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Fronnie Lewis - Editor

Archive | News & General Info

Three seats for the Burbank school board on the ballot

Three incumbents on the Burbank Board of Education are facing a tough challenger in the November General Election. There are three school board seats up for election on the Burbank ballot. Running for re-election are Dr. Armond Aghakhanian, Steve Ferguson, and Roberta Reynolds. The challenger is an experienced middle school teacher with a doctorate in education, Emily Weisberg. In a recent candidates forum, Weisberg held her own against the incumbents. During the forum, the candidates were quizzed on a variety of subjects. Among the topics funding,... Read More →

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Intense battle for two seats on Burbank City Council

Eight candidates are battling it out for two seats on the Burbank City Council. In the final days of the 2020 campaign, the candidates are utilizing a variety of strategies to win support from the voters. Who are the 8 city council candidates? A good launching point to check out the council candidates is the Burbank City website. Under the departments’ drop down go to City Clerk’s Office. Then onto the Elections Page and the 2020 Candidate Information tab. The candidates are listed here in ballot order.... Read More →

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Curfew in Burbank and businesses take action

A curfew goes into effect in Burbank at 5 p.m. until 6 a.m. today and many businesses are taking action. Some, like the Apple computer specialist, MelroseMac, 2400 West Olive Avenue, are boarding up doors and windows preparing for the worst. Before the City of Burbank issued the order for a 5 p.m. curfew, plenty of chatter on social media and around town about protests planned for this afternoon at various places here. The protests are part of the national and global outrage over suspicious deaths and mistreatment of African... Read More →

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Burbank COVID-19 update For Monday, March 23

The latest Burbank COVID-19 update for Monday, March 23, has new information. In it, Mayor, Sharon Springer, talks about the newest restrictions added to the “Safer at Home” order. The Los Angeles County Health Department issued that order. A summary and link to that order is here. Also, Mayor Springer announced the closure of hiking trails, gives reminders on what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet, and provides a list of coronavirus crisis resources.

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Coronavirus outbreak update from Burbank

On Friday, March 20, Burbank Mayor Sharon Springer recorded another coronavirus outbreak update for residents. In this video, Springer talks about the “Safer at Home” order from the State of California and the Los Angeles County Health Department. Also, the mayor explains what you can do and what you cannot do under the new tighter restrictions.

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Burbank water and power rate increase suspended

Some good news for Burbankers. The recently proposed Burbank Water and Power rate increase has been suspended. Last Thursday, March 19, city officials made the decision due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Mayor Sharon Springer has more on that and an alert for residents to be on the lookout for scammers during this difficult time.

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Letter to the editor from Burbank Vice Mayor Frutos

Friends and Neighbors, We are going to get through this together.  As you may know, our City has declared a State of Local Emergency as part of a continued, proactive approach towards slowing the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. This is unknown territory that we have not experienced before.  We need to remain positive, stay healthy and check up on our neighbors to be sure they’re doing well.   That said, I understand if some residents will worry about uncertainty or feel anxious.  You are not alone.     Please know our... Read More →

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Coronavirus update from the City of Burbank

Here’s the latest coronavirus update from the City of Burbank. Last night, the Burbank City Council approved an urgency ordinance prohibiting the evictions of residential and commercial tenants for non-payment of rent due to the coronavirus crisis. Details on the city website. Also, Burbank is putting out a series of video updates. The latest features Mayor Sharon Springer and it was released late today.

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Coronavirus prompts more cancellations in Burbank

The pandemic strikes again. The coronavirus prompts more cancellations in Burbank. The March food truck festival on Magnolia Blvd. is now a no-go. Ladies and Gents Night Out, as it is officially known, got canceled yesterday. It was scheduled for Friday, March 27. The Magnolia Park Merchants Association sponsors the event for 10 months of the year. The association made the announcement in an email, following the City of Burbank’s declaration of a local state of emergency. The association’s email ended on a hopeful note: “…we look forward to bringing... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- City Hall 275 East Olive Avenue Burbank June 24, 2017

City of Burbank taking steps in wake of coronavirus crisis

The City of Burbank is taking steps in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Late yesterday, Public Information Officer, Simone McFarland, sent out a news release about the pandemic. Read it here. City of Burbank Taking Steps to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus (Declares a State of Emergency) BURBANK, CA (March 12, 2020) – As Coronavirus cases continue to increase within the State and nationwide, there are many precautions being taken by agencies and businesses to slow down the spread of the virus. The City of Burbank wants to be... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Media City G -- Burbank Housing Rights Worshop to be held in Downtown Burbank

Housing rights workshop to be held in Burbank

Alert for tenants in Burbank! A housing rights workshop is coming up very soon. The workshop will be Monday, February 24, 2020. The location is the Community Services Building, 150 North Third Street, room 104, in Downtown Burbank. The event will run from 6-to-8pm. If interested, you need to RSVP 800-477-5977 ext.1104 TTY 213-201-0867. The event is sponsored by the Housing Rights Center, a national non-profit/civil rights organization promoting fair housing, and the City of Burbank.

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Don't Sign Petition/Mailer from January 2020

Confusion and controversy over Burbank petition

Voters are facing a lot of confusion and controversy over a Burbank petition. At the center of the controversy is the proposed La Terra North 777 Front Street project, which the Burbank City Council unanimously approved last month. The petition seeks to put the brakes on the mixed-use Downtown Burbank project through a referendum ballot measure for the upcoming November general election. This bold move has raised the ire of city officials and the developer. Burbank Fact Sheet Last week, a “Fact Sheet” about the project appeared on... Read More →

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FLLewis/ Media City G -- Tony's Bella Vista site 3116 West Magnolia Blvd. Burbank January 8, 2020

Bella Vista restaurant site in Burbank sells for big bucks

Tony’s Bella Vista restaurant site in Burbank sells for big bucks. The Burbank Leader made the announcement on Wednesday reporting the sale price as $2.9 million. After more than 30 years, the popular Italian restaurant closed its doors last June. The property is located at 3116 West Magnolia Blvd in Magnolia Park. The loss is deeply felt. The restaurant is on a stretch of Magnolia Blvd between Hollywood Way and Buena Vista Street, which needs more eateries and now it has one less. Magnolia Park could use the kind... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis/MediaCityG ---- "Rise Up" from the City of Burbank wins Leishman Public Spirit Award at Rose Parade in Pasadena January 1, 2020

Rose Parade float winner on display in Burbank

Rose Parade float winner on display in Burbank today. “Rise Up” won the 2020 Leishman Public Spirit Award for the most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial float builder in the 131st Tournament of Roses Parade, on Wednesday, January 1. Burbank has won numerous awards at the Rose Parade, however, this is the first time it has taken home the Leishman Public Spirit Award. On the Burbank float, a large Phoenix, named Paradise, is shown rising from the ashes of the California wildfires in 2018. That fire season is... Read More →

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Councilman Frutos: Holiday greetings

As this year comes to a conclusion, I would like to wish everyone happiness and good health in the new year. This year has been a bumpy year for many close friends, including my family who has been dealing with the reality of my mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s. Yet, during this holiday season I was reminded how blessed I am to live in a tight-knit community with neighbors and friends who have opened their doors to help one another and have invited others to their home or church for... Read More →

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Photo: FLLewis / Mediacityg -- Your CBD Store Burbank at 3106 W. Magnolia Blvd. Burbank April 27, 2019

New shops on Magnolia Blvd. — some with issues

New shops on Magnolia Blvd. — some with issues. Your CBD Store Burbank opened its doors at 3106 West Magnolia Blvd. late last month. It’s part of a chain of affiliate stores in more than 25 states. There are reportedly 7 such stores in California. On the website, it says “CBD, or cannabidiol, is a compound found in the cannabis plant which has many medical benefits.” Yet, the site has disclaimers. In response to its “medical benefits” claims: “The statements have not been evaluated by the Food and... Read More →

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