Extra, Extra

Photo by Gary Winterboer via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

• Welcome to the club Houston! The EPA has joined LA to become the second city in the nation to be classified as having a severe smog problem. HIP HIP HOORAY! *hack*.
• Former employees of assisted living center have been arrested for suspected elderly abuse. An 11 month investigation of the facility which specialized in caring for Alzheimer patients was started by mysterious death of an 80 year old resident.
• More bad news for Californians... Researchers have found that residents have more PBDEs in their blood than people from other states. The chemical PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers... cmon you knew that) used as a flame retardant, has been shown to cause thryroid hormone disruption and interferes with developing reproductive systems. So if the smog don't get ya...
• A nanny in Hancock Park has been accused of leaving children in a Hollywood apartment with someone else while she worked a second job. She was charged with seven misdemeanors including grand theft, intimidating a witness and making annoying phone calls in trying to prevent an investigation.
• A suspect who holed himself his house after shooting a woman was found dead. Apparently, he shot himself when SWAT teams were closing in.
• Really, who didn't see THIS coming? Former Baldwin Park High School and University of Nebraska star Lawrence Phillips has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for aiming his car at a group of youngsters back in 2005.
• Curbed LA found a billboard where vandals illustrated their sick sense of humor... ick.
• LA Shutterbugs take heart. BlogDowntown's ShootDowntown Meetup will be going forward tomorrow rain or shine (hopefully shine). Kickoff is at 9am at Arda's Cafe then on to the streets for great pics.