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City Preps for Homeless Diversion Program
January 3, 2025 -- The City this spring will launch an $8 million three-year program that provides homeless persons arrested for misdemeanor crimes an alternative to jail.
Lower Speed Limits Go Into Effect
January 2, 2025 -- Traffic will slow down this year on some 30 miles of streets across Santa Monica, which has seen fatal and serious injury crashes rising since 2020.
Arson Charges Reinstated in 2020 Police Car Torching
January 2, 2025 -- A Federal Appeals Court last month ruled that two men accused of setting a police car on fire during the violent 2020 protests in Santa Monica will go back on trial.
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TOP STORIES OF 2024
First Quarter -- A Tale of Two Murals, Voting Rights Battle Drags On While Century's Biggest Development Gets Swift Approval
Fourth Quarter -- Political Establishment Returns to Power; Murder Charges Filed in Shooting, Stabbing, Hit-and-Run Killing; City Manager Resigns
Hit-and-Run Driver Arrested for Murder
December 27, 2024 -- The suspect in a hit-and-run collision that killed an elderly Vietnam Veteran Sunday as she crossed Wilshire Boulevard was arrested Friday for murder, according to Santa Monica police.
Police Search for Fatal Hit and Run Driver
December 26,2024 -- Police are asking for help searching for a driver who killed an elderly pedestrian in a hit-and-run collision Sunday evening that was captured on video.
Pedestrian Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash
December 23, 2024 -- An elderly woman was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver Sunday evening near Douglas Park, marking the fourth pedestrian to die from a traffic collision this year.
Christmas Closures and Service Changes
December 23, 2024 -- City Hall will be open until noon on Christmas Eve and shut down on Christmas Day as the City scales back or suspends its services Tuesday and Wednesday.
Piano Teacher Charged with Sex Crimes Against Child Student
December 20, 2024 -- The LA County District Attorney charged a 41-year-old music teacher arrested by Santa Monica police with sexually abusing a 14-year-old piano student earlier this year.
The Moon, the Stars and the Robots of Mars
December 20, 2024 -- Kick off the new year by diving into galaxies and roaming the surface of Mars during live virtual shows at the Santa Monica College Planetarium.
Revised Affordable Housing Development Moves Forward
December 19, 2024 -- The City Council on Tuesday voted to enter into ground leases and development agreements for affordable housing projects totaling 130 units on City-owned land.
Santa Monica Celebrates Holidays Under the Miramar's Iconic Fig Tree
December 19, 2024 -- More than 1,000 holiday revelers gathered under the Fairmont Miramar's iconic 150-year-old fig tree bringing more than 2,300 pounds of food and hundreds of items of clothing and toys.
Council Makes it Easier to Build Large Housing Projects
December 18, 2024 -- Large housing projects in non-residential neighborhoods that meet zoning standards will be granted a "swift and smooth approval" under a proposal green-lighted by the City Council Tuesday night.
City to Honor Civic, Business Leader
December 18, 2024 -- The City on Saturday will hold a special ceremony honoring Lloyd C. Allen, a longtime civic leader and champion of civil rights who became Santa Monica's first black millionaire.
SMC Extends Transfer Streak
December 17, 2024 -- For the 34th consecutive year, Santa Monica College (SMC) transferred more students to the University of California (UC) system than any other community college in the state.
SMC Board Seeks New Member
December 17, 2024 -- The Santa Monica College (SMC) Board is seeking applicants to fill the seat vacated by Barry Snell after he was elected to the City Council last month, college officials announced Monday.
New Council Moves to Streamline Housing Process
December 16, 2024 -- The new City Council on Tuesday is quickly moving to allow housing projects proposed in non-residential zones to once again be approved administratively on any size lot.
LETTERS -- District Elections Advocates Beware
December 16, 2024 -- Civil rights are extremely important and I’m sure many cities need to change their voting system, but Santa Monica is not one of them, writes former mayor Paul Rosenstein.
New Council Proposes Rule Changes
December 13, 2024 -- The newly seated City Council is proposing rule changes that range from limiting the time Councilmembers can speak to allowing the Council majority to formally censure one of its members.
Police Arrest Piano Teacher for Sexually Molesting Child Student
December 13, 2024 -- Santa Monica police on Thursday arrested a 41-year-old piano teacher from Van Nuys for sexually molesting a 14-year old student.
Hot Topics on New Council's First Agenda
December 12, 2024 -- At its first full meeting Tuesday night, Santa Monica's new City Council will take a deep dive into some of the most pressing issues facing the City when it meets behind closed doors.
Celebrate a Monstrous Holiday Season
December 12, 2024 -- This holiday season put a macabre twist on Christmas with a monstrous exhibit at the Santa Monica Art Museum (SMAM) on the Promenade.
New Council to Take Up Amended Projects
December 11, 2024 -- The newly seated City Council -- composed of a 6 to 1 pro-housing development majority -- will take up a final proposal Tuesday to build 130 affordable units on three City owned parking lots.
Conservancyon Fundraising Mission
December 11, 2024 -- The Santa Monica Conservancy tripled its one-day goal on Giving Tuesday, raising enough to fund several key programs, the group announced Wednesday.
Liberal Establishment Back in Power
December 10, 2024 -- Santa Monica entered a new era Tuesday night as four newly elected City Council members were sworn in as part of a 6 to 1 super-majority.
EXTRA -- City Manager to Leave Post
December 10, 2024 -- (UPDATED) City Manager David White -- who helped steer Santa Monica through some of its most turbulent years – will announce Tuesday that he is leaving the post, City Hall sources confirmed.
Tongva Tribe Could Be Recognized as a Nation
December 9, 2024 -- Congress is expected to vote on a bill next year to recognize the Tongva as a nation and deed the tribe as many as 300 acres in their traditional homeland, which includes Santa Monica.
Police to Hold Traffic Safety Operations
December 9, 2024 -- Over the next two days, Santa Monica traffic officers will crack down on drivers whose behaviors put the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians at risk.
