During my flight last night, I had a fortune to sit next to a Austin resident named Andy Higgins. Andy works on social networking for large companies, and was in the middle of a project for an Irvine firm. (He wouldn’t say which one.) While swilling vodka (me) or gin (him), we waxed philosophic about the future of online journalism. Here’s a few of our thoughts:
Increasing participatory democracy: I tried doing this last Sunday by live blogging an Assembly candidates’ forum. Through the use of a web-based program called Cover It Live, I logged the questions and responses of the candidates in real-time. A number of people also wrote in to ask me questions, and one even asked me to forward her question to the candidates.
The forum experience was a qualified success. Though the magic of web statistics, I could see that the number of people on the site increased slightly. It wasn’t dramatic, mind you, but I’m all about baby steps. I’m planning on doing more of these events during my time here, so check back early, and check back often.
The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy girls soccer team captured the CIF 2010 Southern California Regional Girls Soccer Division III Championship at Warren High School in Downey, CA., by beating San Diego’s Francis Parker High School 2-1.
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy varsity girls soccer celebrate their win over Dan Diego's Francis Parker High School to capture the CIF Southern Regional Championships 2009-10 Division III Girls Soccer Championship at Warren High School in Downey on Friday, March 12, 2010. The Tologs won the game 2-1. (Raul Roa/News-Press)
Kenneth Putnam was appointed to the Crescenta Valley Water District Board of Directors on Thursday.
Putnam replaces Richard Atwater, who resigned from the board this year after Los Angeles County prosecutors informed him of a potential conflict of interest. Atwater also serves on the board of directors for the Foothill Municipal Water District.
Putnam is a civil engineer, and has served on the boards of directors of the West Basin and Central Basin Water Assns. in Los Angeles County.
Our web editor, Jamie Wetherbe, and I are en route to Austin for the annual SXSW Interactive conference. In fact, I’m outside of gate A5 at Bob Hope Airport, writing as I wait for my flight.
I’ve written several columns and blog posts about the increasing connectivity of the world in general and journalism in particular. We want to use our time in Texas to explore the latest trends and innovations, all with an eye toward making the News-Press, Leader and Valley Sun more relevant, accurate and immediate.
Jamie and I will be posting to The 818 Now, our Facebook page and Twitter feeds throughout the conference, which began today and runs though next Tuesday. If you’re going or have some thoughts about improving our online offerings, please drop at note to @tcneditor or dan.evans@latimes.com.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich today announced that the county had received a $300,000-grant from the Mobile Sources Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee to operate a free shuttle bus connecting Dodger Stadium to Union Station for the 2010 season.
“Dodger fans across the county can now avoid the traffic, save gas and help improve air quality by using public transit and our new Dodger Express Bus to get to the game,“ Antonovich, who also serves on the governing board of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, said in a statement.
Prosecutors filed a drug sales charge Thursday morning against pop singer Natalie Mejia, a member of the group “Girlicious,” after Glendale Police found more than a dozen packages of cocaine in her Gucci purse during a traffic stop, officials said.
Mejia, who was released on bail Wednesday, was charged with one felony count of possession of a controlled substance for sale, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
La Crescenta continues to lead the region in foreclosure filings, although local figures in February improved more than those of the state and nation, dropping 14%, according to a report released Thursday.
In February, there were a total of 357 notices of default, auction sales, foreclosure sales or bank repossessions in Glendale, Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta, according to a local analysis from real estate tracking firm RealtyTrac.
In this file photo, job searchers flip through listings at the Verdugo Jobs Center. (Alex Collins/Leader)
From the Glendale News-Press
The jobless rate in Glendale was 11.5% in January, up from 10.5% in December, and was 10.7% in Burbank, up from 9.8% in a month ago, according to the department’s estimates.
The changes are likely a result of seasonal employment shifts after the holiday season, although job losses in the entertainment industry and other sectors may reflect challenges for the local economy, experts said.
The local figures were not seasonally adjusted.
Unemployment rates surged in Glendale and Burbank in January, according to a report released Wednesday by the California Economic Development Department.
The jobless rate in Glendale was 11.5% in January, up from 10.5% in December, and was 10.7% in Burbank, up from 9.8% in a month ago, according to the report.
Crescenta Valley High School students held a benefit “waterless” car wash at the school’s parking lot on Saturday. The funds raised will go to Joo Lee’s family. Lee was the victim of a hit-and-run driver on Montrose Ave. in Montrose on New Year’s Day 2010. Lee died of his injuries on January 6. Lee’s daughter, Suzie, [...]
The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy girls soccer team captured the CIF 2010 Southern California Regional Girls Soccer Division III Championship at Warren High School in Downey, CA., by beating San Diego’s Francis Parker High School 2-1.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Friday ordered an ex-fugitive to stand trial in the 1991 slaying of a Burbank teenager.
Rodolfo Gallegos, 34, is accused of killing 16-year-old Kenneth Caldera and wounding two others.
He is being held on $2 million bail and is scheduled to be arraigned March 26.
Fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of other items like flowers and sprouts are available at the Glendale Farmers Market on Brand Blvd. on Thursdays.
Toll Middle School students held signs outside the Glendale school after class in support of their teachers. The students do not want their teachers to be laid off at the end of the year.
Burbank Leader reporter Max Zimbert appeared on CNN’s Headline News Wednesday to talk about Amy Beck, a teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student.
Click here to watch.
Third-graders at Valley View Elementary School in La Crescenta on Wednesday learned about evacuation and safety techniques from the Kid’s Safety House.
Awards were handed out Tuesday night to volunteers from throughout La Cañada Flintridge schools by the PTA at La Cañada High School.
From the Burbank Leader
[DEVELOPING] A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Wednesday postponed the arraignment of a Burbank Unified teacher accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student so that she can continue to work with authorities, her attorney said.
Amy Beck, a 33-year-old teacher at Jordan Middle School, will remain in jail and is [...]
The La Cañada High School PTA has endorsed legislation introduced last month by State Assemblyman Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada) designed to encourage teens to call for help in emergency situations.
The bill, AB1999, would protect a minor from criminal prosecution if he dials 9-1-1 and remains with a friend during a medical crisis. The bill is [...]
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