Los Angeles News Roundup

Cops Break up Cock Fight at Abandoned Mortuary
Does the story really need any more then a headline? At the scene, the cops found $5k in cash, a stolen gun and a bunch of chickens. Most of the people betting on the fights got away, but 24 were cited for attending an illegal fight.

In Defense of the Persian Palace
The LATimes magazine takes on the "Persian Conversion" issue, which involves creating ostentatious houses which go right up the property line and contain a bizarre mixture of architectural styles meant to invoke grandeur and prosperity. The article focuses on the alleged good elements of this trend, namely that the houses are open and inviting to the street. That may be more a desire to get more square footage then to make friends, but to each his own. Bad architecture is a part of LA life since olden timez.

Weekend Valley Killings Gang Related, Say Cops
Gang members are responsible for two homicides over the weekend, authorities confirmed Monday. On Sunday evening, a 30-year old North Hollywood man was gunned down outside his residence in the 7000 Block of Fulton Avenue. In a separate incident in Arleta on Friday evening, Mario Rodriguez, a 21-year-old man from Sylmar with no gang affiliation, was shot and killed by suspected gang members. Of the 85 homicides recorded in the Valley this year, roughly half have been gang related.

Nickel Bags and Broken Windows on Skid Row
Mack Reed revisits Skid Row, learning of efforts to rid one part of the area of open air drug trade. Mack wonders if focusing on petty crimes such as weed slangin' is lookin at the wrong issues, but ultimately hopes that the strategy will be successful in helping to get a grip on the deeper problems of the area.