BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is hosting its 22nd Annual Earth Day Celebration on Sunday, April 27.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will allow attendees to pick up local produce while celebrating Earth Day at the Beverly Hills Farmer’s Market.

The event will offer:

-Mini Repair Cafe – Don’t toss it, fix it!

-Shredding Services – Securely dispose of your sensitive documents.

-E-Waste Disposal – Safely recycle your old electronics.

-Face Painting – Fun for the little ones!

-Crafts – Get creative while going green.

-Sustainable Booths – Discover eco-friendly products and tips.

For more information, visit www.beverlyhills.org/earthday.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department noted that applications for the 2025 BHPD Citizen Police Academy (CPA) open Friday, April 18 at 4 p.m. via www.beverlyhills.org/cpa.

The program is celebrating 10 years, and provides hands-on police academy-style experience. From tactical scenarios to live demos, it gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at modern policing.

Class Schedule:

• Mon, June 2 – Fri, June 6 | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sat, June 7 | Morning & Afternoon Sessions (Optional Range Day)
• Graduation – Date TBA

Applications will close on Friday, May 2 at 4 p.m., giving residents two weeks to apply. The program is open to residents of the city of Beverly Hills only. Proof of residency is required. The program does include physical activity and hands-on scenarios.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on its Facebook page on April 15 that they are now accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 General Fund Grant Program from local non-profit organizations to fund efforts that benefit residents of the community.

The application period is open until Wednesday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Applications submitted are reviewed by the City Council Administration and Finance Subcommittee in mid-Spring.

The Subcommittee makes recommendations to the City Council for award during the annual budget approval process each June. To learn more and apply at www.MalibuCity.org/GeneralFund.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, April 11, the city of Santa Monica announced on its website that Public health officials announced results from both ocean water and sand testing along the county coastline after January’s Palisades Fire showed no evidence of wildfire-related chemical levels that pose a risk to human health.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a notice lifting all fire-related ocean water advisories after “rigorous testing,” and advised beachgoers that it is safe to enter the ocean water and recreate on the sand on Los Angeles County beaches, including those in Santa Monica.

“The ocean water and sediment/beach sand testing, which looked for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, revealed no chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health,” Public Health’s release stated.

Water and sediment/beach sand testing was conducted over the past three months by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, which re-released its testing reports this week to include analysis and screening thresholds to further demonstrate that metal, nutrient, PCB and PAH levels were below state and federal environmental standards for recreational water, residential soil, and Ocean Plan objectives or within background concentrations.

Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors released a notice Friday indicating that the “dark sediment on beaches does not pose risk to human health.” Beachgoers should still stay away from any fire-related debris in the ocean or that has washed up onto the sand.

Santa Monica Beach Maintenance continues to regularly maintain the dry sand on the beaches and handpick large pieces of wildfire debris as it washes up on the coastline. In alignment with Beaches & Harbors, Santa Monica does not scrape the dark, silty wildfire sediment from the wet beach to avoid environmental damage and continue to protect the three-acre natural dune habitat in the North Beach area.

Beachgoers are asked to check the ocean water conditions before visiting any beach. The latest water quality information can be found at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The BHPD sent an email to Canyon News releasing results of a DUI Checkpoint it recently conducted on April 11.

The DUI checkpoint was held at N. Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Drive from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

A total of 1,630 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and 206 were screened. One driver was arrested for driving under the influence, and four drivers were cited for driving without a driver’s license.

DUI checkpoint locations are based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary focus of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

By Trevor

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Tuesday, April 15, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced they were assisting a jumper on 101 Freeway, which was closed (short term) as a result. The incident was reported at 12:32 p.m. on the southbound 101 freeway at Cahuenga.

The individual was a female patient, but her age was unknown, who was originally on the edge of the overpass and moved onto the 101 Freeway towards the center divider.

LAFD fighters were able to shut down the freeway and make contact with the (uninjured) patient. The freeway will remain closed until the rescue ambulance can reach the patient and safely move off the freeway. Drivers were advised to avoid this section of the freeway for the short term.

The female was safely moved away from the freeway by officials. No additional details about the jumper or incident have been disclosed to the public.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On April 14, at approximately 3:15 a.m., Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers conducted a traffic stop at the corner of Ocean Way and Bay Street. According to a SMPD press release, the driver had stolen license plates on the vehicle, and a handgun in plain sight inside the vehicle.

The driver showed false identification to the arresting officers who learned there was a warrant out for his arrest in California City for burglary. The suspect was booked into jail on the following charges.

29800(a)(3)PC-Felon in possession of a firearm

24500(a)(3)PC-Concealed firearm within the vehicle

148.9PC-False Identification

529(a)(3)PC-False Impersonation

Canyon News reached out to SMPD for more information on the suspect but did not hear back in time for print.

Anyone who has more information on this incident is encouraged to contact SMPD at (310)458-8498

By Sharon

WESTWOOD—On April 14, at approximately 10:35 p.m., a pedestrian was fatally struck by an individual driving a dark blue Mazda hatchback. According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) online reports, a driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and struck a pedestrian crossing the street outside the lines of the crosswalk. The driver then the scene without stopping to attempt to render aid to the injured party.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) paramedics responded to the scene and attempted life saving measures on the victim, but he succumbed to his injuries.

The deceased was a 70-year-old male from the Los Angeles area. His identity is being withheld pending the notification of the next-of-kin.

LAPD is seeking public assistance in identifying the driver of Mazda. A $25,000 reward is available through the Hit and Run Reward Program to community members who provide information leading to positive identity, arrest, and conviction of hit-and-run drivers.

Those with more information are encouraged to contact LAPD West Traffic Division detectives at (213)473-0234 or 1-877-527-3247 on nights/weekends.

By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday, April 14, the city of Beverly Hills launched WaterSmart, an innovative and user-friendly portal aimed to help residents manage their water use and utility billing efficiently.

Individuals using the system should have their utility bill ready when using WaterSmart, as the account number and customer number is needed to register.

Visit www.beverlyhills.org/WaterSmart to access the WaterSmart portal and take advantage of helpful features below like:

-Gain easy bill access: view and pay your bill online anytime. (Water, stormwater, refuse, and sewer)

-Monitor usage in near real-time: track your daily water consumption with up-to-date usage.

-Receive alerts: Set up personalized notifications to help manage usage and avoid unexpected charges.

-Efficiency tips: receive tailored, step-by-step actions to enhance your water-saving efforts and identify opportunities for greater efficiency.

-Signing up for the new portal is essential to avoid missed payments and any potential late fees.

For details on how to sign-up, visit www.beverlyhills.org/WaterSmartTips or call the askBH Hotline at 310-285-1000.

By Trevor

WESTWOOD—The UCLA PD reported on Monday, April 14 that they are investigating an attempted robbery that occurred on the 700 block of Westwood Plaza near the Center for Health Sciences. The strong-arm robbery was reported at 9:50 a.m.

The suspect approached and attempted to take the victim’s cell phone from their hand. The victim pulled the phone back and ran from the location. The suspect briefly followed the victim before turning around and walking south toward Westwood Village.

The suspect has been described as a Black male, in his 20s, with a dark complexion and short curly hair. He is clean shaven with a mole under his right eye. Last seen with a blue moving blanket draped over him.

The victim is a UCLA employee. The victim was not injured. No details about a vehicle in the incident were disclosed to the public. Anyone with details on the incident should contact the UCLA PD at 310-825-1491.

By Trevor