HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On July 30, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (LACDPH) closed Good Times at Davey Wayne’s located at 1611 N. El Centro Avenue in Hollywood. According to the LACDPH, the popular 1070s themed retro bar and nightlife hot spot, was closed due to the infestation of vermin-rats. According to LACDPH, the mandatory closure was the result of an 11-point deduction on their health score citing the presence of rodents. The closure is reportedly temporary. The reopening date is unknown. Davey Wayne’s enthusiast walked through what appeared to be an old garage sale and went through a secret entrance that was honestly a vintage refrigerator door. The backyard bar resembled an old Airstream motor home and featured a backyard patio. This is not the only business in our viewing area to be closed by LACDPH. There are dozens more listed on the report outside of the Canyon News coverage area. The complete updated list of businesses with their violations may be found on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s website. On July 24, Casa Martin, located at 1251 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, was also closed due to the presence of vermin, and some insanitary conditions. Adequate handwashing facilities; supplied & accessible 2.0 MINOR Proper cooling methods 4.0 MAJOR Food in good condition, safe and unadulterated 4.0 MAJOR Food contact surfaces: clean and sanitized 4.0 MAJOR Consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked food 2.0 MINOR No insects, rodents, birds or animals present 11.0 MAJOR On July 31, Tikkun Holistic Spa, located at 1460 4th Street in Santa Monica, was closed to the public due to excessive chlorine. Mechita Deli, located at 7712 Santa Monica Boulevard, in West Hollywood, had three major violations. The following came directly from the LACDPH report. Proper hot and cold holding temperatures 4.0 MAJOR Time as a public health control; procedures & records 4.0 MAJOR No insects, rodents, birds or animals present 11.0 MAJOR The swimming pool at 949 N Larrabee Street Apartments in West Hollywood was closed due to electrical hazards, entanglement, and lighting issues.

LAUREL CANYON/TOPANGA CANYON—On Monday, August 3, detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s North Hollywood Division are seeking the public’s help to identify additional victims following the arrest of a suspect in a violent sexual assault investigation.

The LAPD reported on July 19, around 8:30 p.m., the victim was walking home from the gym on the pedestrian bridge at Laurel Grove Avenue and Valleyheart Drive when the suspect approached her from behind, grabbed her by the hair, forcefully pulled her to the ground, and sexually assaulted her by penetrating her with a foreign object. The assault was interrupted by witnesses, causing the suspect to flee before the attack escalated further.

North Hollywood detectives immediately launched an extensive investigation, canvassing more than 50 businesses and locations in the area to identify surveillance footage and investigative leads. Those efforts resulted in the Community Alert flyer released on July 29, with the media and the public, detectives received multiple tips that led to the suspect’s identification on July 31.

On August 3, around 10 a.m., North Hollywood Detectives, with the help of Metropolitan Division personnel, served a search warrant and arrested Rodrigo Melgar, 27, on Burbank Boulevard, west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. He was booked for Sexual Penetration With A Foreign Object in violation of California Penal Code section 289(c) under Booking Number 7291756.

Detectives with the LAPD North Hollywood Division believe there may be additional victims or witnesses who have not yet come forward. The suspect is known to frequently utilize public transit, including local bus routes, as his primary means of transportation.

“This arrest is the result of outstanding detective work, relentless determination, and the strong partnership between our investigators, the media, and the community,” said Lieutenant Monique Valenzuela, Commanding Officer, North Hollywood Detective Division. “Our detectives never stopped pursuing every lead, and every tip we received brought us one step closer to identifying and apprehending this violent offender. While we hope today’s arrest brings the victim a measure of peace, our work is not finished. We encourage anyone who may have had contact with this suspect or believes they may have been a victim to come forward and speak with our detectives.”

Anyone who may have encountered the suspect, experienced a similar incident, or have information related to this investigation is asked to contact LAPD North Hollywood Area Detectives at (818) 754-8300. During non-business hours or weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, August 3, the city of Santa Monica announced that it implemented updates to California’s Ralph M. Brown Act under Senate Bill 707. The legislation modernizes California’s open meeting laws to increase public participation, accessibility and transparency in local government.

Changes impacting Santa Monica City Council meetings include:

-Hybrid meeting participation: Council meetings now offer two-way remote participation.

-Enhanced accessibility: The council meeting agendas webpage offers meeting participation instructions in Spanish. During meetings, space will be provided for members of the public who wish to use personal interpreters/devices. As always, community members may contact the City Clerk’s Office to receive council meeting agendas electronically.

-Expanded community outreach: Additional efforts will be integrated to encourage participation in public meetings, including outreach to non-English-speaking communities through local partnerships.

Santa Monica will continue to implement these changes and remains committed to ensuring that residents have meaningful opportunities to participate in local government decision-making.

Visit www.santamonica.gov/process-explainers/how-to-participate-in-a-city-council-meeting for more details how to participate in council meetings.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced that it will be holding a Household Hazardous Waste and E-Waste Collection on Saturday, August 15. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents can bring their old electronics, batteries, paint, and more for a safe, convenient disposal—without leaving the car. The event will be held at Malibu City Hall located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road at the Upper Parking Lot.

All containers must be clearly labeled to identify the contents. Maximum amount of paint/motor oil accepted is 15 gallons or 125 pounds per trip. Participants are strongly encouraged to remain in their vehicles.

Accepted materials list include:

Paint (water-based only)
Used motor oil
Anti-freeze
Automotive and household batteries
Compact fluorescent bulbs (unbroken)
Electronics

The city schedules its events on the third Saturday in February, April, June, August, and October. If it rains, the event will be cancelled.

By Danny Jones

WOODLAND HILLS/TOPANGA CANYON—On Friday, July 31, around 9:40 a.m., a driver in his mid-30s allegedly stabbed another motorist during a road rage confrontation at the corner of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills. The suspect, described as wearing an orange or yellow hat and a safety uniform, fled the scene in a dark gray Acura.

According to Los Angeles Police Department Media Relations Officer Jeff Miller, the suspect was later taken into custody about two miles away, near Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Dumetz Road. The Los Angeles Fire Department arrived on scene to treat the victim before he was transported to a hospital, where their condition is unknown.

The suspect could face potential felony charges, such as assault with a deadly weapon, attempted murder, or mayhem, though nothing has been confirmed.

Drivers are reminded that the safest response to a road rage confrontation is to avoid engaging, stay in the vehicle with doors locked, and contact police rather than exiting to confront another driver.

By Milan Manesh

SANTA MONICA—On August 1, a beachgoers report indicates that there were 1,450 water rescues at Los Angeles County beaches. Water rescues between July 24 and August 1 reached nearly 2,000, as rip currents and beach swells dominated the water. Officials with the Los Angeles County Fire Department commended the work of firefighters, saying the performance of as many as 2,000 rescues between July 24 and July 26 was “nuts” and “the largest number [of water rescues] they can remember.” According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, during the July 24 weekend, lifeguards executed 1,500 ocean rescues, conducted 71,274 preventive actions, 749 Emergency Vehicle Responses, and provided medical aid to 517 people. On July 31, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued area Beach Warnings for Los Angeles County Beaches in the following locations due to high bacteria levels. Santa Monica Beach, 100 yards up and down the coast from the Wilshire Boulevard Storm Drain. The entire swimming area at Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey of Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro, and the entire swimming area at the Santa Monica Pier, and 100 yards up and down the coastline from the pier. LACDPH issued the warnings after finding recent water samples revealed bacteria levels exceeding the public health standards, increasing the risk of illness in people and their pets. In addition to high surf and bacteria warnings, LA Public Health issued three extreme heat warnings within a month. On July 20, a heat advisory was extended to August 5 for the East San Gabriel Mountains. An extreme heat warning was issued for Antelope Valley, the Western Antelope Valley, and the Eastern Antelope Valley thru August 5. A heat advisory was extended through August 5 for Western San Gabriel Mountains/Hwy 14 Corridor, Northwest LA County Mountains, and the Interstate 5 Corridor. The Southern California heat wave continues with triple-digit temperatures. By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills announced that the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and S. Santa Monica Boulevard will be impacted with lane reductions in place starting Monday, August 3 for the next six weeks.

Typical work hours including traffic control set-up, will be Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (weather permitting), and may vary by activity and location. Construction will occur in phases at all four corners at the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and S. Santa Monica Boulevard.

At least one lane in each direction will be maintained. Intermittent turn restrictions and overnight lane reductions are expected.

Anyone with questions can contact the askBH Customer Service line at 310-285-1000 or email askBH@beverlyhills.org.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On July 31, the city of Malibu announced that the city is requesting community feedback on preliminary design concepts for three city-owned vacant properties, the Ioki Property, Heathercliff Property, and Triangle Lot Property.

These concepts are intended to enhance recreational opportunities, community services, and public facilities. The designs include parking requirements associated with Los Angeles County Measure R and Measure M funding used to acquire the properties.

Visit www.MalibuCommunityLands.org to take the survey, review each concept, and share one’s level of support, concerns, and suggestions.

The city of Malibu owns five community lands totaling over 61 acres. To ensure the future of these community lands aligns with the community’s priorities, the city completed a comprehensive outreach and engagement program from March through September 2024 to gather feedback on what the community envisions for the future of each land.

The survey closes on August 31, 2026; additional opportunities to provide feedback will be at public meetings in fall 2026.

By Danny Jones