Retired Deputy Dies In Catalina Scuba Accident Jun 3, 2008
-- A retired Riverside County sheriff's sergeant is dead after a weekend scuba diving accident off Santa Catalina Island. A Los Angeles County sheriff's dispatcher said David Pike, 50, was diving with an instructor in about 20 feet of water Saturday at Casino Point Underwater Park when he ran into trouble. (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
Students, Colleagues Mourn Helicopter Crash Victim May 27, 2008
-- The colleagues of a teacher who died Saturday after a helicopter crashed on Santa Catalina Island gathered Monday to mourn the loss of their friend. Teacher Tanya Hurd and two other people were killed in the Saturday morning crash. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Feds Investigate Crash That Killed 3 at Calif. Island May 26, 2008
May 25: An investigator examines the wreckage of an Island Express Helicopter on Santa Catalina Island off Calif ... The helicopter crashed Saturday morning over the west end of Santa Catalina Island, which lies about 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles County. (Fox News)
Officials: 2 Of 3 Catalina Crash Survivors In Critical Condition May 26, 2008
The helicopter shot flames from its exhaust pipe while it was over water, then went down on the west end of Santa Catalina Island near Two Harbors, causing a small fire that was quickly doused, Whitmore said. The crash killed two men and one woman immediately, said County Supervising Fire Dispatcher Melanie Flores. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Tour Helicopter Crashes, Kills 3 May 25, 2008
An Island Express helicopter crashed on Santa Catalina Island off Southern California, killing 3 and injuring 3 others ... Sheriff's and county fire officials say an Island Express private tour helicopter went down Saturday morning on Santa Catalina Island's west end. (CBS News)
Tour helicopter crash kills three May 25, 2008
The helicopter went down on the west end of Santa Catalina Island near Two Harbors, authorities said. Helicopters airlifted the three injured to mainland hospitals. (Boston Globe)
3 Dead, 3 Injured in California Chopper Crash May 25, 2008
A helicopter crashed in rainy weather Saturday morning on Santa Catalina Island, killing three people and injuring three others, authorities said. The helicopter went down shortly before 9:25 a.m. on the west end of the island and caused a small fire that was quickly doused, said the Los Angeles County fire dispatcher, who declined to give his name. (Fox News)
Investigators probe SoCal chopper crash May 25, 2008
The helicopter crashed Saturday morning over the west end of Santa Catalina Island, which lies about 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles County. Two men and one woman were killed immediately, County Supervising Fire Dispatcher Melanie Flores said. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Edward Samuel Bergeron May 24, 2008
Induction and boot camp was at Santa Catalina Island, in California. He graduated from bakers school and served as a cook and, when needed, a gunner too. (Albany Democrat-Herald, OR)
California seawater has improved, pollution survey finds May 22, 2008
Half of the 10 foulest shorelines in the state are in Los Angeles County, with the dirtiest water at Avalon Harbor Beach on Santa Catalina Island. Other "beach bummers" with the worst water quality were the waters at Santa Monica Pier, Poche Beach and northern Doheny State Beach in southern Orange County, Marie Canyon at Puerco Beach in Malibu, Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro and various locations in Long Beach. (Los Angeles Times)
California: State braces for wildfire season May 4, 2008
Before the fall, they battled fires in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, Santa Catalina Island and the resort area of Lake Tahoe. But the brunt of the flames wielded the worst devastation in the fall with more than a dozen blazes breaking out from Malibu to San Diego. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Franko's Maps: A Business Success Mar 28, 2008
Next, he began working on a series of six California islands and coastal maps, including a Santa Catalina Island map (off the California coast). At first, this was a part-time business venture. (Suite101.com)
SoCal Terrains Usher In Heavy Winds, Snow Mar 17, 2008
The National Weather Service said sustained winds of 25-30 miles per hour, with gusts up to 35 mph, will be raking the San Pedro Channel between the mainland and Santa Catalina Island Sunday. Gale force winds were predicted for waters further offshore. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Windy Weather Pounds SoCal Weekend Mar 16, 2008
Gale warnings were posted Saturday for mariners in the inner waters, including the San Pedro Channel between San Pedro and Santa Catalina Island. Sustained winds of nearly 30 miles per hour, and gusts up to 40 mph, were forecast for the water off Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Worker Pleads Not Guilty In Catalina Island Wildfire Jan 30, 2008
-- An Indiana man has pleaded not guilty to touching off last spring's 4,750-acre Santa Catalina Island wildfire. . (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
Environmentalism: Whales Before Men Jan 9, 2008
In addition, the judge forbade the use of midfrequency active sonar in the Catalina Basin, an underwater canyon between Santa Catalina Island and the Navy-owned San Clemente Island. Her order comes as the Navy is conducting training exercises involving active sonar that can find the superquiet submarines now in use by the navies of 41 nations. (Investors Business Daily)
Navy must cut sonar use off California Jan 4, 2008
In addition to the 12-mile buffer along the coast, the judge forbade the use of mid-frequency active sonar in the Catalina Basin, an underwater canyon between Santa Catalina Island and the Navy-owned San Clemente Island, because it's an area known to have a high density of whales. But the judge refused to bar the Navy from conducting exercises off the Tanner and Cortez banks, and the Westfall seamount -- undersea mountains that tend to attract whales. (Los Angeles Times)
YEAR IN REVIEW: For California, 2007 was a year of fire Dec 21, 2007
In May, more than 800 acres burned in LA's Griffith Park and more than 4,700 acres burned on Santa Catalina Island. In June, hundreds of homes were destroyed or damaged in wildfire at Lake Tahoe and October ushered in more than a dozen southern California wildfires that killed seven people and destroyed more than 2,000 homes. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Today in History - Nov. 29 Nov 29, 2007
In 1981, actress Natalie Wood drowned in a boating accident off Santa Catalina Island, Calif. at age 43. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Private planes to fly at public prices Nov 8, 2007
When they turned 14, they attempted to start their own airline, which would have flown passengers between Los Angeles and Santa Catalina Island. Their parents grounded the idea. (Los Angeles Times)
California: Catalina deer beheading brings investigation Oct 14, 2007
AVALON State wildlife officials were investigating the apparently illegal killing of a deer on Santa Catalina Island whose severed head was left hanging on a soccer net near a preschool and Avalon City Hall. Investigators believed the deer was killed with a knife and dismembered by an Avalon city employee, who could be charged with illegal taking of a game animal and animal cruelty, despite the fact that it was deer hunting season on the island. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Leaking schooner with 35 school kids aboard reaches SoCal port Oct 8, 2007
The vessel was taking youngsters home after a five-day trip to Santa Catalina Island and was about two hours from its home port when it began taking on water through leaks in the ship's seams, which had split above the waterline, said the captain, Greg Clinton. The bilge pump failed and the boat shipped about 1 1/2 feet of water. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Sports)
Pasadena Students On Land After Leaky Boat Trip Oct 6, 2007
Thirty-five students from a Pasadena school are most likely happy to be on dry land after a tall ship that was carrying them home from a five-day trip to Santa Catalina Island began taking on water in heavy seas. The captain of the 130-foot American Pride, Greg Clinton, says the ship was buffeted by 10- to 12-foot waves. (CBS2.com, CA)
North American Foxes Oct 1, 2007
Santa Catalina Island Fox. San Miguel Island Fox. (Suite101.com)
Rowed warriors: Sep 25, 2007
The mariners finished the final leg of their 200-mile journey by sailing and rowing approximately 68 miles from Santa Catalina Island, navigating most of the final segment by night under a waxing harvest moon. With a few modifications, the lifeguards successfully retraced a historic dory trip completed 73 years ago by Emil Sigler and the late Bill Rumsey, two early San Diego lifeguards. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
National & world news highlights Sep 22, 2007
Half of the wild bison on Santa Catalina Island have some cow in them. LOS ANGELES Long thought to be purebred, the wild bison of Santa Catalina Island in fact have a little bit of cow in them, the first DNA analysis of the animals found. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Flash flood warning issued for Santa Catalina Island Sep 22, 2007
(AP) - The National Weather Service in Oxnard has issued a flash flood warning for the burn area of Santa Catalina Island. The warning is in effect until 12:30 a.m. Saturday. (KRNV.com, NV)
Extinction Crisis Escalates: Red List Shows Apes, Corals, Vultures, Dolphins All In Danger Sep 14, 2007
Mexico s Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake (Crotalus catalinensis) has also been added to the list as Critically Endangered, after being persecuted by illegal collectors. Plants in peril. (Science Daily)
California sea lion stabbed with steak knife Sep 8, 2007
22-caliber rifle off the coast of Santa Catalina Island, and in 2003, two crew members of a fishing vessel in Morro Bay were charged with shooting a young sea lion in the neck with a crossbow. "What happens is these creatures see an easy meal in the bait or a hooked fish, and this sometimes prompts an angry reaction from the fisherman, which I think is certainly what happened in this case," said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles. (Pet-Abuse.com)
Backpacker gored by bison happy to be alive Sep 1, 2007
- A backpacker fell prey to one of Southern California's lesser-known hazards: being gored by an American bison on Santa Catalina Island. Jardrec Anangos was recovering from a fractured pelvic bone, a sore back and an open wound after he was attacked Wednesday by one of the descendants of a bison herd brought over to film a silent movie in the 1920s. (MSNBC -- Travel)
Hiker Gored By Bison On Catalina Sep 1, 2007
A college student hiking on Santa Catalina Island is attacked and badly gored by a bison ... The offending animal was not a bull, but a bison, belonging to the herd of about 200 roaming Santa Catalina Island. (NBCSandiego.com, CA)
Homes readied to set sail Aug 3, 2007
Workers struggle to transport to Santa Catalina Island two 48-ton residences for scientists at a USC research facility ... Tony Michaels, director of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies Loading two 48-ton houses onto a barge in the Port of Los Angeles and sailing them across 22 miles of ocean was supposed to have been the easy part of creating cozy new lodgings for superstar scientists on Santa Catalina Island. (Los Angeles Times)
Breakwater is making a splash Jul 24, 2007
About two miles of it lie in front of the Long Beach peninsula, and the rock itself was brought over from Santa Catalina Island, said Long Beach port spokesman Art Wong. The Long Beach port is tucked behind the wall of rock 200 feet wide at its base and 20 feet wide at its top. (Los Angeles Times)
Weather may be key to containing stubborn Cal wildfire Jul 21, 2007
More than 5,000 acres of brush burned earlier this year in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, the Hollywood Hills and on Santa Catalina Island. Another recent fire destroyed more than 250 homes near Lake Tahoe. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Gregory Harrison Jul 15, 2007
I'm an island boy" -- he was born on Santa Catalina Island, Calif. -- "and I'm going to stay an island boy for the rest of my life. " Pittsburgh doesn't have the big waves, but Harrison has other plans for his free time here. "I'm bringing my golf clubs because I just watched the U.S. Open [held at Oakmont Country Club], and I'm anxious to play golf around Pittsburgh. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Stowaway Raccoon Threatens Catalina Island Foxes Jul 12, 2007
-- Santa Catalina Island, recently the scene of a stubborn wildfire, is threatened once again -- not by an inferno but by an intrepid raccoon with a yen to see the world. The animal sneaked aboard a pleasure boat in San Pedro on July 1, and, after being spotted, removed the bait from a trap while managing to avoid getting ensnared. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Heat wave bakes Southern California Jul 4, 2007
Pansini canceled that city's fireworks celebration last month, after Southern California lost more than 5,000 acres of brush to early season blazes in Los Angeles' Griffith Park and the Hollywood Hills and on Santa Catalina Island. On June 30, downtown Los Angeles closed out its driest rain-year in more than a century of record keeping -- just 3. (Sioux City Journal)
Inflatable Space Station Deploys Solar Panels Jul 3, 2007
and a May wildfire on the state's Santa Catalina Island. (Story continues below). (Fox News)
A lifetime of service: Don Krampe helps local veterans get what they deserve Jul 3, 2007
The Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation, known as HOBY, began in 1958 when a handful of boys were sent to Santa Catalina Island for several weeks to learn how to scuba dive and hear from well-known film director Cecil B. DeMille. Nearly a half century later, more than 9,000 high school students -- boys and girls -- from all 50 states and 29 countries, annually participate in more than 70 HOBY leadership workshops and seminars run by volunteers, including Krampe and O'Brian, who donate their time and... (North County Times)
Bigelow space module successfully inflates Jun 30, 2007
It carries 13 cameras and recently transmitted images from space showing the smoke plumes from this week's forest fire at Lake Tahoe and the May wildfire of Santa Catalina Island. Genesis II carries 22 cameras and new systems that weren't aboard its predecessor. (Hindu)
Wildfire raging in California scenic resort Jun 27, 2007
LOS ANGELES, May 12 (Xinhua) -- A wildfire continued to threaten the resort town of Avalon on the Santa Catalina Island near Los Angeles, firefighters said on Saturday. The fire, which has scorched about 4,200 acres between the tourist town and island's airport, was moving into the island's interior. (Xinhuanet, China)
Flying free again Jun 25, 2007
SANTA CATALINA ISLAND Without a safety harness, wildlife biologist Peter B. Sharpe scales a steep crag to clamp ID bands on three bald eaglets as their screeching parents go into dive-bomb mode ... Their numbers have rebounded in places such as Santa Catalina Island as a result of breeding efforts ... Online: For a slide show, video footage of bald eagles on Santa Catalina Island and a list of eagle rehabilitation programs nationwide, go to. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Can tugboat death be guide to safety? Jun 18, 2007
"I got it from my father and she got it from me," said her father, Curt Cameron, a former tug pilot and Santa Catalina Island native whose own father captained a glass-bottomed excursion boat for tourists to Avalon. "She knew what the risks were. Every time she went out, I'd tell her to be careful. 'Dad, I'm always careful,' she would say. I'd tell her to be careful anyway. Now, I'd just like to make sure that this never happens to anyone else.". (Los Angeles Times)
Avalon Authorities Called In To Deflate Sea Bass Jun 18, 2007
Several giant specimens of the black sea bass live in the waters of Santa Catalina Island, and are tame enough to take food from divers' hands ... Several giant specimens of the black sea bass live in the waters of Santa Catalina Island, and are tame enough to take food from divers' hands. (CBS2.com, CA)
Giant Sea Bass 'Deflated' Off Catalina Island Jun 17, 2007
SANTA CATALINA ISLAND, Calif ... Several giant specimens of the fish live in the waters of Santa Catalina Island, and are tame enough to take food from divers' hands. (TheSanDiegoChannel.com, CA)
No comments posted. Workshop produces no beach plan Jun 9, 2007
Santa Catalina Island shelters Orange County and Los Angeles but not North County, he said. Most urban North County beaches are well away from the few remaining natural sources of sand, such as the San Onofre and Torrey Pines bluffs and free-flowing rivers on Camp Pendleton, Flick said. (North County Times)
Catalina Invites Tourists Back After Wildfire Jun 5, 2007
Santa Catalina Island businesses are using the Web to let vacationers know the resort island is open for business after a recent wildfire. An e-mail and Web campaign will highlight the fact that the fire threatened, but never reached, tourist facilities in the city of Avalon. (CBS2.com, CA)
Southland Headlines: Saturday 'Radio-Style' News Briefs Jun 3, 2007
SAN PEDRO: More five-foot-long squid have washed up on a Los Angeles-area beach, and anglers are catching the giant cephalopods in the waters off Santa Catalina Island, it was reported Saturday. The Daily Breeze said the rare appearance of the giant squid -- which can reach more than 12 feet long -- is not unprecedented. (NBC4.tv, CA)
A father's regret in O.C. murder-at-sea case May 28, 2007
According to Machain, a rail-thin former jail guard who is now cooperating with prosecutors, the Hawkses were overpowered with stun guns, forced to sign power of attorney and title transfer documents, then tied and handcuffed together to an anchor and thrown overboard somewhere between Newport Beach and Santa Catalina Island. 1. (Los Angeles Times)
More of this story May 24, 2007
"Fire season now seems to be May through January rather than September and October," said Rick Wallace, a 32-year resident, noting the January fire on Malibu Road and the May infernos in Griffith Park and Santa Catalina Island. "It's a whole different feeling of threat, caution and alertness.". (Malibu Times, CA)
Roses & raspberries May 21, 2007
A rose to the sailors of Assault Craft Unit 5, based at Camp Pendleton, for fight a wildfire on Santa Catalina Island. Using its state-of-art hovercraft, sailors transported fire equipment and personnel in multiple three-hour roundtrips. (North County Times)
Caltrans to speed up LA brush clearance May 20, 2007
There already have been several large fires in Los Angeles County this year, including one in Griffith Park and another on Santa Catalina Island. The city has asked Caltrans for years to clear more brush along at least six freeways but the agency said clearing hillsides near freeways would violate regulations and lead to erosion. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Fire danger acute as '03 lessons fade May 20, 2007
Nighttime aerial assaults were credited with helping control the recent fires at Griffith Park and on Santa Catalina Island. Helicopter fleet. (Los Angeles Times)
Weather May Help Fight Wildfires May 14, 2007
Cooler weather in southern California aided firefighters as they battled to surround a 4,200-acre wildfire in the rugged, unpopulated interior of Santa Catalina Island while a nearby resort town, no longer threatened, returned to life. The fire was about two-thirds contained and was expected to be encircled by Tuesday evening, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Andrew Olvera said. (CBS News)
Tourists Asked To Avoid Catalina Island Over Weekend May 14, 2007
-- Santa Catalina Island's main town was out of immediate danger Sunday as firefighters made progress against the 4,200-acre wildfire that reached the edge of Avalon ... Dozens of fire engines arrived on Santa Catalina Island aboard giant military hovercraft from the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton on Friday morning. (NBC4.tv, CA)
Cool weather helps crews get handle on Santa Catalina Island fire May 14, 2007
A wildfire that had threatened a resort community on Santa Catalina Island was nearly contained Sunday as crews kept it from spreading from the island's rugged, unpopulated interior, officials said. Firefighters surrounded about 76 percent of the 4,750-acre blaze and expected full containment by Tuesday evening, Los Angeles County fire Capt. Andrew Olvera said. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Peter Daut and Mike DiSerio report on the latest news, weather and what's hot on our website. Click here to watch the latest KFOXTV.com Webcast. May 14, 2007
Fire Scorches California's Catalina IslandA massive wildfire is burning on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. Firefighters got a break overnight as winds died down, but the fire is still threatening the resort town of Avalon. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
California: Weather helps contain Catalina Island fire May 14, 2007
Once fierce Santa Catalina Island fire mostly under control ... AVALON Continued cool weather helped firefighters Sunday maintain control of a blaze that had threatened a resort community on Santa Catalina Island and keep it from spreading from the island's rugged, unpopulated interior ... Residents are returning to Santa Catalina Island off the Southern California coast, and they're praising firefighters who continue to fight a wildfire that threatened the island's main town of Avalon. (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Residents returning after wildfires May 13, 2007
Rick Miller carried supplies inside his C.C. Beau Deli, as he prepared to reopen on the third day after a wildfire swept through Avalon on Santa Catalina Island yesterday. (Reed Saxon/associated press). (Boston Globe)
Crews battling California island blaze May 13, 2007
Anchorage Daily News. " Fog and highs only in the 60s diminished the threat of the fire spreading. It was isolated in the back country of the 76-square-mile island, more than 20 miles off the Southern California coast. "Conditions are definitely in our favor. (Anchorage Daily News)
* California fires continue advance May 13, 2007
Smoke and flame cover a wide area as a wildfire that has consumed thousands of hectares continues to burn near Avalon on Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California on Friday. PHOTO: AP. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Catalina Island residents return after fire threat May 13, 2007
(AP) Cooler weather aided firefighters Saturday as they battled to surround a 4,200-acre wildfire in the rugged, unpopulated interior of Santa Catalina Island while the resort's main town returned to life as the blaze's threat eased ... Catalina Island residents and workers the only people allowed disembark at Avalon as they return to Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California Friday. (USA Today -- Weather)
Fire threat diminishes but fight continues on Catalina May 13, 2007
The wildfire in the rugged interior of Santa Catalina Island is 69% contained tonight. Officials say cooler, damp weather is helping crews battle the blaze. (KRNV.com, NV)
1000 moved in island fire May 13, 2007
A force of 300 firefighters was sent to battle a fire on Santa Catalina Island, a nature reserve and popular destination for daytrippers off the coast of California near Los Angeles. The fire tore through more than 1600 hectares after erupting suddenly late last week, with efforts to contain the blaze hampered by rugged terrain and inaccessibility of many of the hot spots. (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
Two Harbors residents too secluded May 13, 2007
By Steve Stroud and Deborah Schoch, Times Staff Writers May 13, 2007 For nearly three days, the 200 residents of the tiny Santa Catalina Island hamlet of Two Harbors have been without power and telephone service and will probably stay that way for at least a week ... "We have no power and no phone service," said John Phelps, executive vice president and general manager of Two Harbors Enterprises, the firm that provides town services and is a subsidiary of Santa Catalina Island Co. He told... (Los Angeles Times)
