BRIEFLY.

Burglary suspect jailed after chase

A burglary suspect was arrested Wednesday night after a brief high-speed pursuit that began in Mission Hills and ended in Van Nuys, authorities said.

The chase began at 7:50 p.m. and made its way on surface streets through Panorama City and North Hills, sometimes reaching speeds of 90 mph, before ending in Van Nuys about 10 minutes later. No one was injured.

To stop the car, Los Angeles police officers used a police car to tap the rear bumper of the fleeing vehicle, sending it spinning out of control, police said.

-- Daily News

Hearing tonight on school reform

SAN FERNANDO -- Mayor Nury Martinez and the City Council will host a town-hall meeting at 7 tonight on Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's plan to take over the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The forum will be held at San Fernando Middle School, 130 N. Brand Blvd., and will include information about Assembly Bill 1381 and a public comment period.

Free child care will be provided. For information, call [phone].

-- Daily News

Truck driver who lost load sought

NORTH HOLLYWOOD -- Officials sought the public's help Wednesday in finding the driver of a truck carrying a 500-pound mold of a female torso that fell onto the Hollywood Freeway, resulting in the death of a woman.

Hana Chin Son, 41, of Sylmar was killed shortly after 1 p.m. July 30 when her vehicle hit the object and crashed as she drove south on the 170 Freeway at Sherman Way, officials said.

The motorist is being sought as a ``person of interest,'' police said.

The object is a concrete-and-fiberglass mold of a female torso with a resin case inside the mold, Tang said. Such a mold generally would be used in the commercial production of an art object.

-- City News Service

Firm may have overbilled DWP

An engineering firm overseeing the Owens Valley dust-control project overcharged the Department of Water and Power by some $3 million, two DWP commissioners said this week.

In a preliminary, independent review of the firm CH2M Hill, auditors found the company profited by double-billing the DWP for managing subcontractors. The full audit is due in October.

Board of Water and Power Commissioner Nick Patsaouras asked the city attorney whether the utility can recoup the $3 million.

``This contract has been run by CH2M Hill and not the DWP,'' he said. ``They told us what they were going to charge us without checks and balances. We just signed the check.''

CH2M Hill was given the Owens Valley contract by the DWP in 1998 without competition and has since billed the utility for about $90 million.

Cost estimates for the project have gone from $120 million to $400 million to control dust from 30 square miles of the dry lake bed. Earlier this year, the DWP board voted to re-bid the project.

-- Daily News

Heat brings Red Flag Warning

Hot, dry weather prompted the National Weather Service today to issue a Red Flag Warning for Los Angeles County mountains, effective through 6 tonight.

A Red Flag Warning means conditions are present that could contribute to the rapid spread of a wildfire. A slight cooling trend should begin Friday.

-- City News Service

Zine seeks study of relocation cost

Concerned that condo conversions could be displacing seniors and the disabled who cannot find other affordable rentals, Councilman Dennis Zine introduced a motion Wednesday to investigate increasing relocation assistance for evicted tenants.

Currently, only tenants in rent-controlled units are guaranteed relocation assistance when their buildings are converted or demolished to make way for condos. Zine wants all tenants to have an opportunity to receive money to help them move and find new homes.

``Longtime residents are being displaced by new condo developments, and unfortunately they do not have the financial means to find new housing. We must look at increasing relocation costs to soften the burden of displacement, which is becoming an epidemic,'' Zine said.

The councilman has asked the city's housing department to report on the feasibility of increasing relocation funds, particularly for the elderly and disabled.

-- Daily News

CSUN gets grant for science tutors

NORTHRIDGE -- California State University, Northridge received nearly $2 million from the National Institutes of Health to tutor minority students considering science careers.

The $1.9 million, four-year grant will fund programs to improve students' math and writing skills. It also will enable students interested in biomedical careers to conduct research alongside faculty at the campus.

-- Daily News