BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, April 14, the city of Beverly Hills announced that Craig A. Corman was elected Mayor of Beverly Hills at the Beverly Hills City Council’s reorganization meeting on Tuesday. He succeeds Sharona R. Nazarian, PsyD who completed her first term as Mayor and has served on City Council since 2022.

“I am honored to serve as Mayor of Beverly Hills,” said Mayor Corman. “Our community is a remarkable one that has helped shaped who I am and been a strong foundation for my family. Throughout my term, I’ll be committed to delivering thoughtful leadership, responsible stewardship, and making changes for a future that reflects the best of what Beverly Hills stands for.”

Mayor Corman was first elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 2024. He formerly served on the Beverly Hills Planning Commission from March 2009 until June 2016 and the Cultural Heritage Commission from January 2019 until April 2024. Mayor Corman is an attorney, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Mary N. Wells was named Vice Mayor by the City Council. Vice Mayor Wells, who was first elected in 2024, previously served as a member and President of the Beverly Hills Unified School Board of Education.

Vice Mayor Wells earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, specializing in Finance and Accounting. Vice Mayor Wells previously worked at the Walt Disney Company in Brand and Account Management and with Beezley Management in Construction Management.

The Mayor and Vice Mayor serve one-year terms and are selected by their Beverly Hills City Council colleagues at the annual reorganization meeting.

 

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On April 11, at approximately 9:30 p.m. residents entered their home in Hollywood Hills West to find that two intruders had broken into a home by smashing through a glass windowpane on the side of the house in the 7100 block of Macapa Drive. The burglars were still there when the residents came home.

One of the homeowners, only described as a 75-year-old-man was punched repeatedly by one of the intruders, who then left in haste. The intruders were dressed in all black, wearing gloves, and left the scene of the crime(s). They drove away in a silver sedan.

According to LAPD, the thieves stole approximately $150,000 in jewelry. According to reports the suspects are still at large

In addition to aggravated burglary, and assault, the intruders also stole approximately $150,000 in jewelry.

According to California Law, stealing $150,000 is classified as grand theft. Under California Penal Code Section 487 (a) taking property exceeding $950 in value constitutes grand theft, which is considered a “wobbler” offense. Warranting a felony conviction, the suspects could face sentences up to three years in jail or a state prison.

In California under California Penal Code 459, entering a home of inhabited dwelling is always a felony. A person who commits First Degree Burglary faces 2-6 years prison time.

In addition, California law considers the beating of an individual 75-years-of age to be elder-abuse, under Penal Code 368. If the victim suffers great bodily harm can also result in a felony charge and an additional 5-years prison time.

Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council had multiple posts on their X social media page speaking of more acts of violence in the area over the last few days.

TV Reporter for FOXLA, Matthew Seedorff posted that one man was shot last Tuesday, April 14 while walking with his wife and baby. Another shooting occurred, “Just a half a mile away, last week,” Seedorff stated.

This aggravated burglary is one of two that took place in upscale neighborhoods outside of the Los Angeles metro area. In both cases, the residents were harmed. The incidents happened in completely different areas.

 

By Sharon

 

 

 

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, April 15, the city of West Hollywood announced that Measure E, a Los Angeles County voter-approved Emergency Response and Infrastructure Special Parcel Tax Initiative Ordinance passed in 2024 can provide tax exemption opportunities for eligible residents.

Measure E is a County Measure that supports the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (District). For Fiscal Year 2026-27, Measure E establishes a parcel tax of $0.0612 per square foot of structural improvements (excluding parking areas) on properties within the district.

Measure E is included in the direct assessment section of property tax bills to support critical public safety needs, including hiring additional firefighters and paramedics, enhancing training, and upgrading emergency response equipment such as helicopters, fire engines, and 911 communication systems, particularly for wildfire prevention and response.

The tax applies to all properties within the district’s service area, including contract cities, such as West Hollywood. It does not apply to cities that operate their own fire departments.

Measure E includes exemptions to support equitable implementation. Low-income seniors 62 years of age and older who own and reside in their home and meet the low-income requirements outlined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development may qualify for a full exemption from the parcel tax; eligible individuals must apply and reapply annually to maintain exemption status.

Properties receiving disaster relief – such as those impacted by wildfires – are not subject to the tax while under that designation. The deadline to apply for the exemption is May 31, 2026.

Residents can review eligibility requirements and apply for the exemption process if applicable. An exemption application form available to assist applicants. Residents can learn more about Measure E and access the exemption application through the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s website at https://fire.lacounty.gov/measure-e.

For more details or for inquiries regarding appeal, exemptions, or applicability, contact the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County Planning Division via email at Fire-Planning@fire.lacounty.gov or by telephone at (323) 881-6151. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

 

By Danny Jones

WESTWOOD—The UCLA PD announced on its Facebook page on April 15 that it launched the OCCS Training Program — a new initiative bringing UCLA’s safety experts directly impact the public.

The program pairs the Office of Emergency Management and UCPD to deliver hands-on training sessions on emergency preparedness, response, and personal safety.

The program provides free, in-person training for UCLA students, faculty, and staff. Each session combines presentation with scenario-based exercises so participants leave with skills they can apply immediately. Each session is one hour. The program currently offers three courses.

All are open to students, faculty, and staff with no prerequisites required. Those course offerings include: Active Assailant, Safety Preparedness and Emergency Preparedness.

To learn more at: www.safety.ucla.edu/safety-training-program.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On April 14, the city of West Hollywood announced on its Facebook page that it opened applications for two cultural ambassador roles: Drag Laureate and the City Poet Laureate.

According to a post, the laureates act as ambassadors for West Hollywood’s arts community, which involves engaging with the community and organizing public events.  It also involves putting on performances.

The deadline to apply to become City Poet Laureate is May 13, and the deadline to apply to become Drag Laureate is May 6.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On April 14, The Misfit Bar located at 225 Santa Monica Boulevard, in the Clock Tower building announced that it will close its doors on April 18. The restaurant was a provides gourmet food and drinks.

LGO and its CEO Bob Lynn first told the LA Eatery they recently opened LA Grande Orange Grocery and Diner Antonette, “the latter of which will offer Misfit’s top-shelf happy hour.”

“After 15 years in the downtown Santa Monica Clock Tower building, LGO Hospitality has made the painful decision to not extend its lease in that location for The Misfit. The Misfit will be closing at the end of the evening on Saturday, April 18th. Since its doors opened in 2011, The Misfit, has been one of the busiest and local cornerstones near the 3rd Street Promenade… We are very proud of our employees and management who have dedicated themselves to providing an enjoyable and healthy dining experience for guests whose support made all of the difference over the years. Unfortunately, a revolving door of five building ownership entities with their ever-declining commitment to preserve and build upon The Misfits’ years of success, squandered the value that we built together with you, our guests. Combined with the impacts from ownership’s abandonment, the chronic conditions plaguing Downtown Santa Monica undermine our delivery of a positive experience with high standards that we have long set which our loyal customers expect,” said LGO Hospitality in a statement.

Lynn is looking for a new home for The Misfit to serve the public through Diner Antonette and La Grande Orange Grocery on Wilshire Boulevard between 12th and 13th Street.

In addition to The Misfit, The Holey Grail Donut Shop located at 2441 Main Street closed this month. The Local Kitchen and Wine Bar on Ocean Avenue, and Pier Space are also included in the list of Santa Monica’s April 2026 business closures.

High crime and an increase in homelessness are underlying factors in local business closures.

 

By Sharon

WESTWOOD—On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed that James Heaps, 69, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and required to register as a sex offender for life after he pleaded guilty today to sexually assaulting five female patients from 2011-2018 while working as an obstetrician-gynecologist at UCLA.

Heaps pleaded at a pretrial hearing just two months after a California appeals court overturned his 2023 conviction due to an error by the trial judge.

Heaps, of Woodland Hills pleaded guilty on Tuesday in case SA100560 to 13 counts including: six felony counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person, five felony counts of sexual battery by fraud, and two felony counts of sexual exploitation of a patient. Heaps was sentenced by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo.

In 2023, Heaps was convicted by a jury of three felony counts of sexual battery by fraud and two felony counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person. He was sentenced in 2023 to 11 years in prison.

Heaps, a longtime gynecologist and faculty member at the university, sexually assaulted the victims over the years he practiced on campus. The case was prosecuted by Head Deputy District Attorney Danette Meyers and Deputy District Attorney Rosa Zavala and was investigated by the California Department of Consumer Affairs.

 

By Danny Jones

WOODLAND HILLS—On Tuesday, April 14, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported a vehicle crashed into a home.

The incident was reported at 6:01 p.m. at 5053 N. Escobedo Drive. The single vehicle collided into the home, but no injuries were reported.

LAFD USAR specialists and fire companies coordinated with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety for vehicle extrication and structural assessment. Details of what caused the car to collide into the home has not been revealed to the public.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On April 14, at 12:07 p.m., detectives from the Los Angeles County West Hollywood Sheriff Station arrived at 7900 Block of Norton Avenue, in response to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the post that was made on the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station Facebook page, the victim was a male who was taken to a hospital. The victim is now listed in stable condition.

The preliminary investigation was conducted by the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, which found no other victims, but an unknown number of rounds were fired.

The identity of the suspect is unknown. The name of the victim has not been released authorities. The type of weapon used in this assault has also not been revealed.

The case is being investigated by the LASD West Hollywood Station.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

TOPANGA CANYON/MALIBU—On Monday, April 13, the city of Malibu announced on its Facebook page that a planned pile burn is scheduled for Thursday, April 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the northern Topanga Canyon area near Mulholland Highway as part of ongoing wildfire risk reduction efforts.

A final go/no-go decision will be made on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 16 based on weather and air quality conditions. The city will keep the community updated once a decision is confirmed.

What to expect:
• Smoke may be visible in Topanga Canyon and nearby areas
• Health reminder for sensitive individuals – there may be lingering smoke in low lying areas nearby.
• Minor traffic delays or reduced visibility possible near the burn area

The pile burn is a planned, controlled burn conducted by trained fire personnel. Crews will be on-site to monitor and ensure the fire remains contained.

MRCA recognizes the ecological importance of chaparral ecosystems. This project is targeted and limited, focusing on already disturbed material rather than broad-scale vegetation removal. By maintaining root structures and minimizing soil disturbance, pile burning helps reduce erosion risks while allowing natural regeneration.

For more details and updates visit the links below:

Air quality: https://www.airnow.gov/
Smoke safety: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/…/prescribed-fire.htm
Track updates (Watch Duty app): https://app.watchduty.org/

For more info: mrcafireprevention@mrca.ca.gov.

 

By Danny Jones