Latest News


News from The Friends and Ballona Wetlands Conservancy:

Last Monday, several City of Los Angeles departments and agencies came together for a long-awaited comprehensive cleanup to remove debris and hazardous materials on Jefferson Blvd at the Freshwater Marsh.

More than 19 tons of debris was removed, including 200 + lbs of toxic and hazardous materials and dozens of needles. LAHSA and St Joseph’s offered housing to every person dwelling in the encampment.

This effort was no small feat. The Friends and Ballona Wetlands Conservancy invested thousands of hours to find solutions to protect and repair the Freshwater Marsh.

Special thanks to Councilwoman Traci Park and her team. We look forward to the day when wildlife will not be endangered, and public access can return to the Ballona Freshwater Marsh. To read more about the comprehensive cleanup, see thier latest blog post: The Freshwater Marsh Comprehensive Cleanup - A Step In The Right Direction






Due to a recent significant sewage discharge in the Marina Del Rey area, the following beaches are closed: Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach: ½ Mile North of Marina entrance, Dockweiler State Beach: ½ Mile South of Ballona Creek.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued beach closures for the following areas due to the release of approximately 64,000 gallons of untreated sewage:

Mother’s Beach in Marina Del Rey
Venice City Beach, ½ Mile North of Marina entrance
Dockweiler State Beach, ½ Mile South of Ballona Creek



Public Health officials are advising residents or visitors planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to avoid contact with ocean water and wet sand in the areas noted above. The cause of the sewage discharge was a blocked main line which resulted in sewage entering the storm drain system at the corner of Admiralty Way and Palawan Way. The blockage has been cleared at this time, and the immediate area cleaned.



Lifeguards are patrolling the affected beaches posting signs to warn the public. Please stay out of the water in these areas until further notice.





Beach Closures
A beach is closed anytime there is a known sewage or chemical spill impacting ocean waters. Water contact may cause someone to become ill. When a beach is closed, the Department of Public Health advises beach users to avoid all contact with ocean water in the closure area and where closure signs are posted.


Sunset Surf Spot on November 22, 2022.

All clips come from our Instagram Stories of this session.





An 4.2 Magnitude earthquake off the coast of Malibu shook the west coast at 2:00 AM on Wednesday morning.

The USGS reports a second earthquake of a Magnitude 3.5, 11 miles from Malibu, CA at 2:03 AM. Followed by 2 more quakes of 2.8 and 2,6 magnitudes.

The NOAA reports there is NO tsunami danger from these earthquakes.




A long-period west swell will bring high surf to local beaches.

- LA Coast/S SBA Coast 3-6 ft

Strong and dangerous rip currents will be main risk.



Update on Police Activity Near 6th and Broadway: At approximately 3:42 PM officers were flagged down by an individual reporting shots fired near 6th and Broadway. Officers located two vehicles involved in a collision and one victim with a gunshot wound to the shoulder.

Witnesses report that the driver of a SUV involved in the collision exited the vehicle and shot at the other car. The victim was transported to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening wound.

No motive at this time, however it appears both individuals involved are known to each other. The shooter has been taken into custody and the gun is recovered. This remains an active investigation.

Here's a screen cap of the notes a witness took down:



And some photos of the scene, including the people invovled:



Photos via Colin Hellbut


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Los Angeles Police Officers patrol Venice Beach on foot on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. The Officers talked with the unhoused at the Ozone Homeless Encampment. Making an appearance during this video is the Venice Healer Daisy. "

Click Here for more Stories about Venice Healer Daisy

Santa Monica Close Up is a photo blog by Santa Monica based Photojournalist/Press photographer Fabian Lewkowicz. Fabian is the former staff photographer for the Santa Monica Daily Observer Press, Santa Monica Mirror, Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Corsair.

Support Santa Monica Closeup/Fabian Lewkowicz with Venmo or PayPal to help earn money to make these videos:

https://venmo.com/u/santamonicacloseup

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