GRIFFITH PARK—On March 5, Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass announced a 70 percent reduction in filming fees at Griffith Observatory. The costs have been reduced from $100,000 to $30,000. Both Griffith Park Observatory and the Central Library are now open for filming and photos. City officials significantly lowered the prices in their efforts to revitalize Los Angeles and to encourage those in the film industry to utilize iconic spaces in Los Angeles in a way that has not been possible since 2008. “It’s a great day in LA to be celebrating and promoting our most significant industry, the entertainment industry where we impact the enite world. For me, it is also a celebration of signing Executive Directive 11 that directed city departments to deliver on priorities that the entertainment industry has asked City Hall to act on for far too long,” stated Mayor Bass. Mayor Bass has served Los Angeles as Mayor since December 11, 2022, and served in the House of Representatives congresswoman (2011-2023). Griffith Observatory was last used for filming the musical “La La Land” in 2016, “The Rocketeer” in 1991, and “The Terminator” in 1984, “Rebel Without a Cause,” in 1955 and “The Phantom Empire” in 1935.   By Sharon

MALIBU—On Wednesday, March 11, a lawsuit filed by Malibu handyman, Tony Saxon against rapper Kanye “Ye” West, a jury found West liable for payment of $140,000 for repairs on his Malibu mansion. Saxon claimed in court that he and West had an agreement in 2021 that the rapper would pay Saxon $20,000 per week with an additional $100,000 for construction costs. West reportedly fired Saxon during the project. Saxon filed a lawsuit for “pain and suffering,” and a financial hardship caused. Saxon told multiple news outlets that his pain came from being “wrongfully terminated,” by West. The jury awarded Saxon $100,000 for past and future medical costs, and $40,000 for past pain and suffering. The jury did not award punitive damages for future suffering. Saxon alleged he was initially hired by Kanye West as a project manager and included around the clock security at the Malibu mansion, located at 24844 Malibu Road. It is a concrete beach house designed by Pritzker Prize winning architect, Tadao Ando. Kanye West’s mansion first made the news during his divorce with reality star Kim Kardashian. The mansion was completely gutted. It appeared as a shelter at the time, and in need of repair and renovation. Saxon indicated he stayed at the work site and breathed the foul air adding to his poor condition. He filed the lawsuit against West over unpaid wages. During testimony, the rapper alleged he previously warned Saxon that if he did not work to his specifications that he would indeed fire him. According to the Ticket Center, “Ye,” will be rapping at SOFI Stadium in Inglewood, on April 3, at 7 p.m., and tickets are selling fast.   By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department announced that it will be holding the Compression with a Cop event on Thursday, March 12.

During this event, members of the public will be able to meet and speak with Neighborhood Resource Officers.

According to the post that the Santa Monica Police Department made on its Facebook page, the event will occur at Restore Hyper Wellness located at 1031 Montana Avenue.

The event will last from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Each session will last 15 minutes.  During the sessions,members of the public will be able to both speak with officers and have a cup of coffee with them.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills will be hosting the Coffee and Beats event at Beverly Gardens Park on Sunday, March 22.

The free event will allow the public to sip delicious beverage blends from Alfred Coffee and enjoy fresh beats by DJ Anton Khabbaz, AYSE, and Sean Circosta.

Hosted by Mayor Sharona Nazarian, the pop-up will allow the public to interact with Sharona’s Innovation Circle – an inspiring crew of local change makers, thinkers and creative minds.

The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Beverly Gardens Park located at Cañon Drive and Crescent Drive. The event is open to all. To RSVP visit: www.beverlyhills.org/innovationcircle.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that its alerting the public about Community Connect, which is a tool that gives Santa Monica’s first responders the critical information needed for them to make quick, informed decisions during an emergency.

How to get started:

1) Create an account
Sign in for free with your email, phone number and address.

2) Enter the info that matters most
Add details that help firefighters assist you more effectively in an emergency.

3) Help your Fire Department when seconds count
Keep your information updated so we’re always ready to respond.

“Community Connect is a vital piece of technology that provides first responders with critical information regarding your residence or business. This information, which the homeowner or business owner inputs, allows first responders to make strategic and tactical decisions enroute should the need arise for us to respond in an emergency. In an emergency, seconds can often mean the difference in the outcome of an emergency. Having information such as floor plans, pets, or specific medical needs will assist responders in those critical moments when every second matters,” states SM Fire Chief Hallock on the Community Connect website.

Data provided to Community Connect is secure and is used only for the purpose of better serving individuals during emergency situations. The information is never used for any other purpose. All logins are password protected with bank level encryption and security. Anyone comfortable logging in to their online bank will be comfortable logging in to Community Connect.

Having details like floor plans, pets or specific medical needs can make all the difference when every second matters.

To learn more and sign up at: www.communityconnect.io/info/ca-santamonica.

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced that one of the lanes comprising the Pacific Coast Highway will be closed on the nights of Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11.

The closure is for workers with the California Department of Transportation can add devices to the median dividing the two lanes to improve vehicle safety along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Only one lane will be open on the Pacific Coast Highway close to Corral Canyon Road. The lane will be only Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SHERMAN OAKS—On Saturday, March 7, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a motorcyclist was seriously injured on 405 Freeway closest to the off ramp at Burbank Boulevard. According to the California Highway Patrol, the motorcycle and a vehicle collided while traveling northbound. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics were called to the scene to administer first aid. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. There were no other injuries reported. There were no arrests made, but the motorcycle and the vehicle involved in the crash were on the shoulder. LAFD requested assistance to manage traffic, while the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane and additional lanes were temporarily closed to through traffic while crews worked the scene. Both lanes reopened. Names of the individuals have not been released on the incident.   By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, March 9, the Santa Monica Police Department announced on its Facebook page that they are asking for the public’s help to locate a sexual battery suspect.

Authorities are hoping to determine if there may be additional victims connected to a sexual battery investigation.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 20–30 years old, with dark curly hair and wearing the clothing shown in the attached photo.

Anyone who recognizes the individual, believes they may have had contact with him, or has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sean Baker at 310-458-8932 (sean.baker@santamonica.gov) or at (310) 458-8491. Anonymous information is accepted.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The Los Angeles Police Department announced on Monday, March 9 that Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, was arrested and has been booked with attempted murder. Her bail was set at $10.2 million. Ortiz drove to Rihanna’s home located in Beverly Hills in a White Tesla. She fired several shots into the property with one round hitting a wall inside the home. After firing shots, the suspect fled the scene.

A 911 call was made with authorities responding at 1:21 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, with police responding around 1:21 p.m. The suspect was tracked to a parking lot in Sherman Oaks where she was arrested. The home is located on the 9500 block of Heather Road. A motive for the shooting has not been disclosed to the public.

Rihanna was home during the incident, but she did not suffer any injuries. It is not known if Rihanna’s children or if her partner, A$AP Rocky were at home at the time of the shooting. In March 2023, the singer had a fan travel from South Carolina to her home in Beverly Hills hoping to meet her. In 2018, Eduardo Leon was arrested after he allegedly broke into the Grammy winner’s Hollywood Hills home and waited for over 12 hours. Leon, 27, at the time, hopped a fence, entered the singer’s home, and stayed overnight.

On Tuesday, March 10, Ortiz, who is from Orlando, Florida, was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in case 26CJCF01519 with one count of attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three felony counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper.

Her arraignment was continued to March 25 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Bail has been set to $1.875 million.

If convicted as charged, Ortiz faces up to life in state prison. The case is being prosecuted by Alexander Bott of the Major Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.

Rihanna is a singer who has earned 9 Grammy Awards and is known for her hits, “S.O.S.,” “Umbrella,” “Take a Bow,” “Rude Boy” and “Only Girl (in the World).” She has sold over 250 million records worldwide. She has appeared in the films “Battleship,” “Ocean’s 8” and performed voice work in the latest animated “Smurfs” film in 2025.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, March 9, the city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that volunteers are wanted for the first Westside Repair Café on March 21, at Joslyn Hall in Reed Park.

Repair stations include:
-clothing
-electronics
-small appliances and more!

The Repair Café is still looking for additional volunteers to help with the event. They are accepting volunteers for repair stations at all skill levels and non-repair volunteers.

Go to the Santa Monica event page and filter for “Recycling/Compost” events to find the Repair Café for a volunteer link or email westsiderepaircafe@gmail.com for more details.

 

By Danny Jones