LETTERS -- Appearance of a Conflict Should Disqualify de la Torre January 29, 2021 -- That Councilmember Oscar de la Torre’s wife had and has "standing" to sue the City implies that she has "skin in the game." By extension del la Torre has the appearance of a conflict.
City, State Extend Eviction Moratorium Through June January 28, 2021 -- The State legislature on Thursday extended California’s eviction moratorium through June 30 -- a step also taken by Santa Monica -- and proposed using $2.6 billion in federal relief as rental subsidies.
PUBLIC NOTICE --The January weekend closure of the Santa Monica Pier has been lifted and the Pier will be open this weekend in keeping with the relaxed Los Angeles County Public Health orders.
Santa Monica Continues to See Weekly Drop in COVID-19 Cases January 27, 2021 -- There were 50 fewer confirmed coronavirus cases in Santa Monica last week than the previous week, although the number of related deaths reported rose by four, according to data from the LA County Health Department.
EXTRA -- Council Votes to Exclude de la Torre from Closed Sessions on
Voting Rights Case January 26, 2021 -- In one of the most combative public meetings in recent Santa Monica history, the City Council on Tuesday determined Oscar de la Torre has a conflict of interest and must be excluded from closed door sessions pertaining to the voting rights lawsuit against the City.
No Violation in Council Vote for Top Posts, DA Says January 26, 2021 -- The Los Angeles County District Attorney has found that any Brown Act violation in selecting a new mayor and vice mayor on December 8 was "cured and corrected" when a new vote was taken this month.
EXTRA -- Fight Brewing Over De la Torre's Participation in Voting Rights Deliberations January 25, 2021 -- The City Attorney's office and Councilmember Oscar de la Torre are at loggerheads over whether the newly elected Councilmember can participate in closed session items involving the voting rights lawsuit against the City.
Felon Charged After Shooting at North of Montana Home January 25, 2021 -- A shot fired at an inhabited North of Montana home led police to a neighboring residence where they arrested the suspect and confiscated a small cache of weapons.
Local Tax Payers to See Lower Bills After SMC Refinances Bonds January 21, 2021 -- Local residents will see their tax bills go down after Santa Monica College (SMC) refinanced a portion of its general obligation bonds last month, school officials said Thursday.
Santa Monica Faces Lawsuit If It Approves "Hero Pay" January 20, 2021 -- The California Grocers Association filed a lawsuit against the City of Long Beach Wednesday challenging a "hero pay" ordinance similar to the one being drafted in Santa Monica.
City Extends Eviction Moratorium for Commercial Tenants January 20, 2021 -- The City on Tuesday extended to March 31 its eviction moratorium for commercial tenants unable to pay rent due to the financial impacts of COVID-19.
15 Coronavirus Cases Confirmed at Santa Monica Public Safety Facility January 19, 2021 -- Since the start of the year, 15 staff members at Santa Monica's Public Safety Facility have tested positive for the coronavirus and gone into immediate isolation, City officials confirmed Tuesday.
Santa Monica Sees Drop in COVID-19 Cases, Related Deaths January 19, 2021 -- Weekly coronavirus cases and related deaths dropped in Santa Monica last week as Los Angeles County surpassed the 1 million mark in reported cases.
School Board Chooses Coleman to Fill de la Torre's Seat January 15, 2021 -- The School Board Thursday night appointed Keith Coleman to fill the seat Oscar de la Torre had refused to relinquish after being elected to the City Council in November.
Police Boost Patrols As Inauguration Approaches January 15, 2021 -- Santa Monica police will step up patrols this weekend in anticipation of possible protests around the inauguration of President elect Joe Biden on Wednesday, Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks announced Thursday night.
Santa Monica Establishes Civilian Police Oversight Commission January 14, 2021 -- Spurred by nationwide protests over the deaths of Black citizens at the hands of police, the City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the creation of Santa Monica’s first civilian police oversight commission.
Himmelrich, McCowan Solidify Support, Keep Top Council Posts January 13, 2021 -- After more than a hour of testimony and debate, the City Council Tuesday night voted once again to select Sue Himmelrich as Mayor and Kristin McCowan as Mayor pro tem. Only this time it was unanimous.
School Board to Replace de la Torre Thursday January 13, 2021 -- City Councilmember Oscar de la Torre is not likely to put up a fight Thursday night when the School Board fills the seat he has held for 18 years.
'Hero Pay' Could Backfire, Grocery Industry Says January 11, 2021 -- The grocery industry is warning cities like Santa Monica to reconsider "knee-jerk proposals" to raise the pay of grocery workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
Man Leaps to His Death from Mall Parking Structure January 11, 2021 -- A man jumped to his death from a Santa Monica Place parking structure early Monday morning, marking the city's first public suicide this year and the 14th over the past two years.
Santa Monica Rents Continue Dropping, New Survey Finds January 8, 2021 -- Santa Monica rents continued declining last month, capping a 14.4 percent decrease since the coronavirus pandemic hit last March, according to the latest report by Apartment List.
TOP STORIES OF 2020
PART I -- WINTER - SPRING December 30, 2020 -- It seemed a routine, if eventful, start to the year, with the coronarirus still half a world away. By mid-Spring, the outbreak would trigger an economic shutdown that put the City deep in the red shortly before riots thrust it into the national spotlight.
PART II -- SUMMER- FALL December 31, 2020 -- While the coronavirus emergency continued grabbing daily headlines, the voting rights lawsuit moved through the courts, "The Plaza's" fate remained undecided and the groundwork was being laid for the biggest election upset in Santa Monica history.
Santa Monica Could Boost Pay for Grocery, Drug Store Workers January 7, 2021 -- Local workers at large grocery and drug store chains could soon get an additional $5-an-hour "hero pay" during the coronavirus pandemic under a proposal the City Council will consider Tuesday.
LETTERS -- City Attorney's Position Invites Brown Act Violations January 7, 2020 -- Without Councilmember McCowan recusing herself during the new vote, we would be reinforcing that it’s okay to violate the Brown Act and there are no consequences to the violation.
Council to Redo Vote for Top Posts January 6, 2020 -- The City Council on Tuesday will redo its selection of a Mayor and Mayor pro tem after concerns were raised that the initial vote on December 8 may have violated the State's open meetings act.
Bloom to Run for County Supervisor in 2022 January 6, 2021 -- State Assemblymember Richard Bloom -- who has championed environmental, housing and transportation bills in his eight years in Sacramento -- announced Wednesday he will run for County Supervisor in 2022.
OPINION -- Councilmember de la Torre "Deliberately Fomenting Discord" January 5, 2020 -- We will not allow ourselves to be distracted as Councilmember Oscar de la Torre continues to seek the limelight by stoking grievance and division, write School Board members Jon Kean and Laurie Lieberman.
