L.A. Times - California | Local News

Fear sets up camp on a stretch of the L.A. River

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:16:00 -0800

For residents along a grimy stretch of the waterway, the shooting of five people a year ago made a perilous place feel even more so.

After the killings, the people on the river slept with their knives closer. They leashed guard dogs outside their tents and cardboard lean-tos. They listened for strangers' footsteps above the thrum of traffic on the bridges overhead. They got used to the sight of police stepping carefully along the big white rocks of the embankment. Below, in its concrete jacket, the dirty river crawled.

Conservation is seen as key to dealing with state's water woes

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:39:00 -0800

Rebates and low-flow fixtures are helping. Now comes the tough part: individual sacrifice.

Katie Martin grew up with a set of water commandments. No lingering in the shower. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth. Don't flood the yard.

Redheads victimized by middle-school classmates

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:41:00 -0800

Three students reported being beat up by about a dozen students at A.E. Wright in Calabasas. Authorities believe the attacks are linked to a Facebook group based on a 2005 episode of 'South Park.'

At least three youngsters in Calabasas have fallen victim to violence by fellow middle-school students after a Facebook group urged people to beat up redheads, authorities said Monday.

Griffith Park visitors warned against feeding wildlife

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:49:00 -0800

The move was prompted by coyote attacks on two people in September. Feeding coyotes in the park is illegal and carries a fine of up to $1,000 and jail time.

Concerned about the safety of park visitors, Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge on Monday erected the first of dozens of signs urging the public not to feed the wildlife in Griffith Park.

Los Angeles-area leaders urged to better coordinate anti-hunger programs

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:52:00 -0800

With an estimated 1 million residents struggling to put food on the table, a coalition creates a blueprint to address the problem. But one group said better utilization of a federal program is key.

Seeking to stem a mounting hunger crisis in Los Angeles County, Jewish community leaders Monday urged government agencies to better coordinate their splintered efforts and to expand access to unclaimed food assistance programs.

Some L.A. Unified workers agree to furloughs

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 18:06:00 -0800

Two SEIU units representing 20,000 cafeteria workers, bus drivers and other employees overwhelmingly approve the move to help close the district's large budget gap.

About 20,000 Los Angeles school district workers have agreed to four unpaid furlough days to help close a large budget gap, officials announced Monday.

White supremacist gets death penalty for murder of fellow gang member

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:22:00 -0800

Billy Joe Johnson, 46, was convicted last month of assisting two other men in the March 2002 murder of Scott Miller, a founding member of the gang who had divulged gang secrets on a TV broadcast.

A white supremacist gang member in Orange County was sentenced to death Monday for his involvement in the murder of a fellow gang member who had divulged gang secrets on television, authorities said.

Comedy shows to benefit homeless programs

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The Laugh Factory's owner arranged two fundraisers after meeting Bessie Mae Berger, a 97-year-old woman who was living in an SUV with her two sons. The family is now in temporary housing.

Ninety-seven-year-old Bessie Mae Berger was living in a car with her two sons six weeks ago when comedian Kevin Nealon encountered them at a Hollywood gas station. Nealon, who was on his way to perform at the Laugh Factory, bought a tank of gas for their 1973 Chevrolet Suburban before heading off to work.

UCLA's Dragovic allegedly pushed man into glass case in fight, D.A. says

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:38:00 -0800

The man suffered a cut Achilles tendon when the case shattered, prosecutors say. The incident took place last month at the Henry Fonda Theater.

New details about UCLA forward Nikola Dragovic's arrest came to light today, with prosecutors saying he pushed a man into a glass display case, causing injuries, during an altercation at a Hollywood concert venue.

San Luis Obispo rancher who housed homeless is sentenced to jail for safety code violations

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:53:11 -0800