WE’RE IN THE MONEY: Finally, some good...

WE’RE IN THE MONEY: Finally, some good news for the Valley economy. Total value of local stocks rose 42% during 1995 (D5A). . . . That’s significantly better than the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which jumped 33% during the same period.

POLITICS AS USUAL: Some say government deals with this every day, but on Monday a City Council committee truly did take a vote on horse manure. A waste management committee approved the expansion of a city program providing free curbside manure pickup for about 600 Valley horse owners. . . . The motion, which would make all licensed horse owners in Los Angeles eligible for the program, now goes to the full council for consideration.

NO BLUE FLU: While a number of Valley schools and other institutions are feeling the impact of the flu (B1), the police force is mostly unscathed. . . . “I’d say right now we are not seeing any big increases in lost days,” said Lt. Leslie Lutz, medical liaison officer for the LAPD. Lutz credits a voluntary program that provided almost 1,000 department employees with shots to ward off the flu and pneumonia.

FANS BEHIND BARS: Think football madness is bad at your house? On Sunday, a group of Pitchess county jail inmates got to cheering so loudly during the Packers-49ers game that others requested they calm down. . . . When the first group declined, a fight broke out, sending two inmates to the hospital, where they’re in good condition. Maybe Super Bowl Sunday wouldn’t be a good day to visit Pitchess.

TEST TIME: If you’re planning to take the upcoming state high school proficiency examination at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills or Glendale Community College, you only have until Wednesday to register. The test can lead to the granting of a high school diploma. For more information, call (916) 657-3027.