AROUND THE VALLEY.

Woman sentenced in kidnapping scheme

A woman was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison Wednesday for her role in a kidnapping scheme in which five wealthy Russian immigrants -- three from the San Fernando Valley -- were killed and their bodies dumped in a reservoir near Yosemite National Park.

Authorities said Natalya Solovyeva lured one of the victims to a Los Angeles bar, where he was abducted and then forced to contact another man who was also kidnapped.

Solovyeva was the girlfriend of Jurijus Kadamovas, 40, of Sherman Oaks, one of two men sentenced to death in the case. Two other men were sent to federal prison.

Prosecutors sought only 11 years for Solovyeva, pointing out that she had cooperated in two previous trials. U.S. District Judge S. James Otero, however, noted that she had been promised a new BMW if she aided the kidnappings, and that two men would "probably be alive today" had she not taken part.

Solovyeva, 32, had pleaded guilty to two counts of hostage-taking resulting in death and one conspiracy charge. During the sentencing hearing, she looked intently at Otero as she listened on headphones to a Russian translation of the proceedings.

"I would like to say over and over again how sorry I am for what I did. I am sorry for all the victims," she said in English before being sentenced.

The victims were killed in 2001 and 2002, even though their families and friends gave the kidnappers $1.2 million. Prosecutors said the kidnappers used the money to buy new vehicles and to purchase mink coats for their girlfriends.

NORTHRIDGE

Man shoots himself fatally at firing range

A man shot himself inside a firing range Wednesday afternoon and died a few minutes later, authorities said.

The man, who was in his mid-60s, walked into The Firing-Line Indoor Shooting Ranges at 18348 Eddy St. just before 3 p.m. and rented a 9-mm pistol, said LAPD Detective Mike Fesperman of the Devonshire Division.

He then rented a lane. A few minutes later, he was found by range employees with a gunshot wound to the head, Fesperman said. The man, who was not identified, had been a member of the range for a few weeks.

BURBANK

Metal detector used for council visitors

City officials have started requiring visitors at City Council meetings to go through a metal detector. The device was set up for the first time at Tuesday's council meeting, said City Manager Mary Alvord.

City officials decided to use a metal detector because of increased safety concerns after a man shot and killed five people -- including two City Council members -- at the Kirkwood, Mo., City Hall during a Feb. 7 council meeting.

GLENDALE

Vote bars 3rd parties from delivering forms

The City Council has voted 3-2 to forbid third parties from delivering completed absentee ballot applications to the City Clerk's Office, requiring voters to turn the forms in themselves.

Groups representing immigrants argued that the change is unfair because it will hinder them from helping voters with few English skills who do not understand the ballot application process.

VAN NUYS

Britney Spears trial delayed until March

With Britney Spears and her estate still in conservatorship, a Superior Court judge Wednesday postponed a trial in the pop singer's driving-without-a-license misdemeanor criminal case.

Spears had been set to go to trial Wednesday in Van Nuys Superior Court on the case, which stemmed from an Aug. 6 fender-bender that was caught on video by the paparazzi who trail her. The case was delayed until March 20. Last October, Spears' attorney reached a financial settlement with the owner of the Mercedes-Benz she hit, resulting in the dismissal of a misdemeanor hit-and-run charge.

-- Staff and Wire Services