Golden State Freeway

If the intention of revamping the five points intersection was to reduce traffic congestion, then success is at hand. I won't go near the darn thing if I can help it. Now, instead of one long light, I have to wait through two long lights. Our Burbank traffic planners don't quite get it yet. The Burbank Empire Center is going to add many more cars to our already congested streets. That ordinarily would not be a problem if it weren't for our city's strange infatuation with speed bumps, as well as stop lights that are not timed to keep traffic moving.

Paul Clinton BURBANK -- After leading Burbank police officers on three-hour pursuit in which he covered much of Southern California in a stolen Burbank Public Works Department pickup truck, a suspect was taken into custody Friday afternoon in San Diego. Nearing the Mexican border, Erich Martirosiao, a Fresno resident whose age was not immediately known, was arrested by California Highway Patrol officers who bumped the truck using a technique called the "kick move," forcing him to spin into the center divider of the Santa Ana (5)

GAINS SIBLING REVELRY Extending a warm welcome to the city's extended family, civic officials and hosts gathered at Burbank Central Library to greet 12 students from Ota, Japan who arrived Thursday for a two-week stay. Although Burbank actually has four sister cities -- the others are Solna, Sweden, Gaborone, Botswana and Inchon, Korea -- the student exchange program is limited to Ota, which is about 60 miles north of Tokyo. Since 1982, students from the two cities have been visiting the other's homeland, alternating on a yearly basis.

Jenna Bordelon BURBANK -- Being able to speak in normal tones rather than having to shout to be heard will be a nice -- and long overdue -- change, neighbors of the Ventura (134) Freeway said. The state Transportation Commission voted to allocate $226 million to build soundwall barriers along California's freeways. Locally, the Ventura and Golden State (5) freeways will be affected. Construction will begin in 2002 and take about a year, Caltrans officials said.