Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – Journo James's Journal

Earned Income Tax Credit Report

Post author:journojames
Post published:April 12, 2012
Post category:News

Originally published Feb. 7, 2012

Mayor Villaraigosa near downtown L.A., Photo by JournoJames

LOS ANGELES, CA – Free tax preparation services will be offered to low-income working families as an incentive to join an underutilized program that provides refunds which could help boost the local economy, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Monday.

“In tough economic times like these, we need to make sure hard-working Angelenos are getting all the help they need,” Villaraigosa said. “Our message is simple: get the free help that you deserve.” (more…)

L.A.P.D. Rules Justification in Shooting Report

Post author:journojames
Post published:February 11, 2012
Post category:News

Originally published Mar. 15, 2011

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Los Angeles Police Commission ruled Tuesday that an L.A.P.D. officer was justified in fatally shooting a knife-wielding Guatemalan day laborer last year in an incident that sparked outrage and protests in the Latino community.

Fatal Shooting Immigrant — L.A.P.D. Commission President John Mack, Photo courtesy of Reed Saxon

L.A. Police Commission President John W. Mack announced that his panel unanimously accepted an internal report by the L.A.P.D that said Officer Frank Hernandez used proper lethal force against Manuel Jamines, 37, who stepped towards him with a knife. Mack announced that an independent review by the inspector general also determined that Hernandez’s deadly action was in line with department policy.

“This has been a long, particularly difficult and sad incident for all those involved,” said Mack. “I’m confident, when I speak for my fellow commissioners, that our review of this case has been exhaustive, conclusive and has left no stone unturned.” (more…)

Atwater Village and the West Doran Street Crossing

Post author:journojames
Post published:January 17, 2012
Post category:News

Originally published Oct. 25, 2010

ATWATER VILLAGE – The Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (A.V.N.C.), in an effort to help local businesses and decrease traffic congestion to the area, passed a motion on Thursday to oppose the closing of the West Doran Street railroad crossing.

The California Public Utilities Commission (C.P.U.C.) found the crossing to be unsafe and unnecessary after doing a study and issued the proposal.

The council plans to send a formal letter of its stance to Los Angeles City Hall and attend C.P.U.C. evidentiary and public proceedings for the next several months to officially voice its opposition, but C.P.U.C. has exclusive jurisdiction over railroad crossings in the state and would ultimately make the final decision. (more…)