Zach Behrens

A police perimeter around the crime scene | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist A 2007 murder may be linked to Saturday's restaurant shooting that left four dead inside a middle eastern cafe, the LA Times is reporting. Akop Akopyan, 24, was found dead on Mulholland drive in what police believe was an execution hit. The 2007 case hasn't been solved, but some of the deceased victims in Saturday's shooting, which is also thought to be...

City Hall, as seen from Main Street | Photo by Sean_Yoda_Rouse via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr After a stressful Wednesday where Los Angeles budget news was a mile a minute, Thursday had some peace. Budget officials announced that there was an unanticipated $30 million realized through unexpected tax revenues and cuts made last month, according to the Daily News. That money will be combined with $90 million from the city's reserve fund to...

Photo by sirimiri via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Los Angeles budget officials today reported an increase in the city's budget deficit. "The 2009-10 Budget deficit is now estimated at $222.4 million," a report released today said. The new number, which was previously $212 million, is based on $36.8 million in savings, the unexpected $26 million in increased property tax revenue and the loss of, thanks to a standoff over the controversial carbon surcharge...

A new and humorous Twitter account appeared this week mocking a city councilmember for his apparent lack of consistency and conviction in the way he does business. Based on last week's drama, @NotPaulKoretz was probably created by a food truck vendor, or at least a die hard advocate. [Update, Monday, April 12th: Koretz has responded to the food truck situation. Read about it here.] "At lunch (in a building, of course). On the way,...

Photo by discarted via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The union that represents LAPD officers are blowing the whistle on what they are calling a myth in the city budget cuts. From their blog: ... it is a myth that the LAPD has been exempt from the city’s budget cuts. The impact of officers being taken off the streets because of overtime concerns, and filling in for furloughed civilians or vacant civilian jobs, are...

A falling-over bouganvillea in Eagle Rock | Photo by dreamyshade via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The Sex Pistols' former manager Malcolm McLaren has died at age 64 Ha! CBS Outdoor put up a menacing-looking billboard ad for "Nightmare on Elm Street" above a Silver Lake nursery school. A shocked mother contacted CBS, which promptly pulled the ad and replaced it with a public service one. Will high speed rail in the U.S. be...

Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Diego are all vying to get Comic-Con. Whoever wins out will reap financial benefits from the massively big and popular convention dedicated to all things action, nerdy and sexy. Filled hotel rooms, full restaurants and more mean good things for L.A.'s job force and sales taxes. Curbed LA notes that a Facebook fan page has been set up for people to show their support. Anaheim has one, too....

current events Councilman Eric Garcetti thinks that's an actual possibility. In a comment he left on LA Weekly's website, he said "Our work in February and March has resulted in further real savings that will total about $50-$65 million more by the end of June (end of our fiscal year). Combined with slightly better property tax receipts, we will be able to meet our obligations for this year. Nevertheless, I hope the DWP gives...

Personal Photo via Crime Insider Monica Beresford-Redman, the owner of Zabumba Restaurant and Bar on Venice Boulevard, was found dead today in Cancun, Mexico where she was traveling with her husband and reported missing after an apparent shopping trip. Her husband, Bruce Beresford- Redman and reality TV producer, has been detained, according to sources of KTLA. He said she was missing since Monday, but officials were suspicious because he reported her missing on Tuesday,...

Aftershocks continue in Mexico where a 7.2 struck Sunday. A moderate 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck at 9:44 a.m. LAist photographer Tom Andrews said he felt it in Laguna Beach and the force was enough to make a chandelier swing. Hundreds of aftershocks have struck the region since Sunday. Here in Studio City, we didn't feel the 5.5. Did you?...

As news of a study points to California's comparative lack in disciplining doctors--the state ranked 41--the LA Times reminds us of a new law coming into effect on June 27th. A step below restaurant rankings, Doctors will have to provide notice of or post this: "Notice to consumers, medical doctors are licensed and regulated by the Medical Board of California, (800) 633-2322, www.mbc.ca.gov." Once on the Board's website, you can find yourself to their...

Downtown | Photo by @sevenphoto via LAist Featured Photos In an attempt to woo Conan back to New York City, Gawker delivered pizza to the writing team here in L.A. "Dear Conan Writers. New York Misses You! Come Back--There's More Pizza Where this Came From," read a note on top of one pizza box." L.A. Stormwater 101: what is it, why does it matter and what you should know. Really, how prepared are Californians...