SANTA MONICA—On April 10, a captain with the Salvation Army was arrested by the Santa Monica Police Department and was charged with possessing child pornography.

Ty Michael Baze, 54, of Santa Monica is facing felony charges, which includes possession of obscene matter depicting a minor in a sexual act.

According to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Inmate Information Center, Ty Michael Baze was booked into jail around 2 p.m. on April 10.  In addition, he is being held on $250,000 bail, NBC 4 Los Angeles reported.

The Salvation Army placed Baze on leave after learning about Baze’s arrest.

The SMPD is still investigating the case.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WOODLAND HILLS—On April 19, First Assistant U.S. Attorney General Bill Essayli announced the arrest of the Iranian National, and Woodland Hills resident, Shamim Mafi, 44, at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for allegedly trafficking firearms. According to an unsealed criminal complaint, the actual arrest took place on April 18, as Mafi was preparing to board an international flight en route to Turkey. According to the FBI’s Iran Counter-Intelligence Squad, Mafi was arrested and detained for brokering the sale Iranian made bombs, drones, Assault weapons, and millions of rounds of ammunition to Sudan. Mafi was reportedly in communication with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. One of the arms deals between Iran and Sudan was worth $60 million eros, to initiate the sale of Iranian-made drones from Iran’s Defense Ministry to Sudan. In a separate complaint against Mafi for selling 55,000 Iranian-made bomb fuses to the Sudanese military. Mafi was born in Iran but also lived in Turkey. She is not a U.S. citizen. She has been legally permitted to travel to and from Turkey, Oman, Iran, and the U.S. He is charged with a violation of 50 U.S. Code § 1705 for acting as an intermediary, and conspiracy with the intent to sell firearms manufactured by Iran to Sudan. If convicted, he faces 20 years in federal prison. Essayli was born in Anaheim to Lebanese immigrants. He was raised and educated in Corona, California. In April 2025, he was appointed as the top federal prosecutor for the Central District of California by then Attorney General Pam Bondi. Bilal A. “Bill” Essayli is the First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. He leads a team of 500 lawyers, special agents, and staff members enforcing federal criminal law and safeguarding the approximately 20 million people living in the largest district of the country. He served as a federal prosecutor in the Los Angeles and Riverside offices from October 2014 to February 2018. He prosecuted criminals charged with violent and organized crime, bank fraud, securities fraud, and other white-collar criminal matters. By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On April 18, the Santa Monica Police Department issued a community update on the department’s Facebook page about a protest scheduled to occur in Santa Monica on Sunday, April 19. The protest will occur on the 3rd St. Promenade in downtown Santa Monica.

The Santa Monica Police Department reminds the public that peaceful assembly and peaceful expression is allowed, but it will not tolerate criminal behavior during the scheduled protest. Officers will be present to ensure the area remains safe and provide emergency services if needed.

They will also supervise the traffic and ensure people are able to enter businesses and the area remains safe for protestors, including those in the downtown Santa Monica area.

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, March 17, the city of Beverly Hills announced that Adrine Ovasapyan was named Adrine Ovasapyan as the new Deputy Director of Community Services. Ovasapyan currently serves as Recreation Services Manager and brings almost 25 years of municipal government experience to the position. As Deputy Director, she will directly oversee the Youth Recreation and Ranger divisions.

“I’m thrilled that Adrine will be taking on this critical role in our department,” said Community Services Director Stephanie Harris. “During her time in Beverly Hills, she has built trust across the department and with our City partners. I know her contributions will continue to benefit the Beverly Hills community for years to come.”

Ovasapyan has been working with Beverly Hills since 2019 after she joined the Community Services Department’s Arts and Culture Division as a Recreation Supervisor. In 2023, she was promoted to Recreation Services Manager and currently manages the Youth Recreation team, including tots, youth, and teen programming.

She also serves as the staff liaison to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Beverly Hills Unified School District, local youth sports organizations, and the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Before coming to Beverly Hills, Ovasapyan worked for the city of Burbank in the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department for more than 15 years. She will assume her new role on Saturday, March 21, 2026, following the promotion of current Deputy Director Chris Paulson to Assistant Director.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday, March 17 that to celebrated Fix-A-Leak Week (March 17–25), residents are asked to take a few minutes to check their home for water leaks.

Small, unnoticed leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water each year and quietly increase your water bill.

Start with toilets — the most common source of household leaks. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

Try this quick toilet leak test:

-Remove the toilet tank lid
-Add a few drops of food coloring (or a dye tab) to the tank
-Wait 15 minutes without flushing
-If color appears in the bowl, you likely have a leaking flapper.

For more details on water-saving tips and information, visit www.BHSaves.org.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Saturday, April 25, the city of West Hollywood is offering a free American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification training. Community members may choose from one of the two training sessions: one will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the other will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Each will be held at the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center Fairfax/La Brea Room, located at 8750 El Tovar Place, adjacent to West Hollywood Library. Limited parking is available at the West Hollywood Park Five-Story parking structure located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

The American Red Cross certification training will cover adult and pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED topics and participants will learn how to respond to medical emergencies. Before meeting in-person, participants will be enrolled in an online learning session that takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete.

There will be in-person section reviews and tests that will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per section for participants to receive their certification. An online learning session link will be sent out 7 days prior to the in-person training session. All online coursework must be completed before the in-person training session.

Space is limited and is anticipated to reach capacity quickly. Enroll using West Hollywood’s “ActiveNet” online reservations portal. RSVPs require ActiveNet registration, which takes few minutes to complete.

Once capacity reaches limits, community members who are interested are asked to join a waitlist. West Hollywood will host additional American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification trainings. To join this waitlist email wehoaquatics@weho.org or call (323) 848-6538.

For additional information about West Hollywood’s free American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification training, please email wehoaquatics@weho.org or call (323) 848-6538. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing, dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, March 17, the city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory through Friday.

According to the NWS, the heat event carries an elevated risk of heat illness across the general population. Community members are strongly encouraged to take precautions and utilize available cooling resources.

City Library Cooling Centers — Free & Open to All:

-Ocean Park Branch
-Pico Branch
-Main Library

Tips to Stay Safe in the Heat:

-Close blinds and curtains during the day to block heat
-Drink water consistently — do not wait until you feel thirsty
-Wear loose, light-colored, breathable clothing
-Use fans and limit strenuous outdoor activity
-Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle
-Open windows in the evening to allow cooler air to circulate

Residents are asked to check on neighbors, seniors, and those without access to cooling.

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Wednesday, April 16, the Malibu Office of Public Safety posted a warning on its Facebook page that rattlesnakes have been spotted in Malibu parks and trails.

According to a post, rattlesnakes are native to Malibu and help limit rodent populations, but in doing so, not only prevent the spread of diseases but reduce the property damage caused by rodents.

The city of Malibu is warning residents that visit a trail or park in the city, to be wary of rattlesnakes nearby. Residents should stay on a trail if possible.  In addition, playgrounds should be inspected to determine if a rattlesnake is present before children play. Dogs should not be let off their leash. The city of Malibu warns that not all rattlesnakes rattle prior to an attack.

If a rattlesnake is seen, people should stay away, and if city employees are seen on a trail or in a park, they should be informed of any rattlesnake presence but also call the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter.  The number for the shelter is 818-991-0071.  During the call, questions will be asked about the rattlesnake.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

TOPANGA CANYON—On April 15, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority announced that the scheduled burn planned for Friday, April 17, has been postponed. For public safety and unfavorable weather predictions, there will be no burning the rest of April. The next scheduled burn will likely take place a month from now. The public will be given 72-hour notice of any new scheduled burn bans. The same 72-hour rule will apply to future scheduled burn cancellations as well. Reports indicate that in the right environment, scheduled burns can prevent forest fires and wildfires. The negative effects of the combination of wind and arid conditions can outweigh the need to remove the dry undergrowth. In the wrong environment, the underbrush is extremely flammable. Multiple areas in Southern California have deployed goats to eat the brush in steep terrains. Los Angeles County deployed 500 goats in an area of about 35-39 acres in the Sepulveda Basin and Corbin Canyon area. Glendale (Verdugo Park) utilized goats to help clear the area of brush on a hillside in close proximity to residential areas. Pasadena (Arroyo Seco) has 600 goats scheduled to graze on Saturday, April 18. Rancho Palos Verdes began using goats in early April to keep the weeds at bay.   By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) were dispatched to the 7900 block of Norton Avenue. A couple was reportedly walking with their baby north the intersection of Fairfax Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard when a male suspect fired a shot striking that man walking. The suspect fled the scene in a white Nissan Altima. The suspect is still at large. According to reports, the victim had stable vital signs when transported to an area hospital. Local surveillance footage depicted the victim awake and alert as he was being loaded into the hospital for transport. On April 9, the LASD responded to a call of shots fired at an apartment complex in the 1000 block of North Vista Street South of Santa Monica Boulevard. A shooter fired shots at a woman standing on the balcony at her apartment complex. The victim was taken to an area hospital where she is listed in stable condition. No arrests have been made in either shooting. Both cases are still under investigation. Anyone with details is asked to call LASD West Hollywood Station at 310-855-8550.   By Sharon