Community Corner

Ten Most-Read Stories on Southern California Patch Sites in 2013

From a kidnapper's autopsy, to a couple's 17th child, to a brother-in-law's prophetic sermon, these 10 stories on Southern California Patch websites were the most read in 2013.

Patch editors post hundreds of articles every day on the 74 Patch websites in Southern California. Here are the 10 that were read by the most readers in 2013.

1. Hannah Anderson Kidnapper Had Marijuana in His System When He Was Shot

James Lee DiMaggio, who kidnapped a teenage family friend in Santee in August, murdered her mother and brother and fled with her to Idaho, had marijuana and a prescription drug in his system when he was fatally shot a week later by federal agents.

2. Pastor Rick Warren Made Eerily Prophetic Request

Before Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren knew his son had died, he asked his brother-in-law to deliver a sermon in April that seemed to predict tragedy.

3. Newport Beach Teacher Arrested in Alleged Sexual Abuse of 20 Students

A 57-year-old elementary school teacher from Newport Beach was arrested in Los Angeles in January on suspicion of sexually abusing 20 students.

4. Meet the Feral Cats of Disneyland

Meet the 200 or so feral cats of Disneyland. By day, they reside in five permanent feeding stations hidden within the park's 85 public acres. But by night, they're on the prowl for any mice who haven't removed their costumes and gone home.

5. This Guy Bought a Winning $465K Ticket in Hollywood and Probably Doesn't Know It

A man who played Powerball in May and matched five out of six numbers hadn't claimed his $465,539 prize by November, prompting the California Lottery to release his photo in an effort to track him down. 

6. Teens in Rancho Penasquitos Park Rape Case Get 50+ Years in Prison

Two teenage boys who kidnapped and sexually assaulted two girls in a Rancho Penasquitos park were sentenced in San Diego in February to 58- and 50-year- to-life prison terms.

7. Baby Boom: Lake Elsinore Mom Gives Birth to 17th Child

The Cason Crew grew to 19 in October with the birth of their 17th child and 10th boy. Vaughn Robert Dallas Cason came in at a healthy 8 pounds and 6 ounces.

8. Patch Exclusive: Photos of Riverside Police Cruiser Shot Up By Christopher Dorner

Patch spotted this police cruiser about a quarter mile from the Riverside police station. It had been shot up by ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner during his rampage across Southern California in February.

9. Woman Thought to be Dorner's Mother Seen Watching News Coverage at La Palma Restaurant

While a stand-off unfolded live on television in February between deputies and a suspect thought to be accused murderer Christopher Dorner, a woman identified as his mother was seen at a local restaurant—watching it on TV.

10. $23K Laguna Niguel Wedding Ring Accidentally Sold for $10 Returned to Owner

Almost two weeks after a California man accidentally sold his wife’s $23,000 wedding ring at a garage sale in June, it was returned to its rightful owner.


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