Extra, Extra

Photo by sfxeric via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

• Transporters of UCLA employees have been put on alert to possible firebombs put in place by animal rights extremists. In August, the home of a UC Santa Cruz researcher was firebombed with two adults and two small children inside. Although they were able to escape, researchers who use animals have been put on alert.
  
• A step in the right direction or a step towards more "Big Brother"? Officials in Lynwood are crediting police monitored cameras for a 14% drop in crime. There are four cameras up with plans for nine more by December.
  
• A change in owners at a Tarzana medical center has caused a major policy change. Doctors will no longer be able to perform elective procedures that prevent future pregnancies because the owner is now a Catholic.
  
• In a celebration of sorts, Mayor Tony V will be filling in the 1 millionth pothole in the history of "Operation Pothole", the nation's largest pothole repair project. Ummm congrats? Here's to another million...
  
• The Orange County Transportation Authority is thinking about increasing fares for the first time in four years. OCTA officials say the hike is necessary to cover increased healthcare and pension costs, high fuel expenses and reduced state funds for transportation. The fares would increase from $1.25 to $1.50 and a day pass from $3 to $4; monthly passes would go up from $45 to $55. Other fares, such as those for seniors and people with disabilities, would also rise.
  
• More sobering news of the times, former middle-class professionals are ending up homeless. In LA County, the nation's homeless capital, more and more people who never thought they would end up homeless have found refuge at the Union Rescue Mission.
  
• It has been 25 years since the artist formerly known as Micheal Jackson released "Thriller". To commemorate, Thrill the World performers recreated the now famous zombie dance scene. The Daily News had some pics of the dancin dead in Hollywood. Ah yes... but they have a ways to top the equally famous (infamous?) Filipino Prison Thriller (YouTube). C'mon you love it... YOU LOVE IT!!!
  
• Finally, in the "Think Twice Before Acting No Matter How Damn Annoying It Is" Department, a woman was arrested for kidnapping her neighbor's yip yippin' Maltese Spike. (Spike? Really? Not Killer or Cerberus?) She was caught on videotape abandoning the dog at a city building and then returning because she forgot to take the collar. Don't let those extremists get wind of this...