MALIBU—At 6:32 p.m. on May 29, the city of Malibu announced that Westward Beach Road will be closed at Point Dume Beach from June 1 to June 5.

The closure will occur between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow workers from the Los Angeles County Public Works to repair damage to the road and install a new storm drain.

While the roadwork is underway, the parking lot to the beach will not be open to the public. The road beyond the gate on Birdview Avenue at Point Dume Beach will not be open to drivers or pedestrians during this time.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, May 29, the Santa Monica Police Department responded to a possible Mountain Lion Sighting near 14th and Montana in a residential area. Out of an abundance of caution, officers are in the area assessing the report and working with appropriate wildlife resources.

Residents in the area were asked to remain indoors, keep pets inside, and avoid approaching or attempting to photograph the animal if it is seen. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available.

At 11:30 a.m. personnel with the SMPD were in the area and maintained a safe perimeter while coordinating with appropriate wildlife personnel near Euclid and Carlyle. No injuries have been reported. By 5:30 p.m., there has been no significant change in the situation at this time.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife is the lead agency for the wildlife response. The mountain lion reported in a Santa Monica residential area has been safely tranquilized by a biologist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

California Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement supported the tranquilization and transportation of the animal. The mountain lion will be evaluated and safely relocated in coordination with wildlife experts, including the National Park Service’s Santa Monica Mountains study area team.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On May 27, the Beverly Hills Fire Department and the volunteer group, Just in Case BH, is ensuring the community is aware of their geographic zone they are part of in case of an emergency.

The city of Beverly Hills has been divided into nine zones that cover every neighborhood and are used by emergency services to communicate evacuation orders, traffic control points, and information during an emergency.

Previously, these areas had been identified as Zone 1 through Zone 9. Within the past several months, the city enhanced its software and renamed its zones to align with the State of California and surrounding agencies. Zone 1 will now be known as BHL 101, Zone 2 is BHL 201 and so forth.

To see the map of each area and name, visit www.beverlyhills.org/justincasebh. One of the major aspects of Just in Case BH is the division of the city into geographic zones, aligning with the State of California and the Genasys Protect nomenclature. Each zone is designed to support itself during times of emergency or disaster.

“Preparedness is a shared responsibility,” said Beverly Hills Fire Chief Greg Barton. “It’s important our residents know what zone they are part of that may be referenced during an evacuation order or emergency. We hope that everyone takes this time to re-educate themselves, their family and loved ones so we can all stay safe.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced that it is in need of volunteers for the upcoming Repair Cafe on Sunday, June 7.

The Westside Repair Café is coming to the Thelma Terry Building in Virginia Avenue Park. Repair stations include repairing:

-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.

Individuals can 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.

The public is being asked to stay tuned for another post closer to the event with a list of all the repair stations and how to attend.

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—The Los Angeles Fire Department had to rescue two people after an overturned vehicle on Saturday, May 30.

The incident was reported at 1:11 p.m. at 1041 N. Orange Drive. Firefighters had to extricate two patients from an overturned vehicle.

Both patients, 72-year-old females, were transported to local hospitals listed in fair condition. There were no injuries reported to the LAFD. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Danny Jones

 

MALIBU—On May 26 around 1 a.m., deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station were patrolling the region on PCH when they heard loud exhaust and revving engines near Cross Creek. Deputies witnessed two exotic sports cars racing westbound on PCH and speeds reaching approximately 100 MPH.

Sgt. Chris Soderlund, the city’s liaison to the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, gave an update to the Malibu City Council at the May 26, during the city council meeting on recent enforcement efforts targeting reckless driving and street racing on Pacific Coast Highway.

Deputies coordinated a traffic stop near Corral Canyon Road, resulting in both drivers being arrested for racing and reckless driving. Both vehicles were impounded for 30 days.

The city of Malibu thanked Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriff’s Deputies for their constant work keeping PCH and Malibu’s roads and canyons safe for residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists — whether they’re visiting the beach, taking their kids to school.

“PCH is not a racetrack. Reckless driving and street racing will not be tolerated in Malibu,” the city of Malibu stated.

The city of Malibu and the Malibu-Lost Hills Sheriffs Station are rolling out the annual Summer Beach Team, bringing additional patrols to keep our beaches and roads safe for the summer.

Each year from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the city-funded Beach Team deploys special teams of Deputies on quads and trucks that patrol on the beaches, focusing on eliminating alcohol consumption on our beaches, which significantly reduces the number of assaults, rescues made by Lifeguards, as well as DUIs and injury accidents on PCH and canyon roads.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On May 28, the LASD Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff Station reported with assistance from a volunteer unit, they arrested a person suspected of robbing the CVS near Webb Way and Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

Deputies received a radio call reporting the theft, when a Malibu Volunteers on Patrol Unit in the area observed a person matching the suspect’s description and provided deputies with updated locations and a more detailed description. The volunteer unit closed off the area and helped manage traffic flow.

After the arrest of the suspect, deputies discovered the individual was in possession of numerous items alleged to be stolen and that an outstanding warrant was issued for him. He was booked at the station.

Anyone wanting to join the Malibu Volunteers on Patrol can learn how to do so by visiting the Los Angeles Sheriff Department Volunteers on Patrol website.

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—On Thursday, May 28, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station and the Malibu Volunteers on Patrol issued a joint statement revealing that on the evening of Wednesday, May 27, that they rescued a pair of teenagers trapped by the tide at Point Dume.

Point Dume is a landform that extends into the Pacific Ocean from Malibu and marks the north end of the Santa Monica Bay.

Volunteers were patrolling when they stopped near the Cliffside Trailhead, where a man told them his teenage son and his girlfriend had gone into the water at Point Dume and that the rising tide trapped them between Little Dume and Dig Dume; two beaches along the Malibu coast.

Upon arrival, deputies from the local sheriff’s station and the lifeguards on duty were asked to assist in the search and the couple was found. With some assistance, they climbed over a group of rocks and reached the shore safely.

The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station is asking citizens to remember that ocean conditions can change rapidly, especially as the water reaches its peak height near evening.

Anyone interested in joining the Malibu branch of the Los Angeles Sheriff Department Volunteer on Patrol can find the information on the website.

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on May 27 that they along with the American Red Cross is inviting the community to donate blood at a critical Community Blood Drive on Thursday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd.

The Red Cross is currently facing a critical blood shortage, with supplies down more than 3,300 units nationwide. Blood donations are urgently needed for surgeries, emergencies, trauma care, and patients with ongoing medical conditions, including sickle cell disease.

The Red Cross is encouraging African American donors to give blood to help provide closely matched transfusions for sickle cell patients.

All donors will receive a $15 e-gift card and be entered into a $7,500 sweepstakes.
Sign up at RedCrossBlood.org using sponsor code “90265” or call 818-200-3445.
Donors are asked to bring a photo ID, stay hydrated, and eat well before and after donating.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On May 27, the city of Santa Monica announced that Santa Monica renters will soon be able to apply for financial assistance as a result of the new Santa Monica Renter Aid program, funded by the Santa Monica City Council on May 26. The program is the first major funding allocation from Measure GS and will be a partnership with The People Concern.

Santa Monica Renter Aid is part of the city’s broader investment in homelessness prevention and renter protections, approved by the City Council in March 2025. The program will launch in summer 2026 and will provide targeted financial assistance and housing stabilization services to eligible renter households facing housing instability or at risk of homelessness. The program is aimed to assist approximately 150 vulnerable renter households each year.

“Santa Monica renters are the backbone of our community, and this program is about making sure they can stay here,” Mayor Caroline Torosis said. “Santa Monica Renter Aid puts Measure GS dollars to work exactly as voters intended, keeping working families housed before a crisis becomes a catastrophe. This is homelessness prevention that is a smart investment for our city.”

Santa Monica renter households earning at or below 120 percent of the area median income, or about $126,000 annually for a one-person household and $180,000 for a four-person household in Los Angeles County, will be eligible. Households experiencing significant housing instability or those at greatest risk of homelessness will be prioritized.

Santa Monica Renter Aid will feature multiple access points for residents, including:

-An online application through the city’s website
-Multilingual application materials and outreach
-Paper applications
-In-person office hours at Virginia Avenue Park and housing navigation support through community partners

Measure GS was approved by voters in November 2022, creating a dedicated funding source for homelessness prevention, affordable housing production and renter support programs. The city’s Resident Oversight Committee and SM City Council prioritized programs that provide direct assistance to renters and help preserve housing stability for vulnerable households.

The People Concern, a longstanding partner with the city in addressing homelessness, will regularly report outcomes to the city. Additional data points will include the program’s effectiveness in helping residents remain housed, successful linkages to other city programs such as the Right to Counsel program and feedback from participant surveys.

Additional details about program access, application instructions, outreach efforts and events will be announced before the program launch.

By Danny Jones