PACIFIC PALISADES—On June 11, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to structure fire at a commercial building located at 1515, Palisades Drive that houses the office of reality TV star, and former Los Angeles Mayoral candidate, Spencer Pratt. LAFD firefighters, including two ladder trucks from Fire Stations 23 and 69 in Cheviot Hills were dispatched to the scene along with LAFD arson investigators. Ballotpedia reports that Pratt, was initially carrying 25.8 percent of the vote. Los Angeles City council member, Nithya Raman had 28.5 percent, and incumbent Mayor, Karen Bass reportedly held 34.3 percent. Pratt was running as a Republican, Raman was running non-partisan, and Bass as a Democrat. The latter two advanced to the general election. There was a lull that took place in California during the counting of ballots. Multiple news outlets reported on the extraordinarily long time it took to tally the votes. The procedure of counting ballots previously had results within several hours of the polls closing. A few days after Spencer Pratt conceded, he posted the following message on his X social media page. “I am proud to be teaming up with Karen Bass’ brother in suing his sister for reckless negligence that led to the destruction of our homes. I hope their Thanksgiving dinner isn’t too awks [slang term for awkward]. I know ours haven’t been the same since last year.” The home of Spencer Pratt, his wife Heidi Montag, and their two children was burned to the ground in the Pacific Palisades fire in January 2025. Karen Bass’s brother, Kenneth Bass and his wife Cindy lost their home in the fire as well.  They are all a part of a class-action lawsuit filed due to the State of California and the City of Los Angeles’s lack of preparation. The Ynez Reservoir was dry and the water from the fire hydrants was not enough to save all of the residents and their homes. After the fire broke out in the same Pacific Palisades building as Spencer Pratt’s Crystals company, Pratt referred to the fire as, “suspicious.” “I will wait for the investigators to make public the details, but this was no accident, and the timing of this…on the heels of all of the contentious election tomfoolery of the last two weeks, it is very suspect, indeed.” Pratt thanked LAFD for their hard work, but noted that, “There are many unscrupulous people in this city who will stop at nothing to silence people who expose the corruption that has overrun our city.” Oscar Chang, the building Superintendent, indicated that everything was fine. “We were here on Tuesday, and everything was great. There are a couple of tenants, even during the renovations. Spencer Pratt maintained an office there. His office was very low-key. He does not have a name on the office,” Chang stated. The fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call LAFD Arson investigations. By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is reminding residents that a mandatory watering schedule is still in effect this summer:

-North of Santa Monica Boulevard addresses: Mondays & Fridays
-South of Santa Monica Boulevard addresses: Tuesdays & Saturdays
-No watering on Wednewsdays, Thurdays, Sundays
-No watering (sprinklers or hose) after 9 a.m. or before 6 p.m.

-No water run-off on the sidewalk or street
-Supplemental watering for trees allowed
-Violations will be issued for non-compliance

Residents and businesses in Beverly Hills must adhere to the Mandatory Outdoor Watering Schedule. Should one’s property be identified as being in violation, they may receive a “Notice of Violation” from the city of Beverly Hills Public Works Department. For more information email askBH@beverlyhills.org or call 310-285-1000. To learn more about efficient outdoor watering visit: www.beverlyhills.org/watering.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills will hold a Rent Stabilization Rent Registry Workshop on Thursday, June 18 for individuals to learn more about Rent Registry and how it can benefit them.

The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the BH City Hall Municipal Gallery, located at 455 N. Rexford Dr.

Virtual option available at www.beverlyhills.org/rentstabilization. Individuals will get the opportunity to:

-Understand the rent registry requirements
-Get your questions answered by City staff
-Ensure compliance and avoid penalties

For more details, call the askBH Customer Service Hotline at 310-285-1000 or visit www.beverlyhills.org/rentstabilization.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Friday, June 12, the city of Malibu announced a reminder for restaurant owners in the region to apply by June 30 for $5,000 grants from the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund to invest in their business.

The grants are administered by the California Restaurant Foundation and supported by utility partners including SoCalGas and PG&E. Funds can be used for equipment purchases, technology upgrades, employee training and retention, or recovery from unforeseen hardships.

Restaurants Care, a program of the nonprofit California Restaurant Foundation, is a relief fund for food and beverage workers. They provide grants of up to $2,500 directly to cooks, servers, dishwashers and more when they face an unforeseen hardship.

Since 2021, the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund has awarded $11 million across 2,087 grants to independent restaurants, caterers, and food trucks across California—supporting burger joints, taquerias, bakeries, and more that are the heart of our communities.

Eligible businesses generally must be independent restaurants and caterers with 1–5 locations, annual revenue of $3 million or less for the applying location and have been operating for at least one year.

To apply visit: https://restaurantscare.org/resilience/.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu indicated on Sunday, June 14, that there will be overnight lane closures for Topanga Canyon Boulevard starting Monday, June 15 thru Saturday, June 20.

Motorists traveling between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley should expect overnight delays on Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) between Pacific Coast Highway and approximately two miles north due to Caltrans pavement restoration work.

Topanga Canyon Blvd (SR-27):
• Work hours: 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.
• One lane will remain open, with flaggers directing alternating traffic
• Traffic control locations may shift throughout the night as work progresses

Work is preparing the roadway for the SR-27 Pavement Rehabilitation Project between PCH and Mulholland Drive, which was paused due to the Palisades Fire and emergency repairs. Repaving work from just north of Happy Trail to PCH is expected to begin the week of June 22.

Motorists should expect delays and consider alternate routes during overnight construction hours. Nearby residents and businesses may experience construction-related noise, vibrations, and dust.

To view real-time traffic conditions, visit: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On June 12, deputies from the Los Angeles County West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station announced a suspect was arrested in connection with a robbery that occurred at 1 p.m. at a bank in the 8600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard.

According to WeHo online, it the U.S. Bank branch at 8631 Santa Monica Boulevard in the Rainbow District.  A man entered with a weapon and a note, which he showed to a teller, left on foot with money wearing a white shirt under a dark blue jacket, a dark baseball hat, and black glasses. The suspect was apprehended near Holloway Drive and La Cienega Blvd. with a weapon in his possession.

A deputy assigned to the Real-Time Watch Center used a DFR (Drone as First Responder) to track the suspect and a live camera feed to locate him.

According to the booking logs, the suspect was identified as Akira Toriyama, 35, who is unemployed.  He is being held at the station without bail for violating section 211 of the California Penal Code, which prohibits robbery of personal property by force or fear.

According to the West Hollywood Sheriff station, the investigation is being conducted by Detective Luna of the Major Crimes Bureau.

The stolen funds were recovered, and no additional details have been released. Anyone with information about the incident should call the station at 310-855-8850.  Those wanting to remain anonymous can instead send a tip to Crimestoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S).

By Daniel Diquinzio

PACIFIC PALISADES/GRIFFITH PARK—The Los Angeles Fire Department had to rescue several hikers on Saturday, June 13 in the Pacific Palisades and Griffith Park. The first incident was reported at 11:42 a.m. on 2900 N. Vermont Canyon Road in Griffith Park. Officials responded to a reported hiker rescue near the Bird Sanctuary. Park Rangers on scene assisted the LAFD.

One patient fell approximately 50 feet from the trail. LAFD Air Operations performed a ‘Capture’ operation and rescued the patient. Patient was evaluated medically and transported to a local hospital.

At 12:34 p.m. on Sullivan Fire Road in Pacific Palisades, firefighters responding to a report of a injured mountain biker on a hiking trail.

Air Operations was on the ground, and LAFD paramedics assisted the injured biker. Air Operations performed an Air Ambulance operation. The patient was treated and transported to a local hospital. No additional details were reported.

Three hikers had to also be rescued from Runyan Canyon Road on June 13 at 10:57 a.m. in the Hollywood Hills West area. 1 of the 3 individuals received medical treatment during the incident. There is nothing further to report the LAFD stated.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On June 11, it was reported that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s brother Kenneth and his wife, Cindy have joined a class action lawsuit suing the city for property loss and damages incurred due to the loss of their Malibu home in the Palisades Fire in January 2026. Kenneth Bass, 78, and his wife filed their lawsuit on May 18, 2026. The legal complaint was filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming damages due to smoke inhalation, emotional distress, and mental anguish over the loss of their home located at 3045 Rambla Pacifico. They are requesting a trial by jury, and names the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in the lawsuit. The lawsuit contends that in January 2025, there was not enough water/water pressure to put out the fires that burnt down homes, and displaced families. The 117-million-gallon, Santa Ynez Reservoir laid empty under the supervision of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass, as part of the region burned. Mayor Bass indicated that she too had family members, (her brother and sister-in-law) who lost their home. Mayor Bass left the country and flew to Ghana as Palisades burned. Their home sat on a 1.5-acre hillside overlooking Malibu Pier and Surfrider Beach. The main house on the property was a total loss. The Bass’s sold off the 1.25 acres of land on May 1, 2025, for $2 million to Wings 3045 LLC, a real estate developer in a blind trust. The 3045 mimics the street address of the property purchased. They lived in their Malibu home for around four decades. Real estate records indicate that on November 19, 2015, Kenneth and Cindy transferred their property from their individual names into the Kenneth and Cindy Bass 2015 Trust. According to Zillow, the 2,792 square foot residence was built in 1983. From the 1980s records were not properly digitized, and the names and real estate records of the original owners of the Bass property is shielded from public view. By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Helen Albert Certified Farmers’ Market, a community market and a tradition that provides community members and visitors with access to fresh produce, local goods, and community connection for four decades.

West Hollywood will commemorate this milestone on Monday, June 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Helen Albert Certified Farmers’ Market, located in the Plummer Park North Parking Lot at 1200 N. Vista Street. Limited parking is available at the south entrance to Plummer Park, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard. The free celebration will feature live music, giveaways, special recognition of five vendors who have participated since the market’s inception, and the presentation of a city proclamation honoring the market’s lasting positive impact on the community.

Approved by the West Hollywood City Council in 1985 and officially opened on June 16, 1986, the Farmers’ Market was established to provide high-quality produce and goods at affordable prices while fostering community connection.

In 1997, the Farmers’ Market was renamed in honor of former Mayor and Councilmember Helen Albert. She was a community activist who was instrumental in the formation of West Hollywood; she died in 1996 at the age of 85.

Through programs such as EBT and Market Match, the market helps increase purchasing power for eligible customers and reduce barriers to healthy food access. The market supports local and regional farmers, food producers, and small businesses while providing a welcoming weekly gathering place where residents can shop, enjoy prepared foods, and connect with one another.

For additional details about the Helen Albert Certified Farmers’ Market 40th Anniversary Celebration call the City of West Hollywood’s Recreation Services Division at (323) 848-6497 or email recreation@weho.org.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On June 10, the city of Santa Monica announced that the Santa Monica City Council on June 9 approved the city’s participation in the 2027 Tournament of Roses Parade, moving forward with a city-sponsored float.

Tuesday’s decision follows months of staff planning that included completing the Tournament of Roses application process, evaluating float builders, developing a fundraising strategy and conducting operational assessments. The council originally authorized staff to begin the planning process in January of this year.

The 2027 Rose Parade theme, “Welcome,” aligns with Santa Monica’s identity as an inclusive and innovative coastal destination.

“The 2027 Tournament of Roses Parade is an incredible opportunity to showcase Santa Monica to millions of people around the world,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “The parade’s theme, ‘Welcome,’ reflects who we are as a community. Santa Monica has always been a place that brings people together, and today we are building on that tradition as we revitalize our city, support local businesses, and prepare to welcome visitors from around the globe. I look forward to working with residents, community organizations, and business leaders to create a float that captures the creativity, beauty and spirit of Santa Monica.”

Santa Monica will start concept development later this month, and community engagement and fundraising efforts will begin July 23 at the State of the City event on Main Street in Santa Monica’s Ocean Park Neighborhood. Float engineering, fabrication and production will take place from August through December 2026, including an opportunity for volunteers to help decorate the float at the end of December.

The float will celebrate iconic landmarks, oceanfront setting, sustainability efforts, public art, cultural diversity and welcoming community. The city selected Artistic Entertainment Services as the official float production partner based on the company’s experience, operational capabilities and authorization by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association to design and build official parade floats.

The float will make its debut in the 138th Rose Parade on January 1, 2027, followed by Floatfest from January 1-3, where spectators can view the float up close after the parade.

By Danny Jones