BRIEFLY.

Cause of ex-cop's death not certain

NEWHALL -- An autopsy failed to immediately determine the cause of death for Bradley David Korfscholt, a decorated former Los Angeles Police Department officer, officials said Saturday.

Additional tests will be conducted to determined what killed Korfscholt, who was found beaten in a vehicle parked in Newhall on June 27. He died the next morning at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

``The cause of death is deferred,'' Lt. Larry Deitz said. ``Doctors are running additional tests.''

Before leaving the LAPD last September, Korfscholt worked in the Foothill and West Valley divisions, earning several commendations for his service.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call homicide detectives at [phone].

-- Daily News

L.A. rain 2 inches short of average

The Southland's rainy season ended Friday with precipitation in downtown Los Angeles nearly 2 inches below normal, officials said.

The National Weather Service reported that 13.19 inches of rain fell downtown between July 1, 2005, and June 30 -- or 1.95 inches below the 15.14-inch average.

A year ago, 37.25 inches of rain had fallen in the 12 months ending June 30.

Thunderstorms dropped rain elsewhere around the region last week, but only a trace was recorded in June at the downtown rain gauge on the University of Southern California campus.

-- City News Service

Fuel costs drive up Metrolink fare

Riding a Metrolink train will cost slightly more since a 5 percent fare hike took effect Friday to help cover the rising cost of fuel.

The Metrolink Board of Directors approved the fare hike in March. Every 5-cent increase in the price of fuel results in an additional $300,000 rise in annual operating costs for Metrolink, officials said.

Fuel costs during the coming fiscal year are expected to be almost $4 million higher than the previous year, according to Metrolink.

The cost of almost all monthly passes also increased -- from $50 to $55 for adult local passes and a $2 hike to $25 for students.

For seniors and the disabled, monthly passes rose from $14 to $18. Commuter express fares rose from $120 to $130 and discounted commuter express tickets rose from $60 to $65.

More fare information is at www.foothilltransit.org.

-- City News Service

Two cops shot, suspect killed

OXNARD -- Two police officers were shot early Saturday during a traffic stop, and one of them then shot and killed the suspect, authorities said.

The suspect stepped out of a car after being pulled over and fired at the two officers as they approached him, hitting one in the neck and the other in both legs, said Oxnard Police spokesman David Keith.

Both officers were expected to survive, Keith said. Police identified the suspect as Edward Medina.

-- City News Service

Colleges honored on Top 100 list

Several Los Angeles community colleges have made Community College Week's list of top 100 Associate's Degree Producers.

East Los Angeles College ranked among the top 100 two-year schools in the nation in producing AA degrees in 2006 and ranked No. 2 in graduating Hispanic students.

Valley College, Mission College, City College, Trade-Technical College, Harbor College and Pierce College also made the top 100 list for Hispanic degree recipients. ELAC placed 17th for colleges graduating Asian Americans, and Harbor, City, Valley and Pierce also ranked in that top 100 list. Southwest College, Trade-Tech and West Los Angeles College ranked in the top 100 schools graduating African-American students, with Southwest leading the ranks at No. 35.

-- Daily News