Pacific Palisades

PACIFIC PALISADES—Actor Matthew Perry, known for his role as Chandler Bing on the NBC sitcom “Friends” died on Saturday, October 28 at his home. TMZ first reported the news indicating that Perry’s death may have been an accidental drowning, but no official cause of death has been disclosed.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office indicated on Sunday, October 29, that the cause of death had been “deferred.” That means the autopsy has been completed, but more time is needed with the investigation of the death.

Perry was found unresponsive in his jacuzzi shortly a 4 p.m. on Saturday. The actor had returned home after playing pickle ball and asked his assistant to run a few errands which included picking up the new iPhone 15 for Perry. The assistant returned to the home and found Perry unresponsive and contacted 911.

His mother, Suzanne Morrison and his father, John Bennett Perry arrived at the home Saturday night after learning about the passing of Perry. Also at the home was his stepfather, Keith Morrison.

Authorities indicated no illegal drugs were found at the home, but other prescriptions were discovered. Perry acknowledge in his memoir from 2022, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing,” that he struggled with addiction from alcohol and drugs, in particular pain medication like Vicodin, after a skiing accident in 1997.

He spent several stints in rehab as he fought to kick his addiction. He noted during an interview with Diane Sawyer as he promoted his memoir, he didn’t recall filming several seasons of “Friends” as he battled his addiction.

The official “Friends” Instagram page released the following statement on October 29 after learning about Perry’s death:

“We are devastated to learn of Matthew Perry’s passing. He was a true gift to us all. Our heart goes out to his family, loved ones, and all of his fans.”

Perry portrayed Chandler Bing on “Friends” for 10 seasons, where the main cast put up a united front with their contracts during the ninth and tenth seasons where they earned $1 million per episode. His character was known for his sarcasm and funny one-liners. His roommate was Joey (Matt LeBlanc). They were neighbors who lived across the hall from Monica (Courteney Cox) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). Monica and Chandler ultimately became a couple on the series before getting married. His other co-stars on the comedy included Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer.

Perry also appeared on the TV series “Growing Pains,” “Silver Spoons,” “Ally McBeal,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” and “The Odd Couple.” He also starred in a string of movies including “The Whole Nine Yards,” “Fools Rush In” and “17 Again” alongside Zac Efron.

He opened the Perry House in 2013 at his former Malibu mansion to help those dealing with addition. He dated actress Julia Roberts in the 90s and actress Lizzy Caplan from 2006 to 2012. Perry did not have any children, but was once engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz in 2020, but the engagement ended in 2021.

By Trevor

PACIFIC PALISADES—On August 20, Deadline first reported that the Gladstones’ restaurant and venue, located along the Pacific Coast Highway is ending its 50-year run, and closing its doors.

Gladstones opened in 1972 and was seen as a tourist attraction and favorite of locals from both Malibu and Santa Monica.

In 2016, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor member, Sheila Kuehl attempted to end a 20-year lease with former owner, Richard Riordan. Kuehl publicly referred to the property as “deteriorated and outdated.” She was reportedly seeking a new, 40-year-lease lease agreement with renovations to potentially rebuild the venue.

Riordan was the 39th Mayor of Los Angeles. He passed away in April 2023. An old slogan for the establishment read: “Gladstones, Where the Sunset Meets the Sea.”

According to reports, master chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck and Frank Gehry may have plans to renovate the property with their own architectural design. If the business venture transpires, it would reportedly be on a 50-year lease.

By Sharon

PACIFIC PALISADES—Heal the Bay, an environmental advocacy group based in Santa Monica, is set to host a “Bay’s Nothin’ But Sand” event on Saturday, July 15 at Will Rogers Beach.

The free event centers around beach cleanup, removing plastic from the shoreline, and educating the public on “how you can disrupt human plastic dependency & its harmful impact on the planet through composting practices, recycling, and plastic alternatives,” according to the event’s flier. 

Attendees will meet at Tower 7 at Will Rogers Beach, located at 17000 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades 90272. The event starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 12 p.m. 

Heal the Bay is tasked with making the coastal waters and watersheds of Greater Los Angeles safe, healthy, and clean. In 2022 Heal the Bay volunteers removed more than 14,000 pounds of trash from Los Angeles County Beaches. 

This year’s event will help the organization identify how much compostable waste, trash, and microplastics have ended up on the beach.

Participants in the cleanup have the chance to win raffle prizes, take part in games, and receive a free compost bin while supplies last. 

Each person attending the cleanup must register and sign a waiver. Cleanup supplies are provided to the first 300 people who are registered. For more information and access to waiver and registration forms, visit the event’s listing on Eventbrite.

Any questions or concerns about the event can be directed to Beach Programs Manager Stephanie Gebhardt Rath at sgebhardtrath@healthebay.org.

By Paige Strickland

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Sunday, July 9, at approximately 1:19 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call of an injured hiker. 

“Pacific Palisades: LAFD Air Ops located the 64yo male hiker with a non-life-threatening injury and due to the location (approx. 2-mile hike by ground firefighters) will conduct a hoist operation to retrieve the patient and transport to the hospital,” the LAFD stated on its website in a press release.

According to reports, the location of the trail the hiker was trekking was due north of Will Rogers State Park.  The hiker’s name has not been released to the public.

By Sharon

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, April 22, a 64 year old man suffering from an ankle injury was airlifted out of a remote portion of Josepho Spur Trail near Pacific Palisades.

Emergency personnel received a 911 call Saturday morning and dispatched an LAFD helicopter to the location. After a short search they were able to find the man on the trail west of Murphy Ranch Stables.

Fire officials lowered a paramedic to the injured man and rendered aid. He was later transported to a nearby hospital.

It is unknown if the hiker was by himself when fire fighters arrived on the scene.

Hiking, backpacking, and camping come with risks. In 2017, 117 people died from hiking, camping, or backpacking accidents in the United States. There are numerous reports of people dying during hiking trips in the Santa Monica Mountains which is where Josepho Spur Trail is located.

In 2020, a 41 year old woman died of heat exhaustion while hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains during a heat wave where temperatures were ranging up to 110 degrees.

The woman was hiking with a friend and began to feel sick, so the pair turned around and headed back toward the car, according to preliminary reports from the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Her friend called paramedics after the woman collapsed. She was later pronounced dead at 2 p.m. that day.

Many hikers may not realize how long or difficult a particular trail is until it’s too late. It is advised that hikers take hikes around the mornings or late afternoons and stick to trails that are less difficult if you are a less experienced hiker.

The Santa Monica Mountains are home to one of the most diverse and unique ecosystems in the world, a Mediterranean-type environment characterized by warm dry summers and wet winters. This geologically active region is marked by alternating canyons and peaks, which characterize many of the trails in the area. The Woolsey Fire burnt vast swaths of the Santa Monica Mountains, with many areas robbed completely of their tree cover and shade which can also pose a danger to hikers.

The National Park Service advises hikers to plan ahead and follow basic safety precautions and are encouraged to recognize and adhere to their own personal limitations. Extra water, food, sun protection, flashlight, map and compass, multipurpose tool, warm clothes, waterproof matches, emergency blanket, and first-aid kit are all essential items hikers should carry with them according to NPS.

By Christianne

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, April 15, officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 148000 block of W. Pacific Coast Highway shortly before 9 p.m. about a car crash. The incident occurred near Will Rogers State Park.

Los Angeles Fire Department Spokeswoman Margaret Steward stated five vehicles were involved in the incident.

The incident left two people with critical injuries. Two others were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Three others were also involved in the crash.

No information on the gender or ages of victims have been released to the public. Officials state the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

By Rob

PACIFIC PALISADES—A neighborhood squabble on Monday, April 10, at approximately 11 a.m. ended in a barricade situation with the Los Angeles Police Department on April 11.

On April 11, KCAL reported that officers responded to a 911 call in the 17200 block of Sunset Boulevard near Pacific Palisades. The caller indicated a man tore the door off his neighbor’s home. Officers arrived arriving at the scene with the suspect barricading himself against police inside his home.

Video from the scene depicted a shirtless man wrapped in an American flag being hoisted onto and handcuffed to a gurney. First responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department transported the individual to an area hospital. The names of the individuals involved have not been released to the public.

By Sharon

PACIFIC PALISADES—Officials have identified the victim who died in a crash on Saturday, April 8, on Pacific Coast Highway. 

According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, the victim has been identified as Ashleigh Lawrence, 32, of Los Angeles. 

On the day of the accident, firefighters were called to the 17400 block of West Sunset Boulevard at Palisades Drive at 12:45 a.m. Officials discovered Lawrence and pronounced her dead at the scene. 

Los Angeles Fire Department Spokesman Nicholas Prange explained that a 21-year-old driver was traveling south on PCH Saturday morning when he slammed into a group of pedestrians and vehicles parked on the shoulder overlooking the beach near Palisades Drive.

The collision sent two of the three vehicles into the rocks, hitting Lawrence. Another person was transported to a nearby hospital in serious condition. Five others involved were in fair to moderate condition. The driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI.  The name of the driver has not been disclosed to the public.
By Cristianne

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills indicated in a press release that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) will issue a new Health Officer Order that requires customers to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination prior to entering indoor bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs and lounges.

Under the modified Order, employees and customers are required to have at least one vaccine dose by October 7 and both doses by November 4.

The New Health Officer Order will require workers and attendees at outdoor mega events (consisting of crowds over 10,000 people) to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before working or attending the event.

Attendees at indoor mega events are already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test prior to entry. These requirements will also apply to theme parks within the county.

While not required, LACDPH also recommends vaccine verification at indoor portions of restaurants to reduce transmission risk.

This announcement impacts businesses in the City of Beverly Hills. When available, theupdated Health Officer Order can be viewed at beverlyhills.org/coronavirus.

To find the nearest vaccination site, visit VaccinateLACounty.com or beverlyhills.org/covidvaccine. For questions about business impacts from the new Health Office Order, email businessrecovery@beverlyhills.org.

To stay updated on the latest COVID-19 news, visit beverlyhills.org/coronavirus or call the City’s COVID-19 Hotline Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. at 310-550-4680.

By Donald