Zach Behrens

Although the original source of the controversial Obama poster appears to be a student in Chicago (he made the joker face and posted it on Flickr. Then someone apparently mashed it up with the word "socialism"), a conservative radio talk show has exploited the posters further making a contest out of it. The posters were first noted in Los Angeles back in April and received widespread attention beginning August 3rd. Seeing an opportunity, talk...

The man accused of making a false bomb threat the White House and later leading police and Secret Service agents on a chase that ended in a standoff that last over eight hours, was charged today in court. Joseph Moshe, 56, of Westchester racked up two counts--making a false bomb threat and criminal threats against a 911 operator--pleaded not guilty today in court. If convicted on both charges, Moshe could end up with four...

Nearly a year after allegedly shooting two men, leaving one dead in the San Fernando Valley last year, Andrew Lee Thomas Jr. (pictured to the right) was caught on a Metrolink train in the Santa Clarita Valley last Friday afternoon during "a routine train fare compliance check" by LA County Sheriff's. One of the officers recognized Thomas, 21, from an LAPD wanted bulletin. Thomas was questioned and gave a fake name, but when officers...

A suspicious package called in this morning around 11:30 a.m. has the bomb squad currently on the scene at The Bonaventure hotel in downtown. There have been no street closures around the hotel, which is on Figueroa between 4th and 5th, at this time, according to the LAPD. It should emphasized that this is not a bomb scare or threat. Rather, a package left unattended was found to be suspicious. UPDATE, 3:10 p.m.: The...

Cherry Tomatoes at the Hollywood Farmers Market | Photo by Lucyrk in LA via LAist Featured Photos The LADWP took notice of last week's "Comment of the Week" about breaking city water conservation rules in order to sustainably grow your own veggies. They say it's doable, so take listen up, says spokesman Brooks Baker in an e-mail: The City of Los Angeles Water Conservation Ordinance currently restricts watering with sprinklers to Mondays and Thursdays...

Cambridge Police Sgt. James Crowley, the arresting officer in the controversial Gates case that drew quick and harsh criticism from President Obama, will thank a national police union today in Long Beach for defending him when the President said he acted "stupidly," according to the LA Times. Black Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested for disorderly conduct when police responded to a break-in call. Gates was actually breaking in to his own...

Atwater Village | Photo by Atwater Village Newbie via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Two major wildfires are burning in the state prompting evacuations in Santa Barbara and Shasta counties. More water restrictions around the region, this time in Glendale where lawn watering will be limited to three days a week for 10 minutes a day. What stimulus idea is better for the environment, economy? Cash for Clunkers or High Speed Rail? Attention tree...

Los Angeles has had some hazy and reddish smoke layer in some parts yesterday. That usually leads to brilliant sunsets, but they are a sign of nothing good. The two wildfires burning north in Santa Barbara and Shasta counties have grown to be "out of control," as characterized by the LA Times. Since last Saturday, the fire burning in the Los Padres Mountains 26 miles east of Santa Maria has burned some 40,000 acres...

Looking a little further the controversial cuts to the fire department, which takes 87 firefighters off duty throughout the city on a rotating basis, here is the interactive map the fire department's union is using as an education and advocacy tool. The so-called "brown outs" change every weekend day and work week so no one station bears the brunt of cuts. Today, about 26 stations have lighter staffing, which is like three to four...

As mentioned last week, the LAPD tonight will hold a DUI Checkpoint in Hollywood at on Highland Avenue at Willoughby from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. After 66 driving under influence-related and 662 hit and run traffic collisions in the area just in 2009, police say they are using this checkpoint to "educate the community to use designated drivers and not drink and drive." Also, there will be a saturation patrol in the Newton...

Los Angeles Polie officers fire tear gas into a suspect's vehicle involved in a standoff outside the Federal Building (AP Photo/Nick Ut) The man standing off with police in Westwood since 10:30 a.m. was arrested without incident more than eight hours later when police approached the vehicle and pulled him out. He is reportedly Joe Moshe, 56, of Westchester. Police and Secret Service responded to alleged threats he made against the White House when...

Photo by EastsiderLA Jesus Sanchez, the blogger behind The Eastsider LA, found that street artist Shepard Fairey put an anti-graffiti coating on the brick walls of his art gallery and ad agency in Echo Park. Fairey explained that "when graff seeped into the raw brick it was very difficult to clean. The building is historic and I love and want to protect the brick." The new anti-graffiti coating will make abatement easier, but will...