News

A fire that broke out near Vandenburg Air Force Base has burned through some 300 acres and was 50 percent contained this evening, according to the Associated Press. The Lompoc-area base, about 60 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, employs up to 10,000 people on any given day. 25 buildings with non-essential personnel were sent home early. more ›

It took firefighters 59 minutes to knock down a small 5-acre fire in Griffith Park this afternoon. First reported near the golf course at 3:24 p.m. by park rangers, the blaze hardly had a chance to consume dry fuels. "There was not wind, so it really didn't do much," said Greg Acevedo, LAFD spokesman. No injuries or damage to structures were reported and a cause is still pending an investigation. more ›

A brush fire has broken out in Griffith Park. The blaze is about 5 acres in size, but no structures are currently threatened, notes a Los Angeles Fire Department alert. The fire is "burning between LA Zoo & Los Feliz," and a "Plume of white smoke [is] visible from I-5," while "multiple helicopters," are on scene, according to abc7's Twitter feed. [Update: The fire was knocked down in 59 minutes, more info here] more ›

With a big smile on her face, North Hollywood resident Marta Duron has spent the last two evenings at North Hollywood Park. It's a first for her to be there after dark, but with newly installed solar lighting poles along the jogging path, she plans on taking advantage more often. "It makes it safer and more people are out at nighttime, even late at night" she said. "It's a major difference." more ›

Yesterday, the City Council voted unanimously in favor of a proposed ordinance that would mandate all new buildings (residential and business) have a graffiti-resistant coating applied to the exterior, reports the Daily News. more ›

Last week the California High-Speed Rail Authority voted to submit a grant application to the federal government, asking for $4.8 billion in stimulus money for a high speed rail line that would connect Los Angeles and San Francisco with a few hours trip. On Friday, that application will be submitted after few rallies across the state, including one in Los Angeles. more ›

One day after submitting paperwork to explore a run for Governor, Attorney General Jerry Brown has been challenged by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom to debate in all 11 media markets in California. “Our state is in need of real reform—we have a broken system that must be fixed,” said Newsom in a statement. “And now that there are two candidates for governor, we owe the Democratic voters of California an opportunity to compare our visions and platforms side-by-side.” more ›

A long summer of hot-hot-hot heat means lots of beach days for Southern Californians. Now that the season is wrapped up, Heal the Bay has released their annual Summer Beach Report Card [PDF]. The non-profit group graded nearly 500 beaches statewide based on bacterial pollution levels monitored from Memorial Day to Labor Day this year, according to their release, and the news is generally pretty good. more ›

Yesterday's earthquake that sent a tsunami into American Samoa (and some slightly higher waves to Los Angeles) reminded us of this year's anticipated earthquake... drill. Just like last year, millions are expected to pretend a huge earthquake has struck and participate in statewide drill. This is the second year for the Great California ShakeOut, a major emergency preparedness public education tool. It doesn't take too much time, but the lesson of knowing the mantra, "drop, cover and hold on," can make a difference. more ›

Independent business research and analysis organization The Conference Board has released their data for the ratio of job seekers to jobs posted online for the month of September. They found that there "were 5.66 people in the Los Angeles-Orange County metro area looking for jobs in September for every online help-wanted ad," explains the OC Register. more ›

“It’s nearly impossible to stay anonymous in this age of cell phones, video, and social websites; and that’s a good thing, if it holds people more accountable for their behavior,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, head of LAPD detectives downtown, today about the 20th arrest related to the Lakers Championship melee on June 14th (a list of all arrests are embedded below). Detectives have been using security footage from around downtown, complementing it with videos and images posted on websites like YouTube and Flickr. more ›

Yesterday it was a fire weather watch, but today the National Weather Service upgraded those warnings into Red Flags. Temperatures will not be as warm as last week, but high winds and low humidity are concerning officials over potential for wildfires. more ›

A poll released the day before Attorney General Jerry Brown announced possible gubernatorial aspirations said he would likely win if pitted against the three current Republican candidates. more ›

But don't get too excited as it's just one step in a long process that's almost completed. Although the timetable (.pdf) for the Gold Line now include eastside extension stations, they've been left blank. What a tease! more ›

Local beaches have been cleared of the tsunami advisory issued yesterday in response to the massive earthquake in the South Pacific, reports KTLA. This morning Los Angeles County lifeguards announced they'd conducted patrols of the beach overnight and "found no dangerous currents or other hazards." more ›

In Los Angeles, new taxes, assessments and fee increases tend to fund a basic municipal services, such as growing a police force or renewing an aging power infrastructure. In smaller and younger cities, however, voters sometimes allow such monies to be directed elsewhere. more ›

After an attempted sexual assault on a young women this week, detectives quickly arrested a suspect and released his photo to the public, believing more teenaged women were victimized by the same man. It was just past 1 a.m. on Monday when a female, possibly a minor, was walking on Melrose Avenue near Alta Vista Boulevard. Police say Christopher Webb, 22, walked up, engaging her in conversation. He then allegedly pulled her into an alley where he attempted to rape her, but numerous calls to police prompted a swift response by police, whose lights and sirens spooked Webb. more ›

The opening day for the Oak Tree meet at Santa Anita kicks off Wednesday leading up to the second consecutive Breeders' Cup on November 6 and 7. The park opens at 5 am giving a glimpse to everyone what goes on behind the scenes to get the horses ready for racing. At 10 am a breakfast draw for Saturday's California Cup XX. The first live racing post is at 1 pm and will include the Grade III $100,000 Morvich Handicap. The race is 6 1/2 furlongs and raced on the hillside turf course. more ›

>It has been all but official until now. Attorney General and former Governor Jerry Brown filed papers for the "Brown for Governor 2010 Exploratory Committee." The move allows him fundraise more aggressively as he decides whether or not to run for the state's top position. The 71-year-old Brown, who already has raised more campaign money than Democratic opponent, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, may not decide to run until next year. more ›

• With all the tsunami talk, what's the difference between an advisory, currently in effect for Los Angeles County beaches, and watches/warnings?
• Some valets are still illegally marking spaces as valet only.
• Out with one movie theatre in downtown, in with another.

In light of today's tsunami advisory, L.A. County lifeguards will close beaches at 8 p.m., one hour before waves are expected to gain in height. City officials with Parks and Recreation were unsure if the Venice Boardwalk would close, but facilities close at 7 p.m. with most businesses shutting doors around that time. A spokesperson at Councilmember Bill Rosendahl's office said he hoped the new skatepark, scheduled to open this weekend, won't be damaged. more ›

If you see the Gold Line running through the Eastside and East L.A. on a regular basis next week, don't think you can hop on board at the nearest station. Metro officials announced today that pre-revenue light rail train testing will begin Sunday, lasting at least a month before opening to the public. more ›

An 8.0 earthquake in American Samoa this morning prompted a tsunami watch in Hawaii and a tsunami advisory for coastal areas of Southern California, including Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. [Update: Beaches in LA County will close at 8 p.m., more info here] more ›

The temperatures have been great so far this week, but they might be slightly spoiled as Santa Ana winds pick up beginning Wednesday night and last through Friday. "Humidities will be dropping through the day Wednesday and by Wednesday night into Thursday many areas of Southwest California will be experiencing a combination of gusty Santa Ana winds and humidities at or below 15 percent," the National Weather Service warned. more ›

State Parks are not closing after all, but at least six domestic violence shelters around the state have closed due to a small, but devastating budget cut by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger over the summer. That's according to the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley, which came close to being the seventh such closure. more ›

October is going to be a busy month for public meetings about transportation. The city of Los Angeles is hosting a set of them on the draft master bicycle plan while Metro will gather input at a series of meetings about the Wilshire bus lanes. more ›

Fully contained yesterday, the Guiberson Fire burned through some 17,500 acres, injuring 10, destroying one outbuilding and costing nearly $10 million. On Sunday, the Advanced Land Imager on NASA’s Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite caught this false-color image of the fire area by using "shortwave infrared light to increase the contrast between burned and unburned land." more ›

As Metro works on a subway to the Westside, they are also working on peak hour bus lanes down Wilshire Boulevard to the Santa Monica city line and excluding Beverly Hills. The project aims to improve traffic flow along Wilshire Boulevard, encourage the shift from car to public transit, improve bus travel times and reliability on bus service. more ›

Actor and environmentalist Ed Begley, Jr. will help unveil 28 new solar-powered light poles at North Hollywood Park tonight. It is being touted as a green energy and safety improvement for the park, which abuts the east side of the 170 Freeway. At night, portions of the park are extremely dark as very little light bleeds in from the surrounding neighborhood. more ›

Today the Los Angeles City Council will consider a new city ordinance that would require all buildings--yes, residential homes, too--to be anti-graffiti coated from the ground to at least nine feet. However, owners may choose to skip the requirement as long as they sign an agreement that any graffiti on their building will be removed within seven days, according to the Daily News. That's a good exception because the coating can discolor a surface or are not always environmentally friendly. And not to mention the burden of time and money on families. more ›

A state report on restructure California's tax system is due today and the Associated Press, which obtained an early copy, has found that bold changes are recommended, prompting a large amount of skepticism. The AP explains some: more ›

Pittsburgh Pirates defeat LA Dodgers 11-1. On their second try to try and clinch the NL West, the Dodgers failed miserably. Only today they had no shot whatsoever. Three baserunning mistakes that led to three outs in the first two innings will not get it done. But then again having a spring training lineup won't help things either. Just to make sure the score was somewhat respectable, Chin-Lung Hu hit a sac fly in the ninth inning with one out to score Orlando Hudson. However a couple of positives come out of this: Vin Scully will now be calling the Dodgers clinch, and the Dodgers will do it in the visiting clubhouse at Petco Park. Sweet! more ›

• An OC judge has given a serial murder suspect the ok to serve as his own attorney.
• Well done water savers: Pasadena Water and Power reports usage was down 12 per cent in July and August from the same months last year.
• Burbank teens spent their Saturday night sleeping outside in cardboard boxes as part of a fundraiser to help local homeless people.

It was baby Andrew Garcia's baptismal celebration the morning he was shot in the head. Earlier and just a few blocks away, a large party was held for the 4-month-old child. At around 1 a.m. on Sunday on Kittridge Street in Van Nuys, Andrew, his mother and a friend, who is pregnant, were sitting in a parked car outside a friend's house. The friend, 28-year-old Anna Contreras, was feeding Andrew while the father and Eric Ramirez, 18, stood outside. Two young men walking by got into a verbal exchange with them, which escalated with several shot gun rounds fired at the family. more ›

More details about former President Clinton's visit to Los Angeles in support of San Francisco Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom. The pair will visit Los Angeles City College on Monday, October 5th before heading off to a fundraiser for Newsom's campaign. more ›

Nearly two months into a ban on new digital billboards and supergraphics, a judge sided with the city of Los Angeles after one advertising company challenged the law. Liberty Media said exceptions had been granted in the past and that City Council had violated state law dictating open meetings. U.S. District Judge Audrey B. Collins said "none of theese claims have merit" in her tentative decision. more ›

According to Shelley Smith of ESPN, Trojans senior running back and Dorsey High standout Stafon Johnson was rushed to the hospital after a weightlifting accident where the bar fell on his throat. Smith is reporting that Johnson was coughing blood and bleeding from the nose. Ben Malcolmson's USC Ripsit blog confirms that this accident occurred while he was bench pressing with a spotter when the bar slipped from his right hand. Johnson is undergoing throat surgery. Supposedly he was pressing 275 pounds when the accident occurred. more ›

A man who stood up and refused to return to his seat as an United Airlines plane was taxiing for departure prompted the jet to return to the gate this morning. The man, "who appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent," was acting suspiciously and ran into the bathroom, according to the LA Times. more ›

A mini-controversy is already surrounding Republican candidate for California Governor Meg Whitman. The former eBay CEO's first record of voter registration was found in 2002, when she was 46 years old. Whitman has admitted and apologized for the bad example that is her non-voting record, but says she had voted in some elections prior to 2002. However, a Sacramento Bee search of public records could not confirm that. more ›

The aftermath of the Station Fire means picking up the pieces for those who live in communities tucked into the foothills, like La Cañada-Flintridge and La Crescenta. What lies ahead, however, is the one-two punch of Mother Nature, as heavy rains will likely trigger mudslides and debris flow down the slopes of the recently-scorched hillsides. more ›

The fire-friendly Red Flag was lifted last night as Southern California expects a small break from the hot temperatures of last week. "Basically what we're expecting early this week is a trough of low pressure to move arcross the West Coast, and as a result what that will do for us is cool our temperatures and an increase in our onshore winds from the sea, bringing the marine layer.. and cooling our temperatures significantly," explained David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. more ›

An LA Times investigation this weekend revealed that the response to the Station Fire was scaled back when officials underestimated the power of the blaze. Such an error in judgement is expected to change policy when a fire is ablaze in the lower Angeles National Forest near residential neighborhoods. more ›

No definitive cause to the growing number of blowouts yet, but south of the Miracle Mile this morning was the next area added to a list that has topped 30 for this month alone. Around 6 a.m. a water main burst, flooding the streets and cutting off service to 40 to 50 LADWP customers. This comes after bursts in Encino and Hollywood Hills over the weekend. more ›

A shooting early yesterday morning in Van Nuys was "prompted by an argument between rival gang members," says the Los Angeles Police Department, and now they are hoping someone will come forward with information regarding the perpetrators who gunned down a four-month-old baby boy, according to the LA Times. more ›

Director Roman Polanski remains confined in a Swiss prison following his arrest this weekend while traveling to Zurich to receive a prestigious award for his film career. The 76-year-old Polish-born French citizen has been in exile in Europe since fleeing Los Angeles following his conviction in the rape case that found him guilty of engaging in sex with a 13-year-old girl. more ›

The Guiberson Fire, which began on the morning of September 22 and burned primarily in Moorpark and Fillmore, reached 100% containment yesterday, as the last of the assigned fire crews worked to completely surround and put out the flames, reports abc7.com. more ›

E! Online is reporting that it's official: KhLO-midia are hitched. The lovebirds got married at a private estate in Beverly Hills where the bride wore a Vera Wang gown and was given away by step-father Bruce Jenner. Lamar's business partner Jamie Sangouthai was his best man. In attendance were Lakers head coach Phil Jackson, general manager Mitch Kupchak, Luke Walton and Sasha Vujacic. This whirlwind courtship lasted two minutes when they met at a party of some sorts. more ›

• The Huntington Park hit-and-run suspect has turned herself in to police. Friday she fled the scene after hitting pedestrians that left one dead and two others injured.
• An innocent victim was shot and killed at a party in Van Nuys when a yelling match turned to gunfire.
• A woman was placed under arrest after fatally beating her 96-year-old mother.

The Galaxy offense was unable to generate anything against Columbus last night and went on to lose 2 - 0. Meanwhile, Chivas USA dominated their match, but in the end, gave up two points after conceding a late second half goal to New York at the Home Depot Center. more ›

• Still hot and dangerous: A National Weather Service alert indicates that a red flag warning will remain in effect until 9 tomorrow night for the mountains and adjacent foothills of LA and Ventura Counties thanks to low relative humidity and hot temps.
• Speaking of hot and dangerous, the LA County District Attorney's office would like to remind you not to leave pets in hot cars.
• Two (unrelated) shootings in the Valley overnight: 2 men were shot on a street in Canoga Park while a another man was shot while getting gas in Panorama City.

Whether purposely or by accident, the late great Chilean folk singer Violeta Parra seems to have been reincarnated through fellow South American singer Marta Gomez. more ›

Full containment of the month-long Station Fire remains just out of grasp, according to an update issued this morning. The massive wildfire continues to hover at 98% containment, however officials are not currently able to provide a specific date for 100%. This is because "a small portion of the containment line is completely inaccessible and cannot be reached by crews in a safe manner. This area of open line is located in the San Gabriel Wilderness near Twin Peaks and will be continuously monitored." Although the skies do not indicate that the area continues to burn, potential visitors to the Angeles National Forest are reminded that "travel and recreation within the fire perimeter is still extremely dangerous and not allowed," and multiple road closures remain in effect. more ›

It's a girl for Lori Quinones, the widow of Los Angeles County Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones, one of the two firefighters who died on August 30 while fighting the Station Fire. Sophia Grace Quinones was born at 11:21 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22, in the Women and Children’s Center at Antelope Valley Hospital (AVH). Sophia arrived at 8lbs 2oz, and according to Mrs. Quinones "has her mother’s eyes and her father’s hair, nose, lips and fingers." more ›

Another day, another "major blowout" of a water main line in Los Angeles' DWP system. This one took place at around 2:45 this morning in the 5600 block of Wish Avenue in Encino," reports LA Now. "The cause of the break was not immediately clear." About 70 customers are currently without water service in the break area. more ›

If you are an MLS fan, this is the type of weekend you live for. With only a month left in the season and all but two teams still in the running for a playoff spot, every game is becoming a do-or-die situation for the clubs around the league. Galaxy and Chivas USA are no exception. more ›

People have been asking me all week what I thought of Saturday’s game between USC and the Washington State Cougars. I guess they expected me to eviscerate the Trojans and expect them to lose two games in a row just because I accurately predicted they would lose to the Huskies. How silly. Of course the Trojans are going to cream the Cougars. more ›

About 30 people gathered yesterday to assist the National Park Service and other regional parks agencies in developing a new interagency headquarters, centrally located in the Santa Monica Mountains at King Gillette Ranch, just outside of Calabasas. more ›

A surprise announcement from state officials came this afternoon in the form of no state park closures. Wow. A big improvement from the original proposal to close 80 percent of parks last Spring, which eventually was weeded down to 100 park closures in the summer. As state park officials worked on a closure list, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped in with renewed interest this week, offering assistance in the form of experts from the Department of Finance. more ›

Earlier this year, celebrity chef Gale Gand and Mimi's Cafe Executive Chef Adam Baird took up a months long task of sifting through nearly 1,600 competing entries for the title of 2009 Mimi's Meaningful Muffin. A little over a month ago, the task was completed and a winner was selected. Murrieta resident Linda Amendt took top honors for her Pineapple Coconut Crumb recipe that Gand felt "...had the perfect balance of flavors and textures..." and would have the largest appeal. more ›

The stripper poles, midgets and all around douche factor at Le Deux that "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis has planned to celebrate Lamar Odom's upcoming nuptials to Khloe Kardashian? Scrapped. Instead Odom's bachelor party was relocated to STK restaurant on La Cienega. According to US Magazine the night started at around 10:15 pm and relocated to the club Guys and Dolls. more ›

The Metro board yesterday directed staff to apply for federal grants in hopes of capturing start-up money for the a subway to UCLA and a the regional connector in downtown. more ›

Public health officials today extended the closure to a portion of Will Rogers State Beach after tests confirmed that sewage was being discharged from a storm drain into the ocean. How much sewage? Approximately 9.600 gallons, according to the L.A. County Department of Public Health. That's a big yuck. more ›

Of all that smoke that clouded the Los Angeles region during the Station Fire, some was of the whacky variety. Sheriff's deputies had identified three marijuana cultivation sites just before the fire began last month and they're sure more sites, unbeknownst to them, went aflame as well. more ›

Although the Station Fire is still not fully contained--it's currently at 98 percent with 100 expected Saturday after burning through some 250 square miles--the process of rehabilitation has begun in parts of the Angeles National Forest where fire and come and gone. more ›

The Guiberson Fire began Tuesday morning quickly moving from the Fillmore area in the Santa Clara River Valley over the Santa Susana Mountains towards Moorpark, prompting thousands of homes to be threatened and several evacuations. more ›

The National Weather Service last night extended the Red Flag warning, due to expire last night, to Saturday evening for mountain areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. However, fire-weather related warnings for Valleys in both counties did expire last night. "While the offshore winds have weakened, the triple digit heat and single digit humidities continues across the valleys and mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties," a National Weather Service advisory said. more ›

Susan Atkins, the longest incarcerated woman in California history, died last night of natural causes. The 61-year-old native from San Gabriel was diagnosed with brain cancer, which prompted her to and relatives to ask for a compassionate release. That, along with thirteen attempts to be paroled, was denied last summer. Her last parole hearing was just a few weeks ago on September 3rd (she's been trying to be paroled since 1976). more ›

LA Dodgers defeat Washington Nationals 7-6. What is it about the Washington Nationals that confound the Dodgers? The Dodgers pounced on rookie starter JD Martin with a four-spot in the first inning thanks to a Manny Ramirez RBI single and a Matt Kemp Earl Weaver. But they allowed the Nationals to come back and eventually tie the game up at six in the sixth inning. But Rafael Furcal led off the eighth inning with a solo shot to put the game out of the way. Furcal was a triple short of the cycle while Kemp was a double short of the cycle. Furcal now has two consecutive games of four-hit ball, and Kemp with his homer in the first inning collected his 100th RBI. Kemp and Andre Ethier become the first Dodgers duo to have 100 RBI since 2001 when Shawn Green and Gary Sheffield. With the Rockies loss to the Padres the Dodgers magic number for the NL West is four. more ›

• Eight hospitals have been fined by state inspectors for leaving items in patients after surgery and other "infractions". Infractions???
• An OC "mom" who worked as the financial secretary of a church has been accused of pilfering $200,000 in checks and cash.
• More church madness... A 75 year old Fullerton woman has been convicted of felony hit-and-run for hitting an 89 year-old lady in a church parking lot then lying about it to police.

The long-awaited final draft bicycle plan, all 212 pages, was released by the Department of Transportation today. This comes after last May when bikeway maps from the plan were released, causing an array of emotions from cyclists across the city. Now that the complete plan is available, we're sure that more criticisms and praises will be heard. more ›

William Bratton, the soon-to-be retired Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, was in Washington D.C. today, urging members of congress to make a wireless public safety broadband network a reality nationwide. In his testimony to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, he talks how such a network could help the development of predictive policing: more ›

In 2016, the National Park System will enter its second century. With that, come a new set of problems--population, development, global warming--that did not exist when the series of public lands were dedicated nearly 100 years ago. more ›

The Daily News reports that a local nonprofit is seeking help from Southern Californians who have a taste for adventure: "Iemanya Oceanica is organizing a shark-tagging research expedition to Baja California next month and is seeking up to 20 scuba divers/snorkelers from Southern California to help." If you go, you'll be looking for Whale Sharks, which are described as "the largest living fish species on the planet, which can "grow up to 40 feet long, weigh up to 15 tons and live up to 70 years." But, phew: "Although they have very large mouths, they are harmless, feeding solely on plankton, which are microscopic marine" more ›

The Press-Enterprise is reporting a new fire, which was first discovered at 12:05 p.m. It has burned at least 10 acres, with the potential of growing to 300, in the Bear Creek area near the Cleveland National Forest, between Murrieta and Wildomar, south of the 15 Freeway. more ›

Investigators have connected a series of arson fires to the teenager caught yesterday afternoon for allegedly starting the Crafton Fire, currently burning between Yucaipa and Mentone. The recent Pendleton and Oak Glen III fires are just two of the 14 he is suspected of starting. more ›

Just one hour and one half into the Guiberson Fire on Tuesday, NASA's Terra satellite captured smoke billowing over the Santa Susana Mountains and into the Oxnard Plain toward the Pacific Ocean. Further west is Santa Cruz Island, the biggest Channel Island at the size of 96 square miles. The smoke cloud appears to be the same size. more ›

Among the many bills approved by the legislature and sent to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk for approval are two state parks bills. They have nothing to do with the possible closures and in fact, they were introduced long before any one would have thought that hundreds would be threatened during the budget process. more ›

A lawsuit that was delaying the prospect of a National Football League stadium in the city of Industry--some 26 miles east of downtown Los Angeles--was dropped last night by the neighboring city of Walnut in exchange for a number of concessions. Last April, Industry and the city of Diamond Bar settled their lawsuit. more ›

The University of California system is facing a $535 million budget gap and is looking for solutions. That could mean higher tuition next year for students, but more immediately, officials are looking to require furlough days that would amount to a 4% to 10% pay cut for support staff and technical workers. If unions don't accept those, layoffs are the next option. more ›

Los Angeles City Councilman Greig smith has brought up some legitimate points in the recent drought-related debates, but his most recent announcement about his scofflaw watering may be pushing it. Yesterday at a committee meeting, the Northwest Valley representative said he was challenging the current water laws by watering his lawn three times a week for 8 minutes. "And my grass is greener than it's ever been, and I bet I'm using less water," he said. more ›

That fire that began yesterday afternoon in Yucaipa apparently was arson and the arsonist has already been caught. A group of witnesses told police they saw a teenager flee on a bicycle near the fire's origin. The teen was soon found by Sheriff's deputies. The blaze began yesterday afternoon at 4:39 p.m. in the Crafton Hills area of Yucaipa and burned towards Mentone. It's currently 475 acres in size and 60 percent contained. more ›

Although the Guiberson Fire's cause was preliminary announced as spontaneous combusting manure by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, fire officials kept mum about such talk until their investigation completed. more ›

Washington Nationals defeat LA Dodgers 5-4. Chad Billingsley made his first start in since September 13, and he didn’t look to shabby. In fact in five innings he had a no-hitter going. But in the sixth inning, his usual trouble inning, he walked two and then gave up his first hit to Ryan Zimmerman. Unfortunately that hit was a homer that screamed its way out into the Dodgers bullpen. After the Nationals took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the eighth, shortstop Christian Guzman committed two errors to allow the Dodgers to tie the game. With a runner on third in the bottom of the ninth, Pete Orr hit a sac fly to Andre Ethier in right field who muffed the ball which is inconsequential since the runner was going to score anyhow. Thanks to the Rockies losing, the Dodgers REAL magic number is reduced to six. more ›

• Applications to be the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department are due tonight. Hurry!
• Another loss of arts and culture in downtown? The Museum of Neon Art may move to Glendale.
• The skateboard park opening in Venice on October 3rd has people talking about how it "may create a skateboarding scene unrivaled since the ’70’s and 80’s where skateboarding was born and Dogtown skaters made international history," says Yo Venice.

With the feds yearning to give away $8 billion in Recovery Act money to states for high-speed train development, California officials today prepared to submit an application asking for more than half of that. more ›

A new brush fire has started in the Crafton Hills area of Yucaipa, says the San Bernardino Sun. No evacuations have been ordered or structures damaged due to the 5-acre blaze, which was first reported at 4:39 p.m. more ›

The Guiberson Fire, which broke out Tuesday morning in the Santa Clara River Valley, continues to grow amid red flag weather conditions with the eastern flank flaring up this afternoon near Moorpark College. It's burned through 16,100 acres--that's about 25 square miles--and is 40 percent contained. Full containment is expected by Saturday. more ›

Public Health officials are warning the public that a one-mile stretch of Will Rogers State Beach in the Pacific Palisades area might be tainted by sewage from a nearby storm drain. Late Tuesday night, a citizen alerted authorities of a "foul smell" emanating from the storm drain, prompting LA County Public Health officials to take samples of ocean water in order to determine if sewage has been discharged. The precautionary measure--swim at your own risk!--will remain in effect until noon, Friday, pending test results. The beach currently has an A+ on Heal the Bay's Beach Report Card. more ›

A 28-mile stretch of the 101 Freeway has been identified as one of the DUI-related high-collision areas in Los Angeles County. Between 2005 and 2007, 19 people died and 619 were injured in crashes involving a drunk driver along the corridor between North Hollywood and Westlake. more ›

When it comes to making a man's member larger, there are pharmaceuticals, herbal supplements, and pumps that have this very unique market cornered. But rather than employ one of these methods, an Orange County man decided to go with a more homespun do-it-yourself method, with near-disastrous results. more ›

Sometimes I wish I had a job at ESPN. This wish stems from the hope of saving something I love. I grew up with ESPN. I watched it evolve from amateur hour. Remember Charlie Steiner being a Sportscenter host long before calling games for the Yankees and Dodgers? Remember how he’d spontaneously burst into uncontrollable laughter sometimes like Adam Sandler did during SNL skits with Chris Farley? more ›

Good news comes today as Governor Arnold Schwarzegger's office announced that that plans to close state parks have changed. Fewer parks will close and plans to release a list of those parks has been dropped. Although the Governor's office is downplaying the shift in direction, the Mercury News juxtaposes it with this point: more ›

1,000 more acres have been burned since earlier reports this morning as the Guiberson Fire rages on in Ventura County. As the 600 firefighters on scene upped containment to 20 percent, a number of schools were closed as a precaution as the fire neared Moorpark. Moorpark College, Campus Canyon School and Walnut Canyon School are all closed today, according to the Ventura County Star. more ›

Sometimes it is hard to describe events from the soccer world to those that don't follow the sport. Tonight's ChivaClásico match between CD Guadalajara (Chivas de Guadalajara) and Chivas USA at the Rose Bowl happens to fit that category quite well. more ›

The Station Fire began four weeks ago today on August 26th. Back then, the already-burning Morris Fire was dominating concern from authorities, but then the Station Fire took a turn for the worst, eventually burning through 250 square miles of the Angeles National Forest and becoming the biggest fire in Los Angeles County history (and in the top ten for the state). more ›

With former Governor Pete Wilson as her campaign chairman, former eBay executive and Reublican Meg Whitman formally announced her run for Governor yesterday in Orange County, already gain criticism from an annoyed Governor Schwarzenegger. more ›

Thanks to a marine layer over the coastal areas, beach neighborhoods should experience lower to mid 70s today. However, other parts of the region will not be spared with downtown hitting an expected high of 90 and the valleys soaring into triple digits today, according to the National Weather Service. "The whole [San Fernando] Valley will be around 100 to 105," explained Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist, over the phone. more ›

Three fires continue to burn east of Los Angeles, most notably the so-called La Sierra Fire in Norco at the Riverside border. As of this morning, the fire was 90 percent contained while firefighters continued to douse hot spots throughout the 160 acre burn area. Two firefighters suffered injuries--one a burn to his face, another experienced heat exhaustion. more ›

Yesterday was election day for those in Los Angeles' second district, spanning a slice of the Valley from Sherman Oaks to the Northeast Valley. Ten candidates put in a bid, but only two came out strong enough to turn the race into a runoff, which will take place on December 8th. Assemblyman Paul Krekorian and Businesswoman and City Commissioner Chris Essel dominated the results, something that was not too surprising, one bit. Here are the full results: more ›

This morning the Guiberson Fire, which began late morning yesterday in Fillmore, north of Moorpark over the Santa Susana Mountains, has scorched 9,600 acres and is 10% contained, according to a live broadcast on KTLA. The fire is described as having two branches, the first of which is in the direction of Moorpark College, and the second burning in Happy Camp Canyon. more ›

LA Dodgers defeat Washington Nationals 14-2. The danger of this series against the Washington Nationals was demonstrated last season. The Dodgers were swept on the road by the Nats. I normally would have been worried about this, but having been in the Dodger clubhouse for a lot of the season I know these guys are focused. And boy did they show it when they batted around the fourth and seventh innings. Rafael Furcal went 4-for-5 driving in four runs and scoring twice, and the scoring parade allowed Jason Repko, Blake DeWitt, Chin-Lung Hu and Juan Castro to play some extended innings. more ›

• A memorial for fallen LAPD officers arrived at the new Police Administration Building today.
• What does it look like inside LAPD Chief William Bratton's house? Photos of his place, which is up for sale, have been leaked.
• Caltrans humor alert. Those signs that tell you how many minutes it takes to get to downtown was accurately like this today along the 10 freeway: "Minutes to Downtown.......???"

The Guiberson Fire began around 10:30 a.m. this morning in Fillmore, north of Moorpark over the Santa Susana Mountains. Fueled by red flag weather and Santa Ana winds, the blaze quickly consumed at least 6,000 acres, prompting a number of evacuations and around 400 firefighters to respond, two of which that have suffered injuries. So far, it is zero percent contained. more ›

A number of fires may be burning in Ventura County and in the Inland Empire, but the Station and Morris Fires are still causing concern for health officials. No, it's not the spread of fire or smoke this time; rather, it's ash blown by the arriving Santa Ana winds. more ›

Earlier today, Norco officials were optimistic that the La Sierra Fire would be out by now. However, the fire is currently 50 percent contained and has burned through some 175 acres, according to numerous media reports. It began in Norco near the city of Riverside. "What we didn't see before were the driving winds," explained Bill Peters of CalFire to ABC7. "The driving winds are really what create the catoshpric fires in Southern California." Three other smaller fires--located in Riverside, Redlands and Temecula--also broke out this afternoon. more ›

The investigation into the cause of the Guiberson Fire, now 6,000 acres in size, already has a preliminary suspect: spontaneously combusted manure. Ventura County Sheriff's Department authorities did not say if the manure was animal or plant based, but one Moorpark Councilman told Fox 11 News he was not surprised. "We have a large agricultural presence in Ventura County," he said. more ›

Fueled by winds, low humidity and high temperatures, the Guiberson Fire has quickly moved through 1,500 acres in and around the hills between Fillmore and Moorpark in eastern Ventura County. more ›

A fire burning in Redlands within San Bernardino County has scorched at least 5 acres, according to Carl Baker with Redlands Fire Department, who spoke to KNX1070. As of 2:45 p.m., no structures had burned, but some were threatened. Evacuations have been ordered along Sunset, west of Helen in addition to homes on Edgemont and Fairmont. More evacuations had been ordered, but Baker was unaware of specifics at the time of the interview. "If this grows and continues, certainly we'll be setting up an evacuation center," he said. The blaze began around 1:45 p.m. more ›

Speaking to KNX1070, Norco Fire Chief Jack Fry said that the blaze should be contained "within the hour." The fire began during the lunchtime hour and has burned an estimated 120 to 150 acres in Norco and at the edge of Riverside, he said. more ›

The Guiberson Fire is moving quickly towards more homes, prompting more evacuations and road closures in Ventura County. The newest evacuation is for the Meridian Hills area. "Affected dwellings include neighborhoods south of Broadway Road west from Walnut Canyon Road to Balcom Cyn Road," according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. "Residents in the affected areas can expect a Reverse 911 telephone call alerting them to the evacuation orders." more ›

Fire-friendly weather has pushed back containment of the nearly month-old Station Fire to Thursday, according to Forest Service authorities today. The blaze, which has burned through some 250 square miles, is still 94 percent contained. Aerial operations will continue in an effort to knockdown remaining interior hotspots and to reduce the risk of embers igniting additional fuels during today's hot, dry and windy weather. "These hotspots are located in steep and rugged terrain, which is inaccessible by ground crews," explained an Angeles National Forest fire operations summary. more ›

Evacuation enters have already been established as the fast-moving Guiberson Fire burns through brush in eastern Ventura County between Moorpark and Fillmore. "Affected person can go to the Goebal Senior Center at 1385 Janss Road in Thousand Oaks for shelter," according to a Ventura County Sheriff's Department advisory. more ›

As the Guiberson Fire burns, already some 300 acres, in Ventura County, another fire has prompted evacuations in the Riverside County city of Norco. Mandatory evacuations are underway in the area of Vandermolen Drive and Valley Drive, according to ABC7. The blaze, located at the border of the city of Riverside, where firefighters are trying to contain it on a hill near homes, is moving in a northward direction deeper into Norco and into Corona, according to a fire captain speaking to KNX1070. Temperatures are currently 102 degrees. more ›

As a quick-moving wildfire burns in the Santa Clara River Valley, no official evacuation order has been given to Moorpark residents as of 12:23 p.m. However, Fred Ponce of Ventura County Fire told KTLA newscasters that those living along the 118 freeway in Moorpark, they should be prepared for the possibility of leaving. "If you're in doubt, get out," he said. "Don't wait for an actual evacuation order." Ranches in the Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park are already under evacuation orders, according to news reports. more ›

A brush fire burning in eastern Ventura County is being blown by winds in a southwesterly direction from the Fillmore and Piru areas towards Moorpark. The blaze began south of the 126 Highway in the Santa Clara River Valley, burning an estimated 30 to 50 acres, according to KNX1070 [Update: The fire reportedly began near E. Guiberson Rd. and Calumet Canyon Road]. Nothing is immediately threatened, but a golf course has been evacuated. Sparks are reportedly being blown up to one-mile away from the fire, starting up new fires. Temperatures in Fillmore are currently 102 with 4% humidity and winds blowing 31 miles per hour (gusts are up to 54 mph). more ›

In light of the slaying of eight coyotes in Griffith Park by government officials, the public outcry is loud and Donna Barstow at the blog Griffith Park, Interrupted reveals some interesting facts about how many animals are killed by the government in California: more ›

Well, hello, Autumn! As of 9 a.m., it was already 72 in Van Nuys, 66 in downtown L.A. and 64 at LAX and in Long Beach. But temperatures are going to soar today, prompting a Red Flag for fire danger and officials to tell the public to take heed (drink that water, stay cool). At the height of the day, the National Weather Service predicts temperatures over 100 in the Valley (100 in Burbank, 101 in Van Nuys, 104 in Woodland Hills), 96 in downtown L.A. and Long Beach, 89 at LAX, 84 in Santa Monica and 101 in Pasadena. more ›

Los Angeles County Sheriff's patrol large swaths of land from up in the Antelope Valley to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Charged with all unincorporated areas such as parts of South LA and communities like Castaic and cities that contract their services like West Hollywood and Santa Clarita, yesterday the agency announced a major drop in crime despite the economic downturn. The news comes on the heels of four fatal deputy-involved-shootings that occurred within one week's time. more ›

A large 3 a.m. inter-agency operation descended upon a Northeast L.A. neighborhood this morning, picking up dozens of Avenues gang members for crimes from graffiti to murder. As of 5 a.m., about 43 of the 88 members sought had been arrested, mostly in Glassall Park, according to the LA Times. more ›

LA Angels defeat NY Yankees 5-2. While the Angels probably won't overtake the Yankees for the best record in the American League, they showed they can still dominate the bombers. Aside from solo home run shots from Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui, Angels starter Joe Saunders kept the Yankees quiet through 8 1/3 innings. In fact the Yankees were 0-for-11 with runners on base. The Angels got to Yankees starter Andy Pettitte in the first inning with back-to-back RBI doubles by Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter. At a 90-60 record, both the Angels and the Dodgers have identical records. If both teams make the playoffs it will mark just the third time both teams have played in October. They previously did this in 2004 and 2008. more ›

• A Los Angeles church opens up a farmers market so their attendees can have access to fresh produce
• Phil Spector is keeping busy behind bars writing some very interesting letters to friends on the outside.
• Sad news out of Pasadena: The 2010 President of the Tournament of Roses died this weekend after a battle with cancer.

There are indeed coyotes in Griffith Park, and lately they've been letting their presence be known. Last week a man who was sleeping near the Travel Town area of the park" reported being attacked by a coyote," according to the LA Times. The man said he woke up "to find a coyote biting his foot," however "he was not seriously injured." more ›

Attorney Jerry Brown tomorrow plans to announce a lawsuit filing against "a Los Angeles based investment adviser who directed hundreds of millions of dollars in clients' investments to Bernard Madoff, while actively concealing the link between the two," according to an advisory. "For decades, this investment adviser claimed to use a proprietary strategy to generate 20 to 25 percent returns. In reality, the high returns were a product of Madoff's massive Ponzi scheme. For his so-called investment expertise, the adviser pocketed over $270 million in fees, charging investors 25 percent fees on profits." more ›

Last week we showed you NASA's series of images from space of the Station Fire and its ugly spread across the Angeles National Forest. The fire remains less than fully contained, and last week another image was added to the series of shots, this one indicating the "burn scar" from the massive wildfire. Much like a scar on our bodies, this is a wound that is going to take quite some time to heal. more ›

Ever since last week's hyped announcement of federal funding for the MagLev train between Anaheim and Las Vegas, there's been a lot of talk and some updates. First, "the Federal Railroad Administration has made neither an award nor an announcement with regard to funding for maglev development in Nevada," said spokesman Mark Paustenbach on Thursday, the day after Governor Gibbons made the announceme more ›

The Mobility 21 transportation summit (.pdf) is wrapping up for the day, but earlier a list was released, featuring 21 "Critical Transportation Projects 'In My Backyard' to Improve Mobility throughout Southern California." The same-named six-county coalition included sexy public transit projects like subway to Westwood and high speed rail between San Diego and San Francisco, but also other important projects such as Positive Train Control for safety and added freeway lanes. more ›

There goes traffic. Wilshire Boulevard is closed in the Westwood area for a half-mile stretch between Comstock to the east and Warner to west because of two suspicious backpacks, according to reports. [Update, 3:35 p.m.: Traffic has opened back up on Wilshire, but the investigation is still ongoing. The bomb squad was called out earlier, but their status is unknown at this point.] more ›

But don't get too excited, the money from the feds going to the transit line is not for extending it northbound towards Burbank airport or anything close to that. Today's announcement from is about reducing energy consumption. The White Explains in a press release: more ›

Forest Service officials this morning upped containment of the Station Fire one point to 94 percent after a weekend of aggressive air attacks meant to pre-empt the coming Red Flag fire weather of hotter temperatures, lower humidity and increased winds. A Red Flag will go into effect at midnight through Wednesday evening. more ›

This weekend's fatal deputy involved shootings brings the total number of such incidents to 13 for 2009. There were five in 2008. Before this weekend, Sheriff Lee Baca called for expedited department investigations into deputy shootings of unarmed suspects after such an incident took place last week in Athens. However, at all three shootings this weekend, guns from the suspects were recovered, according to authorities. more ›

Tomorrow is the special election for Los Angeles City Council District 2 to fill the seat vacated by Wendy Greuel, who is now serving as the City Controller. There are ten candidates vying for the win, among them familiar names and faces from other public offices and elections: Tamar Galatzan (Criminal Prosecutor and current LAUSD Board Member); Jozef "Joe" Thomas Essavi (LA County Commissioner; Christine Essel (Businesswoman/Neighborhood Advocate); Michael McCue (Boardmember, Neighborhood Council); Pete Sanchez (Community Organizer); more ›

The school year is well underway now, and campuses in the vast LAUSD system are coping with the consequences of this year's massive budget cuts. But in the state as a whole, "the impact of California's budget cuts has varied from school to school. Because of the patchwork of federal and state funding for education, some campuses have felt the pinch far less than others," explains Mitchell Landsberg in yesterday's LA Times. more ›

Although tomorrow afternoon we officially usher in fall, we're about to be swept up in another heat wave, this time complete with hot, dry Santa Ana winds. Not only does that mean we will be uncomfortably hot for another stretch of time, but also the risk for wildfires is dramatically higher. "Fire crews across Southern California will be on alert as a red flag warning goes into effect at midnight," explains abc7.com. more ›

After a 21 month layoff from the sport, one of boxing's biggest names (and mouths) made a triumphant return to the ring Saturday night in Las Vegas as Floyd "Money" Mayweather easily defeated Juan Manuel Marquez in a one-sided welterweight bout by unanimous decision. more ›

The Dodgers surely have a luxury item in infielder Ronnie Belliard. When he was traded by the Washington Nati(o)nals on August 30, I immediately thought he was this year’s Julio Lugo: an average player with experience but not much else. At Washington this season he had a .246 batting average and an OPS+ of 75 (100 being an average player). more ›

Lincoln Boulevard near Palms Boulevard in Venice is the latest pin on the increasingly-crowded map of locations where a water main break has caused damage and service interruption. This morning a rupture occurred in the area, causing the pavement to buckle and forcing the closure of lanes of traffic, according to LA Now. There have now been 35 of these "major blowouts" in the LA water system since the first of this month--far more than in September 2008 (21), 2007 (17), and 2006 (13). While "City engineers trying to determine what's causing the water main bursts have been taking soil samples, sending pipe pieces to labs and performing a statistical analysis on each break," many believe the infrastructure is experiencing the strain of surges because L.A. only allows large-scale watering two days a week, which is taxing on the aging pipes. more ›

For a third match in a row, Chivas USA got to the 90th minute with less men than when they started, courtesy of a straight red card to midfielder Marcelo Saragosa at the 71st minute. Fortunately for the red-and-whites, Seattle was unable to capitalize and the teams played to a 0 - 0 draw in the Emerald City yesterday afternoon. Later in the day, the Galaxy blanked Toronto FC behind a goal and an assist by David Beckham. more ›

The third-ranked USC Trojans passing game completely let them down as they got outplayed down the stretch in their 16-13 loss against the Washington Huskies. more ›

• A look at Park[ing] Day in LA and elsewhere...
• Author Ray Bradbury celebrated his 89th Birthday at Clifton's Cafeteria!
• Sad story in Lake Elsinore, as two sky divers collided in mid-air, one of them falling to their death.

X-Dodger Brad Penny gave the Dodgers Stadium crowd of 52,438 quite a thrill on Saturday afternoon. And in doing so he lost his first game as a San Francisco Giant, 12-1. more ›

A reportedly fast-moving 50 to 60-acre fire has prompted evacuations and the closure of Highway 79 in the Temucula area around Vail Lake, near the Cleveland National Forest, this afternoon. At least two homes have been damaged in the fire that began shortly before 3:00 p.m. UPDATE: Conflicting reports say it began before 4 p.m. Also, it that it has now burned through 200 acres, according to CBS2. more ›

6’4” power-pitcher Brad Penny was a Dodger. He had a few good years in Dodgertown, and even dated Hollywood starlets. Today, he returns to Chavez-Ravine as a San Francisco Giant. more ›

People are pretty p-o'd about The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, aka ACORN, and the recent videos that have been released showing undercover conservative activists posing as a pimp and ho pair getting a bit too much help from staffers at several of the group's locations. Anti-ACORN activists expressed their dismay through graffiti left on the exterior walls of Studio No. 1 here in Los Angeles, which is the commercial design studio behind Shepard Fairey's iconic Obama HOPE posters, explains the Washington Post. more ›

MLS action is reaching a boiling point and both L.A. teams are right in the thick of it. more ›

LA Angels defeat Texas Rangers 2-0. The score would seem to dictate this was a quick moving game, but quite the contrary happened. Walks and foul balls kept this game a three-hour grinder. Scott Kazmir went six shutout innings for the Angels yielding only six hits and no walks. Torii Hunter got the Angels on the board in the first inning with an RBI single scoring Maicer Izturis from second base. Although it would be the only run the Angels would need Vladimir Guerrero provided some insurance in the top of the third with a lead off booming home run. The Angels bullpen yielded only two hits and two walks in the three innings they pitched. This win gives the Angels a 7 1/2 game buffer in the NL West. more ›

In a battle of the bullpens the Dodgers lost 8-4. After both starting pitchers gave up four runs, the San Francisco bullpen kept the Dodgers scoreless throughout the remainder of the game. “They pitched better than we did it’s as simple as that,” manager Joe Torre said. “Their bullpen came in and did a heck of a job.” A total of six Giants relievers pitched a combined 4 2/3 scoreless innings giving up only three hits and two walks while striking out five. more ›

The UCLA Bruins are a team trying to turn the corner on a 4-8 season. So far they are off to a good 2-0 start. The defense has been as advertised while the young offense has been a work in progress. That progress may have been stalled a little with the injury to starting quarterback Kevin Prince in last week's win over Tennessee. But the Bruins and head coach Rick Neuheisel are confident that they can overcome the injuries and other issues to continue the improvement . This week, the 1-1 Kansas State Wildcats come into Pasadena with some issues of their own. more ›

The USC Trojans have a lot to prove. True they did defeat a tough Ohio State team last week 18-15, but who was impressed by their offense? The offense looked stale and stymied by a Buckeye defense that gave up 186 rushing yards to Navy on September 5. After an early interception by linebacker Chris Galippo taken to Ohio State’s three-yard line, it took the Trojan offense four tries to get into the end zone. more ›

• What started out as a fight turned into a crime scene near a North Hollywood High School.
• The Governator stepped in to save the homes of some disabled tenants.
• Two people have been shot outside a West LA marijuana dispensary. The shooting is believed to be an attempted robbery. Police are still investigating.

Citing concerns over predicted weather, prime for fueling and spreading fire, Forest Service authorities have ordered air assaults to begin tomorrow morning and throughout the next few days as needed to combat the still burning Station Fire. Four heavy helitankers will treat fuels along the north slope of Mount Wilson, a rugged area too steep for fire crews to reach by foot. more ›

What’s more interesting than a barren Dodger clubhouse? Watching Clayton Kershaw finish up his simulated game of course! “He had real good command,” Torre said of what he saw of Kershaw today. “Again a good part of that he wasn’t trying to over throw the ball. But I thought for being away for as long as he’s been away, I thought it looked pretty comfortable for him. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow, and we’ll schedule him for an inning out of the bullpen in Washington.” more ›

In 2007, a collaboration of parks agencies--local to federal--purchased King Gillette Ranch (if you're thinking shaving razors, you're on the right track) with plans to open an interagency visitor center for for the Santa Monica Mountains. Currently, the National Park Service, which manages the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, has a visitor center and headquarters in Thousand Oaks, far off the beaten path for many in the immediate Los Angeles region. King Gillette Ranch sits in the heart of the mountain rage, off Las Virgenes Road between Calabasas and Malibu, which is much closer to trails and nature than the suburban mall and sprawl setting of Thousand Oaks. more ›

No longer are the days of inconsistent actions regarding how the city approves and pays for special events like neighborhood block parties, farmers markets, festivals and larger, more notable street closures for events like the Oscars and Emmys (which means street closures this weekend in downtown). Some of those larger events like the Oscars will get half their fees waived while other events like farmers markets are left in the dark. The city says they need to entice events such as the Oscars to stay in Los Angeles as they contribute heavily to the local economy--caterers, flowers, fashion, tourism, etc. Farmers markets also contribute to the economy and organizers fear the new ordinance will force them to shut down as money raised is not enough to pay for street closures. Although Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed the ordinance into law today, his office tells LAist that he fully supports Farmers Markets and knows they are vital assets to our communities (case in point, a local food policy is in the works). The City Council is currently looking into a way to adapt the new ordinance to waive or minimize the fees for the markets. more ›

No details are publicly available until the plan is ratified by union members, but today the City Council took action that reverses this week's earlier decision to cut nearly 1,000 jobs and institute 26 days of furloughs that would help the city fight a $405 million budget shortfall. Instead, the Coalition of L.A. City Unions gave up $78 million in "hard concessions" and will have to contribute an extra .37 percent of paychecks towards the city's pension fund, which will cover the early retirement of some 2,400 employees, according to the LA Times. Although 22,000 employees have membership in this union, other unions may still experience layoffs and furloughs, which could prompt lawsuits. more ›

Not only was the federal government concerned about the pending closure of state parks earlier this summer, but a memo obtained by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says there are a handful of more problems if closures happen. A list of those closures is is expected to be released sometime next week. The memo from state attorneys says the potential problems could cost the state money, including lawsuits from private companies involved in contracts with state parks and lawsuits from parkgoers trespassing into closed parks who get hurt, according to the Mercury News. Additionally, a Americans with Disabilities Act settlement from 1999 may be broken if parks close, prompting yet another lawsuit from disability groups. And lastly, closing state beaches may be in violation of the California Coastal Act. more ›

The 13-year-old El Monte boy who allegedly started the Morris Fire was charged today with two felony counts, arson and recklessly causing a fire to a forest or structure, according to KNX1070. He is not in custody, but will be arraigned on November 17th in Pomona Juvenile Court. The Morris Fire began on Tuesday, August 25th in the Angeles National Forest above Azusa and Glendora. It burned through some 2,168 acres and has been 100 percent contained more ›

Crazy Gideon's crazy videos were always fun to watch with his yelling and the throwing of electronics around his downtown warehouse (never seen them? watch a collection below, they're great). But the times have changed and Gideon Kotzer has installed a "Going out of Business" sign on his Arts District-located warehouse, which he plans to convert into housing. Ed Fuentes of blogdowntown catches up with Kotzer in this great video. more ›

It's a few minutes shy of 10:30 a.m. and the Los Angeles City Council is in session, however behind closed doors as councilmembers decide on a labor deal. Earlier this week, the council voted to cut close to 1,000 jobs and institute 26 furlough days, but only as a back-up plan if talks didn't go through by the end of the month. The city faces a $405-million deficit and an earlier plan to let thousands of employees retire five years early was found to only save the city a minimal amount of money. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he refused to let any plan go forward that would compromise public safety jobs. A panel this week worked to find a way to reverse this week's decision, which may be voted upon later today. more ›

Officials this morning extended the expected full containment of the Station Fire from this Saturday to Tuesday, citing an increase in hotter and drier weather. "We're expecting humidity to go down, temperatures to go up and wit the normal flow of down canyon winds mixed with dry fuel, we decided to push containment back a few days," explained Brian Grant, a Forest Service fire information officer, over the phone. more ›

For the second time in recent months, a car has crashed through a building at 7th and Flower, reports Eric Richardson at blogdowntown. This morning's two-vehicle crash sent a white Camry halfway into the restaurant Wokano at 818 W. 7th Street after it appears one of the vehicles ran a red light. The crash, which sent both drivers to the hospital, occurred around 5:45 a.m., but was cleaned up with streets open by 7:30 a.m. In late May, a car crashed through a Bank of America branch in the same building. (Photo by Eric Richardson/blogdowntown) more ›

An early morning house fire claimed the life of a 16-year-old boy and three dogs in the Reseda neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley. Firefighters reported to 18424 West Saticoy Street at 2:35 a.m., knocking the fire down in 13 minutes, according to Melissa Kelley of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The blaze was supposedly contained to just one room of the house, but Kelley said there was no information regarding his parents or if they were even home. An investigation is pending, but officials said that there were no smoke detectors in the home. more ›

From 11.9 percent in July to 12.2 percent in August, todays announcement of last month's unemployment rate has California breaking records, once again The number rose in 27 states last month, 14 of which that are in double digits. Three other states--Michigan, Nevada and Rhode Island--have higher rates than California. And experts predict that the numbers will continue to increase as the year goes on before they flatline. Nationally, unemployment rose to 9.7 percent in August, a 26-year high. A Job Market Competition index released last month by Indeed.com said Los Angeles ranked 47 out of 50. Ouch. more ›

LA Angels defeat Boston Red Sox 4-3. With the game tied 3-3, Howie Kendrick hit an RBI single in the top of the ninth to give the Halos a 4-3 lead. The question would remain whether the Angels would let a one run lead slip away in the bottom of the ninth. After Kevin Jepsen got Jason Bay to strike out to lead off the bottom of the ninth, closer Brian Fuentes was brought in to face David Ortiz. Contrary to Wednesday night's proceedings, Fuentes would strike Ortiz out. Although Fuentes would give up a single to Mike Lowell, he got pinch hitter Rocco Baldelli to pop up to salvage a game for the Angels. more ›

• A 72 year-old Costa Mesa woman was reportedly shot in the head several times by her 75 year-old husband. She is amazingly still alive but in critical condition. Authorities are still investigating.
• Rep. Maxine Waters is in a little trouble with the House Ethics Committee. Apparently they want to look into the relationship between her husband and a bank that received federal bailout money.
• Police have ID'd a 24 year-old man as the dreaded "person of interest" in the murder of a transgender person in Hollywood.

On the heels of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's announcement about a locally grown food policy, a move by city council has some farmers markets concerned about their survival. On September 1, the L.A. City Council passed a special events ordinance, changing the rules about how and which events are eligible to have fees waived for expenses like street closures. Some community events such as block parties get a break, but farmers markets do not under the current language. more ›

There may be an average of 1,200 water main leaks a year with 200 of those considered major, but the last few weeks have proved that things seem to be worsening. And fast. A 12-inch pipe burst on Topanga Boulevard near Victory Boulevard in Canoga Park today, shutting down traffic on one of the West Valley's main north-south arteries, according to the LA Times. Of course, all these recent bursts causing traffic, damage and loss of service to customers has Los Angeles Department of Water & Power officials confused because as of right now, there is no apparent reason why this is happening so frequently and spread out. A slew of major incidents began when a trunkline in Studio City burst, causing a major flood followed by a rupture that caused a sinkhole that sucked in half a fire truck. Two breaks also occurred in the West Valley yesterday. Some officials say they have to raise our water bills to pay for replacing piping throughout the city. more ›

Are you following doctor's orders this year? “This year both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus will be circulating throughout the United States,” said Dr. Gil Chavez, acting chief deputy director of the California Department of Public Health, in a statement today. “I encourage Californians to get a seasonal flu shot now and an H1N1 flu shot when it becomes available later this fall. The seasonal flu shot will not protect you from the H1N1 flu virus, also known as swine flu. It will, however, protect you from the seasonal flu strains that we expect this year.” more ›

In her first audit since taking office as City Controller, Wendy Greuel this morning released findings about waste within the Los Angeles Convention Center. There's nothing catastrophic revealed in the audit, but it points out too many examples of lax oversight that cost taxpayers money. more ›

As officials announced last night, the 250-square mile Station Fire remains at 93 percent contained and in light of predicted fire-friendly weather, they hope they do not lose control of a couple hot spots still being mopped up by crews. "The remaining work is extremely difficult due to steep and rugged terrain," a Forest Service statement read. "In the area of Mt. Wilson, fire activity remains active and smoke may be seen in the area east of Mt. Wilson to Devore as undergrowth burns away and crews work to extinguish hot spots in this very rugged area," the statement continued. more ›

The new Studio Oaks Park, officially a wide median along Ventura Boulevard with a walking path that straddles the border of Sherman Oaks and Studio City, is practically finished. The meandering walking path is open to the public, except for one block that was flooded out by a trunkline break on Coldwater Canyon, and all that needs to be done to complete the project is some landscaping, which has become an issue between neighbors. more ›

It's that time of year again and one that we love. Tomorrow is Park[ing] Day, where citizens, groups, architecture firms and others take a city parking space and turn it into a park. Make sure to visit one of your local parks as it only lasts one day. There's also a bicycle ride touring many of the parks for those with the day off. more ›

The owner estimates about $14 million while the Los Angeles Fire Department says $7 million was lost in a Hollywood Hills mansion fire that occurred Wednesday morning. It was initially reported that his art collection included works commission by Napoleon Bonaparte and a Faberge egg--now we find out that a Stradivarius violin was also lost, according to the owner, attorney Brian Witzer. However, his Ferarri collection was spared, despite earlier reports. more ›

It's always been known that L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn has had larger aspirations, most recently thought to be a candidate for congress. But yesterday, it was reported that she's exploring the idea of running for Lt. Governor and if she wins, she'd be the first women in that role for California. "I'm going to look at it until the end of the year and see what kind of responses I get and see whether it makes sense for me to serve in this capacity," said Hahn to the Daily Breeze. It's no surprise she would be looking into something soon, she definitely has been sending an increasing amount of press releases and statements to the media this summer. Hahn, sister to former Mayor James Hahn and daughter of former LA County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, won her third and final reelection this past March. Her term ends in 2013, but if she runs and wins a bid for Lt. Governor, she would leave Los Angeles early. more ›

After three decades of dreaming and planning, it looks like the federal government is finally paying attention to an expensive MagLev train line that would carry passengers between Las Vegas and Anaheim at speeds up to 300 miles per hour along the 270-mile route. The Federal Railroad Administration will give $45 million in congressional earmarked dollars to the first phase of the route, which will go from Las Vegas to the state border in Primm, NV, according to the LA Times. more ›

In a very matter-of-fact phone call to a Westminister emergency dispatcher yesterday morning, 38-year-old Thuy Le said she had stabbed her two daughters and herself, asking if authorities were coming to her aid, according to the OC Register. They did, finding a bloody room in Le's cousin's home, where the Le family had been spending the night. It was after 6 a.m. when her cousin, Toan Pham and his wife, were awakened by their two children who investigated screams from the living room. Pham went down, finding blood all over and Le holding one of her daughters--he had no idea what just happened just minutes prior. The 5-year-old remains in a medically induced coma, but her 3-year-old sister and Le suffered superficial wounds. No word on why Le attempted to hurt her children before herself, but it may have been due to the stress over a failed attempt to sell her massage therapy business. Police are looking into other possibilities such as marital or mental health problems. more ›

Although the L.A. City Council yesterday voted to move forward with cutting close to 1,000 jobs, many through layoffs, and making employees take 26 days off through furloughs, they still plan to negotiate a deal with a union to avoid such action. The council called their move a safety net, buying time so they can find a way to avoid the job cuts and furloughs while still eliminating a $405-million budget deficit. more ›

Yesterday evening, a mother walked into her Thousand Oaks apartment shortly before 6 p.m., finding her son, daughter and husband dead in what police are calling "a gruesome scene." Police say that there is "no reason to believe" that there is a murder suspect on the loose, but would not specifically say it was a murder-suicide. The family lived on the 2700 block of White Ridge Place. The son was 12 years old, the daughter, 7, and the father, who neighbors believe shot his kids before turning a gun on himself, was 52. more ›

U.S. Forest Service officials announced tonight that the Station Fire is now contained at 93 percent, up two points since this morning. However, the size of the fire remains at 160,557 acres, roughly 250 square miles. more ›

• A Westminster "mom" stabbed her five and three year old daughters, then tried to take her own life by stabbing herself. The children are expected to survive.
• LA County's top sheriff is ordering an examination of their policy regarding foot pursuits after an unarmed man was shot and killed.
• Apparently Thousand Oaks can't handle "Bad Ass" coffee.

It's about 18 square miles in size, has more than 60 entrances, contains 36 miles of trails and is surrounded by eight communities, but the last time any plan was set in motion about Topanga State Park was in 1977 (.pdf). This year, state officials are revisiting the parks' general plan, which in essence revisions the park's future development and programming. more ›

Usually weekday afternoon games are sparsely attended. But the Dodgers made a brilliant marketing decision to give away Manny Ramirez bobbleheads at the game leading to an explosion of humanity. In fact 53,193 people showed up to witness the Dodgers sweep the three-game series from the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1, the seventh sell out of the season for the Dodgers. It’s the largest weekday non-Opening Day day game in Dodger history. more ›

City Controller Wendy Greuel's first audit, to be released tomorrow morning, will focus in on the city's convention center, which is said to have a $1 billion impact on the region each year. Former Controller Laura Chick, now keeping an eye on stimulus money spending statewide, always found the most ridiculous wasteful spending practices around city hall, garnering major headlines almost every time an audit was released. It will be interesting to see Greuel's results, but all signs point towards some solid findings. In a media advisory, her office hints towards opportunities to make things more efficient not taken by leadership, a lack of policy on fee waivers and lack of oversight on employee overtime, including one employee who made nearly twice their annual salary in overtime. more ›

After long deliberations in public and behind closed doors, the Los Angeles City Council today voted to go ahead with a budget-saving plan to eliminate 926 positions and 26 furlough days for civilian employees. However, many members see the decision as a temporary move, which gets the ball rolling on the layoff and furlough process, but buys time to make alternative arrangement to save jobs. The vote “is a safety net, in the event that we aren’t able to come up with an agreement,” Councilman Richard Alarcon was quoted saying in the Los Angeles Times. An agreement with unions must be made before September 28th, when furloughs will begin. Yesterday, the city of Long Beach, LA County's 2nd largest city, voted to eliminate hundreds of jobs to balance the budget. more ›

Looking ahead already to the 2010-11, the University of California Board of Regents are preparing to face another fiscal year of budget shortfalls, according to a UC Newsroom release. The current budget gap of $535 million for the 2009-10 year "could grow to more than $600 million in the next fiscal year," and that has the UC looking for any and all ways to curb the shortfall. more ›

Earlier this season, I wrote a post that chronicled the absolutely awful decision to feature Journey’s karaoke jam “Don’t Stop Believin’” during the 8th inning of Dodger games. Feel free to read back for the laundry list of reasons why this song and the Dodgers go together worse than an handful of glass and a slap in the face. more ›

President Myles Brand of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's died today after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the first university president--in 2002, he left the top post at Indiana University--to take the job as NCAA's chief executive, most notably becoming a "champion of academic reform, fiscal responsibility and student-athlete well-being," according to the association. "The keystone of his work was the NCAA’s Academic Progress Rate program," explained Bloomberg News, "which measured the success of each athletic team in keeping athletes on track to graduate. Teams slipping behind faced penalties, including the loss of athletic scholarships." Brand was 67. more ›

One day before the Station Fire began, the Morris Fire ignited in the Angeles National Forest above Azusa and Glendora, prompting the closure of Highway 39 and a handful of evacuations of camping areas. Today authorities said that a 13-year-old boy started the fire, but did not say how it was started, according to the LA Times. The case was presented to the district attorney's office, which will decide if there will be any charges. The Morris Fire, which began around 4:27 pm on Tuesday, August 25, burned 2,168 acres and is 100 percent contained. more ›

Homeowners, renters and businesses can now take advantage of low interest federal loans to help rebuild or repair property lost or damaged during the Station Fire. 89 homes were destroyed along with 26 commercial properties. Of that 66 homes and five businesses sustained uninsured losses of at least 40 percent of their value, which meets the U.S. Small Business Administration's criteria to declare a disaster. "Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence, and homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property," according to Senator Barbaa Boxer's office. "Businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets. Interest rates can be as low as 2.75 percent for homeowners and renters and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years." more ›

Never will we understand why people don't like or forget to wear seatbelts, but it happens all the time. Many like to complain, citing the usual government fundraiser line, but if you look a little closer, there are two facts to consider. Obviously one is the safety factor: seatbelts save lives. There are those who will call survival of the fittest in those cases, but many survive seatbelt-less crashes, ending up in the hospital. And that's where we have a big problem: who foots the bill for those drivers without drivers or health insurance? more ›

A crash involving four vehicles prompted a SigAlert on the eastbound 118 Freeway during rush hour this morning. A witness told police that a driver of black honda was text messaging prior to hitting a bus, spinning out and hitting other vehicles. Another bus and a box truck were also involved in the crash, which was located before Reseda Boulevard. more ›

Hot spots and little areas of the Station Fire are all that remain for firefighters, say Angeles National Forest officials today. Crew are mopping up those spots and other smoldering areas that need attending to while other personnel are patrolling for unknown areas of danger. "We're making sure that everything that was burning is out now," said Tom Debellis, a Forest Service fire information officer, over the phone. more ›

Yesterday the Mayor's office announced the appointment of Raymond Chan as the interim General Manager of the City's Department of Building and Safety, following the resignation of its previous holder, Andrew Adelman. Adelman had been out of the position on paid leave in August, after allegations arose that "he raped an unconscious woman after a pub crawl organized by city employees in July," according to the LA Weekly. more ›

More details are coming out about that home that burned in the Hollywood Hills this morning. Among the items allegedly burned were a priceless art collection including works commission by Napoleon Bonaparte and a Faberge egg, according to KTLA, who spoke to the owner, lawyer Brian Witzer. Additionally, a multi-million dollar Ferrari collection was damaged. more ›

Users of the business-oriented social networking site LinkedIn who are based in Orange County are sick of being considered part of "greater Los Angeles." One user, Laguna Niguel's Sven Johnston, has "spearheaded the campaign to get the O.C. recognition," apart from L.A. explains the OC Register's Jan Norman in a blog post. more ›

A fire that began around 6:30 a.m. this morning reportedly destroyed a home in the Hollywood Hills. Arson units are currently on scene after the blaze was attacked by firefighters predominately on the attic and first levels of the four-level home at 2047 North Sunset Plaza Drive, according to an LAFD spokesperson on the phone. The owner was on scene and no injuries were reported. Firefighters called a knockdown at 7:10 a.m., stopping the fire from spreading to other homes or hillside brush. more ›

Two water mains ruptured in the early morning hours in the West Valley today, the first in Winnetka close to 2:30 a.m., and the second around 4:30 a.m. a mile and a half south in Warner Center, according to MyFOXla.com. City leaders and DWP customers are worried that there seems to be more significant main breaks lately than usual, but it could just be that we all have water (mains) on the brain because of the two high-profile breaks that occurred earlier this month in Studio City and Valley Village. more ›

Pittsburgh Pirates All Star pitcher Zach Duke was wheelin’ and dealin’ like Frank Dux trying to salvage what was left of the Pirates’ season with a victory against the Dodgers. However it was the Dodgers who had the final say with their Chong Li laugh beating the Pirates 5-4 in 13 innings. more ›

Lookie what we Dodger fans have here: the preliminary 2010 schedule. For the second year in a row the Dodgers will be opening the season on the road. In what can be surmised as a way to make up for this season, the Dodgers will open the season at PNC Park against the Pittsburgh Pirates. “That will be warm,” manager Joe Torre said when alerted of the fact. more ›

• Regarding the possibility of city hall layoffs amounting to nearly 1,000 employees, city council has been in session for a very, very, very (still) long time today figuring out what to do. But Villaraigosa says he plans to veto an early retirement plan.
• A cigar bar and billiards lounge are being proposed for the still-burgeoning downtown at Main and 5th. Will it go through?
• Goodbye Blockbuster, as we once knew you? The movie rental chain may close up to 960 stores nationwide.

Considering the recent flooding in Studio City, a fire truck consumed into a Valley Village street and various other floods throughout the city--Melrose Ave., South LA, Exposition Ave.--Los Angeles Department of Water and Power officials said today that in order to repair the city's older infrastructure within the 7,200 miles of piping, they will ask the City Council to increase water rates, according to the LA Times. more ›

Although the legislature last week approved two bills meant to help California obtain 33 percent renewable energy by 2020--a goal provided in legislation from 2006--Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that he will instead sign an executive order mandating the same goal that will use different methods. more ›

A spokesman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that the list of parks slated for closure will not be released this week as officials continue to work to save more money, therefore keeping more open, according to John Myers of KQED. more ›

Police are happy to announce this afternoon that officers in downtown rescued a 4-month-old baby from a woman, who was "frantically waving" a steak knife on 7th Street, near Hope, this morning. more ›

Car sharing service Flexcar, since bought by Zipcar, was an exciting thing for Los Angeles. If you lived near a Zipcar parking space, you could take the car out for errands and the such if you were a member. But management found Los Angeles was a difficult market for such a program and pared it down to 14 cars around USC and UCLA campuses. more ›

We've seen photos of the Station Fire from space and from the ground, but every fire has its starting point. Investigators would love to have photos of the fire as it began, but then it be a case closed. The investigation went from how the fire started to a homicide case once it was determined that arson was the cause. Two firefighters died while fighting the blaze, which has charred around 250 square miles in the Angeles National Forest. more ›

Attorney General Jerry Brown may officially not be running for Governor yet, but he's raised a lot more money than San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who aggressively has been holding town hall meetings across the state. Today Newsom'e campaign announced that Former President Bill Clinton will join him at two events in Los Angeles, one of which that will be a fundraiser. A look at the first half of 2009's filings with the Secretary of State show that Newsom has about $1.2 million to work with while Brown has about $7.3 million for his campaign, currently for another run at Attorney General. However, if Brown decides to run for Governor, that money goes with him. Newsom is the only major Democratic candidate so far in the 2010 gubernatorial race. more ›

Facing a $405-million budget deficit, Mayor Villaraigosa earlier this summer asked city employees to share the sacrifice. A major deal was struck with civilian union employees by letting 2,400 employees retire early within five years. That plan needed City Council approval and with months of no action, things have changed. more ›

Good news. Authorities with the Angeles National Forest say that the Station Fire has now been contained to 91 percent with full containment expected on Saturday. The size of the fire remains at 160,557, roughly 250 square miles. more ›

The ideal gas law states that p=nRT/V where p is pressure, n is the amount of stuff, R is the gas constant, T is temperature and V is volume of the gas. In a solid state pressure is defined as p=ma where m is mass of stuff and a is the acceleration of the stuff. Acceleration is defined as a=v/t where v is velocity and t is time. Therefore p=nRT/V=mv/t more ›

Remember the days when Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley was that reliable arm? It didn’t matter what happened the night before. It was a given when he was given the ball you could pencil in a win for the Dodgers. Since August 23 Billingsley in five starts has an 0-4 record with an 5.67 ERA. Opponents are batting .342 against him. Mind you these aren’t World Series caliber opponents. These numbers are against Cincinnati, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks twice and the San Francisco Giants. more ›

• LAPD Cold Case detectives solved a 33-year-old homicide and arrested the suspect, then 17, now 50.
• Grief counselors were on hand at Garden Grove High School today to help students cope with the sudden loss of a football player who died after being injured in a game on Friday.
• Sad numbers: Nearly 1.4 million Californians settle for part-time work because full-time isn't available.

After his battle with pancreatic cancer, Patrick Swayze has died, according to his publicist. It occurred today with his family by his side. Since March 2008, when he publicly announced that he was fighting cancer, he continued to work, most recently on A&E's canceled show, The Beast. It was reported last week, he had returned to his Los Angeles home from the hospital to prepare to die. more ›

Not that normal means no more smog, but the daily Station Fire-related alerts from the Los Angeles County Public Health Department took a turn for the better today. "According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the air quality in Los Angeles County has returned to 'moderate' to 'good' levels, except for in the areas immediately around the still-burning portions of the Station Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains," the agency announced in an e-mail today. Recent daily alerts usually affected the San Gabriel, San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys for sensitive individuals (i.e., the elderly, kids and those with respiratory conditions), but when the fire, along with a few others, were just beginning in late August, air quality throughout the region suffered. more ›

Senator John McCain has his eye on several transit projects all over the nation that he is labeling "wasteful government spending," including two here in Los Angeles, explains StreetsblogLA. His target is the US Department of Transportation's 2010 spending bill, which comes up "for a vote this week in the upper chamber of Congress." more ›

California State Park officials last week said the list of parks to close could be announced sometime this week. "Possibly by the end of the week, but nothing is for sure," said Sheryl Watson, a state parks spokesperson, over the phone today. Word on the street among parks activists concur, but some speculate next week will hold D-Day. And with state offices furloughed this Friday, it's anybody's guess. more ›

Maicon Santos registered his first MLS goal Sunday afternoon at the Home Depot Center to help Chivas USA defeat the visiting New England Revolution by a score of 2 - 0. more ›

As the legislature wrapped up last week, a slew of bills were voted down and voted through to the Governor's desk, many of them dealing with the environment from issues like state parks to air quality and other issues. more ›

These images collected by NASA between August 29th and September 6th chart the growth and consequences of the Station Fire, the largest wildfire in Los Angeles' modern history. From its earliest days as adjacent to the smaller and more expediently contained Morris Fire in the Azusa area to the massive pyrocumulous cloud that formed to the massive expanse of scorched ground and smoke wafting above, the scope of the blaze is given a new context from this perspective. more ›

Fire crews have contained the Station Fire to 87%, up 6 points since Friday evening and are optimistic the fire will be knocked down soon. However, officials have extended the expected containment date from tomorrow to Saturday. Acreage burned still stands at 160,557, or over 250 square miles. more ›

Next week, the first ever Los Angeles Bicycle and Pedestrian Count will take place all over the city in the hopes of gaining a better sense of the number of bike-riders and pedestrians who use the streets. With a better sense of who is out there on foot and two wheels, the city can take those numbers into account when planning for the future, explains the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), who are running the count... more ›

A 30-year-old woman was shot to death last night in the parking lot for a student housing complex at the University of California Irvine, according to abc7.com. The shooting took place around 7 p.m. outside the Verono Apartments, and appears to be "a deadly domestic dispute," between a couple who lived on campus with their four-year-old child who "was nearby when the gun fire rang out." more ›

UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel announced that starting quarterback Kevin Prince will be out 3-4 weeks with a broken jaw. He was injured toward the end of yesterday's game against Tennessee but was able to finish the game by kneeling in the victory formation to seal the win for the Bruins. The fracture is on the right side of his face and was discovered this morning during X-rays. more ›

• A missing Glendora boy was found dead of an apparent suicide.
• Some Bruin genius... UCLA scientists may have solved a half-century old mystery of the Earth's upper atmosphere and solar wind.
• A 70 year-old Gardena man was killed in a tragic glider accident at Lake Elsinore.

Yesterday, friends, family, co-workers, and community members gathered in Stoney Point Park in Chatsworth to hold a memorial service and dedication of a plaque to honor the lives lost one year ago in the Metrolink-Union Pacific train crash. In addition to the Chatsworth event on Saturday a memorial was held in Simi Valley at the Metrolink Memorial Plaza, which was where Metrolink 111 would have next stopped had the train not collided with a freight train. There at the station, "individual plaques bearing the name of each person who died in the crash, and messages suggested by their families," have been installed at the east platform, according to the Daily Breeze. more ›

One word describes last night's performance by the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center: embarrassing. While it was a breakout game for Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza, scoring two first half goals, there was little else for the Galaxy faithful to cheer about after a 6 - 3 thrashing courtesy of FC Dallas. L.A. was on its heels from the start, unable to contain the speed of Marvin Sanchez and Jeff Cunningham. The latter nearly opened the scoring at the 2nd minute but luck intervened and Cunningham missed. No matter, Dallas would open the scoring at the 7th minute on a deflected free kick. more ›

There weren't a lot of reasons to believe that the Bruins could go into Knoxville and beat Tennessee. They have only won five of their last 22 games away from Pasadena. They were only 3-7-2 on the road against SEC teams. They were too young. The crowd was too big. Tennessee was too angry. more ›

• Yikes! Crews responding to a fire at a motorcycle club found a burning body in the alley behind the building.
• A 42-year-old Newport Beach financier who stood accused of operating a Ponzi scheme died at the hospital today after he collapsed at his home.
• The cause of death for a Garden Grove High School football player who died Friday after being injured in a game remains under investigation.

Fire Capt. Tedmund Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo Quinones, the two Los Angeles County firefighters who lost their lives battling the Station Fire, were honored today in a public memorial held at Dodger Stadium. The men were remembered for, among other things, “served with dedication, courage and, during their last alarm, with absolute bravery and selflessness,” said Los Angeles County Deputy Fire Chief John Tripp, according to LA Now. more ›

Smirnoff, Univision and KLVE joined forces last night to give a small group of L.A. music fans a great treat. Ozomatli took over the El Rey Theatre and rocked the house to get the weekend started on a good note. more ›

This week the UCLA Bruins head east across the Mississippi to Knoxville to face some hungry Vols. After showing some early game jitters against San Diego State last week, the Bruins were able to right the ship and pull away in the end to a comfortable win. They won't have that luxury this week, as they will face a Vols team that is noted for their speedy defense. more ›

Four months ago, had one dared to state that the Galaxy would today be within striking distance of first place of the overall standings, one would have received more than a fair share of odd looks. The same type one would get if one were to claim that hiring Ruud Gullit as Head Coach was the best move the Galaxy have made in the last 5 years. more ›

A well known series of portraits by Andy Warhol was stolen sometime last week, the LAPD said today. Sometime between September 2nd and 3rd, the multi-million-dollar Athlete Series was stolen from the home of Richard L. Weisman, who commissioned Warhol for the series and lives on a street off Beverly Glen Boulevard in the hills. more ›

Just like every time a space shuttle lands at Edwards Air Force Base, the Los Angeles area is rocked by twin sonic booms. And every time, you can perk your ears up and listen to neighbors outside ask if it was an earthquake or big crash on the street. Luckily, the Los Angeles Fire Department, who faithfully warned the public through Twitter, reports no 911 calls, but someone did flag out an LAFD unit on the street to investigate. A search for the word "explosion" on Twitter still reveals many people who did not know what was going on, prompting the LAFDtalk account to sigh: "It's clear not everyone follows @LAFD." If you're a Twitter user, it's a really good idea to follow them (here's a good example illustrating why). Many others tweeted 9/11 references, which echoed this morning's alarming and freaky Coast Guard drill in Washington DC. "Hey @NASA, how about a lot more warning before sending the Shuttle and it's sonic boom over a large metropolitan area on Sept 11th?" huffed Dana Brunetti. @NASA unfortunately didn't tweet a warning and that's why we follow @LAFD. more ›

• How about those sonic booms? Crappy weather in Florida forced the Shuttle to land at Edwards AFB. Hope you weren't too scared!
• On the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, LA Weekly wonders what 9/11 would have been like with modern social media around?
• Sheriff's investigators cleared the coroner's office of any wrongdoing in the Michael Jackson case. There were early accusations of leaks and information being sold. However, a more thorough audit is still forthcoming in order to clear the matter.

We've seen, smelt and been saddened by the destruction of the deadly Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest. Containment is expected next week and soon after a new phase will be entered into: rebirth. "After we get in there and assess what damages need to be repaired, there will be opportunity for volunteers to help the Forest Service repair some of this stuff," explained Howard Okamoto, the Recreation Officer for the Los Angeles River Ranger District, which was the area most affected by the blaze. He said activities will likely include tree plantings and trail work, but once a list of needs is developed, more projects opportunities will be announced. In the meantime, those interested in volunteering should contact Okamoto to be placed on a list to be notified when projects are ready to go. He can be reached at 818-899-1900 x229 or better yet by e-mail at hokamoto [at] fs.fed.us. more ›

Last April, the world's oldest known person Gertrude Baines celebrated her 115th birthday at the Western Convalescent Hospital on West Adams. Today, she died, likely from a heart attack, according to the Associated Press. She was born in 1894 in Georgia--that's when Grover Cleveland was president--and never drank, never smoked, but loved crispy bacon! more ›

Two officers have been placed on paid leave as a probe continues into how a battered photo of Rihanna was leaked to TMZ, according to four unnamed sources speaking to the LA Times. In the early morning hours before the Grammys last February, Chris Brown threatened and assaulted Rihanna, his girlfriend, after a dispute. About a week and a half later, TMZ posted a leaked police photo of Rihanna showing cuts and bruises. The celebrity website was very hush-hush on where they obtained it and the LAPD asked the public's help in the case. more ›

It appears these two have struck apartments in Van Nuys and in North Hollywood and now West Los Angeles, where they were caught on tape. On August 13, at around 4 p.m., the two suspects entered an apartment building located in the 1600 block of Barry Avenue in West Los Angeles. Once inside the complex they allegedly forced their way into the recreation room, removed a television and fled the location, according to the LAPD, which is asking the public's help in IDing them. more ›

The Station Fire has burned through 160,557 acres, about 250 square miles, and is 77 percent contained, officials with the Angeles National Forest announced this morning. The blaze, which began on August 26th, has cost about $82 million to fight. Full containment is expected next Tuesday, which means costs will still rise, possibly to $100 million, according to the LA Times. The federal government is expected to pick up most of the tab because the fire started and mainly stayed within the U.S. Forest Service's boundaries. more ›

After a week of repairs, Coldwater Canyon is expected to reopen late tomorrow afternoon, the Daily News reports. The pipe has been fixed and the street has been backfilled by the Department of Water and Power. Now the Bureau of Street Services is reconstructing the street, which should be finished tomorrow. more ›

• The Los Angeles Planning Commission has recommended a revision to an ordinance that could mean significant changes to how historical monuments are approved. Its the first revision of the cultural heritage law since it was enacted in 1962.
• How can two schools that that on the outside appear to be TOTALLY different actually have the same hopes and aspirations for teaching the arts? Hmmm...
• Although the article is kind of goofy... to say the least. The message is a real one. DON'T LEAVE YOUR DOGS IN HOT CARS!

Before Barack Obama's campaign, Yosi Sergant was a local public relations guy and a constant presence in the Los Angeles arts and grassroots scenes. He represented Shepard Fairey among other organizations before he got the idea to have artists make posters for the campaign. One of those, Fairey's HOPE, became a huge hit and a driving force and symbol of the campaign. Sergant was then offered a job in the White House as the arts liaison and eventually was named the Communications Director at the National Endowment for the Arts. more ›

On Tuesday, the State Assembly passed Senate Bill 679, meant to protect the state park system and ensure that lands used as state parks cannot be used for non-park purposes without providing substitute lands. "The least we can do is not dismantle the system," explained Traci Verardo-Torres with the California State Parks Foundation, a sponsor of the bill. more ›

The Bluff Fire that began around 9:30 a.m. this morning north of Banning has spread rapidly, prompting an aggressive assault from the ground and air from CalFire and Riverside County fire officials. Two County firefighters suffered heat-related injuries, according to the Daily Bulletin. The blaze, which is suspected of starting in a shed, has been 10 percent contained. No home have been damaged or are threatened at the present time. "It's pretty much (burning in) open rural area in the hills of Mias Canyon," said CalFire Capt. Fernando Herrera to The Desert Sun. He said fire lines have been built completely around the fire and the weather is cooperating. more ›

After a controversy over bicycle lanes that were going to be striped, then not, then were, the Bureau of Street Services has confirmed the new lanes will be striped in October, the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition reports in a newsletter today. more ›

Sky Sports Italia is reporting that Galaxy midfielder David Beckham will be returning to A.C. Milan in January. Few details are provided, but seems to indicate that an agreement has been reached by all parties involved. (In the photo: David Beckham shows off his A.C. Milan jersey alongside A.C. Milan VP Adriano Galliani.) more ›

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass today removed Assemblyman Jeff Miller (R-Corona) from his Ethics Committee post after he listened to Mike Duvall discuss two sexual trysts, one allegedly with an energy lobbyist. more ›

Last year, 40 people died statewide on roadways patrolled by the California Highway Patrol during Labor Day weekend. This year the number plummeted to 12 with 9 of those victims found not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. “Wearing a seat belt needs to become a habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “Buckle up every trip, every time. It may save your life or the life of someone you love.” (we actually feel naked when our seat belt is not on). Also, DUI arrests were down 11 percent this year with 1,417 people caught by officers statewide. Last year, there were 1,586 DUI-related arrests. “Making an arrest is far easier than having to make a notification to the family member of someone whose life was cut short by a drunk or drugged driver," said Farrow. The agency credits the decline to their Maximum Enforcement Period they instituted, which assigns every available officer to the roads. more ›

A fire that began around 10 a.m. has grown to 70 acres near the Riverside County town of Banning, north of the 10 Freeway, east of the 60. No communities are currently threatned, according to authorities at the San Bernardino National Forest. Apparently, the fire began near Mias Canyon Road in a shed on a farm, reported KESQ, an ABC affiliate in the Palm Springs area. more ›

The U.S. Men's National Team took a big step towards booking a ticket to next year's World Cup in South Africa after a tough win over Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. The soca warriors took the game to the Yanks for long stretches during the first half last night as the Yanks looked disorganized and struggled to generate any offense. more ›

With two major water main breaks over the last week (plus about three more notable ones), the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power is in the hot seat, so to speak. The City Council looked into the issue yesterday and in a statement Councilman Tom LaBonge says he does not want any more surprises. more ›

The Station Fire is largest wildfire in LA County's modern history (10th largest in California since 1933), burning 160,357 acres--some 250 square miles--throughout the Angeles National Forest on the San Gabriel Mountains. Officials have made plenty of progress since it began two weeks ago yesterday announcing today a 71 percent containment, a vast improvement from Wednesday when it was at 62 percent. Full containment is expected by 6 p.m. on September 15th. more ›

It's safe to say that weed shops are more common than Pinkberry and Starbucks. Thanks to the LA Times, we know that there's about five "collectives" within a five-minute walk of us (how about you?). And look, the people in the Valley can't complain that their not getting their fair share. In fact, one neighborhood prosecutor told the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council earlier this summer that the LAPD's Van Nuys Division had the most dispensaries than any other in the city. Here are some other interesting facts, via the Times: more ›

So Orange County Assemblyman Michael Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) yesterday resigned after being caught on video telling sordid tales of his alleged affairs. Apparently, those were just stories, he said in a statement: "I want to make it clear that my decision to resign is in no way an admission that I had an affair or affairs. My offense was engaging in inappropriate story-telling and I regret my language and choice of words. more ›

• LAX and other city owned airports have to give contract workers a raise thanks to a new ordinance from the City Council.
• Investigators are still trying to figure out how some severed body parts ended up near a middle school.
• A psychiatric patient jumped out from a moving ambulance in front of a car and was killed. He was being transported to a medical facility when he escaped and leaped from the ambulance.

Oh, this is good. FOX has landed a deal with talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres to become the newest American Idol judge, replacing Paula Abdul who quit the reality show this summer over salary issues. “I’m thrilled to be the new judge on American Idol,” said DeGeneres in Fox's news release, via The Wrap. ”I’ve watched since the beginning, and I’ve always been a huge fan. So getting this job is a dream come true, and think of all the money I’ll save from not having to text in my vote.” Har, har, Ellen, har... har. more ›

Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, released a pointed statement this afternoon regarding Republican Michael Duvall, the Orange County Assemblyman who today resigned after a local TV station exposed a video of him crudely bragging about his extra-marital affairs, presumably with at least one lobbyist, according to reports. Jean's main point? Despite his family values when it came to opposing gay issues, he had no problem cheating: more ›

It's been nearly a year since that fateful Friday afternoon when a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train smashed into each other, leaving 25 dead and 135 injured. It happened around a section of single track, blindly curving around Stoney Point in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles. more ›

The Station Fire had its way with La Cañada-Flintridge just last week, but fires still happen when people are careless. Actually, in the case of a house fire yesterday in the area, it wasn't a human who made the flub, it was the dog. A "hyperactive dog" knocked over a candle, which set the furniture ablaze, followed by the entire house, reports the Pasadena Star-News. The house is considered a "total loss," and "damage to the home on the 1000 block of Lavender Drive is estimated at $575,000." The two adults and one child managed to escape the house once the flames grew; no word on what became--or will become--of the family's pyromaniac pooch. more ›

After burning through 7,425 acres, the Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park has been 100 percent contained. The blaze intentionally began as a 90-fire controlled burn on Wednesday, August 26th, but officials lost control. All roads into Yosemite National Park, including the Big Oak Flat Road and portions of the Tioga Road, are now open with no restrictions. These roads allows visitors to enter Yosemite Valley via Highway 120. However, some pull-outs may be closed due to proximity to hot spots. A handful of campgrounds and trails remain closed, but it's good to see this fire out. more ›

As a courtesy to students on the USC campus who cannot access the tram lines the safety department offers use of the Campus Cruiser service, which "provides [students] with either a walking or vehicle escort to [their] destination," through a request service. However, the campus has issued a warning today that there is a "man driving a van that looks like the Campus Cruiser vans is offering female students rides," according to abc7.com. Students should be aware that this is a fake operation--"Campus Cruiser vans only come to students who order them -- they don't offer rides to students walking on the street." If you are approached by this copycat Cruiser, call (213) 740- 4321 to report the encounter. more ›

Again with the flooding? Yes, as statistics go, again. No word if this is a LADWP water main break or not, but the Los Angeles Fire Department has responded to flooding at 1529 West 54th Street in the Chesterfield Square neighborhood of South LA. "There's enough water and potential to cause damage," explained LAFD spokesman Erik Scott over the phone. The street is closed between Denker and Normandie and no injuries or initial damage has been reported, he said. Two water mains broke this morning in the Mid City and Fairfax District area. Earlier this week, headlines were made in Valley Village when a fire truck sunk into the ground and when a part of Studio City was severely flooded. UPDATE: LADWP confirms a "small distribution leak" on a 6-inch cast iron main that has left 50 customers without service. Crews are in the process of shutting it down. more ›

It's not surprising but Orange County Assemblyman Michael Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) this afternoon announced his resignation, according to KNX1070 on Twitter. "I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly," he said in a statement. "I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle. Therefore, I have decided to resign my office, effective immediately, so that the Assembly can get back to work." Last night, KCAL9 aired a report on a leaked video of him talking about a tryst with at least two women, one of whom that is suspected to be a lobbyist that deals with his committee assignment. more ›

A little clarification from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding a figure officials told us earlier today. A spokesman writes in: "We have approximately 1400 water main leaks and breaks per year (and this number is on the decline due to our infrastructure replacement endeavors wherein we line the pipes with concrete.) At any rate, 1400 per year equates to approximately 4 per day- a very low number for the nation’s largest municipal utility." more ›

In light of the dirty/naughty/sexual bragging video featuring Orange County Republican Assemblymember Michael Duvall talking about an affair or two, possibly one of them with a lobbyist, Speaker Karen Bass this morning announced his removal from two committees. “I am saddened and disappointed in the recent comments made by Assemblymember Mike Duvall," she said in a statement. "There is no question his comments were inappropriate. In consultation with Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee, I have removed Assemblymember Duvall from the Assembly’s Utilities and Commerce and Rules Committees and I have directed our Ethics Committee to look into this matter. The Assembly has some very important policy work to complete in the next couple of days and we will not allow this situation to become a distraction.” The alleged lobbyist worked for a major utility. more ›

We asked what designer food trucks you thought were missing from the streets of Los Angeles and you answered with some scrumptious and salivating ideas (along with a crazy sidebar debate!). So far, here's what LAist readers have thought of. Keep them coming in the comment sections, we're sure some entrepreneurs are ready to make your dream become a tasty reality. more ›

After major flooding in Studio City and a fire truck stuck halfway into the street in Valley Village, there is some hyperawareness regarding water main breaks. Two more water mains broke early this morning in the Mid-City area, which statistically means there should be about two more later today. That's because there are about 1,400 breaks a year, averaging out to four a day, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power. Between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. this morning, two breaks were reported. One on the 1400 block of Hi Point in the Fairfax/Pico area where about 50 customers are without water service, which should return by noon. There was no damage, but there was "a little mud on the street as a result of it," explained spokesperson Gale Harris over the phone. Further north near Fairfax and Beverly, another break occurred on the 100 block of Hayworth, affecting 30 to 50 customers. Harris said the department is investigating to figure if these breaks are related. more ›

Last week a celebration was held on the lawn of City Hall during the weekly farmers' market to rejoice thirty years of locally-sourced farm-fresh produce in Los Angeles, and to look ahead to a future where we make buying and consuming such produce a priority. Part of the event was to announce the winner of GOOD magazine's "Redesign Your Farmers' Market" contest, which invited entrants to articulate and render their vision for the next generation of farmers' markets and how they'll serve the public. more ›

[Update: After being ousted from his committee assignments later this morning, Duvall resigned from his post] Talk about scandal. In an exclusive, KCAL9 obtained a video of Orange County Assemblyman Michael Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) allegedly talking about at least two sexual relations beyond his marriage. Why would a 54-year-old man like Duvall be such a popular guy with the Sacramento ladies? Speculation leads to his position of power on the Assembly Utilities and Commerce Committee where he sits as Vice Chairman. more ›

Many a Hollywood hopeful or star has come and gone from the headlines in the past five decades, but one name always remained rooted in his by-line at Daily Variety. Army Archerd, the industry rag's longtime columnist died yesterday at 87. "Archerd collapsed at home in Westwood on Monday afternoon and died Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center," notes his LA Times obit. Five years ago Archerd was diagnosed with a rare form of mesothelioma, "which doctors ascribed to his exposure to shipyard asbestos when he was in the Navy during World War II." more ›

LA Dodgers defeat Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4. Chad Billingsley got racked for four runs on eight hits and three walks in the six innings he pitched against the DBacks. In that time the Dodgers managed to score a run in the first inning thanks to Andre Ethier's double. But after that, they tied a franchise record by hitting into five double plays. But in the eighth inning they patched together six singles and a walk to score four runs against three separate pitchers while managing to avoid the double play. While it was a great come from behind victory for the Blue, it by no means alleviates concerns of their inconsistent offense. more ›

• Thousands of cases of green onions were recalled by a California firm last week with the news going wide today. Question: are you growing your own yet?
• The Downtown Art Walk is this Thursday and the Downtown News examines how it's turned into quite a different beast--street party!--over the past five years.
• After promoting Reverend Jeff Carr to Chief of Staff, Mayor Villaraigosa announced Los Angeles' new gang czar, Guillermo Cespedes.

If you were driving on the Angeles Crest Highway on the day the Station Fire began--that's Wednesday, Aug 26 around 3:30 p.m.--Los Angeles County Sheriff's Detectives are seeking your help in finding the arsonist responsible for the largest fire in the county's modern history. The blaze broke out near Mile Marker 29 (map). Detectives are hoping to account for all vehicles that passed the spot, according to the LA Times. “Obviously if someone saw something that day we would like them to come forward and speak to investigators. But even if they didn’t see anything we would also like them to contact detectives if they traveled past there around that time,” said Steve Whitmore, sheriff’s spokesman, to the paper. Detectives can be reached at 323 890 5500. more ›

Just a quick reminder, tomorrow is the pier's 100th birthday. Wish it well or join the festivities tomorrow night beginning at 6 p.m. more ›

Despite progress on a broken water main that flooded a part of Studio City, officials do not know when the busy canyon route will re-open. "At this time, it is not possible to estimate when street repair work will be complete and Coldwater Canyon Avenue will be reopened," a statement read from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. more ›

UPDATE: Chris Bowers at Open Left has a much more detailed breakdown of the Baucus plan. It's far, far worse than implied yesterday. And if you care about this sort of thing, it also looks like Max let an insurance industry shill write the whole thing, and made sure that those overtly part of the insurance sector read the bill before the White House. more ›

Once again, workers along Wilshire Boulevard's Miracle Mile are witnessing an LAPD crackdown on the popular trucks that populate the area throughout lunchtime. One tipster, calling it a "raid," describes the scene in an e-mail: more ›

It's not LADWP's job to be a special effects studio. First a flood, 3 to 4 feet high in some spots sweeping away a handful of cars, last Saturday night in Studio City and this morning a fire truck stuck half way into the ground in neighboring Valley Village (the firefighters escaped safely). more ›

Past air quality alerts regarding Station Fire pollution stated that the air quality was unhealthy for "sensitive individuals," such as the elderly, children and those with respiratory problems. However, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health toda said air quality is "unhealthy for all individuals" in the San Gabriel Mountains and Valley. Air quality in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys remain "unhealthy for sensitive individuals." Officials urge residents to call the LA County info line at 2-1-1 with questions. more ›

State Park officials said today that a closure list will not be released today and will likely come next week. "There is a list and it's being reviewed," explained Sheryl Watson, an Information Officer with California State Parks, over the phone. Amid a mass budget crunch this summer, the legislature and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger slashed the department's budget so much, that it will potentially close around 100 parks. more ›

Without too much discussion last year, the L.A. City Council raised parking meter fees citywide to at least $1 an hour at all meters. Times were also extended, angering some businesses, especially theatres in the NoHo Arts District where patrons potentially had to leave during intermission or in the middle of the show to refill a meter. A year later, some businesses still see a drop in business with blame towards increased rates, says the Daily News: more ›

The Station Fire has grown to 160,357 acres--that's over 250 square miles--up some 3,000 acres since last night. The blaze, now contained at 57 percent, has been a difficult fight for personnel and last night calmed on the western end, but became more aggressive on the northern one. more ›

As the the Department of Water and Power faces a second water main break of the week--this latest one sucked in a fire truck--the first one from Saturday night continues to leave Coldwater Canyon Boulevard closed to rush hour commuters as they return from the holiday weekend. The popular over-the-hill cut through to Beverly Hills is closed between Ventura Boulevard and Halkirk Street and between Moorpark and Ventura Boulevard (see a map below). more ›

Early this morning in Valley Village a water main break northeast of where a trunk line ruptured this weekend and caused massive flooding in Studio City has caused a sinkhole to swallow a fire engine and water and mud to flow into the streets. The fire truck was responding to the call to Hartsook Street at Bellingham around 5:30 this morning when the road was believed to still be stable. According to a live report on KTLA residents of the street have noted that the truck seems to be sinking further. The broken line delivers water to area homes, and it's unclear if its break is related to the previous Valley line break. Water and dirt are moving from the sinkhole area, east on Hartsook and south on Laurel Canyon towards Riverside Drive, potentially causing woes for motorists--either trying to drive or whose cars are parked where the mud has flown. more ›

• School Districts in California desperate for funding reach out for commercial sponsors to help them stay afloat.
• It's boiling down to a he-said-she-said: SD Chargers' Shawne Merriman vs. MTV's Tila Tequila.
• If Dorothy Inouye hadn't been cleaning her kitchen last night she'd probably have been killed by the big rig truck that plowed right into her bedroom.

After opening a second location in Hollywood last year, Loteria Grill is readying a new one in Studio City, according to a land use committee agenda (.pdf) with the Studio City Neighborhood Council. This Wednesday, the group will discuss and possibly make a motion in regards to the restaurant's application for a full line alcoholic beverage license. Loteria, which has a space on the corner of Laurel Canyon and Ventura Blvd., is also planning to obtain a permit to allow for live entertainment between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m. more ›

The Station Fire may be 56 percent contained, but its smoke is still affecting air in the San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains. "Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels, or higher, due to high concentrations of fine particulates in smoke-impacted areas," the South Coast Air Quality Management District announced this afternoon. "All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke." more ›

This is news to us: "there are twenty-two wild horse and burro herd management areas located throughout Southern California," according to the Los Angeles Animal Services Department, which sells licenses to those planning on having one at home (but you've gotta live in an equine district, we believe). Every year, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rounds up the animals from public lands in California, Nevada and Arizona, bringing them to a corral near Ridgecrest, grooming them for adoption. more ›

There's been a national controversy bubbling around President Obama's planned speech to school-age students tomorrow, and specifically the initial course materials provided to accompany the talk, which features the country's leader talking about the importance of education and staying in school. Today the White House released the speech so that everyone can preview its content. more ›

No one knows which state parks will close this week and that's a pretty scary reality if you're particularly fond of them. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's fat $39 million cut to parks earlier this summer meant that around 100 parks would close. Earlier this summer, state park officials said they needed time to tinker with the budget to see how many could be saved and how they could save even more by raising fees and partnering with local cities, nonprofits and businesses. more ›

The Station Fire has slowed significantly, but that doesn't mean its impact is any less significant as it continues to burn through ravines full of dry brush and vegetation on its eastern front. As of yesterday, the total acreage the blaze has consumed reached 157,220 according to the LA Times, and is burning "a safe distance from populated areas." more ›

Do you know which way onshore and offshore winds are going? The confusing nature of the subject has one local professor frustrated with KNBC's weatherman, Fritz Coleman. "Melanie Patton Renfrew, a Harbor College teacher, wants KNBC-TV's Fritz Coleman to change references to onshore and offshore winds. She says the terms are confusing because people don't know which are coming and which are going," reported the Associated Press. Apparently, Renfrew's insistence on the terminology has been bizarre, leaving Coleman in fear of his safety. A restraining order was put in place in March 2008, but she allegedly ignored it, which may end in jail time. A Burbank City Attorney said if Renfrew leaves Coleman alone through next August, the case will be dismissed. And in case you were wondering, "a sea-breeze originates over the ocean and blows onshore to land. The opposite is true for a land-breeze. It originates over the land and blows offshore to the ocean." more ›

The rupture of a nearly 100-year-old, 62-inch city water trunkline Saturday night left the area around Coldwater Canyon and Ventura Boulevard paralyzed, flooding the streets, damaging some cars, homes and businesses with water, sometimes up to three to four feet. This morning, a handful of restoration vans sat outside businesses and street closures remain in effect. more ›

With the Dodgers offense being about as consistent as that of a teenaged boy’s face, the Dodgers (81-57) decided to bring the bad offense to the game against the San Diego Padres (61-77) in front of 47,528 fans losing 4-3. more ›

One of the moves the Dodgers made at the beginning of the month was to reinstate utility infielder Doug Mientkiewicz from the 60-day disabled list. Mientkiewicz was first place on the disabled list on April 17 after dislocating his right shoulder when sliding to second base head first on a double. more ›

It’s sort of a cliché, but only because it’s so often true. In the Oaks Christian-Alemany high school football season opener Friday night, the well-known position players got the glory, but the game was won on the line of scrimmage. In other words, it was the biggest players—players like six-foot, five-inch, 288-pound Cassius March—who came up biggest for Oaks Christian of Westlake Village on Friday as the Lions opened their 2009 season with a 28-17 win at Alemany in Mission Hills. more ›

First half goals by Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore help the U.S. National Team get a victory last night over La Selecta from El Salvador. The Yanks fell behind at the 32nd minute when Jonathan Bornstein failed to clear a ball cleanly and instead sent it into the box. El Salvador gained possession in the U.S. penalty box and was able to capitalize on a header by Christian Castillo. The goal came after a mixed first 30 minutes of play that saw the U.S. threaten on a few occasions through Charlie Davies and Landon Donovan. more ›

Late last night a 64-inch water main burst in Studio City at Ventura Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon, according to the LA Times. The water flooded into area businesses and homes, and was 3-4' high in places, according to an LAFD email alert. more ›

In a highlight-laden game, a storm of Dodger-good and Padre-bad netted the Los Angeles Dodgers (81-56) a 7-4 victory. more ›

It was supposed to be an easy week at Chavez-Ravine. The NL West’s two cellar-dwells were coming to face the Dodgers for seven games. more ›

• Happy 228th Birthday, Los Angeles! (PS You don't look a day over 227.)
• A Georgia astrophysicist expresses gratitude for the firefighting efforts that saved the historic, important, and much-loved Mount Wilson Observatory from the flames of the Station Fire.
• An all-day celebration today brought the Mayor's Summer Night Lights program to a close for the year.

Whether you're planning a quick getaway or staying close to home this long weekend, you may be wondering, as you gaze out into the gray, hazy abyss from the wildfires, "just how safe is it to breathe?" more ›

It seems like just yesterday we were prepping to dive into the deep end of Summer 2009, and now with Labor Day Weekend upon us it looks like it's time for us to start coming in from the water. Well, that's the case for most City of L.A. Public Swimming pools, as all but seven city seasonal aquatic facilities will close on Labor Day. You can get your swims in this afternoon until 5, Sunday from 1-5, and Monday from 1-5 if you're in need of a cool down and find yourself without a pool to dip your toes in. more ›

The Station Fire seems to be holding steady, and while the news is good to some degree, the big picture tells another story. As of last report, the "overnight containment of the 154,000-acre blaze [...] rose to 49% as temperatures dropped and humidity" increased according to LA Now. Along with the increase in acreage comes an increase in cost; the largest wildfire in LA County's modern history "has cost more than $37 million to fight, and officials are still assessing the toll to property, wildlife and forest facilities." more ›

Things are quiet down at the Home Depot Center this weekend. Both Chivas USA and the Galaxy have a rare, simultaneous week off from MLS action, but there is plenty of World Cup Qualifying action going on to keep soccer fans entertained. more ›

Football is such a barbaric game (see: Blount, LeGarrette) that I decided to add some technology on opening night. First I got a high-def TV to distinguish Boise State's blue players from their blue field. Go figure, it was the Oregon Dayglo Ducks that didn't seem to be out there. more ›

Today marks the first Saturday of the college football season. Millions across the country; especially here in the home of the #4 ranked USC Trojans and the recipient of seven votes in the AP Top 25 - UCLA Bruins, are excited to get the 2009 campaign kicked off. I, on the other hand, could couldn't care less. more ›

LA Angels defeat Kansas City Royals 2-1. Royals pitching confounded the Angels most of the night. Instead of seeing Gil Meche who had to be scratched because of shoulder fatigue, they got Robinson Tejada. With one out in the first inning, Maicer Izturis hit a single. From there Tejada retired the following 15 batters. Finally in the eighth inning Vladimir Guerrero came through on a bases loaded single that scored two. Jered Weaver kept the affair close only giving up one run in the fourth inning. He went seven innings giving up nine hits and an intentional walk with six strikeouts. more ›

Thanks to no offense and a couple of bad defensive plays, the Dodgers were defeated by the last place San Diego Padres 2-0. Padres starter Wade LeBlanc (1-1), who was recalled to the Padres from AAA Portland Beavers on August 29, pitched six shut out innings giving up only two singles and three walks while striking out two on 96 pitches. He had previously pitched against the Dodgers in Dodger Stadium twice last season losing both decision while racking up a 16.30 ERA. more ›

• A woman in Sun Valley has been arrested for killing her two teen-aged daughters and then attempting to kill herself. Her third daughter has been taken into protective custody.
• The Station Fires (amazingly) haven't affected the UCLA game tomorrow, but they have affected the running of "Los Pobladores -- Walk to Los Angeles". The annual nine mile walk from the San Gabriel Mission to the LA River that celebrates the founding of Los Angeles, has been canceled for the first time in the event's 28 year history.
• A local art teacher has chosen to honor the memory of abducted children through his art. He painted a portrait of Jaycee Lee Dugard back in 1991 when she went missing.

Interesting fact, via the Disaster Accountability Blog, about how state budget woes and a court order to lower prison population could affect firefighting: According to a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation press release, “there are 2,245 adult inmates and 53 Division of Juvenile Justice youth deployed to fires statewide, including Los Angeles, Riverside, and 15 other counties,” under the supervision of “187 correctional officers and supervisors. more ›

It's the last holiday weekend of the summer and that means more drinking and driving than usual. Last year Labor Day, 40 people died on California freeways--half of those killed were not wearing a seat belt, according to the California Highway Patrol. That said, the agency will begin a Maximum Enforcement Period statewide at 6:01 p.m. through midnight on Monday, meaning every available officer will be on the road keeping a vigilant eye out for errant drivers, mainly for violators of the three major causes of highway deaths: speeding, drinking and driving and not wearing a seat belt. more ›

Although no closure list has been handed out, this is the last weekend before many State Parks are expected to close. Faced with nearly $39 million cuts to its budget, State Park officials wanted to hold off until the last minute, hoping cities, nonprofits and corporations would step up and partner to save state parks. For every park saved by one entity could mean the another park saved with the department's dwindling budget. more ›

Fire Captain Tedmund Hall died along with firefighter Arnaldo Quinones last Sunday afternoon during the Station Fire when their truck plunged down an 800-foot hillside. Today, his body was transported to his Victorville home while being saluted at various points along the 123-mile route from Los Angeles (see the route embedded below). A week from tomorrow, a public memorial will be held for Hall and Quinones at Dodger Stadium. more ›

As firefighters get a better handle on the Station Fire, evacuations are lifted and shelters close. Two remain open, the Red Cross announced today. One at Verdugo Hills High School in the L.A. neighborhood of Tujunga (10625 Plainview Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042) and the other at Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita (27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway, Newhall, CA 91350). Since the beginning of the Station Fire last week Wednesday, the Red Cross has sheltered more than 700 people at seven shelters across the Los Angles region with the help of 500 volunteers. The organization estimates that they served 5,100 meals, 8,600 snacks and 525 comfort kits (containing a toothbrush and other personal hygiene items). Dozens of clean-up kits for homes were also given away. more ›

After falling sick and canceling two shows, Trent Reznor is getting better and this afternoon announced the rescheduled dates for the farewell tour, which ends here in Los Angeles. "Sorry about the hassles with the show not happening last night and tomorrow's rescheduling," he wrote on the band's webpage. "If it would have been possible to pull these off, I would have. Anyway, here's the new plan. I appreciate your patience and understanding - we're attempting to make sure that everyone has the best experience possible and we're at full power." Those dates include 9/6 at the Echoplex (unchanged), 9/8 at the Henry Fonda (rescheduled date) and 9/10 The Wiltern (rescheduled date). Humourous video of Hitler reacting to the cancellation embedded below: more ›

This morning ESPN.com posted a chart containing some very telling team-by-team statistics that certainly confirm a belief many West coast college football fans have had for years: the SEC is in the “cupcake” business when it comes to out of conference opponents. The chart is essentially a simple listing of nonconference games versus ranked opponents. Bear in mind the vast difference between a team ranked 25th and a team ranked 5th. more ›

Didn't this burn last year, like twice? A small vegetation fire reported to the fire department at 12:48 p.m. burned a half-acre inside O'Melvany Park, just south of Sunshine Canyon in Granada Hills today. The park is located at the eastern end of the Santa Susana Mountains, site of the 14,703-acre Sesnon Fire from last year October. The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed not only ground crews, but an air attack, snuffing out today's fire in 29 minutes. more ›

President Barack Obama proclaimed September as National Wilderness Month yesterday on the 45th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, which protects pure land from being touched by any hint of development. Even areas within protected National Parks are declared as wilderness to stop government agencies from building roads, hiking paths or visitor centers. more ›

We don't know many details at the moment, but a guy named Paul apparently started swimming late last night from the western portion of Catalina Island to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. That's nothing too unusual, as the San Pedro Channel is a popular place for marathon swimmers, but what's pretty cool is that it's being tracked in real time on a Google Maps application. more ›

Although Los Angeles firefighters knocked down flames in 17 minutes at an early morning fire in Harbor Gateway, one man pronounced dead inside the home. The blaze began around 4:45 a.m. at 15925 Orchard Ave. Officials say pack rat conditions, often referred on the east coast as a Collyers' Mansion, were found inside. Back in 1999, about six people died in "pack rat" fires per year, the LA Times found. "Almost all pack rats--also known as hoarders, recyclers and clutterers--live in squalid conditions that violate Los Angeles County health and safety codes, officials say," reported the Times. "They can expose themselves and neighbors to airborne respiratory illness and diseases carried by the rodents and insects that often take refuge in pack-rat dwellings. In many cases, a pack rat's home or apartment is essentially a huge tinderbox." As for today's fire, it is unknown if the home was in code violation. more ›

A crash between two vehicles left an apparent transient dead this morning during rush hour in North Hollywood. Around 7:53 a.m., the vehicles traveling eastbound on the 134 freeway collided, leaving the freeway over the side where an encampment was set up behind the McDonalds at Riverside Drive and Lankershim Boulevard. "He just happened to be there at the wrong place at the wrong time," explained California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Luevano over the phone. more ›

The L.A. City Clerk is reminding residents of Council District 2--that's Sherman Oaks through Shadow Hills--to register by Tuesday in order to participate in the September 22 special election to fill the seat vacated by Wendy Greuel, who left to become City Controller. more ›

Although job losses are less, a 9.7 percent rate is the highest for national unemployment since June 1983 when it was at 10.1 percent. "Nonfarm payrolls declined 216,000 last month compared to a revised 276,000 drop in July, the Labor Department said Friday," according to the Wall Street Journal, which notes the news is not as bad as it sounds. "Even though the loss is huge by historical standards, it's an improvement; monthly job cuts earlier in the year totaled as much as 700,000. The economy has lost 7.4 million jobs since the recession started in December 2007." more ›

conditions improve." Although the above geographical locations are specific, Fielding says wind can shift the level of dust particles in the air, so everyone should always be aware of their environment. more ›

The Station Fire, which has killed two firefighters, destroyed 64 homes and has burned through 148,258 Acres--that's 230 square miles--was determined to be arson last night. “Forensic examination has led this team effort to conclude … that it was an act of arson," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore to the L.A. Times. Mile marker 29 along the Angeles Crest Highway, where investigators believe the point of origin is near, is now a crime scene. more ›

The Los Angeles Dodgers (80-55) 4-2 victory charge over the Arizona Diamondbacks (61-74) was led by two players who started the week on other teams. Jon Garland (9-11,) the game’s winning pitcher, came to Dodgers Stadium on Monday as an Arizona Diamondback. Last week, Ronnie Belliard, whose 3 RBIs accounted for 75% of the Dodgers' offense, was a Washington National. LA-native Garland, pitched seven economical innings. The newest Dodger hurler allowed two runs (both earned,) while letting up five hits, and walking one of his old teammates. more ›

• The state's high speed rail commission put off a vote on a $9 million contract saying they need a little more information on the selection process. Mainly because the winning group appears to be led by the Governator's top advisor and former campaign manager.
• Bad budget news from the US Postal Service. While the number of post offices facing closure has gone down from over 700 to just over 400... 80 of those facilities are located in California. The closures along with other steps are being done to help the postal service close a $7 billion deficit.
• The noodle house that sold the winning lottery ticket in San Gabriel is basking in the glory... for more than their tasty noodles!

Organizers with the Sunset Strip Music Festival just announced the line-up for the festival's third and final day, which includes closing the famous stretch of Sunset Boulevard for for the first time ever. Headliner Ozzy Osbourne takes one of the stages at 8 p.m., following performances by Korn, LMFAO and others. The Roxy and Cat Club have shows for nearly 12 hours straight, with shows also at the Key Club and Whiskey. Here's the full schedule of events for Saturday, September 12th: more ›

Earlier at today's 30th Anniversary of local farmers markets, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the creation of a food policy task force that will provide a report and recommendations in the next six months on a city food policy council and a foodshed assessment. The group, which has not been chosen yet, will look into issues such as urban agriculture and community gardens, food access/transportation and level of regional self sufficiency in food production (see a full list here). more ›

Due to the Station Fire (and the Morris Fire, which is now 100 percent contained), officials today closed all portions of the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel Mountain Range, citing a federal law meant "to protect natural resources and provide for public safety." Basically, that means the whole mountain range is closed, save for the edges and a portion within the San Bernardino National Forest on the eastern end before the Cajon Pass and 15 Freeway. The closure will last until the fire is 100 percent contained. more ›

For those wanting to honor the two men who lost their lives fighting the Station Fire, a large public memorial will be held a week from Saturday at 10 a.m. in Dodger Stadium, the L.A. County Fire Department announced today, saying more details will come soon. more ›

Possibly adding fuel to the city's grease fire to get rid of illegal street vendors, a Center for Disease Control report released today tells of an April incident in which pot brownies bought from a bogus church fundraiser ended up in a preschool teacher's lounge sickening several teachers. more ›

This morning at the Little Tokyo/Arts District Farmers Market, where the city celebrated 30 years of certified farmers markets (even though it began in Gardena), Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced the creation of a food policy task force that will provide a report and recommendations in the next six months on a city food policy council and a foodshed assessment (details listed below). more ›

As the Station Fire raged over the weekend, causing air quality to pummel, officials were unsure if a game between UCLA and San Diego State could safely be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After consulting university medical staff along with Pasadena officials and air-quality experts, Athletic director Dan Guerrero said the game is on! So now the question is, will the Bruins show up and kick ass? more ›

For those planning a trip to Yosemite National Park this weekend, about a five-hour drive from L.A., they don't have to worry about the Meadow Fire ruining too many of their plans, officials say. The park will remain open, save for some off-limit areas and roads due to the 7,240-acre blaze. more ›

A sigh of relief for Riverside County as one of two wildfires goes under full containment. Officials announced this morning that the 860-acre Pendleton Fire is no longer a threat. "All recommended and mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for all areas of the Oak Glen and Pendleton fire areas," read an status update on CalFire's website. The blaze in Yucaipa began Monday around 3:30 p.m. and had prompted a myriad of evacuations. more ›

After going to court yesterday to determine how tonight's funeral will be paid for, Michael Jackson is scheduled to be buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale around 7 p.m. tonight. For locals on the tail end of rush hour, there will be street closures in effect (map below). No specific time for closures has been listed by the city of Glendale on its website, but expect them to begin in the afternoon, lasting into the evening. more ›

At today's 30 years of the farmers market celebration, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to announce a task force on food policy and will lead a pledge for local restaurants to use locally grown food. more ›

With only months to live, Susan Atkins was denied parole for the 13th and most likely final time yesterday. The San Gabriel-born 61-year-old Charles Manson follower has been behind bars for 38 years after being convicted of murder over a 1969 killing spree left eight people, including Sharon Tate, dead. She has been diagnosed with brain cancer, prompting her and family to ask for a "compassionate release," which was also denied last summer. more ›

The Station Fire, now the largest wildfire in LA County modern history, has burned through 144,743 acres (about 226 square miles) and is 38 percent contained. Although much progress has been made, early this morning, 15 to 20 homes in the Dillion Divide near Pacoima Canyon went under a mandatory evacuation. 64 homes have been destroyed along with 49 outbuildings. So far, the fight has cost around $27 million. There have been a handful of injuries, but most devastating has been the loss of two firemen. more ›

Seattle Mariners defeat LA Angels 3-0. Scott Kazmir, looking to impress his new team in his first outing, did an admirable job through six innings pitching shut out ball. However in the seventh inning he led the inning off by walking Mike Sweeney. After Adrian Beltre flew out to center, Bill Hall doubled scoring Sweeney ending Kazmir's night. Sweeney ended up scoring in the next at-bat when stealing third catcher Mike Napoli made a throwing error. Felix Hernandez however was lights out pitching eight innings while giving up only four hits and three walks. Although King Felix had runners on the basepads all day, he was able to get out of every jam. The Angels lost two of three games in this series and now head over to Kansas City. more ›

The Dodgers offense was thoroughly stymied in their 4-1 loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley and DBacks starter Max Scherzer had a nice pitchers’ duel going. Both were shutting out the opposing team while Billingsley went one better - a perfect game through four innings. Then the fifth inning happened which was an inning sooner than his usual sixth inning collapse. more ›

So has Pete Carroll. Unfortunately for USC's opponents, the NCAA doesn't approve of settling things with pitchforks and torches. Fortunately for USC's opponents, they also don't approve of settling things with a playoff. The Trojans start this season with another mind-boggling collection of talent -- and expectations. Ranked No. 4 in most of the preseason polls, the only schools ahead of USC all feature a quarterback who already won the Heisman Trophy (or should have). more ›

With the college football season fast approaching, its time to see how the local team from Westwood looks coming into the new season. The UCLA Bruins have a lot of work to do after last year’s campaign that started with promise defeating Tennessee at home but ended with pain losing four of their last five games. The Bruins finished with a 4-8 record overall 3-6 in the Pac-10, eighth in the conference just ahead of the Washington schools. more ›

One of the nastiest guys in the Major Leagues made his grand entrance to the Dodgers clubhouse this afternoon. Mr. 564 homers Jim Thome finally graced us with his presence. Casey Blake rushed out to greet the Peoria-bred Thome in one of those man-hugs that tells the world that both parties are 100% rugged heterosexuals and don’t you forget it buddy. Of course the man-hug in context with the Tyra Banks Show playing on the television (though today the sound was muted) is an exercise of absurdity not seen since Eugene Ionesco. Thome went in to manager Joe Torre’s office for a bit and came around to his locker situated in between Andre Ethier’s and Casey Blake’s. more ›

• "Daniel's Village", a former motel now a transitional home for young folks with mental illness opens in Santa Monica.
• A Judge has ruled that Michael Jackson's estate must pay for the extravagant memorial service.
• Even as the state has cut funding to colleges to record lows, students are enrolling in community colleges in record numbers.

On Sunday word came that two Los Angeles County firefighters lost their lives while on duty battling the Station Fire. Captain Tedmund "Ted" Hall and Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones tragically lost their lives when they were overrun by a fast moving fire which approached where they were working at Fire Camp 16. The vehicle in which the firefighters were driving towards safety went over the edge of a mountainside road. "Their untimely death on August 30, 2009 has been a shock for [the] Department," adds the LACFD. more ›

Last week the news of the death of Adam Goldstein, better known to many as DJ AM, shocked many people. Although authorities are still working to determine if his death was accidental or suicide, Goldstein apparently died of a drug overdose in his New York apartment, where drug paraphernalia was found. The 36-year-old DJ had recently finished working with Dr. Drew Pinsky on a television show about addiction, and "was said to have agreed to go back to rehab just hours before he died," according to the LAT's blog The Dish Rag. more ›

It's Time for Lunch...what's on our kids' plates? Tater tots, pudding cups and mystery meat often find a home on kids' cafeteria trays, but that doesn't have to be the case. This fall, the Child Nutrition act, which leaves schools only $1 to spend on each child’s meal after labor, equipment and overhead costs, is up for re-authorization by Congress. In order to promote awareness of the need to change food policy for school-age children, Slow Food L.A. and Whole Foods are behind 6 "Eat-in" events in Los Angeles community gardens this Labor Day. more ›

This afternoon, the Los Angeles City Fire Department announced that evacuations issued due to the Station Fire within the city in the Sunland/Tujunga area have been lifted, and residents are able to return to their homes. Per the LAFD all areas in the community West of Blanchard Canyon to Alpine Village (which include Lonzo St, Sevenhills Dr, Hillhaven Dr, Hillhaven Av, Dos Rios Dr, Angeles Dr, Deliban Av, Amidon Pl, Burland Av, Terecita Rd, Terecita Pl, Samon Pl, Owens Pl, Owens St, Samon Av, Parsons Tr, Grenoble St, Silverton St, Bellclaire St, Glory Av, Fairgrove Av, Haines Canyon Rd, Private St, and Apperson St). Furthermore, previously evacuated areas (Riverwood Community, Blanchard Canyon Area, and Elsie Drive) will be accessible after 8 tonight for residents and emergency vehicles only. The areas will be patrolled by LAPD and LAFD units to ensure the safety of the residents and their property. more ›

Santa Monica Boulevard sees two huge streets closures a year: Halloween and Gay Pride, both of which that draw hundreds of thousands of people. But for the first time the Sunset Strip is getting its due in a week and a half. "The street has never been closed for something like this, this is a first," explained an excited Nic Adler, the tech savvy owner of The Roxy and one of the Sunset Strip Music Festival organizers. more ›

This afternoon the monstrous Station Fire continued its slowed-burn of the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains, moving east towards communities to the north of Pasadena, as predicted earlier today. more ›

It seems to happen every disaster, so it's likely to happen this time around as well. "After virtually every disaster, scam artists come out of the woodwork to defraud individuals wishing to help victims," Attorney General Jerry Brown said in a statement. "Californians should give only to reputable organizations so their donations don't end up lining the pockets of criminals and opportunists." His office has two webpages dedicated to the issue: one for tips on charitable giving and another for submitting complaints if you believe you've been ripped off. In a press release, his office also offers these tips: more ›

Despite an on-air interview with KNX1070 earlier today stating the Station Fire was human-caused, officials with the Angeles National Forest said that was premature. "Confusion has arisen around the cause of the huge wildfire burning North of Downtown Los Angeles," the radio station wrote in an update. "The US Forest Service has retracted earlier statements made on KNX that the fire was 'human-caused'. Speaking on KNX, a spokesperson for the Service now says it's still too early to determine the cause." more ›

Twitter user Liz Ohanesian was one of the first people to get the word of a fire coming from the long-standing Whisky A-Go-Go rock club last night. She Tweeted: "Roof caught fire at the whisky. Fire dept. has already put it out but westbound sunset strip is closed." But Ohanesian had been next door when she saw the fire department pull up to tend to the flames. Inside, the band Eminent was celebrating their record release and kicking off their US Tour with a gig. more ›

For the first time since their capture in North Korea, sentencing to a hard labor camp, and return to the US following a diplomatic intervention by former President Bill Clinton, Current TV, the San Francisco-based cable network part-owned by former Vice President Al Gore, has come forward with details of the incident involving their reporters Laura Ling and Euna Lee. more ›

Officials with the U.S. Forest Service are "convinced" the Station Fire was human-caused, but are not precisely sure how, reports KNX1070 on air. Basically, they know it was not caused by lightning--it could have been arson, a spark from equipment, a cigarette butt or any other possibility on a long list that investigators will narrow down. The fire began around mile marker 29 on the Angeles Crest Highway, where a car turnout is located. The blaze has burned through 140,150 acres, or 219 square miles, with 22 percent containment as of 10 a.m. Over 4,000 fire personnel have responded and 62 homes have been destroyed. A lot of progress has been made in handling the fire, but the southeastern flank above Altadena and Pasadena remains a concern for officials, who are considering more evacuations for the area. [Update: Official retract this, more here] more ›

How much of a difference can you make in who the city hires as our new police chief? “Public input is critical in this process,” said John Mack, president of the LA Police Commission, which is hosting a series of five meetings that begin tonight in the Los Feliz area. “The next Chief of Police will serve all of the diverse communities of Los Angeles, and it is extremely important that we hear from those communities and know what is important to them.” more ›

Could the 18th time be a charm for Susan Atkins? The San Gabriel-born 61-year-old woman who was "convicted of killing actress Sharon Tate and seven others four decades ago," is up for parole one more time today, according to abc7.com, in a hearing postponed from May 28th. more ›

In a press conference held shortly after 8 this morning at the command center in Hansen Dam, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mayor Villaraigosa spoke of the current data regarding the massive Station Fire, the heroism of the firefighters, and the assistance available to the victims. more ›

Firefighters working to combat and contain the over 140,000-acre Station Fire have managed so far to keep the flames from scorching the historic Observatory and the communications towers that serve many of L.A.'s television and radio stations, as well as law enforcement and telecommunications. more ›

Firefighters in San Bernardino County have been successful in moving both Yucaipa-area fires, the Oak Glen Fire and the Pendleton Fire, towards containment. As of last night, the Oak Glen Fire, which began midday on Sunday, has burned 1,013 acres and is 60% contained according to cbs2.com. Nearby, the Pendleton Fire, which began Monday afternoon, has scorched 860 acres and is now 70 percent contained. more ›

Andre Ethier was the savior for the Dodgers 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. On Air Force Appreciation Night, the Dodgers bullpen laid a stink egg for the second consecutive night. Right fielder Andre Ethier willed the Dodgers to victory twice. First with the game tied at three in the bottom of the seventh, Ethier worked a bases loaded walk to give the Dodgers a 4-3 lead. Then in the top of the eighth and stole a two-run homer in off of first baseman Brandon Allen to end the inning. more ›

HIgh temperatures and low humidity today began to subside, aiding firefighters in controlling the Station Fire, now 127,513 acres, nearly 200 square miles, in size. The blaze is now 22 percent contained, according to Forest Service officials. However, a change in weather could again downgrade containment and begin to threaten more homes. more ›

[Update, 4:55 p.m.: All Station Fire mandatory evacuations have been lifted in La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta except one area, says Bruce Quintelier of the Forest Service. The area still under an evacuation order is north of Markridge between Pennsylvania and Lowell with a voluntary evacuation from Santa Carlotta to Markridge between Pennsylvania and Lowell. See a map below] more ›

This rumor has been floating around for years. If you're getting robbed and forced to take out money at an ATM, you can alert police by entering your PIN in reverse, but still get the money out so the bad guy is none the wiser. The locally based Snopes.com calls the rumor false and gives a history of the technology, which was first patented in 1994 by a Chicago businessman, but hasn't found an real-world use. Even a bill related to the idea went through the Kansas legislature but never became law. However, the LA Times reports today that Councilman Greig Smith, in his new role as chairman of the Public Safety Committee, wants to explore the technology in light of teenager Lily Burk's murder. She was killed after attempting to withdraw money from ATMs with a credit card (it never worked). Smith says the technology would cost $25 per ATM to install. If this technology were to become citywide, ATM robberies would likely become seldom, or at least and unfortunately, more efficient. more ›

As firefighters get an upper hand on the Station Fire in portions of Acton, officials with the L.A. Department of Water & Power feel relieved enough to announce a decreased threat to two of their 500 KV lines. If those lines were to be cut off from the city's power grid, there was the potential of blackouts due to the mixture of hot weather with increased power consumption and reserve power plants not being able to handle that demand on energy. more ›

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger already declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles county, among others, and today gave the same designation to San Bernardino County where two fires, the Oak Glen III and the Pendleton, burn. "We are doing everything we can to save life and save property," he said at a press conference in Yucaipa. "The reason why things are running so well is the coordination between state and local firefighters." more ›

Some have e-mailed LAist asking about the huge white cloud over the fire. "Why is the smoke cloud white during the day?" one reader asked. more ›

Hockey fans from all corners of the Greater L.A. area -- and beyond -- headed to L.A. Live this past weekend to take in the inaugural L.A. Kings Hockey Fest 09. The three day event kicked off on Friday night and included a variety of events throughout the weekend featuring both current and past Kings players. more ›

When wildfires occur, a lot of terminology is thrown around. Here are some of the more commonly heard words defined by the Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, a conglomerate of federal agencies. more ›

Although officials don't know for sure, the drowning of a 3-year-old boy last week might have been prevented if rolling cuts were not in effect. To close a $54 million gap in the department's budget, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa cut non-emergency overtime in lieu of furloughs or layoffs. The cut meant shutting down 15 engines and 9 ambulances at rotating locations around the city daily. more ›

Imagine this if you will. A fire in a forest finds itself near a rodent, whose fur lights on fire. Still alive, the little guy flees to another part of the unburned forest only to light dry brush, thus spreading the fire. That's what firefighters are dealing with in the Oak Glen III Fire out in San Bernardino County, according to a brief in the Press-Enterprise. Rodents are trying to flee the fire and cross Oak Glen Road only for firefighters to pick them up and throw them back into the burning forest. The 43-world brief has definitely caught readers' attention in the comments section: some are angered (and for different reasons) and disturbed by the news and some think it's funny as hell. more ›

The two fires burning in San Bernardino County grew slightly over night, but are keeping firefighters on edge. "The Oak Glen fire has now consumed 1,012 acres and is currently 40 percent contained and the Yucaipa fire [named the Pendleton Fire] measures 640 acres and is 45 percent contained," reported the Press-Enterprise around 9:15 a.m. Thousands of homes, mostly in Oak Glen, are threatened and one has been damaged. Officials are hoping to let Yucaipa residents back home today, but no word on affected Oak Glen dwellers. Preliminary causes have not found, but there are four people of interest sought in regards to the Pendleton Fire. more ›

Although the Station Fire's growth early last night seemed to be a sign of a slow down, the blaze, which killed two firefighters and has destroyed over 50 structures, grew some 15,000 acres as the hours progressed. The fire remains at 5 percent containment, but the weather is expected to cool down and moisture in the air is expected to return, which should aid firefighters, save for the worry of gusty wind and dry lightening strikes. This morning the focus of firefighting efforts remain in keeping flames away from homes, particularly in areas of La Crescenta, Tujunga, Sunland, and at Mount Wilson. Backfires set last night in Acton and La Crescenta are helping to keep the burn under control. Evacuation orders in more ›