Burbank

Burbank police briefly evacuated homes in 2000 block of Riverside Drive this morning after a relative reported finding 11 hand grenades while cleaning out a family garage. A Los Angeles County Sheriff's bomb squad, which responded to the scene about 9:38 a.m., determined that the hand grenades and small artillery shells were inert and disposed of the items, according to Burbank police. Residents were allowed to return to their homes a short time later. ALSO: Impaired driver allegedly hit police cars Brother-sister duo accused of stabbing dog to death will stand trial -- Jason Wells, Times Community News Twitter: @JasonBretWells

A 59-year-old Burbank man was found dead Friday night in front of a house in his neighborhood near a dog, according to police. Authorities found Artashes Sarkisians near the front lawn of a house on the 300 block of Via Montana around 7:30 p.m., said Burbank Police Sgt. Gerry Misquez. There were no signs of foul play, but the cause of death is unknown as of now, Misquez said, adding that it's unclear if Sarkisians was walking the dog when he died. Sarkisians' body was taken to the Los Angeles County Coroners office as the investigation into his death continues.

Thousands of Burbank residents on Tuesday turned out for National Night Out events across the city - part of a nationwide effort to encourage neighborhoods to band together in the fight against crime. At the main event on the Chandler Bikeway, police and parks officials brought everything from games to the mounted patrol to entertain residents as 18 other National Night Out parties took place throughout Burbank. Police use the citywide events to encourage residents to sign up for neighborhood watch programs and, as Sgt. Darin Ryburn said before the event, “for all of us, as officers, to reach out to the community.

Mayor Jess Talamantes had a very bullish picture of the city of Burbank's economic standing. He focused on the positive, which is all well and good (“Burbank leaders upbeat in State of the City address,” Nov. 16). While small businesses may be struggling to some extent, there have clearly been successes. But while the city considers how to improve DeBell Golf Club, how about similar efforts for the main library? Don't neglect what's important. Although Providence St. Joseph Medical Center has just completed a new cancer center, it's coping with employee buyout notices issued by its parent organization.

We are very concerned about what is going on in Burbank lately. These bonus payments since 2007 totaled $4 million to hundreds of city employees, and they will continue to be eligible because payouts are written into their contracts. This needs to be stopped by changing city employee contracts as soon as possible. They stopped the payments in Glendale, and must do so in Burbank At least city employees do not need to take pay cuts or absorb furlough days like so many of our teachers.

Burbank police are seeking the public's help in identifying two people suspected of stealing a purse from a car in February and going on a spending spree with the victim's credit cards. The suspects are a white man in his 20s, about six tall and 175 pounds and a white woman in her 20s, about five foot five inches and 160 pounds. They are alleged to have entered an underground garage on the 200 block of Bethany Road after dark on February 28 or early February 29, smashed the passenger side window of a car and taken a purse.

At least 12 bikes were reported stolen in a roughly two-week period in January, police reported. Lt. John Dilibert said racing and BMX bikes - valued at roughly $150 each - are among the bikes stolen from Jan. 13 to Jan. 29. Some were chained, some were chained inappropriately and some were left just leaning up against a post, Dilibert said. The rash of thefts apparently ended after Jan. 29, he added. -- Maria Hsin , Times Community News Twitter: @mariahsin

BOYS' BASKETBALL Burbank 53, Muir 51 (overtime) : Peter Wongsasitom came off a screen and sank a 15-footer at the buzzer in overtime to lift the Bulldogs to a Pacific League win at home. It was Wongsasitom's only points of the game and his basket accounted for the only points of the extra period. Richard Elmoyan had 16 points to pace Burbank (14-10, 6-6). Crescenta Valley 73, Burroughs 41 : The Indians (13-11, 5-7) fell Friday in the Pacific League game at home. Muir 65, Burroughs 52 : The Indians fell behind, but cut the deficit to just four in the fourth quarter only to fall Wednesday in a Pacific League game.

I don't know about others, but I don't want a vacant and abandoned building in my neighborhood. Not only is it an eyesore, it's also been a real drain on the surrounding businesses. The new Walmart expected to go into a building that is now vacant is going to be a 100% improvement. It is important to have empty buildings quickly occupied and converted into something that would benefit other surrounding businesses. To most business owners (and observant community members), an empty storefront means lost sales, lost customers and lost jobs.

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)