Glendale gets temporary restraining order against private Armenian school

City officials this week secured a temporary restraining order against Scholars Academic Foundation, a private Armenian school that allegedly operated without proper zoning permits. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge this week granted Glendale’s application for a temporary restraining order against the school's operators after city attorney's argued that they failed to meet health and safety codes and obtain  required permits. The ruling prohibits the Scholars Academy from operating at the site on Foothill Boulevard until a Sept. 17 hearing on the matter, according to an announcement from the city. The school was forced to move out of the site at 3800 Foothill Blvd. on Feb. 24 after city code enforcers determined that the school's operators did not possess the proper permits, and that the building was not adequately retrofitted to accommodate students. But school-owner Anahit Grigoryan sued the city, alleging zoning, fire and other city departments were selectively enforcing laws and violating their right to operate a business. She eventually won a reprieve after Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Milton, who ruled that they could move back in while the school and the city worked out the permit issues. City attorneys then appealed, securing the temporary restraining order through Sept. 17.

Officials investigate possible bomb, evacuate GCC satellite campus [Updated]

[caption id="attachment_20904" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A member of the L.A. County Bomb Squad prepares to detonate a live grenade that was found by construction workers at the Glendale Community College Garfield Campus construction site. (Raul Roa/News-Press)"][/caption] [Updated 2:54 p.m. Bomb squad officers have detonated the grenade device in a pit covered with sandbags. No injuries were reported. Officials evacuated the surrounding area hours ago.] [Updated 2:27 p.m. Authorities have evacuated the Glendale Community College satellite campus on Garfield Avenue as they prepare to detonate a grenade-type device that was excavated by construction crews earlier today. Los Angeles County Sheriff's bomb squad officials will bury the device in a hole and cover it with sandbags before setting it off, probably within the next hour.] Authorities have evacuated the Glendale Community College satellite campus on Garfield Avenue to investigate what appears to be a grenade that was unearthed by construction crews. Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said it was unclear if the device was a replica or real. Meanwhile, about 450 students and 50 college instructors and staff have been evacuated from the campus, as well as a daycare center and nearby residential buildings. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's bomb squad is investigating the scene.

After mild week, hot weather makes a comeback

Triple-degree temperatures are expected to return to the valleys and foothill areas through at least Saturday, prompting public health officials to renew warnings about outdoor activities and leaving pets inside locked cars. After highs that could break the 100-degree-mark today, temperatures are forecast to hover around 105 degrees Friday and Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. But mild weather is expected to return on Sunday, with temperatures staying in the upper-70s to low-80s through Wednesday next week, according to the agency. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health also issued a poor air quality alert today for the Santa Clarita Valley that officials said could compound heat-related issues for much of the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.

Weather forecast holds on to mild temps

Mild summer temperatures -- or at least relative to the record highs of last week -- are forecast to continue through much of the week before edging up slightly come this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Daytime highs will remain in the mid-80s through Friday, when the mercury is expected to move into the 90s, according the weather agency. Some valley areas could experience triple-digit heat on Friday.

Rep. Sherman to host town hall

Rep. Brad Sherman is scheduled host a public town hall meeting on Sunday at Reseda High School. Hundreds of residents attended his previous town hall on July 11. Much like that meeting, constituents on Sunday will have an opportunity to discuss health care, the economy, education, foreign policy and other issues facing Congress. Sherman's district officials will also be there to help constituents with any problems they may be having with federal agencies, such as the Social Security Administration or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The forum is scheduled to take place between 3 and 4:30 p.m. at Reseda High SChool, 18230 Kittridge St., in Reseda.

State reverses decision on movie fund’s nursing home transfers

From the Los Angeles Times The California Department of Public Health has reversed its earlier finding that the Motion Picture and Television Fund broke state law when the charity transferred dozens of residents out of its nursing home. The department said this month that the fund had been at fault for not issuing to more than 30 residents 30-day notices informing them of their rights, including the option to appeal the decision to relocate them. Fund administrators appealed, however, maintaining that the relocations were voluntary and didn't require the notices.This week the department agreed, clearing the fund of fault. “We feel strongly vindicated,'' said Bob Beitcher, chief executive of the fund. “It's gratifying that the dispute resolution process worked and we were able to clear our name in this matter that had become a cause celebre.” ...Continue Reading: State clears movie fund of fault in nursing home transfers

Temperatures to start subsiding today

Today marks the beginning of a significant cool down after a four-day heat wave that brought everything from lightening storms and flash floods to excessive heat warnings and records highs throughout the region. Highs today are forecast to be in the mid-90s for much of the area, with the cool down expected to continue through the weekend as daytime temperatures hover between the mid-70s and low-80s, according to the National Weather Service. It will be a far cry from the triple-digit temperatures that seared the Southland for much of the week, prompting local officials to open and double up on public cooling stations.

Alleged Burbank bank robber arraigned

From the Burbank Leader A 27-year-old Sylmar man was arraigned Thursday on charges that he robbed a Comerica Bank in Burbank in early August. Investigators arrested Carlos Montes on Tuesday on suspicion of robbery based on what officials said was evidence gathered from the scene. Authorities say Montes walked into the bank on North San Fernando Boulevard at 3:10 p.m. on Aug. 2 and presented a demand note to a bank teller. He allegedly escaped in an unknown direction with $4,770 in cash. ...Continue Reading: Alleged Comerica bank robber arraigned

Record highs to give way to high-70s over the weekend

A stifling heat wave is expected to clear out tonight, giving way to temperatures that will be at least 10 degrees cooler than what they have been all week, according to the National Weather Service. Highs today will remain in the triple digits, but on Friday, they are forecast to drop to the high-80s. For the weekend, they should drop even lower to the high-70s, according to the weather agency. The drop off caps what has been a wild weather ride, with lightning storms and flash flooding on one end, and record high temperatures on the other. The Los Angeles Times has more on all the havoc the weather's recently caused.

$200M settlement said to be reached in Chatsworth Metrolink crash

From the Los Angeles Times Metrolink and its former commuter train operating contractor will offer $200 million to victims and survivors of the 2008 Chatsworth rail disaster under a plan expected to be filed in federal court as early as Wednesday, The Times has learned. The offer equals the maximum liability established under federal law for passenger train accidents and would be among the most costly rail catastrophe payouts in the nation’s history. But the proposal is likely to be challenged by victims and their attorneys, who say total medical and other damages caused by 24 deaths and injuries to 135 passengers far exceeds $200 million. The distribution of the funds, expected to be drawn partly from insurance payments, would be left to the courts, assuming the plan receives judicial approval. ...Continue Reading: Metrolink to offer $200-million settlement to victims of deadly Chatsworth rail disaster