Community backs Alarcon

PANORAMA CITY -- Supporters of City Councilman Richard Alarcón packed a storefront chapel Thursday and prayed for the embattled politician's exoneration of 18 felony charges for allegedly living in a house outside his district. Tony Castro in the Daily News.

The emotional outpouring drew a wide cross section of northeast San Fernando Valley residents, ranging from Ed Rose, the co-founder of the MEND antipoverty food pantry in Pacoima, to Stefni Valencia, a graduate of the councilman's Young Senators program.

Several ministers from Alarcón's 7th Council District said he would be included in their worship services and asked constituents to keep the lawmaker and his wife in their prayers.