Intense scene develops as a couple of Trump Supports visit the No Kings Rally in Santa Monica
On Monday, September 29, the Malibu City Council declared a local emergency in response to worsening wildfire conditions. The Council unanimously approved the declaration after live fuel moisture levels in the Santa Monica Mountains dropped below 65%, which is the threshold the City has adopted for declaring an emergency. A live fuel moisture of 60% is considered the “critical” threshold where wildfires spread faster, grow larger, and pose greater risks to lives, property, and the environment.
Declaring a local emergency is an important proactive safety measure. It allows the City to expedite the removal of homeless encampments located in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. Normally, state law requires a lengthy notice period before any encampment removals. The emergency declaration shortens that timeline to one day, enabling faster action in high fire-risk areas while ensuring outreach teams connect individuals with shelter and services. Cooking fires in encampments pose a particular danger, as open flames can quickly ignite dry vegetation. Since 2021, the City has responded to more than 30 encampment fires in Malibu.
“As we continue to recover from the most devastating fire in our City’s history, declaring a local emergency is an important and proactive step to reduce wildfire risk and protect lives, homes, and our community,” said Malibu Mayor Marianne Riggins. “We are stepping up enforcement if there is illegal activity, especially fires, but we lead with compassion. Our first priority is always getting people housed and connected to the resources they need.”
The City continues to prioritize engagement through the City’s Homeless Outreach Team operated by The People Concern, as well as the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST), ensuring that enforcement actions are accompanied by offers of support, services, and relocation assistance. In all cases, the City and Sheriff outreach teams will offer housing support and services.
“Even in the midst of an emergency, the City remains committed to connecting individuals in need with resources, shelter, and support through our dedicated outreach teams,” said Malibu Public Safety Director Susan Duenas. “Same-day shelter placements are available through the County’s Emergency Centralized Response Center and will be offered to everyone our teams engage with. This balanced approach allows us to advance wildfire prevention and public safety, while treating those experiencing homelessness with dignity and compassion.”
Malibu’s approach to homelessness has yielded measurable results. The 2025 Homeless Count shows Malibu’s unhoused population has declined to 21 individuals and 25 total dwellings (tents, cars, RVs, vans, makeshift shelters), the lowest number since the City started tracking in 2016, down from 69 in 2024, 71 in 2023, 81 in 2022, and 157 in 2021.
In partnership with The People Concern, the City continues to successfully connect individuals with permanent housing, interim placements, and family reunification services. The Outreach Team made 72 housing placements in 2024, 51 in 2023, 67 in 2022, and 22 in 2021. The City also proactively removes encampments year-round to address wildfire, public safety, public health, and environmental concerns. Working alongside the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Malibu cleared 44 encampments in 2024, up from 29 in 2023.
The declaration will remain in effect for the duration of the hazardous fire season, subject to periodic review by the City Council.
On Friday, Octobner 17th, at around 10:14AM, people witnessed an immigration raid at the car wash on 25th St and Pico in SWanta Monica. It has been reportd that 2 workers were taken away by ICE agents, as well as a lady from Gilbert's Restuarant. 20 immigratation officer were said to have been there.
The City of Santa Monica has released a statement:
The city is aware that federal immigration agents executed operations at a car wash and possibly other locations in Santa Monica on Oct. 17 and detained several individuals who were working. We understand that these actions have caused anxiety and uncertainty in the community, and we take them very seriously.
We stand with everyone in Santa Monica who is concerned, fearful, or grieving. We are committed to ensuring that no one feels isolated, and to doing all that is within our power to protect dignity, fairness, and inclusion.
The city is taking immediate action to do what we can to support the individuals and families impacted by today’s action.
That includes:
Coordinating with legal aid and immigrant rights organizations to provide support and resources Offering information about rights, legal representation, and community services Facilitating access to social, health, and economic support for those impacted Advocating against indiscriminate or unjustified federal immigration operations that harm our community
The city of Santa Monica does not engage in immigration enforcement. Santa Monica Police Department does not participate in raids, arrests, or detentions based on immigration status. Our priority remains public safety and maintaining trust with all residents, regardless of immigration status.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: The surfing scene, along with a behind-the-scenes clip from the 1996 action film, Escape From LA. A tsnuami hits and sends a big wave down Wilshire Blvd, The surfing stunt doubles were actually 2 professional skateboarders. Tony Hawk surfed the scene for Kurt Russell while and Chris Miller doubled Peter Fonda.
An update with Daisy the Venice Healer , she tells us about her recent skateboarding acident where she got a concussion, her upcoming pregnancy, her boyfriends and more. Then she shows us her new garden and heads over to the drum circle.
Click Here for more Stories about Daisy the Venice Healer
The City of Malibu has proposed two quick-build roundabouts on PCH/State Route 1 (SR-1) in coordination with Caltrans. This pilot project will install temporary roundabouts at PCH intersections with Encinal Canyon Road and El Matador Beach Road. The project aims to calm traffic, improve pedestrian safety, and add dedicated bike lanes to help assess the feasibility of permanent roundabouts.
The City of Malibu, in coordination with Caltrans, is advancing a quick-build pilot project currently in the Project Initiation Document (PID) phase. The project proposes the temporary installation of roundabouts at two key intersections along PCH: Encinal Canyon Road and El Matador Beach Road. The intent is to improve safety by slowing vehicle speeds, enhancing pedestrian crossings and reducing crash severity.
The corridor will be reconfigured from a four-lane roadway to two single-lane roundabouts with dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian refuge areas and buffered parking. Community feedback gathered during the pilot will help determine the feasibility of permanent installations at these and other locations along the corridor.
The purpose of the project is to improve safety and efficiency for all users of PCH by placing the roundabouts at both intersections. This will reduce vehicle speeds, create safer conditions for pedestrian crossings and provide them safe refuge and improve visibility.
The existing conditions between Encinal Canyon Road and El Matador State Beach consist of four travel lanes (two in each direction) with a two-way left turn lane, and a 55 mph speed limit. It creates an unsafe condition for pedestrian activity and vehicular turning movements at the two locations. The roundabouts are intended to improve safety for people walking, biking and driving. This will be achieved by redesigning PCH at these intersections to reduce vehicle lanes from two to one, which decreases crossing distance and overall speed of vehicles in the area. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026.
For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.
A person wishing to remain anonymous has posted online claiming to have worked with Jonathan Rinderknecht, the suspect charged with the Palisades Fire. Here is what was written:
I knew the Pacific Palisades arsonist and the media is wrong about him.
"I don’t know where to start with this. I’m not usually active on reddit but i’m having a bad day and I can’t get this off my mind.
I can provide some limited proof if needed… screenshots of a conversation. Proof I worked at a specific restaurant. But that’s all I have.
I’d like to remain anonymous.
We weren’t best friends. We were coworkers at a high volume restaurant. From what he’s told me personally, Jonathan has worked at multiple very well respected restaurants in the LA area. Fine dining. Maybe he was just talking … I don’t know.
He wasn’t just some “random uber driver from Florida” … I thought he lived in California/ the LA area for a WHILE. From what I know, he was doing well for himself for an unknown amount of time.
He was fired from some fancy job for one reason or another, and I met him at a high volume casual restaurant. I’d say he seem depressed and like his life was possibly going downhill. But nothing too dramatic. Didn’t get too personal.
Again, we weren’t best friends but we spent a lot of time together due to work. We got along well.
In personality, he was one of the most type A, meticulous people i’ve ever met. He was intentional with everything he did. He was a fine dining server through and through. He even had his own little special tools that he’d bring into this casual setting. It was to the point that people laughed about it. People LAUGHED about how meticulous, intentional, specific, he was about every detail because no one was asking him to do that in such a casual environment.
He’d hand-sew his uniform. No one else did that.
He was smart. He’d often tell stories about what it’s like to deal with the richest of the rich. I’m talking Dubai politicians. How they actually treat people behind close doors. He never talked about fire. 😂 … but the stories he’d tell about being a servant for the rich line up with the ChatGPT images he generated that are all over the news right now. I probably can’t legally say that he was saying things that suggested a motive. I won’t say i’m sure of that. I met him 3 years ago. I have zero proof that there is correlation between our conversations and his actions.
But I know he’s not some “dumb young kid” … he’s not some type of frat bro or anything like that. I know he didn’t “play with fireworks in a dry area” like SOME news outlets are saying because it’s been disproven. And it’s NOT his personality to do so in the first place. I personally couldn’t see him getting overly excited about a holiday or fireworks to begin with. But again, im just someone who spent a good amount of time with him at work. Not a girlfriend, close friend, or a family member.
I can say when I knew him, he worked out every day and he was ALWAYS clean shaven with a nice haircut. I didn’t even recognize him with his new look.
Some people thought he was creepy or unlikable. No one that I know of saw him as threatening.
Some are describing him as innocent, shy, and friendly in a way that I also don’t feel matches the personality I interacted with. He was nice, sure. But in my experience, he wasn’t the type of guy to show much emotion or get too excited about much at all. I guess he was serious and kind of stoic.
I do feel that he’s being labeled in a certain way due to race. But that’s just my opinion.
Personally, im feeling pretty bad because I lost the best job i’ve ever had due to the Pacific Palisades fire. I don’t want to make it seem like losing a job is as bad as losing a home. But I do personally feel like this tragedy ruined my life.
I’ve sobbed my eyes out many times over this.
And come to find out, the cause is not a stranger or a natural disaster. It’s a guy i’ve spent a lot of time with.
I was unemployed for months, and I’ve been struggling for this entire year. It’s been like a horrible and constant game of catch up.
I honestly feel like an idiot, like I should have really thought about why some people saw him as creepy and unlikable.
I feel like an idiot, I didn’t initially recognize his face on the news until someone texted me about it.
I feel like an idiot, every day I was spending time with the guy who was gonna ruin my life 3 years later.
But I know i’m not stupid when I say the media is wrong about this guy.
I’m very sure about what i’m saying. And although i’d like to remain anonymous, and i’m sure experiences from 3 years ago won’t hold up very much as a testament of his character … I did decide that I would like to share my opinion anyway. I thought it might mean something to some people. Don’t know."
Saturday, October 18
12 – 3pm PDT
Palisades Park
Ocean Ave at Montana Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
About this event (from the organizers):
"Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together. The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us. A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.".
Saturday, October 18
12 – 3pm PDT
Abbot Kinney Boulevard & Venice Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90291
About this event (from the organizers):
"Our peaceful movement is only getting bigger and stronger. “NO KINGS” is more than just a slogan—it’s the foundation our nation was built upon. Born in the streets, carried by millions in chants and on posters, it echoes from city blocks to rural town squares, uniting people across this country to fight dictatorship together. The president thinks his rule is absolute. But in America, we don’t have kings, and we won’t back down against chaos, corruption, and cruelty. Grow our movement and join us. A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events.".
Due to the anticipated storm, Caltrans will close Topanga Canyon Boulevard between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive today, October 13 at 10:00 PM until Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00 AM.
Caltrans will monitor the situation and evaluate reopening in the morning, depending on the amount of rainfall.
⚠️ Los Angeles County Public Works has issued a PHASE 2 mudflow forecast for the Franklin Fire and Palisades Fire burn areas in Malibu. Some streets may become completely blocked by debris. The Evacuation Warning remains in effect.
The City will continue monitoring the situation and is ready to activate the Emergency Operations Center if necessary.
For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.
An evacuation warning for the palisades burn scar area due to the significant threat of mud and debris flows expected this week. Neighborhoods under evacuation alert include:
Rambla PacÃfico
Carbon Beach West / Malibu Beach
Sweetwater Canyon
Sweetwater Mesa
Serra Retreat
Malibu Creek
Cross Creek
Malibu Colony
Civic Center
Malibu Knolls
Malibu Road
Malibu Country Estates
Puerco Canyon
Las Flores Mesa
Big Rock
Big Rock Beach
Tuna Canyon (South)
Las Tunas Beach
Topanga Beach Drive
A shelter-in-place order has been established in the area affected by the Franklin Fire (Pepperdine University area) due to the significant risk of flash flooding, debris flows, and mudslides. The evacuation warning and shelter-in-place order will remain in effect at least until Wednesday, October 15, at 6:00 a.m.
On Monday, October 13, where Santa Monica’s Ocean Avenue and Palisades Park will close for the second annual, Tech St. Santa Monica. This event celebrates 150 years of innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, investment into the community, music, entertainment & culture of the City of Santa Monica. It's a place where industry leaders, visionary entrepreneurs, influencers, celebrities, and innovative startups come together to drive change shaping the future. From gaming and e-commerce, to consumer brand goods, robotics, software, food & beverage, and more, this event touches every industry.
Whether you’re in the tech world or simply curious about the ideas and people shaping tomorrow, this event offers something for everyone.
For more info, Click Here
Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Malibu/Lost Hills Station are requesting the public’s assistance with locating similar victims of Suspect Adva Lavie. Suspect Lavie has been involved in a series of residential burglaries throughout LA County, targeting older men and posing as a girlfriend or companion on social media dating platforms and applications.
Suspect Lavie AKA Mia Ventura Shoshana/Shana is a described as a female adult, approximately 5’07”, 104 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She is known to drive a black Porsche SUV and white Mercedes-Benz sedan.
Anyone with information regarding Suspect Lavie is encouraged to contact Lost Hills Station Detective Lopez at 818-878-1808 or LAPD Detective Marsh at 818-374-9500.
If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477),
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, also known as “Jonathan Rinder” and “Jon Rinder,” has been arrested in connection with the Pacific Palisades Fire. The complaint alleges that Rinderknecht's started a fire in Pacific Palisades on New Year's Day -- a blaze that eventually turned into one of the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history, causing death and widespread destruction.
Among the evidence that was collected from his digital devices was an image he generated on ChatGPT depicting a burning city.
A former Pacific Palisades resident now living in Florida has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint charging him with maliciously starting what eventually became the Palisades Fire of January 2025, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, the Justice Department announced today.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, a.k.a. “Jonathan Rinder,” and “Jon Rinder,” of Melbourne, Florida, is charged with destruction of property by means of fire. He was arrested Tuesday and is expected to make his initial appearance today in United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
“The complaint alleges that a single person’s recklessness caused one of the worst fires Los Angeles has ever seen, resulting in death and widespread destruction in Pacific Palisades,” said Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “While we cannot bring back what victims lost, we hope this criminal case brings some measure of justice to those affected by this horrific tragedy.”
“At the request of state and local authorities, ATF took the lead in this complex investigation utilizing techniques unique to our agency's capabilities,” said Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Los Angeles Field Division. “The horrific loss of life and property was significantly felt by ATF members, and we are honored to utilize our expertise to provide answers to this community. We remain committed to serving with integrity and distinction.”
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, law enforcement determined that the Palisades Fire was a “holdover” fire – a continuation of the Lachman Fire that began early in the morning on New Year’s Day 2025. Although firefighters quickly suppressed the Lachman Fire, unbeknownst to anyone the fire continued to smolder and burn underground within the root structure of dense vegetation.
On January 7, heavy winds caused the underground fire to surface and spread above ground in what became known as the Palisades Fire, which caused widespread damage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Law enforcement determined – using witness statements, video surveillance, cellphone data, and analysis of fire dynamics and patterns at the scene, among other things – that Rinderknecht maliciously set the Lachman Fire just after midnight on January 1 on land owned by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), an organization that received federal funding. A week later, the same fire – then known as the Palisades Fire – burned federal property.
On the evening of December 31, 2024, Rinderknecht was working as an Uber driver. Two passengers that he drove on separate trips between 10:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. that night later told law enforcement they remembered that Rinderknecht appeared agitated and angry.
After dropping off a passenger in Pacific Palisades, Rinderknecht – who once lived in that neighborhood – drove towards Skull Rock Trailhead, parked his car, attempted to contact a former friend, and walked up the trail. He then used his iPhone to take videos at a nearby hilltop area and listened to a rap song – to which he had listened repeatedly in previous days – whose music video included things being lit on fire.
At 12:12 a.m. on January 1, 2025, environmental sensing platforms indicated the Lachman Fire had begun. During the next five minutes, Rinderknecht called 911 several times, but didn’t get through because his iPhone was out of cellphone range. When he finally connected with 911, he was at the bottom of the hiking trail and reported the fire. By that point, a nearby resident already had reported the fire to authorities.
Rinderknecht then fled in his car, passing fire engines driving in the opposite direction. He then turned around and followed the fire engines to the scene, driving at a high rate of speed. Rinderknecht walked up the same trail from earlier that night to watch the fire and the firefighters. At approximately 1:02 a.m., he used his iPhone to take more videos of the scene.
During an interview with law enforcement on January 24, 2025, Rinderknecht lied about where he was when he first saw the Lachman Fire. He claimed he was near the bottom of a hiking trail when he first saw the fire and called 911, but geolocation data from his iPhone carrier showed that he was standing in a clearing 30 feet from the fire as it rapidly grew.
A complaint contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted, Rinderknecht would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
ATF is investigating this matter, with substantial assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department and the United States Forest Service.
Assistant United States Attorneys Mark A. Williams, Matthew W. O’Brien, and Danbee C. Kim of the Environmental Crimes and Consumer Protection Section, and Assistant United States Attorney Laura A. Alexander of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section are prosecuting this case.
Teishoku & Terror:
Dinner + J-Horror talk — one night only in Santa Monica
October 28, 2025
7pm-10pm
At Takuma Sake and Izakaya
2627 Wilshire Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90403
Join us for an evening of teishoku (定食) a Japanese set meal and exploration of ghostly yÅ«rei, cursed tapes, and the dark beauty of Japan’s horror cinema.
ONLY $29 not including drinks
Limited to 40 tickets.
The Teishoku comes with a main dish either:
Teriyaki Chicken
Yakiniku Beef
Grilled Mackerel
Vegan Tempura
Or Sukiyaki
And: Rice
Daikon & Gobo miso soup Kinpira Gobo
Potato Salad
Cabbage Oshinko Pickles
For more info, Click Here
Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.
A 16-inch water main broke at 2:30 AM on Tuesday causing a huge sinkhole on Venice between Alberta Avenue and Canal Street.
The water main break resulted in more than 30 homes losing water service and caused significant damage to North Venice Boulevard.
Roads are closed as crewswork into the night.
For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.
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