WEST HOLLYWOOD—The FIFA World Cup has begun, and Los Angeles was chosen to host eight matches of the highly anticipated event. West Hollywood started hosting its first of four free fan zones for the public to watch the games.

The first fan-free zone was held at Plummer Park, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard, on Friday, June 12, and Saturday, June 13, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. both days. It is a family-friendly event that features live broadcasts of the World Cup while also providing attendees with interactive games, vendors, food, and even a small soccer game for young fans, the city of West Hollywood noted on its website. 

 

Plummer Park kicked off the event with a live viewing of the U.S. Men’s National Team opening match on June 12 at 6 p.m. 

The Free Fan Zones are intended to complement the World Cup festivities by offering an alternative, family-friendly, and cost-efficient way to view the games. The upcoming next Free Fan Zone will be held at West Hollywood Park from Thursday, June 25 thru Sunday, June 28.

By Ryley Metten

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, June 16, the Santa Monica Police Department announced officers conducted a drug bust, resulting in a narcotics arrest.

Officers were patrolling the 1500 block of Palisades Park on June 14 when they observed two individuals engaged in what they suspected was a narcotics sale. Officers investigated and briefly detained them.

According to the SMPD, one of the people was released after being reminded of the Santa Monica municipal codes regulating smoking in the park, and the investigation was focused on the other suspect, who had drugs in his possession and was suspected of having provided the investigators with a false name.

As he did not provide any  form of legal identification, a fingerprint reader was used to determine his true identity.  Afterwards the officers used the computer in their car to check for outstanding warrants on this person and discovered that a no-bail probation-violation warrant had been issued for that individual because they were on active probation for Grand Theft out of San Bernardino County.

This prompted officers to conduct a search, and the bags confiscated included more than 200 grams of methamphetamine, and the largest bag contained over 158 grams.

The suspect was arrested on the outstanding warrant and for possession of drug equipment, the name of the individual has not been publicly disclosed.

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On May 20, the city of Beverly Hills announced that it approved a new Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) pending ratification by the Board of Education on May 26. Beverly Hills and the BHUSD used the structure of joint power agreements dating back to 1977 for the purpose of outlining shared use of facilities, recreational programming, and technology support.

With the new agreement, BHUSD will assume responsibility for several programs previously administered by Beverly Hills, effective August 1, 2026, including all afternoon programming at BHUSD elementary schools and all City-run camps at District facilities. In addition, responsibility for the State-Licensed Preschool Program, currently administered by Beverly Hills, will transition to BHUSD in Fall 2026.

The JPA includes nearly $39 million in city financial contributions to BHUSD over the three-year term of the agreement, including $13,750,000 for fiscal year 2026–27, $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2027–28, and $12,250,000 for fiscal year 2028–29.

“For almost a half-century, the City has supported BHUSD through the Joint Powers Agreement, and this new three-year arrangement reaffirms our commitment to the success of the District and its students,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Craig Corman.

The JPA includes a Memorandum of Understanding related to digital monitoring and broadcasting technology outlining the district’s responsibility regarding Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), Unarmed Aircraft Systems Operations (Drone), and other security equipment. The agreement memorializes the Beverly Hills Police Department’s continuous support to BHUSD through School Resource Officers and other technical support.

“Families move to Beverly Hills because they believe in the strength of our schools, the quality of our programs, and the investment this community makes in its children. This agreement reflects a shared vision between the City of Beverly Hills and Beverly Hills Unified School District to continue building on that legacy together,” said BHUSD Board of Education President Judith Manouchehri.

“We are incredibly grateful for the confidence the City has placed in our District by asking us to take on these important programs and services. This partnership creates new opportunities to better serve our students, families, and community while strengthening the collaboration that has defined Beverly Hills for generations.”

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, June 13, Bruce Lion, 64, an heir to the Lions Raisin company based in Selma, CA, was arrested for allegedly threatening one of his neighbors, Rabbi Zushe Cunin, after allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks directed at the Rabbi and his Orthodox Jewish outreach organization, the Chabad of the Palisades.

Videos of Lion making the alleged remarks were published by the New York Post and its California-based affiliate, the California Post. Two insults included Lion claiming the Rabbi was hiding bodies at his home and threatening to pull the Rabbi’s nose, while standing on the balcony of his property, wearing minimal clothing. Lion also insulted the Rabbi’s weight, and a claim was made that the Rabbi killed Jesus Christ.

Cunin claims the remarks disrupted services and they have occurred since the heir to the Raisin company purchased the mansion in March 2026.  Lion denies making some of the remarks and claims individuals associated with the Chabad were responsible for the disputes.

On June 12, Rabbi Cunin called the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.  Lion was arrested on suspicion of criminal threats and is being held on $50,000 bail.  The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information has been released.

In 2019, Lion was sentenced by Fresno County Superior Court Judge Michael Idiarto to 2 years, with time already served in jail, for making a criminal threat and illegal possession of a gun, despite previously being legally barred from gun ownership by the court.

Four years later, in September 2023, he was arrested by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department after allegedly throwing rocks at vehicles in Monterey County, assaulting construction workers, and using debris to block the highway.  He was booked on a range of charges, including vandalism, assault, assault with a weapon other than a firearm, and false imprisonment.

Later that year, he was arrested again at the residence of his ex-wife on North Van Ness Boulevard, after it was alleged, he violated a restraining order.

In 2025, the Department of Agriculture sued the Lion Raisin company, alleging that it violated the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act after a collision on February 23, 2024.

The driver of a vehicle transporting a group of migrant workers to Lion Farm was killed, along with seven of the workers, in a collision with another vehicle.  The case was settled in 2026, and the company was ordered to pay past wages and civil penalties.

By Daniel Diquinzio

LOS FELIZ—It has been announced that the LA28 Olympic cycling event will finish at the Griffith Observatory.

The first road cycling events will take place for the men’s and women’s trails on Day of the Olympic Games on July 19, 2028. The event will start at the LA Zoo. Full details on cycling routes have not been publicly disclosed.

July 22 and July 23 will be the days for the women’s and man’s cycling races that will start at Venice Beach Boardwalk and end at the Observatory.

Belgian Remco Evenepoel, of Belgium back in 2024 was victorious in the man’s cycling road race.

Cycling for the Olympic Games spans four disciplines which include road, track, mountain bike and BMX. Each tests a different combination of speed, endurance and technical skill.

With road cycling, athletes compete in the individual time trial by racing alone against the clock, and the mass-start road race, where large fields navigate long, often tactical courses shaped by terrain and team strategy.

Cycling has been part of the Olympics since 1986. The various cycling events for 2028 include:

Road Cycling

Men’s Road Race
Women’s Road Race
Men’s Individual Time Trial
Women’s Individual Time Trial

Track Cycling

Men’s Sprint
Women’s Sprint
Men’s Keirin
Women’s Keirin
Men’s Team Sprint
Women’s Team Sprint
Men’s Team Pursuit
Women’s Team Pursuit
Men’s Omnium
Women’s Omnium
Men’s Madison
Women’s Madison

Mountain Bike

Men’s Cross-Country
Women’s Cross-Country

BMX Racing

Men’s BMX Racing
Women’s BMX Racing

BMX Freestyle

Men’s Freestyle Park
Women’s Freestyle Park

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES—On June 11, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to structure fire at a commercial building located at 1515, Palisades Drive that houses the office of reality TV star, and former Los Angeles Mayoral candidate, Spencer Pratt. LAFD firefighters, including two ladder trucks from Fire Stations 23 and 69 in Cheviot Hills were dispatched to the scene along with LAFD arson investigators. Ballotpedia reports that Pratt, was initially carrying 25.8 percent of the vote. Los Angeles City council member, Nithya Raman had 28.5 percent, and incumbent Mayor, Karen Bass reportedly held 34.3 percent. Pratt was running as a Republican, Raman was running non-partisan, and Bass as a Democrat. The latter two advanced to the general election. There was a lull that took place in California during the counting of ballots. Multiple news outlets reported on the extraordinarily long time it took to tally the votes. The procedure of counting ballots previously had results within several hours of the polls closing. A few days after Spencer Pratt conceded, he posted the following message on his X social media page. “I am proud to be teaming up with Karen Bass’ brother in suing his sister for reckless negligence that led to the destruction of our homes. I hope their Thanksgiving dinner isn’t too awks [slang term for awkward]. I know ours haven’t been the same since last year.” The home of Spencer Pratt, his wife Heidi Montag, and their two children was burned to the ground in the Pacific Palisades fire in January 2025. Karen Bass’s brother, Kenneth Bass and his wife Cindy lost their home in the fire as well.  They are all a part of a class-action lawsuit filed due to the State of California and the City of Los Angeles’s lack of preparation. The Ynez Reservoir was dry and the water from the fire hydrants was not enough to save all of the residents and their homes. After the fire broke out in the same Pacific Palisades building as Spencer Pratt’s Crystals company, Pratt referred to the fire as, “suspicious.” “I will wait for the investigators to make public the details, but this was no accident, and the timing of this…on the heels of all of the contentious election tomfoolery of the last two weeks, it is very suspect, indeed.” Pratt thanked LAFD for their hard work, but noted that, “There are many unscrupulous people in this city who will stop at nothing to silence people who expose the corruption that has overrun our city.” Oscar Chang, the building Superintendent, indicated that everything was fine. “We were here on Tuesday, and everything was great. There are a couple of tenants, even during the renovations. Spencer Pratt maintained an office there. His office was very low-key. He does not have a name on the office,” Chang stated. The fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call LAFD Arson investigations. By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is reminding residents that a mandatory watering schedule is still in effect this summer:

-North of Santa Monica Boulevard addresses: Mondays & Fridays
-South of Santa Monica Boulevard addresses: Tuesdays & Saturdays
-No watering on Wednewsdays, Thurdays, Sundays
-No watering (sprinklers or hose) after 9 a.m. or before 6 p.m.

-No water run-off on the sidewalk or street
-Supplemental watering for trees allowed
-Violations will be issued for non-compliance

Residents and businesses in Beverly Hills must adhere to the Mandatory Outdoor Watering Schedule. Should one’s property be identified as being in violation, they may receive a “Notice of Violation” from the city of Beverly Hills Public Works Department. For more information email askBH@beverlyhills.org or call 310-285-1000. To learn more about efficient outdoor watering visit: www.beverlyhills.org/watering.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills will hold a Rent Stabilization Rent Registry Workshop on Thursday, June 18 for individuals to learn more about Rent Registry and how it can benefit them.

The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the BH City Hall Municipal Gallery, located at 455 N. Rexford Dr.

Virtual option available at www.beverlyhills.org/rentstabilization. Individuals will get the opportunity to:

-Understand the rent registry requirements
-Get your questions answered by City staff
-Ensure compliance and avoid penalties

For more details, call the askBH Customer Service Hotline at 310-285-1000 or visit www.beverlyhills.org/rentstabilization.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Friday, June 12, the city of Malibu announced a reminder for restaurant owners in the region to apply by June 30 for $5,000 grants from the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund to invest in their business.

The grants are administered by the California Restaurant Foundation and supported by utility partners including SoCalGas and PG&E. Funds can be used for equipment purchases, technology upgrades, employee training and retention, or recovery from unforeseen hardships.

Restaurants Care, a program of the nonprofit California Restaurant Foundation, is a relief fund for food and beverage workers. They provide grants of up to $2,500 directly to cooks, servers, dishwashers and more when they face an unforeseen hardship.

Since 2021, the Restaurants Care Resilience Fund has awarded $11 million across 2,087 grants to independent restaurants, caterers, and food trucks across California—supporting burger joints, taquerias, bakeries, and more that are the heart of our communities.

Eligible businesses generally must be independent restaurants and caterers with 1–5 locations, annual revenue of $3 million or less for the applying location and have been operating for at least one year.

To apply visit: https://restaurantscare.org/resilience/.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu indicated on Sunday, June 14, that there will be overnight lane closures for Topanga Canyon Boulevard starting Monday, June 15 thru Saturday, June 20.

Motorists traveling between Malibu and the San Fernando Valley should expect overnight delays on Topanga Canyon Boulevard (SR-27) between Pacific Coast Highway and approximately two miles north due to Caltrans pavement restoration work.

Topanga Canyon Blvd (SR-27):
• Work hours: 10 p.m. – 6 a.m.
• One lane will remain open, with flaggers directing alternating traffic
• Traffic control locations may shift throughout the night as work progresses

Work is preparing the roadway for the SR-27 Pavement Rehabilitation Project between PCH and Mulholland Drive, which was paused due to the Palisades Fire and emergency repairs. Repaving work from just north of Happy Trail to PCH is expected to begin the week of June 22.

Motorists should expect delays and consider alternate routes during overnight construction hours. Nearby residents and businesses may experience construction-related noise, vibrations, and dust.

To view real-time traffic conditions, visit: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov.

By Danny Jones