BRIEFLY.

Lung ailments are higher in Latinos

Latinos are disproportionately exposed to environmental hazards in their neighborhoods and workplaces that can lead to increased prevalence of asthma and other lung problems, according to the American Lung Association.

The report, which was released last month, notes that asthma is more prevalent in the Latino and African-American communities, both of which are more likely to live in high-pollution areas or along high-traffic areas.

One study found that 80 percent of Hispanics live in areas that don't meet national air pollution standards. Also, Hispanics are more likely to be employed in industries associated with respiratory hazards.

African-Americans have the highest asthma prevalence, while Puerto Ricans have the highest death rate from the disease.

- Daily News

Bail bondsman gets 3 years in jail

An unlicensed Van Nuys bail bondsman was sentenced Monday to more than three years behind bars, making him the first person to be sent to prison as part of an ongoing probe into the bail bond industry, prosecutors said.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler ordered 30-year-old Carlos MacPherson to serve three years and four months in state prison, according to Deputy District Attorney Daniel Baker.

MacPherson was sentenced after pleading no contest to one count each of conspiracy to obstruct justice, perjury before a grand jury and unlawful advertising as a bail agent, Baker said.

MacPherson, working with Paco's Bail Bonds in Van Nuys, arranged $1.56 million bail for Carlos Alberto Hernandez, who was convicted of attempted murder, according to the District Attorney's Office.

- City News Service

Detonated bomb located in park

WESTWOOD - Police evacuated Westwood Park on Monday afternoon after finding an already-detonated pipe bomb on the park's tennis courts.

Police received a report about a suspicious-looking brown bag at 1:06 p.m. The responding officers found a pipe bomb made of PVC pipe in the bag, Lt. Roger Deranian said. Police evacuated the park at 1375 Veteran Ave., which remained closed until after 6 p.m., and the Police Department's bomb squad used a water cannon to render the device safe, Deranian said.

The bomb squad later determined that it had detonated before being brought to Westwood Park, Deranian said.

- Daily News

Suspects sought in home burglary

Police on Monday were trying to track down two suspects who burglarized a Hollywood Hills home and stole a BMW convertible from the garage, officials said Monday.

The thieves entered the home about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday and ransacked it, then stole the victim's silver 2001 BMW Z3, said Sgt. Catherine Plows of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section.

The suspects left behind a dark, older-model, two-door Chrysler LeBaron with a convertible top, Plows said. The burglars were described as African-American, 18 to 25 years old, 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 140 pounds.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the Hillside Burglary Task Force Hotline at [phone].

- City News Service

Burning body has been identified

A passer-by discovered a dead man's burning body on a street in the Westlake area of Los Angeles on Monday and doused the flames, police said.

The discovery was made in the 2800 block of Francis Avenue about 2 a.m., said Sgt. John Hunt of the Los Angeles Police Department's Wilshire station.

Craig Harvey of the county Coroner's Office said the 52-year-old victim was tentatively identified through fingerprints, but next-of-kin had not been notified. He said the preliminary investigation suggested the man was ``injured at another location and his body was dumped and set on fire.''

- City News Service