Callie Miller

Photo by Sundogg via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr When the Santa Monica single-use plastic bag ban goes into effect on September 1st, it could change the way you experience farmers markets in the area. Instead of a straight ban of all bag types in favor of one eco-friendly BYOB alternative, the LA Times notes that the new ordinance will treat different bags...differently. Though the standard flimsy two handled bags are completely...

In tonight's Extra, Extra we've got a big move, a library that needs saving, a bizarre new dating service, a possible Vermont line, Jamie Oliver getting denied, a contest and more news bites of the day. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

Photo Lucyrk in LA by via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr You may already think twice about checking-in to a venue on Foursquare if you don't want people to know where you are, but do you exercise the same caution when you take a photo with your iPhone and share it on Twitter? The LA County DA's office is warning Angelenos to think carefully before enabling geotagging features on your cell phone,...

Photo by banspy via Flickr John W. Davis, 56, is a registered sex offender. In 2000, he was convicted in San Diego for a felony violation of attempted lewd acts with a child under the age of 14. In November of 2010, he was allowed to read to students at Los Altos Elementary school as part of "heros day." LA Now reports that "officials are trying to sort out" exactly how such a thing...

The LAPD has arrested one suspect and are looking for "four or five male youths in their teens" after an Eagle Rock resident was violently assaulted while running at the Yosemite Recreation Center last night, according to the Eagle Rock Patch. The attack left the victim with severe lacerations to his head, a broken hand and possibly broken ribs.

In response to complaints about prostitution-related activity on Castaic Road, Vice Detectives setup a "John" sting and prostitution sweep in Castaic last night, according to CBS Los Angeles. The result? Eighteen people were arrested including 16 men for solicitation of prostitution, two women for loitering for the purpose of prostitution and two other men were arrested for interfering with a police officer. One of the men arrested was also charged with sexual battery. No...

Construction site of Americana at Brand in 2007 / Photo by Lushbunny via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr A judge has ruled that Caruso Affiliated's 2005 to 2008 construction at Americana at Brand forced nearby recording studio Backroom Entertainment to close, according to Glendale News Press and Caruso plans to appeal. Backroom Entertainment, once used by several rap artists and singers, is now surrounded on three sides by the Americana mall and...

Movie poster from Groundhog Day GROUNDHOG DAY If ever there was a Wednesday to go see a film you've already seen (and seen and seen) at The Egyptian Theater, it's tonight and that film is Groundhog Day considering that it is, ahem, actually Groundhog Day. Roll your eyes if you want, but consider this: at least spring is on its way soon and The Egyptian is always a classy spot to hang out for...

And the Charlie Sheen dramedy train continues to roll on at sad-bizarre-funny-weird speeds straight through Hollywood. Despite multiple sources confirming cocaine-bender rumors, LAPD says they "found no signs of illegal activity" at Sheen's home and won't be launching a criminal investigation. Now that Sheen is in rehab (at home) for the umpteenth time, his show Two and a Half Men has been forced into hiatus again and the crew is furious.

Los Angeles Coliseum commissioners will decide today if they will issue a permit for the Electric Daisy Carnival to return to the venue this June, according to ABC. The event was discontinued after 15-year-old Sasha Rodriguez collapsed from an ecstasy overdose at last year's event and died days later at a local hospital. Her death resulted in a moratorium on raves for several months, but the rave ban was lifted last November. The Electric...