Daily Archives: July 31, 2012

Hiker Rescued From Hills By Burbank Firefighters

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Burbank Firefighters responded with a full rescue response when a female became ill and was reported down about one half mile up the walking trail above the Stough Canyon Nature Center.

Burbank's well prepared Paramedics & Firefighters load the victim prior to transport to St. Joseph Medical Center. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Fire Fighters responded with an engine, a truck company, a patrol rig, and a rescue ambulance, plus a slew of USAR (urban search and rescue) equipment from Pasadena. The firefighters gathered their hiking gear along with ropes and necessary equipment, and loaded into Burbank’s patrol rig and up the hill they went.

Discovered not far up the trail was a female in her late teens dehydrated and down.   They treated her, and then found she was ambulatory, so firefighters loaded her into their patrol rig and brought her to waiting paramedics at the Nature Center.

The Paramedics evaluated the victim and decided a trip to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center was in her best interest.

Burbank Fire Departments Patrol 11 brings the distressed hiker down safely. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

Missing FBI Agent’s Body Found in Burbank Hills Near School

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BurbankNBeyond.com Exclusive
By Craig Sherwood and Stan Lynch, with Photos By Ross A. Benson

 

The mysterious disappearance of FBI Agent Stephen Ivens has possibly been solved.  His decomposing body was found Monday evening, July 30, less than 2 miles from his home. The 81-day ordeal for the Ivens family has finally come to an end.

Burbank Police investigate a body discovered in the brush behind St. Francis School. (© Ross A. Benson)

A body, believed to be that of  Stephen Ivens, was found by two hikers on Monday evening in brush, several yards above the Mother Cabrini Chapel that is located in the back parking lot of St. Francis Xavier Church and School, 3801 N. Scott Rd.  A paved, gated access road, Scott Way, winds up the hillside nearby.  Police believe the body has been at that location since he went missing on May 11.  It is in an area with dense brush, and nott easily visible from the road, the nearby Villa Cabrini townhomes, or from the church parking lot.  Police recovered a firearm at the scene, believed to be Ivens’ FBI issued service weapon.

Burbank Police did not publicly reveal the discovery of the body until today, to allow time for Iven’s family to be notified of the possible find.  His wife and 2 year-old son live in Burbank, and his mother lives in Massachusetts.

Burbank Police investigate a body discovered in the brush behind St. Francis School. (© Ross A. Benson)

Ivens was last seen alive on May 10, by his wife, Thea Ivens, at their apartment in the 1700 block of Scott Road.  She called police to report that her husband was missing, the following morning.  She told police that he was depressed and possibly suicidal.  His FBI issued handgun was missing from their apartment.  Her call to police set off a massive search by local police officers, sheriff’s deputies, search and rescue groups, and FBI agents.  After 12 days of intense activity, the search went to a “lead-driven” status.

Because Ivens was a runner and hiker, authorities considered that he might have walked into the Verdugo Mountains.   Dogs had tracked his scent to the trailhead at the Stough Canyon Nature Center.   Initially, authorities had requested that the public stay out of the hills above Burbank.  However the next day, in a joint news conference with the Burbank Police Department, L.A. Sheriff’s Department, and FBI, they asked the public to be on the lookout for Ivens.

Los Angeles Coroner's Department arrive to process the scene.( © Ross A. Benson)

Speculation mounted during the second day of the search, when paramilitary-looking heavily armed men wearing body armor were seen in Wildwood Canyon.  One of our staff members was ordered to leave the area and not photograph the men.  Unsubstantiated reports circulated on the internet that Ivens might be involved in some international intrigue.  However, the agent in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office stated that Ivens was not involved in any criminal activity.   Stephen Ivens, 35, had been an FBI agent for 3 years, and prior to that had been a Los Angeles Police officer for 8 years.

On May 16, Iven’s wife, mother, and uncle held a tearful news conference on the steps of the Burbank Police and Fire Headquarters, in which they pleaded for the public’s help in finding the missing agent.  They created a web page, and a Facebook page. On June 13, Iven’s wife and uncle held a news conference in front of the Stough Canyon Nature Center, where she shed some light onto case.

The area where a body was discovered behind St. Frances School. (© Ross A. Benson)

“My husband was depressed about something at work,” said Thea Ivens, “but it was not about his actual job as an FBI agent,” adding, “He loved his job.”  She declined to elaborate further.

As the search stretched past it’s second month, police unofficially speculated that Iven’s body was probably somewhere in the mountains surrounding Burbank.  They noted that sometimes bodies go undiscovered for years in the hills adjacent to populated areas.

 

Note: Video shot this morning is now up for viewing. Just go to the Front Page and click on the video.

Photo from Google Images where body was found Monday night

eBooks Now Available at Burbank Public Library

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The Burbank Public Library is pleased to announce that effective August 1, 2012, the Library will be offering free eBooks for download through its website. Patrons can now use their library card and PIN to check out eBooks from the Library’s Magic Wall, accessed at www.BurbankLibrary.com.

The system is currently compatible with all Microsoft devices, all Apple mobile devices (iPad, iPod, and iPhone), all Android devices (tablets and phones), Kindle Fire, and Ultrabooks. It is expected that the service will be compatible with Nook in the near future. To read their e-Books, people will download a free app, Blio, to their devices.

Photos Courtesy City of Burbank

Up to five books may be checked out at any time for periods of 7 to 14 days. Currently, the Library has approximately 1200 titles available and is continuing to add to the collection. There are a wide range of titles for all ages – from picture books for preschoolers and books for elementary students, teens and adults.

“We’re very excited to be able to add this service,” said Sharon Cohen, Library Services Director. “The Library has always been in the book business, but now we can offer readers a whole range of formats, whether it’s hard copy, audio or digital. We are especially grateful to the Friends of the Burbank Public Library who have provided the funding to purchase eBooks. At a time when we see our resource materials budget decreasing due to reduced budgets, it is so good to have Friends who have helped us provide this important new service to our community. ”

Details and links to the eBooks are on the Library’s website. For further information, call 818-238-5580 or visit the library’s website at www.BurbankLibrary.com.

Burbank Nonprofit Coalition will host the Annual Back to School Celebration

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The Burbank Nonprofit Coalition will host the Annual Back to School Celebration at 10am – 1pm on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Burbank Housing Corporation, 1815 Grismer Ave., Burbank.

The event will feature booths for various organizations in the community for families to receive free information, services, and supplies. Services include dental screenings, eye screenings, haircuts, childcare registration opportunities, and more. Local businesses, service clubs and organizations were

Hundreds showed up to Saturday's Connect with your Community Backpack Giveaway, there were plenty of goodies for the kids who will be going back to school in the coming weeks, free haircuts from Marinelo's School of Beauty (Photos By Ross A. Benson)

invited to donate supplies, set up equipment, and food for the day of the event. Approximately over 500 pre-registered students will receive back packs, over 200 additional students are expected to attend the celebration and receive the services.

Some partners include Panda Express providing snacks and Burbank Kiwanis for Fun providing lunch. Walmart is donating school supplies along with many other businesses and Warner Bros. and Woodbury University donated all of the Backpacks and Marinello School of Beauty in Burbank will provide free back to school haircuts for all kids.

The Back to School Celebration focuses specifically on the students who are lower income and are in need of backpacks, supplies and services. The goal is to prepare students to succeed in school.

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center Names Michael A. Rembis Chief Executive

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Michael A. Rembis, a leader among health care administrators in Southern California, will be the new chief executive of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, bringing 25 years of expertise in expanding quality medical services.

Rembis, 58, will take his new role in mid-September. He leaves his post as president and CEO of Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center where he oversaw a range of specialty programs similar to those at Providence Saint Joseph.

Rembis replaces Barry Wolfman, who left the Burbank hospital earlier this year to return to his alma mater, George Washington University, where he is the medical center’s top administrator.

“We ran a national search for a new chief executive and it was evident immediately that Michael’s expertise matched our goals at Providence Saint Joseph,” said Kerry Carmody, chief operating officer for Providence Health & Services, Southern California, who is serving as the hospital’s interim chief executive. “His experience in advancing such specialties as cardiology, neonatal intensive care and orthopedics will enhance our ongoing efforts to expand our specialties and continue to bring top healthcare programs to the San Fernando Valley.”

This is Rembis’ first role as chief executive of a not-for-profit hospital, having held the top administrative positions at Hollywood Presbyterian, Riverside Community Hospital, Centinela Freeman Health System, Centinela Medical Center and JFK Medical Center in Indio. He also held administrative posts at Tenet Healthcare System hospitals in San Diego.

“Healthcare reform will bring significant change to the delivery of health care services,” Rembis said. “I am excited to lead Providence Saint Joseph and its mission to provide greater access to high quality health care for the people of the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles.”

Providence Saint Joseph, celebrating 70 years, is a 431-bed hospital, known for advanced technology, including the use of robotics to enhance a tradition of quality care. Providence Saint Joseph has received recognition for orthopedics, neurology, bariatric surgery, maternity and cardiac services. It also is the home of the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center and the Hycy and Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute.

Rembis began his career in 1978 at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. A native of Southern California, he attended UCLA and earned a master’s degree in health services administration at the University of Southern California.

Rembis is the current chairman of PEACH – Private Essential Access Community Hospitals – and a member of the boards of the California Hospital Association, the Healthcare Association of Southern California and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. The Rembis family, Michael, his wife Kris and their three grown children live in Tarzana.