News briefs
By Daily Bruin Staff
June 1, 2005 9:00 p.m.
Board approves AIDSagency contract
The Board of Supervisors approved a nearly $200,000
noncompetitive contract with a nonprofit AIDS agency amid
controversy over how the county is doling out its AIDS funds.
Tuesday’s 3-2 vote came days after the AIDS Healthcare
Foundation sued the county alleging unfair contract and bidding
practices. Health officials declined to comment on the suit.
The AIDS office, which pushed for the latest contract, is
responsible for granting $82.5 million in federal and state funding
for education and treatment programs.
The new contract requires the nonprofit AltaMed to hire an
additional employee to encourage young, gay Latino men to seek AIDS
and HIV-infection prevention and treatment services.
Panda Express sets off Ackerman sprinklers
There was no fire, but there was plenty of heat. The sprinklers
on Ackerman Union’s first floor were set off around noon
Wednesday due to sensors detecting a heat buildup in Panda
Express’s kitchen.
Fans in the kitchen responsible for circulating hot air out of
the building had shut off, causing hot air to accumulate.
Water leaked to the parts of the building’s A and B
levels. Panda resumed business around 4 p.m.
Student brawls prompt principal’s
resignation
The principal of Jefferson High School will step down following
criticism by the new mayor and other officials over a series of
student brawls that some blamed on racial tensions.
Norm Morrow agreed Tuesday to resign effective July 1, said
Rowena Lagrosa, a local superintendent in the Los Angeles Unified
School District.
Last Thursday, more than 20 students scuffled ““ the third
school fight at the school in six weeks. On several occasions,
school police used pepper spray and batons to stop the fighting.
More than two dozen students were suspended.
School Police Chief Alan Kerstein has said there were
“racial overtones” to the fights at Jefferson and other
schools in the district this year.
On Tuesday, Mayor-elect Antonio Villaraigosa said he felt
“things are out of control” at the school in South Los
Angeles.
Compiled from Bruin staff reports and wire
services.
