🌱 Huntsman Chemical Leak + Hollywood Crime Up 137%

Happy Friday, people of Los Angeles; and happy National Sloppy Joe Day! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

There was a chemical leak in the Atwater Village. Also, be aware of your surroundings when in Hollywood. Finally, a house fire displaced five individuals.

First, today's weather:

Warm with plenty of sun. High: 79 Low: 54.

Here are the top five stories in Los Angeles today:

1. There was a chemical leak on Thursday in the Atwater Village Huntsman Chemical building on West Electronics Place and near West San Fernando Road. Initially, the LAFD was called to the location because of an automatic fire alarm. However, firefighters involved Hazmat when they found no fire but white smoke with a strong odor. "Residents in the area detecting an unusual odor have been recommended to shelter in place (closing doors and windows)." (Patch)
2. Crime in Hollywood is up 137% from a year ago. Thursday’s report notes that “common crimes include aggravated assault, murder, rape, burglaries, arson, and human trafficking.” Officials advise residents “to be aware of your surroundings.” (Fox 11)
3. A single-family home built back in 1924 burned on Wednesday. Firefighters responded to the 6900 block of North Corbin Avenue shortly after 9:30 PM. Five residents were displaced and received assistance from the Red Cross. (Flickr)
4. We learned Thursday that the city spends $30 million each year on sidewalk repair. In the last fiscal year, the city paid out $12 million for settlements of cases pertaining from sidewalk claims. “It would take nearly 500 years to fix all of LA’s buckled and cracked sidewalks at the current pace of the city’s repair program.” (Random Lengths News)
5. The Plant Power Fast Food chain opened its first L.A. venue on Vine, just north of Melrose, last week. It is San Diego’s meatless powerhouse that is now trying to get a foothold in the local market. Nearby Long Beach already had its drive-thru on PCH sine 2018. (L.A. Eater)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Ring, a Patch Brand Partner. We all know that Ring is the leader in video doorbells for home security. But did you know that Ring now makes a home security system that is getting raves from consumer electronic experts? (Reviewers at CNET called the new system — known as the Ring Alarm Pro — “a giant leap for home security”). So why the kudos?

In a nutshell: the Ring Alarm Pro can protect your home both online and off. It includes a built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router to help you get reliable physical and digital security in one, innovative device. Now you can help protect your home with all the benefits of the Ring Alarm, to keep your home safe and secure, while experiencing fast, reliable connectivity.

To learn more about the system CNET called “the future of home security” or to build your own custom system, you can visit Ring here.

Today in Los Angeles:

• Hilary Hahn at the Walt Disney Concert Hall (11 AM)
• H3adwat3rs.t0ur at Midwilshire Studio (4 PM)
• YUNGBLUD at the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall (8:30 PM)
• LP Giobbi Presents Femme House Tour at Exchange LA (10 PM)
• How To Start A Fire w/ Sydnee Washington at The Elysian Theater (10 PM)

From my notebook:

• Our Western-Wilton West dropped their keys somewhere on 5th street between Van Ness and Gramercy. Did you find them? (Nextdoor)
• An Echo Park Central neighbor is wondering if anyone can recommend a local cleaning service or person who they have used and would like to give business? (Nextdoor)
• A kind NoHo Arts District Southeast-E neighbor found an injured cat at Lankershim & Otsego, North Hollywood, on March 1st. They took him to vet, he had surgery and follow-ups and is recovering in a separate area of our house. Very sweet, loving male kitty about 12-15 years old. (Nextdoor)
• Our Country Club Park neighbor is asking for a pool cleaner recommendation in mid Wilshire/ mid-city? (Nextdoor)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Polished2Perfection LA —
• Yes Assistant - Virtual Assistant Service — (Visit Website)
• Rolling Robots — (Visit website)
• Market-Connections Professional Resume Writing Services — (Visit website)
• Vydeo Media — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar (March 19)
• Jason Alexander's 20th Annual Celebrity Poker Tournament (March 20)
• American Diabetes Association Diabetes Alert Day: Understand Your Risk (March 22)
• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar (March 23)
• [Free Masterclass] Increase Your Website Sales & Leads Using SEO (March 26)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (March 28)
• 2022 Hollywood Hike to End Homelessness (April 2)
• Add your event

Housing:

• Furnished Luxury Suite Apartment Near LMU! Los Angeles $1645 (Details)
• Luxury Apartments in Santa Monica For Affordable Prices! $200 Off (Details)
• Stunning Santa Monica Apartments - HUGE Patch Discount! (Details)
• Starts at $1745 - Furnished Luxury Studio Los Angeles Apartments (Details)
• $1745 and up! Furnished Luxury Housing! Studios! (Details)
• Luxury Los Angeles Furnished Studio Suite $1745 and up! (Details)
• $2695 For Luxury Downtown Santa Monica Apartment! (Details)
• Add your listing

Loving the Los Angeles Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link, so they can subscribe
• Get your local business listed in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at losangeles@patch.com

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you soon!

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Best Fiends (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.