BRIEFLY TEENAGER GETS LIFE FOR HOME HEISTS.

LANCASTER - A Lancaster teenager was sentenced Friday to life in prison for two violent home-invasion robberies in Lancaster that left a homeowner and a concerned neighbor wounded.

Kyrone Blakney, 18, was convicted of attempted murder and burglary in the robberies, but jurors deadlocked 9-3 in favor of not guilty on a murder charge for a fatal roadside holdup attempt earlier the same night in Palmdale.

Co-defendant David Taylor, 21, of Lancaster was convicted in January of the murder of 68-year-old Ladd Franklin Schweitzer and of attempted murder and burglary in the two home robberies and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

- Daily News

Comment sought on school leader

LANCASTER - The Eastside Union School District is seeking input from residents and staffers on what traits, skills, abilities and experience they would like to see in a new superintendent.

The consultant helping the district search for a new superintendent will be available to meet with people beginning at 1 p.m. March 6.

Appointments can be made by calling the district office at [phone]. Superintendent Colleen Larson is planning to retire at the end of June.

Written comments also will be accepted and should be sent to Dr. Jack Gyves at the California School Boards Association, CSBA Executive Search Services, PO Box 1660, West Sacramento, CA 95691.

- Daily News

Man gets 25 to life for gang slaying

LANCASTER - A 22-year-old man was sentenced on Friday to 25 years to life in prison for the gruesome gang-related slaying of a young Lancaster man.

Nicolas Koufos was convicted in the August 2002 killing of 22-year-old Carlos Ochoa, whose body - burned beyond recognition - was found in a field on the outskirts of west Lancaster.

Co-defendant Dewayne Strong, 22, has started trial and co-defendants Aaron Sobalvarro, 25, and Sobalvarro's cousin, Diego Sobalvarro, 24, are awaiting trial in Los Angeles Superior Court.

- Daily News

Trial is ordered in fatal stabbing

LANCASTER - A female transient accused of stabbing to death a homeless man was ordered Friday to stand trial on a charge of murder.

Marisa Melrose, 44, is charged with one count of murder in the December slaying of 42-year-old Myron Dorsey, who was found stabbed in a camper van in a Valley Central shopping center parking lot.

Dorsey was found the night of Dec. 14 after an intoxicated Melrose approached a deputy patrolling the shopping center and told him a man in the van had fallen on a knife in her motor home.

- Daily News