Election Central: The Valley is the site...

Election Central: The Valley is the site of one of the hottest contests on today’s city election slate--the race to fill the council’s only open seat (B1). It’s the first time in 32 years that Marvin Braude’s 11th District, with Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and parts of Brentwood and Pacific Palisades, has been up for grabs. . . .

Valley Vote . . . And Valley voters could tip the balance in two important citywide races--the mayoral contest and a referendum on a bond measure to finance public school repairs. It was Richard Riordan’s strong showing in the Valley that won him the mayor’s seat four years ago. And it was a thumbs-down from Valley voters in November that sunk the last school bond measure.

Hometown Hit: Santa Clarita’s Todd Zeile finally earned those hometown cheers, scoring his first home run as a Dodger on Sunday. Zeile’s eighth-inning, two-run homer helped carry the Dodgers to victory over Pittsburgh. . . . A former standout at Newhall’s Hart High, Zeile said local fans have been kind, despite his rocky debut. More photos in today’s Valley Gallery: B12.

TV Spotlight: The season finale of the ABC police drama “High Incident” will look familiar to Valley viewers for more than one reason. The May 8 episode is based on the recent North Hollywood bank robbery-turned-shootout . . . with scenes shot in Chatsworth standing in for the real thing. Details in Calendar: F1.