First thing Thursday, 2.23.06

♦ Martin Ludlow was the answer to Miguel Contreras’ prayer, writes Harold Meyerson in the LA Weekly. Now Contreras' widow, Maria Elena Durazo, seems poised to to take the reins at the County Fed. In the L.A. Independent, Tony Castro agrees that Durazo is the chosen one and writes, "Ludlow’s demise may also signal a sobering wake-up call to Villaraigosa and possibly the end to the extended political honeymoon he has enjoyed."

♦ David Zahniser's first story for the LA Weekly looks at the Eastside school board race in the context of the politics around Mayor Villaraigosa's LAUSD takeover bid. Subhed: Antonio plays the bully. There's also a piece about Councilman Bill Rosendahl and Lincoln Place.

♦ CityBeat says there is a growing dismay among activists about the past record of new Animal Services chief Ed Boks.

♦ Journalist Gustavo Arellano's other identity as the OC Weekly's "Ask a Mexican" columnist is profiled in the LAT's Column One by staff writer Daniel Hernandez (who is leaving the Times to write for the LA Weekly.)

♦ George Skelton sees Villaraigosa succeeding Gov. Schwarzenegger—in 2010.

♦ The shotgun execution of former Alhambra mayor Stephen Ballreich fifteen years ago is unsolved, but Chip Jacobs at the Pasadena Weekly has some theories.

♦ Hollywood memorabilia collector and gay activist Tom Gregory paid $101,100.51 on eBay for the shirts worn by Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain. It's for charity. Meanwhile, King's Western Wear on Ventura Boulevard makes its own statement about the film.

♦ Conor Friedersdorf writes the Beyond Borders Blog and The Missing Link for the San Bernardino Sun and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.

♦ At 10:30 am. Larry Mantle looks at the rise of independent voters in California on KPCC 89.3 FM.

♦ Those Venice homicides of homless women? There's been only one, the cops tell LAVoice.org.