MALIBU—On Monday, January 12, the city of Malibu announced that it will be holding a Public Safety Commission Special Meeting: Safety Element Update on Wednesday, January 14 at 5 p.m. at Malibu City Hall. Individuals can provide input and ask questions about the draft updates.

Recent state legislation has aimed to align local land use planning with increasing risks from wildfires, flooding, extreme heat, and other climate-driven hazards. Catastrophic events have exposed gaps between planning, emergency management, and infrastructure decisions. Laws including SB 1241 (wildfire), SB 379 (climate adaptation), SB 99 (residential evacuation routes), and AB 747/1409 (evacuation route assessment) guide these updates.

Wildfire: The Safety Element must address fire risk in state responsibility areas and very high fire hazard severity zones. CAL FIRE review and adoption by the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection are required for these areas.

Climate Change: Updates include strategies for climate adaptation and resiliency, often informed by vulnerability assessments that identify risks and help set goals, objectives, and policies to reduce hazard impacts.

Evacuation: Local governments must now analyze evacuation routes for capacity, safety, and viability, including areas with single ingress/egress. This ensures land use, transportation planning, and emergency management are coordinated to protect public safety.

For more details, and meeting participation instructions, see the staff report: https://www.malibucity.org.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, January 12, the city of West Hollywood announced that the 2026 Winter Sounds Free Indoor Concert Series will take place on select Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. between Saturday, January 24 and Saturday, February 21. They will be held live at the Sun Rose at the Sun Rose West Hollywood, located at 8430 Sunset Boulevard. Doors open at 6 p.m. and concerts begin at 7 p.m. Early arrival is strongly encouraged as space is limited.

On Saturday, January 24, at 7 p.m. the Winter Sounds Concert Series will kick off with Ghost-Note + Katalyst Collective. Headed by Snarky Puppy’s multi-Grammy-winning percussion duo of Robert “Sput” Searight and Nate Werth, Ghost-Note is an explosion of sound. With an expansive roster of next-level musicians whose members have performed with Erykah Badu, Herbie Hancock, Kendrick Lamar, Marcus Miller, Prince, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, and Toto. The band is pushing funk music into the future. pioneering foundations laid out by the likes of James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone and infusing their fresh take with tastes of afrobeat, hip-hop, psychedelia, world folklore, and more.

Every decade or so, a new band emerges that changes the course of music. This decade is no exception, marked by the rise of one of the most talented and diverse collectives of musicians, writers, composers, and producers known as Katalyst Collective. The brainchild of world-renowned drummer, composer, and producer Greg Paul, the group’s members have worked with some of the most iconic names in music, including Roy Ayers, Beyoncé, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Solange Knowles, Usher, and more. This nine-piece ensemble delivers an eclectic mix of experimental contemporary jazz that pushes the boundaries of the genre.

On Saturday, February 7, at 7 p.m. the next concert in the series will feature Mark de Clive-Lowe and Nanna.B. Mark de Clive-Lowe is a genre-bending pianist, producer, and composer known for fusing jazz with elements of electronica and live remixing. A longtime fixture in LA’s music scene, he’s collaborated with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Eric Harland Harvey Mason, and Moodymann and played stages from the Hollywood Bowl to Grand Performances and the legendary Blue Whale.

Nanna.B is a Danish-born singer, songwriter, and producer known for crafting genre-defying soundscapes that blend lush, atmospheric production with her golden vocals and poetic storytelling. Her eclectic sound, rooted in Pop, R&B, Soul, and electronic music, has drawn the attention of influential artists and tastemakers including the Boiler Room collective, Hodgy, Anderson .Paak, Raphael Saadiq, and Soulection. She has been featured on global platforms such as Beats 1, Vice, and Highsnobiety, with her music receiving international airplay on stations such as KCRW, Jazz FM, and BBC Radio.

On Saturday, February 21, at 7 p.m. the Winter Sounds Concert Series finale will feature Nikka Costa and the Julian Forest Trio. Nikka Costa, daughter of legendary producer and arranger Don Costa. With a string of critically acclaimed albums, beginning with her 2001 Virgin Records debut a “Everybody Got Their Something,” Nikka emerged as a luminary in the “nu-soul” landscape, known for her signature blend of American soul, funk, and rock, a captivating fusion uniquely her own.

The Julian Forest Trio blends soul, blues, and rock into powerful, groove-driven performances. With emotive vocals, dynamic guitar work, and tight rhythms, the trio channels influence such as Leon Bridges and Brittany Howard while crafting a sound that is both raw and uplifting.

West Hollywood’s 2026 Winter Sounds Concert Series is organized by the city’s Arts Division. Winter Sounds concerts are free and indoors, and guests must be 21 years of age and older to attend. RSVP is recommended. RSVP does not guarantee admittance. Seating is first-come, first-served, limited to availability.

$15 validated valet parking at the Sun Rose West Hollywood is available for the first 100 attendees and then $20 flat rate parking for any additional attendees. Street parking may also be available, read local street signage. Rideshare is suggested. For additional information about the performers and to view the series, please visit www.weho.org/wintersounds

For more details about Winter Sounds contact Joy Tribble, West Hollywood’s Arts Specialist, at (323) 848-6360 or at jtribble@weho.org. 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

MALIBU—The city of Malibu announced on Monday, January 12, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that in partnership with FEMA, it will host a virtual workshop on beachfront construction focused on rebuilding safely in the FEMA Coastal Flood Zone.

It will take place on Wednesday, January 21 from 9 a.m. to 12 .m. via Zoom:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89315817752
Meeting ID: 893 1581 7752

The workshop is for contractors, engineers, and architects and will cover:
• FEMA flood zone building requirements
• Post-fire rebuilding in coastal areas
• Flood-resilient design and construction

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Monday, January 12, the city of Santa Monica announced that they are launching a new Self-Certification Building Permit Program. The pilot program will allow pre-certified licensed professionals to self-certify that their plans for commercial tenant improvements are compliant with all California codes and local ordinances.

This will allow them to begin construction faster by cutting out the normal plan review process during plan check, with permits promised in five business days or less.

In addition to speeding up the permitting process, which currently can take upwards of 5 weeks, by removing plan review, the program can save projects thousands of dollars in submittal fees.

“This program is exactly what we mean when we say we’re committed to becoming more business friendly,” said Mayor Caroline Torosis. “For those looking to open up a new shop, expand their reach or refresh an existing spot, Santa Monica is absolutely the place to come to open easily and quickly in a location that is unparalleled in the region.”

Self-certification programs for residential development have become popular amid the January 2025 wildfires as a way to speed up rebuilding. Santa Monica’s pilot program is kicking off phase 1 with commercial tenant improvements, making it quicker and easier to move a new business into a vacated space or revamp an existing business.

The council-initiated program, part of the city’s economic growth and opportunity initiative, is the only such self-certification program in the region fully removing all plan check review for identified project types.

Examples of commercial tenant improvements that will be eligible for self-certification include: creating a new layout with non-structural walls, light electrical and plumbing work, and cosmetic improvements.

Property owners looking to quickly move a new tenant into a space or make cosmetic updates to an existing business will be able to hire a pre-certified professional from the city’s list and begin work almost immediately.

Highlights of the program:

-Self-certification will be allowed for non-structural commercial tenant improvements that do not include:
-Market and beverage uses
-Childcare and education uses
-A change of use which triggers a higher degree of occupancy hazard requirements (subject to determination from Building & Safety and Fire if eligible for the program)

-There will be minimal administrative review to confirm project eligibility and assess fees

-No plan check will be conducted by any city division, except for restaurant tenant improvements, which will only be able to self-certify Building Code

-Inspections will still take place

-Fees will include one hour of administrative time and normal inspection costs

-The program ensures that permits will be issued for construction within five days of the self-certification application submittal

-Other applicable local and State requirements will still apply (e.g. California Coastal Commission approval, California Public Health Department approval, and alcohol entitlements)

The goal is to expand the program in 2026 to include Single-Unit Dwellings and Accessory Dwelling Units. Staff plan to return to the Santa Monica City Council with a progress report and phase 2 in the fall.

The Self-Certification Pilot Program is one of several recent updates aimed at making it faster and easier for businesses to open and thrive in Santa Monica. This latest Economic Opportunity and Growth initiative follows this summer’s successful launch of the region’s first Entertainment Zone on Third Street Promenade and a slate of business-friendly zoning updates adopted by the City Council.

The program is set to launch in April with the new permitting software system, when Santa Monica will start accepting applications for the self-certification list of pre-qualified professionals.

For any questions, call 311 or email 311@santamonica.gov.

 

By Danny Jones

WESTWOOD—On Monday, January 12, the Los Angeles Police Department reported that a suspect who drove a box-truck through a group of demonstrators was arrested.

The LAPD reported on Sunday, January 11, around 4 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Division (MCD) was notified of a possible assault with a deadly weapon incident involving a box truck and a group of demonstrators near the Federal Building at Veteran Avenue and Ohio Avenue.

Detectives from MCD and special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) responded and conducted a joint investigation of the incident.

Officers from the LAPD West Los Angeles Division were monitoring a protest in support of the ongoing protests in Iran, when a box truck traveled eastbound on Ohio Avenue toward Veteran Avenue. Officers stopped the truck and directed the driver to turn around, as he was approaching a large crowd of protesters. On the side of the truck were written signs that opposed the views of the crowd.

The demonstrators tore the signs off the truck, and attacked the driver, who drove toward a group of LAPD officers. Individuals from the crowd jumped out of the truck’s path of travel to avoid being struck. Officers formed a skirmish line between the box truck and the crowd and took the driver into custody.

The box truck was searched and impounded, with nothing significant being discovered. Detectives from MCD contacted possible victims from the incident, however, none reported being struck by the truck.

MCD Detectives and an FBI Agent interviewed the driver, Calor Madanescht, 48, who was arrested and booked for 23103(a)VC- Reckless Driving, with booking number 7160635, and $0 bail.

LAPD Major Crimes Division will maintain investigative responsibility over this investigation and will present the case to the City Attorney’s office for filing consideration.

Anyone with details is asked to contact Major Crimes Division Detective Shannon Curtis at 213-486-7220. 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 L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

 

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Monday, January 12, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that a hiker had to be rescued in Pacific Palisades.

The incident was reported at 7:14 p.m. at 458 N. Surfview Dr. Air and ground resources coordinated to locate an approximately 20F who became lost during a hike.

The uninjured hiker is being transferred to a nearby helispot by LAFD air assets and driven to her vehicle located at the trailhead. There were no injuries reported or any additional details to report.

 

By Danny Jones

MELROSE—On January 12, at 1:55 p.m., a 911 caller reported an incident on U.S. Highway 101 North and Santa Monica Boulevard. Los Angeles Fire Department engine 52 and Rescue 3 responded to the call. Citizen first reported, a vehicle fire involving a gray BMW sedan occurred on the Santa Monica Boulevard off-ramp of the northbound 101 Freeway, temporarily blocking the #2 lane from merging into traffic. A Citizen user shared video of firefighters working in the roadway to extinguish flames that fully consumed the BMW, with smoke billowing from the car. Other witnesses reported saw a gray Kia Sorrento on the right shoulder of the freeway with smoke emerging beneath it. According to the California Highway Patrol, a tow truck arrived to remove the vehicle at 2 p.m. The fire was extinguished and the roadway reopened by 2:10 p.m.   By Sharon

SANTA MONICA— On January 11, the City of Santa Monica posted a notice on their website of upcoming changes for non-emergency or 311 requests. Beginning February 1st, the following requests will need to be made by an account holder who will then need to submit an account number to make the request. Trash and Recycling/compost Services to include any changes in frequency and the size and number of containers needed. The account holder must be able to provide the account number to begin a new service or to end an old service. This is applicable to stop a service such as trash pick-up after a move in/out of a dwelling. Request for additional trash/recycling pick-ups must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the requested pick-up times. To request rent-a-bin services including one-time dumps and 4-week rentals or to report damaged or missing trash/recycle bins must be done by the account holder with the assigned account number as this may affect the costs. Account holders may find the necessary account number on the top left-hand corner of the utility bill or by contacting the Utility Bill Division at billing.collections@santamonica.gov Recycling and trash collection is performed by Santa Monica’s Resource Recovery and Recycling (RRR) team. Those who are not account holders may not make 311 requests for services without written confirmation from the account holder. A neighbor, for instance, may not request another neighbor’s rummage be picked up in their stead without prior authorization. Please contact 311 online, by email at 311@santamonica.gov or by dialing 311 for those within the city limits, call 866-311-SAMO if outside the city limits or download the mobile app by searching the City of Santa Monica in the app store. The account holder’s name, account number and location of the pick-up. Most requests take 7-10 business days. There is no account number required to report bulky items for pick-up or illegal dumping. –

STUDIO CITY—On Sunday, January 11, the Los Angeles Police Department reported that detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division are seeking the public’s help in identifying three drivers connected to a multi-vehicle hit-and-run that resulted in a man’s death.

The LAPD reported on December 23, 2025, around 5:40 a.m., a white cargo van was traveling eastbound on Ventura Boulevard when it ran over a male pedestrian’s foot while he was sitting on the roadway at the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and Van Noord Avenue.

The cargo van failed to stop and continued eastbound on Ventura Boulevard. Moments later, the pedestrian while laid down on the roadway was struck by two additional vehicles, a white sedan and a white SUV, also traveling eastbound on Ventura Boulevard. All three drivers failed to stop, identify themselves, or render aid, as required by law.

Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded and pronounced the male pedestrian dead at scene. The pedestrian was a male in his 60s. His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Motorists are reminded that if they are involved in a collision, they should pull over and stop as soon as it is safe, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to identify themselves. Pedestrians are also reminded to use caution on the roadway and not to pose a hazard to oncoming vehicles.

On April 15, 2015, the Los Angeles City Council amended the Los Angeles Administrative Code and created a Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund. A reward of up to $25,000 is available to community members who provide information leading to the offender’s identification, apprehension, and conviction or resolution through a civil compromise.

Anyone with details about this collision is asked to contact Valley Traffic Division Detective Martinez at (818) 644-8033 or Officer Hansen at (818) 644-8255. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wanting to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Thursday, January 8, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office disclosed that a piano teacher convicted by a jury last year of committing numerous lewd acts with a former teenage student has been extradited from Australia to the United States after he fled to Australia while awaiting his jury verdict. John Michael Kaleel, 69, was taken into custody by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department upon arriving at the Los Angeles International Airport on Thursday.

Kaleel was convicted on October 8, 2025, in case SA092017 of four felony counts of lewd act upon a child age 14 or 15 and one felony count of lewd act upon a child under age 14. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date. From 2011-2013, he allegedly committed lewd acts upon a long-time student beginning when he was 13 years old.

He was arrested in Australia at the request of the United States and extradited to Los Angeles with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs, Australian Attorney-General’s Department, and the Australian Federal Police. The U.S. Marshals Service escorted Kaleel to the United States.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ariel Anson of the Sex Crimes Division and was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau.