Library Upgrades

The Los Angeles City Council has approved spending $600,000 to begin planning the demolition and replacement of the Sun Valley and Pacoima branch libraries, which are considered too small to serve their communities adequately. Construction of replacements is expected to begin in mid-1999 and be completed within two years; mobile libraries would serve the areas in the meantime.

* MUSICAL REBIRTH: The once-downtrodden music programs at Burbank and Burroughs high schools have enjoyed a turnaround, earning state and national recognition. Saxes duel, above, at Burbank. B1

* PREMIUM FRAUD: The owners of several Valley businesses were charged with felony insurance fraud after allegedly misreporting wages or misclassifying jobs. D1

* BIG DECISIONS: Recruiting has reached the middle school, as talented eighth-graders such as basketball player Harrison Schaen of Woodland Hills, above, with his father, Lionel, face an array of choices. C1

* OPENING DAY: All-City pitcher John Ennis allowed two hits in five innings as Monroe High opened its baseball season with a 7-2 win over defending City 4-A champion El Camino Real. C10