Hyatt workers here in West Hollywood at the Andaz Hotel are striking in advance of the Labor Day Weekend hoping to gain traction in stalled union negotiations.

Beginning at 4 am this morning, union members of Unite Here local 11 walked off the job and into the street to picket the hotel firm they claim “is trying to make the recession permanent for its employees.”

Unite Here president John Wilhelm, said, “Hotel workers understand that Labor Day is about more than picnics and parades, it’s about honoring the people who have built this country and make it run.”... [full story]

Read about all crimes reported last week here in WeHo News’ portal into West Hollywood crime tracking, including interactive neighborhood crime data and analytics.

Check out our newest link to interactive community policing – “ "Ask Captain Fraser" of the West Hollywood branch.

Be the first to find out what happened in your neighborhood, know what crimes are happening on your block and ask the Sheriff how WeHo branch is responding to your safety needs - and remember to contact WeHo News with crime/news tips of interest.... [full story]

Despite the unanimous nod of approval from West Hollywood’s Planning Commission, a group made up of Los Angelinos and Wehoans who say they will appeal a mixed-use development proposed for the Sunset Strip that straddles the border between the two municipalities.

Fifth District Los Angeles Council office under Jack Weiss ceded jurisdiction over the LA-portion of the two parcels in 2008.

Now there is a new council member in the district, former-WeHo council member and 42nd District Assembly member Paul Koretz, and he says his office wants to regain jurisdiction over the Strip’s Hollywood Hills back yard... [full story]

Go Metro to the third annual Sunset Strip Music Festival staring at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, to be held on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood with musical acts Smashing Pumpkins, Slash and others.... [full story]

After a six-week hiatus, Melrose Action returned to the scene last week with a new URL – www.melroseaction.org.

The acclaimed public safety web site plans to begin afresh after a disgruntled member pulled the plug on the former site because the group would not conform to her personal agenda.... [full story]

Monday, August 23, is Jeanne Dobrin Day in West Hollywood, in honor of a community activist who has served WeHo for 34 years now, pre-dating cityhood by nearly a decade.

Ms. Dobrin, who is 90 years old today, sat with WeHo News for an extended interview in which she discusses her life and times and her civic activism.

Ever politically active, she offers some insights into the city council people with whom she has dealt over the past 25 years of West Hollywood cityhood and raises concerns about the city’s direction... [full story]

John Chase, West Hollywood’s acclaimed Urban Designer and oft-published author, passed away last Friday morning of an apparent heart attack.

Mr. Chase served as WeHo’s Urban Designer for 14 years; prior to joining the City, he was a Principal at Chase & Burnett, Inc., his own architectural consulting firm.

John Chase was 57 years old.... [full story]

The California State Legislature has approved Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 29 with bipartisan support in both houses.

The measure, authored by Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles), urges the IRS to change a policy that currently requires members of same-sex couples who are in different tax brackets to pay unfairly high taxes.

Currently, the federal government fails to recognize how California applies its community property laws.... [full story]