BEVERLY HILLS—On April 27, the Beverly Hills Police Department announced that K-9 Tau, a retired Belgian Malinois/German Shepherd, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 26, after a life defined by service, loyalty, and heart.

During a remarkable 10-year career with the Beverly Hills Police Department, Tau completed more than 4,000 hours of training and was deployed 260 times. His work included 65 suspect searches, the apprehension of 27 suspects, and the recovery of three discarded firearms. Tau was a steadfast protector in the field and an invaluable partner to those he served alongside.

In retirement, the K-9 enjoyed comfort, from daily walks to quiet moments at home, and even made a special appearance on our Instagram during an interview with the @officialdogpack podcast.

“His remarkable sense of smell never faded, always finding something along the way. More than a K-9, Tau was a loyal companion, a trusted partner, and a true member of the BHPD family. His service, dedication, and spirit will not be forgotten,” the BHPD stated on its Facebook page.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city is getting the word out about the opening of three new Metro D Line stations, close to West Hollywood. The Metro D Line is one of the region’s subway/underground rail lines, formerly called the Purple Line. It currently runs from Downtown Los Angeles to Koreatown. It will be extended west along Wilshire Boulevard into Beverly Hills. The D Line route will continue west to Century City and Westwood in the future.

On Friday, May 8, new D Line stations will open at three locations: Wilshire/La Brea; Wilshire/Fairfax; and Wilshire/La Cienega. These will directly serve the Mid-Wilshire, Miracle Mile, and Beverly Hills areas and will strengthen connections and mobility options between West Hollywood and surrounding communities. The new stations are a significant milestone for fast, frequent, and reliable rail access for residents, workers, and visitors.

Community members are asked to take advantage of several existing Metro bus lines that provide direct access to and from West Hollywood and connect seamlessly with the new Metro D Line stations:

-Metro Line 212 – north/south on La Brea Avenue with service to the Wilshire/La Brea station;
-Metro Line 217 – north/south on Fairfax Avenue with service to the Wilshire/Fairfax station; and
-Metro Line 105 – north/south on La Cienega Boulevard with service to the Wilshire/La Cienega station.

The routes offer daily frequent service and provide easy north-south travel across West Hollywood, Mid City, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills (Line 105 only) linking riders to the new rail line and the broader Metro system.

Metro bus and rail rides are $1.75 including 2 hours of free transfers between Metro bus and rail routes with further discounts available for seniors, disabled riders, students, and low-income riders as well as frequent riders through automatic daily and weekly fare capping. Qualifying West Hollywood residents who are disabled or over 62 can apply for city-subsidized bus passes for free rides on all Metro buses and trains.

Community members are asked to plan a trip using Metro’s Trip Planner to explore the fastest and most convenient routes.

West Hollywood is planning to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its local transit services such as Cityline to ensure its transit options continue to meet community needs later this year. As part of this effort, West Hollywood will explore opportunities to enhance or expand city-operated transit services, including assessing whether future routes or service modifications may offer more direct connections to the new Metro D Line stations.

In March 2026, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board of Directors voted to advance and approve the San Vicente-Fairfax alignment as the locally preferred alternative for the K Line Northern Extension, a major rail project that will, in the future, connect West Hollywood with Mid-City and Hollywood.

Additional details about the Metro D Line extension is available via: www.metro.net/d-line-extension. For information about transit services in West Hollywood visit: www.go.weho.org/transit.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—West Hollywood will host its WeHo Rec Expo & Kids Fair on Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plummer Park, located at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd. Event booths and activities will be held throughout the park’s outdoor areas and in both Fiesta Hall and Great Hall.

The Rec Expo & Kids Fair is free and open to the public. Attendees can look forward to demonstrations, giveaways, community resource booths, and fun activities for all ages. Highlights include the Kids March: Kids Have Voices, Too! — a march where children create posters and share their voices. Materials will be provided, and no registration is required.

Representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department will be onsite providing public education and information. Attendees can learn all about the city’s recreation programs and events for all ages, community services, and local school and preschool programs!

For additional details about the WeHo Rec Expo call (323) 848-6497 or email recreation@weho.org. For additional information about the Kids Fair call (323) 848-6510 or email humanservices@weho.org or wehocares@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496. 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

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department recovered a loaded firearm and drugs after a traffic stop on Friday, April 24.

On April 24, while patrolling the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue, officers conducted a stop of a vehicle. The investigation led to the recovery of a loaded firearm hidden under the driver’s seat, along with nitrous oxide and drug paraphernalia.

The suspect—who was already on diversion for a prior robbery arrest—was taken into custody and faces multiple charges:

-Carrying a loaded firearm
-Inhalation of nitrous oxide
-Possession of drug paraphernalia in a vehicle

The name and age of the suspect have not yet been disclosed to the public. Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department are committed to proactive enforcement to keep neighborhoods safe, the Police Department noted.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday, April 27, the city of Beverly Hills disclosed on its Facebook page that the Beverly Hills Fire Department (BHFD) and Hatzolah of Los Angeles are proud to announce a new partnership that will complement BHFD’s provision of emergency medical services.

Hatzolah of Los Angeles, a volunteer-run, non-profit Emergency Medical Service (EMS) that services Jewish communities worldwide, may now work as an adjunct EMS provider for Beverly Hills.

“It is imperative that we provide our community with the best services when it comes to emergency medical care,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Craig Corman. “This new partnership is an example of how we can find ways to work together with other organizations that can enhance programs we already have in place.”

By formalizing this alliance, both the BHFD and Hatzolah of Los Angeles reaffirm their shared commitment to providing compassionate, dedicated service to the residents of Beverly Hills.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu Mass Evacuation Plan Community Workshop is being held on Tuesday, April 28. Residents and community members are encouraged to join to learn about evacuation procedures and share input on the city’s draft plan.

The workshop is being held at Malibu City Hall Council Chamber located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

At the workshop, individuals will:

-Find your evacuation zone
-Learn how evacuation decisions are made
-Know what to expect during an evacuation
-Share your feedback on the City’s draft Mass Evacuation Plan

Registration is not required. All are welcome to attend the Mass Evacuation Plan Community Workshop

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—In 1926, a group of amateur telescope makers established the Los Angeles Astronomical Society; the organization was originally called the Los Angeles Telescope Makers Society, and it adopted its current name in 1949.

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Los Angeles Astronomical Society celebrated its 100th anniversary at Griffith Park, a large public park on the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains that surrounds the famous Griffith Observatory.

The celebration involved a group gathering outside Griffith Observatory, who brought with them 100 telescopes. Several politicians and officials from Los Angeles delivered proclamations.

The purpose of the event was not just to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, but to celebrate “a full century of devotion to astronomy, optical engineering and craftsmanship, and public outreach” by the society, according to the Los Angeles Astronomical Society Facebook page.

E. C. Krupp was given a ceremonial plaque. The Los Angeles Astronomical Society offers workshops and classes on astronomy and science and organizes gatherings to observe the night sky.

Griffith Observatory is named after Griffith J. Griffith.  He was an industrialist who became rich through mining, and in his will, he left the land on which Griffith Observatory now stands to the city of Los Angeles, along with funds to build the observatory.  His will also gave money to the city to build the famous planetarium that is located with the observatory.  The construction of the Griffith Observatory’s exhibition hall was also funded in this manner.

In addition, Apollo astronauts were trained at the observatory in 1966 and 1967.

By Daniel Diquinzio

STUDIO CITY—The Los Angeles Police Department has requested a new mobile surveillance unit in Studio City at Ventura Boulevard and Ethel Avenue, ABC 7 Eye Witness News first reported on Sunday, April 26. The device is being utilized to help deter crime in the region, after a recent uptick in home invasions in the past few weeks.

The device was placed by ACS Security, and it uses artificial intelligence technology to detect activity that will be reported to authorities. There have been a series of break-ins in the San Fernando Valley in recent weeks.

Actor Dylan Sprouse detained a trespasser who gained access to his Hollywood Hills property on Friday, April 17. The Los Angeles Police Department received a 911 call from Dylan’s wife, Barbara Palvin after 12:30 a.m. about an attempted burglary at the property.

Sprouse detained the suspect and held him down until authorities arrived on the scene.

TMZ obtained video of the suspect who was arrested by authorities, who was wearing a shirt covered in dirt. The suspect did not make it into the couple’s home.

On April 11, at approximately 9:30 p.m. residents in Hollywood Hills West found two intruders who got inside their home by smashing through a glass windowpane on the side of the house located in the 7100 block of Macapa Drive.

One of the homeowners, a 75-year-old-man was punched repeatedly by one of the intruders. 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.

On April 21, at approximately 1:30 a.m., police were called to a home on Noble Avenue for an attempted burglary. Burglars shattered the back window and fled the scene after realizing someone was home. No one was injured during the incident.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District posted on their Facebook page on April 23 that it is inviting students to participate in a poster art contest highlighting the importance of water conservation.

The theme for 2026, “Being Water Wise is…,” encourages students to creatively share what water conservation means to them.

The submission deadline has been extended to Thursday, May 7, at 5 p.m., giving more local schools the opportunity to participate.

The winning student will be named the Beverly Hills Youth Sustainability Ambassador for a Day—featured across the city’s social media, in The Backbone Newsletter, and on the Sustainability webpage.

The winner will enjoy an ice cream party for their class, receive an exclusive Beverly Hills Sustainability T-shirt, and be honored with a Certificate of Achievement signed by City leadership.

To learn more and submit an entry visit: www.beverlyhills.org/waterconservation.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—Fire Service Day will be held in Santa Monica on Saturday, May 9. The Santa Monica Fire Department will host a free, open house at Fire Station 1 on Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The public will be able to meet firefighters, explore emergency equipment, while watching live demonstrations and learn life-saving skills. Other highlights include:

-Up-close access to fire engines and a ladder truck
-Live auto extrication demonstration
-Hands-Only CPR training and Stop the Bleed education

The event will be held at Fire Station 1, located at 1337 7th Street. There will be free burgers from Heavy Handed for the first 500 attendees to the event.

The Santa Monica Fire Department’s Fire Service Day is part of regular outreach programs that include fire station tours, fire engine visits, and education on fire and life safety topics.

For more details about the Santa Monica Fire Department, visit santamonica.gov/departments/fire.

By Danny Jones