By Lookout Staff

In October, a police officer fatally shoots his knife wielding assailant outside police headquarters, and a Santa Monica College (SMC) employee is fatally shot by a co-worker outside the school's media center.

Also in October, the Council votes to continue hammering out an agreement to bring Olympic Volleyball to the beach, Downtown gets new zoning rules and the Council race enters the homestretch.

Here are the top stories:

A Santa Monica police officer is wounded in a knife attack outside the Public Safety building before fatally shooting his assailant ("EXTRA! -- Officer Fatally Shoots Attacker," October 5, 2024).

Santa Monica will continue negotiating an agreement to host volley ball at the 2028 Summer Olympics but needs to get specific answers to pressing questions ("City to Continue Olympic Negotiations," October 9, 2024).

Five people die when a small place returning to Santa Monica Airport crashes shortly after taking off from Catalina Island ("Plane Returning to SM Crashes, 5 Dead," October 9, 2024).

Santa Monica College (SMC) employee Felicia Hudson, who was shot by a co-worker at the School's Center for Media & Design, dies from her injuries. Her attacker would be found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound ("SMC Employee Shot Dies from Injuries," October 16, 2024).

A suspected DUI driver reportedly making circles on the beach at high speeds runs over and kills a homeless woman sleeping on the sand ("Homeless Woman Run Over, Killed on Beach," October 18, 2024).

The last City Council meeting before Election Day quickly devolves into a political fracas after Councilmember Oscar de la Torre's most vocal critics attack him for comments he allegedly made in 2019 ("EXTRA -- City Council Meltdown," October 23, 2024).

Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus (BBB) receives a $53.3 million State grant to improve service, electrify its fleet and develop its workforce ("Big Blue Bus Gets $53.3 Million," October 24, 2024).

The City Council paves the way for a more dynamic Downtown by unanimously approving updates to the City's zoning rules to allow everything from animated signs to game arcades ("Council Changes Zoning Rules for Downtown," October 25, 2024).

A homeless man is arrested sexually assaulting a woman inside an illegal tent on the beach blog ("Sex-Related Offenses Continue," October 29, 2024).

As the Santa Monica race for City Council enters the homestretch, PACs and the candidates they support have spent a record $1.4 million -- or some $20 per registered voter ("Council Race Shatters Finance Record," October 30, 2024).

Santa Monica's political establishment is mounting a concerted last-ditch effort to take down Councilmember Oscar de la Torre and regain control of the City Council ("Behind the Efforts to Unseat de la Torre," October 31, 2024).

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In November, the political establishment easily sweeps all four open seats in a commanding return to power, as the hotly contested race shatters spending records and ousts two one-term incumbents.

Also in November, police arrest a man for stabbing his mother to death and a security guard is charged with the fatal stabbing of a homeless man. In addition, a bicyclist is killed after being struck by two vehicles.

Here are the top stories:

After more than a decade of planning and delays, the City takes initial steps to begin replacing the Santa Monica Pier bridge that has been standing since the start of World War II ("City Prepares to Rebuild Pier Bridge," November 1, 2024) .

Early voting results released by the County Registrar's Office shortly after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday show Santa Monica's establishment-backed slate sweeping the four open City Council seats ("Establishment Slate Holds Early Lead in Council Race," November 5, 2024).

Nearly three and a half years after losing control of the City Council, Santa Monica's political establishment roars back, easily sweeping all four open seats in the November 5 election ("SMRR Sweeps Back Into Power," November 12, 2024 ).

A 43-year-old man who may have developmental disabilities fatally stabs his elderly mother early Saturday morning in an apartment in the Wilmont neighborhood ("Man Arrested for Fatal Stabbing of Elderly Mother," November 18, 2024).

A security guard is charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of a homeless man near Reed Park in early September ("Security Guard Charged in Murder of Homeless Man," November 19, 2024).

A 41-year-old bicyclist believed to be homeless dies after being struck by two vehicles on Lincoln Boulevard shortly after midnight ("Bicyclist Killed After Being Struck Twice," November 20, 2024).

Ed Moosbrugger -- known for his overall decency, unwavering fairness as a journalist and encyclopedic knowledge of Santa Monica businesses -- dies from complications from post-polio syndrome. He was 87 ("Dean of Santa Monica Journalism Dead at 87," November 22, 2024).

A Superior Court judge urges the parties in an 8 1/2 year old voting rights lawsuit to try and mediate the case, which won't go to trial for another year ("Voting Rights Lawsuit Drags On," November 25, 2024)

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In December, a newly seated City Council backed by the Santa Monica's political establishment wastes no time making it easier for developers to build large housing projects.

In addition, Santa Monica police detectives arrest a music teacher for sexually abusing a 14-year-old piano student, a hit-and run driver kills an elderly Vietnam Veteran as she crosses Wilshire Boulevard and City Manager David White announces his surprise resignation.

Here are the top stories:

Santa Monica enters a new era as four newly elected City Council members are sworn in as part of a 6 to 1 super-majority ("Liberal Establishment Back in Power," December 10, 2024).

City Manager David White -- who helped steer Santa Monica through some of its most turbulent years – announces he is leaving the post ("EXTRA -- City Manager to Leave Post," December 10, 2024) .

Large housing projects in non-residential neighborhoods that meet zoning standards will be granted a "swift and smooth approval" under a proposal green-lighted by the City Council ("Council Makes it Easier to Build Large Housing Projects," December 18, 2024) .

The suspect in a hit-and-run collision that kills an elderly Vietnam Veteran Sunday as she crossed Wilshire Boulevard is arrested Friday for murder ("Hit-and-Run Driver Arrested for Murder," December 27, 2024) .

The LA County District Attorney charges a 41-year-old music teacher arrested by Santa Monica police with sexually abusing a 14-year-old piano student earlier this year ("Piano Teacher Charged with Sex Crimes Against Child Student," December 20, 2024).

The City Council votes to enter into ground leases and development agreements for affordable housing projects totaling 130 units on City-owned land ( "Revised Affordable Housing Development Moves Forward," December 19, 2024).