MELROSE—On Sunday, January 18 at approximately 3 p.m. the Los Angeles Fire Department West Bureau responded to a call of a structure fire at a one-story single-family home located at 1323 N. Kenmore Avenue in East Hollywood, not far from Melrose. In over 20 minutes, first responders declared a knockdown structure fire. Initial reports indicated one person was trapped. A search for additional victims was initiated. Multiple units responded to the call. The LAFD Public Information Officer, LAFD Arson, and the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office were called in. A 53-year-old male, and his pet were pronounced dead at the scene. Traffic was delayed for hours. Motorists were encouraged to take alternate routes. No further information is available, at this time. The name of the victim has not been disclosed.   By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica posted on their Facebook page that holiday tree collection will start on Friday, December 26.

Individuals are asked to remove all the decorations, stand, and lights and place your tree on the curb or in the alley between December 26, 2025 through January 31, 2026 for automatic pick up.

Crews will collect the trees and give them a second life as mulch, keeping Santa Monica clean and sustainable. Please allow 10 business days for pick-up.

Please do not put trees in parks or lots. Anyone with questions is asked to email: zerowaste@santamonica.gov.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that they will be participating with the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation & the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce for an upcoming workshop, “Unlock Your Business’s Digital Potential.”

During the free workshop, individuals will learn how to:
• Get your business found locally with Google Business Profile
• Promote your in-store inventory online with Pointy
• Create free product listings across Google with Merchant Center
• Access expert support for financing, marketing, and disaster planning

The workshop will take place on Wednesday, January 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Palisades located at 15247 La Cruz Drive in Pacific Palisades. The event is free to attend, but RSVP is required. Visit: https://laedc.org/small-business-recovery-center-event/.

 

By Danny Jones

WOODLAND HILLS—On Sunday, January 18, at approximately 3 a.m., a small, gray Chevrolet SUV, drove off the top of 101 Freeway in Woodland Hills at the Shoup exit. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver left the freeway crashing into La Plaza strip mall, took out approximately 50 feet of fence, before crashing into some of the businesses. The driver was able to exit his vehicle and walk away from the accident. CHP spokesperson, Matt Gutierrez indicated that since the driver left the scene of the crash, it is considered a hit-and-run accident. Businesses were closed at the time of the crash and there were no reported injuries. Anyone with details on the incident should contact local authorities as the suspect is still at large.   By Sharon

MELROSE—On January 14, reports circulated that a 90-year-old resident of the Kingsley Manor retirement community receiving an eviction notice for $14,000 in fees accumulated, unbeknownst to him.

Song Maeng reportedly offered to pay $14,000 to be able to stay in the place he’s called home since 2024.  Kinglsey Manor gave Maeng two weeks to vacate the building.

According to reports, Kingsley Manor is a not-for-profit community.  They offer month-to-month rental agreements with no large down payments to move in.

Multiple reports indicate Maeng, nor his attorney, Jonathan Segura, understand how $14,000 in fees were accrued without Mr. Song’s knowledge.

Canyon News reached out to Kingsley Manor and to Mr. Segura for more information but did not hear back before print.

 

By Sharon

MALIBU—The city of Malibu completed its Pacific Coast Highway Signal Synchronization Project. It is the city’s most significant project in its history to improve traffic flow, congestion and safety on PCH.

By synchronizing 12 traffic signals between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and John Tyler Drive, Caltrans can now adjust signal timing in real time, reducing speeding, traffic flow, and making the roadway safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians along PCH.

There will be a ribbon cutting celebration on Wednesday, February 4 at 10 a.m. at PCH and Webb Way (Triangle Lot).

Mid-block sensors will enable Caltrans to monitor traffic flow and speed, then remotely adjust signal timing in the moment.

The use of state-of-the art technology and synchronization of the traffic signals will make PCH a “Smart Corridor.”

Approved by the City Council at its Regular meeting on May 8, 2017, the PCH Signal Systems Improvements Project is a major step toward achieving the top priority of the City’s PCH Safety Study.

The Signal Systems Improvements Project will consist of new communication links, changeable message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, traffic loops.

Parking available at 23835 Civic Center Way, just north of Webb Way
For more information about the project, visit MalibuCity.org/780/PCH-Signal-Synchronization.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On January 15, the Santa Monica Police Department posted on their Facebook page that they partnered with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) Parole and Los Angeles County Probation to conduct an enforcement operation focused on individuals on active parole and probation within Santa Monica.

It was a state and county public-safety operation, centered on court-ordered supervision and active felony warrants.

Parole Agents and Probation Officers worked alongside SMPD officers. During the operation, 11 individuals were taken into custody for no-bail warrants, felony parole violations, and probation violations, including individuals under supervision for violent crimes, robbery, and sex-related offenses.

These operations are conducted to:
• Enforce court-ordered supervision
• Locate individuals with active felony warrants
• Reduce repeat violent and high-risk criminal behavior

• Improve overall community safety

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—The city of Malibu is preparing for individuals to sign up now for Malibu’s FREE Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training Course starting February 24 at the Malibu City Hall. Learn how to prepare for wildfires, earthquakes & other disasters.

As part of its ongoing efforts toward community-wide preparedness, Malibu is offering the next round of the highly popular CERT training. The free series of six classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Malibu City Hall, starting on February 24 through March 12, from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., with the Course Review & Final Drill on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

The highly acclaimed free program training program is administered by the city of Malibu and other public safety agencies across the country, and empowers community members to help themselves and their neighbors during disasters.

Through hands-on training, participants learn the most up-to-date information on basic disaster preparedness, the use of a fire extinguisher, disaster medical care, first aid, search and rescue, disaster psychology, and neighborhood team building.

For more details and to sign up, visit www.MalibuCity.org/CERT or email PublicSafety@malibucity.org.

 

By Danny Jones

MALIBU/TOPANGA—On Sunday, January 18, the California Department of Transportation announced that Caltrans crews reopened Topanga Canyon Boulevard/State Route 27 (SR-27) from Pacific Coast Highway to Grand View Drive as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday, January 18.

This stretch of highway remains an active work zone for Palisades Fire emergency repairs and is now restored to its previous conditions, including:

The stretch of SR-27 is closed to the motoring public from midnight to 5 a.m. daily. This includes tonight, Sunday night, into Monday morning.

One-way traffic control with a pilot car, postmile 2.5 to 2.8 for Caltrans emergency project work, 5 a.m. to midnight daily

The 3.6-mile section of highway closed at 12:01 a.m. Saturday for crews to begin installation of an 84-inch reinforced concrete pipe underneath the highway. Crews successfully placed one of the most challenging sections of the pipe and will evaluate next steps to install the remaining portions.

The concrete pipe will run underneath and perpendicular to SR-27 and is designed to carry increased capacity of water and mud during rainstorms, reducing the amount of debris flow on the highway in future storms.

Caltrans District 7 also posts updates to its social media pages. For information about Caltrans’s emergency work from the Palisades Fire and early 2025 rainstorms can be found at the Palisades Fire Emergency Repairs website.

 

By Danny Jones

GRIFFITH PARK—On Sunday, January 18, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported a traffic collision left one person dead. The LAFD reported at 3:20 a.m. on the northbound 5 freeway a five-car traffic collision. The LAFD personnel arrived on scene for approximately one hour coordinating extrication operations and patient management.

One person, a 25 year-old male was determined dead on scene after being ejected from a vehicle; Five other patients, a 61 year-old male was listed in fair condition, as well as a 35 year-old male, and 2 22 year-old males. A 28 year-old male was listed in serious condition.

They were all transported to local hospitals via LAFD ambulances. LA County Medical Examiner and CHP (LOG #326) coordinated for investigation and dignified removal of the body of the decedent. No additional details about what caused the crash has been disclosed to the public.

 

By Danny Jones