Veterans Protest Over ‘Lack Of Care’ Outside Of LA’s VA
LOS ANGELES - Veterans marched outside the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center on Friday in protest of what they said is a lack of care being provided to aging veterans and soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Between 70 and 75 veterans and supporters marched “to draw attention to policies at the West Los Angeles VA that have led to the deaths of veterans,” said organizer Keith Jeffreys.
Protestors pointed to the recent death of Iraq war veteran Justin Paul Bailey, who died at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center Jan. 26 of an apparent overdose.
Bailey’s family accused physicians of providing Bailey with methadone, despite his documented history of abusing prescription drugs. . .
Keith Jeffreys will be on the show at 4:00
Jury selection in Spector trial begins
The murder trial of rock legend Phil Spector began today with jury selection, an arduous process that is expected to last weeks.
Spector, a record producer who reached the height of his fame almost two generations ago, is accused of killing Lana Clarkson, an actress and nightclub hostess, who was found shot to death in his Alhambra mansion on Feb. 3, 2003.
Spector arrived this morning at a downtown Los Angeles courthouse wearing an open-collar shirt, a dark, knee-length coat, and shoes with high heels. He was accompanied by his wife, Rachelle Short, and his attorney, Roger J. Rosen. . .
Fines for express lane violations take their toll
To renew her vehicle registration, Pamela Mathews Avery of Riverside County said she cleared up $346 in unpaid tolls for using the 91 Express Lanes. Nevertheless, the Orange County Transportation Authority, which owns the tollway, says that she still owes $47,850 in penalties.
Ruth Arlene Murray, 72, of San Bernardino County faces more than $70,000 in fines for failing to pay $504 in tolls to the Transportation Corridor Agencies, another turnpike operator. And OCTA has assessed Stephanie and Brian Young of Corona $53,550 in penalties for $580 in unpaid tolls.
“This is ridiculous,” said Stephanie Young, the mother of three children. “Not everyone with these penalties was deliberately abusing the tollways. People should not face losing their homes and their cars over fines like this. . .
