The Santa Monica Lookout, Santa Monica, California -- NOVEMBER 2021

Flash Mob Robbery Thwarted in Santa Monica, Police Chief Says
November 30, 2021 -- A flash mob robbery was thwarted Friday after a Downtown security staff member spotted a row of suspicious vehicles parked in the fire lane outside Nordstrom, police said Tuesday.

Police Make Arson, Narcotics Arrests
November 30, 2021 -- Santa Monica police made two arrests Sunday, one of a homeless man who may be responsible for a series of arson fires in the Downtown area, the other of a suspect in possession of weapons and narcotics.

Weekly COVID-Related Deaths in Santa Monica Hit Eight-Month High
November 29, 2021 -- There were five COVID-related deaths reported in Santa Monica last week, the most in nearly eight months, according to LA County Health data.

Monthly Poll Focuses on Nepotism, Pedestrian Safety
November 29, 2021 -- The latest monthly poll of "civically engaged" Santa Monica residents found that most approve of the City's new nepotism policy and believe more should be done to increase pedestrian safety.

Pico Library, Health Program Reopen at Virginia Avenue Park
November 29, 2021 -- Beginning this week, the Santa Monica Public Library Pico Branch will reopen to the public at Virginia Avenue Park, as will the Community Health Program offered by Providence Saint John’s.

3 Covid-Related Deaths Reported in Santa Monica as Confirmed Cases Hold Steady
November 24, 2021 -- Three new coronavirus-related deaths were reported in Santa Monica over the past eight days, with two of them reported Tuesday, according to data from Los Angeles County Public Health.

Santa Monica Nativity Scenes Return to Calvary Baptist Church
November 24, 2021 -- The life-size nativity scenes that have been a holiday tradition in Santa Monica since 1953 will return to Calvary Baptist Church December 11.

Santa Monica Police Monitoring Flash Mob Attacks in Los Angeles Area
November 23, 2021 -- Santa Monica police have been "closely monitoring" a spree of flash mob robberies that have targeted high- end stores in two nearby cities over the past two days, officials said.

SMC Student Film Wins Cannes Award
November 23, 2021 -- A short film by Santa Monica College (SMC) film student Niccolo Rolim has won a top award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, school officials announced.

LA-Area Renters Planning Move Look in Metro Region, Report Finds
November 22, 2021 -- A third of Los Angeles area renters planning to move are looking elsewhere, although they are choosing to stay within driving distance, according to a report released by Apartment List last week.

SMC Extends Transfer Streak to 31 Years
November 22, 2021 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) has been the number one transfer college to the University of California (UC) system since a gallon of gas in Los Angeles was $1.14.

Santa Monica Should Weigh In on Proposed Legislative Maps, Mayor Says
November 19, 2021 -- In what appears to be a game of political musical chairs, Santa Monica could end up in proposed legislative districts represented by elected officials from other areas.

Santa Monica Helps Alzheimer’s Association Raise $1.63 Million
November 19, 2021 -- The Santa Monica Walk to End Alzheimer's raised $127,063 last month, part of the $1.63 million brought in by the annual series of walks in Southern California, Alzheimer’s Association officials announced this week.

EXTRA -- Proponents Prepare to Submit Plan to Divide School District Into 7 Trustee Areas
November 18, 2021 -- A petition to divide the local School District into seven trustee areas will be submitted to County officials next week, according to Kevin Shenkman, the attorney for the plan's proponents.

Victim Robbed at Gunpoint Shot at While Chasing Suspect
November 18, 2021 -- A motorist was shot at on Pico Boulevard while chasing the car of a suspect who robbed him at gun point Monday, police said.

Santa Monica Revs Up for the First Homeless Count in 2 Years
November 17, 2021 -- The City is seeking volunteers for the upcoming 2022 Homeless Census, and if recent counts are an indication, there will be one volunteer for every three homeless individuals located and tallied.

Council Expected to Approve Nearly $2.5 Million for Pedestrian Improvements on Pico
November 17, 2021 -- The City Council is expected to take a major step in making a dangerous stretch of Pico Boulevard near Santa Monica College (SMC) safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Parents to Get Nearly $1 Million Reimbursed from District for Student Expenses
November 16, 2021 -- A Superior Court judge on Tuesday gave final approval to a settlement agreement that requires the School District to reimburse parents nearly $1 million for items and fees it should have covered.

"Extra Bedroom" Program Offers Fresh Look at Santa Monica
November 16, 2021 -- Santa Monica residents can experience their city with the fresh eyes of a tourist by checking into a local hotel at discounted rates and exploring the world-renown beach destination.

City Council Gets Personal Approving Nepotism Policy
November 15, 2021 -- The City Council gave final approval to a nepotism policy last week after an unusual discussion centering on the sole commissioner who would be immediately ousted.

Pedestrian Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver
November 15, 2021 -- A driver struck and killed a man crossing Pico Boulevard Saturday night, marking the second hit-and run collision in two weeks and the fourth pedestrian fatality in Santa Monica this year.

Stagnant Rent Growth Forecast for Coastal Cities
November 12, 2021 -- A report released this week by USC's Lusk Center for Real Estate forecasts a 1 percent decline in rent growth for coastal communities in an area that includes Santa Monica.

Police Seek Hit-and-Run Driver Who Seriously Injured Pedestrian Downtown
November 12, 2021 -- Santa Monica police are seeking help finding a driver who seriously injured a pedestrian in a felony hit-and-run collision October 31.

City Settles With Police Union Over Role on New Commission
November 10, 2021 -- The City Council on Tuesday approved a settlement agreement with the Santa Monica Police Officers Association (SMPOA) that allows the union greater participation in the recently formed police oversight commission.

Health Advisory Issued for Santa Monica Pier
November 10, 2021 -- County Health officials are advising beachgoers to avoid the waters around the Santa Monica Pier as temperatures hit 90 in LA for Veterans Day and the weekend.

Santa Monica Sees Weekly Spike in Covid Cases
November 9, 2021 -- Coronavirus cases in Santa Monica jumped over the past two weeks after hitting a four-month low, as proof of vaccination kicked in for select businesses in LA County and children began to be vaccinated.

Man Stabbed by Security Guard During Altercation Over Face Mask in Santa Monica
November 9, 2021 -- A security guard at a Santa Monica Vons store stabbed a customer multiple times Monday night during an altercation over the customer's refusal to wear a face mask, police said.

Malibu Split Gets Third Hearing Wednesday
November 8, 2021 -- School District and Malibu City officials are gearing up for the next round Wednesday in the contentious battle over Malibu's proposal to split from the District.

Private Donor Gives SMC's Adelante Program $325,000
November 8, 2021 -- Santa Monica College's Adelante Program has received $325,000 from a private donor who has now given nearly $1 million to programs for minorities and students in need at the school.

Santa Monica Could Join in Call for Ban on Leaded Aviation Fuel
November 5, 2021 -- The City Council on Tuesday will consider joining a petition urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to initiate a nationwide ban on leaded aviation fuel.

Santa Monica Pier and Harbor Officers Rescue Fogbound Boat
November 5, 2021 -- Santa Monica Pier and Harbor Services Officers (PHSOs) rescued a boater lost in a dense fog near the Venice border Wednesday night.

Independent Commission to Choose from Four County District Maps
November 4, 2021 -- In a little over a month, Santa Monica will end up in a new County Supervisorial District, possibly grouped with cities in the San Fernando Valley or in the South Bay.

Santa Monica to Celebrate Veterans Day on the Pier
November 4, 2021 -- Santa Monica will celebrate Veterans Day on the Pier Thursday with a swearing in-ceremony of future soldiers and remarks from an army general.

LETTERS -- Tenant Dependency Is Not Just a Money Issue
November 4, 2021 -- The eviction moratorium seems to be never ending, and every day that goes by the tenants are more and more crippled

Council Set to Approve Final Guidelines for Appointed Bodies
November 3, 2021 -- The City Council on Tuesday is expected to approve a resolution that sets a nepotism policy for appointed bodies and dictates terms under which their members can serve.

SMC Chosen to Compete for Prestigious National Award
November 3, 2021 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) was one of 150 community colleges nationwide chosen to compete for a prestigious $1 million grant from the Aspen Institute, school officials announced Tuesday.

Santa Monica Rent Growth Slowing, Listings Show
November 2, 2021 -- Rents in Santa Monica continued growing slowly, inching up another 1 percent in October as the national rental market cools, according to Apartment List's latest report released Monday.

City Extends Emergency Health Orders, Tenant Protections
November 2, 2021 -- Santa Monica on Friday extended its remaining local emergency health orders for another three months, as well as tenant protections against evictions except for failure to pay rent.