CALIFORNIA BRIEFS
An African elephant that spent a decade at San Diego Zoo Safari Park has moved across the country to a new home at Zoo Atlanta.
The Union-Tribune reported Saturday that 30-year-old Msholo (mi-SHOW-low) arrived last week at the Zambezi Elephant Center.
Msholo and two female African elephants, Kelly and Tara, will be the main attractions at Zoo Atlanta’s new African Savanna habitat, which opens Aug. 8.
Msholo was brought to the U.S. from Swaziland in 2003. He arrived in San Diego in 2009 with the hope that he would breed with female elephants there. But he never fathered any offspring in California.
Zookeepers say they’re hopeful that new terrain and new companions in Georgia will increase Msholo’s chances of breeding and contributing to the survival of the species.
SAN DIEGO
Authorities say a San Diego police sergeant has been arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex.
The Union-Tribune reports Sgt. Joseph Ruvido was arrested Friday night following an investigation. It wasn’t known Sunday if the 49-year-old has an attorney.
The newspaper says the precise charge he was arrested under accuses him of arranging a meeting with a minor — or someone believed to be a minor — for sexual purposes, and then showing up at the arranged place and time.
Police officials declined to reveal further details of the case, including whether the alleged crime involved an undercover sting or an actual minor.
The 21-year police veteran has been suspended without pay.
CAMARILLO
The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline has dropped by 2 cents per gallon over the past two weeks to $2.81.
Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey says Sunday that lower crude oil costs contributed to the decrease at the pump.
The price is 10 cents lower than what it was a year ago.
The highest average price in the nation is $3.67 a gallon in San Diego.
The lowest average is $2.24 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The average price of diesel is down 2 cents, to $3.05 per gallon.
LOS ANGELES Southern California is baking under a weekend heat wave that authorities say will be accompanied by poor air quality.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health says unhealthy air is likely Sunday in several valley areas around greater LA.
Officials warn individuals with heart disease, asthma or other respiratory ailments to avoid outdoor activities.
Heat advisories and warnings issued by the National Weather Service for a large swath of the region are in place through Sunday night.
The desert city of Lancaster recorded a high of 107 degrees on Saturday, tying the heat record for that day.
Temperatures should start to cool slightly by today.
SACRAMENTO
A California woman convicted in the death of one of her 22-month-old twins after she left the boy with the man who strangled him has been sentenced to 21 years to life in prison.
Rebecca Thomas was found guilty in May of second-degree murder and felony child abuse. The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office says she was sentenced on Friday.
Investigators said Thomas saw evidence of child abuse on her twins and was instructed to seek medical help for the injuries. Instead, prosecutors said, she left her children with Taylor Montgomery-Gutzman, who strangled one of the twins in 2016.
Montgomery-Gutzman was also convicted of murder and other charges. He faces a maximum sentence of 31 years to life when he’s sentenced Oct. 10.
— The Associated Press