INSANE: Watts loc | Rare Historical Photos

In 1921, Simon Rodia, an Italian immigrant began building towers in his Los Angeles yard; 33 years later, his handmade creation included a tower more than 99 feet high

In 1921, Italian immigrant Sabato “Simon” Rodia began an ambitious project on his small property in Los Angeles. Working alone during nights and weekends, the railroad laborer and self-taught tile setter spent more than 33 years constructing what became Watts Towers. Rodia used steel, wire mesh, mortar and decorative materials…

The Economic Times · Sep 15

In 1921, Italian immigrant Simon Rodia began hand-building Los Angeles’s Watts Towers from steel, mortar and broken tile; 33 years later the construction had ended

Simon Rodia built the Watts Towers in Los Angeles over 33 years. He used steel, wire mesh, and mortar, embedding glass and shells. Rodia constructed the tallest tower to 99½ feet without welding or scaffolding. He left the property in 1954, and it later faced demolition threats. The Watts Towers…

The Times of India · Sep 1

Los Angeles City Council Votes 10-0 to Demand Emergency Investigation After Lead Found in Watts Drinking Water

The LA City Council voted 10-0 demanding emergency investigation after elevated lead was found in Watts drinking water. Five samples exceeded 15 ppb. DWP and HACLA under scrutiny.

Medical Daily · Jun 22

Lead found in tap water of Los Angeles community after residents raised alarm for years

Exclusive: researchers tested water across Watts and found lead, after people struggled to draw attention to ‘overarching neglect’

The Guardian - US · Aug 21, 2024

Gun violence is traumatizing LA’s youngest residents. Can a partnership between the police and community help?

South LA has the highest levels of gun violence in the county – local organizations want to address how that affects kids

The Guardian - US · Jul 18, 2024

Once a junkyard, this LA garden is a healing 'altar' for survivors of violent crime

LOS ANGELES -- Walking into the Survivors Healing Garden on 108th Street, just blocks from Watts Towers, Oya Sherrills radiates calm as she stops to pick up trash that has blown in from the Union Pacific railroad tracks nearby.

Los Angeles Times · Jun 28, 2023

Metal recycling plant owners charged for contaminating LA school grounds

After decades of complaints from staff and students at Jordan high school, Atlas Metals was hit with 22 felony counts

The Guardian - US · Jun 22, 2023

‘It was an out of body experience’: looking back at the Wattstax music festival

In 1972, the largely Black community of Watts came together for a giant music event from Stax Records, captured in a thrilling, re-released documentary

The Guardian - US · Feb 23, 2023

Medi-Cal leaves most patients behind

The Medi-Cal program aims to address health disparities in California, but it is riddled with issues

Salon · Nov 9, 2022

‘Separate and unequal’: Critics say Newsom’s pricey Medicaid reforms leave most patients behind

LOS ANGELES — It wasn’t exactly an emergency, but Michael Reed, a security guard who lives in Watts, had back pain and ran out of his blood pressure medication. Unsure where else to turn, he went to his local emergency room for a refill.

Tribune News Service · Oct 16, 2022