818 Roundup: Colby Fire, Northridge quake anniversary, 2 freeway shooting suspect pleads not guilty
Good morning, 818 readers! Today is Friday, Jan. 17, 2014. The Glendale area can expect to see a high of 84 degrees and a low of 48, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service.
Here are the top headlines in the 818 region:
Six engine companies from Glendale and Burbank fire departments were deployed Thursday to help hundreds of firefighters attack the raging Colby fire that blackened more than 1,700 acres near Glendora.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Northridge earthquake, a 6.7-magnitude temblor that killed 60 people in the Southern California region and destroyed tens of thousands of structures. In Glendale, officials say the city rebounded with stricter building codes and better communication among its public safety agencies since then, and in Burbank, Burbank fire officials say the department has strengthened its earthquake preparedness education and outreach efforts, reminding residents to stock up on water and nonperishable food.
A 28-year-old reputed gang member pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he allegedly fired multiple shots at two Glendale men during a carjacking and subsequent crash on the Glendale (2) freeway. Manuel Jesus Rodriguez of Tujunga was remanded into custody for $2 million bail on two counts of attempted murder, carjacking and assault with a firearm.
About a dozen Japanese politicians visited Glendale Thursday calling for the city to remove the comfort-women statue that honors women taken from Korea, China, the Philippines and other countries to serve as sex slaves by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. The visit marked the third delegation of Japanese politicians who traveled to Glendale since the 1,100-pound statue was erected in Central Park in July.
Froyo Bliss, a Burbank frozen yogurt shop which opened about eight months ago, was robbed at gunpoint Thursday for the second time in two weeks, police said. No injuries were reported, and no customers were inside the shop. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call Burbank Police at (818) 238-3210.
-- Sameea Kamal, sameea.kamal@latimes.com
Follow on Twitter: @SameeaKamal.