March 27, 2024

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:

BEACH AREA WARNINGS:

· Santa Monica Canyon Creek at Will Rogers State Beach. Near Will Rogers Tower 18

100 yards up and down the coast from the creek.

· Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Pico-Kenter storm drain at Santa Monica Beach. Santa Monica South Tower 20

100 yards up and down the coast from the storm drain.

· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Marie Canyon Storm Drain at Puerco Beach

The entire swim area.

· Malibu Pier in Malibu

The entire swim area.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

These warnings have been issued due to bacterial levels exceeding health standards when last tested.

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.

LAPD responds to reports of a man walking around the beach carrying two dead ducks. Witnesses at the Venice Pier stated the man was trying to sell them the dead ducks. The man, who only speaks Spanish, said the ducks were hit by a car. The two police offers were baffled, they do not know what to do in this situation, as a passerby tells them that this does not follow under their jurisdiction.

Join us on 4/12 on the 1200 Block of Third Street Promenade to watch High School Musical 1 and relive this classic with the best sing-along of your life!

For more info, Click Here.

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

Interceptor 007, station in Ballona Creek, is nearing the end of its second rainy season in LA County.

This was one of the latest offloads of the Interceptor, bringing its total catch of garbage to 229,000 lbs to date.

Interceptor 007 is nearing the end of its second rainy season in LA County, USA. 🇺🇸

This was one of the latest offloads of the Interceptor, bringing its total catch to 103,871 kg (229,000 lbs) to date. pic.twitter.com/Ra87blroNc

— The Ocean Cleanup (@TheOceanCleanup) March 25, 2024

Reigning North America Regional Pro Junior victor Talia Swindal has officially qualified for the 2024 Challenger Series

Malibu's Talia Swindal just earned a spot on the WSL Challenger Series with her Second Place finish in the BTMI Barbados Surf Pro and Live Like Zander Junior Pro this past weekend. She even scored a near-perfect 9.77 in the semi-finals. Talia is now the #2 in the WSL 2023/2024 North America Women's QS Final Regional Rankings.

"It's hard for me to put into words how much this last week has meant to me. I am so happy to end the QS season with a 2nd place at the QS 5,000 in Barbados. This has been one of the best years of my life and I'm so thankful to be able to do what I love along side some of my best friends.

At the begining of the season I wrote down that my biggest goal was to qualify for the Challenger Series. I'm so excited to have finished runner up in the North American rankings and be able to continue to chase my dreams on the Challenger Series. I'm so grateful for everyone who constantly supports me, it means the world. Can't wait for Australia."

Video shot on Monday 25, 2024, show landslides continue to happen, and with several days of rain on the forecast for later this week, Caltrans has announced the road will continue to stay fully closed in both directions. There is no estimate on when it will reopen.

Locals' Night on the Santa Monica Pier features a car show with classic cars, lowriders, and more.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"A local pedicab driver took on the role of an unsung hero on Monday, March 25, 2024, as he diligently worked to clear a path along Ocean Front Walk in Venice. The area had become obstructed with sand, following the gale-force winds that swept through the previous day. The accumulation had rendered the walk challenging for cyclists, with many finding themselves stuck. Recognizing the need for action, the pedicab driver proactively shoveled away the sand, ensuring a safer and more navigable route for all."



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.

From Santa Monica Close Up:

"A collision involving a private vehicle and a tour bus on Ocean Avenue led to the arrest of a man on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) on Monday, March 25, 2024. According to reports, the incident occurred in the early evening, drawing immediate response from law enforcement.

The initial investigation has shown that the man, whose identity remains undisclosed while further inquiries are conducted, reportedly lost control of his vehicle, leading to a collision with a tour bus. Authorities have confirmed that the incident did not result in any injuries.

Following the crash, authorities conducted on-scene evaluations, which led to the arrest of the driver on suspicion of DUI. It was reported that there was another individual in the vehicle at the time of the accident. This person, after undergoing a brief assessment by the police, was permitted to drive the vehicle away from the scene following the arrest of the driver.

The Santa Monica Police Department is continuing its investigation into the incident. "



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.