ANTELOPE VALLEY: BRIEFLY : MAN HOSPITALIZED AFTER FALL OFF BRIDGE.

LANCASTER - A 40-year-old Lancaster man suffered two broken legs Thursday evening after he jumped off an Antelope Valley Freeway overpass in what might have been an attempted suicide, authorities said.

The man, who was reported in critical condition Friday at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, jumped off the Avenue L crossing and landed on the southbound freeway shoulder, officials said.

According to California Highway Patrol officers, witnesses said they saw the man climb over the rail, raise his hands above his head and jump feet first.

Authorities said the man denied trying to kill himself.

``He said that his feet were bothering him,'' said Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Ray Thompson. ``He stated that his feet were tired and that he slipped.''

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School safety panel to hold open forum

LANCASTER - Park View School Safety Committee will hold an open meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the school library, 808 W. Ave. J.

The committee will be working on a comprehensive plan to address safety concerns on the Park View campus.

For more information, call [phone].

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Diploma program taking applications

LANCASTER - Highland and Quartz Hill high schools are accepting applications from eighth-graders to enroll in programs that will prepare them for the International Baccalaureate diploma program.

The application deadline is Jan. 27.

The International Baccalaureate program is a rigorous academic program for 11th- and 12th-graders that could enable students to skip their college freshman year. Students living outside the Highland or Quartz Hill high school attendance areas may apply for either schools' program, but also will need to submit open enrollment applications through the Antelope Valley Union High School District in March.

Students and their parents may obtain admissions packets and more information at local public middle schools or by calling Glen Horst at Highland High School at [phone], Ext. 203, or Kathleen Parks at Quartz Hill High School at [phone], Ext. 310.

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Man gets sentence for sexual assault

LANCASTER - A 20-year-old Lancaster man was sentenced Friday to 16 months in prison in the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl who became intoxicated during a drinking game at a Lancaster apartment.

John Lonien pleaded no contest last October to felony sexual battery and furnishing marijuana to a child under 14 in the May 1 incident.

Two co-defendants, Christopher Craig, 18, of Lancaster and Jason Price, 20, of Quartz Hill, were each sentenced to six years in prison after they pleaded no contest to one count of committing a lewd act with a minor under 14.

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