🌱 Repeat Robber In Westlake, Sun Valley? + Is Rezoning An Answer

Welcome back, Los Angeles; today is National Puppy Day! Here's everything you need to know to get this Wednesday started off right.

Law enforcement believes that a repeat offender might be robbing small stores. Also, can rezoning lessen the housing crisis? Finally, a Boyle Heights building project will finally get moving next month.

First, today's weather:

Very warm. High: 87 Low: 61.

Here are the top five stories in Los Angeles today:

1. Store robberies are up. However, “thieves have most frequently been targeting small markets in the neighborhood of Westlake, where there have been nine robberies in the first two months of the year. Another eight occurred in Sun Valley. There’s a good chance that they are repeat offenders. In January, “47 incidents involved a handgun, semi-automatic pistol or other firearm.” (Patch)
2. How can an already densely populated Los Angeles find room for 250,000 new homes? Some believe that re-zoning is a must as it will allow for the development of new units. However, owners of single-family homes or large plots of land beg to differ. And, if the city doesn’t meet its deadline, we learned Monday that it will lose funding for affordable housing and possibly invite fines and lawsuits. (@dillonliam)
3. In related news, the housing project at 1st and Lorena in Boyle Heights is finally entering the construction phase. After a decade of back-and-forth, the 49-unit, four-story building is scheduled to get started in earnest next month. “Of the 49 apartments, about 32 will go to unhoused individuals and families, another 16 to low-income families, and the remaining unit will go to a resident manager,” a Friday report stated. (Boyle Heights Beat)
4. L.A. has “the most polluted air out of more than 2,400 U.S. cities analyzed in a report,” we learned Tuesday. Even though the country’s air quality improved over the last five decades, “fine-particle pollution actually increased nationally by 7% between 2020 and 2021.” (NBC)
5. Riverside Drive has undergone quite a few improvements. Tuesday afternoon photos show that there are now “pavements markings, including bike lanes for protected bike lanes, and updated crosswalks between Los Feliz Blvd and Glendale Blvd.” The next phase of the project will continue the markings and see some bollards installed. (@LADOTofficial)

From our sponsor:

Today’s newsletter is brought to you in part 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?

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

Today in Los Angeles:

• 100 Years Of Peggy Lee at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live (10 AM to 6 PM)
• Angel City & Truly LA Career Fair at Angel City Brewery (11 AM to 3 PM)
• 76ers @ Lakers at Crypto.com Arena (7 PM)
• Less Than Zero at Break Room 86 (9 PM)
• Amy Correa Bell's Latest Single "Anyways" Release Party at Escala (10 PM)

From my notebook:

• Today was an historic day for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department as it held a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to debut a newly built Emergency Vehicle Operation Center at the Honor Rancho (Pitchess Detention Center). (Facebook)
• **ATTENTION** Historic building in need of a new user! The Port of Los Angeles is looking for a tenant to occupy the historic and former Star-Kist Tuna Plant on Terminal Island. The City has issued a Request for Interest (RFI). (Facebook)
• A kind Central-Compton neighbor found a dog on 124th St. Is it yours? (Nextdoor)
• Our N Hollywood Oxnard-Archwood neighbor wants to know if you can recommend an excellent reliable pet sitter? Administering medication might be required. (Nextdoor)
• A N Pico-Robertson North needs a good inexpensive locksmith. Any ideas? (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 23)
• Coping with the Emotional Issues of Divorce – Vesta Beverly Hills/South Bay Hub (March 25)
• Estate Planning for Your Loved Ones - Webinar (March 26)
• Trustee & Power of Attorney Training School - Webinar (March 26)
• [Free Masterclass] Increase Your Website Sales & Leads Using SEO (March 26)
• Torrance Antique Street Faire (March 27)
• Taxes in Retirement Webinar (March 28)
• Add your event

Gigs & services:

• Financial Unsecured Business Loans (Details)
• Add your gig or service

Housing:

• 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)
• Stunning Santa Monica Apartments - Insane Location $3095 (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

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow with your next update!

— 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.