A new state law allowing parents to reform schools themselves that went into effect last week is already being used in L.A.'s Sunlund-Tujunga neighborhood, finds the Daily News. Mount Gleason Middle School could see all its teachers and administration fired and have it turned over to a charter operator, if a majority of parents sign a petition. "Parents are the ones who pay taxes, they are the consumers and they cannot wait for manana," said state Sen. Gloria Romero of L.A., who authored the reform bill. Although Gleason has been ID's has an extremely under-performing school, officials are concerned organized parents at good schools could use the law as well in a "witch hunt" manner. more ›

Los Angeles officials have lifted evacuation orders for most all city residents in the Sunland and Tujunga neighborhoods of the Northeast Valley. Only one home is still under mandatory evacuation orders. more ›

An apparent burglary in the Northeast Valley neighborhood of Sunlund last night left one man dead and another person in the hospital. Police are searching for up to 10 suspects who may be involved in the incident, according to a spokesman over the phone. Details on that end are still sketchy, but the incident took place around 10 p.m. on the 9700 block of Sunland Boulevard. Apparently, the burglary was taking place when the resident walked into the home, according to the LA Times. He was pistol whipped and tied up. When another resident, who also happened to be the man's employee, tried to help him, he was shot dead. more ›

Shortly before 11:30, the Los Angeles Fire Department received a call of a brush fire in the hills of the San Gabriel Mountains seen from Foothill Boulevard. It is estimated to be 2-3 acres in size on the ridgeline. Temperatures in the San Fernando Valley are cool today, but winds are blowing in a southeast direction at a speed of nine, according to LAFD Spokesman Erik Scott. "It's too early to tell how much of a problem it's going to be," he said. UPDATE: As of 12:13 p.m., the fire had grown to around 5 to 7 acres. UPDATE #2: Firefighters called a knockdown around 1:15 p.m. 10 acres were burned with no structures damaged or injuries sustained. more ›

Wrought with the economy hitting them hard and community and city opposition, Home Depot officially announced today that they are done trying to open a store in the Northeast Valley and are dropping their $10 million lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles. more ›

Home Depot is suing the city of Los Angeles because they didn't get what they wanted they say Councilwoman Wendy Greuel acted in a biased manner by helping neighborhood groups challenge the project while voting to require an environmental review. Greuel calls shenanigans in an LA Times article: "Is Home Depot and their lawyer suggesting that if a council member supports or opposes a project before it comes to the council, that there is... more ›