Free Republic

Julian Sands, a British actor who has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows since the 1980s, is one of two missing hikers currently being searched for in Southern California's mountains, authorities confirmed Wednesday. Sands has been missing since last week in the Mt. Baldy area. Family reported him missing on Friday evening. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, severe weather on the mountain has been difficult and air resources have been limited. "His wife did report him missing," said Gloria Huerta with SBCSD. "From what I understand, he left sometime that day for a hike and...

The third hiker in a month has died after hiking Mt. Baldy trails Saturday, the coroner's office confirmed. A 45-year-old San Diego man was killed after slipping while on the Devil's Backbone trail. He fell 1,000 feet down the mountainside, the San Bernardino County Coroner's office said. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said a 911 call came in from a fellow hiker who saw the fall. The sheriff's department launched a helicopter to search for the man, and transported him to Arrowhead Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. The coroner's office would release his name once his...

MICHIGAN CITY | Officials at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore announced Thursday that scientists still do not know what caused holes to appear in Mount Baldy last summer, and the popular attraction will remain closed for further study. Nathan Woessner, 6, of Sterling, Ill., was swallowed by a hole July 12 and rescued by firefighters. Two additional holes have appeared since July, park officials said Thursday.