Zach Behrens

A crime alert posted at the park's entrance | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist A suspect has been arrested in the attempted rape of a jogger at Point Dume Natural Preserve, authorities announced today. DNA evidence led to Christian Marcus Verdin, 31, of San Bernardino. On March 12th, a female was standing at the edge of a cliff after a jog when Verdin allegedly grabbed her from behind. They struggled for a few minutes before...

The union that represents 8,700 L.A. Department of Water & Power workers is at odds with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa over the carbon surcharge drama going down between the City Council and Board of Water & Power Commission. Despite warnings, the Board approved a higher electric rate than recommended by the Council, which in turn vetoed it. That meant the needed rate increase to address bankruptcy concerns and renewable energy expansion can't happen for another...

$1.5 million will go towards planting over a half million trees in an area of the Angeles National Forest that scarred by the Station Fire last year. The Board of the Air Quality Management District today approved the action, which uses money from a Chevron mitigation to offset carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the expansion of its refinery in El Segundo. "Chevron’s project is the first in the region where greenhouse gas emission reductions...

Glynn Johnson, the 55-year-old former L.A. County Assistant Fire Chief accused of beating a puppy to death and later found guilty, was sentenced to 90 days--to be served on weekends--of jail and 3 years probation today, according to the LA Times. He used his fists and a 12-pound rock on the mixed breed shepherd after he was bitten when returning the dog to neighbors. Karley, the 6-month-old dog had escaped into the neighborhood, but...

Actor John Forsythe, best known for his 8-year role on "Dynasty," died yesterday from complications of pneumonia in Santa Ynez. Described by the New York Times as "the debonair actor whose matinee-idol looks, confident charm and mellifluous voice helped make him the star of three hit television series," Forsythe also played roles as the voice of Charlie on "Charlie's Angeles" and as a Beverly Hills lawyer in “Bachelor Father.” He earned two Golden Globes...

A bit of traffic relief for over-the-hill travel! Closed since a February storm washed out a large chunk of the famous route, the portion of Mulholland Drive reopened today between Laurel Canyon Avenue and Coldwater Canyon Boulevard. "All concrete k-rails and barricades installed have been completely removed and the street is now open to traffic," said Cora Jackson-Fossett, a spokesperson of the Department of Public Works. "The Bureaus of Engineering and Street Services, respectively,...

After Metrolink's CEO stepped down last December--he was facing a possible ousting anyway--the commuter rail agency today announced its new CEO. John E. Fenton, who will begin on April 16th, was most recently the Operating Partner of CIH Capital Partners, a full service investment bank, and before that the President and CEO of OmniTRAX, Inc., a Denver-based transportation services company. He's also held positions as the General Manager/Vice President of the Canadian National Railway,...

Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc., the non-profit charged with bringing revitalized downtown a streetcar by 2014, has taken ad space to bring attention to the project. Ads went up this week, finds Eric Richardson at blogdowntown. "See what happens when Downtown connects," the theme states, suggesting local uses like dinner at L.A. Live followed by a show at Walt Disney Concert Hall. "The success of the Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar project depends on widespread support...

Photo by Atwater Village Newbie via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The certified list of candidates for the June 8th ballot was released last night. It's 177 pages (.pdf) of all the races across the state, from Governor to Congress to the State Assembly. In all, there are 650 candidates for 150-plus offices, including 50 congressional representatives, 80 state assembly seats and 20 even-numbered State Senate seats. Despite the number of candidates for Governor,...

A view from Downtown L.A. | Photo by Budgie_Lo via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The annual Easter sunrise service at the Hollywood Bowl has been canceled. Blame the economy. Every neighborhood seems to be getting a reality show these days. Add the list: Koreatown. If you live in West Hollywood, You Should read LA Weekly's latest expose on the city. California Attorney General Jerry Brown said today that while ACORN's behavior was "highly...

After criticism from Councilman John Drayman, the Glendale Police Department yesterday opted to ditch the bunny costume worn by an officer used in a pedestrian sting the day before. Officers nabbed 36 people Thursday for not yielding to a plainclothes officer trying to cross the street in a crosswalk. “I am happy to hear that they modified the sting and agreed that the idea of a giant rabbit — a total anomaly out in...

The site is split by the Pomona Freeway (SR-60) in Monterey Park | Photo via EPA An Environmental Protection Agency division overseeing the cleanup of a 190-acre Monterey Park landfill shuttered in 1984 has received more funding, the federal agency announced today. A settlement of $3.87 million from 12 companies that dumped hazardous materials and wastes at the site between 1948 and its closing has been completed. In all, more than 300 million gallons...