Morning Buzz: Tuesday 2.28.12 short stack

• Restaurants in LA County may now choose to allow dogs on outdoor patios. Previously they were only allowed by regulation at sidewalk tables. LAT, DN
• The death of 10-year-old Joanna Ramos following a brief after-school fight in Long Beach is being investigated as a homicide. AP
• The Police Protective League endorsed former union official Dennis Zine for city controller next year.
• Supt. John Deasy and another LAUSD official question the value of a GED certificate in lieu of a high school diploma. Witness LA
• USC Annenberg awarded its $35,000 Selden Ring Award for Investigative Reporting to Michael J. Berens and Ken Armstrong of The Seattle Times for their three-part series “Methadone and the Politics of Pain.” USC
• Photos from behind the scenes at the LA Times on Oscar night. Reader's Representative
• Retired LA prosecutor and state appeals court judge Lynn (Buck) Compton died at age 90. His World War II exploits were featured in HBO's "Band of Brothers." LAT

Plus from LA Biz Observed: Sluggish Oscar ratings the new normal, two more Dodgers bidders eliminated, another big jump in LA gas prices, and Tuesday morning headlines.