Prayers For California Mudslide Victims; Death Toll Hits 20

By MICHAEL BALSAMO, Associated Press MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — Parishioners prayed Sunday for those killed and for families still searching for missing relatives in a Southern California community ravaged by mudslides, and authorities announced another body had been found, increasing the death toll to 20. The body of 30-year-old Pinit Sutthithepa was discovered Saturday afternoon. His…

Crews Slowly Making Progress Removing Debris After Mudslides

By MICHAEL BALSAMO, Associated Press MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — Recovery crews are slowly making progress digging away masses of mud, boulders and toppled trees in a California community that was ravaged by deadly mudslides, but officials said they’ve removed enough debris from creek canals to prevent another potential disaster when the next rainstorm hits. Workers were…

Search Continues For Victims Of California Mudslide

By MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ and ROBERT JABLON, Associated Press MONTECITO, Calif. (AP) — Hundreds of searchers continued the grueling work Thursday of hunting for survivors and digging up bodies in the sea of mud and wreckage left by flash flooding in this wealthy coastal enclave. Muck-spattered searchers from around the state slogged through knee-deep ooze, poking…