BRIEFLY.

One hospitalized after school fight

A fight involving about 100 students at Jefferson High School on Thursday left at least three people with minor injuries, and a citywide tactical alert was called as students were being released, authorities said.

Paramedics were sent to 1319 E. 41st St. at 12:44 p.m., said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Los Angeles police Officer Ursula Guillory said a ``pushing-shoving match'' broke out among about 50 Latinos and 50 blacks. But she said only three people suffered minor injuries.

Humphrey said one person was taken to a hospital.

Guillory said 20 additional officers were sent to assist school police as a somewhat unruly crowd of students gathered at the front of the school.

- City News Service

No-contest plea in drunken crash

A San Fernando Valley man pleaded no contest Thursday to charges stemming from a wrong-way crash on the Golden State Freeway last September that killed a Japanese student and injured two others.

Ruben Jessie Rodriguez, 22, of West Hills entered his plea to one count each of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and driving under the influence with injury, said Deputy District Attorney Craig Renetzky.

Rodriguez is facing a state prison term of 13 years and four months when he is sentenced June 29 by Newhall Superior Court Judge Lloyd Nash.

A murder charge against Rodriguez is expected to be dismissed at the time of sentencing.

- City News Service

Marine's parents' signs torn down 

THOUSAND OAKS - The parents of a marine who has spent the last 21 months in Iraq said the welcome-home signs they posted over the Ventura Freeway for their son were torn down this week by anti-war protesters.

Thousand Oaks police said they were looking into the report by Rose and Kim Bond, who said their son, Cpl. Jason Bond, is expected home today, and they wanted to welcome him with the signs reading ``Jason Sensation, Defender of our Nation, USMC'' and ``Welcome Home Cpl. Bond.''

But on Tuesday night, members of Kim Bond's Boy Scout Troop saw two anti-war protesters tear down Jason's sign and hoist one of their own reading, ``End the Occupation'' on the bridge over the Ventura Freeway at Lynn Road.

- Daily News

Break-in suspect dies at hospital

SIMI VALLEY - A man suspected of breaking the window of a Simi Valley liquor store died after he was found unconscious at a construction site following a struggle, officials said Thursday.

The suspect, identified as John W. Broomhower, 41, of Simi Valley, had broken the front door window at Belwood Liquor in the 4400 block of Alamo Street on Wednesday and escaped after struggling with a witness about 4:15 a.m., police said.

Police said they used a dog to track the suspect to the construction site on Alamo east of Fairbanks Avenue, where he was found unconscious. He was taken by paramedics to Simi Valley Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said. The cause of death is under investigation.

- Daily News

MTA nomination is meeting's focus

Elected officials from more than two dozen southeast Los Angeles County cities will meet today to nominate a representative to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

The 26 cities stretch from Whittier to Long Beach. Their choice must be ratified by a countywide vote scheduled for May 5.

Board members, who set transportation policy for Los Angeles County, are paid up to $600 monthly and are eligible to buy health benefits at employee rates.

Today's meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. at Bellflower City Hall, 16600 Civic Center Drive.

- Daily News

Kiosks a new way to see shelter pets

New pet adoption kiosks unveiled Thursday will allow prospective pet owners to view dogs and cats available at local shelters from one computer terminal.

Previously, people had to travel from shelter to shelter. The kiosks are going up at 25 sites, including the Los Angeles City animal shelters in the east and west Valleys.

The kiosks are sponsored by PETsMART Charities, animal technology company Pet-Ark and Los Angeles shelters and humane societies. For more information on sponsoring a kiosk, contact Joan Miller at PETsMART Charities at [phone].

- Daily News

Foster care film to be shown today

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - A free screening of a San Fernando Valley International Film Festival documentary on Los Angeles County's foster care system is scheduled at 7:30 tonight at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, 4222 Vineland Avenue.

The film, produced and directed by actress Ally Walker of ``While You Were Sleeping'' fame, follows Walker as she searches for a foster child she met at a park with his homeless mother.

- Daily News

Services planned for Simi Marine

SIMI VALLEY - Memorial services will be held Sunday and Monday for a 21-year-old Marine killed in Iraq.

Viewing for Juan Venegas will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Reardon Simi Valley Mortuary, 2636 Sycamore Drive. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1305 Royal Ave. Burial will follow at Assumption Cemetery, 1380 Fitzgerald Road.

Venegas, a scout sniper on his second tour of duty, died April 7 in a vehicle accident during combat in the Al Anbar province of Iraq.

- Daily News

CSUN professor gets Army grant

A California State University, Northridge, computer engineering professor received a $500,000 research grant from the U.S. Army to improve military applications beneficial to national security, the university announced Thursday.

The grant, from the U.S. Department of Defense, Army Research Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Division, will help fund Professor Somnath Chattopadhyay's project to develop a new class of photo detectors, called OPFET, and existing photo detectors, called APD, to be used for military applications, including anti-jamming communications systems, missile defense, optical networking and Earth observing stations.

- City News Service