Rafu Shimpo

The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) will host its 117th Anniversary Dinner & Gala on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the historic Biltmore Hotel, 506 S. Grand Ave. in Downtown Los Angeles. With “Voices of Courage, Legacies of Hope” as the theme, the evening will celebrate the enduring friendship between Japan and the U.S. Yoshiki will honored with the Kokusai Shimin Sho (International Citizens Award) and Rintaro Sasaki with the Next Generation Rising Star Award.

Pictured from left are Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D-Elk Grove), State Sen. Chris Cabaldon (D-West Sacramento), Assemblymember Darshana Patel (D-San Diego), Muratsuchi, Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Monterey Park), Bains, and Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-Fremont). The Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus held a luncheon at the State Capitol on Aug. 11 to recognize two outgoing members, Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and Jasmeet Bains (D-Bakersfield).

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced that David Hoetzlein, 29, of Camarillo admitted in court Aug. 13 that he strangled and killed his mother, Tomoko Hoetzlein, 62, in their Camarillo home in 2022. However, because of a severe mental disorder that prevented him from having the mental capacity required to be held criminally responsible at the time of the killing, Hoetzlein was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Hoetzlein admitted to second-degree murder of his mother.