TOPANGA CANYON—On Monday, February 9, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that the Juvenile Division, Abused Child Section, is asking for the public’s help in identifying additional victims after the arrest of Christopher James Ramstead, 47, in connection with child molestation allegations.

The LAPD reported on Friday, February 6, detectives re-arrested Ramstead, a resident of Thousand Oaks, on charges related to an ongoing criminal investigation that started in Ventura County. He was re-arrested on a Felony Warrant issued for violating California Penal Code section 288(a) — Lewd Acts with a Minor Under 14 Years of Age (Booking No. 7177549).

Ramstead was previously arrested on February 4, for crimes against children that were believed to have occurred in Los Angeles County and was later released on bail. Investigators suspect there may be additional, unidentified victims.

These cases were sent to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. After reviewing the evidence, the District Attorney’s Office filed 9 counts of Penal Code section 288(a) — Lewd Acts with a Minor Under 14 Years of Age — against Ramstead. Bail has now been set at No Bail, and as of February 6, Ramstead was still in custody.

He pleaded not guilty during his arraignment, and a bail hearing is scheduled for February 13 in Department 112 of the Van Nuys Courthouse. At the prosecutors’ request, the Court ordered the defendant be held without bail.

Ramstead is a firefighter/paramedic with the Pasadena Fire Department and holds the rank of captain. The alleged abuse occurred during various time frames between March 2003 and July 2025.

If convicted as charged, he faces 135 years to life in state prison. Detectives are asking anyone who may be a victim or has additional information regarding Christopher Ramstead to contact Juvenile Division detectives at (818) 374-5415.

During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood posted on its Facebook page that there will be a community rally plus news conference for support of the San Vicente-Fairfax Route for Metro’s K Line Northern Extension.

The Metro Board is approaching a key decision on the final route for the project (or locally preferred alternative) in the coming weeks. Only the San Vicente-Fairfax route will serve all the major destinations and job centers in Central Los Angeles and West Hollywood while moving more riders and unlocking local funding.

Metro is currently studying which of the three remaining alternative routes the project should take. The La Cienega/Beverly and Santa Monica/San Vicente stations would only be included in the project if Metro selects the San Vicente-Fairfax route. The Santa Monica/Fairfax station would only be included if Metro selects the San Vicente-Fairfax or Fairfax routes. If you want Metro to include these stations email them at klinenorth@metro.net.

The route provides more stations, more riders, and more connections to West Hollywood and further. At the event there will be:

-Coffee & pastries
-Free t-shirts, pins & signs (while supplies last)
-Use code “METROWEHO” to get $10 off a Lime scooter or e-bike ride

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect West Hollywood to jobs, destinations, and the entire region. The event will be hosted at West Hollywood Park located at 647 N. San Vicente Blvd. on Thursday, February 12 at 8 a.m. To learn more details, visit: www.weho.org/metro.

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Monday, February 9, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that Caltrans will be conducting work on Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard from Monday, February 9 thru February 15 for Palisades Fire and Emergency Work.

PCH: Temescal Canyon Road to Carbon Beach Terrace (Malibu)
• Temescal Cyn–Sunset: 35 mph, cones/signage
• Sunset–Carbon Beach: 25 mph, active work zone
• Possible weekday lane closures: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Presidents Day holiday:
• No Caltrans work on PCH: 6 a.m. Friday, February 13 – 11:59 p.m. Monday, February 16
• SCE work continues on PCH: Sat–Sun, February 14–15 (select areas)
• No SCE work on SR-27, but traffic controls remain

Key PCH work zones may include:
• Ventura County Line–Carbon Beach Ter: Possible night work
• Trancas Cyn–Guernsey Ave & Corral Cyn Bridge (night work possible)
• S of Las Flores Cyn–Sunset Blvd (overnight fire & slope repairs)
• Carbon Cyn–Topanga Cyn Blvd (SCE trenching: NB & SB, incl. weekends)
• Big Rock Dr area (NB reduced to 1 lane, weekdays)
• Getty Villa & Topanga Cyn Blvd areas (NB lane closures, weekdays)
• Castellammare Mesa (overnight NB closure; both directions use SB lanes)

Topanga Cyn Blvd (SR-27): PCH to Grand View Dr
• Closed nightly: Midnight–5 AM (incl. holiday weekend)
• One-way traffic w/ pilot car: 5 AM–midnight
• SCE trenching weekdays only
• Blind curves & stopped traffic possible

Closures are weather-permitting and subject to change, and fines are doubled in work zones. Motorists should expect delays and seek alternate routes.

For live traffic updates, visit: quickmap.dot.ca.gov. For project info, go to: http://dot.ca.gov/…/district-7/d7-palisades-fire-repairs.

 

By Danny Jones

WOODLAND HILLS—On Saturday, February 7, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Los Angeles Police Department Topanga Community Police Station officers responded to a call of a burglary in progress at Nafiseh Jewelry store located at 22140 Ventura Blvd. The Nezafati family has owned this business for almost 30 years. Youraj Nezafati indicated that he received an alert at approximately 2:40 a.m. that they were being robbed. He called the police, as he and his family watched surveillance of the burglar lowering himself into the store from the roof and through the ceiling. Nezafati was able to shout at the perpetrator and turn on the lights, as the family watched. The time on the video indicated that the thief was in and out within 10 minutes. He vandalized the store and took high-end merchandise valued at over $100,000. This was the second burglary at thelocation in six months.   By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, February 6, the city of Santa Monica announced on its website that as part of the Pier Bridge Replacement Project, construction crews will temporarily close the Moomat Ahiko Way off-ramp from southbound Pacific Coast Highway from February 9 through February 27 to construct the foundation for a temporary pedestrian bridge ahead of the pier bridge reconstruction.

The pedestrian bridge will ensure continued access to the Santa Monica Pier throughout the project.

Motorists traveling to the area are advised to allow for extra travel time and use alternate routes during the two-week off-ramp closure period.

Pier restaurants, shops and entertainment, as well as parking and visitor access will remain open and accessible throughout the Pier Bridge Replacement construction period, ensuring residents and visitors can continue to enjoy the Pier with minimal disruption.

Anticipated Pier Bridge Replacement Project timeline:

-December 2025 to June 2026: Mobilize, Vehicle Ramp
-February 2026 to June 2026: Temporary Pedestrian Bridge
-June 2026 to September 2026: Demolition
-July 2026 to December 2026: Foundations/Piles
-October 2026 to August 2027: New Bridge
-June 2027 to September 2027: Clean Up, Restore Parking Lot
-December 2027: Project Complete

Construction schedules are subject to change. Pier restaurants, shops and entertainment, as well as parking and visitor access will remain open and accessible.

DETOURS:

From southbound PCH, turn left on California Incline. Turn right to access Ocean Avenue from southbound PCH, continue to northbound I-10. Exit Lincoln Ave and turn left. Turn left on Colorado Avenue and continue to access Ocean Avenue.

For project updates, including signing up for construction alerts, visit santamonica.gov/pierbridge.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood shared on its Facebook page on February 5 that feedback is still wanted on the Plummer Park Comprehensive Improvement Plan through the new interactive StoryMap engagement website.

Individuals can learn what has been heard so far about open spaces, historic buildings, community amenities, and improvement ideas — then add input at the end of each section.

“Previous park master plans called for changes that are no longer feasible and new goals regarding climate resilience, sustainability, and the preservation of historic and cultural resources have emerged.

Over the course of the next few years, the City of West Hollywood will be crafting a new, community-driven plan for Plummer Park, and your input will be valuable in this process. How can we ensure that Plummer Park continues to meet the needs of its diverse community while remaining the vibrant place it is today, honoring its history, and adapting to the future needs of the community,” stated the Engage West Hollywood Plummer Park website.

The Plummer Park Comprehensive Improvement Plan is intended to be highly participatory, with the goal of developing a new community-driven park plan with broad stakeholder support. The team will utilize both physical and digital strategies to hear from a wide range of community voices, forming an iterative process with numerous opportunities for input and feedback.

The planning process will be carried out in two phases:

-Phase 1 will focus on community engagement and a thorough analysis of park programming and uses.
-Phase 2 will include further community engagement and the development of a Comprehensive Improvement Plan for the Park.

The public is asked to share thoughts by Friday, February 20. To learn more details, visit: www.go.weho.org/plummerparkplan.

MALIBU—The city of Malibu is alerting the public of the Art Conservation Clinic on Wednesday, February 11. It is led by volunteers from Art Recovery Los Angeles, where the hands-on workshop teaches the basics of conserving and restoring sentimental items and heirlooms damaged by wildfires.

The event will allow individuals to learn about materials, techniques, how to remove smoke odor from small objects, and more.

The Art Conservation Clinic will take place at 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Malibu City Hall/Multipurpose Room. An RSVP is required via MalibuCity.org/ArtConservation. The first 25 RSVPs will receive a free conservation supply kit.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is inviting the public to join the ‘Women Owning Their Future’ event. The event will have a distinguished panel which includes Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian to have a conversation on growth, purpose and the path ahead.

Other panelists at the event will include Alexa Mateen-Abdi, Durana Elmi, Anastasia Soare and Brooke Thomas.

The event will take place on Tuesday, February 24 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills located at 8556 Wilshire Blvd. The reception will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit BeverlyHills.org/OwnYourFuture.

 

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Saturday, February 7, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that a hiker had to be rescued. The incident was reported at 8:40 a.m. at Sullivan Fire Road.

Firefighters located two patients (mountain bikers), one in medical distress and one with injuries sustained in a fall. These were two separate occurrences unrelated to one another.

LAFD Air Ops conducted a hoist operation to retrieve and transport one patient in grave condition (age/gender not available at this time). A 45-year-old male was transported by ground in fair condition. No further details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Friday, February 6, two cars crashed into each other in West Hollywood, and as a result of this collision, an elderly man who was one of the drivers injured.

According to the West Hollywood Times, the crash involved two cars at 7:30 p.m. on the Eastbound side of Santa Monica Boulevard.  According to the same report, one of these vehicles hit a tree outside the Mother Lode bar in West Hollywood.

Emergency vehicles arrived, and first responders treated those who were wounded in the chaos after they closed off the East Bound side of the Boulevard. Minimal damage done to the second vehicle.

According to the West Hollywood Times, the first responders treated the injured elderly man and took him to the hospital.  The crash and debris left behind caused a traffic jam on the Eastbound Side of Santa Monica Boulevard.

Eastbound Lanes were closed on Friday night so the car crash could be investigated and the debris cleared. Names of the drivers have not been released.

 

By Danny Diquinzio