SAN FERNANDO VALLEY Sun Valley AWARD: A Sylmar resident was recently named the Best PODS Driver in the Country by PODS, a moving and storage services company. Alberto Ortiz, 28, of PODS Los Angeles, competed against 17 PODS employees in a competition held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in March. The competition included a written test on company knowledge and products and a driving test on an obstacle course. Drivers were tasked with completing difficult delivery challenges and container maneuvers using the company’s PODZILLA hydraulic lift system. For his win, Ortiz was awarded a trophy and a cash prize of some $200. To compete in the companywide competition, Ortiz first had to compete in a smaller challenge for the company’s Los Angeles employees. Ortiz said the annual driving competition, in its second year, is a great way to meet PODS employees from other regions. “It’s been great to get to know other people and learn from their work strategies,” Ortiz said. In a prepared statement, Ann Lehman, PODS Interim president said the annual driving contest was a great way for PODS drivers to engage in friendly competition and show off their driving and delivery skills. “PODS takes great pride in the fact that our drivers deliver exceptional service to our customers and take great care when delivering and storing their personal belongings,” Lehman said. Burbank HONOR: Warner Bros. Studios honored three Valley high school graduates as its 2012 Reach Honorship recipients. The Reach program offers scholarships to select graduates interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment business. This year, six students were named Reach recipients. Nicole Calderon and Syed Ibrahim, graduating seniors from Burbank High School, are this year’s winners of the Burbank Reach Honorships. Jacqueline Gunning, a graduate of Champs Charter High School in Van Nuys is one of the winners of the Los Angeles County Reach Honorships. Reach students are given scholarships as well as paid work experiences at Warner Bros. during the summers they are in college. During these summer months, they have mentoring and networking opportunities with industry professionals. After completing their degrees, they are eligible for full-time positions at Warner Bros. In a prepared statement, Michael Walbrecht, vice president of public affairs for Warner Bros. Entertainment, said the program allows the company to tap into the talent in the local community. “We are committed to the professional development and career success of our Reach recipients, and the internships provide them with the unique opportunity to gain practical experience within multiple departments at Warner Bros. while honing crucial business skills and building relationships with industry professionals,” Walbrecht said. Woodland Hills FINE: The Motion Picture Television Fund (MPTF) Hospital in Woodland Hills was among 13 hospitals fined this month by the California Department of Public Health for a range of safety violations. The 13 institutions were fined $825,000 in all. They have 10 days to appeal the fines. The MPTF hospital was charged $50,000 for leaving a sponge in the right knee of a patient that underwent surgery. The agency said the hospital failed to follow its own procedures for counting “sponges, sharps and instruments,” and the surgeon “failed to appropriately use the Raytec sponge during …the procedure.” The incident took place in 2010. It was the hospital’s first administrative fine, according to the DPH. The sponge was removed at another hospital after the patient felt a lump and pain near the incision, according a write-up of the safety violation. “We sincerely regret this incident and have used it as an opportunity to review our policies and practices,” said MPTF President and CEO Bob Beitcher, in a published statement. “This comprehensive review has resulted in changes which we believe have improved our delivery of care and will prevent any recurrence.” San Fernando RETAIL: J.C. Penney Co. confirmed plans to close its San Fernando store effective July 28, a move which will impact some 50 employees. The 60,000-square-foot store is located on the corner of San Fernando Road and San Fernando Mission Boulevard. Penney’s spokesman Joey Thomas said the change is “essential in helping us achieve our long-term goals. We would not have moved forward with this difficult decision if we did not believe it was absolutely necessary for the future growth of our company,” Thomas said in an e-mailed statement. The Plano, Tex-based retailer has struggled in recent years. The company reported a net loss of $163 million or 75 cents a share in its first quarter compared to a profit of $64 million or 28 cents a share in the same period last year. Employees of the San Fernando store were notified of the closure on May 31, Thomas said. The company plans to assist employees in identifying opportunities at nearby J.C Penney stores, which include Lancaster, Northridge, Glendale, Burbank, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. Eligible employees who do not remain with the company will receive separation benefits. Thomas said the company has no plans to close other locations in California.