BRIEFLY TRAIN HIT KILLS MAN WALKING ON TRACKS.

PACOIMA - A man walking along railroad tracks was killed Monday morning by a northbound Metrolink commuter train, authorities said.

The 35-year-old man was struck at 7:14 a.m. by a 6,000-horsepower locomotive near the 10800 block of San Fernando Road, about 200 yards north of Van Nuys Boulevard, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.

- Daily News

Run-in with SUV costs boy teeth

SUN VALLEY - A sport utility vehicle hit a 7-year-old boy Monday morning as he crossed a street near an elementary school, knocking out several of his teeth, authorities said.

The SUV hit the boy about 7:40 a.m. near Byrd Middle School in the 9000 block of Telfair Avenue, officials said.

- Daily News

Secessionist asks for updated data

San Fernando Valley secession advocate Bob Scott has requested an update of the state Controller's report on the financial elements of the Valley cityhood plan, according to a letter Scott released Monday.

Scott asked the Local Agency Formation Commission, which crafted the plan, to request an updated study from Controller Kathleen Connell based on later information than was included in her review.

Scott complained that secession opponents were using the controller's report to criticize secession even though her report was based on figures that were later updated to more positively favor secession.

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Woodland Hills home damaged

WOODLAND HILLS - A Woodland Hills house was severely damaged Monday evening when its attic caught fire.

Two occupants inside the home on Collins Street were able to escape without injury.

Firefighters responded to the blaze about 5:18 p.m. and had it under control shortly before 6 p.m., said Los Angeles city Battalion Chief Mark Jones.

- Daily News

Two from Valley join quake panel

Gov. Gray Davis on Monday announced the appointments of three Southland residents, including two from the San Fernando Valley, to the California Earthquake Authority Advisory Panel. They are Melinda I. Bittan, 46, of Los Angeles; Allen D. Martin, 39, of Studio City; and George Martini, 56, of West Hills.

- City News Service

Church will host cityhood debate

NORTHRIDGE - The public is invited to a debate on San Fernando Valley secession at 7 p.m. tonight at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 9501 Balboa Blvd.

The free event will feature speakers on both sides of the issue, which will be Measure F on the Nov. 5 ballot.

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Molestation probe targets ex-priest

Prosecutors are looking into allegations that a former priest who served in Westlake Village, Palmdale and Ventura County molested three boys during the 1970s and 1980s, officials said Monday.

Los Angeles District Attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said sheriff's investigators formally submitted their case to the district attorney last week concerning the Rev. Michael Wempe.

Wempe was removed from active priesthood when the criminal investigation was launched by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Wempe, 62, came under investigation earlier this year when complaints wee made by three adults who said they were molested by Wempe when they were teenagers. Wempe served at St. Jude Church in Westlake Village, St. Mary Church in Palmdale and Sacred Heart Church in Ventura County.

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Quake fault has signs of stability

PASADENA - Activity along the fault responsible for 1994's Northridge Earthquake has slowed far quicker than expected, according to geophysicists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

``This cold crust apparently brought Northridge to the conclusion of its earthquake cycle much sooner than expected, or perhaps is causing the region to adjust so slowly that we can't detect it,'' geophysicist Andrea Donnellan said.

- City News Service

Judge gives ACLU OK to give input

The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California was given a tentative nod Monday by a U.S. district court judge to have permissive intervention status in the Los Angeles Police Department's consent decree.

Judge Gary Feess had originally denied the ACLU's request to provide input into the implementation of the federally mandated consent decree for reforming the department, but indicated orally on Monday that he would now grant permission, said ACLU lawyer Catherine Lhamon.

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