L.A. Times - California | Local News

LAPD's public database omits nearly 40% of this year's crimes

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The map, touted as a way for residents to monitor the safety of their neighborhoods, doesn't include about 19,000 serious crimes reported in other LAPD data. Officials say they're looking into it.

The Los Angeles Police Department's online crime map intended for public use has failed to include nearly 40% of serious crimes reported in the city, a Times analysis has found.

Gloves off on cost of Michael Jackson's services

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

City attorney plans investigation of $1.4-million bill, but some see long-term gains from global exposure.

Hours after the last eulogy to Michael Jackson bounced off the rafters of Staples Center, discussion in Los Angeles civic circles turned to more down-to-earth matters: Were the pop star's death and memorial a net fiscal loss or gain to the city, and should taxpayers get stuck with the tab?

Jesse James Hollywood found guilty of murder

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 20:18:00 -0700

He could receive the death penalty for the slaying of teenager Nicholas Markowitz in 2000.

After five years on the run and a movie based on his high-profile case, Jesse James Hollywood was convicted of first-degree murder Wednesday in the 2000 slaying of a West Hills teenager.

For Jani Schofield, some progress -- and major setbacks

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 16:56:00 -0700

The 6-year-old, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, doesn't fare well after a change in her environment, and the stress of caring for her takes a severe toll on her family.

On June 29, The Times profiled Jani Schofield, a 6-year-old diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents in “Jani’s at the mercy of her mind.” The article examined Jani's bouts of rage, her make-believe world, and Michael and Susan Schofield's efforts to keep their family together while also safely raising Jani and her toddler brother, Bodhi. Here is an update on the Schofield family.

California grants early release of parole violators

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Dealing with overcrowding and fiscal constraints, officials have set free some inmates and approved early release for others.

California prison officials, facing severe overcrowding and a financial crisis, have been granting early releases to inmates serving time for parole violations.

Brush fire in the Sepulveda Pass forces evacuations

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

Visitors to the Getty Center and Mount St. Mary's College are ushered from the facilities. The apparent accidental blaze shuts down part of Sepulveda Boulevard and two 405 offramps.

Hundreds of visitors at the Getty Center and dozens more at Mount St. Mary's College were forced to evacuate Wednesday afternoon when a brush fire swept through the hillsides and canyon walls in the Sepulveda Pass, fire officials said.

Roads in Los Angeles, Orange counties most congested in the United States

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

However, drivers faced slightly less delay because of rising gas prices, according to an annual report for 2007 by the Texas Transportation Institute.

Los Angeles and Orange counties continued to have the worst traffic congestion in the country in 2007, although motorists experienced slightly less delay as a surge in gasoline prices discouraged travel, a new national study shows.

Carly Fiorina seems to be prepping for a bout with Barbara Boxer

Wed, 8 Jul 2009 21:05:00 -0700

Fiorina, a former Hewlett-Packard chief and economic advisor to John McCain, may be getting ready to seek the Republican nomination for the California senator's job in 2010.

Carly Fiorina, whose rocky tenure as chief executive of Hewlett Packard ended with her firing, is making serious preparations to run next year for the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

Missing Monrovia artwork is a honey of a mystery

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

History buffs hope to reunite 1940 mural of a grizzly bear with a restored painting of her cubs.

It's a tale every bit as intriguing as "The Story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears." In fact, the biggest mystery now under discussion at the new $16-million Monrovia Public Library is, "Where is Mama Bear?"

Some TV stations refuse to air marijuana-tax advertisement

Thu, 9 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0700

The commercial produced by a pro-marijuana advocacy group will appear about 200 times across California in the next week, but not on KTLA or KABC.

Advocates for legalizing marijuana have released a new television advertisement calling for the drug to be decriminalized and taxed to help solve California's budget crunch.