Culver City Observer Editor and Sports Editor Mitch Chortkoff has died after a short illness.

The announcement was made by Observer Publisher Stephen Hadland on Wednesday afternoon.

Chortkoff covered the Los Angeles Lakers for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner and Copley Press. His column appeared in the Daily Breeze and Santa Monica Evening Outlook.

He traveled with the Lakers for over 20 years.

Services are planned for Monday with details to follow.

A complete story will appear in this week's Culver City Observer in print and online.