SANTA MONICA—On Tuesday, September 1, the Santa Monica Public Library (SMPL) is celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month this September with a special-edition library card designed by local artist Al Mercado and the return of the Library’s Read Local, Shop Local: Community Discount Program.

Throughout September, individuals who sign up for a library card at any of SMPL’s five locations will receive the special-edition card, while supplies last. Families are also invited to join SMPL at the Main Library (601 Santa Monica Blvd.) on September 12 to decorate a colorful card sleeve and lanyard to personalize and protect their library cards.

The special-edition card features artwork from Santa Monica’s Art Everywhere: Local Canvas initiative, which showcases the work of local artists throughout the city’s streetscape.

“Libraries are places where creativity, learning and community come together, and this special-edition card is a wonderful expression of that spirit,” said Recreation and Arts Department Director Jenny Rogers, who oversees the city’s Cultural Affairs division. “We’re proud to partner with the Santa Monica Public Library and local artist Al Mercado to celebrate the important role that arts, culture and libraries play in connecting people to their community.”

A Santa Monica Public Library card provides free access to books, music, movies, video games, databases, study rooms and other resources. Cardholders receive access to exclusive offers from local businesses through the Library’s Read Local, Shop Local: Community Discount Program.

“Your library card opens the door to far more than books. It connects you to resources, experiences and the people and places that make Santa Monica special,” said Director of Library Services Erica Cuyugan. “Through the continuation of our Community Discount Program, we’re excited to give our cardholders even more ways to explore Santa Monica while supporting the local businesses that make our city unique.”

Launched in September 2025 during Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Read Local, Shop Local: Community Discount Program was created to encourage residents to get a library card while strengthening connections between the Library and Santa Monica’s business community. By presenting their library card at participating businesses, cardholders can enjoy special discounts and offers while discovering local restaurants, retailers, cultural attractions and service providers.

The program returns for its second year. Returning partners include Bike Attack Electric, Crow Comedy, Good Body Pilates, Offhand Wine Bar, Santa Monica History Museum, Solidarity, Sweet Lady Jane and The Curious Palate, along with several other restaurants, retailers and service providers. New partners joining the program this year include AJA Vineyards, Alinea Orthodontics, Backyard Bowls, Chick-fil-A Santa Monica, Crossroads Trading, Harvelle’s, Love Tap, Road Runner Sports and The Spot.

To view the current list of participating businesses and available discounts, visit www.santamonica.gov/programs/library-community-discount-program.

Library Card Sign-Up Month started in 1987 in response to then-U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett’s call for every child to have a library card.

Obtaining a Santa Monica Public Library card is easy and free. Bring a photo ID and proof of address to get started, then use the card to access books, digital resources, programs and more. For more information, please visit santamonica.gov.

California residents 18 and older can apply in person during open hours, while qualified Los Angeles County residents can apply online. Teens ages 13–17 can register in person with a school ID. For children under 12, a parent or guardian must be present and provide the required documents.

By Danny Jones

MALIBU—On Tuesday, September 1, the city of Malibu announced to prepare for wildfire season, and as part of National Preparedness Month in September, the city will hold weekly Disaster Notification drills, share preparedness tips on social media, offer a CERT training course, and host the Safety Resource Fair to empower community members to be part of achieving community-wide disaster preparedness in Malibu.

“National Preparedness Month is the perfect time to take action to be ready for wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and any other disaster that may strike,” said Mayor Bruce Silverstein. “The City, community members, and first responders have a shared responsibility for achieving community-wide preparedness and resilience.”

During Preparedness Month, Malibu will send a weekly test message using the Everbridge Disaster Notification System, which the city has been using for several years for the most serious emergencies that threaten lives and properties and require evacuations. Each Thursday at 5 p.m., the city will send a test message to one of Malibu’s four Evacuation Zones. Look up your Evacuation Zone: https://www.MalibuCity.org/evac

·     Thursday, September 3, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C111

·     Thursday, September 10, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C112

·     Thursday, September 17, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C113

·     Thursday, September 24, 5 p.m. – Evacuation Zone MAL-C114

Most landlines and cell phone numbers with Malibu addresses are automatically entered into the system. Residents and businesses are asked to visit the Everbridge portal at www.MalibuCity.org/DisasterNotifications, create a profile, and add additional contact information such as street addresses or secondary phone numbers. For assistance with Everbridge contact the Public Safety Department at PublicSafety@MalibuCity.org.

Anyone who does not receive a test message during Preparedness Month should contact the Public Safety Department at PublicSafety@MalibuCity.org.

All community members are asked to sign up for the city’s free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to learn basic emergency skills so they can help themselves, their families and their neighbors during a disaster. The nationally recognized program teaches basic first aid, fire suppression, search and rescue, and other skills that can be critical during disasters when professional first responders may be delayed or overwhelmed. The series of six classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings September 22 through October 8, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Malibu Library. Learn more and sign up at: www.MalibuCity.org/CERT.

The city of Malibu’s Safety Resource Fair is Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Malibu City Halll to learn how to prepare one’s family, home, neighborhood or business for wildfires, earthquakes, floods, and other disasters.

Highlights include:

·     Brush clearance and home hardening information

·     Volunteer opportunities

·     Emergency services and supplies vendors

·     Meet your City Public Safety Department staff, local law enforcement officers and the CERT Malibu Team

·     Free raffle with great prizes

·     Fire extinguisher training

All event details are posted at: www.MalibuCity.org/safetyfair.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On August 28, Leonard Hector Korpie, 28, filed a libel suit against the city of Santa Monica over Korpie’s claims of false accusations, defamation of character, malicious prosecution, and federal civil rights violations. Korpie v. City of Santa Monica, the plaintiff alleges a lieutenant with the Santa Monica Police Department defamed him through a false statement provided to the media. On June 11, 2024, at approximately 12:05 a.m., the SMPD responded to an altercation in the 2700 block of Main Street. A fight broke out after the manager at Jameson’s Pub, Jaysent “Jay” Clark asked three rowdy patrons to leave the premises. When Clark escorted the patrons outside, they beat him unconscious. When authorities arrived at the scene, Clark was no longer breathing and officers administered CPR until paramedics arrived. The pub manager was transported to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. All three patrons Clark escorted out of the building were arrested and booked into the Santa Monica Jail. Initial reports indicated that the individual responsible for punching the victim (Clark) was positively identified as Korpie, a resident of Venice. At the time of this report, no other details were known. On June 13, 2025, the district attorney’s office filed homicide charges against the suspect and bail was set at $2 million. In September 2025, a voluntary manslaughter case against Korpie was dismissed after prosecutors were unable to proceed due to lack of evidence. Korpie is seeking monetary damages. By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department is currently investigating the death of a male after an incident that transpired on Sunday, August 30. The BHPD reported at approximately 11:39 p.m., officers received a report of an altercation involving two males in the alley of the 400 block of North Palm Drive.

Officers responded to the alley and located a male suffering from a wound to his neck. Authorities rendered aid, and the patient was transported to a local hospital by paramedics with the Beverly Hills Fire Department (BHFD), where he later died.

The other involved individual, a resident of Beverly Hills, sustained injuries during the incident and was transported to a local hospital by BHFD Paramedics for treatment and evaluation.

BHPD Detectives are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and believe it is an isolated occurrence with no other parties involved.

“Our officers responded quickly to this incident and immediately rendered aid to both individuals,” said Beverly Hills Chief of Police Max Subin. “Our detectives are conducting a thorough and diligent investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The Beverly Hills Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of our community and holding those responsible for violence accountable.”

The BHPD announced that with evidence gathered, Conoray Lawantara, 19, of Beverly Hills was arrested on suspicion of murder, in violation of California Penal Code § 187(a). His arraignment date will be determined at a later time of Beverly Hills as he remains in the hospital due to an injury he sustained during the altercation.

The victim has been reported as a homeless man who was digging in trash behind an apartment building. The name and age of the victim have not been disclosed to the public. KTLA 5 reported a neighbor indicated the victim was allegedly walking away before sitting on a couch in the alley and a scuffle occurred, where the victim was stabbed.

Anyone with details about the case is asked to contact the BHPD Detectives at 310-285-2125. Anonymous reports can be made by texting TIP BHPDALERT to 888777 followed by the tip information or by visiting nixle.us/tip/bhpdalert. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—Downbeat 720 is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a new season on Tuesday, September 8. It is sponsored by Santa Monica’s Recreation and Arts Department.

Hosted by comedian Joe Hernandez-Kolski and beatboxer Joshua Silverstein, with music by DJ Jedi, Downbeat 720 is a free open mic night for high school students that takes place on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at the Miles Memorial Playhouse located at 1130 Lincoln Blvd. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the first performance at 7:20 p.m.

All performance-based genres are welcome, and no advance RSVP is required. Teens are welcome to perform or attend as audience members. Adults may attend when accompanying a teen performer.

The program invites high school students to perform their music, poetry, comedy or art for fellow participants and professional artist mentors. Performers receive feedback, helping to strengthen their skills and offering students a space for self-expression.

“Santa Monica is proud to celebrate 25 years of Downbeat 720 and the remarkable young artists who have made this program a creative home,” said Recreation and Arts Department Director Jenny Rogers. “By giving teens a welcoming stage to share their voices, build their skills and connect with professional artists, Downbeat 720 continues to strengthen our community through the power of the arts.”

Downbeat 720 was created by Justin Yoffe, Ameenah Kaplan, Joe Hernandez-Kolski and DJ Jedi in 2001. Professional artists that have been invited to perform for the students include Grammy award-winning musicians like Aloe Blacc, Raul Pacheco (Ozomatli), comedian Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Akil the MC (Jurassic 5), poet/actress Amber Tamblyn (“Joan of Arcadia”) and a host of HBO’s “Def Poetry.” Alumni of the program include singer/songwriter Jules Paymer and actor/singer Owen Thiele of Hulu’s “Adults.”

The program was held at the Miles Memorial Playhouse until 2020, when it moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned to in-person sessions at the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center while the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Reed Park underwent revitalization. It returned to the Miles Memorial Playhouse in October 2025, a few months after the space reopened to the public during Santa Monica’s 2025 State of the City.

For more details, visit www.santamonica.gov/programs/downbeat-720.

By Danny Jones

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Monday, August 31, the Los Angeles Fire Department had to rescue a hiker in Pacific Palisades.

The incident was reported at 10:36 a.m. on E. Topanga Fire Road. LAFD Air and Ground Resources coordinated a hoist operation to assist an adult male biker from his position on a remote trail.

The individual declined hospital transport following an assessment by a paramedic. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

By Danny Jones

WOODLAND HILLS—A persistent water leak on Yucatan Avenue in Woodland Hills has left neighbors demanding answers after years of unresolved complaints. There is a pool of water and sludge on the sidewalk that never fully dries. Crews have responded multiple times over the years, including several visits in 2023.

The standing water has drawn insects like mosquitoes and bees. One nearby resident’s mail carrier stopped delivering mail to their address because of a bee allergy. In an interview with KTLA 5 News, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power indicated the water isn’t coming from the water main but from natural groundwater beneath the street.

Residents argue that no formal inspection or report has ever confirmed that. Two neighbors living adjacent to the leak, Amy Shapiro and Matt Witek spoke to KTLA with, Shapiro indicating she first noticed the leak in 2018, while Witek says he first spotted the issue in 2021, when he moved in.

“It’s basically hearsay which is unacceptable for a geological concern especially given the sinkholes recently in Los Angeles…Not only is this a health and safety hazard for me and my family; it’s a hand being raised in concern for our neighborhood,” Witek told KTLA 5 about LADWP’s explanation.

Neighbors say they have contacted 311, LADWP, and Los Angeles City Council member Bob Blumenfield’s office for years, but no single department has taken accountability. Shapiro says she feels ignored despite paying for city services. According to Shapiro, “Everyone pays taxes to ensure our public streets and utilities are well maintained and safe. We do not feel taken care of by the city.”

Blumenfield is a councilmember for the 3rd Council District which includes the southwestern San Fernando Valley neighborhoods of LA that include Woodland Hills, Winnetka, Canoga Park, Reseda and Tarzana.

By Milan Manesh