SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that its alerting the public about Community Connect, which is a tool that gives Santa Monica’s first responders the critical information needed for them to make quick, informed decisions during an emergency.

How to get started:

1) Create an account
Sign in for free with your email, phone number and address.

2) Enter the info that matters most
Add details that help firefighters assist you more effectively in an emergency.

3) Help your Fire Department when seconds count
Keep your information updated so we’re always ready to respond.

“Community Connect is a vital piece of technology that provides first responders with critical information regarding your residence or business. This information, which the homeowner or business owner inputs, allows first responders to make strategic and tactical decisions enroute should the need arise for us to respond in an emergency. In an emergency, seconds can often mean the difference in the outcome of an emergency. Having information such as floor plans, pets, or specific medical needs will assist responders in those critical moments when every second matters,” states SM Fire Chief Hallock on the Community Connect website.

Data provided to Community Connect is secure and is used only for the purpose of better serving individuals during emergency situations. The information is never used for any other purpose. All logins are password protected with bank level encryption and security. Anyone comfortable logging in to their online bank will be comfortable logging in to Community Connect.

Having details like floor plans, pets or specific medical needs can make all the difference when every second matters.

To learn more and sign up at: www.communityconnect.io/info/ca-santamonica.

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced that one of the lanes comprising the Pacific Coast Highway will be closed on the nights of Tuesday, March 10, and Wednesday, March 11.

The closure is for workers with the California Department of Transportation can add devices to the median dividing the two lanes to improve vehicle safety along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Only one lane will be open on the Pacific Coast Highway close to Corral Canyon Road. The lane will be only Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SHERMAN OAKS—On Saturday, March 7, at approximately 7:30 p.m., a motorcyclist was seriously injured on 405 Freeway closest to the off ramp at Burbank Boulevard. According to the California Highway Patrol, the motorcycle and a vehicle collided while traveling northbound. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics were called to the scene to administer first aid. The motorcyclist was transported to an area hospital in serious condition. There were no other injuries reported. There were no arrests made, but the motorcycle and the vehicle involved in the crash were on the shoulder. LAFD requested assistance to manage traffic, while the High Occupancy Vehicle Lane and additional lanes were temporarily closed to through traffic while crews worked the scene. Both lanes reopened. Names of the individuals have not been released on the incident.   By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, March 9, the Santa Monica Police Department announced on its Facebook page that they are asking for the public’s help to locate a sexual battery suspect.

Authorities are hoping to determine if there may be additional victims connected to a sexual battery investigation.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 20–30 years old, with dark curly hair and wearing the clothing shown in the attached photo.

Anyone who recognizes the individual, believes they may have had contact with him, or has information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sean Baker at 310-458-8932 (sean.baker@santamonica.gov) or at (310) 458-8491. Anonymous information is accepted.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The Los Angeles Police Department announced on Monday, March 9 that Ivanna Lisette Ortiz, 35, was arrested and has been booked with attempted murder. Her bail was set at $10.2 million. 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.

A 911 call was made with authorities responding at 1:21 p.m. on Sunday, March 8, with police responding around 1:21 p.m. The suspect was tracked to a parking lot in Sherman Oaks where she was 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, but she did not suffer any injuries. It is not known if Rihanna’s children or if her partner, A$AP Rocky were at home at the time of the shooting. 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.

On Tuesday, March 10, Ortiz, who is from Orlando, Florida, 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.

Her arraignment was continued to March 25 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Bail has been set to $1.875 million.

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.

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.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, March 9, the city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that volunteers are wanted for the first Westside Repair Café on March 21, at Joslyn Hall in Reed Park.

Repair stations include:
-clothing
-electronics
-small appliances and more!

The Repair Café is still looking for additional volunteers to help with the event. They are accepting volunteers for repair stations at all skill levels and non-repair volunteers.

Go to the Santa Monica event page and filter for “Recycling/Compost” events to find the Repair Café for a volunteer link or email westsiderepaircafe@gmail.com for more details.

 

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On Monday, March 9, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported a four-story structure fire in Hollywood Hills. The blaze was reported at 6:10 p.m. at 8932 W St Ives Dr.

Over 100 firefighters from LAFD, with mutual aid assistance from LACoFD and Beverly Hills Fire Department, achieved a knock down in 42 minutes. The fire was confined to the roof of the home, with no surrounding brush or structure involvement.

LAFD air units were requested and remained overhead to monitor any ember casts as well as the option for a water drop if called for by the IC.

Arson is responding to further investigate this incident. An LACoFD firefighter sustained a small burn and is being transported in stable condition to a local hospital. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

 

By Danny Jones

BEL AIR—The home of celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe was burglarized on Sunday, March 8. Zoe is also a star of the Bravo reality series, “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” TMZ was first to report the news of Zoe’s Bel Air home being burglarized.

Zoe was not home at the time of the incident. She was in Las Vegas at the time of the incident. TMZ reported authorities were alerted after the security system at the home was activated prompting the alarm company to contact authorities. According to reports, two males were spotted leaving the property.

No details have been revealed on rather anyone was home at the time of the incident, or details on any items taken from the property. Zoe is the latest start of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” to have her home targeted in recent months. TMZ reported one of the suspects leaving the property was taken into custody.

In November 2025, the homes of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” stars Kathy Hilton and Sutton Stracke had their homes burglarized in Bel Air over the weekend.

Both ladies were in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the cable network, Bravo, which celebrated BravoCon when their properties were targeted. Both ladies were part of the celebration in Las Vegas that had a ton of celebrities from Bravo meeting with fans and chatting on panels about their series with Bravo figurehead, Andy Cohen.

TMZ reported that Kathy’s husband, Rick Hilton was inside their home at the time of the break-in and was not harmed. Authorities received a call at Stracke’s home on November 15, 2025, after her dog walker noticed a broken kitchen window. No details on if any items were stolen have been reported.

It was reported that Kathy’s husband contacted 911 after realizing three burglars were inside the home. By the time cops arrived on the scene, the burglars were gone. Stracke has been a cast member on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” since season 10.

Kathy Hilton has appeared as a friend on the series, as well as made countless appearances with her sisters Kim Richards and Kyle Richards on the show. Kathy’s daughters are Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton.

Kim was a series regular from season one through season five and has made appearances since leaving as a full-time housewife. Kyle Richards has been a series regular on the series since it debuted in 2010.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—TMZ was the first to report that gunshots were fired at the home of singer/actress Rihanna on Sunday, March 8. Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department arrested a 30-year-old woman who fired several shots at the home located on the 9500 block of Heather Road.

The name of the suspect and a motive for the shooting have not been disclosed to the public.

Rihanna was home during the incident, but she did not suffer any injuries. The suspect drove up to the property and fired several rounds at the property.

It is not known if Rihanna’s children or if her partner, A$AP Rocky were at home at the time of the shooting. 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.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced on its website that during the month of March, the Santa Monica Police Department will focus on the dangers of distracted driving.

The Police Department will conduct an enforcement operations focused on drivers suspected of violating the hands-free cell phone law.

Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle. This includes talking, texting, or using an app. Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

The SMPD is alerting drivers who have an important phone call or need to program directions, should pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

By Danny Jones