News that actress Natalie Wood's 1981 drowning death case was being reopened sent a shockwave through the newswires last night. Wood, 43, died in the waters off Catalina after a day of boating--and drinking--with her husband, actor Robert Wagner, and their friend, actor Christopher Walken. Classified as an accident, new information could change the course of Hollywood history. more ›

A combo platter of community groups have announced they're filing suit against Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, on grounds he being a shady secret-keeper by not fully disclosing public information about dealings with immigrations enforcement agents. The National Day Laborer Organization (NDLON), the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), say they have been trying to obtain the info through the California Public Records Act. more ›

The increased potential for retaliation by Al Qaeda operatives, as well as those with anti-American sentiments, has prompted the U.S. State Department to issue a travel alert following the announcement of the death of Osama Bin Laden, according to Reuters. The State Department issued the following warning: "Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens in areas where events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations." more ›

Being sheriff has its perks -- to the tune of $120,000, if you're Sheriff Lee Baca. ABC 7 reports that in his 13-year tenure, Baca has accepted gifts in the form of expensive liquor, tickets to shows and travel. And a database posted at the LA Times reveals that Baca has enjoyed many a game of golf on someone else's tab, including local attorney David Hochman and real estate developer Michael Schwab. more ›

In a 2-1 decision on Friday, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was not "immune" to the lawsuit brought by Dion Starr, a former county jail inmate who claims he was stabbed 23 times in a racially motivated attack "abetted by jailhouse deputies," reports LA Nows. The court determined that Starr had "sufficiently argued in his complaint that Baca showed 'deliberate indifference' to dangerous conditions in the jail." more ›

LA County Sheriff Lee Baca says the remains of Mitrice Richardson, the CSU Fullerton student who was missing for nearly a year after being detained at the Lost Hills/Malibu LASD Station, "will be exhumed and sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, Va., for further examination," reports LA Now. Richardson's mother requested the FBI's involvement last month, and has upheld her claim the LASD did not properly handle the case or the body. The LA Co. coroner agrees with the exhumation; they listed the cause of death as "undetermined." more ›

The Obama Administration this week said they would "vigorously enforce" marijuana laws, even if voters approve Prop 19, which would legalize the drug for recreational use. "Let me state clearly that the Department of Justice strongly opposes Proposition 19. If passed, this legislation will greatly complicate federal drug enforcement efforts to the detriment of our citizens," Holder wrote in a letter to former chiefs of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the LA Times. more ›

Los Angeles County's elected Sheriff today upped his fight against marijuana, calling most medical marijuana dispensaries criminal enterprises. "Millions of dollars are being made for profit, and it's all illegal," Lee Baca said, according to the Associated Press. more ›

Two prominent California names will co-chair the campaign against Prop 19, the ballot measure that would legalize marijuana in the Golden State, the prop's opposition announced today. And it didn't take long for the two, both Senator Dianne Feinstein and L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca, to get to work on the issue. more ›

Sheriff Lee Baca this morning officially announced that the remains found in the Santa Monica Mountains are that of Mitrice Richardson, the 24-year-old woman who disappeared last year after being released from the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station. more ›

Before yesterday's arrest of a man suspected of leaving a car bomb in New York City's Times Square on Saturday, Southland police agencies were already taking note. more ›

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and other public safety officials gathered yesterday to announce a plan to create an injunction in Skid Row to curb drug dealing in the area. "The single biggest criminal threat facing this area is the open and notorious drug dealing," explained Trutanich at a press conference yesterday in Gladys Park, where protestors from the L.A. Community Action Network surrounded him, chanting loudly against the proposal. more ›

During a hearing yesterday in DC, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca got into an argument with Republican congressman from Indiana Mark Souder after "the lawmaker questioned his relationship with an Islamic nonprofit group," according to LA Now. more ›

There's a reason people refer to Los Angeles County Supervisors as kings and queens. Until recent years, the position had no term limits and the powerful job, which reigns over millions of residents each, usually went unchallenged. Filing to run in the primaries on the June 8th ballot were due last Friday and various incumbents are getting an easy ride, reports KPCC. Supervisors Gloria Molina and Zev Yaroslavsky (image to the right) and Sheriff Lee Baca will face zero challengers, save for any aggressive write-in campaigns. more ›

In 2008, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department had nine deputy-involved shootings. But for reasons unclear, that number increased to 16 in 2009, despite lower crime trends. For those reasons, Sheriff Lee Baca was expected today to gave a new deadly force guidelines to officers. 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 ›

Top Sheriff Lee Baca had endorsed both candidates Jack Weiss and Carmen Trutanich for LA City Attorney, but today he only supports one. “I can no longer remain silent about the reckless disregard for the truth that Jack Weiss has brought to this race," Baca said in a statement distributed by the Trutanich camp. "Mr. Weiss’s latest television commercial is desperate and an insult to the principles of the American legal system, our Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Obviously, Mr. Weiss doesn’t respect the truth or our justice system that guarantees a fair trial for everyone. The radical portrayal in his twisted commercial against Mr. Trutanich undermines public trust for the fairness and integrity required by our courts. The lawyers in the City Attorney’s office need a leader who will honor all facets of the justice system.” Ouch. more ›

An investigation launched last fall into an East Los Angeles drug operation netted 48 arrests of gang members during raids yesterday morning conducted at 38 different locations, the Press-Telegram is reporting. The raid, according to Sheriff Lee Baca "put a heroin ring out of business." more ›

For LA County Sheriff Lee Baca, he rather close jails than take officers off the streets. Facing potential cuts in his department, which he says will be around $72 million, he would lean towards releasing inmates early, possibly closing the Men's Central facility (that could mean releasing 4,000). Under his plan, his 10,000-officer force would not decrease other than through attrition and a number of civilian jobs would be cut. But the county's chief executive, William T Fujioka, told the LA Times Baca's story is "irresponsible" because nothing has been set in stone. Fujioka asked many departments for draft budget proposals showing how they would handle a 5% cut, but he said the Sheriff's Department is not one of them. more ›

At first Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca was praised for deciding to allow Fox Reality to make a show about his recruits, since the deal brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in license fees as well as profits from the series. Hey, why not, right? Get the LA Co. Sheriff's Department's name out there, let America see what they're all about, maybe tempt some fence sitters to join the ranks to get in on the fun of serving, or maybe the fun of being on a reality television show, right? more ›

On today's LAist poll, over 80% of you readers are willing to pony up for a subway to the sea. Is anybody at City Hall listening? Or does Zuma Dogg have to get all wacky on their asses? The LAT names two new managing editors. To whom do I write to protest the axing of West Magazine? About 200 employees were evacuated from UCLA today after a basement explosion; no injuries reported. 16-year-old Victor... more ›

It's hard to find a good Wookiee these days, so LAPD is looking for a naughty one. A Chewbacca impersonator allegedly sexually assaulted a Marilyn Monroe look-alike near Hollywood and Highland last month, though the crime was just reported yesterday. When authorities showed up to investigate, the suspect fled. Police are presumably looking for a man who is tall, dark, and hairy. There has been no comment from LA County Sheriff Lee Baca, who may... more ›

- Michael Moore says he's losing weight thanks to eating fruits and vegetables - AP - Speaking of big fellas, Shaq's new tv show didn't do so well in its debut - Orlando Sentinel - Lee Baca sez Paris Hilton had something so unique that the LA jail docs couldn't cure her - People - Judge okays MTA fare hike, and then drives his import sedan home (probably) - LA Times - California tries... more ›

- Gustavo Arellano, who writes the syndicated column “¡Ask a Mexican!” for the OC Weekly, is profiled in the New York Times. - Hollywood loves top cop Sheriff, Lee Baca. Now he faces questions over his handling of Paris Hilton. - From University of Virginia to UCLA, here comes Gene Block. - Summing up City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's last couple weeks. Photo taken at the UCLA Sculpture Garden by Zach Behrens for LAist.com... more ›

When a celebrity moves next door, so does the parking and traffic problems caused by paparazzi. So who do you call to solve the problem? Well, the city of course. And in this town, local politicians are no stranger to loving or hating celebs, whether it be Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo and most recently, City Councilman Jack Weiss: An embattled city councilman who has been accused of making the gut-wrenching Los... more ›

- The Beastie Boys will play some mellow, intimate, laid back classy shows in support of their upcoming all-instrumental cd The Mix-Up (6/26). They will also do seven full on old school hip hop shows around the country and one of them is within an hour and a half drive of LA, up in the hills of Santa Barbara at the beautiful County Bowl (8/23) - Pitchfork - Frustrating 9-1-1 calls from King-Harbor showing... more ›

• The Atwater Village Newbie's wife, Mrs. Newbie, wins the Atwater Village Street Fair cookie contest - AVN • Al Sharpton met with Sheriff Lee Baca today regarding Paris Hilton - Fox 11 • Former Fox 11 TV reporter / LAPD sergeant Rod Bernsen cleared of accusations that he touched two 12-year-old boys in a hot tub - LA Times • Deadly auto accident on the PCH near the Ventura County line claims one... more ›