Postman dies after his legs were severed by car
A 32-year-old U.S. Postal Service carrier whose legs were severed in a vehicle accident has died, police said Wednesday night. Earl Anthony Dunn, who lived in Compton, was pinned between his truck and a car in the 1100 block of Prado Street in Boyle Heights on Tuesday, the Los Angeles Police Department said. The driver was operating his car with a revoked license, Officer Karen Rayner said.
Los Angeles Times

L.A. City Council votes to reduce steep fine for truancy
The Los Angeles City Council gave final approval Wednesday to changes in the truancy law that, pending approval by the mayor, would delay fines until a third offense and dramatically reduce the base fine for skipping school from $250 to $20. The plan, introduced by Councilman Tony Cardenas and supported by Councilman Bernard Parks, contains new penalty options for a first or second violation.
Los Angeles Daily News

San Fernando Valley woman gets no jail time in fatal accident
A San Fernando Valley woman who was convicted in the death of a 76-year-old Doris Kramer earlier this year in Woodland Hills will not serve jail time, the Los Angeles city attorney's office said. Nicole Oswalt, 41, was found guilty by a jury on one count of vehicular manslaughter. Oswalt was sentenced Wednesday to 300 hours of community service, 24 months probation and was ordered to pay restitution to the victim for all funeral and medical expenses.
Los Angeles Times

Tarzana activist Albert Abrams indicted on child pornography charges
A Tarzana activist and former president of Los Angeles's Board of Neighborhood Commissioners surrendered to federal authorities this morning after being indicted on child pornography charges. An eight-count federal indictment unsealed Tuesday charges Albert Abrams, 63, with five counts of distributing child pornography, two counts of receiving child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Los Angeles Daily News

More 405 Freeway closures start Friday night
Southbound lanes of the San Diego (405) Freeway will be closed Friday and Saturday nights, as part of the ongoing reconstruction of the Mulholland Bridge, according to Metro. The closures will be from the 101 freeway to Getty Center Drive ramps. Each night the ramps within the closure area will close as early as 7 p.m. and freeway lanes will begin to close around 10 p.m. The freeway will be fully closed from midnight to 5 a.m. Additional closures are planned. Northbound lanes will be closed Monday and Tuesday night, during the same hours.
Los Angeles Daily News

In California prisons, 301 lifers from juvenile crimes
As lawmakers consider loosening life sentences for juvenile criminals, a new report released Wednesday said 301 California inmates are locked up for life after committing crimes when they were younger than 18. That's nearly 12% of all 2,570 youth offenders serving sentences of life without parole in the country. Although sentences of life without parole are limited to homicide cases, the report said nearly half of the juveniles did not commit the actual murder.
Los Angeles Times

Stockton mediation first case under new Calif. law
Beleaguered Stockton is the first California city to test a new union-backed law aimed at protecting public employee contracts by making it harder for municipalities to file bankruptcy. Stockton is trying to avoid becoming the most populous U.S. city in modern times to seek Chapter 9 protection by moving this week to participate in a 60-day evaluation process with its bond holders, creditors, employee unions and retirees.
Associated Press