San Fernando Valley roundup: Crime and burglaries down, Freeway becoming accident prone and CSUN’s president to earn $324.5K

Good morning, readers. Today is Thursday, July 12, 2012. Some good news and some bad news: Crime is down in the region, but homicides are on the rise this year.

Shootings have decreased 34% in the San Fernando Valley. The Los Angeles Police Department has reported 33 homicides in the area for 2012. Daily News

Over in La Cañada Flintridge, burglaries have dropped. Valley Sun

For the second time in the past month, a car chase has ended on the Hollywood (170) Freeway. The driver allegedly hit a bus at 100 mph, but no one was seriously injured. NoHo Patch

Cal State Northridge’s new president is expected to earn a salary of $324,500, which is $30K more than the school’s previous leader earned. Dianne F. Harrison might also receive a house and money for a car when her pay package is approved. A CSU spokesman says they need to offer competive salaries to recruit talent. Daily News

Over 100 Glendale city employees have opted to retire early, which is expected to save $9 million. Glendale News-Press

You’ve probably heard of a height requirement to ride certain roller coasters at amusement parks, but what about a limb requirement? Universal Studios Hollywood apparently prohibits riders unless they have at least one leg and one hand, according to two amputees who have filed a lawsuit against the park. L.A. Times

-- Tiffany Kelly, Times Community News

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