Zach Behrens

A U.S. Bank branch at Woodman and Riverside in Sherman Oaks was robbed this afternoon at around 2 p.m. Now a perimeter has been set up as police look for two suspects who may be armed. "There are choppers everywhere," exclaimed Beth Oslander, a resident nearby who e-mailed LAist asking what was going on. A bomb squad was also called two the scene because of a suspicious package left at the bank by the...

Beginning Monday, mandatory water conservation in Los Angeles begins. That means things like a different rate structure (.pdf) and a stricter sprinkler ordinance (.pdf). Speaking to watering lawns, which consumes the most amount of water in households, homeowners don't necessarily have to sprinkle anything. Isla Earth, the daily podcast from the Catalina Island Conservancy explains some xeriscaping basics in an episode from 2007 that are still relevant today:

Former West Hollywood Councilman and Assemblyman Paul Koretz claimed victory for LA's 5th district seat late Tuesday night. Then an e-mail late yesterday afternoon came with some sobering news. "We learned last night from the County Registrar that their original estimate of approximately 100 ballots left to be counted was incorrect," an e-mail last night stated. "They are now reporting that there are between 500 and 1,000 ballots still to be counted on Friday...

In the final phase of a federal security transportation initiative, our borders are tightening even more beginning Monday. Those traveling by land or sea, will have to present a Passport or the newish Passport Cards when re-entering the states from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Similar rules have already been in effect for air travel after September 11th prompted the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. What if you mess up and don't have either...

Deep within Rock Pool at Malibu Creek State Park (more photos here) | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist The great thing about California state parks is that many of them have so much beauty, history and significance, they could be a National Park. In fact, sometimes state parks work in combination with National Parks like in the Redwood Forest and locally within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (check out this map of all...

More than 200 citizens died earlier this year while defending their homes from wildfires in Australia. That news made officials do a 180 from considering a stay and defend training program for Southern California. So they announced yesterday a "Ready, Set, Go" wildfire action plan for residents living in high risk fire areas--that is to create a defensible space around the home and go when evacuation orders are given. With a light year in...

Not a good day for use of force reports in Long Beach. In two separate incidents, Long Beach police used their guns injuring four suspects with one officer also being shot. In the first incident, Long Beach undercover detectives witnessed a drive by shooting in Compton and pursued the vehicle onto the 710 freeway. It ended in a shootout: three suspects hit and one officer. Later, an officer responding to a vandalism call led...

"At one time, prom may have been a big popularity contest where the best-looking guy or girl were crowned king and queen. Things have changed and it's no longer just about who has the most friends or who wears the coolest clothes," said Sergio Garcia, who beat out girls to be this year's prom queen, in his campaign to become prom queen, something he said was more of a stunt in the first place....

A fire that broke out this afternoon near Dodger Stadium in Elysian Park has grown to one acre, but is expected to be extinguished soon, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. At 2:41 p.m., a call from 1700 Stadium Way in the park reported the brush fire as near them. 38 firefighters responded to the fire in medium brush, which quickly grew from a half to full acre, as of 3:25 p.m. However,...

One will address the war and the other, Prop 8. At 3:30 and until 5 p.m., activists from CODEPINK and ANSWER LA will protest troops in Afghanistan and war funding outside the Beverly HIlton, where President Obama is attending a Democratic National Committee fundraiser. Then at 6 p.m., the Courage Campaign is organizing one about Prop 8. "Let's take this opportunity, just one day after the CA Supreme Court makes its decision on Proposition...

Although it won't be for official presidential business. This afternoon, Barack Obama will arrive in Los Angeles for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Beverly Hills. There will be no public appearences and he will stay overnight. His presence is affecting private pilots, who are not being allowed to fly in or out of LAX, Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Santa Monica Airport, Burbank Airport and Van Nuys Airport from 1:05 p.m. today to 8 a.m....

In an e-mail yesterday from Protect Marriage, the official Yes on Prop 8 group, they are not too worried concerned about the 18,000 gay couples whose were marriages untouched in the state Supreme Court's ruling. Why? Cause, apparently, a lot of gays will divorce, they say: "if California goes as Massachusetts did after legalizing gay marriage, a substantial portion of the still-recognized gay marriages will be dissolved by divorce within a few years." Jeeezzz....