February 1, 2026 • 35 mins
Hour 2: The Chairman of LA’s Olympics committee has apologized after appearing in the Epstein files; LA’s Mansion Tax has caused concern among city officials who previously campaigned to adopt it; and two local doctors explain the dangers of hiking around Mt. Baldy in the winter.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you for another hour on this beautiful Saturday
night in southern California. More files on Jeffrey Epstein have
been released, and we are learning a lot about allegations
against some very powerful people in this country. We're also
learning a lot about direct communications between powerful people in
(00:28):
this country and Jeffrey Epstein himself or his partner in crime,
Galaine Maxwell. In fact, newly disclosed US government files on
Jeffrey Epstein have prompted the resignation of a top official
in Slovakia. It's also revived calls in Britain for a
former Prince Andrew to share what he knows with authorities
about Epstein's links to powerful individuals around the world. The
(00:52):
Justice Apartment yesterday began releasing another massive trove of files,
offering more details about Epstein's interact with the rich and
the famous. The Prime Minister of Slovaki accepted the resignation
on Saturday of an official named Miroslav Lasak, who once
had a year long term as President of the UN
(01:13):
General Assembly. Now Lawshak wasn't accused of wrongdoing, according to
the Associated Press, but left his position after photos and
emails revealed he had met with Epstein in the years
after Epstein was originally released from jail. But these disclosures
have also revived questions about whether longtime Epstein friend Andrew
mount Baton Windsor, who we used to know as Prince Andrew,
(01:36):
should cooperate with American authorities who are investigating those Epstein files.
British Prime Minister kir Starmer today suggested that mount Batten
Windsor should tell American investigators whatever he knows about Epstein's activities.
Of course, we no longer call Andrew Prince Andrew because
of his relationship with Epstein and allegations around his relationship
(01:57):
with young girls. But here locally, Casey Wasserman has apologized
for his relationship with Glaine Maxwell and a trip involving Epstein.
Casey Wasserman is the chair of the twenty twenty eight
Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee known as LA twenty eight,
(02:22):
and Gallaine Maxwell, on her own, has been convicted of
sex trafficking for her role in the widespread sexual abuse
involving Jeffrey Epstein, who is dead. Wasserman's name came up
when the latest batch of Epstein documents were made public
yesterday by the US Department of Justice as part of
its investigation into Epstein. The documents reveal multiple email exchanges
(02:47):
between Wasserman and Maxwell, and what Wasserman says today is,
I deeply regret my correspondence with Glaine Maxwell, which took
place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes
came to light. I never had a personal or business
(03:07):
relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as is well documented. He says,
I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a
delegation with the Clinton Foundation in two thousand and two
on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having
any association with either of them. Now, these emails are
from years ago, they are from two thousand and three,
(03:29):
but they were flirtatious. They weren't just confirming that we're
going on this trip with the Clinton Foundation. They feature
flirtatious remarks from both Gallaine Maxwell and Casey Wasserman, who
wrote that he wanted to see Maxwell in a tight
leather outfit and Maxwell offered to give him a massage
(03:50):
that can drive a man wild. Wasserman is fifty one
years old, so twenty two, twenty three years ago what
he would have been in his late twenties early thirties.
He's the founder and CEO of Wasserman, which is a
sports marketing and talent agency, and he is the grandson
of Hollywood agent Lou Wasserman. He's supposed to be in
(04:13):
Italy next week as part of the LA twenty eight
delegation for the Winter Olympics. Casey Wasserman apologizing for his
role in the Epstein files. But these files have turned
up more information about a number of people and their
connections to Epstein, including Bill Gates, including Nom Schamsky, including
(04:35):
Elon Musk, and including President Trump. It's a lot to
sift through. There's a lot of allegations in the new
trove of files released, so those could be legit, they
could be from crazy people. But this guy Ebstein seemed
(04:55):
to be in the orbit of every powerful man around
the world. Meanwhile, here locally, the Olympics were the topic
of discussion at LA City Hall this week. John Harper,
who is the chief operations officer at LA twenty eight
and as far as we know, not mentioned in the
(05:17):
Epstein Files, he says excitement is big here locally, as
we are now a couple years away from the Olympics
arriving in Los Angeles.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
We launched our volunteer program in October with an overwhelming
response of more than seventy thousand people signing up in
the first twenty four hours, and we're prioritizing the community
as it relates to the volunteer opportunities in the lead
up to the Games. We launched this program early because
we know that this is a community that answers the
call time and time again. Today we have nearly one
(05:50):
hundred and fifty thousand registrations and that continues to climb.
Earlier this month, we also launched our ticketing registration, which
was very exciting, allowing fans for around the world to
register for the LA twenty eight ticket draw by going
to tickets dot LA twenty eight dot org. In priorizing
this community, with the ticket starting at just twenty eight dollars,
(06:11):
Los Angeles and surrounding venue cities will have the opportunity
to be part of a local presale, building on our
commitment to making sure that those who live and work
where games take place can be in the stands cheering
come twenty twenty eight. In the first twenty four hours
of that of the registration going live for the twenty
(06:31):
twenty eight ticket draw opening, LA twenty eight received more
than one point five million registrations. This is unprecedented excitement
for the Games two and a half years out and
the earliest registration period ever for a Games.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
One and a half million people signed up already for tickets,
including me. I'm excited. I hope I get drawn so
I can. I got to see one of these games.
I don't care which sport they give me. Mayor Bass
was in Washington, DC for the US Conference of may
and she chairs the Homeless committee there, but she joined
the mayor of Oklahoma City, who's the president of the
(07:07):
US Conference of Mayors, to talk a little bit about
the Olympics.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
And so one thing that I'm hoping to accomplish with
the Games is really our model in the city is
games for all. So we won our neighborhoods to benefit economically.
And one of the things I loved about Paris, and
you went to Paris as well, whether you went to
the Games or not, the whole city made you feel
like the Olympics was everywhere because there were all kinds
(07:32):
of events and activities. It's a wonderful way to unify
a city that has spread out over five hundred square
miles and many many different neighborhoods, and it's an opportunity
to lift everybody up economically. So we've been working with
small businesses doing summits over the last few years to
prepare them to receive contracts and to put on events
(07:53):
all around the city. We're going to test it out
with the World Cup. We're hosting eight games, but we
also we'll you know, have watch parties all thirty plus
days of the World Cup. So we have a couple
of dress rehearsals before twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
And La City Councilman Monica Rodriguez sounding an alarm about
the federal government's possible role in the Olympics.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
We just got to acknowledge it. We got to talk
about it. But we've got to be serious about this
and stop pretending that they're not going to overreach their authority.
And so I need to know that we're going to
be serious about not just calling it out, but blocking
it if necessary, and what that looks like and that's
(08:37):
a conversation that I need that I'd like us to
have with the city attorney and frankly even the district attorney.
There's an abuse of constitutional rights that is happening across
this country. And you know, this idea that all we
can't say or do anything is a bunch of horseship.
(08:58):
There's there's something that we need to do.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
It the Olympics LA twenty eight excitement, enthusiasm, also trepidation
and fear and also now a direct connection to the
Epstein files. Up next, we'll talk about how the mansion
tax in Los Angeles is actually now scaring people who
supported it. As Michael Monks Reports continues.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI News.
The California Lottery has one a dismissal of a man's
claim for three hundred and ninety four million dollars in
prize money. The judges dismissed that lawsuit filed by the
man who says he bought both winning tickets and a
nearly four hundred million dollar California Lottery jackpot back in
(09:45):
twenty twenty three, but he says he lost the second
ticket but still wanted to collect the other half of
the prize. So you know, when there are multiple winners,
they split the jackpot. He says he had those two tickets,
not just one. He bought them both lost the other ticket,
but LA Superior Court Judge Rolf Trieu on Friday, just yesterday,
granted a defense motion to toss the plaintiff's lawsuit. This
(10:09):
guy's name is Faramars Lahijani. In his complaint, he says
he was granted only half of the three hundred ninety
four million dollars from that December eighth, twenty twenty three
Mega Million's grand prize. He said both tickets were bought
at a Chevron station on Ventura Boulevard in Encino, and
that he used the same numbers he's been playing for
(10:30):
thirty years. He says it was those numbers are chosen
by his children. But the judge said this guy did
not demonstrate he had an enforceable contract requiring the California
Lottery to pay unclaimed winnings, so he's only got what
(10:50):
just under two hundred million dollars. Poor guy, he wanted
it all though, also we've got the Grammys tomorrow, could
be traffic problems in an around crypto dot com arena.
Should be a big show, a lot of stars here
in Los Angeles performing for the rest of the country.
Enjoy that mess. Meanwhile, at LA City Hall, another mess
that some folks who were a big supporter of a
(11:13):
mess now say that the mess should be cleaned up
a little bit. And the mess is the mansion tax
measure Ula. This is something that voters in LA approved,
but now it's having unintended consequences, but consequences that a
lot of opponents of this measure said, what absolutely happen.
(11:35):
Voters approved this back in November of twenty two, and
then it became effective in April of twenty three. And
what it did. It placed a four percent tax on
property sales above five million dollars and a five and
a half percent tax on sales above ten million dollars,
So a mansion tax. Right, people who are selling real
(11:57):
estate for that kind of money can afford to fork
over a little bit more. And then we would take
this money raised by those taxes and use it to
support the development of affordable housing and to prevent homelessness.
And in that regard. It's been effect of a billion
dollars has been raised from this tax in just under
three years. But here's where the problem emerged. It's not
(12:21):
just a mansion tax. These taxes have applied to the
sales of apartment buildings and commercial buildings and other developments
at five million dollars or more, and that is discouraged
a lot of investment. And this is a city where
(12:43):
you have leaders running around all of the time saying
we need more housing. Councilwoman Nitia Rahman chairs the City
Council's Housing and Homelessness Committee. She's a big supporter of
the mansion tax, but she is the one who came
(13:04):
to the floor of the City council chamber this week
saying we screwed up. And while she says she remains
a big supporter of Measure ULA, she says there should
be some changes. So what she floated was asking voters
to help us out again and create some exemptions for
(13:28):
newly constructed multifamily, commercial and mixed use buildings no extra
tax for up to fifteen years, and it would also
exempt properties impacted by natural disasters like the Palisades fire
for up to three years. This proposal would have also
encouraged traditional lenders in funding ULA funded affordable housing projects
(13:49):
by changing financing terms, allow affordable housing group's first rights
on buildings being sold, and require the city attorney to
complete legal review of measured ULA related actions within ninety
days of city council approval. So a lot of bureaucratic
stuff there, but there's a billion dollars in this account.
Only two hundred units have been created with money from it.
(14:13):
Councilman Rahman had to stand before her colleagues and tout
her support for this while also acknowledging these very serious
and destructive deficiencies.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
In reality, it put a transfer tax on all properties
over five million, including apartments, and we have to be
honest about what has happened. As a result, multifamily mixed
use housing commercial production has slowed in the City of La.
Lenders and investors are backing away from this city entirely.
Multiple research studies and data points have shown us that
(14:44):
the structure of this tax has slowed apartment construction in
LA during a housing crisis. These studies have compared sales
and permits in the City of La with comparable jurisdictions
in La County and found steeper declines in La City.
Studies estimated that ULA is preventing the construction of at
least two thousand market rate units a year, as well
(15:05):
as hundreds of affordable units, more units than ULA can produce.
The La Times recently reported that the San Diego region
is building apartments at nearly twice the rate of LA,
with new construction up ten percent in this economic climate,
while LA's has plummeted by thirty three percent over the
last three years.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
So the measure that I was a big fan of,
she says, has actually really been devastating for the production
of housing. And when you think about how expensive rent
can be in a place like southern California, the principle
of supply and demand would indicate if you had more apartments,
maybe rents could drop. But we don't have more apartments,
(15:46):
we don't have more affordable housing, we don't have more
market rate housing. She had to confess that this measure
that she pushed has been destructive to the production of housing,
that San Diego is eating LA's lunch. So she said, colleagues,
we should put this back on the ballot. And what
(16:08):
do they do. Well, they send it to a committee
for review, which means it will not be on the
June ballot, and so Councilwoman Ramin's own committee will take
up this issue further and maybe reconsider for November. In
the meantime, measure ULA lives. By the way, there was
(16:30):
a report out this week some good news for renters.
The median rental prices in the La Metro area dropped
to two thy, one hundred and sixty seven dollars in December.
That is the lowest price we have seen here in
four years. The La Times reports in La County, the
(16:51):
median rent also hit a four year low of twenty
thirty five dollars. Those figures covered leases for one and
two bedroom apartments, so some good news. Lower prices can
be attributed to increased housing housing supply and decreased demand.
According to this report, the county's multi family housing supply
(17:13):
surged as its population dropped by twenty eight thousand last year.
This resulted in vacancy rates climbing to five point three
percent in December, the highest since April twenty twenty one.
Speaker 7 (17:23):
So there you have it.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Rents drop when there are more apartments coming online. If
you build more apartments, the rent could drop further, thus
making all of it more affordable. So stay tuned to
see if any of those issues return to the ballot.
By the way, that's not the only tax that could
be back on the ballot. There are some community and
health coalition organizations that are trying to put a half
(17:50):
cent county tax in Los Angeles County for healthcare. I
think if all of these organizations continue with the half
cent measures, the taxes around here cannot possibly get worse.
Restore Healthcare for Angelinos's calling on the County Board of
(18:10):
Supervisors to place the proposed half cent tax on the
June ballot to offset the federal cuts. If the board
does not act, the group plans to organize a petition
drive to qualify an initiative for the November ballot.
Speaker 7 (18:24):
Good Luck.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
There have been some tragedies on Mount Baldy this winter season,
including three recent deaths, And we're going to be joined
by a couple of doctors coming up next to conclude
this hour. One who is part of the rescue operations
and gets in the helicopters and assists those San Bernardino
County Sheriff's deputies in the search and rescue missions, and
(18:47):
then we'll be joined by a doctor who sees the
individuals that injure themselves, especially this time of year while
hiking around those trails. Will both have some tips on
how to stay safe if you're feeling ed venturous for
a hike. As Michael Monks Reports continues.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Demand kf I AM six forty live everywhere on the
iHeartRadio app. This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks
from KFI News. There have been tragedies on the hiking
trails of Mount Baldy this winter season, including three recent deaths.
Doctor Robert Katzer with UCI Health is a wilderness expert
and helicopter rescue medic who goes on missions to save
(19:27):
people hurt at the mountain, and he joins us now.
Doctor Katzer, thanks so much for taking some time with KFI.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
Absolutely happy to help.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
So you have a bit of knowledge in both of
these areas obviously here doctor, so you know what happens
on the bad side of these things when people are hurt,
but you know the wild well as well. Mount Baldy
and all of its associated trails a beautiful place, no
question about why people want to go up there, But
are there mistakes people are making when they go up there?
Speaker 8 (19:55):
You know, I think the important thing for people to
understand is that, you know, a mountain train like Mount
Baldy in the summertime can be very different in the
winter time when changes of the terrain occur, especially with
snow and ice. Much like the ocean can be really
beautiful and safe and inviting in one day, a different
day in the ocean in the same spot can end
up very tragic and lethal, and winter mountain times can
(20:20):
be very similar in that respect.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Well, let's talk about what those challenges are that they
might be obvious. I can understand trails being covered by
snow and all that, but what are the hazards presented
on those trails in the winter that don't exist in
warmer times.
Speaker 8 (20:33):
So we have several mountains within that range, including Baldy
that it was very close to our very summertime wonderful
climbing here in southern California, and it doesn't take long
to go from clear sunshine to moderate angle to high
angle terrain with ice and snow. Specifically, a big challenges
(20:56):
that when snow melts during the warmer days time and
then rephrases at night. The next day it can become
incredibly slippery with ice.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
We're talking with doctor Robert Katzer with UCI Health. He's
a wilderness expert and has also helped out helicopter rescue
missions as a medic. There what tend to be the
problems people find themselves in on those mountain trails.
Speaker 8 (21:22):
When we find hiking in areas that have modern angle
to high angle terrain, the addition of snow and ice
really changes the calculation in terms of maintaining your footage
putting and putting yourself in a lethal situation. We do
if you look at the fatalities over the years, big
(21:45):
commonality is people utilizing equipment that may not be to
requirement for safety in that terrain.
Speaker 7 (21:53):
Specifically, the use.
Speaker 8 (21:55):
Of micro spikes is a common finding with these fatal
or near fatal incidents.
Speaker 7 (22:02):
We look at the investigations.
Speaker 8 (22:04):
What are those So micro spikes are an addition you
can place on your footwear to give additional traction, but
they're not equivalent to mountaineering gear, which are crampons. And
what we're talking about is Mount Baldy. Maybe a nice
hike in the summertime. But in the winter time with
snow and ice, it's mountaineering. And when someone is going
(22:28):
about mountaineering, they really need to have the right equipment
and the right training for mountaineering.
Speaker 7 (22:33):
And over the years, I.
Speaker 8 (22:35):
Think micro spikes have been a substitute for crampond that's
placed people at times at higher safety risk.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
So, doctor Catzer, we talked about the difference in the
terrain in the winter and the summer. Let's talk about
the experience of some of these hikers that may have
the wrong idea of what they're getting themselves into. If
you are somebody who, Hey, some pals and I we
went up there back in May. We had a great hike.
We're visiting in December. Let's try it again. What type
(23:04):
of preparedness do those folks need to do that they
didn't do in May.
Speaker 8 (23:10):
Yeah, so absolutely in the winter time, weather reports and
forecasts become much more crucial. In the summertime. Summertime here
is much more forgiving. Yes, it gets cooler at altitude,
but the other weather threats are usually not present in
the summertime. So looking at that weather forecast and realizing
something that may be a hike in the summertime is
(23:31):
mountaineering in the wintertime, and so if you are engaging
in mountaineering, the additional equipment of a crampons, a boot
system compatible with crampons to use them, as well as
an ice axe and a helmet are all necessary and
like many tools in life, you have to be experienced
in utilizing these otherwise they cannot fully protect you. And
(23:54):
the last bit of gear this really important summer and winter.
So important in the wilderness is having a GPS Personal
Life cater Beacon a PLB or a satellite message system
that allows you to reach out to emergency career cruise
when you're in an emergency. Cell signal is not reliable
(24:17):
in the wilderness because you don't have the cell towers.
You can't train the as well, but those PLBs or
sell it messages allow you to get an accurate location
to rescue cruise any event you have in emergency.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
The San Berndino, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, handles
the rescues and those happen all year, it doesn't matter
the climate, and people get lost, people hurt themselves and
unfortunately people die. And of course we've just recently had
some tragedies there back in December. You are a medic
that helps out with these rescues. I know you want
to be careful about what you can say because of
(24:51):
the investigative side of that, but can you tell us
in general what the additional challenges are associated with rescues
this time of year compared to the warmer months.
Speaker 8 (25:05):
Yeah, So when dealing with helicopter operations and snow and
ice in high angle, the same dangers that apply to
the people enjoying recreation apply to rescue personnel, whether that
be personnel on the ground in those conditions or personnel
coming in with an aircraft. So the same equipment for
safety and protection is required both for ground teams and
(25:29):
air teams. And unfortunately, a member of the Sinamia Kunty
Shafess Department did have a fatal incident, you know, several
years ago on in the you know, in the course
of trying to locate a missing subject. In regards to helicopters,
weather systems bring poor visibility and high winds, which all
(25:53):
increase the risk profile for those operations and limit some
of the capabilities as well.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
It sounds like winter hikes or mountaineering as you characterize
it can be done, can be done safely, or as
I guess, relatively safely. But am I right to surmise
that perhaps that's not what your first trip up in
those trails should be. Should you gain some experience in
other times of year before you try to traverse these
(26:21):
areas in the winter.
Speaker 8 (26:23):
Yeah, I think anytime you're going to altitude where there's
snow and ice and it's an area that's not completely flat,
that's gonna at a level of risk. And that risk
is mitigated, as we spoke about with proper equipment crampon's
ice ACKs, helmet and.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
That like messenger or PLB. But it's also.
Speaker 8 (26:46):
Needs to be mitigated by training in that equipment, and
you don't want to use that equipment for the first
time in an emergency. As usually in life, when we
do things for the first time, we're not very proficient
at it, and it's much better to become proficient at
something when the risk of or performance is low.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
Doctor Robert Katzer is with UCI Health. He is also
a wilderness expert and helicopter rescue medic who goes on
missions to save people who are hurt on Mount Baldy
and elsewhere. Doctor Katzer, thanks so much for sharing your
expertise with us here at KFI today. Appreciate you.
Speaker 7 (27:20):
Thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Up next, what happens when someone injured on the hiking
trails is taken to the hospital. Another doctor joins us
to discuss the injuries and how to be safer it.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Demand KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI News.
We continue now with our discussion on Mount Baldy and
the dangerous and deadly conditions this winter. Pomona Valley Hospital
Medical Center emergency medicine physician Eric Secrest has seen many
patients over the years due to Mount Baldy's trails. He's
(27:55):
with us now, Doctor Eric Secrest, thank you so much
for taking some time for KFI.
Speaker 9 (28:00):
Hi, good afternoon, happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
We have been reading some recent tragedies that have taken
place on Mountain Baldy. It's not unusual for people to
be heard or even killed unfortunately there, and you're one
of the people that sees folks brought back at Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center. It's one of the few places
that must be in close proximity to this mountain and
these dangerous trails. What do you see when people are
(28:25):
brought in?
Speaker 9 (28:27):
Yeah, so, you know, working at a trauma center that's
in close proximity to Mount Baldy, you know, we do
see patients quite frequently. Unfortunately, I do sustain sometimes minor
and sometimes major injuries up there, and most frequently related
to broken bones and hypothermia from being up on the
mountain for an extented period of time.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
And that's the type of stuff that we probably wouldn't
get reports about because we wouldn't put that on the news,
that somebody broke their leg. How often are you seeing it?
Speaker 9 (28:56):
It varies, you know, certainly in the winter time, like
right now, it can be you know, maybe even a
couple of times a month, but we do see it
with somewhat frequency.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Yeah, what are the more common injuries that show up?
Speaker 9 (29:12):
Definitely extremity injuries like broken legs, broken arms, you know,
falls and hypothermia. Some of these extended amount of time.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Some of these falls that that we heard about in
the recent tragedies from December where folks died. Folks were
falling hundreds of feet, and I'm supposing that there are
probably circumstances in which someone could survive that, depending on
the terrain and the way that you fell. But what
do those injuries look like when they're brought in. I
(29:42):
know we're saying broken bones, and I guess I'm not
asking you to be too graphic here, but what do
you physically see when something like that happens and a
patient is brought into Pomona.
Speaker 9 (29:53):
Yeah, so usually you know, when the patient's brought to us,
when they've sustained an injury like that, you might see
them arrive with some to temporary cast or splint on.
And you know, depending on the extent of the injury.
If we're if we're talking about a fracture, for example,
you know, you may see an obvious deformity to the
leg or arm. You know, sometimes there may be a
bone sticking out of the skin if it's a really
(30:15):
bad injury. But most of the time you may just see,
you know, deformity that you wouldn't normally otherwise.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
See, this is technically the winter here in California. Obviously
in the mountains it does get colder. They do see snow,
and while the trails like Devil's Backbone may not be
so challenging in the warmer months, it's it's quite different
during the winter. Do you see more problems this time
(30:42):
of year than say, in the summer.
Speaker 9 (30:46):
Absolutely, Yeah, you know, Devil's Backbone in particular, that's that's
an area that's a very narrow trail and it's very
very steep, and you know, that's an unfortunate area where
where a lot of these fatalities have occurred, and partly
because it's it's such a steep area and you know,
people can fall from you know, very very far distance.
(31:06):
So yeah, you know, unfortunately, it's you know, it is
common more so this time of year.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Let me ask you, doctor Secrist.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Have you hiked up there?
Speaker 9 (31:17):
You know, I have not. I do live fairly close
to it. But I think with you know a lot
of the reports I come from up there, I think
I'm I think I'm better you know, down here high
hiking some of the more local trails.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
That's why I wanted to ask, because when you see
the extent of the injuries that you have, I was curious,
uh oh, whether that got to you and whether you
had any interest in being up there.
Speaker 9 (31:42):
Yeah, you know, I think there there's definitely you know,
an interest or curiosity. I think that's the same for
a lot of people because you want, you know, it's
it's a very beautiful area up there, as as I've
been told, and it's uh. I think a lot of
people want to go up there and just and see
for themselves what it's like. And I think there's a
lot of you know, interest in it for that reason.
But uh, I think people have to know going into
(32:02):
it that it is a very dangerous, uh you know
place Dike, especially this time of year when you know,
we haven't had a lot of you know, snow or
rain recently, but those trails can still be very icy
and uh you know with the with the warmer weather
and at night when it cools down that you know
that they can get even more icy and even more dangerous,
and conditions up there can change quickly. And I think
(32:24):
that's where you know, people end up getting into trouble
is not being prepared in advance for for you know,
changes in condition.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
We're talking with doctor Eric Secrest. He's an emergency medicine
physician at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he often
sees people injured while hiking around Mount Baldy. We have
had some tragedies here at that site in recent weeks.
What should folks know before they go up there about
their own safety?
Speaker 9 (32:52):
Yeah, so I think the biggest thing is, you know,
preparation is key, and that's you know, knowing knowing what
the weather conditions might be ahead of time, whether that's
you know, looking on the local weather apps and checking
the forecast and also check local hiking conditions before you go,
and then you know plan accordingly. So you want to
you know, dress in layers, dress, you know, dress warm,
(33:13):
but also you know be able to you know, scale
up for for colder weather as needed. You know, be
plenty prepared with you know, adequate food and water and
electrolyte replacement as well. That's that's important. And uh, not
relying just on a cell phone, but having some sort
of way to communicate, whether that be some sort of
(33:34):
GPS guided device and letting family or friends know, you know,
what what trail you're hiking, what time you're going, and
what time you're expected back. And uh, you know, I
would also recommend not hiking alone.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
We talked about some of the common injuries that folks
suffer while hiking, and that you unfortunately or maybe fortunately
considering your skills and get to see what miss stakes
tend to lead to those.
Speaker 9 (34:02):
The most Yeah, I think, you know, underestimating the conditions
and not planning enough in advance, that the conditions can
change so quickly up there, that the trails can be
very icy, and I think for a lot of people
they might consider themselves an experienced hiker, but you know,
this is a this is a very you know, sort
(34:24):
of expert train up there that really the most experienced
people should should be hiking. And you know, not having
the appropriate gear as well, you know, just wearing like
regular tennis shoes when you might need to wear something
with you know, spikes or crampons and you know, utilizing
hiking poles and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
I appreciate the time that you gave us to help
folks understand how how dangerous that can be and how
to be prepared before I let you run. You mentioned
you don't recommend people going by themselves. That that seems
to be a good recommendation just in case something does happen.
But are there some supplies people should have in case
of disaster, just to be prepared up there.
Speaker 9 (35:04):
Yeah, I think even just having a you know, basic
first aid kit and there are you know, temporary splints
that you can that you can buy and people can
apply themselves on the off chance that you know, you
do something, you know, an injury up there that can
be applied until at least first responders can get to them.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
Doctor Eric Seacrest is an emergency medicine physician at Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center. Doctor Secrest, thank you so much
for sharing these tips with us, and we hope that
people take it seriously so that we have fewer injuries.
Speaker 9 (35:35):
Up there, happy to help and be safe out there, everybody.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
And that's it for this week's Michael Monks Reports. We'll
be back next week with another look at the news
right here on KFI AM sixty
Speaker 1 (35:45):
Kf I AM six forty on demand
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI
News with you for another hour on this beautiful Saturday
night in southern California. More files on Jeffrey Epstein have
been released, and we are learning a lot about allegations
against some very powerful people in this country. We're also
learning a lot about direct communications between powerful people in
(00:28):
this country and Jeffrey Epstein himself or his partner in crime,
Galaine Maxwell. In fact, newly disclosed US government files on
Jeffrey Epstein have prompted the resignation of a top official
in Slovakia. It's also revived calls in Britain for a
former Prince Andrew to share what he knows with authorities
about Epstein's links to powerful individuals around the world. The
(00:52):
Justice Apartment yesterday began releasing another massive trove of files,
offering more details about Epstein's interact with the rich and
the famous. The Prime Minister of Slovaki accepted the resignation
on Saturday of an official named Miroslav Lasak, who once
had a year long term as President of the UN
(01:13):
General Assembly. Now Lawshak wasn't accused of wrongdoing, according to
the Associated Press, but left his position after photos and
emails revealed he had met with Epstein in the years
after Epstein was originally released from jail. But these disclosures
have also revived questions about whether longtime Epstein friend Andrew
mount Baton Windsor, who we used to know as Prince Andrew,
(01:36):
should cooperate with American authorities who are investigating those Epstein files.
British Prime Minister kir Starmer today suggested that mount Batten
Windsor should tell American investigators whatever he knows about Epstein's activities.
Of course, we no longer call Andrew Prince Andrew because
of his relationship with Epstein and allegations around his relationship
(01:57):
with young girls. But here locally, Casey Wasserman has apologized
for his relationship with Glaine Maxwell and a trip involving Epstein.
Casey Wasserman is the chair of the twenty twenty eight
Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee known as LA twenty eight,
(02:22):
and Gallaine Maxwell, on her own, has been convicted of
sex trafficking for her role in the widespread sexual abuse
involving Jeffrey Epstein, who is dead. Wasserman's name came up
when the latest batch of Epstein documents were made public
yesterday by the US Department of Justice as part of
its investigation into Epstein. The documents reveal multiple email exchanges
(02:47):
between Wasserman and Maxwell, and what Wasserman says today is,
I deeply regret my correspondence with Glaine Maxwell, which took
place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes
came to light. I never had a personal or business
(03:07):
relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as is well documented. He says,
I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a
delegation with the Clinton Foundation in two thousand and two
on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having
any association with either of them. Now, these emails are
from years ago, they are from two thousand and three,
(03:29):
but they were flirtatious. They weren't just confirming that we're
going on this trip with the Clinton Foundation. They feature
flirtatious remarks from both Gallaine Maxwell and Casey Wasserman, who
wrote that he wanted to see Maxwell in a tight
leather outfit and Maxwell offered to give him a massage
(03:50):
that can drive a man wild. Wasserman is fifty one
years old, so twenty two, twenty three years ago what
he would have been in his late twenties early thirties.
He's the founder and CEO of Wasserman, which is a
sports marketing and talent agency, and he is the grandson
of Hollywood agent Lou Wasserman. He's supposed to be in
(04:13):
Italy next week as part of the LA twenty eight
delegation for the Winter Olympics. Casey Wasserman apologizing for his
role in the Epstein files. But these files have turned
up more information about a number of people and their
connections to Epstein, including Bill Gates, including Nom Schamsky, including
(04:35):
Elon Musk, and including President Trump. It's a lot to
sift through. There's a lot of allegations in the new
trove of files released, so those could be legit, they
could be from crazy people. But this guy Ebstein seemed
(04:55):
to be in the orbit of every powerful man around
the world. Meanwhile, here locally, the Olympics were the topic
of discussion at LA City Hall this week. John Harper,
who is the chief operations officer at LA twenty eight
and as far as we know, not mentioned in the
(05:17):
Epstein Files, he says excitement is big here locally, as
we are now a couple years away from the Olympics
arriving in Los Angeles.
Speaker 3 (05:28):
We launched our volunteer program in October with an overwhelming
response of more than seventy thousand people signing up in
the first twenty four hours, and we're prioritizing the community
as it relates to the volunteer opportunities in the lead
up to the Games. We launched this program early because
we know that this is a community that answers the
call time and time again. Today we have nearly one
(05:50):
hundred and fifty thousand registrations and that continues to climb.
Earlier this month, we also launched our ticketing registration, which
was very exciting, allowing fans for around the world to
register for the LA twenty eight ticket draw by going
to tickets dot LA twenty eight dot org. In priorizing
this community, with the ticket starting at just twenty eight dollars,
(06:11):
Los Angeles and surrounding venue cities will have the opportunity
to be part of a local presale, building on our
commitment to making sure that those who live and work
where games take place can be in the stands cheering
come twenty twenty eight. In the first twenty four hours
of that of the registration going live for the twenty
(06:31):
twenty eight ticket draw opening, LA twenty eight received more
than one point five million registrations. This is unprecedented excitement
for the Games two and a half years out and
the earliest registration period ever for a Games.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
One and a half million people signed up already for tickets,
including me. I'm excited. I hope I get drawn so
I can. I got to see one of these games.
I don't care which sport they give me. Mayor Bass
was in Washington, DC for the US Conference of may
and she chairs the Homeless committee there, but she joined
the mayor of Oklahoma City, who's the president of the
(07:07):
US Conference of Mayors, to talk a little bit about
the Olympics.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
And so one thing that I'm hoping to accomplish with
the Games is really our model in the city is
games for all. So we won our neighborhoods to benefit economically.
And one of the things I loved about Paris, and
you went to Paris as well, whether you went to
the Games or not, the whole city made you feel
like the Olympics was everywhere because there were all kinds
(07:32):
of events and activities. It's a wonderful way to unify
a city that has spread out over five hundred square
miles and many many different neighborhoods, and it's an opportunity
to lift everybody up economically. So we've been working with
small businesses doing summits over the last few years to
prepare them to receive contracts and to put on events
(07:53):
all around the city. We're going to test it out
with the World Cup. We're hosting eight games, but we
also we'll you know, have watch parties all thirty plus
days of the World Cup. So we have a couple
of dress rehearsals before twenty twenty eight.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
And La City Councilman Monica Rodriguez sounding an alarm about
the federal government's possible role in the Olympics.
Speaker 5 (08:15):
We just got to acknowledge it. We got to talk
about it. But we've got to be serious about this
and stop pretending that they're not going to overreach their authority.
And so I need to know that we're going to
be serious about not just calling it out, but blocking
it if necessary, and what that looks like and that's
(08:37):
a conversation that I need that I'd like us to
have with the city attorney and frankly even the district attorney.
There's an abuse of constitutional rights that is happening across
this country. And you know, this idea that all we
can't say or do anything is a bunch of horseship.
(08:58):
There's there's something that we need to do.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
It the Olympics LA twenty eight excitement, enthusiasm, also trepidation
and fear and also now a direct connection to the
Epstein files. Up next, we'll talk about how the mansion
tax in Los Angeles is actually now scaring people who
supported it. As Michael Monks Reports continues.
Speaker 1 (09:19):
You're listening to KFI Am six forty on demand.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI News.
The California Lottery has one a dismissal of a man's
claim for three hundred and ninety four million dollars in
prize money. The judges dismissed that lawsuit filed by the
man who says he bought both winning tickets and a
nearly four hundred million dollar California Lottery jackpot back in
(09:45):
twenty twenty three, but he says he lost the second
ticket but still wanted to collect the other half of
the prize. So you know, when there are multiple winners,
they split the jackpot. He says he had those two tickets,
not just one. He bought them both lost the other ticket,
but LA Superior Court Judge Rolf Trieu on Friday, just yesterday,
granted a defense motion to toss the plaintiff's lawsuit. This
(10:09):
guy's name is Faramars Lahijani. In his complaint, he says
he was granted only half of the three hundred ninety
four million dollars from that December eighth, twenty twenty three
Mega Million's grand prize. He said both tickets were bought
at a Chevron station on Ventura Boulevard in Encino, and
that he used the same numbers he's been playing for
(10:30):
thirty years. He says it was those numbers are chosen
by his children. But the judge said this guy did
not demonstrate he had an enforceable contract requiring the California
Lottery to pay unclaimed winnings, so he's only got what
(10:50):
just under two hundred million dollars. Poor guy, he wanted
it all though, also we've got the Grammys tomorrow, could
be traffic problems in an around crypto dot com arena.
Should be a big show, a lot of stars here
in Los Angeles performing for the rest of the country.
Enjoy that mess. Meanwhile, at LA City Hall, another mess
that some folks who were a big supporter of a
(11:13):
mess now say that the mess should be cleaned up
a little bit. And the mess is the mansion tax
measure Ula. This is something that voters in LA approved,
but now it's having unintended consequences, but consequences that a
lot of opponents of this measure said, what absolutely happen.
(11:35):
Voters approved this back in November of twenty two, and
then it became effective in April of twenty three. And
what it did. It placed a four percent tax on
property sales above five million dollars and a five and
a half percent tax on sales above ten million dollars,
So a mansion tax. Right, people who are selling real
(11:57):
estate for that kind of money can afford to fork
over a little bit more. And then we would take
this money raised by those taxes and use it to
support the development of affordable housing and to prevent homelessness.
And in that regard. It's been effect of a billion
dollars has been raised from this tax in just under
three years. But here's where the problem emerged. It's not
(12:21):
just a mansion tax. These taxes have applied to the
sales of apartment buildings and commercial buildings and other developments
at five million dollars or more, and that is discouraged
a lot of investment. And this is a city where
(12:43):
you have leaders running around all of the time saying
we need more housing. Councilwoman Nitia Rahman chairs the City
Council's Housing and Homelessness Committee. She's a big supporter of
the mansion tax, but she is the one who came
(13:04):
to the floor of the City council chamber this week
saying we screwed up. And while she says she remains
a big supporter of Measure ULA, she says there should
be some changes. So what she floated was asking voters
to help us out again and create some exemptions for
(13:28):
newly constructed multifamily, commercial and mixed use buildings no extra
tax for up to fifteen years, and it would also
exempt properties impacted by natural disasters like the Palisades fire
for up to three years. This proposal would have also
encouraged traditional lenders in funding ULA funded affordable housing projects
(13:49):
by changing financing terms, allow affordable housing group's first rights
on buildings being sold, and require the city attorney to
complete legal review of measured ULA related actions within ninety
days of city council approval. So a lot of bureaucratic
stuff there, but there's a billion dollars in this account.
Only two hundred units have been created with money from it.
(14:13):
Councilman Rahman had to stand before her colleagues and tout
her support for this while also acknowledging these very serious
and destructive deficiencies.
Speaker 6 (14:24):
In reality, it put a transfer tax on all properties
over five million, including apartments, and we have to be
honest about what has happened. As a result, multifamily mixed
use housing commercial production has slowed in the City of La.
Lenders and investors are backing away from this city entirely.
Multiple research studies and data points have shown us that
(14:44):
the structure of this tax has slowed apartment construction in
LA during a housing crisis. These studies have compared sales
and permits in the City of La with comparable jurisdictions
in La County and found steeper declines in La City.
Studies estimated that ULA is preventing the construction of at
least two thousand market rate units a year, as well
(15:05):
as hundreds of affordable units, more units than ULA can produce.
The La Times recently reported that the San Diego region
is building apartments at nearly twice the rate of LA,
with new construction up ten percent in this economic climate,
while LA's has plummeted by thirty three percent over the
last three years.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
So the measure that I was a big fan of,
she says, has actually really been devastating for the production
of housing. And when you think about how expensive rent
can be in a place like southern California, the principle
of supply and demand would indicate if you had more apartments,
maybe rents could drop. But we don't have more apartments,
(15:46):
we don't have more affordable housing, we don't have more
market rate housing. She had to confess that this measure
that she pushed has been destructive to the production of housing,
that San Diego is eating LA's lunch. So she said, colleagues,
we should put this back on the ballot. And what
(16:08):
do they do. Well, they send it to a committee
for review, which means it will not be on the
June ballot, and so Councilwoman Ramin's own committee will take
up this issue further and maybe reconsider for November. In
the meantime, measure ULA lives. By the way, there was
(16:30):
a report out this week some good news for renters.
The median rental prices in the La Metro area dropped
to two thy, one hundred and sixty seven dollars in December.
That is the lowest price we have seen here in
four years. The La Times reports in La County, the
(16:51):
median rent also hit a four year low of twenty
thirty five dollars. Those figures covered leases for one and
two bedroom apartments, so some good news. Lower prices can
be attributed to increased housing housing supply and decreased demand.
According to this report, the county's multi family housing supply
(17:13):
surged as its population dropped by twenty eight thousand last year.
This resulted in vacancy rates climbing to five point three
percent in December, the highest since April twenty twenty one.
Speaker 7 (17:23):
So there you have it.
Speaker 2 (17:25):
Rents drop when there are more apartments coming online. If
you build more apartments, the rent could drop further, thus
making all of it more affordable. So stay tuned to
see if any of those issues return to the ballot.
By the way, that's not the only tax that could
be back on the ballot. There are some community and
health coalition organizations that are trying to put a half
(17:50):
cent county tax in Los Angeles County for healthcare. I
think if all of these organizations continue with the half
cent measures, the taxes around here cannot possibly get worse.
Restore Healthcare for Angelinos's calling on the County Board of
(18:10):
Supervisors to place the proposed half cent tax on the
June ballot to offset the federal cuts. If the board
does not act, the group plans to organize a petition
drive to qualify an initiative for the November ballot.
Speaker 7 (18:24):
Good Luck.
Speaker 2 (18:24):
There have been some tragedies on Mount Baldy this winter season,
including three recent deaths, And we're going to be joined
by a couple of doctors coming up next to conclude
this hour. One who is part of the rescue operations
and gets in the helicopters and assists those San Bernardino
County Sheriff's deputies in the search and rescue missions, and
(18:47):
then we'll be joined by a doctor who sees the
individuals that injure themselves, especially this time of year while
hiking around those trails. Will both have some tips on
how to stay safe if you're feeling ed venturous for
a hike. As Michael Monks Reports continues.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Demand kf I AM six forty live everywhere on the
iHeartRadio app. This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks
from KFI News. There have been tragedies on the hiking
trails of Mount Baldy this winter season, including three recent deaths.
Doctor Robert Katzer with UCI Health is a wilderness expert
and helicopter rescue medic who goes on missions to save
(19:27):
people hurt at the mountain, and he joins us now.
Doctor Katzer, thanks so much for taking some time with KFI.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
Absolutely happy to help.
Speaker 2 (19:34):
So you have a bit of knowledge in both of
these areas obviously here doctor, so you know what happens
on the bad side of these things when people are hurt,
but you know the wild well as well. Mount Baldy
and all of its associated trails a beautiful place, no
question about why people want to go up there, But
are there mistakes people are making when they go up there?
Speaker 8 (19:55):
You know, I think the important thing for people to
understand is that, you know, a mountain train like Mount
Baldy in the summertime can be very different in the
winter time when changes of the terrain occur, especially with
snow and ice. Much like the ocean can be really
beautiful and safe and inviting in one day, a different
day in the ocean in the same spot can end
up very tragic and lethal, and winter mountain times can
(20:20):
be very similar in that respect.
Speaker 2 (20:21):
Well, let's talk about what those challenges are that they
might be obvious. I can understand trails being covered by
snow and all that, but what are the hazards presented
on those trails in the winter that don't exist in
warmer times.
Speaker 8 (20:33):
So we have several mountains within that range, including Baldy
that it was very close to our very summertime wonderful
climbing here in southern California, and it doesn't take long
to go from clear sunshine to moderate angle to high
angle terrain with ice and snow. Specifically, a big challenges
(20:56):
that when snow melts during the warmer days time and
then rephrases at night. The next day it can become
incredibly slippery with ice.
Speaker 2 (21:06):
We're talking with doctor Robert Katzer with UCI Health. He's
a wilderness expert and has also helped out helicopter rescue
missions as a medic. There what tend to be the
problems people find themselves in on those mountain trails.
Speaker 8 (21:22):
When we find hiking in areas that have modern angle
to high angle terrain, the addition of snow and ice
really changes the calculation in terms of maintaining your footage
putting and putting yourself in a lethal situation. We do
if you look at the fatalities over the years, big
(21:45):
commonality is people utilizing equipment that may not be to
requirement for safety in that terrain.
Speaker 7 (21:53):
Specifically, the use.
Speaker 8 (21:55):
Of micro spikes is a common finding with these fatal
or near fatal incidents.
Speaker 7 (22:02):
We look at the investigations.
Speaker 8 (22:04):
What are those So micro spikes are an addition you
can place on your footwear to give additional traction, but
they're not equivalent to mountaineering gear, which are crampons. And
what we're talking about is Mount Baldy. Maybe a nice
hike in the summertime. But in the winter time with
snow and ice, it's mountaineering. And when someone is going
(22:28):
about mountaineering, they really need to have the right equipment
and the right training for mountaineering.
Speaker 7 (22:33):
And over the years, I.
Speaker 8 (22:35):
Think micro spikes have been a substitute for crampond that's
placed people at times at higher safety risk.
Speaker 2 (22:43):
So, doctor Catzer, we talked about the difference in the
terrain in the winter and the summer. Let's talk about
the experience of some of these hikers that may have
the wrong idea of what they're getting themselves into. If
you are somebody who, Hey, some pals and I we
went up there back in May. We had a great hike.
We're visiting in December. Let's try it again. What type
(23:04):
of preparedness do those folks need to do that they
didn't do in May.
Speaker 8 (23:10):
Yeah, so absolutely in the winter time, weather reports and
forecasts become much more crucial. In the summertime. Summertime here
is much more forgiving. Yes, it gets cooler at altitude,
but the other weather threats are usually not present in
the summertime. So looking at that weather forecast and realizing
something that may be a hike in the summertime is
(23:31):
mountaineering in the wintertime, and so if you are engaging
in mountaineering, the additional equipment of a crampons, a boot
system compatible with crampons to use them, as well as
an ice axe and a helmet are all necessary and
like many tools in life, you have to be experienced
in utilizing these otherwise they cannot fully protect you. And
(23:54):
the last bit of gear this really important summer and winter.
So important in the wilderness is having a GPS Personal
Life cater Beacon a PLB or a satellite message system
that allows you to reach out to emergency career cruise
when you're in an emergency. Cell signal is not reliable
(24:17):
in the wilderness because you don't have the cell towers.
You can't train the as well, but those PLBs or
sell it messages allow you to get an accurate location
to rescue cruise any event you have in emergency.
Speaker 2 (24:30):
The San Berndino, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, handles
the rescues and those happen all year, it doesn't matter
the climate, and people get lost, people hurt themselves and
unfortunately people die. And of course we've just recently had
some tragedies there back in December. You are a medic
that helps out with these rescues. I know you want
to be careful about what you can say because of
(24:51):
the investigative side of that, but can you tell us
in general what the additional challenges are associated with rescues
this time of year compared to the warmer months.
Speaker 8 (25:05):
Yeah, So when dealing with helicopter operations and snow and
ice in high angle, the same dangers that apply to
the people enjoying recreation apply to rescue personnel, whether that
be personnel on the ground in those conditions or personnel
coming in with an aircraft. So the same equipment for
safety and protection is required both for ground teams and
(25:29):
air teams. And unfortunately, a member of the Sinamia Kunty
Shafess Department did have a fatal incident, you know, several
years ago on in the you know, in the course
of trying to locate a missing subject. In regards to helicopters,
weather systems bring poor visibility and high winds, which all
(25:53):
increase the risk profile for those operations and limit some
of the capabilities as well.
Speaker 2 (26:00):
It sounds like winter hikes or mountaineering as you characterize
it can be done, can be done safely, or as
I guess, relatively safely. But am I right to surmise
that perhaps that's not what your first trip up in
those trails should be. Should you gain some experience in
other times of year before you try to traverse these
(26:21):
areas in the winter.
Speaker 8 (26:23):
Yeah, I think anytime you're going to altitude where there's
snow and ice and it's an area that's not completely flat,
that's gonna at a level of risk. And that risk
is mitigated, as we spoke about with proper equipment crampon's
ice ACKs, helmet and.
Speaker 7 (26:41):
That like messenger or PLB. But it's also.
Speaker 8 (26:46):
Needs to be mitigated by training in that equipment, and
you don't want to use that equipment for the first
time in an emergency. As usually in life, when we
do things for the first time, we're not very proficient
at it, and it's much better to become proficient at
something when the risk of or performance is low.
Speaker 2 (27:04):
Doctor Robert Katzer is with UCI Health. He is also
a wilderness expert and helicopter rescue medic who goes on
missions to save people who are hurt on Mount Baldy
and elsewhere. Doctor Katzer, thanks so much for sharing your
expertise with us here at KFI today. Appreciate you.
Speaker 7 (27:20):
Thank you so much for your time.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
Up next, what happens when someone injured on the hiking
trails is taken to the hospital. Another doctor joins us
to discuss the injuries and how to be safer it.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
You're listening to KFI AM six forty on.
Speaker 2 (27:34):
Demand KFI AM six forty live everywhere on the iHeartRadio app.
This is Michael Monks Reports on Michael Monks from KFI News.
We continue now with our discussion on Mount Baldy and
the dangerous and deadly conditions this winter. Pomona Valley Hospital
Medical Center emergency medicine physician Eric Secrest has seen many
patients over the years due to Mount Baldy's trails. He's
(27:55):
with us now, Doctor Eric Secrest, thank you so much
for taking some time for KFI.
Speaker 9 (28:00):
Hi, good afternoon, happy to be here.
Speaker 2 (28:02):
We have been reading some recent tragedies that have taken
place on Mountain Baldy. It's not unusual for people to
be heard or even killed unfortunately there, and you're one
of the people that sees folks brought back at Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center. It's one of the few places
that must be in close proximity to this mountain and
these dangerous trails. What do you see when people are
(28:25):
brought in?
Speaker 9 (28:27):
Yeah, so, you know, working at a trauma center that's
in close proximity to Mount Baldy, you know, we do
see patients quite frequently. Unfortunately, I do sustain sometimes minor
and sometimes major injuries up there, and most frequently related
to broken bones and hypothermia from being up on the
mountain for an extented period of time.
Speaker 2 (28:46):
And that's the type of stuff that we probably wouldn't
get reports about because we wouldn't put that on the news,
that somebody broke their leg. How often are you seeing it?
Speaker 9 (28:56):
It varies, you know, certainly in the winter time, like
right now, it can be you know, maybe even a
couple of times a month, but we do see it
with somewhat frequency.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Yeah, what are the more common injuries that show up?
Speaker 9 (29:12):
Definitely extremity injuries like broken legs, broken arms, you know,
falls and hypothermia. Some of these extended amount of time.
Speaker 2 (29:21):
Some of these falls that that we heard about in
the recent tragedies from December where folks died. Folks were
falling hundreds of feet, and I'm supposing that there are
probably circumstances in which someone could survive that, depending on
the terrain and the way that you fell. But what
do those injuries look like when they're brought in. I
(29:42):
know we're saying broken bones, and I guess I'm not
asking you to be too graphic here, but what do
you physically see when something like that happens and a
patient is brought into Pomona.
Speaker 9 (29:53):
Yeah, so usually you know, when the patient's brought to us,
when they've sustained an injury like that, you might see
them arrive with some to temporary cast or splint on.
And you know, depending on the extent of the injury.
If we're if we're talking about a fracture, for example,
you know, you may see an obvious deformity to the
leg or arm. You know, sometimes there may be a
bone sticking out of the skin if it's a really
(30:15):
bad injury. But most of the time you may just see,
you know, deformity that you wouldn't normally otherwise.
Speaker 2 (30:21):
See, this is technically the winter here in California. Obviously
in the mountains it does get colder. They do see snow,
and while the trails like Devil's Backbone may not be
so challenging in the warmer months, it's it's quite different
during the winter. Do you see more problems this time
(30:42):
of year than say, in the summer.
Speaker 9 (30:46):
Absolutely, Yeah, you know, Devil's Backbone in particular, that's that's
an area that's a very narrow trail and it's very
very steep, and you know, that's an unfortunate area where
where a lot of these fatalities have occurred, and partly
because it's it's such a steep area and you know,
people can fall from you know, very very far distance.
(31:06):
So yeah, you know, unfortunately, it's you know, it is
common more so this time of year.
Speaker 2 (31:12):
Let me ask you, doctor Secrist.
Speaker 1 (31:13):
Have you hiked up there?
Speaker 9 (31:17):
You know, I have not. I do live fairly close
to it. But I think with you know a lot
of the reports I come from up there, I think
I'm I think I'm better you know, down here high
hiking some of the more local trails.
Speaker 1 (31:30):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
That's why I wanted to ask, because when you see
the extent of the injuries that you have, I was curious,
uh oh, whether that got to you and whether you
had any interest in being up there.
Speaker 9 (31:42):
Yeah, you know, I think there there's definitely you know,
an interest or curiosity. I think that's the same for
a lot of people because you want, you know, it's
it's a very beautiful area up there, as as I've
been told, and it's uh. I think a lot of
people want to go up there and just and see
for themselves what it's like. And I think there's a
lot of you know, interest in it for that reason.
But uh, I think people have to know going into
(32:02):
it that it is a very dangerous, uh you know
place Dike, especially this time of year when you know,
we haven't had a lot of you know, snow or
rain recently, but those trails can still be very icy
and uh you know with the with the warmer weather
and at night when it cools down that you know
that they can get even more icy and even more dangerous,
and conditions up there can change quickly. And I think
(32:24):
that's where you know, people end up getting into trouble
is not being prepared in advance for for you know,
changes in condition.
Speaker 2 (32:32):
We're talking with doctor Eric Secrest. He's an emergency medicine
physician at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he often
sees people injured while hiking around Mount Baldy. We have
had some tragedies here at that site in recent weeks.
What should folks know before they go up there about
their own safety?
Speaker 9 (32:52):
Yeah, so I think the biggest thing is, you know,
preparation is key, and that's you know, knowing knowing what
the weather conditions might be ahead of time, whether that's
you know, looking on the local weather apps and checking
the forecast and also check local hiking conditions before you go,
and then you know plan accordingly. So you want to
you know, dress in layers, dress, you know, dress warm,
(33:13):
but also you know be able to you know, scale
up for for colder weather as needed. You know, be
plenty prepared with you know, adequate food and water and
electrolyte replacement as well. That's that's important. And uh, not
relying just on a cell phone, but having some sort
of way to communicate, whether that be some sort of
(33:34):
GPS guided device and letting family or friends know, you know,
what what trail you're hiking, what time you're going, and
what time you're expected back. And uh, you know, I
would also recommend not hiking alone.
Speaker 2 (33:48):
We talked about some of the common injuries that folks
suffer while hiking, and that you unfortunately or maybe fortunately
considering your skills and get to see what miss stakes
tend to lead to those.
Speaker 9 (34:02):
The most Yeah, I think, you know, underestimating the conditions
and not planning enough in advance, that the conditions can
change so quickly up there, that the trails can be
very icy, and I think for a lot of people
they might consider themselves an experienced hiker, but you know,
this is a this is a very you know, sort
(34:24):
of expert train up there that really the most experienced
people should should be hiking. And you know, not having
the appropriate gear as well, you know, just wearing like
regular tennis shoes when you might need to wear something
with you know, spikes or crampons and you know, utilizing
hiking poles and stuff like that.
Speaker 2 (34:44):
I appreciate the time that you gave us to help
folks understand how how dangerous that can be and how
to be prepared before I let you run. You mentioned
you don't recommend people going by themselves. That that seems
to be a good recommendation just in case something does happen.
But are there some supplies people should have in case
of disaster, just to be prepared up there.
Speaker 9 (35:04):
Yeah, I think even just having a you know, basic
first aid kit and there are you know, temporary splints
that you can that you can buy and people can
apply themselves on the off chance that you know, you
do something, you know, an injury up there that can
be applied until at least first responders can get to them.
Speaker 2 (35:22):
Doctor Eric Seacrest is an emergency medicine physician at Pomona
Valley Hospital Medical Center. Doctor Secrest, thank you so much
for sharing these tips with us, and we hope that
people take it seriously so that we have fewer injuries.
Speaker 9 (35:35):
Up there, happy to help and be safe out there, everybody.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
And that's it for this week's Michael Monks Reports. We'll
be back next week with another look at the news
right here on KFI AM sixty
Speaker 1 (35:45):
Kf I AM six forty on demand
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