Latest News




From @MarVDemocrats

A violent incident unfolded at Fatty Mart in Mar Vista yesterday, leaving patrons traumatized and thankful for the swift action of law enforcement. A disturbed man entered the eating area, screaming and flipping tables, creating chaos and endangering those nearby.

The assailant proceeded to throw chairs and any objects he could find, while onlookers were unable or unwilling to engage him.

Quick-thinking, a witness dialed 911 and stayed on the line for eight minutes, updating the dispatch on the man's location as he continued his destructive path, damaging street furniture and threatening bystanders.

The assailant later beat an individual with a tennis racket before stabbing them, causing onlookers to flee and seek safety.

The assailant proceeded to throw chairs and any objects he could find, while onlookers were unable or unwilling to engage him.

Returning to Fatty Mart, the aggressor confronted guests once again before crossing the street and entering the Post Office. The witness continued updating 911, leading the police to the man's location.

A confrontation ensued, with multiple officers eventually apprehending the assailant after a struggle.

The victim of the tennis racket assault suffered multiple injuries, while others narrowly escaped harm. The heroic actions of the witness, combined with the swift response of law enforcement, prevented further attacks and brought an end to the terrifying incident.


Malibu Lagoon Beach ¼ mile in each direction from Lagoon will be closed at least thru Fri, June 9

LA County Department of Health requires 2 days of tests showing bacterial levels meet state standards. Avoid contact with ocean water & wet sand.

5,000-6,000 gallons of untreated sewage was related into the ocean water. According to health officials, the sewage came from a damaged wastewater line that leaked into a storm drain at the corner of Malibu Canyon Road and Potter Road. The wastewater line has been stopped and the immediate area surrounding it has been cleaned.

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.

Malibu Lagoon State Beach (¼ mile up coast and ¼ mile down coast).

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.




For more info, Click Here


Thursday afternoon, a fire broke out in the hills behind the Malibu Feed Bin at Topanga Beach. Firefighters had in under control and put out right away



Have you ever seen a black bear take a midnight stroll along the beach? We haven’t either but we know that it happened recently and at least twice in Malibu, thanks to paw print and GPS tracking evidence.

(Exhibit A: Photo of bear prints in the sand near Leo Carrillo). 🐾 🐾 Beach life seemingly did not suit Santa Monica Mountain’s erstwhile resident black bear, BB-12, however. Since he was first captured and collared on April 23 by National Park Service biologists, he has since crossed the 101 Freeway, Highway 23 and the 118 Freeway. He is currently roaming in the northern part of the Santa Susana Mountains.

Who knows if this 3-4 year-old bear will keep going north or head back? Luckily his GPS radio-collar will keep us informed! Though there has been the occasional bear sighting over the years, this is the first time biologists have captured and radio-collared a bear in the Santa Monica Mountains. The nearest population of black bears is in the Santa Susana Mountains, north of the 118 Freeway.

Photo courtesy of California State Park Lifeguards. Info from Santa Monica Mtns Nat’l Recreation Area


Just before midnight on June 2, 2023, the Santa Monica Police Department received a 9-1-1 call from a witness to a traffic collision with injuries at the intersection of 26th Street and Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica. A Volkswagen Jetta left the roadway and collided with a pedestrian seated on a bus bench.

Responding officers found the victim, a 19-year-old male from Los Angeles, suffering from severe traumatic injuries to both legs. The victim was transported to UCLA Medical Center where he is in critical condition.

Officers determined the driver of the vehicle, John Edward Alevizos (DOB: 04-12-1988) of Los Angeles, was under the influence of alcohol. Due to the injuries to the victim, Alevizos was arrested and booked for felony Driving Under the Influence.


This is the second drunk driver cash in Santa Monicas this week. , Just a few day ealier, a Drunk Driver Flips His Jeep In Santa Monica



"A quick look back into the archives at our Topanga station. Originally constructed in 1934 at the north end of Topanga Bach the tower has been used by lifeguards for over 80 years. A good reminder of Topanga's rish history and the role lifeguarding has played in it." - Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division





The Venice Beach Games is a sun soaked celebration of sports and fitness in the world’s greatest beach front recreation center.

The entire park and its glorious amenities are full of organized activity put on by the fantastic groups of people playing here. It is a day where the public can join 25+ sports groups running free activities, clinics, contests, games, and tournaments. Our Fitness Village and Main Stage also facilitate guest interaction with the best in local gyms, group workouts, personal training, athletic brands, recovery, nutrition, and more.

The Venice Beach Games is Venice Beach’s premier summer sports festival. With thousands of participants and tens of thousands of spectators, it is not to be missed.

Date: Saturday, July 29, 2023.
Time: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Free
Who can participate: You can! And everyone else too!
Location: Venice Beach Recreation Center.
1800 Ocean Front Walk. Venice, California 90291

The 2023 event will included:
- Battle of the Bars presented by World Calisthenics Org.
- Calisthenics Reps competition by United Nation of Gains
- Skate park competition: snake run, big bowl, highest ollie by Skateparks Intl.
- Fitness Zone with local gyms hosting workouts and challenges including: Camp L.A., and Deuce
- Muscle Beach Stage group fitness classes with Fit Girl Club featuring Camp L.A.
- Martial Arts grappling area with wrestling by Mat Monsters
- Jiu Jitsu by Rey Diogo and Ocean Grown
- Sambo by Justin
- Boxing Classes by Box Union and Santa Monica Strikers
- Capoeira clinic and demo
- Soccer clinics and organized games by Venice Beach Football League
- Handball tournament by USA Handball
- Paddle tennis clinics and tournament by Street Paddle and Pop Paddle
- Pickle ball clinics and tournament by Venice Pickle Ball
- Beach volley ball games by Westside Volley Ball
- Basketball clinics and games and dunk contest by Venice Ball
- All Wheels Welcome Jam: Long board, flat land, scooter, blades, and more, competition, lessons, and open dance jam
- Roller Skating open dance and lessons with Venice Beach Skate Dance Assoc.
- Kids Zone with arts and crafts, featuring Sunny Side Chalkers
- Beach clean up contest by Venice Community Cleanups and Spogomi.
- Ping Pong with Venice Pong Club
- Teq Ball area with Legacy Teq Ball
- Vendor village and resource fair
- and more!

For more info, Click Here


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"In commemoration of National CPR Week, the Santa Monica Fire Department and Santa Monica Police Harbor Patrol Officers joined forces to provide vital training on Hands-Only CPR at the iconic Santa Monica Pier. This event took place on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, with the aim of equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to save lives in emergency situations. "

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

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz


From Santa Monica Close Up:

"Los Angeles Council Member Traci Park spearheads a joint effort with St. Joseph's Center, LAHSA, CIRCLE, and SHARE to conduct a comprehensive homeless encampment cleanup and beautification operation on Venice Boulevard between Pacific and Dell. Collaborating with the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works and Clean Harbors Environmental Inc., the initiative addresses the pervasive issue of homelessness in the area. Simultaneously, a beautification project is undertaken to enhance the visual appeal of the surroundings."

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

https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fabianlewkowicz