From City News Service

A longtime Los Angeles County Fire Department lifeguard has filed suit claiming that the county’s policy requiring him to raise the Pride Flag constitutes religious discrimination, according to court papers obtained today.

Capt. Jeffrey Little, who describes himself as a devout evangelical Christian who has worked for Los Angeles County for more than 22 years, stated in the lawsuit that he took down three Pride Flags at his workplace in Pacific Palisades last June hoisted in support of LGBTQ residents because he did not want to work “in these conditions.”

Last year, the county’s Board of Supervisors voted to require that many government buildings — including the facilities where Little worked at Will Rogers Beach, home to an LGBTQ-friendly section known as Ginger Rogers Beach — fly the Progress Pride Flag throughout June, which is Pride Month.

“The views commonly associated with the Progress Pride Flag on marriage, sex, and family are in direct conflict with Captain Little’s bona fide and sincerely held religious beliefs on the same subjects,” according to the suit filed in Los Angeles federal court. “His bona fide and sincerely held religious beliefs require him to reject those views.”

Little’s suit, which names the fire department and three chief officers in the lifeguard division as defendants, alleges that after he took down the flags, he was suspended from his role with the department’s background investigation unit, which investigates emergencies on the beach.

A representative for the L.A. County Fire Department, which oversees lifeguards, said the department cannot comment on personnel issues or any ongoing litigation.

The Santa Monica Proper is hosting an exhibit by Malibu surf legend and underground LA icon, Jim Ganzer. Discover his “Life Lived” collection, featuring black & white photography from the 1960s-1980s, ink drawings, and furniture. Sip cocktails while enjoying a panel discussion and book signing with Ganzer himself.

Sat Jun 08 | 6:00PM-8:00PM

Santa Monica Proper Hotel
700 Wilshire Boulevard
Entrance on 7th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401

For more info and to rreserve a spot, Click Here.

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

The suspect, Anthony Jones, as seen in the security cam footage. This is the only image of him the LAPD and all the politicians will release.

UPDATE on the person who brutally assault 2 women in the Venice Canals crimes:

Anthony Francisco Jones, 29, now faces charges for murder with a special circumstance alleging that the crime happened during the course of a violent rape and sodomy.

“Our hearts and deepest sympathies go out to the victim’s family and friends during this unimaginably tragic time,” District Attorney Gascón said. “We are committed to seeking justice for both victims of these heinous crimes. The additional murder charge carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, in addition to the life sentences for the crimes previously alleged.”

And it still appears that the police are not willing to release any more information on suspect Anthony Francisco Jones. No mugshots, no photos from his appearance in court.

It has been reported via some news outlets that he is a homeless man and his last address is listed as Las Vegas, NV.

It has been reported via some news outlets that he is a homeless man and his last address is listed as Las Vegas, NV.

For all our coverage of this horrible event, Click Here.

On Tuesday night, work will start to create a second lane on northbound Pacific Coast Highway at Porto Marina Way, north of Sunset Blvd. At least 1 lane will remain open in both directions between Sunset Blvd. & Coastline Dr. from 7pm to 6am through Thursday 5/30.

Caltrans closed the right lane for safety due to the "Tramonto Slide" that occurred in February and was further saturated by a series of storms in March. The lane must remain closed due to the instability of the slide. There is no additional space in the median to create another lane.

All northbound and southbound lanes will be realigned towards the shore to create space for a second northbound travel lane that allows the safe and smooth flow of traffic.

Construction will include removing the existing curb along the southbound border, removing existing pavement delineation, markers, and markings; realigning lanes around the slide area; grinding; repaving; restriping; and placing k-rail at the toe of the slide.





For more news, updates and traffic conditions on PCH and other local beachside roads, Click Here.

Calling all Healers. LETS GO!

One Perfect Day is right around the corner.

MALIBU, CA
Surfrider Beach

Saturday, June 1st 2024
9:00 first group hits the surf.

Volunteers 7:00am set up / vendor tents

For more info and to register, Click Here.

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

Please join the Black Surfers Collective, Heal the Bay, Surf Bus Foundation, Swim Up Hill, and Santa Monica Conservancy as we unite to celebrate Nick Gabaldón Day on June 1, 2024, 9 am - 1pm. Nick fearlessly pursued his passion for surfing, paving the way for countless others. This event serves as a celebration of diversity in surfing and an opportunity for the community to come together, share stories, and ride the waves in his honor. Let's celebrate his legacy of resilience, determination, an6d love for the waves. Together, let's keep his spirit alive!

To ensure we can accommodate everyone and provide the best experience possible, we kindly ask that you register in advance by filling out the registration form. Surf Lessons are from 9:00-noon.

Surf lessons are on a first-come, first-served basis, and we are FULL! If you would like to join the Wait-List please feel out the form. You will receive an email confirming your slot a spot becomes available.

Heal the Bay Aquarium under the Santa Monica Pier will be free for all visitors in honor of Nick on Saturday, June 1st from 1pm -4pm so bring your friends and family out to enjoy. A celebrity guest reader will pop in for story time and special art activities will be offered, as well as screenings of documentaries exploring issues of race, coastal access, and following your passion against all odds. See you there!

For more info and to register, Click Here.

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

Venice Beach based 5 piece party punk band Strawberry Fuzz will trash your house, drink all your beer, bum your last cigarette, and leave you begging for more. Their high energy, frantic form of rock music is laced with inspirations from all over the map.

Feasturing Taro Watanabe, Andrew Jacobson, Shane Borland, & Frankie Harrer.

Filmed and Edited by Quinn Graham, with water Cinematography by Joe Duerr.

Pacific Coast Highway northbound north of Sunset Blvd. still has the right lane blocked due to slide. Cal-Trans has secured emergency funding to create a 2nd northbound lane. The design plans are complete and they expect to hire a contractor next week. Construction date is not set, yet.

All lanes will be shifted towards the southbound highway shoulder to create room for the second northbound lane.