Raul Roa

1 week ago | miamiherald.com | Raul Roa

LOS ANGELES - Seven Colombian nationals, suspected in a string of so-called "burglary tourism" home break-ins in Burbank and other Southern California cities, were arrested last week in Scottsdale, Arizona, authorities said Wednesday. The thefts appear to be part of a trend involving South American groups, whose members enter the U.S. on tourist visas and then target wealthy residences.

1 month ago | latimes.com | Raul Roa

For me, springtime means taking road trips to document the wildflower fields through Southern California. But this season has not been a good one. Due to the lack of rain in the crucial winter months, the areas that are sometimes covered in poppies, lupines and other blooms — the Arvin Cross area in Arvin, Walker Canyon in Lake Elsinore and the Antelope Valley, to name a few — are more barren this year. I thought I’d have to give up my quest.

May 15, 2024 | latimes.com | Raul Roa

If you thought the wildflower season was over in Southern California, think again. The easily accessible Highway 39, also known as San Gabriel Canyon Road, from Azusa north to Crystal Lake Recreation Area is one of the best hidden gems where you can still peep wildflowers — at least for a while longer. While we haven’t had a superbloom this year — where flowers carpet entire hillsides and canyons all over — there was in abundance of wildflowers last week along Highway 39.

Mar 15, 2024 | latimes.com | Raul Roa

1 Don’t hold off until summer: March and April are two of the best months for weekend road trips because the wildflowers begin to grow after the winter rain and wildlife can be more active with the abundant greenery and flowing water. I’m glad I didn’t wait.

Feb 11, 2024 | news.yahoo.com | Mel Melcon |Raul Roa |Genaro Molina |Robert Gauthier |Allen J. Schaben

The setting sun is reflected off the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown L.A. skyline on Saturday night. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)Last week's storm brought fresh snow to Southern California's mountains. The early February storm delivered rain to much of the region but meant days of snow for mountain communities. People view the Los Angeles skyline Saturday against a backdrop of snow-capped San Gabriel mountains from Kenneth Hahn Recreational Area in Baldwin Hills.