California State Parks confirmed a fatal officer-involved shooting at Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley, where a State Park Peace Officer attempted to stop a car involved in a carjacking, leading to a pursuit that ended in a collision. The subject exited the vehicle armed with a knife, resulting in an officer-involved shooting and subsequent medical aid, but the subject succumbed to his injuries. The public is advised to avoid the area as the investigation continues, with State Parks cooperating with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office for the inquiry.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 618 into law, aiming to improve the campsite reservation system in California state parks. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, seeks to deter no-shows and cancellations by implementing penalties and incentives. Starting in 2024, campers who cancel at least seven days before their booking will receive a credit for another reservation, while those who do not show up will forfeit the remainder of their booking. The law also limits the number of days people can stay at the same campsite per year and implements a lottery system for popular campsites. Additionally, low-income park visitors will receive a 25% discount on annual passes.
All state beaches in Orange and San Diego Counties, along with inland state parks in the path of Hurricane Hilary, have been temporarily closed due to potential impacts from the storm. Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency for Southern California. Reservations for camping grounds in the affected areas have been canceled. The closure is in effect on Sunday and Monday, as the region prepares for significant rainfall and potential life-threatening floods.
Yosemite National Park will partially reopen with limited access and hours after being closed for three weeks due to damaging winter storms. The park's main roads are cleared, but smaller roads and campgrounds remain closed. Visitors are advised to bring warm, waterproof clothing and vehicle chains as more weather is expected. Other popular sites in California, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, remain closed until further notice due to the storms.
