BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, March 17, the city of Beverly Hills announced that Adrine Ovasapyan was named Adrine Ovasapyan as the new Deputy Director of Community Services. Ovasapyan currently serves as Recreation Services Manager and brings almost 25 years of municipal government experience to the position. As Deputy Director, she will directly oversee the Youth Recreation and Ranger divisions.

“I’m thrilled that Adrine will be taking on this critical role in our department,” said Community Services Director Stephanie Harris. “During her time in Beverly Hills, she has built trust across the department and with our City partners. I know her contributions will continue to benefit the Beverly Hills community for years to come.”

Ovasapyan has been working with Beverly Hills since 2019 after she joined the Community Services Department’s Arts and Culture Division as a Recreation Supervisor. In 2023, she was promoted to Recreation Services Manager and currently manages the Youth Recreation team, including tots, youth, and teen programming.

She also serves as the staff liaison to the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with Beverly Hills Unified School District, local youth sports organizations, and the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Before coming to Beverly Hills, Ovasapyan worked for the city of Burbank in the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department for more than 15 years. She will assume her new role on Saturday, March 21, 2026, following the promotion of current Deputy Director Chris Paulson to Assistant Director.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday, March 17 that to celebrated Fix-A-Leak Week (March 17–25), residents are asked to take a few minutes to check their home for water leaks.

Small, unnoticed leaks can waste thousands of gallons of water each year and quietly increase your water bill.

Start with toilets — the most common source of household leaks. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

Try this quick toilet leak test:

-Remove the toilet tank lid
-Add a few drops of food coloring (or a dye tab) to the tank
-Wait 15 minutes without flushing
-If color appears in the bowl, you likely have a leaking flapper.

For more details on water-saving tips and information, visit www.BHSaves.org.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Saturday, April 25, the city of West Hollywood is offering a free American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification training. Community members may choose from one of the two training sessions: one will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the other will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Each will be held at the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center Fairfax/La Brea Room, located at 8750 El Tovar Place, adjacent to West Hollywood Library. Limited parking is available at the West Hollywood Park Five-Story parking structure located at 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

The American Red Cross certification training will cover adult and pediatric CPR/First Aid/AED topics and participants will learn how to respond to medical emergencies. Before meeting in-person, participants will be enrolled in an online learning session that takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete.

There will be in-person section reviews and tests that will take approximately 1.5 to 2 hours per section for participants to receive their certification. An online learning session link will be sent out 7 days prior to the in-person training session. All online coursework must be completed before the in-person training session.

Space is limited and is anticipated to reach capacity quickly. Enroll using West Hollywood’s “ActiveNet” online reservations portal. RSVPs require ActiveNet registration, which takes few minutes to complete.

Once capacity reaches limits, community members who are interested are asked to join a waitlist. West Hollywood will host additional American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification trainings. To join this waitlist email wehoaquatics@weho.org or call (323) 848-6538.

For additional information about West Hollywood’s free American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/AED certification training, please email wehoaquatics@weho.org or call (323) 848-6538. 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

SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, March 17, the city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory through Friday.

According to the NWS, the heat event carries an elevated risk of heat illness across the general population. Community members are strongly encouraged to take precautions and utilize available cooling resources.

City Library Cooling Centers — Free & Open to All:

-Ocean Park Branch
-Pico Branch
-Main Library

Tips to Stay Safe in the Heat:

-Close blinds and curtains during the day to block heat
-Drink water consistently — do not wait until you feel thirsty
-Wear loose, light-colored, breathable clothing
-Use fans and limit strenuous outdoor activity
-Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle
-Open windows in the evening to allow cooler air to circulate

Residents are asked to check on neighbors, seniors, and those without access to cooling.

 

By Danny Jones

TOPANGA CANYON—On April 15, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority announced that the scheduled burn planned for Friday, April 17, has been postponed. For public safety and unfavorable weather predictions, there will be no burning the rest of April. The next scheduled burn will likely take place a month from now. The public will be given 72-hour notice of any new scheduled burn bans. The same 72-hour rule will apply to future scheduled burn cancellations as well. Reports indicate that in the right environment, scheduled burns can prevent forest fires and wildfires. The negative effects of the combination of wind and arid conditions can outweigh the need to remove the dry undergrowth. In the wrong environment, the underbrush is extremely flammable. Multiple areas in Southern California have deployed goats to eat the brush in steep terrains. Los Angeles County deployed 500 goats in an area of about 35-39 acres in the Sepulveda Basin and Corbin Canyon area. Glendale (Verdugo Park) utilized goats to help clear the area of brush on a hillside in close proximity to residential areas. Pasadena (Arroyo Seco) has 600 goats scheduled to graze on Saturday, April 18. Rancho Palos Verdes began using goats in early April to keep the weeds at bay.   By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) were dispatched to the 7900 block of Norton Avenue. A couple was reportedly walking with their baby north the intersection of Fairfax Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard when a male suspect fired a shot striking that man walking. The suspect fled the scene in a white Nissan Altima. The suspect is still at large. According to reports, the victim had stable vital signs when transported to an area hospital. Local surveillance footage depicted the victim awake and alert as he was being loaded into the hospital for transport. On April 9, the LASD responded to a call of shots fired at an apartment complex in the 1000 block of North Vista Street South of Santa Monica Boulevard. A shooter fired shots at a woman standing on the balcony at her apartment complex. The victim was taken to an area hospital where she is listed in stable condition. No arrests have been made in either shooting. Both cases are still under investigation. Anyone with details is asked to call LASD West Hollywood Station at 310-855-8550.   By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—On Tuesday, April 14, the city of Beverly Hills announced that Craig A. Corman was elected Mayor of Beverly Hills at the Beverly Hills City Council’s reorganization meeting on Tuesday. He succeeds Sharona R. Nazarian, PsyD who completed her first term as Mayor and has served on City Council since 2022.

“I am honored to serve as Mayor of Beverly Hills,” said Mayor Corman. “Our community is a remarkable one that has helped shaped who I am and been a strong foundation for my family. Throughout my term, I’ll be committed to delivering thoughtful leadership, responsible stewardship, and making changes for a future that reflects the best of what Beverly Hills stands for.”

Mayor Corman was first elected to the Beverly Hills City Council in 2024. He formerly served on the Beverly Hills Planning Commission from March 2009 until June 2016 and the Cultural Heritage Commission from January 2019 until April 2024. Mayor Corman is an attorney, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.

Mary N. Wells was named Vice Mayor by the City Council. Vice Mayor Wells, who was first elected in 2024, previously served as a member and President of the Beverly Hills Unified School Board of Education.

Vice Mayor Wells earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California, specializing in Finance and Accounting. Vice Mayor Wells previously worked at the Walt Disney Company in Brand and Account Management and with Beezley Management in Construction Management.

The Mayor and Vice Mayor serve one-year terms and are selected by their Beverly Hills City Council colleagues at the annual reorganization meeting.

 

By Danny Jones

HOLLYWOOD HILLS—On April 11, at approximately 9:30 p.m. residents entered their home in Hollywood Hills West to find that two intruders had broken into a home by smashing through a glass windowpane on the side of the house in the 7100 block of Macapa Drive. The burglars were still there when the residents came home.

One of the homeowners, only described as a 75-year-old-man was punched repeatedly by one of the intruders, who then left in haste. The intruders were dressed in all black, wearing gloves, and left the scene of the crime(s). They drove away in a silver sedan.

According to LAPD, the thieves stole approximately $150,000 in jewelry. According to reports the suspects are still at large

In addition to aggravated burglary, and assault, the intruders also stole approximately $150,000 in jewelry.

According to California Law, stealing $150,000 is classified as grand theft. Under California Penal Code Section 487 (a) taking property exceeding $950 in value constitutes grand theft, which is considered a “wobbler” offense. Warranting a felony conviction, the suspects could face sentences up to three years in jail or a state prison.

In California under California Penal Code 459, entering a home of inhabited dwelling is always a felony. A person who commits First Degree Burglary faces 2-6 years prison time.

In addition, California law considers the beating of an individual 75-years-of age to be elder-abuse, under Penal Code 368. If the victim suffers great bodily harm can also result in a felony charge and an additional 5-years prison time.

Hollywood Hills West Neighborhood Council had multiple posts on their X social media page speaking of more acts of violence in the area over the last few days.

TV Reporter for FOXLA, Matthew Seedorff posted that one man was shot last Tuesday, April 14 while walking with his wife and baby. Another shooting occurred, “Just a half a mile away, last week,” Seedorff stated.

This aggravated burglary is one of two that took place in upscale neighborhoods outside of the Los Angeles metro area. In both cases, the residents were harmed. The incidents happened in completely different areas.

 

By Sharon

 

 

 

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, April 15, the city of West Hollywood announced that Measure E, a Los Angeles County voter-approved Emergency Response and Infrastructure Special Parcel Tax Initiative Ordinance passed in 2024 can provide tax exemption opportunities for eligible residents.

Measure E is a County Measure that supports the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County (District). For Fiscal Year 2026-27, Measure E establishes a parcel tax of $0.0612 per square foot of structural improvements (excluding parking areas) on properties within the district.

Measure E is included in the direct assessment section of property tax bills to support critical public safety needs, including hiring additional firefighters and paramedics, enhancing training, and upgrading emergency response equipment such as helicopters, fire engines, and 911 communication systems, particularly for wildfire prevention and response.

The tax applies to all properties within the district’s service area, including contract cities, such as West Hollywood. It does not apply to cities that operate their own fire departments.

Measure E includes exemptions to support equitable implementation. Low-income seniors 62 years of age and older who own and reside in their home and meet the low-income requirements outlined by the California Department of Housing and Community Development may qualify for a full exemption from the parcel tax; eligible individuals must apply and reapply annually to maintain exemption status.

Properties receiving disaster relief – such as those impacted by wildfires – are not subject to the tax while under that designation. The deadline to apply for the exemption is May 31, 2026.

Residents can review eligibility requirements and apply for the exemption process if applicable. An exemption application form available to assist applicants. Residents can learn more about Measure E and access the exemption application through the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s website at https://fire.lacounty.gov/measure-e.

For more details or for inquiries regarding appeal, exemptions, or applicability, contact the Consolidated Fire Protection District of Los Angeles County Planning Division via email at Fire-Planning@fire.lacounty.gov or by telephone at (323) 881-6151. 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

WESTWOOD—The UCLA PD announced on its Facebook page on April 15 that it launched the OCCS Training Program — a new initiative bringing UCLA’s safety experts directly impact the public.

The program pairs the Office of Emergency Management and UCPD to deliver hands-on training sessions on emergency preparedness, response, and personal safety.

The program provides free, in-person training for UCLA students, faculty, and staff. Each session combines presentation with scenario-based exercises so participants leave with skills they can apply immediately. Each session is one hour. The program currently offers three courses.

All are open to students, faculty, and staff with no prerequisites required. Those course offerings include: Active Assailant, Safety Preparedness and Emergency Preparedness.

To learn more at: www.safety.ucla.edu/safety-training-program.

 

By Danny Jones