Zach Behrens

Photo by Anthony Citrano via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The move to ban the sale of cats and dogs in West Hollywood is a first, but that's nothing unusual. The recent spate of cat declawing bans in various cities around California--Los Angeles included--was something that began there and it seems to have invigorated some new energy. "West Hollywood can take the lead on this issue and help set the standard for Southern California...

Paul Koretz Speaking on the Budget at Today's Meeting It's 3:30 p.m. and the Los Angeles City Council's Budget and Finance Committee is in session. It sounds boring, but Los Angeles is facing a current $208 million budget shortfall and an expected $400 million shortfall come July, when the new fiscal year begins (and not to mention a $1 billion shortfall in future years). That could translate thousands of employee layoffs and basic city...

Although the state said they would give $14.7 million in funding for the Orange Line extension in the West Valley, they've balked, forcing Metro to either delay the project or use their own money in the meantime. Last Thursday, the latter was chosen, in hope the state will honor the money in the future. In a 7 to 0 vote, the Metro Board approved using funds from Measure R, the voter-approved sales tax hike...

Atop Adams Hill in Glendale | Photo by SevenPhoto via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Precedent setting? "A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Friday ordered an Eagle Rock medical marijuana dispensary to stop selling weed and, in a first for a California judge, ruled that retail sales of the drug are not permitted under state law," says the LA Weekly. If you've never watched an episode of Huell Howser, this Sunday's episode might...

At the Devil's Night Drive In | Photo by Paul Gronner Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is reality that many of us have to face. To that end, LAist will be highlighting various things to do during the holiday weekend, whether it be Friday the 12th, Saturday the 13th or Sunday, Valentine's Day. We began the series with the Zombie Prom and yesterday, brought you a laid back four-course dinner...

One study has found that texting is about the same, if not worse, than driving drunk, but a recent study looking into cell phone bans--the ones where you can't put the phone to your ear--are not working. “We can’t even see a blip in the data," one researcher said about the results, which shows no difference in crashes occurring before and after bans, according to a blog on Cars.com. Yes, cell phone-to-the-ear use went...

When they banned cat declawing, it was a first. Now West Hollywood is looking to do something that looks like another first: banning the sale of cats and dogs, according to WeHoNews. The proposed bill, “could be the beginning of the end of puppy mills and it's happening in West Hollywood, one of the most progressive cities on animal welfare issues," said resident Ed Buck, Director of Social Compassion in Legislation. As the websites...

As seen at Lincoln and Brooks in Venice this week | Reader Submitted Photo Back in December, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a case between the city of Los Angeles and Fuel Outdoor, a billboard company responsible for many of the poster-sized signs at corners all over Los Angeles. At issue was a 2002 city off-site sign ban, which meant Fuel signs were in violation. They challenged the city and lost in...

Although the rescue of a dog in the LA River last week was national (and controversial) news, the Spanish-speaking owners had no idea how much of a superstar their dog had become. "It didn't get a lot of play on Spanish-language TV," an Animal Control director told the LA Times. Spikey (or Vernon as he was nicknamed by firefighters) was airlifted by firefighters last Thursday and will remain under quarantine until next Tuesday because...

Controversy is brewing in Silver Lake over a mural by Phil Lumbang on a private residence, Jesus Sanchez at EastsiderLA is finding. Most everyone loves the artwork, but one neighborhood complained to the city which in turn said it was illegal, asking for homeowners Amy Seidenwurm and Russell Bates to take it down. Councilman Eric Garcetti likes the mural and is seeing what can be done. Meanwhile, Lumbang makes a great point: "I guess...

Chef Erik Cho may be a master of french fries, but that's not all he has up his sleeve. Come Valentine's Day, he's putting together a skilled menu and throwing a laid back event that will be nice for singles, couples or just friends hanging out, at one of the best upcoming bars in town, the Verdugo Bar in Glassell Park.

Photo: hall.chris25 A preliminary version of a report that details over 1,000 layoffs will be released today by city officials. According to the Daily News, here are some of how the 1,003 layoffs could go, which doesn't affect the staffs of the Mayor's or City Council: Cut 125 from Recreation and Parks Cut 100 each from the City Attorney's Office, Libraries, Personnel and Bureau of Sanitation. Eliminate 57 sworn and 22 civilian positions from...