Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Arrest made in Long Beach convenience store killing

Long Beach murder case
A man has been arrested in connection with the slaying of a 53-year-old store clerk during a Long Beach convenience store robbery, police said Wednesday.

Two men stormed into the store in the 1900 block of East 4th Street on Jan. 22, and one of them pulled out a chrome handgun, the Long Beach Police Department said.

The gunman fatally shot Sor Phouma, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The killing was captured by a surveillance video released by Long Beach police.

Police said in a statement that Edgar Vasquez, 31, who lives in Perris, was arrested in connection with the killing. Investigators are still seeking the second suspect.

Since January 2007, at least 190 homicides have been reported in Long Beach, according to a Times Homicide Report database.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. David Rios or Det. Roger Zottneck at (562) 570-7244.

ALSO:

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

--Robert J. Lopez

twitter.com/LAJourno

Photo: Surveillance video footage. Credit: Long Beach Police Department

Villaraigosa signs law giving L.A. firms a bidding advantage

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signs into law Wednesday a measure requiring that departments under his control give local businesses preferential treatment in awarding contracts. Credit: John Hoeffel / Los Angeles Times

The independently run Los Angeles city departments that spend hundreds of millions a year on contracts are likely to adopt an initiative to give local businesses a significant advantage in bidding.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed a law Wednesday creating a local business preference program that applies to about a third of the city’s contracting, but excludes six agencies, including the Department of Water and Power, because they are controlled by their own boards.

The Department of Water and Power, which spent more than $874 million on contracts in the last fiscal year on everything from "paper clips to pumps," could be the first of the six to institute the program.

Noting that the department has long sought ways to spend its money in L.A., Ron Nichols, the general manager, said, "I am confident there will be a very, very warm welcome."

LAPD seeks leads in indecent exposure case involving school girls

Indecent Exposure Case
Los Angeles police Wednesday night were seeking people who may have been victimized by a man arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and lewd conduct involving underage girls.

Roderico Arael Lopez, 28, allegedly cruised in his red van across the San Fernando Valley, where he exposed himself to girls walking to school, the Los Angeles Police Department said.

The LAPD said officers had received 11 reports of a man exposing himself in the area in recent months.  Lopez was arrested Tuesday.

He is described as Latino, about 5 feet 6, weighing 160 pounds with short hair. He was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail and on an immigration hold, the LAPD said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Monica McPartland at (818) 834-3115.

ALSO:

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

-- Robert J. Lopez

twitter.com/LAJourno

Photo: Roderico Arael Lopez and his van.

Credit: Los Angeles Police Department

Irvine 11 students appeal conviction

Uci mUSLIMS
Ten Muslim students convicted of disrupting a speech by the Israeli ambassador at UC Irvine last year filed appeals Wednesday, arguing that the law used to convict them was vague and unconstitutional.

The students, three from UC Riverside and seven from UCI, were convicted last month of willfully disrupting a meeting.

In February 2010, the students shouted preplanned phrases to disrupt a speech on U.S.-Israeli relations on campus by Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren.

Prosecutors said the students broke the law by planning the disruptions, and in turn, censoring Oren. Defense attorneys said the students had the right to dissent.

Occupy L.A. protesters plan to expand their encampment

Occupy L.A. protesters

Occupy L.A. protesters camped outside City Hall plan to expand their demonstration to other downtown city property, perhaps as early as Wednesday evening.

Demonstration organizer Mario Brito said protesters may set up a satellite encampment at Fletcher Bowron Square, a concrete plaza cater-corner from City Hall that is a popular daytime hangout for homeless people.

Brito said he spoke to an assistant Los Angeles Police Department chief who supported the move, although Cmdr. Andrew Smith refuted that. He said the protesters' proposed expansion does not have the blessings of police.

"We’ve heard stories that they’re going to increase the area that they’re going to occupy," Smith said. "We’ve even heard that they want to camp out here at LAPD, which ain’t going to happen."

Labor, immigrant groups join Occupy L.A. at rally

Occupy L.A., labor groups protest

Since Occupy L.A. set up camp outside City Hall last month, the movement has given momentum to other groups.

As business-attired employees left their offices at the end of the workday Wednesday, about 250 activists from Occupy L.A., immigrant rights groups, Good Jobs L.A. and SEIU-United Long Term Care Workers gathered outside California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles.

The protesters, including some children, chanted and carried signs in multiple languages.

“The purpose of this rally is to hold corporations responsible and put jobs back into the community. It’s different people all asking for the same thing,” said Ashley Nickerson, 25. “We support each other. Job creativity is the main thing for all of us.”

Autistic teen missing from Bob Hope Airport found unharmed

Cameron James Smith
A 14-year-old autistic boy who was reported missing after leaving a flight at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank was found unharmed Wednesday evening in West Hollywood, authorities said.

Cameron James Smith was found by airport police about 6 p.m. in the 8900 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, said Sgt. Brian Lutz of the West Hollywood Sheriff's station.

Lutz said his deputies were notified by the officers and responded to the scene and confirmed that the boy was not harmed. "He was in good condition," Lutz told The Times.

It was unclear how the boy ended up on busy Santa Monica Boulevard. He went missing after getting off the plane Wednesday morning after the flight was delayed because of mechanical issues, authorities said.

ALSO:

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

-- Robert J. Lopez

twitter.com/LAJourno

Photo: Cameron James Smith at Bob Hope Airport.

Credit: Airport security video via KTLA-TV Channel 5

Statewide earthquake drill, ShakeOut, planned Thursday morning

More than 8 million Californians are expected to participate in a statewide earthquake drill at 10:20 a.m. Thursday.

From classrooms to offices to a Target store in Northridge, people will be asked to drop, cover and hold on as the minute strikes. Participants can register at www.shakeout.org.

"Across the state, we're asking folks to drill to practice," said John Bwarie, a spokesman for the U.S. Geological Survey. "Every time you practice, that'll give you more time to prepare when the shaking actually does start to occur."

In Northridge, a recording will be broadcast over the loudspeaker at a Target store asking customers to drop to the ground, take cover by getting underneath a sturdy desk or table and holding on to it until the shaking stops.

At Caltech in Pasadena, the college will send text messages to students and professors and ask them to participate.

Fuel spill snarls rush-hour traffic on 210 Freeway in Sylmar area

A fuel spill on the eastbound 210 Freeway near Wheatland Avenue in the Sylmar area was snarling rush-hour traffic Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Two eastbound lanes were closed while California Department of Transportation crews cleaned up the fuel, officials said.

The spill had been slowed significantly shortly before 6 p.m, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

No other details were available.

ALSO:

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

-- Robert J. Lopez

twitter.com/LAJourno

Glendale to monitor impact of electric cars

The Nissan Leaf.

The first 100 people to buy an electric vehicle will get a $200 rebate from the city of Glendale in exchange for installing a special socket that will help measure the potential impact of more cars tapping into the power grid.

As plug-in electric vehicles become more popular, officials want to be prepared for the influx of energy use, so it’s requiring all electric-vehicle owners to install a special socket that will measure the effect on the power supply, said Ned Bassin, assistant general manager of customer and support services at Glendale Water & Power.

“We expect in the future there will be a lot of electric vehicles,” Bassin said.




Reward for mountain lion poachers now $11,700

Mountain lion poaching reward increases

The reward for information leading to the capture of poachers who killed a mountain lion now stands at $11,700.

Shocked by at the brutality of the slaying, the city of Calabasas agreed to match the original $5,000 reward, while the Ventura County-based Animal Rescue Team Inc. pledged $1,500 and San Diego's Mountain Lion Foundation contributed an additional $200, according to information released by the California Department of Fish and Game. The anti-poaching group Californians Turn In Poachers and Polluters, commonly known as the CalTIP Foundation, offered the initial $2,500. This sum was jointly matched by the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust.

Wildlife officials were alerted by a caller to the discovery of the dead lion on Sept. 11. Wardens determined the lion did not die of natural causes and launched an investigation, the Department of Fish and Game said.

Mountain lions are designated as a "specially protected mammal" in California and it is illegal to hunt or trap them, officials said.

Anyone with information related to the lion's death is urged to call the CalTIP hotline at 1-888-334-2258.

-- Ann M. Simmons

Photo: Mountain lion P-15, shown in a photo taken by remote camera, had been tracked for nearly two years by National Park Service scientists. Credit: National Park Service

O.C. brothers charged with molesting 2 children

Eduardo and Cristobal Rodriguez
Two Fullerton brothers charged with sexually molesting a 3-year-old girl and 7-year-old girl on repeated occasions are expected to be arraigned Thursday in the Central Jail in Santa Ana.

The girls were allegedly molested in a converted garage, at times separately by the brothers and on other occasions when the two men were together, the Orange County district attorney's office said.

The girls were also shown pornographic images by the brothers, who are charged with giving the children  ice cream and candy so that they wouldn't tell anyone, according to the district attorney's office.

Cristobal Ortiz Rodriguez, 35, and Eduardo Ortiz Rodriguez, 33, are charged with multiple felony counts, including lewd acts on a child, sexual penetration of a child and a sentencing enhancement allegation of committing a sexual crime against more than one victim. 

The molestation allegedly occurred between May 2010 and August 2011.

ALSO:

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

— Robert J. Lopez

twitter.com/LAJourno

Photo: Cristobal Rodriguez, (L), and Eduardo Rodriguez. Credit: Orange County district attorney's office.

Subway route under Beverly Hills High declared safest option

Kids from the Beverly Hills Unified School District, sit in front of Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills January 10, 2010. Credit: Stefano Paltera / For The Los Angeles Times

A controversial proposal to build the Westside subway extension under Beverly Hills High School is the safest option, compared with a route through the fault-ridden ground under Santa Monica Boulevard, a team of engineering and seismic experts announced Thursday.

The panel, which was assembled by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to analyze two possible alignments through Century City, also concluded that tunneling using the latest techniques could be done under the campus and nearby homes without endangering or disrupting the community.

“Tunneling will be safe through potentially gassy areas, and the soil is suitable,” said Harvey Parker, a tunneling consultant with 45 years of engineering experience. “There will be little or no impact on buildings, including Beverly Hills High School.”

If approved by the MTA board early next year, the route would pass about 70 feet under one building on the campus before it curves into Constellation Boulevard, where a station is planned at Avenue of the Stars. The campus, which has about 2,200 students, is on Moreno Drive.

Defense Department, USGS to study Mexican earthquakes

http://www.latimes.com/media/photo/2010-04/53104682.jpg

The U.S. Geological Survey and Department of Defense on Wednesday announced a half-million-dollar investment to install earthquake-monitoring machines in the Mexicali and Tijuana areas after last year’s Mexicali earthquake revealed huge gaps in detecting tremors south of the border.

U.S. and Mexican officials, speaking at a news conference at the U.S. Geological Survey office in Pasadena, said the monitoring equipment is critical so that quake scientists can identify the worst hit areas quickly and tell authorities where to send emergency crews.

Outdated quake detection equipment in Mexico last year meant that hours went by before officials knew exactly where the worst-hit areas were located.

Officials are aiming to make U.S. and Mexican quake-monitoring systems compatible with each other. The upgraded Mexican system also could be used as a backup in the event the U.S. earthquake-monitoring system fails during a major quake.

Reader photos: Southern California Moments Day 292

Click through for more photos of Southern California Moments.

Masked: Oracio Alvarado takes a photo of a protester at the Occupy L.A. rally in downtown Oct. 8.

Every day of 2011, we're featuring reader-submitted photos of Southern California Moments. Follow us on Twitter and visit the Southern California Moments homepage for more on this series.

Madera County supervisor plans public apology over pay cut tirade

On the agenda: Say you're sorry.

It's not listed that way: But "remove foot from mouth" will be among the tasks at the next meeting of the Madera County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Supervisor David Rogers plans to publicly apologize for a tirade in which he explained why he would never be goaded into taking a pay cut during hard times:

"I'd like to point out to the general public ... most of you don't have to run for a year and spend $50,000 to get this position. So it's, uh, it takes a lot of work to be on this dais and be in this position," Rogers said at the last meeting.

As for anyone who ever thought Rogers should take a reduction in pay:

"Well, I'll tell you right now, I'm not going to," he said. "I don’t think that’s fair. Because you’re not in the same position I’m in. When you have to run every four years and you have to spend $50,000, then come talk to me. It will be a different situation."

Rogers' remarks may have gone largely unnoticed, except current and former county employees were there to protest a proposed 16.9% increase in the salary offered for a vacant auditor controller position although other workers had either been forced into early retirement or taken a 10% pay cut.

But someone with sharp eyes, ears and/or sense of irony sent a video to PublicCEO.com, a website with 21,000 subscribers mostly working in local governments.

Steve Lopez: Disney responds to ‘electronic whip’ criticism

Disneyland
My column today on Disney hotel workers, in which they share concerns about the possibility of rising healthcare costs and the use of a productivity-monitoring system they call the "electronic whip," has drawn lots of comments on our website from readers. While perusing the comments, I noticed that one was from Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown.

Steve lopezI'd like to thank Brown for reading, and of course she's free to comment, criticize, etc. However, I'd like to respond to a few of her charges.

"Mr. Lopez's use of a sensational headline for his lopsided column about Unite Here Local 11 and Disneyland Resort is disappointing," Brown wrote.

The headline was "Disneyland workers answer to 'electronic whip.' "

As I presume someone in Brown's line of work must know, writers of stories and columns don't generally write the headlines, and I didn't write this one. However, I considered it neither sensational nor disappointing. As for the column being "lopsided," I took a stand, which is the general purpose of a column, and Brown clearly disagrees with my conclusions, which is her right.

Repairing Occupy L.A. damage to City Hall lawn could cost $400,000

The Occupy L.A. encampment fills the City Hall lawn in downtown Los Angeles.

Los Angeles officials say repairing damage to the City Hall lawn where hundreds of Occupy L.A. protesters are camped out could cost the city up to $400,000.

In the three weeks since the demonstration began, city crews have been unable to maintain the two acres of grass and tile walkways surrounding City Hall, said Jon Kirk Mukri, general manager of the city's Department of Recreation and Parks. The neglect can be seen in the lawn's brownish hue.

Reviving the grass could require sod replacement and repair to some of the more than 350 sprinklers on the lawn, Mukri said. He noted that $400,000 was just an estimate because the growing encampment has kept city crews from inspecting for damage.

FULL COVERAGE: Occupy protests

City Councilman Dennis Zine, who has visited with the protesters opposing  economic policies they say benefit corporations and the richest Americans, said the repair cost figures seem exorbitant. “Their estimates are way out of range,” he said.

Zine, who grew up pulling weeds with his father, a gardener, said he doesn’t think the lawn will have to be resodded.

“All you have to do is throw seed and fertilizer,” he said.  “Give me a grant and I can go to Home Depot and do it myself.”

RELATED:

Video: Occupy LA: Portrait of a protest

Students visit Occupy L.A. for lesson in democracy

Officials' embrace of Occupy L.A. loosens a bit over fiscal issue

— Kate Linthicum and David Zahniser

Photo: The Occupy L.A. encampment fills the City Hall lawn in downtown Los Angeles. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Child predator back in jail for trying to Facebook victim

A child predator sentenced for sending harmful materials to a minor over the Internet has been sent back to jail for trying to reconnect with the victim via Facebook after his initial release, authorities said Wednesday.

Eric Valentin, 23, of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of child molestation and was sentenced to 180 days in jail plus four months' suspended time, 36 months' probation and mandatory sex offender registration, according to the L.A. city attorney’s office.

Valentin was also ordered to stay away from and refrain from contacting the minor “via any type of technology,” the city attorney's office said in a statement.

Valentin was originally convicted in 2009 on one felony count of sending harmful material to a child and was sentenced to 16 months in state prison.

He was released in August but violated the conditions of his parole when he sent the victim a Facebook message, city attorney's officials said.

ALSO:

Lindsay Lohan could receive home detention again

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

$83,000 raised for Seal Beach salon shooting victims' families

— Ann M. Simmons

Lindsay Lohan posts bail less than an hour after being handcuffed

Lindsay Lohan is taken into custody Wednesday after having her probation revoked

Actress Lindsay Lohan posted bail less than an hour after a judge revoked her probation.

Lohan was handcuffed and sent back to jail Wednesday -- but she was able to make her $100,000 bail and was released from custody. It was unclear whether she had left the LAX courthouse or was still inside.

Lohan earlier this year served 35 days under house detention at her home in Venice, in lieu of a 120-day jail sentence, because her misdemeanor shoplifting conviction was a nonviolent offense.

PHOTOS: Lindsay Lohan's probation revoked

L.A. County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner said Lohan deliberately "blew off" the 360 hours of community service that she had been ordered to complete at the Downtown Women's Center, missing nine appointments and logging just 21 hours.

"I thought she could be of value to downtown women's center but obviously not," Saunter said. "She has to do 56 of 60 days [of community service] with six months already gone."

"How many violations have there been?" Sautner said, noting numerous prior transgressions. "Probation is a gift not a right."

Lohan's attorney, Shawn Holley, said the actress "had to earn a living to support herself and her family" and her opportunities are in Europe. 

ALSO:

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

— Richard Winton

Photo: Lindsay Lohan is taken into custody Wednesday after having her probation revoked. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Dense fog shrouds office towers in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday

Southern California was headed for a brief cool-down Wednesday as low clouds and dense fog rolled into several locations.

A dense fog advisory was issued for valley areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties until 10 a.m.

“There is a weak trough of low pressure moving across the West Coast that is going to create a bit of a cool-down today and tomorrow,” said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. “Temperatures will not be quite as warm as they have been inland.”

Sweet warned of reduced visibility to a quarter of a mile or less, making driving conditions hazardous.

He advised motorists to “drive slowly, use low-beam headlights and leave plenty of distance from the car in front.”

Sanctuary in Alpine offers help for escaped Ohio animals

Investigators walk around a barn as carcasses lay on the ground at the Muskingum County Animal Farm Wednesday in Zanesville, Ohio

Bobbi Brink, founder and director of an exotic animal sanctuary and rescue program in eastern San Diego County, said Wednesday the wild animal escape in Zanesville, Ohio, is tragic but not surprising.

Ohio is one of 10 states that have no regulations about the keeping of wild animals and no restrictions on who can run a sanctuary program, Brink said. The operator at Zanesville was notorious in the animal sanctuary movement for mistreating animals, she said.

"This is an example of how the system has failed and threatens the safety of nearby residents," Brink said.

PHOTOS: Exotic animals on the loose

California, by comparison, has strict rules about cages and safety fencing, she said.

Lions, Tigers & Bears, located on 93 acres in Alpine, east of San Diego, has 52 animals of 17 species, including three lions, four tigers, a leopard, three bobcats, a mountain lion and three black bears.

A four-acre area for the black bears is being completed at a cost of $350,000, Brink said.

Brink said she has made an offer to Ohio authorities to make her facility available to house the animals that were let loose by the Zanesville owner before his apparent suicide. She hopes some of the animals can be trapped rather than shot.

"It's a terrible situation and look who is getting hurt: the animals," she said.

RELATED:

Photos: Exotic animals on the loose

Ohio police hunt dangerous animals on loose from preserve

Dangerous exotic animals deliberately freed in Ohio, officials say

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Investigators walk around a barn as carcasses lay on the ground at the Muskingum County Animal Farm Wednesday in Zanesville, Ohio. Credit: Tony Dejak / Associated Press

Man killed by officers on 91 Freeway had a gun, CHP says

A CHP official released some details Wednesday of the officer-involved shooting on the 91 Freeway in Corona that left an allegedly armed motorist dead and traffic backed up for miles.

The incident began with a call to CHP dispatchers at 7:47 p.m. of a traffic collision on the eastbound 91 west of Interstate 15, said CHP Officer Mario Lopez.

Corona firefighters arrived at the scene to find a man outside his car on the shoulder of the freeway armed with a gun, Lopez said.

Corona police and CHP officers arrived, and a short while later, the man was shot and killed, he said.

Further details of what transpired at the scene were not being released Wednesday, Lopez said.

Lindsay Lohan taken away in handcuffs after probation is revoked

Lohan
Actress Lindsay Lohan was sent back to jail Wednesday when a judge revoked her probation pending a hearing to determine whether she violated her probation on drunk-driving and jewelry theft convictions.

Her bail was set at $100,000 and L.A. County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sautner told Lohan that if she wanted to mitigate any further punishment, she should complete 16 hours of community service at the county coroner's office between now and her Nov. 2 probation violation hearing.

Lohan earlier this year served 35 days under house detention at her home in Venice, in lieu of a 120-day jail sentence, because her misdemeanor shoplifting conviction was a nonviolent offense.

Sautner reviewed Lohan's probation progress as part of a sentence stemming from a 2007 drunk-driving conviction and the May theft conviction.

Sautner said Lohan deliberately "blew off" the 360 hours of community service that she had been ordered to complete at the downtown women's center, missing nine appointments and doing just 21 hours.

"I thought she could be of value to downtown women's center but obviously not " Saunter said. "She has to do 56 of 60 days [of community service] with six months already gone."

"How many violations have there been?" Sautner said, noting numerous prior transgressions. "Probation is a gift not a right."

The judge, however, admitted that jail is not really a place for Lohan because that is now where felons are being sent by the state. The judge said that if the actress does make bail, she must perform two days a week of her 120 hours' community service at the morgue.

The actress rarely appeared at a women's shelter for the 360 hours of required service and never showed up at the coroner's office, where she was supposed to complete another 120 hours.

The judge said she never approved of Lohan performing community service with the American Red Cross rather than the women's shelter and those hours won't count toward her sentence.

Lohan's attorney, Shawn Holley, said the actress "had to earn a living to support herself and her family" and her opportunities are in Europe. 

— Richard Winton at L.A. County Superior Court

Photo: Actress Lindsay Lohan arrives at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles. Credit: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters

More pharmacists to staff Southern California health clinics

Pharmacists to be added to health clinics

The USC School of Pharmacy plans to double the number of pharmacists at safety-net clinics throughout Southern California, officials announced Wednesday.

In addition to dispensing medication, the pharmacists will have an expanded role in educating patients and monitoring those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

"When you plug pharmacists in, outcomes are better," said Steven Chen, associate professor of clinical pharmacy at USC.

There are currently pharmacists in 12 clinics and by 2013, that number will increase to 24.

ALSO:

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber

Fog, cooler temperatures roll into Southern California

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

— Anna Gorman

Photo: File photo of a pharmacist dispensing medication. Credit: Nati Harnik / Associated Press

Do We Have a Set Point for Exercise?

Does exercising at one point during the day make you less active the rest of the time?

The question of whether humans have an innate set point for movement, a so-called activitystat, is of increasing interest and controversy among scientists. One of them is Dr. Terence J. Wilkin, a professor of endocrinology at the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, England, who asked himself that question a few years ago while hoping to learn more about the interplay of activity and childhood obesity.

Dr. Wilkin had outfitted about 70 children at three wildly different English elementary schools with an accelerometer, an electronic device that records almost all movement. One of the schools, a private college-preparatory academy with acres of playing fields, required an average of 9.2 hours of physical education classes each week. Another was a village public school, equipped with outdoor facilities and an established sports tradition, but requiring only 2.2 hours of P.E. each week. And the final was an urban school with limited playground options and 1.6 hours a week of P.E. The children wore the devices full time for a week on four separate occasions during the school year.

Dr. Wilkin had expected that the children at the prep school, who spent about 65 percent more time exercising at school than the other students, would be much more active over all. But they weren’t. In fact, when he collated the data, the weekly activity levels of the students from all three schools were remarkably similar. Students who exercised more at school were less active afterward. In a study published this month in The International Journal of Obesity, Dr. Wilkin and his co-authors conclude that, at least in these 8- to 10-year-olds, “activity at one time is met with less activity at another.” The findings, they say, may help to explain why so many children remain overweight, despite programs designed to get them moving.

A similar mechanism may hold for adults. In another notable experiment published this month in the journal Menopause, a group of postmenopausal women completed a 13-week walking program while wearing accelerometers to measure their full daily activity. During that time, some of the women were more active over all than they had been at the start. But almost half had reduced their spontaneous physical activity when they weren’t exercising. The reductions weren’t intentional: The women hadn’t consciously set out to move less. But, as a result, they were no more active, on a daily basis, than they had been before starting the exercise regimen. Their bodies had compensated for the walking and kept their overall energy expenditure about the same.

The implications of such findings are broad and worrisome. “The evidence to date shows that physical activity interventions have not” been able to significantly reduce childhood obesity, Dr. Wilkin says, “and our data suggest that part of the reason” may be that children who exercise at school expend less energy the rest of the time. The same dynamic could be impeding adults’ efforts to use exercise to trim away flab.

In animal studies, rodents bred over generations to voluntarily run for hours will, if deprived of their wheels, race around their cages until they’ve fulfilled their bodies’ seeming imperative for motion, while animals bred to be languorous and avoid activity will, if forced to swim or run, subsequently lie on their cage floors and not move for hours. They are not merely tired, Dr. Wilkin says, but obeying some inner physiological command. The animals seem to have a “genetically determined level of preferred energy expenditure,” he says, to which their bodies default.

But other researchers are not convinced. “Twin studies show that the environment, defined broadly as the physical and cultural environment, has a massive influence on the level of physical activity,” at least in children, says John J. Reilly, a professor of pediatric energy metabolism at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland and the author of a commentary accompanying Dr. Wilkin’s study. Children’s physical activity is determined largely by their living conditions — in other words, not their biology.

In confirmation of that idea, a study of 9- to 12-year-old British twins published last year determined that, while the children’s fidgetiness and enjoyment of activity were dependent on heredity, their actual levels of movement were almost wholly determined by their environment, and in particular by the actions and attitudes of their teachers and parents.

An equally powerful argument against the existence of an activitystat may derive from the findings of studies that reduce people’s habitual activity for a period of time. Presumably, if the body has a preset, preferred amount of energy expenditure, those people should become more active afterward. But in general, they do not. A representative recent study of schoolchildren found that, on days when they were denied recess, they “did not compensate” by running around more after school. They simply expended less energy that day.

Still, almost all researchers agree that science is not close to fully understanding the complex interplay of biology, volition, laziness and modern living conditions in determining how active each of us will be. “Far more work is needed,” Dr. Wilkin says, especially long-term studies. He suspects, he says, that many studies that dispute the idea of an activitystat use time frames that are too short to capture the body’s subtle workings. “Compensation may be happening over the course of weeks or months,” he says, “not hours or days.”

Most important, though, he adds, even if people have a set point for exercise, its existence would not provide carte blanche for us to give up on exercise, or cancel P.E. classes at schools. “Exercise is extremely good for the health of young people, as it is for all of us,” he says. “It improves metabolic profiles and cardiorespiratory fitness. Our results should not be interpreted to mean that exercise is not worthwhile,” he says, only to suggest that how, why and whether we move may be more complicated issues than any of us might wish.

Speeding teen faulted in fiery crash that killed four near Bishop

Fiery crash near Bishop

A speeding teenage driver caused a fatal collision last year that killed a former Corona del Mar High School cheerleading coach along with three others, according to a recently released California Highway Patrol investigation report.

Wendy Rice perished in the fiery Aug. 8, 2010, crash outside Bishop when her van was hit by a driver who lost control of an SUV, the Daily Pilot reported.

Rice, 35, was the cheerleading director, coach and choreographer at Corona del Mar High from 2001 to 2008.

While driving at least 85 mph, Natalie Nield, 17, of Carlsbad was driving at least 85 miles per hour when she swerved toward the southbound shoulder of U.S. Highway 395 to avoid a big rig passing another truck, according to CHP Officer Dennis Cleland.

Man on Southwest flight allegedly tries to break into cockpit

Southwest Airlines flight diverted

A Southwest Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Kansas City, Mo., was diverted Tuesday morning after a passenger allegedly tried to break into the cockpit.

Witnesses say the man became unruly and started screaming during Flight 3683.

The plane left Los Angeles International Airport at 10:40 a.m. and was most of the way to its destination when the flight crew made an emergency call to Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport in Texas requesting emergency clearance to land.

The crew of the jet reported that the flight was interrupted when a male passenger tried to break into the cockpit.

After landing, the passenger, Ali Reza Shahsauri, 29, was arrested by federal authorities on a charge of interference with a flight crew.

Passenger Doug Oerding told Amarillo.com that Shahsauri started screaming obscenities at other passengers during the flight.

Attendants attempted to calm Shahsauri and then he went to the bathroom at the rear of plane and began making a commotion, Oerding said.

"All of us guys were looking at him like are we going to have to do something," Oerding said.

He said a flight attendant got Shahsauri to calm down.

The flight landed and police officers came on to the plane and took him into custody, Oerding said.

Hawkins said none of the 136 passengers and five crew members was injured. The flight later continued on to Kansas City.

ALSO:

Lindsay Lohan could receive home detention again

Conrad Murray trial to resume with final prosecution witness

Controversial full-body scanners coming to John Wayne Airport

— KTLA News

Photo: File photo of a Southwest Airlines jet. Credit: Matt York / Associated Press

Controversial full-body scanners coming to John Wayne Airport

Tsa-fullbodyimage

The Transportation Security Administration plans to install full-body scanners to screen passengers at John Wayne Airport in the coming months, federal officials confirmed Tuesday.

Scanners are planned for security checkpoints at all three terminals, including the new Terminal C set to open in November.

Travelers randomly selected to undergo the body scans can opt to walk through the traditional metal detectors and receive a manual pat-down instead, according to the Daily Pilot.

A recent public backlash about the machines' graphic depictions prompted the TSA to alter the images the scanners produce. The millimeter wave machines that are planned for JWA will create only generic images of passengers.

The TSA bought 300 new millimeter wave machines in September. JWA will be one of the earliest airports to get the devices.

Because the airport is building a new terminal and its existing checkpoints can be converted with relative ease, JWA was "a logical next step," said TSA spokesman Nico Melendez.

Alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit an unorthodox bank robber


858-565-1255
Photo: Mr. Magoo Bandit on bank surveillance camera. Credit: FBI.The alleged Mr. Magoo Bandit, who was arrested on Tuesday, was in some ways an unusual bank robber.

The FBI has said he was never in a rush while pulling his crimes and sometimes thanked tellers after taking the money.

The Mr. Magoo Bandit, a nickname bestowed by the FBI in reference to the robber's thick glasses and roundish head, is suspected of at least 12 bank heists in San Diego, Ventura County, the Bay Area and one in Henderson, Nev.

The geographic spread of his alleged crime spree and his apparent decision not to attempt to disguise himself were unusual among serial bank robbers, the FBI said.

Scott James Larsen, 43, surrendered to agents on Monday after learning that he was being sought in the case, the FBI said.

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the FBI at (888) 226-8443 or (858) 565-1255.

ALSO:

Teacher accused of calling student 'Jew boy' may be fired

L.A., Santa Monica police investigating swastika graffiti

Celebrities gave Kabbalah Centre cachet, spurred its growth

--Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Mr. Magoo Bandit on bank surveillance camera. Credit: FBI

 

Wilshire closed as firefighters battle Westside apartment fire

A fire in a five-story apartment complex on Wilshire Boulevard forced the closure Wednesday morning of the busy thoroughfare in both directions between Westholme and Selby avenues on the Westside.

About 115 Los Angeles firefighters battled the blaze for an hour on two floors of the complex.

No one was hurt in the fire, which erupted at the Princess Apartments on the 10600 block of Wilshire shortly after 4:30 a.m., according to an LAFD report.

The cause of the fire had yet to be determined. WIlshire was expected to be closed for an indefinite time Wednesday morning, according to an LAFD official.

There was no word on how many people were displaced by in the blaze.

ALSO:

Riverside passes Halloween sex-offender ban

Vernon moves to reform city housing policies

Marine general approves wearing bracelets honoring fallen troops

-- Sam Quinones

twitter.com/samquinones7

91 Freeway reopens after officer-involved shooting

The 91 Freeway has reopened in both directions at Interstate 15 in the Corona area of Riverside County, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The freeway had been closed after an officer-involved shooting Tuesday night, but all lanes were reopened as of 6:14 a.m. Wednesday, the official said.

The freeway was closed after a CHP officer shot and killed an allegedly armed man. The shooting caused traffic backups into Orange County.

Details of the shooting, including the victim's identity, were not immediately available.

ALSO:

Riverside passes Halloween sex-offender ban

Vernon moves to reform city housing policies

Marine general approves wearing bracelets honoring fallen troops

 -- Sam Quinones

twitter.com/samquinones7

Part of 91 Freeway remains closed after officer-involved shooting

La-me-corona-91-shootingForWEBThe 91 Freeway in Riverside County remained a major problem for commuters Wednesday morning, as the California Highway Patrol continued its investigation into an officer-involved shooting of a motorist last night.

A CHP official said all the freeway's eastbound lanes at Interstate 15 remain closed, with no word on when they'll be reopened.

On the westbound 91, the HOV and fast lanes are closed, though the slower two lanes are open.

Motorists are urged to use the 10, 210 and 60 freeways as alternate routes in their morning commute.

The closures stem from an incident on the freeway about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, in which CHP officers shot and killed a man allegedly armed with a gun. Few details were available early Wednesday.

The shooting tangled traffic for hours, leading to backups well into Orange County.

ALSO:

Riverside passes Halloween sex-offender ban

Vernon moves to reform city housing policies

Marine general approves wearing bracelets honoring fallen troops

 -- Sam Quinones
Twitter.com/samquinones7

Image: A map shows the area where the officer-involved shooting occurred. Credit: Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times

Man allegedly armed with gun killed by CHP officers on 91 Freeway

La-me-corona-91-shootingForWEBA man was killed Tuesday night by California Highway Patrol officers after they said he fired a gun at them on the 91 Freeway, which triggered massive traffic problems in the Corona area, KTLA-TV Channel 5 reported.

The man fired at least one shot at the officers, according to the report.  A CHP spokesman did not return repeated calls for comment.

The incident occurred about 7:45 p.m. on the eastbound 91 Freeway between Main Street and the 15 Freeway in the Corona area.  Officers told the man to drop the weapon but he refused and allegedly fired, the TV station reported.

Eastbound lanes were backed up for miles. All but one westbound lane had been closed. Traffic also was backed up on the north and southbound lanes of Interstate 15.

The CHP said the eastbound 91 Freeway is expected to be closed until Wednesday morning and urged motorists to use the 210, 10 and 60 freeways as alternate routes.

ALSO:

Vernon moves to reform city housing policies

Riverside passes Halloween sex-offender ban

Marine general approves wearing bracelets honoring fallen troops

-- Robert J. Lopez

twitter.com/LAJourno

Graphic: Map shows the area where the shooting occurred.

Credit: Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times

Comment

Comment