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An anesthesiologist who says Dr. Conrad Murray committed 17 “egregious” violations in giving Michael Jackson a powerful sedative to help him sleep will resume testifying today in Murray’s involuntary-manslaughter trial. Original post: Propofol Expert to Continue Testimony
When the big one hits, experts say mobile survival kits will be key. Photo Credit: Go here to read the rest: Quake Survival Kits to Go
Yahoo! already loves 2012 as the Silicon Valley company prepares for changes so revolutionary and exciting that many are suddenly taking another liking to Yahoo! shares. For those who think that Yahoo! is washed-up and on its way out, that the company has turned desperate, or that Jerry Yang is giving his ‘baby’ away for adoption, think again. Think harder.
Section 8 Housing Section 8 Housing Finding low income housing can be a difficult task. It is necessary that you have as much information as possible. This article will tell you a little bit about the program, how it works, if you are eligible for section 8 housing, how to apply and where to find more information on section 8 apartments and single family homes. The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as Section 8, a reference to the section of U.S. Housing Act of 1937 that created the subsidy program, has helped low-income families pay the rent since the Great Depression and is widely considered to be one of the most successful affordable housing programs. Authorized in 1974 by Congress, the Section 8 housing program provides low income apartments through rental subsidies for eligible low income families. This program is an effective way for the government to provide clean, safe, affordable homes and apartments for rent to families and individuals in need. Section 8 Eligibility Local PHA’s compare the total annual gross income and family size to the median income for the metropolitan area in which they operate. Typically, families whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area are eligible. Also, a PHA must grant 75 percent of its vouchers to applicants whose incomes are less than 30 percent of the median income. Check with your local PHA to find your area’s specific income limits. The application process will examine each applicant’s income, assets and family characteristics. Verifications with local banks and employers will be completed to determine Section 8 eligibility. Section 8 Housing Vouchers If the PHA determines that an applicant is eligible for low income housing they will be granted a voucher which can be used at apartment buildings and home rental properties that participate in the Section 8 housing program. To find participating apartments and houses, use MyNewPlace apartment search and select the ‘affordable’ icon on the amenities drop down toolbar. This will display apartment buildings that offer low income housing. The PHA, since it has limited resources, sets parameters. The goal of the housing program is to allow for the participating families to rent an affordable apartment, which is defined as a rental that is 30 percent of monthly income. The PHA therefore determines a payment standard, which is the amount of a moderately priced home or apartment for rent in the local housing market. Section 8 participants can use their housing voucher to rent an apartment that is around this payment standard. Though PHAs allow for families to choose apartments or homes for rent that exceed the payment standard, they would be responsible for paying any additional amount. By law, the PHA limits the percentage of income that can be paid towards rent to 40 percent of income, however. Section 8 Waiting Lists Long waiting lists are common in many areas as the demand for affordable apartments usually greatly outpaces the resources available to HUD and PHAs. Some PHAs have actually closed their waiting lists. Each PHA is different, so it is essential to do some research before you start looking for an apartment for rent. PHAs do, however establish priorities for certain applicant families such as those that are homeless or living in squalid conditions, paying more than 50 percent of its income towards rent or have been involuntarily displaced. The PHA is has the latitude to establish priorities according to the demands of the local market.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the theft of soaring palm trees from public land, and one of the suspects is a Caltrans official. Photo Credit: Excerpt from: Caltrans Investigated for Palm Tree Thefts
Michele Bachmann followed up her debate appearance in Las Vegas with a campaign stop Wednesday night at a Tea Party affiliated event in Pasadena Photo Credit: Bill French Read the original post: Michele Bachmann Campaigns in Pasadena
Burbank resident Faye Allen turned 107 years old Wednesday. The assisted-living home where she resides organized a birthday bash. Photo Credit: Getty Images Continued here: Burbank Woman Turns 107
The SEIU and United Long Term Care Workers joined Occupy LA in echoing the need to do away with corporate greed. Photo Credit: Getty Images Read more here: SEIU Joins Occupy LA Protest
Kelsey Grammer , left, and Camille Grammer arrive at the annual Pre-GRAMMY Gala presented by The Recording Academy and Clive Davis on Saturday, Jan. Read the original post: IOL bang kelsey_camille_grammer
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority released a report Wednesday on the Westside Subway Extension’s seismic and safety issues that favors a Constellation Boulevard location for the Century City stop. Metro states that scientists have recommended the Constellation Boulevard route in order to avoid two earthquake faults in the area. The experts, who include seismologists, geologists and engineers, said that tunneling can be done safely under Beverly Hills High School . Fieldwork and research also failed to detect any active or inactive oil wells on the high school campus that would be in the path of potential subway tunnels. However, no decision about the final placement of the subway route has been made. The Westside Subway Extension would travel through Beverly Hills to proposed stops at Wilshire/La Cienega and Wilshire/Rodeo, then onward to one of two proposed stops in Century City: Constellation Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, which would require tunneling under BHHS , or one at Santa Monica Boulevard and Avenue of the Stars, the location that scientists are advising Metro not to use due to the presence of the Santa Monica Fault. Mayor Barry Brucker and Vice Mayor William Brien proposed a third option—for Metro to build a Century City stop at Santa Monica Boulevard and Century Park East—with the added incentive that Beverly Hills could be the location for two park-and-ride facilities to get commuters to and from the station. Experts hired by Metro, however, have reported that the Century Park East site is within the West Beverly Hills Lineament fault zone, an extension of the Newport-Inglewood Fault. In an email released by Metro, experts reportedly told the Metro Board of Directors Planning Committee that tunneling under BHHS as part of the Constellation Boulevard route “would not compromise the structural integrity of existing structures, interfere with future building plans or create perceptible noise or vibrations on school grounds.” To read the report in its entirety, click here . “Metro’s seismic findings are, of course, a disappointment to me, the City Council and the entire community,” Brucker said in a statement. The city has hired two engineering firms, Exponent Inc. and Shannon & Wilson, to conduct separate, independent analyses of Metro’s seismic findings. “The independent analysis by our consultants is an important step toward determining the appropriate response for Beverly Hills as we move forward,” Brucker said. “The citizens of Beverly Hills deserve a fair and impartial independent analysis.” The council has formally requested a 90-day delay between when the final Environmental Impact Statement/Report is released and when Metro meets to consider the tunnel route between Beverly Hills and Century City. “We need at least 90 days to properly evaluate the scientific and seismic data before any final decision is made,” Brucker said. The seismic and safety reports released Wednesday will be used by Metro staff to develop a recommendation on the Westside Subway Extension’s EIS/EIR, which is scheduled to be released this winter. The final decision on the subway’s route is made by the Metro Board of Directors and expected in early 2012. Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education President Lisa Korbatov released a statement in response to Metro’s report. “Metro has opened a veritable Pandora’s box that potentially impacts many dozens of existing buildings and future projects in the region, including Beverly Hills High School, future station locations for the Westside Subway Extension as well as currently entitled development projects,” she wrote. “Our independent experts will immediately begin evaluating the findings and will weigh in as this process moves forward.” Should the Constellation Boulevard route receive approval, two tunnels would be built 55-70 feet below the BHHS campus. The tunnels would pass under the administration building and then go beneath the high school’s tennis courts, the southern wing of Building B and the lacrosse fields. Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . See the original post: Metro Experts Support Constellation Boulevard Station
