BEVERLY HILLS—The woman who was arrested for shooting at the Beverly Hills property owned by singer Rihanna earlier this month, entered a plea of not guilty in court on Wednesday, March 25.

Ivanna Lisette Oritz, 35, from Orlando, Florida, was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with attempted murder. The defendant is being represented by a public defender. Her bond was previously set at over $1.875 million and a request to reduce it was rejected by the court. Ortiz previously entered a not guilty plea when in court on March 11, but it was later withdrawn.

Ortiz has posted numerous videos on social media where she talked about Rihanna. The incident transpired on March 8 after the Los Angeles Police Department reported they received 911 calls at 1:21 p.m. Ortiz drove to Rihanna’s home located in Beverly Hills in a White Tesla. She fired several shots into the property with one round hitting a wall inside the home. After firing shots, the suspect fled the scene. The suspect was tracking by police to a parking lot in Sherman Oaks where she was later arrested.

The home is located on the 9500 block of Heather Road. A motive for the shooting has not been disclosed to the public.

Rihanna was home during the incident, as well as her partner A$AP Rocky, her mother, her three children and other house staffers. There were no injuries reported.

On March 10, Ortiz, was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in case 26CJCF01519 with one count of attempted murder, 10 felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and three felony counts of shooting at an inhabited dwelling or camper.

In March 2023, the singer had a fan travel from South Carolina to her home in Beverly Hills hoping to meet her. In 2018, Eduardo Leon was arrested after he allegedly broke into the Grammy winner’s Hollywood Hills home and waited for over 12 hours. Leon, 27, at the time, hopped a fence, entered the singer’s home, and stayed overnight.

Rihanna is a singer who has earned 9 Grammy Awards and is known for her hits, “S.O.S.,” “Umbrella,” “Take a Bow,” “Rude Boy” and “Only Girl (in the World).” She has sold over 250 million records worldwide. She has appeared in the films “Battleship,” “Ocean’s 8” and performed voice work in the latest animated “Smurfs” film in 2025.

If convicted as charged, Ortiz faces up to life in state prison. The case is being prosecuted by Alexander Bott of the Major Crimes Division and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On March 23, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) issued new beach warnings for Los Angeles County Beaches. Beach closures include those in Santa Monica and Malibu. The LACDPH advises the public to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in Topanga Canyon beach to include 100 yards of the public restroom up and down the coast from Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach. The Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach is under a Water Quality Warning due to high bacteria levels. According to reports, the beach remains open, but water contact is highly discouraged. The Santa Monica Pier, Wilshire Boulevard storm-drain on Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica North Tower 12. While the ocean area remains under a water warning due to elevated bacteria levels, the pier structure and the businesses that operate there remain open. Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach includes the south-facing sandy beach East of Point Dume in Malibu. Reports indicate that as of February 2026, the cliffside was closed due to hazardous conditions making the trek to reach the sand unsafe. There was no current update on this section. Storm damage to the stairway there at Escondido Beach was in need of repair. Waters in Escondido Creek and Beach are not clean enough to swim. The bacteria warning remains in effect for this area and 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek is included in the warning. “Recent water samples showed bacteria levels exceeding health standards, which may increase risk of illness,” states the LACDPH. Warnings have been lifted for beaches at Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach and Santa Monica Tower 20. LACDPH notes recorded information on beach conditions is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-525-5662.   By Sharon

WESTWOOD—On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, the UCLA Police Department announced that detectives have arrested Alexander Schecter, 24, of Santa Monica in connection with a sexual assault, kidnapping, and additional offenses.

On Friday, March 20, 2026, at approximately 12:15 p.m., UCLA Police Department detectives arrested Alexander Schecter, 24, at his Santa Monica residence. Schecter is not believed to be affiliated with the university. He was transported to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Twin Towers Correctional Facility for housing.

He was booked on one count of rape by force, one count of forcible oral copulation, one
count of robbery, one count of extortion, and one count of battery. Bail was set at $600,000. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration.

The arrest follows an earlier incident on March 8, 2026, at approximately 3 a.m., when UCLA Police Department officers responded to a report of a possible kidnapping and false
imprisonment in the 500 block of Landfair Avenue. Two female UCLA students were being
dropped off in the area when the suspect allegedly prevented them from exiting his vehicle and threatened violence. Fearing for their safety, the victims remained in the vehicle as the suspect drove approximately half a mile to the 400 block of Gayley Avenue.

On March 12, 2026, detectives identified Schecter as the suspect in that incident and arrested him on charges of kidnapping and false imprisonment. He was booked and later posted bail.

During the continued investigation, detectives uncovered evidence linking Schecter to a
previously unreported sexual assault involving a female victim with no known affiliation to the university. The assault occurred on October 12, 2025, between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., in the area of Venice Boulevard and Clarington Avenue in the city of Los Angeles.

The UCLA Police Department assumed primary investigative responsibility, confirmed the assault, and developed probable cause for Schecter’s arrest on the additional charges.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims, and they are asked to contact the UCLA PD Investigations Division at 310-825-9371.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, March 23, the city of West Hollywood posted on its Facebook page that it is reminding the public about WeHo Loves Locals Gift Card.

Individuals can support West Hollywood businesses and get more for your money with a 50 percent bonus gift card:
• Buy $100 → get $50 bonus
• Buy $200 → get $100 bonus
• Buy $300 → get $150 bonus

While dining out, shopping, or treating yourself, the program provides a way to enjoy more and support local.

During Eat+Drink West Hollywood, using your gift card at participating restaurants or bars automatically enters you to win the Ultimate Culinary Giveaway: 2-night hotel stay + $1,000 gift card. One per person. Available while supplies last.

Eat+Drink West Hollywood runs from March 1 thru March 31. To learn more visit: www.weholocals.com.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD/BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, March 24, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed that a Los Angeles model and social media influencer has been held to answer on charges of burglarizing the homes of victims she met online.

Adva Lavie, 28, was held to answer March 23, 2026, on two counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information; two counts of grand theft; one count of first-degree residential burglary with person present and one count of first-degree residential burglary — all felonies — in case 25VWCF01988. She previously pleaded not guilty to all charges.

She is scheduled to be arraigned on April 6, 2026 in Department F of the Van Nuys Courthouse. She is out of custody on an ankle monitor and is ordered to stay away from the named victims.

Prosecutors allege that from 2023 to 2025, Lavie — who is also known as Mia Ventura — used dating apps and cultivated relationships to burglarize and steal from wealthy older men and younger women in Westlake Village, West Hollywood, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

She is accused of posing as a girlfriend and travel companion to gain access to victims’ homes and then stealing cash, gold and high-end designer items. If convicted on all counts, Lavie faces up to 11 years, 8 months in state prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Julia Cohn of the Van Nuys Branch and was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Saturday, March 21, around 6:15 p.m., a brawl occurred in a bar located in the 500 block of Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood.

According to the reporting of KTLA, the inciting incident was alcohol being thrown at the face of a victim.  Afterwards, the individual and another victim were told to leave the bar after they started fighting. They suffered wounds to their head, as well as to the face.

Outside the bar, the brawl continued involving four to six people, who went down Santa Monica Boulevard while fighting. Two restaurants they passed included Micky’s and Fiesta Cantina.  Some of the men involved in the brawl were wearing blue jerseys numbered 93.

The brawl was captured on a cellphone camera of a bar customer that the WeHo Times has released online. No arrests have been made in the incident.

The names of the victims have not been released by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, but what is known is that the victims refused medical assistance.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station is requesting anyone with information about the brawl to contact them.

 

Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced its annual Tsunami Awareness Week which runs from March 21 thru March 29.

According to a post on the city’s Facebook page on March 23, the Pacific coastline, which stretches through Malibu, is at high risk of a tsunami. The goal is to help residents learn about the danger and how they can prepare for it.

For more information about the events for Tsunami Awareness Week visit: https://www.tsunamizone.org/California/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQv-WlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFsSFJpZHVWbFFaTU82amFnc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjuecRqs9sgg4yUz9RgpKb7RVSYa4AnRR-ZI_VFqpaMTxmT9qewrEoHkIQln_aem_J1EL5eckrfy2653rvYT6VQ.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—On March 18, Beverly Hills High School held a ribbon cutting celebration for six new tennis courts on campus. In addition to the new courts, the BHHS Tennis Team also received new Nike uniforms that symbolized, “A new chapter for the program,” the website states. “This moment reflects our continued commitment to providing students with high-quality facilities that support both athletic excellence and school pride,” stated the BHHS. The Beverly Hills Unified School District (BHUSD) Board of Education members, District Leadership, BHUSD Superintendent Dr. Alexix Cherniss, Beverly Hills Mayor, Dr. Sharona Nazarian. Vice Mayor Craig Corman, and from the construction team, Fonder Salari and Erickson Hall construction Co. posed for a photograph with the BHHS tennis team in front of their six new beautiful tennis courts. BHUSD Board President Judith Manouchehri made the following statement: “Reopening the Beverly Hills high School tennis courts is a meaningful moment for our entire community, as we return this important facility to our students and staff where it belongs, supporting athletics, wellness, and school pride.” The implementation of the new tennis courts marks a significant milestone in the continued modernization of the BHHS campus facilities. “The project is part of the district’s broader bond-funded facilities program reflecting a focused effort by the Beverly Hills Unified School District Board of Education to advance key construction priorities and deliver long-awaited improvements for students. The new courts were completed as part of ongoing work within the upper athletic fields area where critical site development and infrastructure enhancements have supported the expansion of athletic spaces…The completion of the courts reflects a continued emphasis on thoughtful planning, coordination, and execution across the district projects,” states the BHUSD.   By Sharon

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On March 21, Los Angeles Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez was scrutinized for voting “No” on the budget due to her ongoing commitment not to fund the Los Angeles Police Department.

On May 20, 2025, the LA City Council approved a contract that authorized LAPD to work security services during special-event services. Councilmember Hernandez has requested security for “El Grito de Dolores,” the 1810 battle cry that sparked Mexico’s War for Independence.

LAPD records indicate that 13 uniformed, armed police officers were assigned to the event using approximately 100 hours of special event overtime for security deployment. The price tag for LAPD to work this event cost the city $134,498.65

“Last year, I was the only one on the council to vote ‘No’ on the budget, because of what I was seeing. I saw that we invested over $6 million in police uniforms for LAPD and just a few pages after, the entire Youth Development Department, that’s supposed to be serving the young people of the city of Los Angeles, only invested $2.3 million.

That, for me, reflected the entire budget of the city of Los Angeles, of how we prioritize our money.  The city of LA has a youth population just above 800,000. That’s nearly a quarter of the entire city population. Yet nearly a quarter of our entire city budget goes to one department, which is LAPD.”

Hernandez was elected in 2022, with her abolish police campaign to represent LA residents where she has spent the entirety of her life, in Highland Park.  District 1 also covers Glassell Park, Mount Washington, Echo Park, Chinatown, Westlake, and Lincoln Heights.

LAPD has jurisdiction in dozens of cities and most of the Canyon News coverage area, including, but not limited to, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Brentwood, Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz, Melrose, Pacific palisades, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Westwood, and Woodland Hills.

Councilwoman Hernandez, who is non-partisan, received endorsements from; U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D), U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D), U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D), Senator Caroline Menjivar (CA-D), Senator Lola Smallwood-Cueves (D-CA), State Assemblymember Jessica Caloza (D), Sate Assembly member Sade Elhawary(D), State Assemblymember Alex Lee, State Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D), and a long list of Unions.

Hernandez is running for reelection as an incumbent to keep her seat on the LA City Council for District 1. The primary will be held on June 2, 2026, and the General Election will be on November 3, 2026.

There are at least four other nonpartisan candidates running to unseat Hernandez including Mary Lou Calanche, Raul Claros, Nelson Grande, and Sivia Robledo.

 

By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s help to locate a missing person.

Rawan Louis Rayyan, 37, is a White female who was last seen on January 24, 2026, at 9 a.m., on the 14000 block of Cartela Drive, in the city of La Mirada.

Rayyan is 5 feet and 6 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds, with brown hair, and brown eyes. She has a mental health disorder, and her family is concerned about her well-being. Her possible destinations are Venice Beach, Santa Monica or Covina. The family is asking for the public’s help in locating her.

Anyone with details about the incident is asked to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Missing Persons Unit at (323) 890-5500.

To provide information anonymously, call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use one’s smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

 

By Danny Jones