SANTA MONICA—On July 13, video was captured of a fisherman off the Santa Monic Pier who was dragged into the water by a juvenile shark on his fishing line. A California local posted the scene on Instagram. The family of the fisherman was pulling on the other end of reel as the fisherman appeared to be attempting to climb a rope back up to the pier, when he got pulled back down into the water a second time. After the second fall into the water, the fisherman was rescued without any injuries. Reports indicate that it is not uncommon for juvenile white sharks to be active around the Santa Monica Pier. Smaller sharks that feed on small fish and stingrays. They measure no more than 10 feet long. There are many bacteria warnings for area beaches that are listed on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health webpage. Health officials warn against the consumption of fish and other seafood caught off the Santa Monica Pier due to “toxic levels of mercury and PCBs found in the very waters the sharks were swimming in. According to the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulation handbook, updated January 13, 2026, Leopard Shark fishing is open year-round in all depths with specific details limits are in the handbook. The fisherman may have been fishing for White Shark, which is illegal. The California Fish and Wildlife will determine if his actions were intentional. White shark may not be taken, except under permit issued by the Department pursuant to Section 1002 of the Fish and Game Code for scientific or educational purposes. Shark, White, Taking and Attracting (FGC §5517) (a) Except as authorized by a permit issued pursuant to Section 1002, or as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 8599, it is unlawful to do any of the following: (1) Take any white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). (2) Use any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum to attract any white shark. (3) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water within one nautical mile of any shoreline, pier, or jetty when a white shark is either visible or known to be present. (4) Place any shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum into the water for the purpose of viewing any shark when a white shark is visible or known to be present. (b) For purposes of this section, “shark bait, shark lure, or shark chum” means any natural or manufactured product or device used to attract sharks by the sense of taste, smell, or sight, including, but not limited to, blood, fish, or other material upon which sharks may feed, and surface or underwater decoys. By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On July 16, at 3:55 a.m., a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power 1916 36-inch riveted steel pipe ruptured underneath a highly trafficked area of Sunset Boulevard, resulting in a sinkhole and severe flooding on the Sunset Strip at Holloway Drive.

As reported by the city of West Hollywood, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a notice that the severe flooding resulted in the following road closures:

• Eastbound Sunset Blvd is closed between Larrabee and Sherbourne Drive.
• Eastbound Holloway Drive is closed between Sunset Blvd and Westmount Drive.
• Eastbound Santa Monica Boulevard is closed between San Vicente Blvd and Hancock Drive.
• Larrabee Street, Palm Avenue, and Hancock Avenue are all closed on the Northbound and Southbound routes between Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has safely shut off the waterline while responding to the immediate flooding and assessing the extent of damage done.

The fast-moving water caused damage to the surrounding neighborhoods, that passed over vehicles, either trapping them in place or pushing them into each other, with reports of water spilling into parking garages as well.

LADWP General Manager David Hanson and Chief Operations Officer Anselmo Collins informed West Hollywood residents that while officials respond to the flooding and are investigating the cause of the rupture, they have coordinated with the Los Angeles Fire Department so fire hydrants will still have water access, as well as clean water being accessible for residents.

The city of West Hollywood and the LADWP are working to contain the flooding and fix the sinkhole in the city. Drivers are asked to follow traffic regulations and lane closures.

By Megan Hanson

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—Around 9:30 p.m. on July 11, several people tried to rob a home within the 1900 block of Sunset Plaza Drive in Hollywood Hills, but they were scared off by the homeowner.

According to KTLA 5 Los Angeles, the individuals arrived and attempted to break in through a window using a crowbar, but the owner appeared. After being confronted, the suspects fled.

The owner contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, who completed a burglary report and started searching the neighborhood, assisted by a police helicopter.

No injuries were reported. The investigation is ongoing and no additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, July 14, Lucki Camel Junior, who performs and produces rap music under the stage name Lucki, had his West Hollywood home, which, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station, is located in the 9000 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, burglarized around 10:30 p.m.

According to NBC 4 Los Angeles, the thieves took about $500,000 in items, including personal items, clothing, and bags.

Lucki was born in Chicago and spent his early years performing in the underground hip-hop scene.  In 2013, he released his first mixtape, “Alternative Trap.” He has released several more mixtapes, including “Watch My Back” in 2017 and “Freewave 3” in 2019.  He has also released several albums, including “Flawless Like Me” in 2022 and “Dr*gs Bad” in May 2026.

He contacted the LASD West Hollywood Station, which dispatched deputies who reviewed footage from local surveillance cameras and canvassed the surrounding region in an attempt to determine when the burglary occurred and the identity of the culprits.

According to the West Hollywood Sheriff Station, Lucki was with another person when he discovered the burglary and the break in occurred while they were out of town.  Car keys belonging to several of the victims’ vehicles were stolen, but the vehicles were left behind.

The investigation is ongoing, and no suspects or details about them have been disclosed. The LASD West Hollywood Sheriff Station is asking anyone with information regarding the burglary to call the station at 310-855-8850.

By Daniel Diquinzio

 

SANTA MONICA—On July 14, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced the arrest of six poachers caught fishing for Spiny Lobster out of season. The Spiny Lobster fishing season ended March 18. A total of 34 lobsters were found stuffed in bags, vehicles, and some were hidden in a baby stroller on the Santa Monica Pier. According to reports, wildlife detection dogs located the lobsters. CDFW released the lobsters back into the ocean. It is illegal to fish for the Spiny Lobster currently because the loss of egg-bearing females could harm the fishery and negatively impact those who catch lobsters legally for a living. The female spiny lobster is able to produce anywhere between 50,000-800,000 eggs per brood. The gestational period of the spiny lobster is approximately 10 weeks. According to the CDFW website, the recreational fishery for spiny lobster (Panulirus interruptus) is closed as of March 19, 2026, and will reopen on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 6 p.m. The six suspects were arrested on suspicion of fishing violations including; fishing for lobster out of season, exceeding the daily bag limit, possession of undersized lobster, using a hook and line to catch lobster, and possessing over three times the daily limit. Penalties can include fines up to $1,000 and one year in jail. It is also illegal to fish for the Giant Sea Bass or Abalone in the state of California. By Sharon

MALIBU—On Sunday, July 12, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit (EOD) responded to a report of a military ordnance that washed ashore at Tower 14 on Point Mugu State Beach.

The VC Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and Navy EOD identified the ordnance as a 1950s-era M20, also recognized as a ‘Super Bazooka,’ that still contained live explosives and was considered too dangerous to transport off-site.

After Point Mugu Beach was evacuated and brief road closures were enacted along Pacific Coast Highway near Tower 14, the M20 was safely detonated on the beach by the VC Bomb Squad and Navy EOD officials, according to KTLA5.

The VC Sheriff’s Bombsquad Instagram uploaded footage of the M20 detonation onto their public page, showing a plume of black smoke rising near Tower 14 on the empty beach.

A similar situation occurred July 9, 2024, when a separate unexploded military ordnance washed ashore on the same Mugu State Beach. The VC Sheriff and Navy EOD advise the public that beaches near military bases, such as the Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, are prone to the detection of military objects and ordinance washing ashore.

The VC bomb squad announced if anyone discovers something that looks like or resembles a bomb, immediately call 9-1-1 and evacuate the area.

By Megan Hanson

BEL AIR—On Monday, July 13, 2026, former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Allen Simpkins, 34, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison and fined $10,000 for his involvement in obstructing a federal investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice released a report detailing the case against Simpkins and the other officers involved.

On August 15, 2021, and August 16, 2021, the self-named crypto ‘mogul’, Adam Iza, 25, who also went by “The Godfather,” hired active deputy Simpkins and Deputy Christopher Michael Cadman, 34, through the private security company Saavedra & Associates, which was formerly owned by LASD Deputy Eric Chase Saavedra, 43. Simpkin and Cadman were hired as private security services for Iza’s August 15, 2021, Bel Air mansion party.

The report issued that Iza’s hired party planner, identified as “R.C” in the DOJ report, was kicked out of the party for “erratic behavior” around 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., and was later escorted back to Iza’s private office by Simpkins and Cadman on August 16.

In both DOJ and IRS reports, Iza took steps to intimidate R.C by placing four to five rounds of 9mm ammunition on his desk with the goal of threatening and extorting $25,000 from the victim’s personal banking account into Iza’s controlled account. R.C was escorted out of the Bel Air mansion by Simpkins and Cadman, and the deputies were paid $1,400 in cash for their security services.

During the FBI investigations into Iza for extortion and other crimes, Simpkins initially denied knowledge of Iza’s extortion toward R.C during his FBI interview and was aware that lying would result in criminal prosecution for interference with a federal investigation.

On March 17, 2026, Simpkins pleaded guilty to one count of obstructing a federal investigation and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, with fees on Monday, July 13, 2026.

Iza is already incarcerated, and Saavedra and Cadman, have also pleaded guilty and are awaiting their sentencing by the courts.

By Megan Hanson

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, July 14, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station issued a traffic advisory stating that Melrose Avenue was closed between Robertson Boulevard and San Vicente Boulevard due to a traffic collision that transpired around 12:45 p.m.

According to reports, a white Tesla and a blue pickup truck were involved in the collision. The Tesla was turning left onto Melrose Avenue when it hit the pickup truck and collided into the front of the building of the Guess Jeans retail store.

Both drivers received medical treatment at the scene from firefighters and were taken to a local hospital for examination. Their condition remains unknown. None of the store’s employees were injured during the incident, but the establishment sustained significant damage.

The West Hollywood Sheriff Station advised delays and urged commuters to use Santa Monica Boulevard as an alternate route. The investigation into the events leading up to the collision is ongoing, and the extent of the damage to the building is unknown. No further information has been released to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On Wednesday, July 15, the city of Beverly Hills announced that Jamie Bumia has been chosen as the new Director of Community Services for Beverly Hills. Bumia currently serves as Community Services Director for the City of Walnut in the San Gabriel Valley where she directs recreation, facilities, community programs, public information and outreach.

“I am pleased to welcome Jamie to Beverly Hills,” said City Manager Ryan Gohlich.  “Jamie’s diverse skillset across several cities has prepared her well to lead our dedicated Community Services team and the award-winning programs that make Beverly Hills so special. I look forward to her joining our Executive team.”

As Director of Community Services, Bumia will oversee the Department’s Administrative Support, Library, Park Rangers, Arts & Culture, and Recreation & Parks divisions.  Bumia assumes leadership of the Community Services Department following the promotion of former Director Stephanie Harris to Assistant City Manager.

“I am deeply grateful to Ryan, Stephanie and the City Council for the confidence they have placed in me to serve as the next Director of Community Services,” said Bumia. “This is truly the highlight of my professional career, and I look forward to working with the incredible Community Services staff as we continue to provide world-class programming and activities in Beverly Hills.”

Bumia joined the city of Walnut in 2021 as Community Services Superintendent before being promoted to Deputy Community Services Director in 2023 and Director in 2024.  Before working in Walnut, she held various roles in Monrovia, Claremont and Fontana. Her duties will start on August 17.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced that Caltrans will be completing Palisades Fire Repair Work on Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon starting July 13.

Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures and reduced speeds in Palisades Fire recovery work zones next week. On weekdays, crews may implement single-lane closures on PCH between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with additional closures possible.

Drive cautiously and watch out for workers and work vehicles and changing traffic patterns. Traffic fines may be doubled in construction zones.

PCH
• Temescal Canyon Rd to Sunset Blvd: 35 mph speed limit.
• Sunset Blvd to Carbon Beach Terrace: Active work zone with 25 mph speed limit and possible single-lane closures.
• Las Flores Canyon Road to Sunset Blvd: Las Flores Creek cleanup, drainage and slope repairs. Right-turn Lane to Rambla Pacifico St closed weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (right turns remain possible from the thru lane).
• Big Rock Dr area: SCE work, Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. One lane closed in each direction.
• Pena Rd to Tuna Canyon Road: Retaining wall reconstruction. Southbound reduced to one lane as needed, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• South of Topanga Canyon Blvd. to Sunset Blvd: Northbound reduced to one lane as needed, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for slope repairs.

Topanga Canyon Blvd.
• Between PCH and Grand View Dr: 15 mph through the Caltrans work zone with one-lane traffic control weekdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Between Happy Trail and PCH: Overnight pavement work with one-lane traffic control, Monday night-Saturday morning, 10 p.m.-6: a.m.

Motorists can check traffic conditions before getting on the road by visiting: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

By Danny Jones