BRIEFLY PANEL: OLYMPICS BACK IN L.A. IN `32.

A City Council panel urged the city on Monday to go on record as backing efforts to bring the Olympic Games back to Los Angeles in 2032.

``It would be a great gesture to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Olympic Games in the city,'' Councilman Tom LaBonge told the council's Convention, Tourism and Entertainment Industry Committee.

The full City Council will now be asked to go on record in support of the effort by the Southern California Olympic Organizing Committee to host the games.

- Daily News

Toddler critically injured in crash

VAN NUYS - An 18-month-old boy was critically injured and a 17-year- old girl suffered a fractured hip Monday when the car they were riding in was struck by another vehicle in Van Nuys.

The toddler suffered head injuries and was flown to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, where he was listed in critical condition, said Sgt. Charles Swanson of the Los Angeles Police Department. A 17-year-old girl riding in the same vehicle was flown to Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center. The toddler's mother, a 26-year-old woman, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

Their car was struck broadside after the vehicle pulled away from a stop sign about 6:50 p.m. in the 7000 block of Hazeltine Avenue, Swanson said. No one in the other vehicle was injured.

- Daily News

Pickup awakens mother, daughter

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - A pickup truck being chased by police crashed into a North Hollywood apartment building Monday, narrowly missing a woman and her 4-year-old daughter, police said.

The woman, identified as Maria Rojas, and her daughter were jolted out of bed following the 4:15 a.m. crash in the 13100 block of Vanowen Street but were not injured. Police took two unidentified men who had been in the pickup truck into custody, police said.

Police said they began chasing the truck on Kittridge Street near Ethel Avenue after it had been reported stolen.

- Daily News

Bullets in jacket lead to LAX arrest

A man was arrested Monday at Los Angeles International Airport after three bullets were found sewn inside his jacket as he passed through a metal detector, authorities said.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, was taken into custody about 4:10 p.m. by police and could be charged with possession of contraband, said Officer Jason Lee, a police spokesman.

The man, who was not immediately identified, set off a metal detector in Terminal 4, where he was planning to board an American Airlines flight to Austin, Texas, Lee said.

The man was arrested without incident and no passengers were evacuated from the terminal, authorities said.

- Associated Press

Review rejected on LAX cafes pact

The airport commission Monday rejected a request to reconsider its approval of a contract extension with a firm to operate coffee shops at Los Angeles International Airport, despite a complaint from a competing company that it was unfair.

The top-rated bidder to run LAX coffee shops accused the county's top labor leader, Miguel Contreras, of leading an effort that unfairly blocked the nonunion firm from winning the contract.

Contreras, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, is one of seven members of the airport commission.

Larry Emerine, president of Local Concepts, also claimed Contreras had a conflict of interest because his wife heads a union that represents workers for a competing company.

- City News Service

Clerk Mike Carey to retire Oct. 1

Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn announced Monday that City Clerk Mike Carey will retire Oct. 1 after 37 years with the city. He will be succeeded by Frank Martinez.

Martinez has worked for the city for 26 years and was in charge of overseeing the city's preparations for the Y2K computer operation. He has been executive officer in the City Clerk's Office since 2000.

``His service with the city gives me great confidence in the expertise and experience that he brings to the city,'' Hahn said. The appointment is subject to City Council approval. And, while his final salary has not been set, it will be in the range of $200,000 a year.

- Daily News

License check nets four arrests

GLENDALE - Four arrests were made and 147 citations issued during a driver's license check in Glendale, police reported Monday.

The task force finished its work at 1 a.m. Sunday, with similar operations planned in the future.

An officer said the Glendale Police Department believes the license checks are a viable tool for reducing the number of unlicensed drivers in the city.

- City News Service