LAist reader Drew wrote in with some news in his part of town, and he was nice enough to attach some photos. Wow, thanks, Drew!

Hey Tony!

Apparently an elderly driver was leaving the UPS store in the little shopping corner on Riverside and Laurel Canyon (where Starbucks and Subway are), backed into THREE cars and then tried to flee the scene only to hit another car pulling into the parking lot and ended up smashing into the hair salon. I had a quick word with one of the emergency workers who said everyone was fine- one lady was a little banged up. Way to go guys!

Best,
Drew

Was last night's earthquake cause to some full moon effect madness?

• Breaking News: "A man from the San Fernando Valley has contracted this year's first human case of West Nile virus in Los Angeles County, health officials said Thursday." (NBC4)
• A female suspect has been shot by police in a Sylmar Bank robbery. (KABC)
• "A SWAT standoff in the parking lot of a Taco Bell ended early this morning with the arrest of a suspected car thief who was found sleeping in a stolen car with a realistic looking pistol sitting on the passenger seat." (Daily News)
• Over at the Daily News' Valley based LA.com: "Editors are fleeing the new management structure, led today by Lonny Pugh and at least one another who has given notice." (LA Observed)

Photo by dsearis via Flickr

There was a "'Funeral for State's Rights" at the Van Nuys courthouse yesterday. There has been lots of activity on the medical marijuana front of late, with the DEA busting legal dispensaries, seizing their assets and taking their medicine. I went to hear what the phriendly people adorned with pot leaves had to say, and to document the rally the best way i know how to: with a camera.