Coast Guard Suspends Search for Elderly Couple

Coast Guard officials say they have suspended the search for an elderly couple who are believed to have gone overboard last week during a Carnival Cruise trip between Long Beach and Mexico.

According to authorities, the search ended in the waters off of San Diego County Saturday morning.

The couple, whose names were not released, are believed to be a 90-year-old man and his 79-year-old wife.

Crews searched throughout the night, covering the route of the Carnival Paradise ship, which started in Long Beach and stopped in Santa Catalina Island and Ensenada. The couple were aboard the ship when it left Monday, but they were missing when it returned to port early Friday.

According to ship officials, the couple's cabin door was double-locked from the inside with a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the handle. Their belongings were discovered inside and the door heading from the cabin to the private balcony was unlocked.

5 Adults Found Shot to Death in Homeless Encampment

Authorities reported that five adults were found shot to death in a homeless encampment off the side of a freeway in Long Beach. The scene under investigation was adjacent to the interchange of the San Diego (405) and Long Beach (710) freeways.

Police reportedly responded to an anonymous call around 8:30 a.m. today and discovered the adults in a brush-filled area between some commercial buildings and a freeway interchange.

Authorities did not release the sexes, ages or other information regarding the bodies.

Police Arrest Man for Alleged Interaction with Kids

Police in Long Beach have arrested a man on suspicion of showing pornographic materials to children and attempting to lure them from their homes.

Derek Christopher Nixon, 26, was arrested in Torrance and booked into jail. Through a warrant, detectives reportedly discovered evidence they believe Nixon used in his alleged attempt to lure children away from their homes.

The reported crimes took place over a nearly one year span, with the victims ranging in ages from five years old to 11.

Nixon is in jail on a $240,000 bail.

If someone suspects they may have been a victim of Nixon's, they are asked to contact the Long Beach Police Department at (562) 570-7878.

Long Beach Pair Nabbed for Suspected Arsons

A pair of Long Beach men have been arrested after being suspected of setting dozens of fires in their neighborhood recently.

Caldrin Benitez and Juan Alvarez, both 22, were arrested early Tuesday morning after being served arrest and search warrants.

The duo are suspected of being behind some 24 fires that took place in their neighborhood in late June and the beginning of July. While none of the fires caused significant damage, authorities say the potential was there for a much greater problem.

The two were reportedly caught by surveillance video at local businesses where the fires were set and by bragging about their crimes to area residents.

U. of Calif. Riverside Professor Dead; Arrest Made

Police are investigating the death of a popular University of California Riverside professor after his badly decomposed body was discovered last weekend in a Long Beach condo.

According to authorities, the body of Lindon Barrett, 46, was discovered on Sunday morning in the 100 block of W. Fifth Street.

An autopsy was conducted Wednesday, however the cause of death was "deferred" pending toxicological tests on the victim, according to the coroner's office.

Barrett's car was reported missing and police located the vehicle on another street. After setting up a surveillance on the car, police arrested a 20-year-old man who reportedly returned to the vehicle.

That man, Marlon Martinez, was arrested and has since been charged with murder in Barrett's death. Police said the two were acquaintances, but would not speculate how the two knew each other.

MONDAY HEADLINES.....

NEWS
* Authorities continue to investigate a month worth of freeway shootings that have killed three and wounded two. Police, however, say this past weekend's shooting on the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley does not appear at this time to be connected to previous shootings. In Sunday's incident, a 20-year-old man was found with a fatal gunshot wound to his head in his crashed sedan. Less than 24 hours earlier, police were investigating a shooting in Long Beach where a man said a fellow motorist shot at him while driving on the 710 Freeway. That incident was characterized as a road-rage incident.

* Former President Bill Clinton spoke in San Jose on Sunday, telling those gathered that partisans need to "chill out" over fears that the Democratic Party is being torn apart in the current primary race between his wife, Hillary, and Sen. Barack Obama. Clinton spoke at the California Democratic Party state convention. The next big primary is slated for April 22 in Pennsylvania. Neither Obama or Hillary Clinton is expected to reach the necessary 2,024 delegates when all is said and done, which could lead to a bitter fight come convention time in Denver.

* State Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D) is backing legislation that would eliminate fees for having an unlisted phone number. If the bill is passed, it would prohibit phone providers from charging customers extra for having an unlisted number in phone books or being unlisted with directory assistance.

SPORTS

* The Los Angeles Lakers snapped a two-game skid Sunday night with a 126-120 overtime victory over the Washington Wizards.

EVENTS

* 1:10 p.m. (Dodger Stadium) S.F. Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers - Season Opener
* 7:10 p.m. (Petco Park) Houston Astros at San Diego Padres - Season Opener
* 7:30 p.m. (Staples Center) Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers