Valley News: Morning Crash, Standoff, Brush Fire Arson, Mayor Touts New L.A. Business

Porter Ranch

Two people were critically injured in a collision in Porter Ranch today.

The accident in the 11200 block of North Corbin Avenue was reported shortly after 9 a.m., and firefighters freed two people trapped in the wreckage, Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Sylmar

Two people were taken into custody in connection with a half-acre brush fire that occurred south of the Newhall Pass in Sylmar today.

Firefighters were called to 13800 N. Balboa Blvd. at 4:38 p.m., just north of where the Foothill (210) Freeway meets the Golden State (5) Freeway, said Matt Spence of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

About 50 firefighters attacked the fire from the ground and in the air and had it out in 32 minutes, Spence said.

A few minutes later, two people were taken into custody in connection with the fire at Filbert Street and Foothill Boulevard, said Officer Rosario Herrera of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section.

One injury was reported -- a broadcast report said one suspect was burned -- but Herrera could not confirm the report.

Woodland Hills

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today credited his efforts to streamline the city's development permitting process with Farmers Insurance deciding to move one of its offices and 1,200 jobs to Los Angeles from Simi Valley.

"The opening of Farmers' new facility demonstrates our ongoing commitment to creating and retaining hundreds of good paying jobs in Los Angeles," Villaraigosa said. "We are steadily improving the business climate in Los Angeles through development reform that helps businesses create jobs and complete projects more quickly."

Farmers signed a 10-year lease on an eight-story building in Woodland Hills. Villaraigosa and Councilman Dennis Zine toured the offices in
celebrating the move Tuesday.

Van Nuys

A gunman who allegedly threatened to shoot someone at Van Nuys apartment complex was arrested today after a roughly five-hour standoff, police said.

The suspect, taken into custody in the 15600 block of Valerio Street about 3:10 p.m., was expected to be booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, Los Angeles police spokeswoman Rosario Herrera said.

It was unclear who the victim was, or if he or she was hurt.

Police were sent to the apartments based on emergency call about 10:25 a.m., and they evacuated nearby residents while officers with a Special Weapons And Tactics team surrounded the place.

It was unclear if the suspect surrendered on his own, or if police forced him out. His name was being withheld pending booking.

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-- City News Service