Rollin' with The Derby Dolls

Punching, grabbing and hip-checking while on roller skates going at high speeds. That can only mean one thing...the Derby Dolls are in town.

In Downtown Los Angeles this weekend, the Derby Dolls All-Star teams from across the country will be hitting the track for the Battle on the Bank. There are over 275 teams across the country, including the LA Derby Dolls here in Southern California.

For this tournament, the ladies will be skating on a bank track...as opposed to a flat track. The bank track is slanted down, very reminiscent of the old school classic Roller Derby track that we used to watch on TV. Skating at a downward angle is extremely difficult and takes a lot of strength, but these roller babes have no problems getting around the track.

These Derby Dolls mean business when it comes to their sport. Injuries happen regularly....broken collarbones, sprained ankles, teeth knocked out, fractured legs...but to them, it's all part of the game.

One skater known as "Fighty Almighty" told me that it's not about taking out aggression, but instead focusing 100% on the sport and giving it your all. She said, "I would never take out aggression on the track, that's what the L.A streets are for when I'm driving." Whoa...watch out!

While I was taping my segment, I was called out by one of the ladies who told me that I couldn't handle them out on the track. Let's just say she was right.

You can watch my story, and my not-so-good attempt at roller derby, on KTLA.com

Guilty Verdict Brings Closure

Three years later, the families who lost a loved one in the 2005 Metrolink disaster in Glendale have finally received some closure. 29-year old Juan Manuel Alvarez has been found guilty of 11 counts of murder and one count of arson. The verdict won't bring their family members back, but Susan McKoewn, whose husband was killed in the wreck, says she feels relief. After the ruling, she had this to say: "I am so relieved that I can go home tonight and tell my kids...the man that killed their father is being punished rightfully."

Alvarez had parked his SUV on the Metrolink tracks in Glendale and doused it with gasoline. He says he was thinking of committing suicide and bailed out at the last minute. A Metrolink train going 80 mph crashed head on into his vehicle, killing 11 people and injuring 180 others.

I was sitting in the courtroom when the verdict was read and I have to say, watching the family members wiping tears from their faces was heartbreaking. Just outside the courtroom, many of them shared with me some special memories of their loved ones.

Tony Tutino, who lost his brother James, held on to a picture of the two of them...taken two months before the crash. He described their final goodbye.

"One of the things that was probably the most difficult for our family was that we didn't get a lot of closure when this happened because we never actually got to go see Jim and say our goodbyes. I had to say my goodbye through a coffin."

The victims' families will now have to wait until the penalty phase of the trial which is set to begin on July 7th. That's when Juan Manuel Alvarez will hear whether he'll face the death penalty or life in prison. You can watch my full report on KTLA.com.

Going Metro

To ride or not to ride...that is the question. With gas prices hovering just below 5 dollars, the metro is looking like a pretty good option right now. LA residents are jumping on the bandwagon, or shall we say metro car, in support.

Results of a new study out today show that 73 percent of LA County residents surveyed would support a proposed half-cent sales tax on the November 2008 ballot to fund transportation infrastructure improvements. These results couldn't have come at a better time. At this Thursday's Los Angeles Metro Board meeting, members will discuss this initiative...in the hopes of putting it in the hands of voters this November.

It was just last week on June 19th when commuters were urged to "Dump the Pump". The Third Annual National Dump the Pump campaign raised awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of public transportation. But did the campaign really make an impact? Honestly, the freeways were still packed on that day. I do have to admit though, it's hard to drive a mile without seeing at least 4 or 5 hybrids on the road...mostly the Toyota Prius.

Will the going green, going car-less trend catch on with LA and OC drivers? At the rate these gas prices are climbing, going metro may be the only wallet-friendly alternative. Let's hope that employers will lend their support to the cause and maybe offer some type of "metro" incentive. Sound too good to be true? It's not. The University of California, Irvine (UCI) has already begun the trend by offering to pay for a portion of their employees' weekly Metro Pass. Going green while saving some green...a win-win situation.

Controversial Comedian Passes

George Carlin has died at the age of 71. The comedian, known for his provocative and bold comedic routines, was one of the highest paid comedians in the 1970's. Best described an an unpredictable performer, Carlin was the first-ever host of NBC's Saturday Night Live, debuting on October 11, 1975. His most famous act? You may recall a little something called the "Seven Dirty Words". I would put some of them here, but if I did, it would be game over for me. But most likely you're familiar with the routine...and the words.

In 1973, this monologue was broadcast on the Pacifica radio network and was declared indecent by the government's Federal Communications Commission. The case was ultimately upheld by the United States Supreme Court. George Carlin became known as the comedian who uttered the "seven dirty words that can't be said over the air."

Twenty five years after this incident, he still didn't understand what all the fuss was about. Here's how he explained the incident...and no, he didn't use any of "those" words.

"I've always said I enjoy using all the language. Human beings invented all of this language. When I was a little boy, I was told to look up to policemen and look up to sports stars, and look up to the military. And we all know how they speak. Apparently it hasn't corrupted them morally. So. I think these words are overrated for their power."


We may not have seen the comedian a whole lot lately, but we've heard his voice. Most recently, he provided the voice of Fillmore, a hippie-like VW bus character in the Disney/Pixar animated feature Cars.

Provocative, yet extremely popular. George Carlin will be missed.

Got Bluetooth?

A week from Monday, the rules of the road are changing...at least when it comes to yapping and driving at the same time. I'm not sure everyone is taking this upcoming law very seriously. But I think it may be a wakeup call when you're getting pulled over by the cops...not for speeding, not for running a red light, not for an illegal left turn...but for being on your cell phone. I can't wait to hear all the excuses people will have when being ticketed. Here are some that will probably make the rounds: "It was an emergency!" "Oh, somebody called me...and I had to pick up." "Haven't had a chance to pick up a bluetooth device yet."

Here's a brief Q & A on the "two" new laws straight from the CHP website: (Warning: Some have been written by Captain Obvious)

Q: What is the difference between the two laws?
A: The first law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle. Motorists 18 and over may use a hands-free device. The second law prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using a wireless telephone or a hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle.

Q: What are the fines if I’m convicted?
A: The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions.
With the addition of penalty assessments, a first offense is $76 and a second offense is $190.

Q: Will the conviction appear on my driving record?
A: Yes, but the violation point will not be added.

Q: Will there be a grace period when motorists will only get a warning?
A: NO. The law becomes in effect on July 1, 2008.

Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No. This law only applies to the person driving a motor vehicle.

Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A: The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.

Q: Will it be legal to use a Blue Tooth or other earpiece?
A: Yes, however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.

Come on, now. If you're driving with both ears covered, sounds like you have issues...and shouldn't be behind the wheel in the first place. You can read more about the "hands-free" law at www.chp.ca.gov

Good luck, multi-tasking drivers. Consider yourselves warned.

Little Boy Survives Extreme Torture

A 5-year old boy is finally getting the love and attention he deserves, and it's not from his mom.

The 24-year old mom Starkeisha Brown and her 21-year old girlfriend Krystal Matthews have been arrested for extreme torture on this little boy. Now we've learned a third women, a 26-year old babysitter, has also been arrested.

According to investigators, this 5-year old has endured the worst imaginable pain inflicted by these three women over the last several years. Police say they had no idea this abuse was going on, until now. A neighbor, who noticed the boy abandoned in his South LA home over the weekend, called police. The following details of this abuse will bring tears to your eyes because they're so beyond comprehension. The women are accused of burning the boy with cigarettes on his body and genitals, forcing him to sit in his own urine, burning his hands on a stove and extreme starvation...causing his stomach to protrude.

Over the weekend, I was covering the story while these three alleged child abusers were on the run, and I can't tell you how happy I was to hear that these monsters are now off the streets. To me, there's nothing more cowardly than abuse on a child, and the details of this abuse case just make me sick.

Doctors say the 5-year old is suffering from kidney failure because of malnutrition. A trust fund has now been set up for this little guy. You can find details on how to donate at our website... KTLA.com

Father's Day Tradition Ends

84-year old Ignacio Lujano's life has been dedicated to maintaining orange groves in the city of San Juan Capistrano. Every Father's Day for nearly 40 years, Ignacio has gathered on the 42 acres of land with his children, 25 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren...where they take time to celebrate the patriarch, who has lived here for almost four decades. But this year's celebration is going to be the last. The city of San Juan Capistrano is taking over the property, and forcing Ignacio to leave.

As sad as it is to see his family tradition end, the city does have the right to move forward with taking ownership. Back in 1992, the city bought the 42 acre orchard, which was a part of an open-space initiative. Lujano, who has never officially owned the land, was put on a month-to-month contract allowing him to live there in exchange for him maintaining five of those 42 acres. The city says that over the years, Lujano has not been keeping up his end of the bargain, and the city's Public Works Department has been picking up the slack...at the expense of taxpayers.


The city told Lujano of their plans a year ago, and say they've even helped him with the process of finding a new home. But Lujano has not accepted their help, and has refused to move off the land. He has now been given an ultimatum...leave the land by August 14th or face legal action.

According to the LA Times, San Juan Capistrano has plans to transform the area into a maintenance yard for their open space operations. Here's a statement from the city:

“The City understands and is sensitive to the fact that this is change and that change is often difficult. However, the City of San Juan Capistrano owns the property and is moving forward to use the property for its intended public and open space use.”

No one likes to see a family lose their Father's Day tradition, but the law is the law. You can watch my full report at KTLA.com.