Burbank

BURBANK - Having wrapped up the Pacific League championship last week, the Burbank High softball team could have afforded a loss in its season finale Thursday. However, the Bulldogs had plenty to play for. Along with the chance to finish the league undefeated, the Bulldogs were also trying to hold on to their No. 2 ranking in CIF Southern Section Division III. There was also a little motivation to beat their cross-town rival Burroughs. Behind a fine pitching performance, as well as a solid outing at the plate, from sophomore Caitlyn Brooks, who tossed a one-hitter, Burbank was able to complete its perfect Pacific League campaign with a 9-0 victory against the Indians at Olive Park.

A judge on Wednesday denied Burbank's request to throw out a lawsuit filed by a former police officer who claims he was fired in retaliation for exposing alleged misconduct by his colleagues. The attorney for former officer Pete Allen hailed the judge's decision, calling the city's motion an “attempt to stall and delay justice.” City officials say they plan to appeal the ruling. Allen claims he was fired in retaliation for exposing alleged officer misconduct during an investigation into a robbery at Porto's Bakery in 2007.

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL El Segundo d. Burbank, 25-17, 25-21, 25-12 : The Bulldogs had a lead in the second game of their CIF Southern Section Division II first-round playoff match Tuesday on the road, but couldn't hold on, suffering a three-game sweep. After losing the first game, the Bulldogs (11-16) were ahead, 20-16, only to see the Eagles (16-3) go on a 7-0 run to take control of the second. "That was the point that really hurt us, being up and then them coming back," Burbank Coach Patrick McMenamin said.

Burbank city officials say they may sue over being forced to turn over millions of dollars to the state as a result of closing down local redevelopment operations. Per the California Department of Finance's request, Burbank cut a $24.3-million check to Los Angeles County on Friday as part of the dissolution of local redevelopment. But $10.5 million of that - which includes part of the debt reimbursement to the city from the redevelopment agency - was turned over under protest, which means the city could sue in the future to get it back, officials said.

Some people start their workday off with a cup of coffee. But on Friday morning, police say one Burbank homeowner narrowly escaped a full bottle of beer that shattered after hitting his porch. The 50-year-old man was unharmed after the bottle hit his porch at about 6:20 a.m. on Lamer Street. The culprits, police say, were two Burbank men who were walking home after a night of drinking at The Park Bar and Grill. After Philip Purcell, 26, and Brian Cremin, 22, were stopped a short time later, Burbank Police Lt. Eddie Ruiz said they gave officers false information.

It was a struggle for the Burroughs High and Burbank boys' golf teams Monday in the first round of CIF Southern Section play. Neither team was able to qualify out of the CIF Southern Section Northern Team Divisional at Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai. While the Indians finished 15th out of the 19 teams that took part with a team total of 424, the Bulldogs placed 19th with a 453. The team competition was won my Westlake, which carded a 360. It was followed by Oaks Christian with a 375 and Arcadia out of the Pacific League, which had a 376. Burroughs was paced by Patrick Colvert and Sivakorn Losakul, who both fired nine-over-par 81s. They were followed by Daniel Kesicbasian with an 83, Sean White with an 89 and Dylan McNeely with a 90. The top scorers for Burbank were Brady Dunayer and Andy Chung, who both had 85s. Teammate Jason Apinchapong had an 89, Jason Tatka also had an 89 and Grant Le had a 105. Crescenta Valley's Paul Park finished second overall with a two-under-par 70. The Falcons placed 17th with a 445.

Glendale High Associate Principal Mike Bertram will leave the Nitros this summer to become Burbank High School's new principal. One of 20 people who applied for the position, Bertram replaces current principal Hani Youssef, who was recently appointed as director of student services for Burbank Unified. Bertram comes with 25 years of experience as an educator, having also worked for South Pasadena and La Canada school districts. He isn't new to Burbank Unified either. From 2001 through 2008, Bertram worked as a high school assistant principal.

When the CIF Southern Section boys' volleyball playoffs get going Tuesday, the city of Burbank will be well represented. Burbank, Burroughs and Providence all earned berths to the postseason when the CIF Southern Section playoff pairings were released Saturday morning. The Bulldogs and Indians will participate in Division II, while the Pioneers are in Division V. No area team has enjoyed more postseason success the last two seasons than has Burroughs, which advanced to the Division III finals in 2011 and the semifinals in 2012.

The Burbank High baseball team showed it can be explosive on offense in a Pacific League game Friday night against visiting Arcadia. In a battle of two of three teams atop the league standings, the Bulldogs broke open the contest with 10 runs in the fourth inning to record a 13-3 victory against the Apaches. The game was called in the fifth inning because of the 10-run mercy rule. The win keeps Burbank (15-8, 10-2 in league) in first place with Crescenta Valley (18-7, 10-2)

A 65-year-old North Hollywood woman was cited this week after she allegedly stole $271 worth of costume jewelry and stickers from Michaels arts and crafts store in Burbank, police said. The woman, Perlia Bernstein, was stopped by loss prevention officers outside the store at 1551 Victory Place at around 3 p.m. after she allegedly walked out without paying for the items on Wednesday, said Burbank Police Sgt. Darin Ryburn. While searching Bernstein's car, police discovered 14 plastic bags filled with items from Marshalls that police believe may have also been fraudulently obtained, Ryburn said.