Week in Review: Arson Suspect Charged; City Council Redistricting Hearings Continue; Music Box Shutters

Missed a day of local news from Hollywood Patch last week? Catch our top headlines of Jan. 1 - 7:

1. Arson suspect, Harry Burkhart, was charged by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office with 28 counts of arson of property and nine counts of arson of an inhabited structure.  on Sunset Boulevard near Fairfax Avenue by a reserve sheriff's deputy who spotted his minivan.

2. Councilman Tom LaBonge asked for expedited building permits for arson victims. A spokesman for the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety said the office will work to speed up review of permit requests and those seeking to pull building records.

3. Angelo Bowers, a stand-up comedian and actor, was killed in a late-night Hollywood traffic collision that police say was caused by a drunk driver, reported the L.A. Times.

4. Some residents asked the Redistricting Commission to consider unifying Hollywood under one City Council district at a public hearing. On the other side of the issue, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce urged members to support keeping the current City Council district boundaries.

5. The Blue Palms Brewhouse is now in a struggle to stay afloat after The Music Box closed its doors. The owner, Brian Lenzo, is hoping to work the issue out with the landlord.

Don't miss: A new gastropub opened in Franklin Village, reported Urban Daddy. Franklin & Co, opened by the owner of the Oaks, serves up duck fat fries, spiced milkshakes and more.

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