SANTA MONICA—On Friday, February 6, the city of Santa Monica announced on its website that as part of the Pier Bridge Replacement Project, construction crews will temporarily close the Moomat Ahiko Way off-ramp from southbound Pacific Coast Highway from February 9 through February 27 to construct the foundation for a temporary pedestrian bridge ahead of the pier bridge reconstruction.

The pedestrian bridge will ensure continued access to the Santa Monica Pier throughout the project.

Motorists traveling to the area are advised to allow for extra travel time and use alternate routes during the two-week off-ramp closure period.

Pier restaurants, shops and entertainment, as well as parking and visitor access will remain open and accessible throughout the Pier Bridge Replacement construction period, ensuring residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the Pier with minimal disruption.

Anticipated Pier Bridge Replacement Project timeline:

-December 2025 to June 2026: Mobilize, Vehicle Ramp
-February 2026 to June 2026: Temporary Pedestrian Bridge
-June 2026 to September 2026: Demolition
-July 2026 to December 2026: Foundations/Piles
-October 2026 to August 2027: New Bridge
-June 2027 to September 2027: Clean Up, Restore Parking Lot
-December 2027: Project Complete

Construction schedules are subject to change. Pier restaurants, shops and entertainment, as well as parking and visitor access will remain open and accessible.

DETOURS:

From southbound PCH, turn left on California Incline. Turn right to access Ocean Avenue from southbound PCH, continue to northbound I-10. Exit Lincoln Ave and turn left. Turn left on Colorado Avenue and continue to access Ocean Avenue.

For project updates, including signing up for construction alerts, visit santamonica.gov/pierbridge.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood shared on its Facebook page on February 5 that feedback is still wanted on the Plummer Park Comprehensive Improvement Plan through the new interactive StoryMap engagement website.

Individuals can learn what has been heard so far about open spaces, historic buildings, community amenities, and improvement ideas — then add input at the end of each section.

“Previous park master plans called for changes that are no longer feasible and new goals regarding climate resilience, sustainability, and the preservation of historic and cultural resources have emerged.

Over the course of the next few years, the City of West Hollywood will be crafting a new, community-driven plan for Plummer Park, and your input will be valuable in this process. How can we ensure that Plummer Park continues to meet the needs of its diverse community while remaining the vibrant place it is today, honoring its history, and adapting to the future needs of the community,” stated the Engage West Hollywood Plummer Park website.

The Plummer Park Comprehensive Improvement Plan is intended to be highly participatory, with the goal of developing a new community-driven park plan with broad stakeholder support. The team will utilize both physical and digital strategies to hear from a wide range of community voices, forming an iterative process with numerous opportunities for input and feedback.

The planning process will be carried out in two phases:

-Phase 1 will focus on community engagement and a thorough analysis of park programming and uses.
-Phase 2 will include further community engagement and the development of a Comprehensive Improvement Plan for the Park.

The public is asked to share thoughts by Friday, February 20. To learn more details, visit: www.go.weho.org/plummerparkplan.

MALIBU—The city of Malibu is alerting the public of the Art Conservation Clinic on Wednesday, February 11. It is led by volunteers from Art Recovery Los Angeles, where the hands-on workshop teaches the basics of conserving and restoring sentimental items and heirlooms damaged by wildfires.

The event will allow individuals to learn about materials, techniques, how to remove smoke odor from small objects, and more.

The Art Conservation Clinic will take place at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Malibu City Hall/Multipurpose Room. An RSVP is required via MalibuCity.org/ArtConservation. The first 25 RSVPs will receive a free conservation supply kit.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is inviting the public to join the ‘Women Owning Their Future’ event. The event will have a distinguished panel which includes Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian to have a conversation on growth, purpose and the path ahead.

Other panelists at the event will include Alexa Mateen-Abdi, Durana Elmi, Anastasia Soare and Brooke Thomas.

The event will take place on Tuesday, February 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills located at 8556 Wilshire Blvd. The reception will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit BeverlyHills.org/OwnYourFuture.

 

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, February 7, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that a hiker had to be rescued. The incident was reported at 8:40 a.m. at Sullivan Fire Road.

Firefighters located two patients (mountain bikers), one in medical distress and one with injuries sustained in a fall. These were two separate occurrences unrelated to one another.

LAFD Air Ops conducted a hoist operation to retrieve and transport one patient in grave condition (age/gender not available at this time). A 45-year-old male was transported by ground in fair condition. No further details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Friday, February 6, two cars crashed into each other in West Hollywood, and as a result of this collision, an elderly man who was one of the drivers injured.

According to the West Hollywood Times, the crash involved two cars at 7:30 p.m. on the Eastbound side of Santa Monica Boulevard.  According to the same report, one of these vehicles hit a tree outside the Mother Lode bar in West Hollywood.

Emergency vehicles arrived, and first responders treated those who were wounded in the chaos after they closed off the East Bound side of the Boulevard. Minimal damage done to the second vehicle.

According to the West Hollywood Times, the first responders treated the injured elderly man and took him to the hospital.  The crash and debris left behind caused a traffic jam on the Eastbound Side of Santa Monica Boulevard.

Eastbound Lanes were closed on Friday night so the car crash could be investigated and the debris cleared. Names of the drivers have not been released.

 

By Danny Diquinzio

STUDIO CITY—On February 8, it was reported that Chuck Negron, the lead singer and one of the founding members of the 70s rock band Three Dog Night, died on February 2. He was 83. According to reports, he died of heart failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Negron had been singing for years before becoming famous. He is remembered for “Joy to the World (Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog) “One (Is the Loneliest Number),” and “An Old Fashioned Love Song.” He was born in Manhattan, New York on June 8, 1942. He has a twin. His sister Nancy was 5 minutes older than him. Their father went to war and the couple split up after his father’s return. They grew up in the Bronx. Their mother placed the twins in an orphanage when they were 8 years old. It was in high school that Chuck name became known, as a basketball talent that brought him to California and an athlete at the collegiate level with the NCAA. Columbia Records had plans for Chuck Negron, who wrote songs before he and his buddies put together the band, Three Dog Night. They took a break from 1975 until 1976 until they got better. On top of his musical and athletic abilities, Negron became an accomplished writer. His latest book, “Three Dog Nightmare,” -4th Edition, is on sale now. His first book, “Three Dog Nightmare,” for which he retained all the rights, was on the LA Times Best Sellers list, and captured the interest of New Line Cinema. Negron’s second book, “Three Dog Nightmare: The Continuing Chuck Negron Story” (2005), and two DVDs: “The Chuck Negron Story: Biography Of An Entertainer” (2005) and “Chuck Negron Live in Concert.” He leaves behind his wife, Ami Albea Negron, whom he married in 2020, and his 5 children, Shaunti Negron-Levick, Barry Oakley Jr., Charles “Chuckie” Negron III, Charlotte “Charlie” Rose, and Annabelle Negron.   By Sharon

SHERMAN OAKS—On Saturday, February 7, the Los Angeles Police Department Van Nuys Community Police Station responded to multiple calls of armed individuals in the area. At approximately 5:50 p.m., police initiated a search following reports of two-armed men seen in the area of 5801 W. 3rd Street. At 6:23 p.m., Citizen user @SurfCity22 reported a large police and air patrol presence with officers telling residents they were searching for suspects. In a separate incident, on February 7, at 2:40 a.m., police responded to a 911 call reporting a man threatening another individual with a gun at a “tavern” located at Moorpark and Woodland Avenue, known as Oaks Tavern in Sherman Oaks. The establishment provides craft beer and karaoke. There were no reported arrests. It is not clear if there is any connection between the incidents.   By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, February 4, a man was arrested in West Hollywood on suspicion of felony animal abuse after he attacked and injured the dog owned by his roommate.

According to the reporting done by NBC 4 Los Angeles, the name of the suspect is Eduardo Byrnes, and the name of the dog is Scooter.  

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood station arrived at the apartment building on Tuesday night after they received a report of an abused animal.

The animal suffered injuries to both his eye and his rib as he was already paralyzed. Byrnes, 33, was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, and an initial court date has been scheduled for Friday, February 6. Scooter is a 7-year-old Terrier, who was taken to a veterinarian’s office for medical treatment and later taken home to recover.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—On February 6, authorities announced the identification of Hunter Langley, the teen who veered off Malibu Canyon Road to his death on Wednesday, February 4. The 16-year-old was identified as a Sierra Canyon High School student. California Highway Patrol (CHP) indicated the Langley was driving a Tesla along Malibu Canyon Road when the vehicle made a sharp right, tumbling down the embankment. First responders arrived quickly. He was pronounced dead at the scene. “Hunter was much more than a dedicated high school student — he was a beloved member of the Sierra Canyon community. His classmates and teammates remember him as a bright, athletic, and compassionate young man who brought joy to those around him. Friends recall Hunter as someone who “put a light to the room every time he walked in,” a sentiment that reflects the affection and admiration many felt for him. At Sierra Canyon, Hunter wasn’t just known for his academic engagement — he was also a spirited athlete who represented his school with pride. His participation in sports brought him close to fellow students, built memories on fields and courts, and inspired camaraderie among his peers. Teachers, coaches, and classmates alike celebrated Hunter’s dedication, his teamwork, and his positive presence both on and off the field,” reads Hunter Langley’s obituary. Commenters on X gave tribute to the young Hunter Langley. One such commenter reflected, …” He was getting scholarship offers coming out of the 6th grade.” Reports indicate that Hunter Langley was an athlete who left a footprint on the hearts of all who knew him.   By Sharon