said there has been “significant progress” made in the cleanup efforts.

“I’m pleased to report significant progress: The crews I hired have cleaned up all of the graffiti at both of my houses,” John Powers Middleton said in a statement sent to Fox News Digital.

Middleton provided images of the progress on the homes to Fox News Digital, which show that they have been cleared of graffiti. 

“I am pleased to have gotten this done, and I wanted to share the updated photos. I will continue to do everything possible to keep the vandals and trespassers away, and to keep these properties clean and in good condition,” Middleton said in a statement. 

Middleton added that he has been in contact with the city and is keeping them updated on his clean-up progress. 

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CALIFORNIA OWNER OF SQUATTER-INFESTED HOLLYWOOD HILLS MANSION APOLOGIZES, OFFERS TO REPAY TAXPAYER FUNDS

The owner of the abandoned Hollywood Hills mansions provided a progress update on the clean-up efforts. (John P. Middleton Press)

“I have also been speaking to City Councilmember Raman’s office and other City officials to update them on the progress. I thank them for their efforts. We are also in contact with LAPD to ensure the neighborhoods remain safe,” Middleton continued.

John P. Middleton, a film producer and son of Philadelphia Phillies owner John S. Middleton, faced previous backlash as the two Hollywood Hills mansions became eyesores in the ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood.

“I will continue to do everything I can to fix these houses and keep them free from graffiti. It’s tough to do given the crime problems in Los Angeles, but I’m determined to do the right thing here. The 24/7 armed security teams I hired will remain in place,” Middleton said.

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Middleton added that he hopes the trespassers and vandals who did this will be held accountable. 

“There is a sense of invincibility amongst the vandals as many times the very same people arrested previously are returning and threatening our guards and the police. If something isn’t done, they will return to do it again, not only at my house but anywhere they choose,” Middleton said.

SQUATTERS TURN HOLLYWOOD HILLS MANSION INTO ‘EYESORE’ WITH GRAFFITI: VIDEO

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) previously told Fox News Digital that the Hollywood Hills area has received and responded to 17 calls for service in the 1700 block of Sunset Plaza Drive so far this year.

Police said they have received eight calls for prowler suspects, six calls for possible burglary suspects and three calls for service for vandalism.

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“I’m doing my best to make the houses secure and fix them up, with the intent to sell each as soon as possible. I’m disappointed to note that even as I have worked this week to paint over the graffiti, vandals still managed to break in and paint over the newly cleaned walls. Given the persistence of the numerous trespassers, it’s a struggle,” Middleton said in a previous statement.

“What’s happened to my property is criminal, and I hope everyone caught will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. No one in Los Angeles should have to put up with squatters and vandalism that are out of control,” Middleton continued. 

L.A. City Councilwoman Nithya Raman told Fox News Digital that Middleton’s attorney has been in touch, and they have been painting the property. 

The abandoned mansion is legally owned by film producer John Powers Middleton, known for his work on “The Lego Movie.” (KTTV)

“I am pleased to report that earlier this week – after two years attempting to make contact – an attorney representing the property owner reached out to our office to notify us that he will be taking accountability for the two abandoned Hollywood Hills mansions and taking responsibility for all payments the City has incurred thus far,” Raman said in a statement.

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“The owner has since issued a letter of apology to neighbors and is working to secure both properties and clean them up, with the intent to sell as quickly as possible. The owner has also hired contractors to repaint both properties, which should be completed within the next few days, and is funding 24/7 security at both sites,” Raman continued. 

Raman said that neither situation is being taken lightly and that the city is working to combat the issue at both properties located at 7571 Mulholland Drive and 1754 N Sunset Plaza Drive. 

‘SQUATTER HUNTER’ WARNS WORST INTRUDERS IN AMERICA ARE THOSE WHO HAVE ‘NOTHING TO LOSE’

Taggers and squatters have targeted another abandoned mansion on Sunset Boulevard. (FOX 11 Los Angeles)

“Unfortunately, this is not a unique case: abandoned buildings are a pervasive issue for the city. While the Department of Building and Safety has the authority to secure vacant properties if an owner fails to do so, it simply does not have the resources to keep up with enforcement,” Raman said.

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Raman added that the city also has the authority to demolish vacant or abandoned properties if they are found to constitute a public nuisance, but he said the protocols currently in use rely on procedures and legal guidance that are more than 20 years old and are not responsive to the current needs on the ground, where they have so many abandoned properties and so few city staff to follow up on problem properties. 

“My office will continue to be in close contact with DBS and LAPD to monitor the Hollywood Hills properties in the coming days and weeks, and we will work to ensure that the property owner continues to take full responsibility for properly securing these sites,” Raman said.

John Powers Middleton is best known for his work on the films “Oldboy” (2013) and “Manchester by the Sea” (2016).

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Hawaii

What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood

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What’s Cooking: Celebrating Lunar New Year with Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A family-run Chinese restaurant in Honolulu’s Chinatown is gearing up for Lunar New Year festivities.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood Restaurant owner Karen Tam and her son Kirave Liang joined HNN’s Sunrise to showcase their dim sum and Chinese specialties.

Lunar New Year specials include a special jai with 18 vegetarian ingredients and the sweet, sticky, steamed rice cake gau in brown sugar and coconut flavors, which symbolize good fortune and prosperity.

”We eat food with a lucky meaning to start the great year,” Tam said. “We have jin dui (sesame balls) every day.“

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Feb. 17 marks the start of the year of the Fire Horse, when families gather to celebrate with big meals and auspicious dishes. Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood will offer set party menus and special orders for foods not commonly found in Honolulu, such as whole stuffed duck, braised abalone in oyster sauce, and basin meal.

“It’s the biggest fest of the year. We celebrate Chinese New Year by eating with family in a round table,“ Tam said.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood also has private rooms with karaoke systems and a banquet hall to accommodate small family gatherings to large parties.

Hawaii Dim Sum & Seafood is located on 111 N. King St. and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, There is street parking and paid parking behind the restaurant on Nimitz and Maunakea.

For more information, visit hawaiidimsumseafood.com or follow on Instagram @hawaiidimsumseafood.

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Idaho

Interstate 84 near Mountain Home back open after utility work

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Interstate 84 near Mountain Home back open after utility work


MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — Interstate 84 near Mountain Home is back open after crews closed the freeway due to utility work.

Crews closed westbound and eastbound lanes on Saturday morning from milepost 90 to milepost 95 due to Idaho Power working on power lines in the area, according to the Elmore County Sheriff’s Office. All lanes are now back open in both directions.

The sheriff’s office and the Mountain Home Police Department apologized for the inconvenience, saying they were just informed of the closure on Saturday morning.

More information regarding road closures and traffic conditions can be found at the Idaho Transportation Department’s 511 map.

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Montana

Service door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says

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Service door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says


The French owner of the Swiss bar where 40 people died in a fire during new year celebrations has told investigators a service door had been locked from the inside.

Jacques Moretti, co-owner of the Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, was taken into custody on Friday, as prosecutors investigated the tragedy.

Most of the 40 people who died were teenagers, and another 116 people were injured.

Moretti told the Valais public prosecutor’s office that he had found out about the locked door just after the deadly fire.

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When he arrived at the scene, he forced open the door, according to excerpts from police reports published by several French and Swiss media outlets confirmed to AFP by a source close to the case.

Moretti said he had found several people lying behind the door after opening it.

Initial findings suggest the fire was caused by sparklers coming into contact with soundproofing foam installed on the ceiling of the establishment’s basement.

Questions are also being raised regarding the presence and accessibility of fire extinguishers, and whether the bar’s exits were in compliance with regulations.

No safety inspections at site of Swiss bar fire for past five years, mayor says

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“We always add a sparkler candle when we serve a bottle of wine in the dining room,” said his wife and co-owner, Jessica, who was released after Friday’s hearing.

Moretti told investigators he had carried out tests and the candles were not powerful enough to ignite the acoustic foam.

He said he bought the foam in a DIY store and installed it himself during renovations carried out after buying the establishment in 2015.

Regarding the presence of numerous underage kids in the bar at the time of the tragedy, Moretti said the establishment prohibited anyone under the age of 16 and that customers aged 16 to 18 had to be accompanied by an adult.

He said he had given these “instructions” to the security staff, but acknowledged that “it is possible that there was a lapse in protocol”.

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The couple is suspected of “negligent homicide, negligent bodily harm, and negligent arson”.



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