MALIBU—On Wednesday, January 7, the city of Malibu will host the “Palisades Fire Remembrance: Finding Strength in Community,” as we mark one year since the devastating Palisades Fire. The city will honor the lives lost, the families uprooted, the neighborhoods destroyed, and the resilience that emerged in the face of Malibu’s greatest disaster.

“The one-year mark reminds us of both the pain we experienced and the strength we discovered in one another,” said Mayor Marianne Riggins. “Through loss, uncertainty, and recovery, our community has shown extraordinary resilience. As we look ahead, we remain focused on supporting every resident, honoring what we’ve overcome, and building a future rooted in hope and long-term restoration.”

The fire destroyed more than 700 structures, took the lives of three people in Malibu, displaced families, and left entire neighborhoods in ruins. The historic regional disaster took many more lives and thousands of homes, and the city of Malibu stands in solidarity with fellow communities that experienced this tragedy.

The remembrance will include space for neighbors, friends, and strangers to come together, share memories, and support one another, reflect, connect, and heal.

The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Malibu City Hall located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road. Individuals can live stream on YouTube. No RSVPs needed. The program includes a moment of silence, a native Chumash blessing, a special poem recited by Malibu’s Poet Laureate, soothing music, food, and a memorial space and an art tribute.

For more details, visit www.MalibuCity.org/Palisades1YrRemembrance.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Sunday, January 11, the city of Beverly Hills will be hosting a FREE shredding and composting event. Participants can shred sensitive documents, recycle old electronics, and help the Earth at the same time.

The event will transpire at Civic Center Drive and 3rd Street from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (or until the truck is full).

E-Waste disposal will also be available at the Beverly Hills Farmer’s Market, so it’s a one-stop shop for all your recycling needs!

For more details on the event and Beverly Hills’ ongoing sustainability efforts, visit www.beverlyhills.org/shred or call (310) 285-1000.

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—At 4:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 4, the Los Angeles Fire Department battled a fire on Sunset Boulevard. The fire transpired at a two-story (boarded up) large craftsman style home with heavy fire on both floors. Firefighters pulled one victim from the fire (condition unknown at this time).

By 5:42 a.m., the LAFD reported that the fire unfolded at 6720 W. Sunset Blvd. A total of 70 firefighters extinguished the fire in 1 hour and 12 minutes with no reported injuries to LAFD personnel. One civilian patient was transported in unknown condition. There was some extension (degree not known at this time) to two exposed bungalows.

Per protocol, the LAFD Arson is responding to investigate the cause of the fire. PIO Captain Adam VanGerpen responded media availability after 6 a.m. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station are investigating the death of a man who was found seriously injured near the London West Hollywood Hotel, on Thursday, January 1.  The individual was later transported to a local hospital where he died.

Deputies from the West Hollywood Station were dispatched before 10 a.m. after receiving a report of a man found on the sidewalk in the 1000 block of Larrabee Street. When deputies arrived, they found him bleeding out on the sidewalk.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has not released the man’s identity.  Authorities have not released any information about the cause of the man’s death or how the man was injured. The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Homicide Division.

The LASD is asking anyone with details on the incident to contact the Homicide Bureau at (323) 526-5500.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On December 29, an 83-year-old woman named Ana Lopez disappeared in Santa Monica, and a silver alert was issued by the Santa Monica Police Department. Lopez has since been located.

According to the California Highway Patrol, before her disappearance, Ana Lopez was last seen near Pico Boulevard and Seventh Court at 11 a.m.

The Santa Monica Police Department announced that Lopez was located on Friday, January 2. No details about where or when she was found was disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—Marlene Esquivel, 41, is a member of West Hollywood’s Social Justice Advisory Board was arrested on a domestic violence charge by deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station.

The West Hollywood Times first reported she was arrested on December 29. She was booked at the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station, and her arrest was related to “corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant,” the WeHo Times reported.

According to records, she was held on $50,000 bail before her release. Esquivel was sworn into office in May 2025. No details on the circumstances of her arrest have been disclosed to the public.

By Daniel Diquinzio

SHERMAN OAKS—On Friday, January 2, the Los Angeles Fire Department battled a fire inside a laundry room at the Sherman Oaks Galleria mall. The fire was reported at 2:31 a.m. at 15301 W Ventura Bl.

Firefighters located a fire out (laundry room) at a large shopping mall (Sherman Oaks Galleria) which resulted in a significant water removal operation due to the fire sprinklers.

There are no reported injuries and no extension beyond the laundry room. No additional details have been provided.

The three-level mall was built back in 1980 with Robinson’s serving as one of its anchor stores. The mall had to close for several days in January 1994 in the aftermath of the Northridge earthquake. Such establishments currently at the facility include The Cheesecake Factory, Buffalo Wild Wings and Burke Williams spa.

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On December 31, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority issued an alert reminding the public that regular construction outside Beverly Hills Station will resume on Friday, January 2.

“Metro is expected to open the Beverly Dr and Century City/Constellation stations in 2026. The entrance for the Beverly Dr Station will be at the southwest corner of the Wilshire and Reeves intersection. This site currently serves as the Reeves Staging Yard for Metro and its contractor,” stated the city of Beverly Hills on its website. 

The final extension for the North Canon Drive closure at Wilshire was conditionally passed in a 4-1 vote on September 9, 2025, with no further extensions beyond March 14, 2026. The extension included the removal of a 20-foot wall used as a sound barrier and the restoration of sidewalks

In addition, LA Metro agreed to pay a penalty of $20,000 per day should the reopening deadline not be met. The council agreed upon these dates with the knowledge that construction would likely come to a halt for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day 2026. Visit LA Metro website for more details on Purple D Line.

By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, December 30, the city of Beverly Hills posted on its Facebook page that a small fire in an outbuilding on the back side of El Rodeo Elementary School that supplies power to the campus.

The district is on winter break, and no students or staff were on site. There were no injuries reported and damage to the building is minimal and mostly limited to the outdoor area.

As a result of the fire, Southern California Edison is on scene and has shut down power temporarily to surrounding homes as repairs and assessment continues.

For the latest information on power outages, visit www.sce.com/outages

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Tuesday, December 30, the Los Angeles Fire Department had to rescue a hiker. The incident was reported at 6:12 p.m. at 2000 N Palisades Ct. LAFD air crews conducted an extensive search to locate a lost hiker (71F) on a remote trail.

A paramedic rescuer was lowered and ensured she was not in need of medical attention, then rescuer and hiker were both hoisted to the helicopter. The hiker was flown to a nearby helispot and was driven to her vehicle by a LAFD ambulance.

By Danny Jones