Lindsay William-Ross

It's all 21st century and shizzle in the LBC! Long Beach residents are now just a tap away from reporting "potholes, graffiti, sidewalk damage, and other service needs to the City," with the launch of the free "Go Long Beach" smartphone app, reports the Press-Telegram. Requests submitted via iPhone or BlackBerry go right to work crews, "who will respond to them faster than requests made by telephone or e-mail." (Android version arrives in December.)...

A big rig crash on the northbound 405 Freeway near the 10 Freeway has left three of the four lanes closed, and is creating a traffic nightmare as the evening commute gets underway. The vehicle "has struck about a dozen vehicles on the NB 405 North of the 10 Freeway. The big rig came to a stop south of Santa Monica Blvd.," says KNX1070 via Twitter. Early reports indicate that the driver of the...

State Senator Jenny Oropeza may have lost her life on October 20th following a long illness, but she may yet win a second term come November 2nd, says the Long Beach Press-Telegram. In polls taken prior to Oropeza's death, the incumbent Democrat was leading in the race that includes Republican John Stammreich and Libertarian David Ruskin as her posthumous opponents in a heavily Democratic voting area. Should Oropeza get the win on Tuesday there...

The big rig that struck multiple vehicles while traveling northbound on the 405 freeway yesterday evening was driven by a man who lost control while suffering a heart attack, confirms LA Now. 58-year-old Huntington Beach resident William Bradfield died following the accident that involved his big rig colliding with eight other vehicles. Early estimates from the chaotic scene indicated there were anywhere from 12 to 15 vehicles involved. Bradfield was treated on-scene, however was...

A San Bernardino County Supervisor was driving his work-issued vehicle on a suspended license for over four years, according to records, says CBS2. Paul Biane was arrested in Illinois for drunk driving in 2005 on a "a family trip to attend a Notre Dame-University of Southern California football game," and consequently had his license suspended. Biane claims he did not know that the suspension applied to all states; he says he found out about...

Photo by MiaStole via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr Hold on to your hats--today is going to be blustery. A wind advisory remains in effect this morning, says the National Weather Service, as north to northeast winds (the chilly ones) blow 20 to 30 mph through the Los Angeles area. Gusts up to 45 mph can also be expected, particularly in mountainous areas. Stronger winds are expected in the eastern portion of...

An El Pollo Loco in Duarte was the target of an armed robbery near closing time last night, reports KTLA, and one of the five suspects involved opted for a curious disguise: A President Obama mask. The men "tied up the employees and stole a large amount of money from the safe." While one suspect had a gun, say investigators, unconfirmed reports indicate the suspect with the fake Obama face was wielding a toy...

Music lovers can expect to pay $1 to $3 more per ticket next year to see a show at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, according to the Daily News. Today the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved the price increase, as requested by the Bowl's operating group, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. The extra bucks per ticket are expected to pull in about $27k more per year, which will go to the LA Phil. The extra revenue "will be added to a fund for capital improvements, equipment and supplies for the amphitheater."

Photo by Alex de Cordoba via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr To avoid the polls on November 2nd, California's voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot. The deadline to do so is today, however, and for residents of Los Angeles county, those interested in getting a mail-in ballot must submit their request online by 11:59 p.m. tonight, explains LA Now. If you are mailing in your ballot, however, make sure you get it...

Serious Eats' A Hamburger Today enjoys tackling beloved SoCal burgers, and today released their thoughts on The Original Tommy's Double Chili Cheeseburger. Among the lessons learned was that the picture was a lot prettier than the real thing, and that the chili is the star of the show.

The Fine Art Treasures Gallery ran a DirecTV and Dish Network show, and sold art to more than 10,000 customers around the United States, bringing in more than $20 million. However, on-air auctioneer James Mobley, 63, of Woodland Hills, is going to get a whole lot of time to watch TV shows, since he's been sentenced to 5 years in federal prison for pedaling fake art--forging the signatures of Picasso, Dali, Chagall, and more--and...

Photo courtesy Tournament of Roses The Food Network's Queen of butter-laden Southern cuisine Paula Deen has been named as the Grand Marshal of the 2011 Rose Parade. Deen will toss the coin before the 97th Rose Bowl Game and ride in the 122nd Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year's Day. This year's theme is "Building Dreams, Friendships & Memories.” Says Jeffrey L. Throop, president of the Tournament of Roses of their selection of...