The LA Times Has a New Owner
Our hometown newspaper, once a source of either pride or rage, and now a source of disinterest or confusion, has a new owner, conservative Real Estate financier Sam Zell. Is Zell the man to restore the Times to prominence, relevancy, and respect? Clearly not, he has zero experience with journalism, no roots in Los Angeles, and no driving mission to restore the paper. Furthermore, his motives in buying the paper are murky, and private ownership doesn't mean much to a newspaper if the private owner is a. not local and b. not a newspaperman. Lastly, his first move with Tribune will be to sell the Cubs, which may make financial sense but kind of points to a certain lack of panache needed to lead a local newspaper.
LA Serial Killer on Trial
A former pizza delivery man and drug dealer accused of being one of the city's most prolific serial killers is going on trial on charges of murdering 10 women and the unborn fetus of one victim. He is pleading not guilty, saying that the DNA evidence linking him to the murders is related to his activities as a dealer to the city's prostitutes, who paid him in trade.
Venice Gets a Solar Street Light
About four years ago, members of the Presidents Row Neighborhood Assn. of Venice decided they wanted more streetlights. It finally happened.
Ray's Shack is Back
Ray sells plaster statues from a shack on La Brea that you've probably passed a hundred times. It looked like he was down for the count after an SUV plowed into it back in November of '05. Well Ray and his shack are back, big time. LosAnjealous has been the leading source of Ray's Shack info, and it's no surprise that they've got this story locked.
Photo by Payuta Louro