Prostitution targeted in Burbank

From the Burbank Leader

DOWNTOWN — Authorities are planning a targeted crackdown on a surge of prostitution-related crimes at local hotels.

With prostitution linked to assaults, robbery and narcotics sales, the Police Department plans to focus on not only those engaged in prostitution, but also those who assist, encourage or profit from it, Lt. Armen Dermenjian said.

Beefed-up enforcement efforts come as patrol officers in the last month investigated a string of classified advertisements and online solicitations leading to the arrest and citation of a handful of suspected prostitutes and their pimps, mostly from out of town.

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Horizon TV to air Armenian Genocide Resolution

Horizon Armenian Television on Thursday is expected to carry a live hearing and vote by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, according to a staff report at Asbarez.com.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. on Channel 285  in Burbank, Glendale and La Crescenta, or online.

Man arrested for assult at IHOP

Burbank Police officers arrested a 55-year-old homeless man for assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly tried to stab a waitress with a fork.

Carlos Guerra, a transient man who spends much of his time in Burbank, was enjoying IHOP’s national “free pancake” promotion last week when the waitress brought him his tab, consisting of a minimal charge for coffee, police said.

Authorities said Guerra grew “extremely upset” over having to pay for the coffee and began yelling and cursing at the waitress. He then picked up his fork and allegedly lunged several times at the waitress, who was uninjured in the altercation.

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Burbank’s Walk of Fame seeks nominees

Park, Recreation and Community Services Department officials are seeking nominees for induction into the Burbank Athletic Federation Walk of Fame, which acknowledges the contributions of athletes, coaches and volunteers.

Inductees are honored with their names enshrined on individual bricks adorning a walkway behind diamond No. 2 at Olive Park. Park officials plan to honor inductees at a ceremony this fall.

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Alledged armed robber arrested in Wilmington

DOWNTOWN — A 50-year-old man booked on robbery and narcotics charges in connection with the armed robbery of a neighborhood liquor store Thursday is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Burbank Superior Court, authorities said.

Jessie Vallez, described as having “an extensive criminal history” that includes prior arrests for armed robbery, is being held in county jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, Burbank Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said.

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Burbank secures highway improvement grants

City officials Thursday announced more than $700,000 in grants to improve traffic and pedestrian crossings at  Verdugo Avenue near John Burroughs High School and Keystone Street at Parish Place.

The Highway Safety Improvement Program awarded the city $639,000 in federal and $71,000 in local funding to incorporate a “trigger” operation at the pedestrian crosswalks.

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City seeks nominations for ‘outstanding youth’ award

Burbank officials are taking nominations for the annual Austin Cook Award for Outstanding Youth, which highlights  achievements of local middle and high school students.

The Youth Board is slated to honor students that have positively contributed to the community at its ceremony in May. Examples provided by board members include, those who provided outstanding volunteer service, an achievement despite overwhelming adversity, and those who donating their talents to plug a need in the city.

Participants are asked drop-off or mail the application to:

Burbank Park, Recreation, & Community Services Dept.
Victoria O’Neill – Recreation Supervisor
601 S. San Fernando Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91502
Fax: (818) 238-5438

Arraignment set for razor attack

From the Burbank Leader

A 38-year-old woman charged with assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a robbery this weekend is scheduled to be arraigned in Burbank Superior Court Wednesday, authorities said.

Ladonni Young, of Los Angeles, was arrested Saturday for allegedly assaulting a security guard with a razor after attempting to make off with “mini mice” from Vallarta Supermarket in Burbank, Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said.

While the security guard attempted to detain Young at 10950 Sherman Way, she allegedly pulled out a chemical spray and emptied the canister in the guard’s face, Quesada said.

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Burbank offices closed President’s Day

City offices are closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day. Below is a handy-dandy calendar of other holidays for 2010. … Continue Reading

City attorney withheld decision

From the Burbank Leader:

CITY HALL — City Atty. Dennis Barlow on Friday defended his decision to wait nearly two months before informing Councilman David Gordon that the state attorney general had declined to review whether the councilman violated conflict-of-interest laws.

Several City Council members had directed Barlow to request, through state Sen. Carol Liu’s office, that the attorney general’s office investigate whether Gordon’s optometry practice, accessible by city employees through their health benefits, precluded him from participating in union negotiations.

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