Zach Behrens

A representation, but not a literal rendering of the arch by artist Peter Shire This year marks the 30th anniversary since the NoHo Arts District began to change from scary, dirty and dangerous to the still-blossoming arts and theatre neighborhood. Part of the neighborhood's redevelopment are three public art projects including a gateway arch that will be revealed next week by prolific public artist Peter Shire, who may be known for his work at...

A state board voted today to hand out IOUs that will be repaid on October 2nd at the earliest. Although Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's staff wanted a repayment date to be set for as last as next year June with an 1.5% interest rate, staff with Controller John Chiang said people need their money and next year would be too late. Ultimately, the Pooled Money Investment Board sided with Chiang and put the interest rate...

Driving the Pacific Coast Highway through Point Mugu State Park | Photo by jbcurio via Flickr Following up on an LAist story published last week, the San Jose Mercury News spoke to Governor Schwarzenegger's office about a letter from the National Park Service to the state about closing parks. In that letter, Pacific regional director Jon Jarvis, informed Schwarzenegger that closing some 69 parks that received funding in the past jeopardized all future funding...

How's this for punishment? Police checkpoints will be set up on Saturday around hillside areas not to make sure you're driving sober, but to see if you have fireworks. If you get busted, they could confiscate your car, throw you in jail or fine you $50,000, according to the Pasadena Star News. Remember, for the most part, fireworks are illegal and only some cities allow "safe and sane" ones. And of course, they'll be...

In her inaugural speech as the City Controller, Wendy Greuel vowed to continue former Controller Laura Chick's quest to legally audit--financially or performance-wise--the offices of the Mayor, City Attorney and City Councilmembmers. Chick had tried to audit former City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's office, but he balked and the matter went to court where Chick lost. “If there is any question about this, I shall take this issue to you, the voters of the city...

At a 2008 incident where someone died | Photo by Marshall Astor via Flickr In what appears to be an accident, a 24-year-old man died yesterday evening after he apparently climbed the fence near the cliffs of Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. The fence is there for a very good reason, but numerous people have fallen, often to their death, at the park over the years. Fire department rescues at this location almost...

On the southwest corner of Melrose and Highland, there's Osteria Mozza, Mozza Pizzeria and, as of yesterday, now Mozza 2Go. Eater LA visited finding that they're offering "the A-Z in gourmet Italian products, including the newly launched line of Mozza-brand edibles. Need some EVOO? Dried pasta with unpronounceable names? Canned tomatoes? Or even a cookbook? No problemo. The Batali-Bastianich-Silverton joint venture number three encompasses a small retail area plus counter where the hungry can...

A transformer in a distributing station tripped this morning de-energizing some circuits causing some 6,000 customers to lose power in the Hancock Park/La Brea/South Hollywood area this morning around 7:40 a.m., according to an LADWP spokesperson. By 9:40 a.m., LADWP crews restored power to 3,300 customers and were working to 100% restoration. Kudos to the department for their first time use of Twitter to update real-time alerts on the situation. You can follow them...

Unemployment increased from May to June, but only by one-tenth of a point, or 467,000 lost jobs, a 26-year high. Here's the breakdown: Professional and business services slashed 118,000 jobs, more than double the 48,000 cut in May. Manufacturers cut 136,000, down from 156,000. Construction companies got rid of 79,000 jobs, up from 48,000 the previous month. Retailers eliminated 21,000, up from 17,600. Financial activities cut 27,000, following 30,000 in May. The government cut...

Shots broke out this morning at Family Dental Care around 10:38 a.m. this morning in Simi Valley. Exactly an hour later, the suspect shooter surrendered to police, but not before killing one, critically injuring three and leaving another with minor wounds. No word yet on the motive....

A western fence lizard found in Zuma Canyon | Photo by Anthony Bevilacqua via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Spend your money tonight before LA County's new sales tax--yes, 9.75%--goes into effect tomorrow. Also tomorrow, new state rules on speed limits go into effect, making it harder for local cities and unincorporated areas to not raise speed limits Has the day of the super star blogger arrived? CyberFrequencies, a podcast about how the web...

As the case against Prop 8 goes to Federal Court, the presiding judge has warned that he will likely not approve an injunction against Prop 8 during trial. Even gay marriage supporters such as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Attorney General Jerry Brown have warned of the confusion and uncertainty if that were to happen and Prop 8 was found to be law. However, the judge wants to get the trial going soon. "To avoid...