• Officer, police thyself: Sherrifs are looking among their own ranks for DUI-free behavior this NYE. And they're looking at you, too, pal. Drive safe, designate a driver, take the Metro, or call for a Tipsy Tow.
  
• The darkest hour is just before dawn--but not on our freeways. 4.2 million Commuters in the Southland get a start on their daily drives before 6 o'clock each morning, proving there are increasingly fewer "good times" to get on the freeway. Ugh.
  
• Two men from Glendale have been taken into police custody for their involvement in a fatal beating that claimed the life of 18-year-old Reseda club owner Marco Antonio Herrera. The two suspects, both aged 18, were arrested Saturday; Herrera died November 24th.
  
• An apartment fire may have claimed the life of a man in Palms. The fire was small and well contained, and investigators are looking into both the cause of the fire as well as the cause of death of the victim they discovered inside.
  
• Down in the OC, a fire tore through and destryoyed a landmark restaurant. Proud Mary's, located on the waterfront in Dana Point Harbor, is a thirty-year old eatery named for its original owner, Mary Merrill, who sold the restaurant just a couple of years ago.
  
• Are you ready for some football? And marching bands? And flowers galore? Tomorrow morning is the 119th annual Tournament of Roses parade and 94th Rose Bowl game. Final preparations are underway to get the floats ready to roll, and Trojan fans are preparing to root for their beloved red and gold as they take on the University of Illinois Fighting Illini. The Pasadena Star-News has the full parade lineup.
  
• One person is reported dead in a shooting that involved a police officer in La Habra this afternoon. The incident took place around 3:00 at Walnut Street and Whittier Boulevard.
  
• UHHH, HELLO, IT'S NEW YEAR'S EVE, PEOPLE!!! While many of us will be partying like it's 1999--no, wait, make that 2008, don't forget to be safe and smart. See you next year!!! Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008!
  

Photo by feintnate via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr