Homicide Victim Found on Beach
February 10, 2025 -- A homeless woman was found apparently beaten to death in a sleeping bag on Santa Monica Beach early Monday morning, according to police.
Permit Parking Enforcement to Resume
February 10, 2025 -- The City next Monday will resume enforcing its Preferential Parking program, which was temporarily suspended during the regional wildfires last month.
LETTERS -- Give Me a Brake!
February 10, 2025 -- Poor Peter DiChellis. Behind the wheel, encased in a ton of sheet metal, he feels threatened by . . . bicycles! writes former Mayor Kevin McKeown.
Police Arrest Suspect in Copper Wire Theft
February 7, 2025 -- Police on Wednesday arrested a suspect who allegedly stole more than 300 pounds of copper wire from electrical pull boxes along Colorado Avenue.
Fans Need Plan to Get Home Safely Sunday
February 7, 2025 -- The Eagles and Chiefs shouldn't be the only ones with a plan for Sunday's Super Bowl game; fans need one to get home safely.
More Pro-Housing Measures on Agenda
February 6, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday is poised to further a pro-housing agenda that is picking up steam after four new Council members were sworn in two months ago.
LETTERS -- Enforce Traffic Laws for Bicyclists
February 6, 2025 -- How bizarre that our traffic safety enforcement does not tolerate other vehicles operating unlicensed on city streets or routinely violating traffic laws, but tolerates it from bicycles every day.
Samohi Teacher Arrested for Alleged Relationship with Student
February 5, 2025 -- A Santa Monica High School science teacher was arrested Wednesday for allegedly having an "inappropriate relationship" with a 16-year-old female student.
City Waives Outdoor Dining Fees
February 5, 2025 -- The City will waive outdoor dining fees during February to help local businesses weather the fallout of the recent Palisades Fire.
Special Teams Arrest Multiple Repeat Offenders
February 4, 2025 -- During the last week of January, Santa Monica police arrested nearly a dozen repeat offenders during operations conducted by special teams.
PCH Closes As Storms Approach
February 4, 2025 -- Pacific Coast Highway closed at 3 p.m. Tuesday as two storm systems approach, potentially causing debris flows in the fire ravaged area, according to Caltrans officials.
Negotiations to Save Civic Auditorium Stalled
February 3, 2025 -- Six months after the City Council gave the go ahead, negotiations to revive the shuttered Civic Auditorium as an entertainment venue have not begun, City officials said Monday.
County Preps for Homeless Count
February 3, 2025 -- The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is seeking volunteers for the February 20 homeless count in Santa Monica, which was postponed due to the wildfires that burned across the region last month.
PCH to Reopen Sunday
January 31, 2025 -- In an "important step forward," PCH will reopen to essential traffic Sunday morning after being shut down three weeks ago with the start of the Palisades Fire.
Lunar Seas and Galaxies at SMC Planetarium
January 31, 2025 -- Learn about the only known life form currently inhabiting the space beyond earth's atmosphere at the Santa Monica College (SMC) planetarium next month.
Local Property Crime Rate Among Nation's Highest, Report Finds
January 30, 2025 -- A recent report posted by Vivint, a resource for home security, found Santa Monica had one of the highest property crime rates in the country based on FBI crime data.
Plenty of Beach Activities Safe to Enjoy
January 30, 2025 -- While the ocean water off Santa Monica remains off limits, the popular beach is open for recreation and "non-water" activities, City officials noted Thursday.
Housing at Airport Site Picks Up Steam
January 29, 2025 -- Affordable housing -- which has been largely ignored in crafting a plan for the future use of Santa Monica Airport land -- took center stage at Tuesday night's City Council meeting.
Local Rents Jump to a Fast Start in 2025
January 28, 2025 -- Santa Monica rents in January saw the largest rise in more than a year, bucking a seasonal trend nationwide.
Police to Crack Down on Dangerous Driving
January 28, 2025 -- Santa Monica police will hold traffic safety operations Wednesday as the City Council prepares to further crack down on "dangerous driving."
City May Need to Explore Housing at Airport
January 27, 2025 -- As the Airport Conversion Project prepares to fly into its next phase Tuesday night, the possibility looms that the plan to create "a great park" could eventually include housing.
OPINION -- Airport Closure Will Trigger More Housing Development, Not a Great Park
January 27, 2025 -- It is dangerous and irresponsible to move forward with airport closure planning without a clear legal basis that would allow for a Great Park without housing development.
OPINION -- Honor the People's Mandate for a Great Park
January 27, 2025 -- Every great city has a great park. Santa Monica had one, but lost it. It is this generation’s obligation to future generations in a densifying environment to bring it back.
Local Librarians Named to Prestigious Awards Committees
January 24, 2025 -- The American Library Association (ALA) has selected two Santa Monica librarians to help judge the most distinguished books for youth published last year.
2 Men Charged with Fire-Related Crimes
January 24, 2025 -- Two men with prior criminal records were charged with wildfire-related crimes committed in Santa Monica and just across the city border in Brentwood, the LA District Attorney announced Friday.
Cemetery to Buy Plots from Odd Fellows
January 24, 2025 -- Nearly 150 years after they were sold, the City is poised to buy back 35 unused burial plots from the Odd Fellows Seaside Lodge, which no longer has an active Santa Monica chapter.
Michigan Man Sentenced For 2022 Murder Near Pier
January 24, 2025 -- A Michigan man who stabbed a fellow hometown resident to death in a Pier parking lot in November 2022 was sentenced this month to 25 years to life in state prison.
Fires Set in Santa Monica During Emergency
January 22, 2025 -- As flames swept across Pacific Palisades driven by dangerous winds, firefighters put out at least four fires in Santa Monica, according to public safety officials.
City Fills 2 Key Posts
January 22, 2025 -- Santa Monica brought back a former top official to serve as interim city manager and hired a new head of community development, City officials announced Wednesday.
NEWS ANALYSIS -- 5 Reasons SMRR Swept the Council Race
January 21, 2025 -- The swearing in on Monday of President Donald Trump signaled a conservative turn reflected in election results nationwide and, to a lesser extent, in Santa Monica.
Pier to Host Fire Relief Fundraiser
January 21, 2025 -- The Santa Monica Pier will host a fundraiser Thursday to help victims of the Palisades Fire that has destroyed more than 6,200 structures, including the local high school.
Final Evacuation Warning Lifted
January 20, 2025 -- The City of Santa Monica lifted its last remaining evacuation warning on Saturday, as progress continues to be made containing the Palisades Fire.
Santa Monica Steps Up During Fires
January 17, 2025 -- (UPDATED) Santa Monica residents can offer help to fire victims and first responders during upcoming donation drives and a number of ongoing efforts.
Curfew Still in Place, Burglary Suspect Charged
January 17, 2025 -- Areas north of San Vicente Boulevard remained under curfew Friday, as the LA District Attorney's office filed charges against a burglary suspect who defied Santa Monica's evacuation orders.
City Suspends Rental Enforcement Laws for Fire Victims
January 16, 2025 -- Santa Monica property owners can offer short-term rentals to those displaced by the wildfires burning across the region, under an Emergency Order adopted Tuesday.
Police Identify Suspect in Year's First Homicide
January 16, 2025 -- Santa Monica police are asking the public's help finding an armed and dangerous suspect who fatally shot a homeless man in a Downtown alley Wednesday.
Second Quarter -- A Flawed Count, Death on the Streets and Million-Dollar Units Put Homelessness in the Spotlight
Third Quarter -- Pier Lands on Beach Bummer List, Speed Limits Drop and Sexual Assaults Mark 'Disturbing' Trend
Fourth Quarter -- Political Establishment Returns to Power; Murder Charges Filed in Shooting, Stabbing, Hit-and-Run Killing; City Manager Resigns