Eat your heart out, John Oliver: Deja News Jan 21
From Hunnypot Live to Mario Diaz’s Hotdog: Hey SoCalendar Jan 24-30
VISIT RIVERSIDEINDEPENDENT.COM
Thursday, January 27-February 02, 2022
Local. Relevant. Trusted.
VOL. 8,
NO. 54
Judge orders mandatory settlement conference in LA homelessness lawsuit FRED SCHUSTER , CITY NEWS SERVICE
A
n exasperated federal judge Monday ordered a mandatory settlement conference in a longrunning lawsuit demanding the city and county of Los Angeles work together to find shelter for the thousands of people camping on sidewalks and near freeways. The judge's order came after a 90-minute court hearing via Zoom in which attorneys for the city and county indicated they have no time frame to come to a comprehensive agreement among themselves about how to successfully resolve the long-running case without going to trial. U.S. District Judge David Carter referred several times to the "historic schism" between the city and county that has apparently stymied settlement efforts. After hearing arguments from city and county attorneys seeking to have the court
dismiss the suit, Carter scheduled the mandatory conference for Feb. 15 at the downtown Los Angeles federal courthouse or another location, depending on the COVID-19 situation. If the conference does not result in a settlement, the lawsuit would likely go to trial. Carter said he is unconvinced if a countycity agreement remains just "an aspiration." Repeating a familiar theme, the judge said he is "concerned about the inertia" on the defense side of the table. "There has to be some kind settlement eventually," Carter said. The lawsuit brought by the LA Alliance for Human Rights -- an association of downtown residents, homeless individuals and property owners -- has been on hold almost since the month it was filed two years ago to compel local government to "comprehensively" deal with the homelessness crisis downtown.
| Photo courtesy of Max Pixel
In November, the LA Alliance revised its complaint after an appeals court struck down an unusual court order that required the city and county
Wildlife Waystation Founder Martine Colette dies at 79 By City News Service
A
nimal advocate Martine Colette, founder of the now- closed 160-acre Wildlife Waystation sanctuary in Angeles National Forest, has died at age 79. Colette, who had been suffering from lung cancer, died Sunday in Lake Havasu, Arizona, according to her
publicist. She will be remembered for her efforts to rescue more than 77,000 creatures, representing more than 200 species, during the four decades she directed the Waystation before it closed in 2019. The sanctuary, which was also Colette's primary residence, was established in 1976 and took
in abandoned and abused animals from all over the world. One of her final comments before she died, surrounded by friends, was "Soon, I'll be walking with tigers," her publicist said. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger mourned her See Martine Colette Page 10
to offer shelter and treatment to all unhoused people living in downtown's 50block Skid Row within six months. After the amended suit
was filed, the county moved to have the judge toss the complaint, arguing that the plaintiffs still cannot point to any violation of law or harm traceable to Los
Angeles County. In its own dismissal motion, city attorneys contend that despite reviSee LA homelessness Page 9
LA City Council names Boyle Heights intersection for artist Robert Vargas By City News Service
T
he Los Angeles City Council Tuesday honored Los Angeles-based artist Robert Vargas by naming an intersection for him in his native Boyle Heights. Councilman Kevin de León introduced the motion, which was
seconded by Councilman Gil Cedillo, to name the intersection of Pennsylvania and Boyle avenues “Robert Vargas Square Artist – Angeleno.” A permanent ceremonial sign will be installed to mark the designation. De León, who represents Boyle Heights, called Vargas “a world-renowned
artist and leading creative force in the revitalization of downtown L.A.’s art scene.” Vargas’ murals are on buildings throughout Los Angeles, and he is currently working on a 14-story mural near Pershing Square that will become See Robert Vargas Page 10