Burbank

Like many theaters across the country, the Colony in Burbank has experienced a lot of discomfort during these tough economic times, but it revealed a bit of good news this week: Its production of "Falling for Make Believe" will continue beyond its scheduled closing after a brief hiatus . Due to high ticket demand, the musical biography of the lyricist Lorenz Hart returns June 6. Playwright Mark Saltzman built the story around popular hits...

A two-run lead was nice to have, but not comfortable enough for Katie Hooper and her teammates on the Burbank High softball team. Hooper made sure her team was comfortable in the final inning of Thursday's CIF Southern Section Division III first-round playoff game against El Rancho. PHOTOS: Burbank High softball advances in playoffs by beating El Rancho High The senior blasted a three-home home run over the left-field fence in the bottom of the sixth inning and sophomore pitcher Caitlyn Brooks shut down the Dons in the seventh inning with her 13th, 14th and 15th strikeouts, giving the Bulldogs a 7-2 victory at McCambridge Park.

Members of the Burbank City Council this week decided not to give themselves raises after one councilman had a last-minute change of heart. On Tuesday, three of the five council members voted to give themselves a 5% raise, but just a few hours later, Councilman Gary Bric asked to change his vote. “This isn't about economics for us, it's our heart and desire to serve,” Bric said. Councilmen David Gordon and Bob Frutos, along with Bric, had originally voted for the raise, which would have boosted their pay by $54 a month.

Roughly 100 Burbank employees are slated to receive raises this coming fiscal year after a city-commissioned survey showed their salaries were well below average when compared to those in a dozen other local cities, officials said. Officials say the move will actually save Burbank money since the contracts will require employees to contribute more to their pensions. Department heads will receive a 2% salary hike, while roughly 85 employees not represented by unions will see their compensation jump between 1% and 5%. In July, those employees will also start paying half of the 8% member pension contribution, according to a city report.

It's been more than 20 years since the Burbank Unified School District dropped instrumental music programs in its elementary schools in order to deal with budget cuts. But parents and educators have rallied the past several years to bring instrumental music back to the classroom. Their efforts got a boost in recent months as the 2013 Leadership Burbank class raised thousands of dollars for new instruments. Since January, the 25 class members who are honing their leadership skills and learning about the inner workings of the local community also set out to raise $14,000 to purchase 31 violins and 40 music stands for students at Roosevelt and Providencia elementary schools.

BURBANK - Chris Okimoto understands the role of being the No. 9 hitter in a fluid lineup. It's a role he doesn't take lightly while also playing a steady second base for the Burbank High baseball team. Okimoto showed he can produce in the last spot in the lineup, as he finished with a team-high three hits to help host Burbank to a 7-4 victory against Cajon on Tuesday night in a CIF Southern Section Division II wild-card game. Burbank (18-8) will meet host Arroyo Grande in a first-round at 3:15 p.m. Friday.

Burbank was approved for a $43,000 grant for its Retired Senior Volunteer Program, surprising city officials who had thought they were out of contention after refusing to comply with new funding guidelines that would have required a program overhaul. For four decades, the Corporation for National and Community Service has subsidized a portion of the program, which boasts nearly 700 volunteers. But last year, the corporation attempted to narrow volunteer efforts to address six areas - disaster services, education, healthy futures, environmental stewardship, veterans and military families, and economic opportunity.

Just two of the city's four high school baseball teams qualified for the CIF Southern Section playoffs, and both of them open the playoffs with wild-card games. Burroughs and Burbank highs will be in action with Division II wild-card games Tuesday. The Bulldogs (17-8, 12-2 in league) were relegated to the wild-card round despite tying for first place in the Pacific League with Crescenta Valley. Burbank is the No. 2 seed from the league as it lost the season series to Crescenta Valley.

The Burbank High and Bellarmine-Jefferson softball programs enter the CIF Southern Section playoffs with their share of momentum. Coincidentally, both squads earned No. 2 seeds in their respective divisions. For the Bulldogs, they are fresh off of capturing their first league championship since 1987, taking the title in the Pacific League. The Guards enter the postseason after winning their fourth consecutive Santa Cruz League crown. Burbank and Bell-Jeff will be joined in the playoffs by Burroughs and Providence.

Two women suspected of loitering with the intent to commit prostitution were arrested at a Burbank hotel Thursday night after officers reportedly discovered incriminating text messages, condoms and oils in their possession, police said. At 10:10 p.m., police noticed a 35-year-old Sacramento woman, Shaneese Day, sitting in a parked car outside the Ramada Inn, located on the 2900 block of San Fernando Boulevard, said Burbank Police Lt. Eddie Ruiz. Upon approaching Day, police smelled - and later recovered - a small amount of what appeared to be marijuana, according to police reports.