Meet Val LaForge, a Carver & Grlswirl Team Rider, in the newset video from We Are Venice.

We Are Venice showcases the people and culture of Venice Beach, California and will inspire you to be the best version of yourself. This is a series of premium documentary profile pieces on Venice’s most important and influential individuals.

This homeless man, who is already facing charges for another assault case in Santa Monica, violently beat up an elderly woman last week on Ocean Front Walk.

On Thursday, May 23rd, near the 1600 block of Ocean Front Walk, a 73-year-old woman was walking when a male suspect pushed her to the ground. The suspect, later identified as 39-year-old Jalan Rodger James, who is experiencing homelessness, was located shortly thereafter and arrested for battery on an elder and resisting arrest.

The victim told officers that while on her morning walk, she saw James walking towards her, yelling incoherently. She tried to move out of his way to let him pass, but he intentionally pushed her to the ground. She sustained a back injury in addition to abrasions on her hands as she tried to break her fall.

Dispatchers received a second call reporting the same suspect attempting to punch bystanders. Within three minutes of receiving the call, the SMPD Drone Operator located James walking near 2nd and Colorado. Officers arrived on scene and subsequently arrested the suspect.

The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for official filing of charges after detectives located video footage and gathered witness statements.

Charges:

· Felony Battery with serious bodily injury – 243(d) PC

· Felony Elder/Adult Abuse – 368(b)(1) PC

· (2) counts of Resisting an Executive Officer – 69PC

The suspect faces additional charges in another Santa Monica assault case pending review by the District Attorney.

“The safety and well-being of our most vulnerable residents is a top priority for the SMPD. Assaults on elderly individuals are taken very seriously, and we will continue to pursue felony charges in these situations”, said Chief Ramon Batista.

If you were harmed by or have relevant information related to this suspect, contact Detective Holloway (Jacob.Holloway@santamonica.gov) or the Watch Commander (24/7) at 310-458-8427.

May 30, 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:

· Castlerock Storm Drain at Topanga County Beach

The entire swim area.

· Walnut Creek at Paradise Cove

The entire swim area.

· Escondido Creek at Escondido State Beach

The entire swim area.

· Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove

100 yards up and down the coast from the Paradise Cove Pier.

· Malibu Pier in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.

· Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· Mothers Beach in Marina Del Rey

The entire swim area.

· Malibu Lagoon at Surfrider Beach

100 yards up and down the coast from the public restrooms.

· 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.

· Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro

The entire swim area.

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

BEACH AREAS NOW CLEARED:

Warnings have been lifted for the following beach areas where recent sample results identified water quality levels within State standards:

· Topanga Canyon Beach in Malibu

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.

Outerknown WSL Surf Ranch Day Giveaway

Outerknown being the presenting sponsor for the 2024 SHISEIDO Tahiti Pro and joining forces with Firewire Surfboards & Slater Designs, is giving away some of Kelly's favorite clothes, boards and a day at his favorite wave.

2 winners will each receive:

A day with Outerknown at the WSL Surf Ranch

A Slater Designs Quiver

All the Outerknown essentials you could want

To enter, Click Here

In response to the increasingly dangerous conditions on PCH, the City of Malibu approved a long-term contract with the CHP to add three full-time officers starting in January to assist the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) with traffic enforcement patrols on PCH in Malibu. It is the first since the City's founding in 1991 that Malibu has had regular CHP patrols. After the October 2023 tragedy, the LASD increased traffic enforcement patrols at the City's request. The CHP patrols and the intensified traffic enforcement by LASD have already gotten noticeable results, with fewer collisions, injuries and deaths on PCH in Malibu. This highly visible enforcement sends a strong signal that speeding and reckless driving will not be tolerated in Malibu

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.

Malibu - Lost Hills Sheriff's Station Enforcement Report: January - April 2024

Total collisions = 70

Fatal traffic collisions: 0

Total number of fatalities: 0

Injury traffic collisions: 24

Property damage only traffic collisions: 46

Total number of people injured in collisions: 35

Total traffic citations issued: 1,793

CHP Malibu Enforcement Report: January - April, 2024

Speeding Citations: 1,057

*Speeding in excess of 100 MPH: 1

*Reckless driving: 1

*Unsafe turn or lane change: 11

*Following too close: 4

*Distracted driving: 23

*Seatbelt violations: 8

Equipment violation citations: 77

All other citations: 59

TOTAL: 1,241

*These categories only represent March 2024 - April, 2024

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

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.