WEST HOLLYWOOD—Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help to locate at risk missing person, Robert Scott Silva. He is a 56-year-old Caucasian male who was last seen on June 25, at 5 p.m., on the 7900 block of Fountain Avenue, in West Hollywood.

Silva is 5 feet and 9 inches tall, weighs 180 pounds and has short black (buzzed) hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jeans, and he is missing his right index finger.

He suffers from mental health issues. He has not communicated with his family, and they are concerned for his wellbeing. They are asking for the public’s help.

Anyone with details about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Unit at (323) 890-5500. To provide information anonymously call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use the smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood will be hosting a free drive-through document shredding, e-waste, and household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center employee parking lot.

Individuals can bring confidential files, unwanted electronics, hard drives, and household hazardous waste for safe shredding, recycling, and disposal. Note: household hazardous waste collection is for residents only.

Participants are asked to place all documents, e-waste, and household hazardous waste in their trunk before arrival. Remove paperclips, paper clamps, spiral-bound notebooks, and 3-ring binders from documents before shredding.

All electronics are accepted, except for large appliances and thermostats. For more information contact (323) 222-3322. Household hazardous waste collection will be handled by Clean Earth, Inc. For more details contact Luis Perez at (310) 703-6143.

For those with additional questions individuals can contact Matt Magener, Environmental Programs Coordinator for West Hollywood, at (323) 848-6894 or at mmagener@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills announced that the second phase of the
Metro Sidewalk and Bus Stop Improvement Project (Phase 2) – Lane Reductions will start on Monday, July 6.

Road work will run through Thursday, July 16. Metro will be making roadway improvements at the intersection of Wilshire and S. Beverly Drive. Traffic will be impacted so anticipate lane reductions and allow extra travel time while these improvements are completed.

Construction that will take place on northbound S. Beverly Drive will require a 24/7 curb lane closure. At least one northbound lane and two southbound lanes will remain open. Sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours may occur intermittently.

All work is subject to weather and field conditions. For any questions contact the 24/7 Metro Hotline at (213) 922–6934. For more details, visit www.beverlyhills.org/purpleline.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, July 7, the city of Beverly Hills will hold the Installation Ceremony for members of the Beverly Hills City Council.

The city of Beverly Hills joined by the Honorable Mayor Craig A. Corman, the Honorable Vice Mayor Mary N. Wells, the Honorable Councilmember John A. Mirisch invite the public to the installation of City Councilmembers Elect: Sharona R. Nazarian, PsyD, Lester J. Friedman, Rebecca Pynoos and City Treasurer Elect: Howard S. Fisher. Fisher ran unopposed for the City Treasurer position.

A total of 11 candidates were running for 3 open seats, with Nazarian and Friedman running as incumbents. Sharon R. Nazarian earned 27 percent of the vote to land in first place (a total of 6,594 votes), Friedman earned 14.77 percent of the vote to land in second place (a total of 3,607 votes) and Rebecca Pynoos earned 14.34 percent of the vote to land in third place (a total of 3,502 votes). Andy Licht landed in fourth place with 13.44 percent (a total of 3,284 votes).

The event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard.

FREE parking is available at the following garages:
-8942 Wilshire Blvd / Almont garage opens at 6 p.m.
-140S Doheny Dr. garage opens at 6:00 P.M. shuttle services will be provided)

Parking garages will close promptly at 10:30 p.m. To watch live visit: www.beverlyhills.org/LIVE.

A reception is expected to follow. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there is limited capacity.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Thursday, July 2, at 9:30 p.m., Malibu Search and Rescue Team was dispatched to a call for three stranded hikers in Malibu Creek State Park on one of the Buttes.

Rescuers made quick work using a four-person bash team and drone overwatch. All three hikers were successfully brought down and were uninjured in the process. On June 29, the Malibu SAR at 5:15 p.m. was dispatched to locate a missing hiker in the hills above Malibu.

Resources included drone and helicopter searches without success. As darkness fell, one of the Malibu SAR field teams was able to locate the missing hiker down a steep cliff in a ravine. He was ambulatory.

As a result of the location, an assist request was made to the Los Angeles County Fire Air Ops and Los Angeles County Fire Department. The fire copter was able to extract the hiker and fly him to safety. Field teams subsequently hiked out. No additional details on the incident have been released.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On July 2, the Santa Monica Police Department announced it will set up a DUI checkpoint on Friday, July 10, running from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

The operation aims to enhance public and road safety in Santa Monica by focusing on individuals driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription medications, or marijuana. The goal is to reduce risks to pedestrians and other drivers.

The location of the checkpoint has not been revealed to the public by the SMPD. Any driver convicted of a first-time DUI will receive a penalty that includes a suspended license and $13,500 in fines.

This operation is funded by a grant that was provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to the California Office of Traffic Safety.

By Daniel Diquinzio

PACIFIC PALISADES—On July 2, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced charges against six unlicensed contractors accused of illegally operating in the Palisades Fire disaster zone following a joint operation with the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB).

In December 2025, the District Attorney’s Office announced charges against five unlicensed contractors who were allegedly illegally operating in the Eaton Fire disaster zone following a previous joint operation with CSLB in Altadena.

“Protecting wildfire survivors from unlicensed contractors as they rebuild is our priority. We are grateful to our partners at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who share in the mission to combat unlicensed contracting activity,” said Contractors State License Board Registrar David Fogt. “Anyone who needs to report unlicensed activity is encouraged to submit a complaint to CSLB.”

On June 26, the Office filed one felony count each of contracting without a license during a natural disaster against the following defendants:

-Luis Perez Silva, 45, case 26ARCF01263.
-Jecil Cruz-Herrera, 33, case 26ARCF01264.
-Luis Mateo Perez Lopez, 27, case 26ARCF01271.
-Antonio Herman Perez, 42, case 26ARCF01272.
-Santiago Ismael Mejia Urena, 42, case 26ARCF01273.
-Raymond Joshua Castorena, 33, case 26ARCF01274.

It is alleged that the offenses occurred after the Los Angeles County wildfires, that destroyed more than 16,000 homes and structures and displaced tens of thousands of residents. It is also alleged that the defendants’ conduct was directed at and aimed to harm victims made particularly vulnerable by the impact of the wildfires.

On April 15 to 16, 2026, investigators with CSLB’s Statewide Investigative Fraud Team reviewed online advertisements from contractors offering construction services without displaying a contractor license number. Investigators made individual appointments with the contractors at a Pacific Palisades residence to bid on building an accessory dwelling unit and demolition.

The defendants were allegedly not licensed under their name or business name, nor did they have an application with CSLB pending. The defendants collectively placed bids totaling up to $1.27 million.

Five of the defendants face up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Castorena faces up to 6 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000 because of a prior strike offense.

Perez Lopez, Mejia Urena and Castorena pleaded not guilty at arraignment on June 26. Their preliminary hearing setting is scheduled for August 5, 2026, in Department 31 of the Airport Courthouse. The defendants remain released on their own recognizance.

Arraignment for Cruz-Herrera, Silva and Perez is set for July 8 in Department 30 of the Airport Courthouse.

The cases are being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Eva Jabber Stodel of the Consumer Protection Division and remain under investigation by the Contractors State License Board and the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation. The charges filed in these cases are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Last year, the District Attorney’s Office launched an ongoing public awareness campaign to warn contractors that they will be prosecuted for unlicensed activity in the fire zones. In partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, signs were distributed in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Armenian to affected neighborhoods. The signs are available on LADA’s website for public use and contain information on how victims can report unlicensed contractors to CSLB. Community members and licensed contractors are encouraged to put up the signs in accordance with local laws.

Licensed contractors must provide their CSLB license number. Always verify a contractor’s license before hiring. Visit www.cslb.ca.gov to stay safe:

-Check a contractor’s license.
-Find a licensed contractor.
-Report unlicensed contractors.
-File a complaint.

Homeowners are asked to report unlicensed contractors even if construction work has already begun. Under the law, the homeowner is a victim in the criminal case, even if they knew or suspected the contractor wasn’t licensed.

By Danny Jones

BEL AIR/WOODLAND HILLS—On July 1, the Los Angeles Fire Department battled 2 fires, one in Bel Air and one in Woodland Hills. The Bel Air fire was reported at 5:36 p.m. at 2624 N. Roscomare Rd.

First arriving companies report a 2-story large single-family dwelling with smoke showing from the rear of the structure.

Additional size up of an outside deck on fire exposing some grass and brush next to the outside deck. E109, E99 and LF88 handle the blaze. All other responding units were cancelled. There were no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

At 7:30 p.m., officials arrived at a one-story single-family dwelling on 22700 W. Mulholland Drive in Woodland Hills. Firefighters found a fire out inside the kitchen and reported 1 patient that was medically evaluated and transported to a local area hospital.

There was no firefighter injuries reported, and arson was requested by the Incident Commander. No additional details on the Woodland Hills blaze have been disclosed to the public.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On July 2, the city of Malibu posted on its website advising beachgoers that the Zuma Creek underpass will remain closed due to sediment buildup and flooding through the Fourth of July weekend.

Beachgoers heading to Zuma Beach, Westward Beach, or other Western Malibu beaches can achieve beach access through the Northbound and Southbound Pacific Coast Highway entrances, as the main entrance leading to Zuma Beach at Busch Drive will be closed until further notice.

According to the Los Angeles County Beaches & Harbors website, the process of reopening the Zuma Creek underpass relies on the safe removal and cleanup of sedimented areas and standing water, without disturbing or impacting the sensitive ecological habitat.

As the city works with the state and federal regulating agencies to reopen the underpass, safeguards have been put in place for Zuma Creek and its habitat, wildlife, and water to ensure the reopening is conducted safely for both vehicles and wildlife.

As the Zuma Creek underpass remains closed, Zuma Beach remains open for beachgoers and for those who wish to spend the Fourth of July Holiday on the water. Zuma Beach will host a food truck, Big Dix Hot Dogs, on Zuma beach Saturday, July 4, through Sunday, July 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as seen on the LA County Beaches & Harbors website.

For information on the Zuma Creek underpass closure, visit https://www.malibucity.org/m/newsflash/home/detail/2107

By Megan Hanson

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station is investing heavily in a drone pilot program that will have drones acting as first responders. The drones will gather information in real time, alerting authorities when suspects are on the move, if they changed clothes, or other details that can benefit their investigation.

The Drone as a First Responder program, or DFR, is a pilot program that will allow deputies to test the efficacy of drones aiding law enforcement in the real world. The pilot will be conducted over one year and will cost $750,000.

The decision was made during a West Hollywood City Council meeting on June 29. The program is anticipated to be up and running by late July.

West Hollywood will be the first sheriff’s station in Los Angeles County to implement such a program. West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station Captain Fanny Lapkin informed reporters the drone will act as law enforcement’s “eyes in the sky.”

The drones will give deputies an aerial view of events as they unfold, similar to a police helicopter. Officials say the drones will be cheaper, quicker, and easier to deploy than a helicopter. The drones will not be allowed to use facial recognition, carry weapons, or randomly surveil citizens, as outlined in the department’s policy.

By Milan Manesh