Extra, Extra

Catalina as seen from Manhattan Beach yesterday at Sunday | Photo by jakerome via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr

• As fires burned across the region today, a mentally ill homeless man was in court for two wildfires he started in 2002 and 2006 that burned 70 acres and 162,000 acres, respectively. He was sentenced to 45 months in federal prison and ordered to pay more than $100 million in restitution.
• LAX is getting a new look, here the conceptual drawings.
• Eight people went to the hospital with minor injuries after an escalator suddenly stopped at Universal Studios. There were reports that it then went in reverse.
• The fictional cast of Entourage's favorite trendy Melrose coffee shop, Urth Caffe, opened a new storefront in downtown's Barker Block a couple weeks ago, but had their official open house this weekend.
• President-Elect Barack Obama and Mayor Villaraigosa spoke last night about the wildfires followed up with a call today from an Obama senior adviser. Obama can't officially declare a federal disaster area until he takes office, but Obama's campaign page urges people to help out.
• EastsiderLA Asks: What's more scary for Eastside homeowners? Gangs or recession?
• Actor Heather Locklear was charged today for driving under the influence of drugs in Santa Barbara last September. She faces penalties ranging from a fine to up to six months in county jail--her arraignment is in January.
• An early morning 4.1 earthquake in the Cleaveland National Forest in San Diego County woke up some residents this morning, but caused no reported damage. Get prepared and watch this video on why you should.