Bear boom hits Sierra Madre, not all locals are warm and fuzzy about it

In sleepy Sierra Madre, an uptick in bears has spurred the city to declare the animal a “public safety threat.” But locals and officials aren’t sure how to handle the ursine explosion. Henry Hoke’s latest novel, “ Open Throat, ” was inspired by LA’s own big cat P-22 and Nick Cave’s song “ Hollywood .” It’s told from the perspective of a mountain lion. Sick sea lions have washed up on beaches due to a toxic algae bloom. San Pedro’s Marine Mammal Care Center is keeping visitors out to make space to nurse these animals back to health.