818 Roundup: Jets roar into town, Glendale cyclist safety in the spotlight and Burbank’s latest water-saving move

Good morning, 818. Today is Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. Temperatures for today are forecasted to reach a high of 78 and a low of 52, according to the National Weather Service.

Here are your local headlines:

Crime and Public Safety

Four charged in connection to Glendale street robberies

Three suspected robbers and their getaway driver were charged in connection with back-to-back street robberies in which two pedestrians were attacked — one at knifepoint — in Glendale last October, police said. Three men — Yldefonso Rodriguez, 42, Mario Labelle, 32, and Carlos Rodriguez, 22, as well as a woman suspected of driving the getaway car, Rachel Montelongo, 21 — were each charged with one count each of second-degree robbery and second-degree attempted robbery. Glendale News-Press

Two convicted in money laundering case

Two Glendale men were convicted this week of laundering more than $1 million generated through fraudulent billings to Medicare for equipment and tests that were either medically unnecessary or never provided, officials said. After a three-week trial, a federal jury found Karen “Gary” Sarkissian guilty of six counts of money laundering, five counts of health care fraud and one count of conspiring to commit money laundering, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Glendale News-Press

Helping make streets safer

During the nearly two-hour operation, volunteers from Walk Bike Glendale distributed 15 sets of red and white bike lights, as well as numerous reflective bands purchased by the city, to pedestrians and cyclists at the intersection of Flower Street and Sonora Avenue. Volunteers handed out brochures with safety tips, like how to fix a flat tire and stay visible on the road. Glendale News-Press

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Education

Student film with a message

A Rosemont Middle School eighth-grader’s short film that blends two messages — be kind to others and stand up to bullying — won the top prize in a local competition. For his entry, Daniel Tweedy produced “Kindness You Are All That I Needed” with the help of the school’s drama club and his family. Glendale News-Press

Water-themed student art contest returns

The Foothill Municipal Water District is seeking student artists wishing to compete in its fifth annual K-12 “Water is Life” student art contest, a project designed to inspire creativity while fostering a sense of stewardship for precious water resources. The contest is open to all K-12 students attending schools within the district’s service area, including La Cañada Flintridge. La Cañada Valley Sun

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Civic News and Politics

A water-saving step forward

This week, Burbank city officials completed a plan to wean Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery, off pumped groundwater in the San Fernando Valley basin, which can be used for drinking water, and onto recycled water, thanks to some financial incentives that officials said will be “cost neutral” for the city and the cemetery. Burbank Leader

City seats open

The city of La Cañada Flintridge is seeking applications from residents who wish to serve on a city commission or committee starting June 1. Two seats apiece will be vacant on the following panels: the Planning Commission; Design Commission; Investment & Financing Advisory Committee; Parks and Recreation Commission; Public Safety Commission; and Public Works & Traffic Commission. La Cañada Valley Sun

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In the Community

Longtime local doctor retires

During his 53-year career practicing medicine, Dr. Eiming Djang was known for making house calls and taking extensive time to listen to patients, and on Thursday, more than 125 people offered the longtime USC Verdugo Hills Hospital physician gratitude and well wishes as he retires. Glendale News-Press

Roaring into town

A training mission of three Boeing F/A-18s rattled some windows near Bob Hope Airport and caused some chatter on social media. The Navy fighter jets from Naval Air Station Lemoore near Fresno made a stop at Bob Hope Airport to refuel. Burbank Leader

Order up for Montrose restaurateur

Longtime customers of City Hall Coffee Shop gave their best wishes Friday afternoon to Young Rhee, who will close the restaurant on Sunday and retire from the business after 38 years. “I’m going to miss all the customers. Even when they were babies, they grew up and they [would] bring their own babies. I feel so sad, and I feel so happy — you know, half and half,” she said. Glendale News-Press

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Ryan Fonseca, ryan.fonseca@latimes.com

Twitter: @RyFons