Here, you can find the latest updates on our ongoing efforts to inform the residents of CD2 and the city of Los Angeles. While you may peruse our press releases, newsletters and other pertinent information to keep you informed, we also have other mediums that allow you to stay connected any time of day. Follow Councilman Krekorian on Twitter (@PaulKrekorian ), become a fan of his on Facebook  or sign up to receive our newsletter by clicking here .

Posted at 5:00 PM

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LOS ANGELES – A total of 36 submissions from 14 schools made up the final crops of films to be considered for the 3rd annual Los Angeles Student Media Festival as the finalists will now vie for top prizes at the only film festival solely for Los Angeles County high school students. The finalists can be seen at lasmf.lacity.org/news.

"I want to extend my congratulations and thanks to all of the extraordinary artists who submitted entries to the LASMF this year,” said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who created the festival. “As is true every year, the films that made the final cut prove that the level of talent and creativity of Southern California's high school students is unparalleled, and I'm thrilled that our festival once again gives them a forum to fully showcase their vision. I have no doubt that among the finalists we are announcing today will be Oscar and Emmy winners of the future, so the March 30 event is a tremendous opportunity for everyone to come and see what the future of cinema holds."

Students throughout Los Angeles County – from Beverly Hills and Pasadena to Van Nuys and Glendale – made the final cut from the 175 submissions the festival received. The field was winnowed by a crop of 11 judges who independently reviewed each film. The complete list of judges, which includes Ron Osborn, a screenwriter and former West Wing writer and Alice Walton, a journalist for KPCC, is available at lasmf.lacity.org/jurypanel.

The final films will be screened during the March 30 festival at the El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., at 5 p.m. Free tickets will be available shortly via lasmf.lacity.org.  

The festival will offer each of its winning films a $500 scholarship sponsored by the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation. The film that is chosen for the “Best of Show” award will receive an additional $500 scholarship. Winning filmmakers will also be treated to a special lunch hosted in their honor at CBS Studio Center with Studio President Michael L. Klausman.

Winning students will also receive an official commemoration from the city of Los Angeles for their work.
 
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Posted at 12:54 PM

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Posted at 5:00 PM

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Posted at 10:45 AM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

Krekorian, Legislators Work to Reduce Helicopter Noise [link]
LASMF Announces its 2013 Jury Panel [link]
Volunteers Gather to Assess Homelessness in Los Angeles [link]
Taking a Stand Against Gun Violence [link]
LADWP Warns of Customer Payment Scam [link]
Panel Studies Business Tax [link]
Long a Headache, Valley Glen Tree Finally Trimmed [link]

Posted at 11:00 AM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

-Citing Economic Data, Council Voices Approval for Tax Credit Extension [link]
-North Hollywood Welcomes Bellingham Elementary School [link]
-May Ballot to Feature Three Options to Regulate Dispensaries [link]
-San Fernando Valley Historic Walking Tours Kick Off New Year [link]
-Council Approves Dates for Van Nuys City Hall Meetings [link]
-Recycle Your Electronic Waste Safely [link]
-Economic Data for CD2 [link]

Posted at 12:00 PM

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LOS ANGELES - Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, wrote to President Barack Obama today asking that he oppose any push to limit or eliminate the tax exemption for municipal bond interest in ongoing fiscal negotiations.

In his letter, the Councilmember wrote, "The City of Los Angeles strongly opposes such an action because it would hamper job creation and place an undue burden on local taxpayers." An increase in interest costs of just one or two percentage points to municipal bonds would result in a sharp rise of tens of millions of dollars annually in additional expenses for the city of Los Angeles.

"Eliminating the tax exemption would not, as many assert, result in wealthy investors paying a larger portion of their income to the Federal government," the letter continued. "It would simply be a transfer of local tax revenues to the Federal government at a time when cities like Los Angeles are already struggling just to provide basic services and to ensure public safety."

Cities throughout the United States, including Los Angeles, rely on bond revenues to fund infrastructure projects, police and fire stations and other quality of life improvements. Municipal bonds also allow cities to comply with state and federally mandated environmental regulations that require significant capital investment.

"Eliminating the tax exemption on such bonds would simply require higher interest rates to compensate purchases for the taxes they will have to pay to the Federal government," Councilmember Krekorian wrote. "As a result, it is not the investors who will be making the sacrifice, it will be local taxpayers who will have to compensate the investors for the additional taxes they will have to pay."

The letter was also sent to the entire California Congressional Delegation, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council President Herb Wesson and each member of the Los Angeles City Council.

The letter is attached and available on cd2news.tumblr.com.

 

Councilmember Paul Krekorian represents the Second Council District, which includes much of the eastern San Fernando Valley. Check him out on Facebook or Twitter (@PaulKrekorian) and stay up to date with news from the district @CD2news.

 

Posted at 2:53 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or on an individual story below:

-Council Puts Hold on Bond Measure for Street Repairs [link]
-Tapped to Lead Committee on Business Tax Reform [link]
-Media Festival Submissions Are In! [link]
-L.A. To Consider Ban on High-Capacity Ammo [link]
-Universal Access Playground Opens at Valley Glen Community Park [link]
-Campo de Cahuenga Celebrates Annual Reenactment [link]
-Councilmember Tours Valley Glen Businesses [link]
-LAPD North Hollywood Division Seeks Cadets for Youth Program [link]

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Posted at 8:00 AM

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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council this week voted unanimously to create an Ad Hoc Committee on Business Tax Reform. The Committee will be led by Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee, and will look at ways the city can promote business development and stimulate economic growth throughout Los Angeles.
 
“As this city slowly recovers from the worst of the Great Recession, too many of our families are still impacted by the shortage of good jobs,” Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. “We need to take bold steps to make Los Angeles a place that attracts new business activity, encourages more investment in existing businesses, and creates new jobs that help our middle class expand.  If Los Angeles is going to be restored to its rightful place as the economic capital of the Pacific Rim and the home of innovation and entrepreneurship, we need to make it easier and less costly to do business here, and we need to build a stronger partnership between city government and the private sector to lay the foundation for economic revitalization.  Reform of the city's business tax is vital to that vision.
 
“In my dual roles as Chair of the new Ad Hoc Committee on Business Tax Reform and Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, I look forward to working closely with my Council colleagues, civic leaders, the business community and labor to seize the opportunity to set a course for prosperity in the months and years ahead. The new Ad Hoc Committee will give careful analysis to business tax reform proposals in light of both their effectiveness in creating new economic activity and their fiscal impact on city services.  I am honored that Council President Wesson has entrusted me with this significant responsibility for renewing our local economy and ensuring that effective policies are enacted for the benefit of this and future generations of Angelenos.”
 
The Committee will also include Councilmember Eric Garcetti (vice chair), Councilmember Joe Buscaino, Councilmember Mitch Englander, Councilmember Jose Huizar and Councilmember Dennis Zine.
 
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Posted at 10:00 AM

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LOS ANGELES - Councilmember Paul Krekorian today introduced a motion that could lead to a ban on the possession of high-capacity ammunition magazines within the city of Los Angeles.

In his motion, the Councilmember, a member of the Public Safety Committee, referenced both the North Hollywood shootout 16 years ago in which two heavily armed gunmen stormed a local bank and attempted to overpower an outgunned LAPD and the Newtown, Connecticut massacre that took the lives of 26 children and adults. In both instances, a high powered high assault rifle was used.

"While high-capacity magazines are not the cause of gun violence, they do make such tragic cases far more deadly," he said.

Currently, state law bans the sale of high-capacity magazines but not the possession of such clips.

"This gap in the law threatens public safety, because on the streets of Los Angeles, high-capacity magazines pose a daily threat to our citizens and police officers," Councilmember Krekorian said.

The motion by Councilmember Krekorian asks the City Attorney, the Chief Legislative Analyst and the Police Department to report on "the feasibility, effectiveness and benefits of an ordinance to prohibit the possession of high-capacity ammunition magazines within the City of Los Angeles."

The motion will next be heard in the Public Safety Committee before it returns to the full Council for consideration. The motion is attached.

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[Read the motion by Councilmember Krekorian here] 

 

Posted at 2:32 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:
- Two Days Left to Submit Films for Student Media Festival [link]
- Recycle Your Christmas Tree [link]
- Half-Cent Sales Tax Set for March Ballot [link]
- Crime Drops in Los Angeles for 10th Consecutive Year [link]
- North Hollywood's New Pocket Park [link]
- Charred Valley Glen House Finally Razed [link]
- Studio City Recreation Center Receives a Generous New Years Gift [link]
- Community Meeting for North Valleyheart Riverwalk Project in Studio City [link]
- In Case of Disaster, How to Protect Your Neighborhood [link]

Posted at 8:00 AM

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LOS ANGELES – With just days before the Jan. 16 deadline to submit films for the 3rd annual Los Angeles Student Media Festival, Councilmember Paul Krekorian called on students to finalize projects to ensure they are able to participate in the only film festival solely for Los Angeles County high school students

The LASMF is looking for original pieces created by high school students that do not exceed seven minutes in length. Student work in the animation, comedy, commercial, drama or documentary / PSA category may be submitted. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 16 and the festival is slated for March 30, at the El Portal Theatre in the NoHo Arts District.
 
“This is an amazing opportunity for all high school students in Southern California who’ve dreamed of seeing their name in lights,” said Councilmember Paul Krekorian, who created the festival. “Any student with a creative vision and a camera is encouraged to participate and compete with student filmmakers from every part of Los Angeles County for great prizes and a chance to show off your talents in the movie making capital of the world.”
 
This year, the festival will offer each of its winning films a $500 scholarship sponsored by the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Charitable Foundation. The film that is chosen for the “Best of Show” award will receive an additional $500 scholarship. Winning filmmakers will also be treated to a special lunch hosted in their honor at CBS Studio Center with Studio President Michael L. Klausman.
 
Winning students will also receive an official commemoration from the city of Los Angeles for their work.
 
Last year, the LASMF received nearly 300 submission with the final 32 works screened at the historic El Portal Theatre at which the winners were announced. For a complete list of guidelines and more details on how to apply, please see lasmf.lacity.org or call festival coordinator Hrag Yedalian (818) 207-5724.

Posted at 9:35 AM

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2012 was marked with difficulties and hope, jubilation and tragedy - it was the kind of roller coaster that reminds all of us of the vital importance that City government plays in the lives of our residents. As we look forward to 2013, read all about our 2012 retrospective.

 

Posted at 8:00 AM

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Dear Friend,

Like many of my constituents, I was saddened to learn this past weekend that the owner of Henry’s Tacos in Studio City has made the decision to close the business at the end of this month. If true, it would be a loss for our community and another example of unwelcome change that results in iconic businesses closing their doors to the detriment of the character of our neighborhoods and our city.

[Read the rest of the letter from the Councilmember by clicking here]

Posted at 1:16 PM

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LOS ANGELES –Councilmember Paul Krekorian, city officials, members of the nonprofit group Shane’s Inspiration and First 5 L.A broke ground today on a new playground for children of all abilities in North Hollywood.

When completed, the playground at Jamie Beth Slavin Memorial Park, named for a 16-year-old girl who in 1983 succumbed to the fatal disease Reye’s syndrome, will include play equipment specially designed to address childhood obesity and other portions for children living with disabilities.
 
“I am so proud to once again break ground on another inclusive playground in the San Fernando Valley,” Councilmember Paul Krekorian said. “All children, regardless of differences in their or their family’s abilities, must be given the chance to play outside and enjoy park facilities. Jamie Beth Slavin Playground will ensure that all children in North Hollywood who want to swing, slide and play have the opportunity to do so. My thanks to Shane’s Inspiration and First 5 LA for  working to make this a reality, and to the entire community for working so hard to lift a shovel and help us kick start this project.”

Earlier this year, Shane’s Inspiration was awarded a $12 million First 5 L.A. Tot Parks & Trails Grant to develop five inclusive playgrounds in Los Angeles County, including one to be located within Jamie Beth Slavin Park. The playground is slated for completion in spring 2013 and is one of three Shane's Inspiration parks scheduled to be built in Council District 2 next year.

Posted at 1:29 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:

Ad Hoc Committee on Legislative Counsel Set to Convenes [link]
Giving Back During Thanksgiving [link]
Mustache for a Cause [link]
Council Approves NBC Universal Plan [link]
Neighborhood Note: Adopt-A-Family [link]

Posted at 1:40 PM

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LOS ANGELES - A plan that is projected to create tens of thousands of jobs and provide $1.6 billion to the local economy was unanimously approved by the Los Angeles City Council today. The NBCUniversal Evolution Plan includes office space for media outlets, an expansion of Universal Studios' back lot and theme park, and two 500-room hotels. The plan was significantly pared down since originally proposed, when it featured 3,000 housing units that would have caused horrendous and unmitigatable traffic impacts on surrounding communities. That plan changed in the face of strong opposition from residents, and all of the housing units have now been removed from the project.   

[Read the rest here .]
Posted at 2:19 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:

Annual Food Drive Renews Donation Requests [link]
School Zone Enforcement Continues [link]
Larsen Assumes SLO Role in Van Nuys [link]
City Hosts Public Hearing to Combat [link]
How to Get a Free Library Card [link]

 

Posted at 12:30 PM

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LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the city’s Budget and Finance Committee, released the following statement:

“Today, the City Council took an important step forward in reforming how we make policy. By approving my motion, the Council has committed to ensuring that the policies approved by the people’s representatives on the City Council are more efficiently and effectively enacted.
 
“I applaud the willingness of the City Attorney to engage in this discussion about improving and reforming the City’s policy making processes. Today’s Council debate made clear that our current model for creating legislation may be flawed and inefficient, but there is also a clear consensus that it can get better.
 
“This is a good governance measure and I look forward to continuing the dialogue in the next two weeks so we can all be more effective in doing the work the citizens of our city expect from us. I thank my colleagues for their support and expect to work closely with them and the City Attorney to improve the basic legislative functions of our City government.”

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Posted at 5:00 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:

Happy Halloween! [link]
School Zone Enforcement to Encourage Traffic Safety [link]
LADOT Takes Poll for New East Valley Bike Route [link]
Valley College Unveils Newest Addition to its "Laboratory of Learning" [link]
Safety Fair for Teen Drivers Fairs Well with Community [link]
Metro Holds Round of Meetings for East Valley Transit Corridor [link]
North Hollywood Police Host Open House [link]
Celebrating L.A.'s Emerging Filmmakers [link]
Valley Village Neighborhood Council Welcomes its New Board Members [link]

Posted at 3:00 PM

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LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the city’s Budget and Finance Committee, released the following statement:

“Over the last three years, the Mayor and the Council, in partnership with the City’s workforce, have worked hard to create structural budget solutions that put Los Angeles back on a path toward fiscal sustainability. These efforts have been difficult and have resulted in great sacrifice by our City’s residents and its employees. The steps we’ve taken so far have produced results - we’ve increased our Reserve Fund to its highest level in a decade, we’ve significantly reduced the size of our workforce, we’ve implemented cost-saving efficiencies, and we have succeeded in reducing next year’s projected deficit from more than $1.1 billion to about $200 million. That is remarkable progress, but of course our work is far from finished. 

“The Mayor’s memo is a sobering reminder of the urgency and difficulty of the task ahead. In closing the deficits for next year and the year following, there simply are no easy solutions on the horizon. As painful as all of the options may be, I look forward to working with the Mayor to consider a broad range of potential solutions to put the City’s fiscal house in order. Inevitably, all of these solutions will be unpopular with someone, and some may be unpopular with just about everyone.  But the mission before us as a city is not just to do what is popular, it is to build a strong foundation for a brighter future for Los Angeles. By working together toward a sustainable budget, I am confident that we will succeed in doing so.”

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Posted at 3:00 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:

-Why Paul Supported New DWP Rates [link]
-In Wake of Tragedies Increased Safety Measures [link]
-Neighborhood Council Elections - The Results are in! [link]
-Councilmember Tours Businesses of the Arts District [link]
-Community Seeks to Beautify Neighborhood Streets [link]
-Community, School Join Forces to Clean Up Roscoe-Elementary School [link]
-Council Honors Deaf Advocates [link]
-A Safe Guide to Halloween [link]

 

Posted at 8:00 AM

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LOS ANGELES – Councilmember Paul Krekorian, chairman of the city’s Budget and Finance Committee and one of the earliest skeptics of a proposed plan to build a new stadium in Downtown Los Angeles, released the following statement on the potential sale of AEG:

“Reports that Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) may be sold have validated my insistence that the city slow down the express train of stadium enthusiasm and require ironclad financial safety measures to protect taxpayers. At my urging, fortunately, those protections are now included in the proposal, and the City will not be left holding the bag regardless of any changes in AEG’s ownership or financial condition.

“I will continue to press aggressively, as I have throughout this process, to get real answers about the long-term consequences of this proposal in terms of traffic, air quality and many other environmental impacts, and to also ensure that the public has the greatest opportunity possible to consider the issues and weigh in. If those concerns are not adequately met, I will not support this project.”

Download the full release by clicking here.
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Posted at 4:23 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:

-Brand New Bus Benches in Valley Glen [link]
-America, Los Angeles Commemorate 9/11 [link]
-Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet [link]
-Congress of Neighborhoods Gather for Annual Meeting [link]
-Stay Local During Carmageddon II [link]
-LAFD Warns of Phony Inspectors [link]
-How To: Share an Article from Our Newsletter [link]

 

Posted at 8:00 AM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:
-Valley Village Streetlight Removed [link ]
-Submission's Now Being Accepted for 3rd Annual High School Film Festival [link ]
-Free Wi-Fi Now at LAX [link ]
-DWP on Scam Alert [link ]
-Driver Safety Fair for Teens [link ]
-Protect Yourself From West Nile [link ]
-All Abilities Can Now Access River Tours [link ]
-Campbell Hall's New Arts & Education Center [link ]
-Be a Principal for a Day [link ]
-How to Serve on a Grand Jury [link ]
Posted at 8:00 AM

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Last week, seven residents were injured while trying to save a car crash victim. Sadly, two died as a result of their heroism. Councilmember Paul Krekorian announced today that the community of Valley Village will join together to assist the Good Samaritans who risked – and in two cases lost – their lives helping.

“No one who puts themselves in harms way should have to struggle to pay the bills that accrue as a result of their altruism,” Councilmember Krekorian said. “This community is tremendously appreciative of the efforts and sacrifices of these Angelenos who came to the assistance of a stranger, and I’m proud to join with them in showing our support with financial assistance.”

Want to donate? Here's how.

Posted at 12:02 PM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:

-Answers to Your Questions About the NBC/Universal Proposal [link]
-The Search for a Local Hero is On [link]
-Meet Jean Sinatra, Your 2012 Pioneer Woman of the Year [link]
-Valley Stumps Get a Grinding [link]
-Honorees Sought for Deaf Awareness Month [link]
-Welcome to the NoHo-berhood [link]
-SurveyLA is coming to Council District 2 [link]
-Hot Weather Safety Tips for Kids and Pets [link]
-State Capitol Internships Beyond the Summer [link]

Posted at 8:00 AM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 Newsletter by clicking here or below:
-Officials, Community Urge FAA to reduce Helicopter Noise [link]
-Council Approves Armenian Language Ballot [link]
-Community Unites for a Night Out [link]
-In Valley Village, Community Cheers Park Upgrades [link]
-Safe Routes Grants Approved [link]
-Now Introducing: CD2 News on Tumblr [link]
-Filing Period for Neighborhood Council Elections Near [link]
-How to Keep Cool in Hot Weather [link]
-Take a Walk Through NoHo History [link]
-The Great California ShakeOut Earthquake Drill [link]
-Honorees Sought for Deaf Awareness Month [link]

 

Posted at 8:00 AM

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Read the latest issue of the CD2 News by clicking here or below:
-City Bans Medical Marijuana Storefronts [link]
-Council Approves Economic Stimuli [link]
-Closures Scheduled for Second Phase of 405 Widening Project [link]
-National Night Out Returns [link]
-Revamped Valley Village Park Set to Reopen [link]
-Want to Beautify Your Community? Here's How [link]
-Crews Continue Efficiently Energizing City [link]
-City, Country, World Call on Olympics to Recognize Massacre [link]
-Mobile Billboard Update [link]

Posted at 1:45 PM

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Click here to read the latest issue of the CD2 News, which includes the following stories:

-Crime At Lowest Point Since 1952 [link]
-Summer Fun in the Valley [link]
-Beat the Heat at a Cooling Center [link]
-Location Set for FAA Meeting [link]
-City Racks up Bike Parking [link]

Posted at 8:00 AM

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