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Burbank is officially launching a new hiking-trail-accessibility program for people with disabilities. Two new all-terrain wheelchairs will be available to rent, starting Saturday, at Stough Canyon Nature Center.
On Saturday, Burbank is officially launching a new hiking trail accessibility program for people with disabilities. Two new all-terrain wheelchairs will be available to rent at Stough Canyon Nature Center for use on the fire trail.In recent years, Burbank has become a leader in the movement to make sports and the outdoors more accessible to people with disabilities. Since 2021, the city has launched several adaptive sports programs, including offering wheelchair rugby and fencing, Piper’s Pals youth baseball and basketball,Attendees will be able to try out the new all-terrain wheelchairs for themselves, ask questions and learn more about adaptive sports efforts from Burbank Parks and Recreation staff.There’s some debate among the people of Burbank as to how to pronounce “Stough Canyon.” LAist did some digging and foundfrom the Burbank Public Library. The canyon was named after prominent 19th-century real estate developer Oliver J. Stough, a descendent of German immigrant Gottfried Stauff, whose spelling of his surname was changed to Stough after migrating to the U.S in 1752. The verdict? Stough rhymes with “wow.”)The new all-terrain wheelchairs are the latest in that effort, said Diego Cevallos, assistant director of the city’s parks and recreation department. “We are building an ecosystem here in Burbank of robust programming and activities that cater to folks with disabilities,” he said. “Really what we want to do is inspire the community and also our other civic leaders to engage in this movement of making outdoor equity more accessible through programs just like this.”The program is open to anyone with mobility issues in the region, not only Burbank residents., then click on the “Facility Rentals” tab, scroll down to “Stough Canyon Nature Center” and click on “Adaptive Hiking Rentals.”You’ll have to create a profile and log in to reserve the chairs. Before getting on the trail, you’ll have to watch a safety tutorial video, sign a waiver and do a test drive. Once reserved, the user will have to bring a non-disabled companion to assist them and a staff member or volunteer with the Nature Center will accompany them on the trail. That docent will provide nature education during the hike and make sure everything is going smoothly and safely. Right now, the chairs can only be reserved for up to two hours, said recreation services manager Noah Altman, but he said staff welcomes feedback from the public and will consider updating the requirements for the program as needed. And an important note: Residents with all types of disabilities can use the chairs — it’s not necessary to have mobility in one’s hands. The family member or friend accompanying the user can remotely control the wheelchairs if needed.Mobility challenges are the most common type of disability in L.A. County — around half a million Angelenos have some type of ambulatory disability, But all-terrain wheelchairs cost around $20,000 and weigh around 400 pounds, making them out of reach and impractical for most individuals to own themselves, said Austin Nicassio, a San Dimas resident and founder ofNicassio provided consultation early on in the Burbank accessible trail project effort, and is currently working with L.A. County and California State Parks to bring all-terrain wheelchairs to more areas. The nonprofit is raising money to purchase all-terrain wheelchairs for use in those jurisdictions. “ It's a huge milestone,” Nicassio said of the Burbank program. “It's going to be absolutely life changing for everyone in Southern California.” For Nicassio, these efforts are deeply personal. Growing up in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, he used to be an avid hiker and mountain biker. “Five years ago I was completely able-bodied working as an aerospace engineer, mountain biking, hiking, surfing,” Nicassio said. “My body did whatever I wanted it to do, and I always took it for granted.”But in 2022, after a mild case of COVID-19, he started experiencing strange symptoms — muscle weakness, severe brain fog. He was later diagnosed with a condition that affects his blood flow and makes it difficult to stand for long periods of time and impossible to do anything too strenuous. He was also diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.His mental health plummeted — he realized he used to cope with strong emotions by getting out on the trails or in the ocean. When he finally saved up enough to purchase his own off-road wheelchair, it was “life changing.” “And not just for me, but for my father, for my wife, for my friends, my whole community,” Nicassio said.“ No one has told me that their favorite hike or trail's been paved unless you're disabled, and it has to be,” said Nicassio. “Being out on these trails, a couple miles from the noise, from the trash, from the people, it's life changing.”Los Angeles County tenants who’ve fallen behind on their rent because of last year’s fires or federal immigration raids can soon apply forlast Friday. Now, county officials say applications will reopen Feb. 9. Tenants will be allowed to directly apply this time, and landlords and homeowners will get another shot too.The program offers to cover up to six months of missed rent or mortgage payments, with a cap of $15,000 per housing unit. Utilities and other household expenses can be covered as well.County officials said they received 4,644 applications during the first round. In the next phase, tenants can apply on their own, but they will eventually need their landlords to complete their own paperwork in order to receive funding.is a general assignment reporter. She covers the news that shapes Los Angeles and how people change the city in return.The ceremony will bring many of music's biggest names to downtown Los Angeles, and shut down streets around the arena.Closures starting early Sunday, after 1 a.m.:Pico Boulevard between Albany Street and LA Live Way11th Street between Blaine Street and Flower StreetFigueroa Street between Venice Boulevard and Olympic BoulevardPico Boulevard between Hope Street and Flower StreetFigueroa Street between Washington Boulevard and Venice BoulevardIf you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less. Annie Murphy and Catherine O'Hara attend a 'Schitt's Creek Holiday Spectacular!' even in 2018 in Hollywood.for just one week, she got her big break as an original cast member of the Canadian sketch comedy showHer comedic genius, musical prowess and complete dedication to the characters she portrayed appeared in dozens of films and television shows over her over 50-year acting career, from voicing the speaking and singing roles of Sally and Shock in. One that still makes the rounds on social media is “the woman with indestructible hair.” Note the utter seriousness in her performance that sells the joke!character Moira Rose is when she delivers a performance of"craftsmanship" and “quality” for a TV commercial on fruit wine. Has anyone ever mispronounced words so perfectly?If you want a master class in lip syncing, look no further than O’Hara as Delia Deetz singing “Day-O,” while possessed at the dinner table in 1988’sIt wouldn’t be a complete list without including O’Hara playing one of our favorite 90’s on-screen moms screaming “Kevin!” to the camera. The original is iconic, but we might prefer her delivery in, O’Hara plays Mickey Crabbe, one half of a now broken-up married folk duo. A climax of the film is when Crabbe and Mitch Cohen reunite onstage, performing their song “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow.” As the audience waits with baited breath, they share a poignant kiss. It’s a feel-good moment and a Julia Paskin favorite!Thousands of protesters began assembling in downtown Los Angeles Friday afternoon in one of several planned demonstrations calling for the withdrawal of federal immigration agents.The protests are also in response to the killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — both fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis — and the deaths of people held in ICE custody.It’s one of several “ICE Out” events expected in the L.A. region and around the country Friday and Saturday in response to the Trump administration’s immigration actions, which many have described as overreaching and unconstitutional.The Department of Homeland Security has said immigration agents were targeting violent criminals, but there has been ample evidence to the contrary.Thousands of protesters turned out in downtown Los Angeles Friday in one of several planned demonstrations calling for the withdrawal of federal immigration agents. The massive downtown protest is one of several “ICE Out” events expected in the L.A. region and around the country Friday and Saturday in response to the Trump administration’s immigration actions, which many have described as overreaching and unconstitutional. Other local protests were planned in Santa Monica, Culver City, Torrance, El Monte, Monrovia and Pasadena. The protests are also in response to the killings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti — both fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis — and the deaths of people held in ICE custody.By mid-afternoon, there appeared to be as many as 5,000 people or more assembled downtown. Initially, many people gathered on Spring Street in front of City Hall and around a flatbed truck that was being used as a makeshift stage. Later, the crowd moved along Temple Street toward the Metropolitan Detention Center. Shortly before 3 p.m., people were heading toward Chinatown. Many carried signs with the words,"ICE OUT" and other pointed messages referencing the immigration raids and President Donald Trump. People fill the streets during an "ICE Out" protest that became a march in downtown Los Angeles Jan. 30,2026."There's people who have been out here every time for these rallies, but there's got to be more of us," he said."We all have to show that we're not going to stand for what this administration has been doing to our country." Frintner said marching was a little tough for him physically, but he felt it was important to be there. In addition to the shootings in Minneapolis, he noted the fallout from ICE activity in L.A., Chicago, Portland and other cities. "This is the kind of thing that in other societies our country fought against, and now we are seeing it happening on a daily basis," he said."And I don't know how people can not see what the problem is." There did not appear to be a large law enforcement presence early Friday afternoon. However, LAist reporters did spot a few Los Angeles city police and county sheriff's vehicles around the crowd perimeter. Demonstrators sit in grass in downtown Los Angeles during an "ICE OUT" protest on Jan. 30, 2026. The protesters are calling for an end to federal immigration raids and reacting to recent fatal shooting by ICE agents in Minneapolis.Matt Carlin, 48, of Los Angeles said he decided to participate in the protests because he believes"a line has been crossed" by federal authorities, whom he repeatedly called"fascists" and accused of acting as secret police. He said the deaths in Minnesota were"disgusting" and"upsetting," but were the logical progression of an administration that wants to rule by fear. "It's unacceptable and it's time for people to stand up," he told LAist."And I think doing it on a weekday sends a stronger message, and not shopping and not getting on Facebook and Instagram." He said it's important to show supporters of the Trump administration that"we're serious about this."Uma Sanasaryan, 50, said she is originally from the former Soviet Union. She said she has seen people get"snatched up" in her Atwater Village neighborhood — a violation of human rights. "I am an immigrant myself and we literally escaped Soviet tyranny to come to the United States so that we could feel free and have the freedom of speech and, you know, the ability to pursue our dreams," she said."To do things with our lives that we could never do anywhere else.""They could come for me they could come for anyone," she said."It doesn't matter anymore." The Department of Homeland Security has said immigration agents were targeting violent criminals, but there has been ample evidence to the contrary.
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