BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Hotel us facing a lawsuit that was filed on November 5 in Los Angeles Superior Court by Elizabeth Jane Birr, who was the hotel’s first female banquet manager. In her lawsuit, Birr claims that the management of the Beverly Hills Hotel did not take proper action after she claimed that a male supervisor, the director of banquets, not only created a hostile work environment for her, but also created a toxic work environment in which she endured both sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The Beverly Hills Hotel hired Birr in May 2022. In December 2022, she was promoted to banquet manager and oversaw high-profile events. The harassment included her abilities as a female manager being mocked, having her authority undermined, and being berated by the banquet director. In addition, she claims that she was forced to endure listening to the director of banquets make homophobic and racist remarks, as well as making crude jokes. She claims that the pay her male coworkers received increased three times, while she received no raise, and that she was mocked when she complained to the director about her pay wage. In May 2024, she submitted a complaint to the hotel’s management about the harassment, including unequal pay and an investigation was initiated. Birr found that management excluded her from overseeing major events and assigned her demeaning tasks. A month later, she was forced to go on medical leave because of high blood pressure and panic attacks. In her lawsuit, she claims that while she was on leave, hotel management continued to mistreat her. Birr is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages from the Beverly Hills Hotel.   By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, October 24, two people were killed in a collision that occurred on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica. One of the individuals killed in the crash has been , identified as a chief executive officer of a company. Brad Lipshy, 61, was killed in the crash and is the CEO of an event planning firm based in Santa Monica. The collision occurred near the Von’s grocery store in the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard. The crash transpired after 9 p.m. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, a vehicle was traveling the wrong way as it was driving westbound via the eastbound lanes. The vehicle went onto the south sidewalk and struck Lipshy and the other person who were both killed at the scene. The name of the other victim has not been disclosed to the public. The Major Accident Response Team of the Santa Monica Police Department is investigating the collision.   By Daniel Diquinzio

BEVERLY HILLS—The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is currently working to extend the D Line of the subway. Some closures will be on Wilshire Boulevard due to work on the Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and the Wilshire/La Cienega stations. Travel between San Vicente and La Cienega Boulevards will remain open with two lanes of traffic open in each direction on Wilshire Boulevard. On October 2, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., the alley between Lasky and Spalding Drives was closed to allow geotechnical instruments that had to be removed. Work will be done on the curb lanes on Wilshire Boulevard and at the Beverly Drive station. Two lanes will remain open between Beverly and Crescent Drives along Wilshire Boulevard. Left turns will be restricted when vehicles travel westbound towards South Cañon Drive.   By Daniel Diquinzio

WEST HOLLYWOOD—The city of West Hollywood announced that they will host a Mobility Pop-Up on Tuesday, November 25, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard, known as Operation Firefly.

Bicycle lights will be given to people who have their bikes with them, on a first-come, first-served basis; supplies are limited. A water station and other complimentary giveaways will be available to everyone, along with information about mobility projects underway in West Hollywood. City staff will be available to speak with community members in English and Spanish about the importance of riding with lights.

When riding a bike at night on a highway, sidewalk, or bikeway, California Vehicle Code § 21201(d) requires that your bicycle be equipped with a white light that is visible from a distance of 300 feet from the front and side of your bicycle. Alternatively, the white lamp can be attached to the bicycle rider, such as to a helmet, so long as it is still visible from 300 feet.

Bicycles must be equipped with the following lights: a red reflector or solid or flashing red light with a built-in reflector on the rear of the bike that is visible from a distance of 500 feet when in front of headlights on a motor vehicle; a white or yellow reflector on each pedal, shoe, or ankle that is visible from both the front and rear of the bicycle at a distance of 200 feet; a white or yellow reflector on each side of the bicycle on the forward portion of the bicycle and a white or red reflector on each side of the bicycle on the rear portion of the bicycle.

Cyclists can pick up free bike lights (while supplies last), learn about mobility projects, and chat with city staff about safe riding, and tips for night cycling safety.

For additional details about mobility projects in West Hollywood visit www.weho.org/mobility.

For information about the Safer Cycling Mobility Pop-up contact Chris Corrao, West Hollywood Senior Transportation Planner, at (323) 848-3170 or at ccorrao@weho.gov. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Thursday, November 20, the city of Beverly Hills announced on its Facebook page that there will be upcoming road closures for One Beverly Hills construction work:

Friday, December 5 from 8 p.m. thru Sunday, December 7 at 8 a.m.

Traffic Impacts:

-N. Santa Monica Blvd will experience lane closures between Wilshire Blvd. & Moreno Dr.
-One lane in each direction will remain open.
-Bike lanes and sidewalks will be closed, with detours in place for cyclists and pedestrians.

Motorists and pedestrians should plan accordingly and use alternate routes to avoid delays.
For more details contact the One Beverly Hills Construction Hotline at (424) 252-1338.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—In observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, West Hollywood City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28.

The following parking regulations will not be enforced on Thursday, November 27.

-Parking meters and associated time limits.
-Peak hour towing restrictions.
-Street sweeping.

Permit parking and all other parking regulations will be enforced. The enforcement of all parking regulations will resume on Friday, November 28. Visitor parking permits may be obtained at the Kings Road Parking garage.

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Wednesday, November 19, the city of Malibu announced that The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and the city of Malibu are advancing in the effort to create two independent school districts: the Malibu Unified School District (MUSD) and the Santa Monica Unified School District (SMUSD). In December, SMMUSD and city of Malibu will each hold meetings to consider three foundational agreements that establish the financial, operational, and governance frameworks needed for separation.

• SMMUSD Special Board of Education Meeting: Monday, December 1, 5–8 p.m., at the District Office, 1717 4th Street, Santa Monica, and via Zoom. Zoom link will be posted 72 hours prior at: https://www.smmusd.org/board-of-education/board-meetings

• City of Malibu City Council Meeting: Monday, December 8, 5:30 p.m., at Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., Malibu, and via Zoom. Zoom link will be posted 72 hours prior at:

https://malibucity.org/AgendaCenter/

The three agreements include the Property Tax Revenue Sharing Agreement, outlining how property tax revenues will be allocated; the Operational Transfer Agreement, detailing the transition of staffing, facilities, and services; and the Joint Powers Agreement, establishing shared oversight of the transition.

Both the city of Malibu and SMMUSD are committed to equity, fairness, and high-quality education for students in both future districts. To review the full agreement documents and other details visit: www.malibucity.org/musd.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On Wednesday, November 19, the city of Beverly Hills posted on its Facebook page that the Beverly Hills Fire Department launched a voluntary membership service called the ‘BH Wellness Network’ for Beverly Hills residents that would decrease the out-of-pocket costs of paramedic and ambulance services.

Under most health insurance plans, ambulance services are not fully covered and can be expensive. For a yearly fee of $90, the membership would help reduce any uncovered cost for members and their family living in the same residence. The membership would only apply towards emergency medical services provided by the Beverly Hills Fire Department within City limits.

“I am excited to launch this new initiative—one designed to make healthcare more accessible, more affordable, and more compassionate for every Beverly Hills resident,” said Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian. “The BH Wellness Network brings our world-class Fire Department directly into the heart of our community by ensuring that when you need emergency care, cost is not a barrier.

With the $90 a year, an entire household can receive paramedic and transport services for a nominal fee. This is about giving our residents peace of mind, strengthening our safety net, and using innovation to support the health and well-being of every family in our city. And this is only the beginning. We will continue to expand this program with additional wellness services over the next year—because a safer, stronger, and more united Beverly Hills includes access to the care people deserve.”

Residents of Beverly Hills who are uninsured can still enroll in the ‘BH Wellness Network’ to help offset the costs of paramedic services. The reduction amount is dependent on each healthcare plan.

Detailed information and applications are currently available at www.beverlyhills.org/bhwellnessnetwork.

Enrollment starts December 1, 2025 and membership benefits begin January 1, 2026.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—On November 13, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) started an hour-long pursuit of a possible silver Ford Fusion near Wilshire Boulevard and Trenton Drive in Beverly Hills. According to reports, the driver and two passengers took the car from their mother without permission, taking police on a chase through West Lake, through multiple cities including Sherman Oaks and traveling onto the 405 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley. SkyFox obtained video footage of the teens while they were still in Korea Town. Family members driving a white Dodge Durango joined the chase. The teens were traveling the wrong way into heavy traffic and were stopped once they hit a curb at Hesperia and Vanowen Street crashing into the intersection in Reseda. The driver entered the northbound 405 Freeway in West LA, at times passing traffic on the shoulder of the road and in the emergency vehicle lane. In the San Fernando Valley, the car traveled the wrong way in heavy traffic on Vanowen Street near Sepulveda Boulevard. A white SUV appeared to follow the Ford after it exited a parking lot. Details about the SUV’s connection to the people in the pursuit car were not immediately available. The Ford jumped a curb and crashed at a Reseda intersection. At least two people ran from the car as the SUV stopped nearby. Two of the teens jumped out of the car after the crash and attempted to flee on foot. Moments later, all three were in police custody. No further information, or names of the suspects have been released to the public.   By Sharon

MALIBU—The city of Malibu is asking for Malibu business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders to provide insight for them to better understand:

-Current business conditions & challenges
-Opportunities for growth and recovery
-How the City can better support and strengthen our local economy

The city of Malibu is developing an Economic Recovery Strategy to replace lost TOT, restore sales tax, and build resilience after recent fires. We’re conducting a survey with community leaders and stakeholders to understand current conditions, challenges, and opportunities for a sustainable, resident-serving economy. Input will directly shape real recommendations and actions to assist Malibu’s economic future.

To take the survey visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhRZMCpzzPLnpEYa-46YMGurNFhYdTlS3ISnSi3SHJ96rZFQ/viewform.

 

By Danny Jones