The Santa
Monica Lookout, Santa Monica, California -- August 2019
EXTRA -- Skaggs Died of Accidental Overdose, Texas Autopsy Finds August 30, 2019 -- Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died of an accidental overdose of alcohol and powerful painkillers, a Texas medical examiner said in a report released Friday.
Personal Trainer Brad Bolton Remembered as an Inspirational Force
August 29, 2019 -- Even as he was falling, Brad Bolton tried to lift others up, his former friends say. For years, the personal trainer, who took his life Saturday at age 49, inspired those he knew and mentored -- from Santa Monica and Venice residents to well-known athletes and LA's elite.
Camera Obscura Artists Invite Participants to Share in Their Work August 29, 2019 -- The two artists in residence at Santa Monica's Camera Obscura Art Lab will hold a series of workshops and events next month that invite participants to explore their bodies and the world around them in novel ways
OPINION -- Santa Monica's Anti-Worker City Council August 28, 2019 -- As long as Local 11 continues to act as the "man behind the curtain" at City Hall, the best interests of workers in Santa Monica will continue to go ignored.
Fewer Scooters, New Helmet Law Spur Drop in Citations, Police Officials Say August 27, 2019 -- The number of traffic tickets issued to e-scooter riders in Santa Monica has seen a dramatic drop over the past year due to fewer such vehicles on the streets and a major change to the state law, according to police.
Samohi Pool Reopens After Gas Leak August 27, 2019 -- The Santa Monica High School pool reopened Tuesday after a chlorine gas leak last week left members of the boys water polo team suffering from "acute respiratory distress," District officials said.
Two Playwrights Awarded Santa Monica Artist Fellowships
August 27, 2019 -- Two playwrights who chronicle the plights of Native Americans and Laotian refuges are the recipients of $20,000 artist fellowships from the City of Santa Monica.
Santa Monica Man Kills Brother in Dispute Sunday August 26, 2019 -- A man fatally shot his 19-year-old brother on Santa Monica's north side Sunday evening, marking the second homicide in the beach city this year and the second involving a family member.
OPINION -- Once Again, Local 11 “Regrets the Error” August 26, 2019 -- It's time the Council started listening to the housekeepers who oppose the work rules piece of this ordinance, rather than a union that has more regrets than facts at its command.
Councilmembers' Names Appear on List Urging Them to Support Hotel Ordinance August 23, 2019 -- (UPDATED) It isn't often that a Councilmember's name appears on a list of supporters below a letter urging them to vote for an agenda item. But that's what happened when three Councilmembers were listed among the supporters of the Hotel Workers Ordinance the Council will take up Tuesday.
LETTERS -- City Council, Please Don’t Hurt Housekeepers August 23, 2019 -- The City Council should pass a law that guarantees panic buttons for all hotel workers, but it must leave the current credit cleaning system alone.
Serial Killer Arrested by Santa Monica Police Faces Death Penalty August 22, 2019 -- A jury on Thursday found convicted serial killer Michael Gargiulo, known as the "Hollywood Ripper," was sane when he murdered two women and attempted to murder a third in her Santa Monica apartment.
Provision Added to Hotel Ordinance Sparks Widely Differing Views
August 21, 2019 -- Adding a worker retention provision to Santa Monica's proposed hotel workers ordinance will help the city maintain its status as a world-class tourism destination or boost room rates by stifling competition.
School District to Continue Fee Procedure After Settlement, Top Official Says
August 20, 2019 -- The School District will not significantly change its policy governing pupil fees after settling a class action lawsuit that claimed it illegally "requires" students to purchase certain items needed for school, Superintendent Ben Drati said.
California Appeals Court Lets Stand Santa Monica's Homesharing Law August 20, 2019 -- A California Appeals Court last week declined a petition from two major online rental platforms requesting that the court rehear a case challenging Santa Monica's homesharing law.
City at Loggerheads with Meals Program at Reed Park August 19, 2019 -- A showdown has been brewing between Santa Monica City officials and the organizer of a meals program that has been serving food to more than 100 homeless people every Sunday at Reed Park.
Samohi Track to Bear Pat Cady's Name in Time for Memorial Pep Rally August 19, 2019 -- When students and alumni flock to Samohi's Greek Theater for a memorial "pep rally" Sunday, they well see the name of the man they've come to honor emblazoned on the school's track.
Council Directs Staff to Tighten Santa Monica's Reoccupancy Law August 16, 2019 -- The City Council directed staff on Tuesday to find ways to deter Santa Monica landlords from illegally renting rent control units that have been removed from the market, although there is no indication the practice is widespread.
Jury Finds Former Santa Monica Resident Guilty of Double Murder August 16, 2019 -- A convicted serial killer known as the "Hollywood Ripper" was found guilty by a jury Thursday of murdering two women and attempting to murder a third in her Santa Monica apartment across the alley from his home.
Tsunami Strikes Santa Monica, Washes Pier Away in TV Trailer August 15, 2019 -- (UPDATED) Dramatic footage of a tsunami that destroys the Santa Monica Pier and floods the coastal city was released on Wednesday as a television trailer for the show 9-1-1. The footage is a reminder that a tsunami poses a real danger to the beach city, which has long had a detailed evacuation plan.
City to Begin Replacing Broken Water Main on Ocean Avenue
August 15, 2019 -- A water main on Ocean Avenue that suffered separate breaks on Saturday and Wednesday will be replaced next week, Santa Monica City officials said. Help Clear the Santa Monica Animal Shelter Saturday August 15, 2019 -- The Santa Monica Animal Shelter is offering reduced fees for those who adopt pets during this year's “Clear the Shelters” drive Saturday.
Santa Monica Expands Senior Housing Subsidies August 14, 2019 -- The City Council on Tuesday voted to provide $2 million in housing subsidies to as many as 400 Santa Monica seniors struggling to make their rent control payments.
Home Rented as Quasi Hostel Raises Concerns About Home-Sharing Law August 13, 2019 -- A house rented on Airbnb as a quasi youth hostel has caused an uproar in the upscale North of Montana neighborhood and raised questions about Santa Monica's strict home sharing ordinance.
Santa Monica to Unveil Its First Battery Electric Bus August 13, 2019 -- Santa Monica will unveil its first electric bus next week marking a major step towards an emission-free future, City officials announced Tuesday.
Staff Recommends Hotel Housekeepers Ordinance But Raises Concerns August 12, 2019 -- The City Council this month should move forward with the union-backed hotel housekeepers' ordinance but should be wary of potential impacts, according to a report from the City's top policy official.
Fire Department Beach Pilot Project Showing Results, Officials Say August 12, 2019 -- A new pilot program launched last month that stations Santa Monica firefighters and paramedics on the north end of the beach has already reduced response times by more than half, fire officials said Monday.
Santa Monica City Council Poised to Take Nuclear Stance August 9, 2019 -- The City Council on Tuesday will do its part to help prevent a nuclear war by endorsing a list of policy solutions to reduce the "risks posed by nuclear weapons."
No More "Pleasures Along the Beach" in Santa Monica August 8, 2019 -- On Friday, the wall above the old bank building entrance that held Santa Monica's iconic "Pleasures Along the Beach" mosaic for 50 years will be blank.
Santa Monica Schools Earn High Grades from Niche August 7, 2019 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District was one of the top-ranked school systems in the Los Angeles area, with two of its schools earning the top A+ grade, according to nationwide rankings released by Niche this week.
Santa Monica Police Lieutenant Under Criminal Investigation August 6, 2019 -- Lt. Richard Lewis, an 18-year veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department, is under criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, officials from both forces confirmed Tuesday.
OPINION -- Pat Cady Field Sounds Perfect August 6, 2019 -- Pat Cady exemplified the legendary teacher that impacts hundreds of young students over a lifetime, writes Kip Delliger, who coached the Samohi track and field team with Cady.
Union Watchdog Poll Gauges Voters' Take on Crime, Proposed Hotel Ordinance August 5, 2019 -- A poll of likely Santa Monica voters conducted by a hotel union watchdog group found that crime and homelessness remain concerns. The poll also gauged support for a proposed ordinance to protect hotel housekeepers.
City to Announce Rebates for Apartment EV Charging Stations August 5, 2019 -- The City this month will begin announcing the multi-family buildings that will recive rebates to help offset the cost of installing electric vehicle charging stations, City officials said.
Join "The Experiment" in Downtown Santa Monica This Summer August 2, 2019 -- Learn to dance salsa, catch a comedy show or just lounge on some of the new "interactive" seating that's part of Downtown Santa Monica's outdoor laboratory on the Third Street Promenade this summer.
Appeals Court Orders Santa Monica Landlord to Return Units to Rent Control August 1, 2019 -- The owner of a 13-unit Santa Monica apartment building must return the units to rent control a quarter century after the Rent Board gave the go-ahead to remove them from the rental market, a California Appeals Court ruled Tuesday.
