BRIEFLY SHOOTING VICTIM HEALING IN HOSPITAL.

LANCASTER - A Compton man found bleeding from a shotgun wound outside a Beech Avenue apartment was reported recovering in a hospital, officials said.

Joe Deal, 28, who was hit in the chest, nose and left hand by shotgun pellets, was reported Monday in stable condition at Antelope Valley Hospital.

Deputies said they got a call about 12:15 a.m. Sunday from a resident who said she was watching TV when she heard someone call for help. She opened her front door to find a man lying face down on the ground, deputies said.

The man told deputies he had been shot by someone he didn't know for an unknown reason, officials said. Deputies canvassed the area but nobody admitted to seeing or hearing anything, deputies said.

- Daily News

Restaurant plans free holiday meals

PALMDALE - Steer 'n' Stein Restaurant and Catering will prepare 300 meals for the needy and homeless from noon to 2 p.m. Christmas Day.

Steer `n' Stein employees, along with friends and family, volunteer to serve the meal of traditional holiday fare - including roasted turkey, wheatberry stuffing, garlic whipped potatoes with sage gravy, cranberry sauce, and hot vegetable with rolls and butter.

Tickets are required for the event because the restaurant will be closed to the general public.

Tickets are available at no charge from SAVES, Aces, Grace Resource Center, St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and the Lancaster Homeless Shelter. Tickets have also been given to the Antelope Valley Domestic Violence Council.

For more information, call one of the agencies listed above or Jennifer at Steer 'n' Stein at [phone]. Steer 'n' Stein is located at 2162 E. Palmdale Blvd.

- Daily News