SANTA MONICA—On January 22, reports indicated a woman believed to be homeless delivered a baby on Main Street in Santa Monica. Surveillance video captured the incident that went almost a week without notice. Canyon News reached out to Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Lt. Lewis Gilmour, who responded with the following statement: “Santa Monica, CA – On January 16, at approximately 8:27 p.m., Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to a report of a newborn found on the sidewalk in the area of the 2900 block of Main Street. Officers arrived within approximately two minutes and located a newborn infant who was conscious and breathing. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel provided medical care, and the infant was transported to a local area hospital for further evaluation. The infant is currently reported to be in good health and receiving appropriate care. Officers subsequently located the infant’s mother nearby. She was experiencing a medical emergency and was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. Preliminary information indicates the child was delivered to that location. Investigators responded to the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing. The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services has been notified and will coordinate next steps with medical staff. This remains an active investigation.” Lt. Gilmour added, “Last I heard, baby was doing great and is healthy. DCFS is taking the lead.” Los Angeles County has resources for pregnant homeless women. Harvest Home is a residential program that provides housing support for pregnant women experiencing homelessness.  According to their website, Harvest Home receives over 500 calls of women in need of their services. Venice Home: At our Step One home, pregnant women will stay for 30-60 days and participate in case management, therapy and programming to assess their short-term needs and set plans for lasting independence. Pico Home is another option. The program is designed to establish long term stability for pregnant women to transition out of homelessness. This program continues until up to 9 months after the birth of the infant. The phone number to apply for Harvest or Pico Home is: (310) 452-1223. The Landing at St. Robert’s Center is another option. St. Robert’s Center 211 3rd Avenue, Venice, CA 90291 (213) 318-5757 Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Mothers with Children 1671 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (213) 235-1460; www.gschomeless.org.   By Sharon

PACIFIC PALISADES/MALIBU—On Tuesday, January 27th, the Small Business Administration opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Pacific Palisades.

The purpose of this center is to provide in-person support for those who applied for disaster assistance after the straight-line wind fires and the wildfires. Eligible recipients include nonprofit organizations, renters, homeowners, and small businesses.

The center is located at the Ronald Reagan Palisades American Legion Post 283, 15247 La Cruz Drive, and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling (800) 659-2955 or by visiting the following website. https://appointment.sba.gov

Those who are deaf or have difficulty hearing can access telecommunications relay services by dialing 7-1-1.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

STUDIO CITY—On January 8, at approximately 8a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department Valley Bureau responded to a call of a vehicle that had been driven over a cliff at 8529 Mulholland Drive. Multiple first responders from other stations assisted with the rescue effort. According to the LAFD, a patient was extricated from the vehicle and hoisted and transported by LAFD Air Operations to a local trauma center in serious but stable condition. Rescue companies and Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) remained on the scene to remove the car from the cliff. Motorists were encouraged to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

  By Sharon

MALIBU—On January 27, President Trump issued an Executive Order regarding the failures that led to the Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes Fires that devastated Southern California in 2025

On January 24, before sitting down with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other community leaders, President and First Lady Melania Trump took an aerial tour of the remains of the Pacific Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes fires.

The President indicated the Trump Administration would be waiving the normally required permits needed for debris clean-up and removal.

“That could take up to 10 years.  We want to get it done in 10 days,” said President Trump.

“One year ago, the California State and Los Angeles city and county governments failed to contain wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles and consumed nearly 40,000 acres of homes and businesses.  The State and local governments failed to engage in responsible forest management systems out of a misguided commitment to naturalist and climate policies, which increased the severity of the fires.

They failed to maintain water distribution and reservoir systems so that these systems would be available and fully functional in case of emergency. They then failed to quickly communicate evacuation warnings and failed to act decisively or cohesively to contain the fire once it started burning.

In fact, Mayor Karen Bass was not in Los Angeles to respond to the crisis because she was traveling abroad.  This marked one of the greatest failures of elected political leadership in American history, from enabling the wildfires to failing to manage them, and it continues today with the abject failure to rebuild,” stated The White House website.

“As a result, despite the Federal Government expeditiously clearing debris and doing its part to support survivors, the actions of State and local authorities have ensured that the vast majority of the tens of thousands of homes and businesses destroyed in the wildfires have not yet been rebuilt a year later,” Trump added.

President Trump’s EO outlines the demands of the federal government due to non-compliance by the local government:

“Sec. 6.  Accountability for Use of Taxpayer Dollars.

(a) The Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall:

(i)   within 30 days of the date of this order, determine what amount, if any, of the nearly $3 billion in unspent Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding granted to California, which was awarded to mitigate hazards, including the threat of future wildfires to the citizens of California, was awarded arbitrarily, capriciously, or contrary to law; and

(ii)  within 60 days of the date of this order, conduct a Federal audit of California’s use of HMGP funding, including whether funded projects were completed as approved and on time, whether projected risk reduction matched actual outcomes, and whether California used Federal funding in a way that demonstrably mitigated the impact of future wildfires on its citizens.

(b)  Within 30 days of the completion of the audit described in subsection (a)(ii) of this section, the Secretary, through the Administrator of FEMA, shall make administrative determinations in light of the audit’s findings and recommendations, and shall enforce such determinations by, where appropriate, imposing future grant conditions, initiating recoupment or recovery actions in accordance with applicable law, or deploying oversight and technical assistance to expedite the administration and use of HMGP funds for individuals, families, and small businesses, to implement this order.”

 

By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Genevieve Morrill, the long-term Chief Executive Officer and the president of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is stepping down from that role after 15 years of service.

She released a message to the West Hollywood Community and the Chamber of Commerce, informing them of her decision to step down from her post.  In the message, she thanked the members for the trust and friendship they had given her and used it to endorse Len Lanzi, who succeeded her in the role. The departure marks the end of Morrill’s 25 years in West Hollywood.

She moved to West Hollywood in 1999 and worked for the ownership of the Pacific Design Center. The Board of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce named her Chief Executive Officer and President in 2010, and she led the Chamber of Commerce through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morrill helped to develop the Eat. Shop. Play West Hollywood which was intended to help promote local businesses.

During her time in her role, the Chamber of Commerce created a Small Business Task Force, which developed the West Hollywood Small Business Initiative, aimed at both making it easier for businesses to operate in West Hollywood and preserving the city’s tradition of boutique businesses.

The Chamber of Commerce launched the My WeHo: Keep WeHo Open initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of its initiatives was to pay tribute to the businesses that closed.

Morrill also helped create WeHo for the People, an advocacy group that seeks to bring together businesses and residents of West Hollywood and to promote shared community priorities.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica posted on their Facebook page that holiday tree collection will start on Friday, December 26.

Individuals are asked to remove all the decorations, stand, and lights and place your tree on the curb or in the alley between December 26, 2025 through January 31, 2026 for automatic pick up.

Crews will collect the trees and give them a second life as mulch, keeping Santa Monica clean and sustainable. Please allow 10 business days for pick-up.

Please do not put trees in parks or lots. Anyone with questions is asked to email: zerowaste@santamonica.gov.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that they will be participating with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation & the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce for an upcoming workshop, “Unlock Your Business’s Digital Potential.”

During the free workshop, individuals will learn how to:
• Get your business found locally with Google Business Profile
• Promote your in-store inventory online with Pointy
• Create free product listings across Google with Merchant Center
• Access expert support for financing, marketing, and disaster planning

The workshop will take place on Wednesday, January 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Palisades located at 15247 La Cruz Drive in Pacific Palisades. The event is free to attend, but RSVP is required. Visit: https://laedc.org/small-business-recovery-center-event/.

 

By Danny Jones

WOODLAND HILLS—On Sunday, January 18, at approximately 3 a.m., a small, gray Chevrolet SUV, drove off the top of 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills at the Shoup exit. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver left the freeway crashing into La Plaza strip mall, took out approximately 50 feet of fence, before crashing into some of the businesses. The driver was able to exit his vehicle and walk away from the accident. CHP spokesperson, Matt Gutierrez indicated that since the driver left the scene of the crash, it is considered a hit-and-run accident. Businesses were closed at the time of the crash and there were no reported injuries. Anyone with details on the incident should contact local authorities as the suspect is still at large.   By Sharon

MELROSE—On January 14, reports circulated that a 90-year-old resident of the Kingsley Manor retirement community receiving an eviction notice for $14,000 in fees accumulated, unbeknownst to him.

Song Maeng reportedly offered to pay $14,000 to be able to stay in the place he’s called home since 2024.  Kinglsey Manor gave Maeng two weeks to vacate the building.

According to reports, Kingsley Manor is a not-for-profit community.  They offer month-to-month rental agreements with no large down payments to move in.

Multiple reports indicate Maeng, nor his attorney, Jonathan Segura, understand how $14,000 in fees were accrued without Mr. Song’s knowledge.

Canyon News reached out to Kingsley Manor and to Mr. Segura for more information but did not hear back before print.

 

By Sharon

MALIBU—The city of Malibu completed its Pacific Coast Highway Signal Synchronization Project. It is the city’s most significant project in its history to improve traffic flow, congestion and safety on PCH.

By synchronizing 12 traffic signals between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and John Tyler Drive, Caltrans can now adjust signal timing in real time, reducing speeding, traffic flow, and making the roadway safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians along PCH.

There will be a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, February 4 at 10 a.m. at PCH and Webb Way (Triangle Lot).

Mid-block sensors will enable Caltrans to monitor traffic flow and speed, then remotely adjust signal timing in the moment.

The use of state-of-the art technology and synchronization of the traffic signals will make PCH a “Smart Corridor.”

Approved by the City Council at its Regular meeting on May 8, 2017, the PCH Signal Systems Improvements Project is a major step toward achieving the top priority of the City’s PCH Safety Study.

The Signal Systems Improvements Project will consist of new communication links, changeable message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, traffic loops.

Parking available at 23835 Civic Center Way, just north of Webb Way
For more information about the project, visit MalibuCity.org/780/PCH-Signal-Synchronization.

 

By Danny Jones