Suspect in Burbank police shooting to be arraigned Wednesday

From the Burbank Leader The suspect in the Friday afternoon shooting of two Burbank police officers has been taken to Los Angeles County Jail to be booked on two counts of attempted murder, Burbank Police Sgt. Robert Quesada said. He is scheduled to be arraigned on those charges on Wednesday in Burbank Superior Court. The officers were shot and wounded  while responding to a shoplifting call outside the Kmart on 1000 N. San Fernando Blvd. after a man took one of the officers' weapons, law enforcement sources said. Details of the shooting were still under investigation, but sources said the man had been detained by Kmart security when officers arrived outside the store on San Fernando Boulevard. Though handcuffed, the man reportedly took one of the officers' guns while being transferred into their custody, and a struggle ensured, the sources said. Quesada said he was unable to confirm or deny the sources' account. However, he did say both officers and the suspect did not sustain life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover. One of the officers was shot three times in the chest area of his bulletproof vest, Quesada said. The officer also suffered injuries to his leg from a possible ricochet. "Even though he was hit, he was able to fight back and eventually take the suspect into custody without having to revert to deadly force," Quesada said. An officer shot the suspect with a Taser, but authorities would not identify who used the less-than-lethal device. ... Continue Reading: Suspect in Burbank police shooting to be arraigned Wednesday

Officials to mull rail station in valley

From the Burbank Leader DOWNTOWN — High-speed-rail officials next week are slated to consider signing off on four alternatives for a single station in the San Fernando Valley, including a possible stop near Bob Hope Airport. Representatives of the California High-Speed Rail Authority had planned to recommend two stations to the board of directors as part of the 800-mile system. But after hearing public concerns about parking, traffic and connectivity, they elected to whittle it down to just one station in the valley, local officials said. The four alternatives, expected to go before the board July 8, are: the Pacoima Wash; Tujunga Wash and Branford Street in Los Angeles; MacLay Street and Hubbard Avenue in San Fernando and San Fernando Boulevard between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista Street in Burbank, said Greg Herrmann, the city's community development director. ... Continue Reading: Officials to mull rail station in valley

SUV hits man in wheelchair, flees

From the Glendale News-Press DOWNTOWN — Police are searching for a motorist who fled the scene Friday after running over a man in a wheelchair at West California Avenue and North Kenwood Street. Witnesses said the motorist, wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, was attempting a left turn onto Kenwood Street. As the vehicle went through the unmarked crosswalk, it slammed into 46-year-old Marcel Carrion, Glendale Police Det. Mike Wenz said. Carrion was escorting an elderly woman home from a peace vigil at East Broadway and North Brand Boulevard about 8:40 p.m. when he heard the loud honking. He could not identify the driver or the make and model of the vehicle. ... Continue Reading: SUV hits man in wheelchair, flees

Burbank’s utility chief to stay put

Ron Davis, the general manager of Burbank Water and Power, has withdrawn from the selection process to take the helm of Austin Energy, the nation's ninth-largest public electric utility. Davis, who said he was testing to determine whether he might be a good fit , was to take part in panel interviews June 30. The remaining finalists are: Larry Weis, general manager and chief executive of  Turlock Irrigation District; and David Wright, general manager of Riverside Public Utilities. The candidates are vying to fill a vacancy left when Roger Duncan retired in March. The Austin Energy plant serves roughly 400,000 customers over 437-square miles, and has annual revenues of more than $1 billion. “I am happy in Burbank,” Davis said in a recent interview. But he added that he originally agreed to serve five years under former City Manager Bud Ovrom. The City Council, which last week voted to raise water rates by 13.5%,  is slated to take up a proposal to increase Davis' pay in the coming weeks.

Burbank officials to weigh contentious proposal

From the Burbank Leader CITY HALL — The City Council on Tuesday is slated to consider a $67,000 offer from Westwind Properties to buy public property and create a "campus-like" atmosphere for prospective businesses. The controversial request, which has drawn the ire of neighboring businesses, calls for the city vacating a portion of Spazier Avenue and Varney Street between Flower Street and Elm Court. Supporters maintain that the plan was in line with city goals to promote sustainability, economic development and facilitate new ventures in the South San Fernando Redevelopment Project Area. Critics contend it could hamper pedestrian and vehicle safety, curb property values and reduce on-street parking. ... Continue Reading: Burbank officials to weigh contentious proposal

Antonovich: Democrat’s proposal smoke and mirrors

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich last week called on the Legislature to stop “digging a deeper hole” in response to the state restructuring proposal offered this week by Democrats. “The state can raise revenues, generate jobs and growth by eliminating bureaucracy and unnecessary programs — not increasing taxes or shifting the unfunded burden to the counties,” Antonovich said Tuesday in a sharply worded statement. Under the Senate Democratic Restructuring Budget Proposal, counties would assume a larger share of responsibility for the state’s ailing welfare system, along with state programs aimed at drug treatment, public safety and elderly. State Republicans have pledged not to support tax increases. “Once again, the Democrats have failed to recognize that while the wheel is spinning, the hamster is dead,” Antonovich said.

Bill would curb award-show ‘crashers’

A bill by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino intended to discourage award-show party crashers passed a key California Senate committee on Tuesday. Assembly Bill 451 would increase penalties for those crashing private events such as the Academy Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards, charging intruders up to $2,000 and imposing jail sentences of up to six months. The Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday approved the measure, which Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) said would close legal loopholes that allowed party crashers to avoid prosecution for trespassing. The legislation would impose a $1,000 fine for first-time crashers and $2,000 for a second offense. Portantino spokeswoman Wendy Gordon said their office was approached by the Screen Actors Guild, whose award show in recent years has been plagued with gate crashers. The bill, Portantino said, sends a clear message: “If you crash a private event, it’s going to cost you.” Laura Ritchie, legal counsel for the Screen Actors Guild, testified before the committee this week that in the age of the Internet and reality television, there are ever-increasing cases of people getting in or attempting to access the types of events. “And, despite extensive security measures, there are still those who try to circumvent those measures to gain access,” Ritchie said.

LAPD vet likely to join Burbank

From the Burbank Leader DOWNTOWN — The Burbank Police Department is expected to announce a veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department Robbery-Homicide Division to the post of police captain, sources said. The city is completing a background check on Denis J. Cremins, who since 1973 has held a variety of patrol, investigative and administrative assignments in the Rampart Area, Internal Affairs Group, and Operations-Central Bureau at the LAPD. City officials on Friday confirmed that they were hiring a new captain, but declined to give the name, citing personnel policies. Cremins would fill a captain's position approved by the City Council Tuesday as part of a $145-million General Fund budget. ... Continue Reading: LAPD vet likely to join Burbank

Resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide gets extra push

From the Glendale News Press DOWNTOWN — Following weeks of bitter resentment toward Turkey for its support of an aid flotilla to the Gaza Strip, Armenian organizations are doubling up on efforts to push through a nonbinding congressional resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Turkey's refusal to retreat from efforts to send supplies to Israel's Gaza Strip has breathed new life into Rep. Adam Schiff's (D-Burbank) long-stalled Affirmation of the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide since U.S. officials are less fearful of angering the strategic military ally in the Middle East. … Continue Reading: Resolution gets extra push

State investigating Ramani for possible reporting violations

From the Glendale News-Press State election officials are investigating claims that Republican Sunder Ramani, a candidate for the 43rd Assembly District, violated campaign finance laws by failing to file campaign statements within 24 hours of receiving contributions. Roman Porter, executive director of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, on Monday confirmed the investigation into Ramani, but declined to provide specifics about the breadth of the probe. The complaint alleges 33 reporting violations. At $5,000 per infraction, the commission could levy a fine of up to $165,000. The commission has determined that the allegations "appear to be accurate" and gave Ramani one week from June 7 to provide proof that he reported within the deadlines. Campaign officials said they responded with all the necessary documents. ...Continue Reading: Ramani campaign under investigation