SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department recovered a loaded firearm and drugs after a traffic stop on Friday, April 24.

On April 24, while patrolling the 2000 block of Ocean Avenue, officers conducted a stop of a vehicle. The investigation led to the recovery of a loaded firearm hidden under the driver’s seat, along with nitrous oxide and drug paraphernalia.

The suspect—who was already on diversion for a prior robbery arrest—was taken into custody and faces multiple charges:

-Carrying a loaded firearm
-Inhalation of nitrous oxide
-Possession of drug paraphernalia in a vehicle

The name and age of the suspect have not yet been disclosed to the public. Officers with the Santa Monica Police Department are committed to proactive enforcement to keep neighborhoods safe, the Police Department noted.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Monday, April 27, the city of Beverly Hills disclosed on its Facebook page that the Beverly Hills Fire Department (BHFD) and Hatzolah of Los Angeles are proud to announce a new partnership that will complement BHFD’s provision of emergency medical services.

Hatzolah of Los Angeles, a volunteer-run, non-profit Emergency Medical Service (EMS) that services Jewish communities worldwide, may now work as an adjunct EMS provider for Beverly Hills.

“It is imperative that we provide our community with the best services when it comes to emergency medical care,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Craig Corman. “This new partnership is an example of how we can find ways to work together with other organizations that can enhance programs we already have in place.”

By formalizing this alliance, both the BHFD and Hatzolah of Los Angeles reaffirm their shared commitment to providing compassionate, dedicated service to the residents of Beverly Hills.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu Mass Evacuation Plan Community Workshop is being held on Tuesday, April 28. Residents and community members are encouraged to join to learn about evacuation procedures and share input on the city’s draft plan.

The workshop is being held at Malibu City Hall Council Chamber located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

At the workshop, individuals will:

-Find your evacuation zone
-Learn how evacuation decisions are made
-Know what to expect during an evacuation
-Share your feedback on the City’s draft Mass Evacuation Plan

Registration is not required. All are welcome to attend the Mass Evacuation Plan Community Workshop

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—In 1926, a group of amateur telescope makers established the Los Angeles Astronomical Society; the organization was originally called the Los Angeles Telescope Makers Society, and it adopted its current name in 1949.

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Los Angeles Astronomical Society celebrated its 100th anniversary at Griffith Park, a large public park on the eastern edge of the Santa Monica Mountains that surrounds the famous Griffith Observatory.

The celebration involved a group gathering outside Griffith Observatory, who brought with them 100 telescopes. Several politicians and officials from Los Angeles delivered proclamations.

The purpose of the event was not just to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, but to celebrate “a full century of devotion to astronomy, optical engineering and craftsmanship, and public outreach” by the society, according to the Los Angeles Astronomical Society Facebook page.

E. C. Krupp was given a ceremonial plaque. The Los Angeles Astronomical Society offers workshops and classes on astronomy and science and organizes gatherings to observe the night sky.

Griffith Observatory is named after Griffith J. Griffith.  He was an industrialist who became rich through mining, and in his will, he left the land on which Griffith Observatory now stands to the city of Los Angeles, along with funds to build the observatory.  His will also gave money to the city to build the famous planetarium that is located with the observatory.  The construction of the Griffith Observatory’s exhibition hall was also funded in this manner.

In addition, Apollo astronauts were trained at the observatory in 1966 and 1967.

By Daniel Diquinzio

STUDIO CITY—The Los Angeles Police Department has requested a new mobile surveillance unit in Studio City at Ventura Boulevard and Ethel Avenue, ABC 7 Eye Witness News first reported on Sunday, April 26. The device is being utilized to help deter crime in the region, after a recent uptick in home invasions in the past few weeks.

The device was placed by ACS Security, and it uses artificial intelligence technology to detect activity that will be reported to authorities. There have been a series of break-ins in the San Fernando Valley in recent weeks.

Actor Dylan Sprouse detained a trespasser who gained access to his Hollywood Hills property on Friday, April 17. The Los Angeles Police Department received a 911 call from Dylan’s wife, Barbara Palvin after 12:30 a.m. about an attempted burglary at the property.

Sprouse detained the suspect and held him down until authorities arrived on the scene.

TMZ obtained video of the suspect who was arrested by authorities, who was wearing a shirt covered in dirt. The suspect did not make it into the couple’s home.

On April 11, at approximately 9:30 p.m. residents in Hollywood Hills West found two intruders who got inside their home by smashing through a glass windowpane on the side of the house located in the 7100 block of Macapa Drive.

One of the homeowners, a 75-year-old-man was punched repeatedly by one of the intruders. The intruders were dressed in all black, wearing gloves, and left the scene of the crime(s). They drove away in a silver sedan. According to LAPD, the thieves stole approximately $150,000 in jewelry. According to reports the suspects are still at large.

On April 21, at approximately 1:30 a.m., police were called to a home on Noble Avenue for an attempted burglary. Burglars shattered the back window and fled the scene after realizing someone was home. No one was injured during the incident.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District posted on their Facebook page on April 23 that it is inviting students to participate in a poster art contest highlighting the importance of water conservation.

The theme for 2026, “Being Water Wise is…,” encourages students to creatively share what water conservation means to them.

The submission deadline has been extended to Thursday, May 7, at 5 p.m., giving more local schools the opportunity to participate.

The winning student will be named the Beverly Hills Youth Sustainability Ambassador for a Day—featured across the city’s social media, in The Backbone Newsletter, and on the Sustainability webpage.

The winner will enjoy an ice cream party for their class, receive an exclusive Beverly Hills Sustainability T-shirt, and be honored with a Certificate of Achievement signed by City leadership.

To learn more and submit an entry visit: www.beverlyhills.org/waterconservation.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—Fire Service Day will be held in Santa Monica on Saturday, May 9. The Santa Monica Fire Department will host a free, open house at Fire Station 1 on Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The public will be able to meet firefighters, explore emergency equipment, while watching live demonstrations and learn life-saving skills. Other highlights include:

-Up-close access to fire engines and a ladder truck
-Live auto extrication demonstration
-Hands-Only CPR training and Stop the Bleed education

The event will be held at Fire Station 1, located at 1337 7th Street. There will be free burgers from Heavy Handed for the first 500 attendees to the event.

The Santa Monica Fire Department’s Fire Service Day is part of regular outreach programs that include fire station tours, fire engine visits, and education on fire and life safety topics.

For more details about the Santa Monica Fire Department, visit santamonica.gov/departments/fire.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On April 23, the city of Malibu announced that the Malibu City Council on April 13 adopted an update to the Safety Element to the City’s General Plan.

A Safety Element is a state-required plan that identifies risks like wildfires and flooding and sets policies to protect people, property, and infrastructure from those hazards. This update is especially important because Malibu’s previous safety framework had not been comprehensively updated since 1995.

The new Safety Element reflects current state requirements and modern best practices for wildfire risk, evacuation planning, climate impacts, and emergency preparedness. There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.

Adopting the updated Safety Element strengthens Malibu’s ability to guide new development in a way that supports better resilience to wildfires, flooding, landslides, and extreme weather. It also supports clearer communication with the public about risks and emergency procedures.

The adoption of the Safety Element helps Malibu qualify for the State’s Fire Risk Reduction Community List, which can improve access to critical grant funding and may support insurance availability for residents by recognizing Malibu’s proactive safety planning.

The plan includes policies to improve evacuation capacity, require safer access for new development, enhance vegetation management, and address climate-related risks like sea level rise and extreme heat. While the document sets long-term policy direction, more detailed plans that include evacuation routes—will continue to be developed separately. This update ensures Malibu is better prepared today and, in the future, with a more resilient approach to public safety.

Each city and county in California is required to prepare a General Plan, which is a
comprehensive, long-term guide for a community’s physical development. Government
Code Section 65302 et seq. establishes requirements for General Plans, including the
following mandatory “elements” that are applicable to the City of Malibu: land use,
circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety. The General Plan is a broad policy document, and its vision can be accomplished through a variety of more
specific projects, programs, standards, and directives that follow its adoption.

The City of Malibu General Plan Safety and Health Element has not been updated since
the original adoption of the General Plan in 1995 (Exhibit C). Since then, several changes
to California Government Code Section 65302(g), which regulates Safety Elements, have
been enacted that require the city to conduct an update.

For details review the staff report at:

https://www.malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7983?fileID=87154&fbclid=IwY2xjawRcJ5ZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBJUzdJUUZ0VlVFWjJKZWJLc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkmKnEZq9BcJ0aoWIe31AH3vTxHD7k6t1M32n60vTqbmHii933YS18EOwRLN_aem_C4XrZP2Ec0HprUWbGLZ85w

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—Authorities are investigating a home invasion that transpired on April 23 in the Hollywood Hills West region. The Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call of a possible robbery at a home after 8 p.m. on the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue near, KTLA first reported.

Two suspects entered the property and demanded money from the female victim in her 70s and strangled her. The victim was transported to local hospital for treatment. The suspects fled the property in a White Honda. The suspects were wearing masks and hoodies during the incident and got away with cash and jewelry.

Last week, actor Dylan Sprouse tackled a trespasser on his Hollywood Hills property. The suspect was held at gun point by Sprouse until authorities arrived on the scene. There has been a series of break-ins in the San Fernando Valley region in recent weeks with break-ins taking place in Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and other areas.

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Thursday, April 23, two men broke into a home located in the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue in Hollywood Hills and strangled the homeowner inside. She has now been identified as an heiress to Budget, Rent-A-Car, a car rental company. Margaux Mirkin has been identified as the elderly victim in the home invasion.

The men broke into Mirkin’s home in Hollywood Hills West and made off with “a large amount of cash and jewelry KTLA reported.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case, and the victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, William A. De Rothschild, who was Margaux Mirkin’s husband, died two years ago at the age of 87 in a fire that happened in a house in which he lived in Hollywood Hills.

The suspects in the incident are still at large. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Los Angeles Police Department.

By Daniel Diquinzio