Jessica P. Ogilvie

When it comes to the "Twilight" franchise, some of us humbly count ourselves among the faithful. But as much as we may be looking forward to the next story detailing the lives of a few lovelorn vampires, there are those in our ranks who are taking it just a little too far.

When you think of Sasha Grey, a number of things might come to mind: violent sex. Playing a prostitute for Steven Soderbergh. Going buck naked on "Entourage." But if you don't immediately conjure up an image of her reading a storybook to a group of first-graders, you will now. TMZ reports that Grey was brought in to Emerson Elementary School in Compton on November 2 as part of the Read Across America program...

A memorial service will be held today for Lance Corporal Mario Arias Jr., the 19-year-old Marine who was murdered in his bunker at Camp Pendleton, reports NBC Los Angeles. Arias was found beaten to death on his bed in the early hours of Sunday morning. Following the attack, the suspect allegedly jumped out a third-story window in what authorities believe was a suicide attempt. The suspect survived and and is being treated for serious injuries.

George Washington Carver Middle School in South L.A. was put on lockdown this morning after a student saw someone near campus who matched the description of a man suspected of trying to sexually assault a 12-year-old girl last week. The lockdown started at 7:15 a.m. and lasted about an hour, reports the Huffington Post.

TV shows about suburban parents going rogue and becoming drug dealers are becoming de rigeur, from "Breaking Bad" to "Weeds." But for one OC woman, the somewhat unfathomable notion of going from law-abiding soccer mom to player in the drug trade became a reality. Tapped to become a drug mule in the 90s after her husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness and she found herself unable to support her family, a woman identified by the cops as Jane Doe and by the media as Marie began making $10,000 a day toting kilos of cocaine through airports in her suitcase.

About 90 people were displaced after a townhouse under construction caught on fire in Brentwood early this morning, reports KTLA. The fire started at about 3:30 a.m. in the12300 block of W. Gorham Avenue. Firefighters got the blaze under control within about an hour and a half, but the building was declared a knock down.

In tonight's Extra, Extra, Occupy LA protesters pay Bank of America a visit, the house that Michael Jackson died in goes on the market, and the feds raid a California pot cooperative. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.

FADE IN: Things were rapidly deteriorating for the 84th Annual Academy Awards, slated to take place in February of 2012. Brett Ratner had removed himself from the production team after letting fly with a gay slur and offering up unsolicited information about the size of his ballsack, and on the heels of Ratner's departure, celebrated comedian Eddie Murphy promptly dropped out of his commitment to host the ceremony.

A two-year-old boy has died and his mother and 1-year-old sister are recovering after being struck by a hit-and-run driver last night, reports ABC 7 News. The family was crossing a street in Santa Ana when 23-year-old Angel Perez allegedly struck them with his SUV. The AP notes that boy was pulled under the car and the woman and baby were thrown on the hood. The boy was taken to U.C. Irvine Medical Center, where he later died.

Not wanting to be outdone by its neighbors to the south, the Valley community of Northridge saw the opening of its very own Chick-Fil-A this morning. The event came complete with a pop-up tent city, and loyal chicken-breast-lovers foaming at the mouth over the promise of their favorite fried food.

UCLA students and supporters took to the streets today to protest cuts to the budget that have led to an increase in fees, reports the AP. About 200 people participated, closing down parts of Wilshire and Westwood boulevards.

Our advice to you is to steer clear of Studio City this morning if you can -- a ruptured water main has Ventura Blvd. closed from Whitsett to Coldwater Canyon. According to KTLA, the pipe burst at about 8:20 last night, flooding the major thoroughfare completely. Crews are working to clean it up and suggest taking alternate streets like Riverside or Moorpark to those who can't avoid the area.