Sunday afternnon, Santa Monica Police officers check the identities of 2 guys that are hanging out in a tent on the beach, one of which has a small dog. After identifying the dog owner, he is arrested and placed in the police truck.

And after fingerprinting the second guy, they find out he lied about his name, date of birth, and failed to tell them he is a registered sex offender. And he has 2 warrants for his arrest.

His name is Steven Micheal Hurley from North Dakota.

Hurley, according to the Nevada Sex Offender Registry, is a tier 3 sex offender who was arrested in 2007 in Trenton, North Dakota for gross sexual imposition.

A tier 3 offender is the most serious category and are considered the most high-risk for reoffending.

Animal control is caled to come take possession of the dog, as a bystander who saw what happened is offering to foster the dog.

LAFD respond to a downed powerline fire at a home in Malibu on May 17th 2025 and discover a body. Authorities said someone was trimming trees when a branch knocked down a live powerline. The victim was electrocuted. The case remains under investigation.

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, at approximately 9:30 PM, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers responded within two minutes to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon at a business in the 1300 block of 3rd Street Promenade. .

The preliminary investigation revealed that the business owner was conducting a private, after-hours sale with a known associate when a second individual—conspiring with the known associate—entered the closed store and sprayed the victim with a chemical irritant. A struggle followed, and the victim, who was in legal possession of a firearm, shot the intruder. The suspect was transported to a local hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. .

The associate, who coordinated the meeting, Karen Melikyan, male, 41-years-old, DOB 4/8/1984; Hollywood area resident(seen in the booking photo above), was detained at the scene and later arrested in connection with the attempted robbery. He has since been charged with homicide, armed robbery, and conspiracy. .

The victim (store owner) was not injured and is cooperating fully with investigators. Based on the evidence gathered, detectives believe this was a targeted and isolated incident involving individuals known to one another. There is no ongoing threat to the community. .

The investigation remains active. Anyone with information about this incident, is encouraged to contact Det. Jauregui at (310) 458-4852.

The Getty Villa is reopening on June 27. What to expect:

Getty announced today that the Getty Villa Museum will reopen to the public on Friday, June 27th, following its temporary closure due to the Palisades Fire.

The Villa closed on the morning of January 7th when the site was threatened by the Palisades Fire. Since then, Getty has worked closely with its own staff and partnering agencies to test the grounds to ensure that the site and buildings are safe for the public to return.

The Villa will be open on a limited schedule of Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, from 10am to 5pm, to limit the amount of traffic on Pacific Coast Highway. The Villa is currently not accessible via Sunset Blvd., so guests should enter via PCH only. Reservations will be limited to 500 visitors daily, and free timed-entry reservations are now available to book online. Parking will remain $25.

“It is with the utmost gratitude and appreciation for Getty staff, first responders, and other agencies that we can announce the reopening of the Villa to the public,” says Katherine Fleming, President and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust. “Without their tireless efforts, we would not be in the position we are in today, where we can welcome back visitors and the surrounding community to enjoy the Villa grounds and collection.”

On the day of the Palisades Fire, January 7th, 17 Getty facilities, grounds, and security team members volunteered to stay on site to protect the museum. Staff were able to seal the galleries and put out small fires in the days that followed. The Villa was spared through the valiant efforts of the LAFD firefighters in the surrounding neighborhoods and targeted water drops.

Getty’s facilities and grounds teams have coordinated an extensive cleanup, including deep cleaning indoor and outdoor spaces, flushing the water system, replacing all air and water filters, and removing more than 1,300 fire-damaged trees. The site may look different to visitors, with less vegetation and some burn damage to the outer grounds.

The museum’s next exhibition, The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Ancient Greece, will be on view from June 27 through January 12, 2026. The exhibition will showcase over 230 works of art and artifacts from Messenia, an epicenter of the Mycenaean civilization that flourished in Late Bronze Age Greece. The first major display in North America focused on Mycenaeans, highlights of the exhibition include clay tablets written in “Linear B,” the earliest form of the written Greek language, and the Pylos Combat Agate, a Minoan sealstone that is considered among the most exceptional works of prehistoric Aegean art.

The previous Villa exhibition, Ancient Thrace and the Classical World: Treasures from Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece, was forced to close prematurely due to the fire. Getty has created a virtual tour of the exhibition to allow visitors to explore the fascinating culture of the ancient Thracians.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support received from the Museum community and beyond as we work towards reopening the Getty Villa Museum,” says Timothy Potts, Maria Hummer-Tuttle and Robert Tuttle Director of the Getty Museum. “We look forward to welcoming visitors back to explore our newest exhibition, The Kingdom of Pylos, and much more of our treasured antiquities collection this summer.”

Getty’s Outdoor Classical Theater will also return this fall, with its 19th annual production at the Getty Villa Museum, Oedipus the King, Mama!, co-produced by Troubadour Theater Company. The Villa’s public programs schedule will continue, with a robust slate of talks and events, both in-person and online, focused on the upcoming Kingdom of Pylos exhibition.

Visitors may experience traffic and arrival delays to the Getty Villa Museum. Getty continues to work closely with local officials to remain up to date on appropriate safety and arrival measures.

For more info, Click Here.

Hop on the free BEACH SHUTTLE to major points of interest around Marina del Rey, such as Playa Vista, Fisherman’s Village, Mother’s Beach, and Venice Beach – and all your favorite restaurants and shops in between!

Ride the free BEACH SHUTTLE and enjoy all that the Westside offers in a hassle-free and relaxing way.

2025 SERVICE:
MAY 24 – SEPTEMBER 28 | Weekends & Holidays
Saturdays: 10 AM – 10 PM
Sundays: 10 AM – 8 PM
Holidays: 10 AM – 8 PM
Memorial Day: Monday, May 26, 2025
Independence Day: Friday, July 4, 2025
Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025

For more info and map, Click Here

Eric Britton discusses where his nickname "Tuma" come from, getting sponsored at 12 years old, leaving Dogtown for SMA, Kareem Campbell telling Skip Engblom to turn him pro for SMA, ending up in a coma from a mosquito bite, what it was like skating the Venice Pavilion in the 80's, starting "Tuma Skateboard Academy" teaching kids how to skate, his re-issue SMA board coming soon and much more!

Various scenes of the crazy, wild, dangerous, and scary people that are roaming around Santa Monica these days.

From a homeless man jumping on a students car, to a metro employee getting assaulted, to a Daisy the Venice Healer sighting, , even Police from another city have to come over a fetch someone who is wanted in thier city, this video is a montage of madness. Be safe out there.

SAIL, ROW, PADDLE OR SINK YOUR WAY INTO SUMMER! Be a part of the 13th Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta! Saturday, June 14th.

Have you ever dreamed of setting sail across the waters in your very own yacht? Now you can build your own cardboard yacht and test its seaworthiness in a race across the Beach House Pool. Build a yacht using just corrugated cardboard and duct tape, decorate it, cross your fingers and hope you can make it to the other side.

Two people must be in the yacht during the race. All boats must be human-powered (no motors).People's Choice Awards will be given in a variety of categories, including "Most Likely to Sink", "Best Use of Theme", and "Most Spirited". The Beach House Courtyard will open for yachts to be on display beginning at 9am. Races will launch beginning at 11am. Please read attached information sheet for more details on the Cardboard Yacht Regatta, including appropriate yacht building materials, regatta rules and an event timeline.



Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, CA 90402

For more info, Click Here.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

The Santa Monica City Council early Wednesday approved a new Entertainment Zone, a first-of-its-kind effort to support economic development and bring new experiences to the iconic Third Street Promenade shopping district.

The Entertainment Zone ordinance will allow adults 21+ to purchase alcoholic beverages from a participating, licensed Promenade business and consume them outdoors on the 1200-1400 blocks of the Promenade, between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway.

Per City Council direction, the Entertainment Zone will begin with a soft rollout in early June, with initial hours on Friday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The official launch is set for the city’s annual Pride on the Promenade celebration on June 21.

The Entertainment Zone will be the first in Southern California, made possible by California’s Senate Bill 969, which went into effect this year, allowing local governments to create designated outdoor areas where open container prohibitions are lifted for beverages purchased from participating restaurants and bars.

“The new Entertainment Zone will provide a unique way for visitors to experience the iconic Third Street Promenade that caters to the new trends in shopping and dining,” Mayor Lana Negrete said. “It is an example of the many ways Santa Monica is thinking creatively about our economic growth and I’m excited to see more residents and visitors supporting our downtown businesses while responsibly enjoying the Entertainment Zone.”

Parameters for Santa Monica’s Entertainment Zone include:  

Participating businesses will need to opt-in and sign a participation agreement with the city. 
The business will be responsible for checking IDs as they normally would when serving alcohol, and they will then provide the customer with an official city-provided wristband that they must wear while consuming the drink outdoors. 
Business owners will supply their own to-go cups (they must not be made of metal or glass per state law). 
Individuals may window shop but will not be permitted to take their beverage into any other businesses - for outdoor consumption only. 

The Entertainment Zone will be active from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday through Sunday to start, with the goal of expanding the program to 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days per week as feasible.

Businesses with current alcohol licenses can choose to participate in the Entertainment Zone by signing a participation agreement with the city. The Promenade will remain open, as usual, to families and visitors of all ages. 

City Community Development and public safety staff will provide regular status updates on the Entertainment Zone rollout and make adjustments as needed.

In addition, per California law, the five essential rules of the Entertainment Zone are:

You must be 21+ and wear an official wristband to enjoy alcoholic drinks to-go. 
Only alcoholic drinks purchased from participating businesses are allowed. 
Alcohol taken to-go must be in a non-glass, non-metal container. 
Finish your drink before exploring another bar, restaurant or shop. 
Enjoy your alcoholic beverages within the Entertainment Zone boundaries.

Community Development Department staff are working to finalize the management plan for the Entertainment Zone based on feedback from the council meeting and are also working closely with Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., or DTSM, to install signage and other communications to reiterate the rules and boundaries of the Entertainment Zone.

The Santa Monica Police Department, DTSM’s private security firm for the Promenade, Legion, and the city’s Public Works Department are working to ensure that resources and staff are in place to continue to make the Promenade a clean and safe space for everyone to enjoy.

"Few places in the country have the potential to rival Santa Monica’s year-round coastal climate, and this new experience will further elevate our downtown as a place to socialize and connect," Andrew Thomas, CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc said. "This wouldn’t be possible without the vision and commitment of our local businesses, residents, visitors and the city of Santa Monica. As our downtown transforms to meet new expectations, so too does the city evolve to support the broader community’s needs."

The new ordinance further builds on efforts to enhance offerings in downtown Santa Monica, including outdoor dining and new experiential entertainment such as pickleball and mini golf.

No changes were made to the city’s outdoor dining program, which allows businesses to serve food and drink in designated outdoor spaces on the Promenade.