BRIEFLY JUDGE ORDERS MAN SENT TO HOSPITAL.

VAN NUYS - A North Hollywood man was found incompetent Monday to stand trial for the shooting death of his 67-year-old neighbor and the wounding of the neighbor's son.

Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Kathryne Ann Stoltz determined that Steve Alfred Burkle, 38, was incompetent based on reports from two psychiatrists, and ordered him sent to Patton State Hospital near San Bernardino.

Burkle was charged with murder in the Jan. 6 slaying of Hector Bisente.

- City News Service

CHP effort targets use of seat belts

The California Highway Patrol began a stepped-up enforcement effort Monday to target motorists who fail to use their seat belts.

The operation, dubbed Remember or Be Remembered, will be accompanied by television commercials to remind motorists of the need to buckle up, said CHP Sgt. Troy Lukkes.

The two-month campaign will begin with a two-week-long zero-tolerance phase that coincides with the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Lukkes said.

Overtime shifts for officers statewide will be funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

- City News Service

Van Nuys council cancels meeting

VAN NUYS - The Van Nuys Neighborhood Council canceled its Monday night meeting because of concern that the meeting location did not comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The Neighborhood Council was supposed to decide on whether to assign the Los Angeles City Clerk's Office to investigate several challenges to the council's election.

Despite the meeting's cancellation, a group of residents who have complained about the election went ahead with an informal meeting of their own.

- Daily News