Los Angeles County

Even since the economy began stalling several years ago, there have been dire warnings that crime would rise. But in Southern California, crime continues its long decline despite the weak economy. Indeed, 2011 brought new worries about a "double dip recession," yet streets in many parts of the region were the safest they've been in decades. The trend continues to puzzle some criminologists but has reinforced the view of many in law enforcement that factors other than the economy determine the rise or fall of crime.

CITY HALL — A forthcoming lawsuit alleging the county is overcharging cities to collect and administer property taxes found a new ally Tuesday after the City Council voted unanimously to join in the legal action. In doing so, Glendale joins at least 24 other cities in Los Angeles County that plan to sue in an effort to recoup what city officials argue are unreasonable charges being levied by the county to cover the administrative costs of collecting and distributing property taxes.

GLENDALE — A 53-year-old man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Glendale Superior Court to hitting a 16-year-old bicyclist — who was heading home after taking a college entry exam — with his SUV while driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Herbert Davis is charged with felony driving under the influence and causing great bodily injury to Charmaine Alcantara in Saturday’s accident, said Jane Robison, spokeswoman for Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.

The Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration is not your average concert. The six-hour musical spectacular will feature 45 musical groups representing a wide range of ethnic groups that make up Los Angeles County. Burbank and La Crescenta-based groups are among those that will represent the county, said Laura Zucker, executive director of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission who is also executive producer. Others will come from all over, from the Antelope Valley to Long Beach and from Santa Monica to Riverside to join the performance on the stage of Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center.

CRESCENTA VALLEY — One foothill resident's decision to paint her house neon green has drawn the ire of neighbors who say the jarring color stands out in all the wrong ways. For the past month, the house at 3045 Markridge Rd. has been coated in neon green and purple trim — a stark contrast to the muted, earthy tunes of the neighboring homes, The blaring neon color has also done more than simply highlight the Markridge Road house, exposing the lack of regulatory recourse for nearby homeowners.

GLENDALE — A Glendale physician and her husband were arrested Friday morning after failing to report more than $4.2 million in Medicare payments during a two-year period, officials said. Glendale ophthalmologist Eduardita Quevedo, 66, and her husband, Sherman Oaks-based gynecologist and obstetrician Federico Quevedo, 71, were taken into custody at their Pomona home Friday in connection with the tax fraud charges, said Brenda Voet, a state Franchise Tax Board spokeswoman. Eduardita Quevedo, who worked out of a Chevy Chase Drive office, and her husband were charged with two felony counts each of filing false income tax returns in 2003 and 2004, according to a criminal complaint.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich welcomed Ruben Barrales, deputy assistant to the president and Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, to discuss federal and local issues at a luncheon with members of the County's Town Councils, including the Crescenta Valley Town Council president. Sharon Hales attended the luncheon, during which Barrales briefed the leaders on federal issues including economic policies, the federal budget, immigration reform, the Palmdale Airport and regional transportation projects affecting Los Angeles County.

Deputies searching for alleged robber Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies are seeking the public's help in providing information on a man suspected of robbing a video store in La Crescenta. The Man Hwa Video Store, 2758 Foothill Blvd., was robbed at about 10:03 p.m. Wednesday when a man with a gun came in and demanded money, said Sheriff's Lt. Carrie Stuart. It was not known late Thursday how much money was taken, Stuart said. The alleged robber was described as an unshaven Latino in his 20s, standing between 5 feet 8 and 5 feet 10, wearing a dark sweatshirt, a black beanie and sunglasses.

A 23-year-old Glendale man charged with one count of murder with special circumstances pleaded not guilty Thursday in Pasadena Superior Court. Hector Marroquin is accused of laying in wait before stabbing Joanne Sarkis, 32, of Glendale, multiple times at the Windsor Club, a facility that hosts substance abuse support groups. Witnesses allegedly held Marroquin until police arrived and took him into custody. Sarkis was taken to Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center, where she died as a result of her wounds.

Reporting from Sacramento - Los Angeles County prosecutors said Thursday they would not pursue misdemeanor charges against campaign treasurer Kinde Durkee for allegedly claiming to be an accountant when she did not have a license. Durkee already has been charged in federal court with mail fraud in connection with the alleged embezzlement of a client's money, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office noted in a statement. "In light of the significant prison time she faces in that case, misdemeanor charges are not warranted as the … violations are not likely to result in additional punishment or time in prison," the statement said.

A mental health agency that services clients throughout the Southland has experienced a deluge of clients in Glendale since opening here last summer, far outpacing its 10 other locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties. “We realized there was a need, because there is not a comparable agency providing mental health facilities for children and adults, but we had no idea how pent up the need was,” said Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services President Kita Curry. Since opening in May 2011, the nonprofit has seen about 50% more people in Glendale than Didi Hirsch's next largest site in Inglewood.

A landmark appellate court decision Tuesday overturning Proposition 8 prompted a range of reactions from local political officials. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, whose district includes Burbank, Glendale and La Crescenta, blasted the 2-1 decision by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel that upheld a lower-court ruling that found Prop. 8 unconstitutional because it discriminates against a minority group. “Once again, activist judges with a political correctness agenda have disenfranchised the people who voted overwhelmingly to oppose same-sex marriage in California - over 4.5 million Californians in 2000, and over 7 million in 2008,” Antonovich said in a written statement.

Even since the economy began stalling several years ago, there have been dire warnings that crime would rise. But in Southern California, crime continues its long decline despite the weak economy. Indeed, 2011 brought new worries about a "double dip recession," yet streets in many parts of the region were the safest they've been in decades. The trend continues to puzzle some criminologists but has reinforced the view of many in law enforcement that factors other than the economy determine the rise or fall of crime.

Reporting from Sacramento - Los Angeles County prosecutors said Thursday they would not pursue misdemeanor charges against campaign treasurer Kinde Durkee for allegedly claiming to be an accountant when she did not have a license. Durkee already has been charged in federal court with mail fraud in connection with the alleged embezzlement of a client's money, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office noted in a statement. "In light of the significant prison time she faces in that case, misdemeanor charges are not warranted as the … violations are not likely to result in additional punishment or time in prison," the statement said.

Santa Clarita is rolling out the red carpet for its storied movie ranches. The City Council for the suburban community in northern Los Angeles County recently approved a new zoning designation intended to promote filming on local ranches within a 30-mile radius. The designation establishes standard rules for shooting on the ranches, 10 of which are located in Santa Clarita. It will allow owners to build soundstages and other production-related facilities on their property without obtaining special permission. Additionally, ranch owners won't have to reapply for a special film-use permit every 10 years.

  Anne Dodd Altizer   Anne Dodd Altizer was born March 28, 1923 in Twin Falls, Idaho.  She was the daughter of Hugh and Ida Humphries Dodd.  Anne is a descendant of Martin Braun of Switzerland and Adam Braun who participated in the Revolutionary war, and William Brown of Brownstown, Pa.    In August, 1945, she married Leland Wallace Altizer and together they had three children: Sue Altizer Sprigg of Orange County; Lynda...

A flash-flood warning was issued Tuesday afternoon for Los Angeles County as forecasters warned of possible pockets of rain and thunder showers. Earlier in the day, officials issued a similar alert  warning of hail, thunderstorms and possible lightning in Orange County and the Inland Empire.  L.A. NOW

2/13/27 - 5/15/11 Born in San Francisco, CA and was an 80 year resident of Los Angeles County. A graduate of Loyola High School (1945) and Loyola University (1951). Was a WWII veteran in the US Army with the rank of Platoon Sergeant in the Paratroops. He leaves his wife, Peggy, of 60 years and three sons, Tom (Karen), Jim, and Dan (Claudia), and daughter Mary Ann (Patrick). He leaves six granchildren, Kelly (Brett), Lindsey, Tommy, Danny, Andrew, and Nicole. Funeral Thursday at 11:00am at St. Francis Xavier Church in Burbank.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich slammed state lawmakers on Wednesday at an economic summit at Woodbury College in Burbank, blaming them for much of the financial stress that has forced local governments to shed jobs and cut services. The event, sponsored by the Armenian American Chamber of Commerce, drew about 65 people. Antonovich called for a "structural overhaul" in Sacramento, where lawmakers are struggling to address a nearly $20 billion budget deficit.

County pools' chlorine levels in question Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich on Tuesday called for a thorough investigation into all county pools after more than two dozen swimmers at an Arcadia pool on Monday were exposed to high levels of chlorine, officials said. In an announcement released Tuesday, Antonovich said he would ask the county's Parks and Recreation and Public Health departments to look into pool conditions. The departments will be required to report on equipment used to maintain the pools and water-testing procedures.