The Santa
Monica Lookout, Santa Monica, California -- MaRCH 2020
EXTRA --Two Big Blue Bus Drivers Test Positive for Coronavirus March 31, 2020 -- Two Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (BBB) drivers who last operated buses on three routes March 20 tested positive for the coronavirus on Sunday, agency officials announced today.
Coronavirus Cases in Santa Monica Approach 50 March 30, 2010 -- Two weeks after Santa Monica's first coronavirus case was confirmed, the local case count reached 47 on Monday, with six new cases reported over 24 hours, according to data from the LA County Public Health Department.
Coronavirus Cases in Santa Monica Jump to 41 March 29, 2020 -- Thirteen new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Santa Monica this weekend, marking the biggest 48-hour spike since the first case was detected two weeks ago.
City Extends Closures Through April, Schools Shuttered Until Further Notice March 27, 2020 -- All public spaces and City facilities in Santa Monica will remain closed through at least April 30, and local public schools will remain shuttered until further notice, City and School District officials announced.
District Attorney Warns of Census Scams March 27, 2020 -- In addition to being on the lookout for cornonavirus scams and price gauging, LA County residents should beware of scammers posing as census takers, the District Attorneys office said Friday.
As Coronavirus Spreads, Santa Monica Takes Steps to Keep Homeless Safe March 25, 2020 -- Portable hand-washing stations are cropping up in strategic locations and public restrooms are staying open longer as Santa Monica tries to help curb the spread of coranavirus among its homeless population, City officials said Wednesday.
Two New Cases of Coronavirus in Santa Monica, As Trend Slows March 25, 2020 -- After a two-day surge saw confirmed cases of the coronavirus more than double to 16 in Santa Monica, County Health officials reported two new cases over a 24-hour period.
EXTRA -- State Housing Officials Find "Plaza" Project Exempt from Surplus Land Act March 24, 2020 -- (Updated) California housing officials on Tuesday paved the way for the City to resume negotiations with developers of the proposed "The Plaza at Santa Monica" project, saying it is exempt from the State's recently expanded Surplus Land Act.
Confirmed Coronavirus Cases in Santa Monica See Steepest Daily Rise March 23, 2020 -- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Santa Monica rose from seven to 12 during a 24-hour period, the steepest rise since the virus was first detected in the beach city one week ago.
City to Fine Those Who Violate Emergency Coronavirus Orders March 23, 2020 -- Those who violate orders to stay at home, shut down non-essential businesses, halt tenant evictions or keep away from the Santa Monica Pier during the coronavirus emergency face fines of as much as $1,000 per citation.
Santa Monica Closes Beach Lots March 22, 2020 -- Santa Monica closed its beach parking lots Sunday after thousands flocked to the city's coastline in defiance of State orders to stay at home and not gather in large groups during the coronavirus emergency.
Santa Monica College Student Tests Positive for Coronavirus March 20, 2020 -- A Santa Monica College student has tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first confirmed case of the virus at the school, SMC officials said Thursday.
Santa Monica College Declares State of Emergency March 19, 2020 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Board of Trustees on Tuesday declared a state of local emergency and authorized the school's superintendent to take the necessary actions to respond to the coronavirus crisis.
First Coronavirus Case Confirmed in Santa Monica March 17, 2020 -- Los Angeles County Health officials on Monday confirmed the first case of coronavirus in Santa Monica but gave no details about the case.
City Suspends Street Sweeping, Preferential Parking Regulations March 17, 2020 -- Santa Monica suspended street sweeping and preferential parking regulations Monday night to make it easier for residents to stay at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency.
District Closes Schools Through April 20 March 17, 2020 -- The School Board voted Monday to close District Schools for five weeks in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The emergency resolution includes three weeks of regular session and two previously scheduled weeks of spring break.
Santa Monica Closes Restaurants to Sit-in Diners
March 16, 2020 -- Following Los Angeles' lead, the City of Santa Monica on Monday banned restaurants from serving food for consumption on their premises effective at noon. It also closed all movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys and arcades, as well all gyms, fitness centers, spas and salons.
Santa Monica Man Charged for Attempting to Kill Father March 16, 2020 -- A 19-year-old Santa Monica man was arrested early Sunday morning for attempting to kill his father in an apartment building in the Wilmont neighborhood.
Santa Monica Closes Pier, City Hall March 16, 2020 -- City Hall is closed, so is the Santa Monica Pier, as the City ramped up efforts this weekend to prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus. The City also halted water shutoffs and late penalties for water bills and parking tickets, and instituted eviction protections against tenants affected by the virus.
City Declares Local Coronavirus Emergency, Apple, Universal Music Shutter March 14, 2020 -- Apple has closed all its stores outside China, including its Promenade outlet; Universal Music Group evacuated its Santa Monica headquarters, and the City proclaimed a local emergency in response to the coronavirus.
Local Public Schools Close, City Postpones Board Meetings, Events March 13, 2020 -- The City of Santa Monica has canceled all public gatherings, and local public schools will close through at least Monday after it was learned a parent of students was exposed to coronavirus.
City Council Begins Clearing Path for Nearly 9,000 New Housing Units March 12, 2020 -- In what one Council member characterized as "taking baby steps," the City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to allow most large housing projects to be approved by planning staff effective immediately.
UPDATE --Local Schools Boost Efforts to Prevent Coronavirus Spread March 12, 2020 -- The School District has cancelled the annual Stairway of the Stars concerts and Santa Monica College (SMC) will cancel classes Friday as it transitions to remote teaching to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, officials said.
EXTRA --Santa Monica to Pay $42.6 Million to Alleged Victims of Sexual Abuse March 10, 2020 -- The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to pay a total of $42.6 million to settle claims filed by two dozen individuals who allege they were sexually abused while participating in a City run youth program.
SPECIAL REPORT -- Santa Monica Scrambles to Meet Housing Targets Other Cities Are Opposing
March 9, 2020 -- As Santa Monica revs up to meet its State mandate to add nearly 9,000 new housing units over eight years, other cities have taken a much more cautious, if not contentious, approach.
LETTERS -- Where's the Analysis? March 9, 2020 -- Left unrestrained by public outrage, large, dense Soviet-style housing projects will spring up in every corner of Santa Monica. Why this rush to annihilation?
Police to Conduct DUI Checkpoint Friday March 9, 2020 -- In an effort to curb the number of motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, Santa Monica traffic officers will conduct a DUI Checkpoint Friday from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. at an undisclosed location.
Marathon Crowds to Descend on Santa Monica Sunday March 6, 2020 -- On Sunday, some 20,000 runners will race through Santa Monica for the final three miles of the Los Angeles Marathon, offering a boost for local shops and a wayfinding challenge for residents.
EXTRA --Council Could Immediately Streamline Permit Process to Spur Housing Development March 5, 2020 -- The City Council could vote Tuesday to eliminate hearings for many large housing projects in an effort to issue permits for some 1,100 units a year, up from 200.The proposed emergency action comes after the State dramatically hiked Santa Monica's mandated housing target late last year.
WS Communities Secures $157 Million Loan for Market-Rate SRO Developments March 4, 2020 -- Santa Monica's largest residential developer has received a $157 million loan to build ten apartment buildings Downtown. They include six market-rate single room occupancy (SRO) developments that triggered a legal battle with the City.
Santa Monica Joins Westside Cities to Prepare for Coronavirus March 4, 2020 -- Santa Monica joined four other Westside cities Wednesday to prepare for potential cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as Los Angeles County declared a public health emergency.
Santa Monica Hands Out More 'Wellbeing Microgrants' March 3, 2020 -- Santa Monica recently awarded eight Wellbeing Microgrants that include funding for "dog walking meetups" and "axis awareness classes," City officials announced last week.
Superintendent’s Message: Budget Realignment and Our High-Quality Schools
March 3, 2020 -- I understand how difficult it can be to talk about or hear about budget realignment or budget reduction. I ask that we all please keep our eyes on the facts provided by the school district and that we not spread misinformation.
