Burbank

More than 150 law enforcement personnel, about 100 of them from the FBI, are searching for a missing FBI agent from Burbank who is believed to be suicidal and possibly armed. Stephen Ivens, 35, a Los Angeles-based agent specializing in national security affairs, was last seen Friday at his home on the 1700 Block of Scott Road in Burbank, where he lived with his wife and one-year-old son, officials said at a multi-agency press conference Saturday afternoon at the Burbank Police Department.

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of illegally possessing firearms after Burbank police responded to reports of gunshots Thursday morning that sparked a brief neighborhood evacuation. Those arrested on Thursday include: Burbank resident Armen Galstyan, 52; Artak Grigoryan, 37, and Vigen Manukyan, 27, both of Glendale; and Armen Mouradian, 23, of Los Angeles. Galstyan was also arrested on suspicion of identity theft. Police responded to reports of shots fired at a home in the 1800 block of Keeler Street at 6:50 a.m. Thursday.

I have been a Burbank resident for 10 years. When I was looking to buy my home, I knew Burbank was where I wanted to live. Burbank has a retro charm, beautiful tree-lined streets, darling homes, kids playing outside, friendly neighbors, a wonderful small-town feeling. My East Coast relatives are convinced I live in Mayberry. The quaint Little White Chapel added to this charm. I knew when I moved so close to the church there would be traffic and parking issues, but what I didn't know was that the quaint church would be at the center of such turmoil.

Hundreds of people gathered early Thursday for the 37th annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in the Rancho neighborhood under the themes of encouraging youth, coming together to better the community and having faith in one's abilities to help others. Mayor Dave Golonski said everyone faces challenges, and that while Burbank isn't perfect, residents pull together to make things happen. City officials, school leaders and faith-based groups gathered to hear guest speaker Jay Schroeder - a former NFL quarterback who played for the Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Raiders and others - touch on the theme of having faith and using your God-given abilities to help others.

I don't think we can have such a huge store as Walmart in Burbank without losing what makes Burbank a great and special place. It sounds like there are serious traffic considerations that have not yet been addressed, and will certainly need to be addressed, if a store the size of Walmart would move into the Empire Center. I don't think any extra tax revenue would be worth it. The extra traffic, pollution, noise, and impact on the city's small town feel would be significant. This store will have a huge impact and we should know what those impacts are. I have shopped at the Empire Center and as it is without the Walmart store.

The City Council this week decided on a schedule for appointing interim replacements for the elected positions of city clerk and city treasurer as the women who currently hold those offices prepare to retire next month. Beginning May 14, applicants who feel they are qualified will have an opportunity to apply through June 1, although appointments could be made before then, officials said. City Clerk Margarita Campos and City Treasurer Donna Anderson are retiring on June 1 and July 7, respectively - roughly a year before their terms are set to end in May 2013.

A 43-year-old Burbank man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he murdered the woman who was found dead in a parked car Friday at his parents' home. The man, David Perry, faces five felony counts, including murder, spousal abuse, making criminal threats and animal cruelty, officials said. He also pleaded not guilty to these charges. Perry was arrested Friday shortly after the body of Dorothy Jean McGuire, 37, of Sunland, was discovered in a parked car at his home in the 500 block of North Sparks Street in Burbank.

“Happy birthday Burbank.” When I came to California more than 50 years ago, Burbank was hometown U.S.A. - people were coming from all over the country for jobs and the good life. But Burbank has since become a multicultural city and has lost its hometown charm. It is sad. I long for the old Burbank. Don Larsen Burbank

I see Walmart fitting in very well with this community. It will also bring more people into the city. We used to travel outside of Burbank to shop at Walmart. With the addition of Walmart, it will bring better prices to the area and other stores. Sure, it will force pressure on some of the other stores, but nothing stays the same forever. When Target came to Burbank, I stopped shopping at Kmart. Why was there not the same stink raised? The only ones I see complaining are the unions and high-priced labor.

When politicians want to attack the other side, they start smearing. When anti-Walmart people want to keep Walmart out, they are smearing. A Walmart will increase the crime rate (“How to keep Walmart out,” Dec. 11)? What a crock. I've asked my wife several times over the years, “Why does Panorama City have a Walmart, and not us?” God bless you Walmart, and welcome to Burbank. Steve Urbanovich Burbank

One of two Burbank siblings charged with felony animal cruelty in the fatal stabbing of a family member's dog is scheduled to face a jury trial this summer. The trial for Charissa Bodtcher, 23, is slated to be scheduled sometime in July after she appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court this week for a pretrial hearing, a court clerk said. She faces one felony count of animal cruelty or neglect. Her brother, Timo Bodtcher, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges last month and is on probation, the clerk added.

The executive boards for three local Democratic clubs will hold a fundraiser for several candidates running in the 43rd state Assembly District at 5 p.m. May 27 at Flappers Comedy Club, 102 E. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. Called the “43rd AD Get Out the Laugh” fundraiser, proceeds will pay for door hangers and postcards for the primary election and several candidates running for offices, including Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Silver Lake), Sen. Carol Liu (D-La Cañada-Flintridge)

A 76-year-old Burbank resident was sent to a local hospital after he was found at the bottom of a wash on Alameda Avenue Friday afternoon. Burbank firefighters arrived at the scene after receiving reports of an injured person laying in the wash east of Victory Boulevard. He was transported to Los Angeles County USC Trauma Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities. Police are unsure if the man jumped or fell. The incident is under investigation.

When I moved to Burbank almost 20 years ago, I was pleased to reside in a city that governed its own, including Water and Power. Gone were the days of gouging by DWP. It seems that now the utility wants again to raise the rates. First, the rates were raised in order to pay for those smart meters that everyone had to have. Now the rates are going up to close a budget gap. These rate increases are hard on people on a fixed income, on top of the rise of other costs such as gas, food and medical care, and will create more hardship all around.

Burbank Unified Supt. Stan Carrizosa is going back to the Central Valley. Today, the affable superintendent announced his decision to serve as president the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif. effective July 1. His decision comes roughly two years after being hired by Burbank Unified. Prior to that move, Carrizosa was superintendent of Visalia Unified School District. In his announcement, Carrizosa acknowledged the short turnaround, but said he was humbled to have the opportunity to move to a “new level of educational leadership.” “I have never left a position after such a short tenure so the unexpected timing of this change is a new experience for me,” he said in his statement.

I don't think we can have such a huge store as Walmart in Burbank without losing what makes Burbank a great and special place. It sounds like there are serious traffic considerations that have not yet been addressed, and will certainly need to be addressed, if a store the size of Walmart would move into the Empire Center. I don't think any extra tax revenue would be worth it. The extra traffic, pollution, noise, and impact on the city's small town feel would be significant. This store will have a huge impact and we should know what those impacts are. I have shopped at the Empire Center and as it is without the Walmart store.

Parents of children who attend two schools located near the Little White Chapel held a news conference on Thursday calling on the Burbank City Council to block the installation of a wireless telecommunication facility inside the church because of the dangers they say radio emissions pose to the public. The public pressure came as the Burbank City Council prepares to hear three appeals on Tuesday to a Planning Board decision to approve the T-Mobile equipment. Julie Fisher, whose 6-year-old attends Bret Hart Elementary, said her house is only 600 feet from the planned wireless equipment and feels that allowing the installation takes away her rights as a parent.

Roughly two years after taking the helm as superintendent of Burbank Unified, Stan Carrizosa is going back to the Central Valley. On Friday, the affable superintendent announced his decision to serve as president the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif. - the city where he previously served as superintendent of schools before moving to Burbank - effective July 1. In his announcement, Carrizosa acknowledged the short turnaround, but said he was humbled to have the opportunity to move to a “new level of educational leadership.” “I have never left a position after such a short tenure, so the unexpected timing of this change is a new experience for me,” he said in his statement.

A total replacement of the Central Library, complete with a new parking garage, is no longer feasible, city officials say, although they did ask the City Council for $3.5 million “to keep the dream alive.” Because the city has been unable to secure a state grant of up to $26 million, it has been unable to tap a bond approved by voters in 2003 worth about $14 million. This inability to access necessary funding is delaying the project. Meanwhile, the projected cost for the original plan - including knocking down the existing library for a new facility and garage - has grown to more than $100 million, placing it far outside the reach of city officials.

THOUSAND OAKS — The Burbank High softball team isn't very representative of a typical No. 3 league squad in the CIF Southern Section playoffs. The Bulldogs were in the hunt for the Pacific League championship until the final regular-season game and although they tied Crescenta Valley for second place, they went into the playoffs as the third seed. La Reina, which captured the Tri-Valley League title after defeating powerhouse Oaks Christian, found out once again how formidable Burbank can be in a Division III game Thursday.