SHERMAN OAKS—A fire broke out in the 1400 block of Hesby Street on Saturday, June 28 around 3 a.m., with the fire igniting in the front yard bushes of a residential home, as first reported by KTLA 5.

In an interview with CBS, 13-year-old resident Myron Tkechenko, who lives at the home where the fire broke out, told the reporter that he heard the fire crackling outside his house and woke his family to alert them of the fire, then called 9-1-1. Video of the fire was caught by Tkechenko’s neighbor Penny Johnson’s home surveillance system. Before the fire broke out at the residence, an unidentified man pushing a shopping cart could be seen next to the home, and moments later the fire started and the man is seen walking away.

Surveillance footage shows the Tkechenko family moving their cars from the fire’s path and trying to tame the flames with a garden hose while awaiting help from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The suspect in the footage has not been identified, and the Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case.

By Megan Hanson

SANTA MONICA—On June 23, Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady, Usha Vance, and their dog Atlas landed in San Diego following their stay at the Bürgenstock Resort, a luxury mountaintop destination above Lake Lucerne. They traveled for a summit regarding U.S. diplomacy and peace talks with Iran. Vance is leading the delegation in negotiations to end the Iran War. “The Honorable JD Vance at the Nixon Library.  Join us on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library for a candid conversation with Vice President on the issues of shaping America’s future. This program marks the release of his deeply personal memoir, Communion: Finding My Way Back to the Faith, and how his convictions continue to inform his public life,” and “Seating is limited,” stated the website for the Richard Nixon Library. Approximately 400 supporters filled the seats of the Nixon Library and received a copy of Vance’s new book. During his speech, Vance spoke on his faith journey, and making his way back to his Catholic roots, back to his faith, as discussed in his first book, “Hillbilly Elegy.” Vance talked about similarities between himself and Nixon stating: “Young Senator, Vice President, writes some best-selling books, is hated by the media.  It kind of sound like JD Vance.” “If Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be like a 12-hour news story. The idea that it would have taken down a presidency is crazy. If you look at the story of how the deep state took down Richard Nixon, it’s not all that different from what the same groups of people, the same institutions tried to do to Donald Trump in the first Trump Administration.” Supporters and critics against the Trump Administration were in attendance outside the Nixon Library as the Vice President spoke. They utilized military transport for their security motorcade and were escorted by the Secret Service and the California Highway Patrol as they traveled to Santa Monica. VP Vance appeared on “Real Time with Bill Maher,” to discuss foreign issues related to current Trump Administration. The second couple will return to Washington DC for the 250th birthday of the nation in Washington D.C. As Chair of Finance for the Republican Party, Vance spent the Fourth of July weekend in San Diego in 2025. His motorcade was spotted at Soichi Sushi during, and he was the recipient of an award last year given by Claremont Institute. By Sharon

MALIBU—On Friday, June 26, the city of Malibu announced the continuation of graffiti removal continued in Malibu’s Palisades Fire area, with crews removing graffiti from four additional fire-damaged properties on June 24 as part of the City’s Graffiti Cleanup Pilot Program.

The voluntary program helps clean up graffiti on private properties within Malibu city limits that were impacted by the Palisades Fire and have graffiti visible from the street. By removing graffiti it helps decrease blight, discourage repeat vandalism, improve public safety, and support the community’s ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The City’s Code Enforcement Division and Public Works Department began graffiti abatement in late May. A total of 61 eligible properties has been identified, signed consent forms have been received from 29 property owners, 28 additional consent forms are pending, and graffiti has now been removed from 11 properties. Three property owners declined participation.

The program is voluntary and requires property owner permission before work can begin. City staff continue conducting outreach through phone calls, emails, and follow-up communications to encourage participation and answer questions.

The program runs through April 12, 2027. To have graffiti removed from one’s property through the program, the individual must provide a signed Trespass Authorization to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. To get the process started for a fire-impacted home or business, contact Code Enforcement at Code@MalibuCity.org or call City Hall at 310-456-2489.

Graffiti within the public right-of-way continues to be addressed by Caltrans and the city of Malibu Public Works. You can report graffiti to Caltrans at (213) 897-1200 or Public Works at 310-456-2489 ext. 391.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department will be celebrating National Night Out on August 4. The public can join the Police Department for a family-friendly evening is all about connection, conversation, and community safety.

Meet your public safety team, visit with community partners, and be part of a night focused on bringing Santa Monica together. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1685 Main Street.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live. It provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

National Night Out was introduced in August 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states.

By Danny Jones

 

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly hills will be conducting routine water main flushing through Monday, June 29 as part of its ongoing program to maintain high water quality throughout the system.

The goal is to ensure water is safe for the environment and our local waterways before it reaches the storm drain.

The affected areas include:
-Charleville Boulevard (north)
-Maple Drive (west)
-Almont Drive (east)
-Southern City limits (south)

Anyone with questions can email askBH@beverlyhills.org or call (310) 285-1000.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On June 28, the city of Beverly Hills posted on its Facebook page reminders pertaining to fireworks usage.

The city of Beverly Hills and JUST IN CASE BH would like to remind residents on how to stay safe with these important reminders:

-Leave Fireworks to the Professionals
Enjoy a public fireworks display instead of using fireworks at home.

-Know What’s Legal
All fireworks are illegal in the City of Beverly Hills and may result in fines, injuries, or fires.

-Report Fires Immediately
If an individual sees a fire, move to a safe location and contact 9-1-1 immediately.

One spark can start a wildfire. Help protect one’s family, neighbors, and community by celebrating responsibly. For more emergency tips, visit www.beverlyhills.org/justincase.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica Police Department will be hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Downtown Substation on Thursday, May 28 at 12 p.m.

The new Substation is located at Santa Monica Place at 395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 122, marking the next step in Santa Monica’s focus to strengthen public safety, support downtown revitalization, and expand visible police presence in one of Santa Monica’s busiest areas.

The Downtown Substation will serve as a public safety command center and community engagement hub, supporting faster coordination with downtown partners, enhanced foot and bike patrol deployment, and direct access for residents, visitors, and businesses.

The Downtown Substation reflects SMPD’s continued focus on the department’s four public safety pillars: crime suppression, homelessness response, traffic safety, and community engagement.

The new location will support a consistent and visible presence in the downtown core, including the Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, the Pier, and surrounding transit and pedestrian corridors.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Around 12:26 p.m. on Sunday, May 24, a pair of thieves was captured on video entering an apartment building in West Hollywood and allegedly stealing packages and mail from the apartment’s mailbox located on the 1100 block of Larrabee Street, the WeHo Times first reported.

In the video, two suspects, a man and a woman, are seen walking toward the mailbox. The woman has black hair and light skin, and was wearing a black top, black pants, and a blue jean jacket.  The man was wearing blue jeans, a grayish hoodie, sneakers, and a blue baseball cap with the letters JA printed on the front.

The woman inserts an object into the lock and starts fiddling with it, while the man keeps watch, fiddling with something in his hand.  A nearby elevator door opens, and the man bends down, picks up the packages resting against the wall, and carries them into the elevator.  He comes back out and uses his hand to keep the elevator door open prompting the woman to step into the doorway, as he takes over the task.

After a few seconds, he succeeds in opening the front of the mailbox, allowing him to reach into all the slots, taking all envelopes and packages. The woman comes out of the elevator, takes some from him, and goes back into the elevator.

The theft was reported to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station and the investigation is ongoing; it is unclear how many packages and pieces of mail were stolen.

In July 2025, a person forced their way into Holloway Terrace at 8530 Holloway Drive and took mail on July 21, 24, 30 and July 31, the Beverly Press/Park LaBrea News reported.

According to ABC 7 Los Angeles, an apartment building on Sweetzer Avenue was broken into several times in 2025 where mail thefts transpired.

Anyone with information about this crime should contact the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. They can also contact Crimestoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or texting 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S).

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On May 13 and March 14, several incidents occurred in front of a business in the 8800 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, leading to the arrest of three suspects, who have all been charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office with felonies, the Pride LA reported.

On May 20, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station noted that deputies responded inside a business after a after a claim that a person had allegedly slapped and made criminal threats against another.  Security was forced to remove the suspect who allegedly threw glass and other things at patrons before getting involved in a fight.

After being located by the deputies, the suspect was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon and making criminal threats.

Deputies returned to region of Santa Monica Boulevard the next day in response to reports that two people were struggling outside.  A third person attempted to intervene and in the process was injured and taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

All 3 suspects were processed at the West Hollywood Station after being arrested, no details on the names of the suspects have or additional charges have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On May 24, at approximately 5:20 p.m. officers with the Santa Monica Police Department assigned to patrol downtown responded to a call of a reported assault with a deadly weapon in the vicinity of 3rd Street and Broadway. Officers arrived at the scene to discover a male suspect later identified as Tar Nay in his vehicle, brandishing stopping traffic, brandishing a baseball bat, and yelling threats at his victims. He exited his vehicle with his Cane Corso dog and were giving chase when Nay sicced his dog on one of the victims. The dog bit the victim on the thigh. Officers in pursuit stopped Nay on 4th Street and detained him. Bystanders provided witness statements and video evidence to the police to use in their investigation. Santa Monica Fire Department paramedics treated the victim of the dog bite at the scene. Nay was transported to the Santa Monica Jail and booked on the following charges: 245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon 422(a) PC – Criminal Threats The Santa Monica Animal Control Officers took custody of the dog and brought it to the local animal shelter. This is an active investigation. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the SMPD at 310-458-8427. By Sharon