The Santa
Monica Lookout, Santa Monica, California -- May 2017
Suspects Charged in Two Brutal Home Invasion Robberies in Santa Monica May 31, 2017 -- (Updated) The two suspects arrested in a brutal home invasion robbery in an upscale Santa Monica neighborhood last week also were responsible for a robbery and brutal assault in a nearby home less than two weeks earlier, according to police.
Applications Add Up for Residents Panel on Pay and Benefits at Santa Monica City Hall May 31, 2017 -- A newly approved committee inspired by resident anger over high pay and benefits at Santa Monica City Hall is getting plenty of applicants, including a former City Manager from the 1970s and a former City analyst involved in labor negotiations.
Recently Renovated Reed Park Kicks Off Concert Series Next Month May 31, 2017 -- Santa Monica is celebrating the recent renovations to Christine Emerson Reed Park with a series of free open-air concerts starting next month, City officials announced Tuesday.
Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Against Santa Monica Short-Term Rental Ban May 30, 2017 -- A California Federal Court last week dismissed a claim against the City of Santa Monica that argued that the California Coastal Act overrode the City's ban on short-term vacation rentals listed on such sites as Airbnb.
Santa Monica Airport Runway Shortening Approved May 26, 2017 -- The City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday in favor of a plan to reduce the size of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) runway by removing both ends for a total of about 1,500 feet.
“The Wolf is Here,” Santa Monica City Manager Warns as Budget Woes Mount May 25, 2017 -- With shortages in revenue set to double, Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole on Tuesday warned “the wolf is here” as the City Council took its first dive into a record $1.57 billion biennial budget for the 2017-2019 fiscal year.
Santa Monica-Malibu School District Receives Prime Bond Rating May 25, 2017 -- The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Schools District (SMMUSD) has received the highest credit rating from Moody’s Investors Service, one of the top two bond credit rating agencies, district officials announced Wednesday.
Santa Monica City Officials Set to Add, Update Fees May 24, 2107 -- As the Santa Monica City Council wades into its proposed $1.57 billion biennial budget for 2017-2019, it is considering adding 40 new user fees for everything from vendor carts at special events to seismic retrofits of buildings.
City of Santa Monica Receives Nearly $750,000 in Anti-Terrorism Funds May 24, 2017 -- The City of Santa Monica is receiving almost $750,000 in Homeland Security anti-terrorism funds used to pay for everything from a bomb-detecting canine and emergency medical training to updating security cameras on the Third Street Promenade.
In City of Santa Monica, Big Plans -- and Big Pension Costs -- Lead to Shaky Times May 23, 2017 -- With pension costs poised to drive it into the red and ambitious capital projects requiring huge chunks of money, the City of Santa Monica is facing a reality seemingly far-fetched for such a popular and prosperous seaside enclave: It is starting to run short of revenue.
Employee Costs Pose Major Fiscal Challenge for Santa Monica Officials May 23, 2017 -- Like the public sector elsewhere, Santa Monica is facing a daunting bill for unfunded pension-related liabilities -- $387 million in the City’s case, according to the record 2017-2019 biennial budget proposed last week.
Santa Monica Airport Runway Reduction Returns to Council May 22, 2017 -- The proposal to reduce the size of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) runway heads to the City Council on Tuesday, with staff proposing two options that have spurred disagreements and controversy.
Santa Monica Park Stormwater Project to Be Unveiled Tuesday May 22, 2017 -- A more than $2 million stormwater project that will further Santa Monica's goal of "moving toward water self-sufficiency" will be unveiled at Los Amigos Park on Tuesday, City officials announced last week.
"Record Santa Monica City Budget Proposed as Future Deficits Loom May 19, 2017 -- Efficiency, effectiveness and discipline will be critical if Santa Monica’s government operation is to thrive through upcoming difficult financial times, City Manager Rick Cole wrote in a message this week introducing a record biennial budget of nearly $1.6 billion.
"President’s Foreign Trip Has Santa Monica Ties May 19, 2017 -- When Donald Trump makes his first speech in a foreign country as president on Sunday, he will be reading the words partially written by a Santa Monica High School alumnus.
Santa Monica Pier Concert Series Announces Lineup May 19, 2017 -- The 33rd Annual Twilight Concert Series kicks off this month with a line-up that includes everything from a seminal classic rock band to a Norwegian indie electronic duo, event organizers announced this week.
City of Santa Monica the “One Hold Out” in Voting Rights Litigation, Lawyer says May 18, 2017 -- One by one, they fold, either willingly or nudged by a judge. But in the wake of dozens of California Voting Rights Act lawsuits filed against the state’s municipalities, only the City of Santa Monica -- a proud bastion of liberalism -- is still fighting litigation meant to usher in more minority representation on the City Council, says a lawyer prominent in the wave of change.
Expo Line to Santa Monica Marks First Birthday with Big Ridership Boost May 18, 2017 -- The Expo light rail extension to Santa Monica marks its first anniversary Saturday, and ridership has been soaring, according to statistics from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which runs the system.
Final Battle Over Plan for Downtown Santa Monica Begins May 17, 2017 -- A sweeping plan to add up to 3.2 million square feet in new development to Santa Monica's downtown heads into the final stage of a bitter longstanding battle tonight.
More Than 3,500 Violations of Santa Monica Leaf Blower Ban Reported in Three Years May 17, 2017 -- Although Santa Monica imposes a stiff fine, the City continues to struggle to enforce its 1991 ban of the popular but noisy and pollution-prone gardening tools, according to an update issued this month by City code enforcement officials.
Council Divided on Preferential Parking in Santa Monica’s Ocean Park May 15, 2017 -- Residents living in a section of Santa Monica’s Ocean Park Neighborhood will have an easier time finding parking after the City Council on Tuesday approved a preferential parking application. But not everybody on the council thought it was a good idea.
Santa Monica Supervisor Opposes Plan to Expand County Board, Suggests Sexism May 15, 2017 -- Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, whose district includes Santa Monica, issued a statement over the weekend slamming a proposal by State lawmakers to expand the number of seats on the County board from five to seven.
Santa Monica Bed Taxes Pumped Nearly $51 Million into City Coffers Last Year, Report Says May 12, 2017 -- Santa Monica's tourism industry pumped $1.87 billion into the city's economy last year, with nearly $51 million in bed taxes going directly into the City’s general fund, according to figures released by Santa Monica Travel & Tourism (SMTT) officials Thursday.
Santa Monica-based Heal The Bay Marks Turning Point May 12, 2017 -- Heal the Bay marked what will likely be a turning point this week when Dr. Shelley Luce took the reins after a nationwide search led to the Santa Monica-based non-profit's own backyard.
Group Seeks More Development for Downtown Santa Monica May 12, 2017 -- A proposed plan to guide development for Downtown sets too many restrictions for developers and is a "woefully inadequate response" to climate change and the need for affordable housing, according to a local group advocating transit-oriented growth.
Santa Monica City Council Calls for Safe Streets “Czar” May 11, 2017 -- Rattled by five pedestrian fatalities in as many weeks, the Santa Monica City Council Tuesday ordered faster action on a sweeping re-design of city streets meant to embrace pedestrians and bicyclists and chase vehicles off car-clogged streets.
The Statistics Behind Santa Monica's Pedestrian Deaths May 11, 2017-- Pedestrians and bicyclists account for approximately two-thirds of all severe injuries and fatalities sustained in traffic accidents on Santa Monica's busy streets, Police Department statistics show.
Santa Monica's Homeless Population Highest in a Decade May 10, 2017 -- Santa Monica’s homeless population this year totaled 921 people, the largest number counted in a decade and a 26 percent jump over last year, according to the City's 2017 homeless count released Tuesday.
Santa Monica Art Lab Showcases Textile Art May 10, 2017-- Those interested in textile art have plenty to opportunities to learn the craft at the Camera Obscura Art Lab through July, City officials announced Tuesday.
Santa Monica Fire Displaces 120 Tenants, Five Businesses May 9, 2017 -- A fire that broke out Monday evening in a mixed-used project near Downtown Santa Monica temporarily displaced 120 tenants and closed down five ground-floor businesses, Fire Department officials said.
New Lawsuit Seeks to Invalidate Santa Monica Airport Consent Decree May 9, 2017 -- A student pilot and a certified pilot are asking a court to invalidate a consent decree between the City and federal government to shut down Santa Monica Airport, contending the City violated the state’s open-meetings law, the California Constitution and the City Charter.
Santa Monica Set to Renew Free Bus Rides for SMC Students and Staff May 9, 2017 -- Hoping to expand flagging ridership for its municipal bus system, the City of Santa Monica is set to continue offering free bus rides to students and staff at Santa Monica City College, although SMC will provide reimbursement.
Santa Monica’s First Female Police Chief Announces Retirement
May 8, 2017-- Jacqueline Seabrooks, who in 1982 became the first black female patrol officer with the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) and 30 years later became the agency’s first woman chief, announced her retirement on Friday.
Santa Monica College Stages 'Carmen' This Month May 8, 2017 -- The Santa Monica College music department will have a chance to showcase its talents in a fully staged performance of Georges Bizet’s masterpiece “Carmen” this month.
Population of Santa Monica Rises as State Total Nears 40 Million
May 5, 2017-- The estimated population of Santa Monica increased from 93,282 to 93,834 from January 2016 to January 2017 for a change of .59 percent, according to information released this week by the California Department of Finance.
Santa Monica Legislator’s Affordable Housing Bill Passes Assembly May 5, 2017-- A bill co-authored by Santa Monica Democratic Assemblyman Richard Bloom that would allow local governments to require developments include affordable units was approved by the State Assembly on Thursday.
Santa Monica Landlord Harassment Case Highlights Strong Tenant Protections
May 4, 2107 -- The case of Nina Edwards, a tenant who successfully held on to the rent-controlled condominium on Ocean Avenue she has occupied for more than three decades, serves as a cautionary tale for those buying condo units in Santa Monica, according to local rent control experts.
Santa Monica-Malibu School District Parents to Get Glimpse at How Teens Party May 4, 2017 -- Santa Monica and Malibu parents who might have been partiers back in the day will get a reality check on Saturday as they peak into “mock” prom and graduation parties supposedly infused with dangerous levels of drugs, alcohol and possibly sex.
Santa Monica-Malibu School District to Hire Local, Start Apprenticeship Program
May 3, 2017 -- A new pact with area trade council clears the way to hire residents and military veterans as workers and contractors, and will create an apprenticeship program for students, alumni and community members, officials from the Santa Monica-Malibu public school system said.
Public Policy Symposium at Santa Monica College Next Week May 3, 2017 -- Films, games, debates, panel discussions and a public art installation will be used to encourage citizen engagement during the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute's (PPI) 6th Annual Spring Symposium next week.
Clash Over Shortening Santa Monica Airport Runway Goes to Commission Tonight
May 2, 2017 -- An idea meant to curb jet traffic at Santa Monica Airport is heading for a potential collision tonight, as two versions of proposals for shortening the runway by almost a third go to the City Airport Commission.
Jolt Felt in Santa Monica Monday Night Nothing Unusual, Expert Says
May 2, 2017 -- Rumblings of an earthquake hitting Santa Monica swept through social media and news outlets late Monday night, but the small temblor was nothing unusual, according to scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Santa Monica High Ranked Among Top Schools in Nation
May 1, 2017 -- The Santa Monica-Unified School District’s (SMMUSD) flagship institution performed well in US News & World Report’s newly released “Best High Schools” lists both nationally and statewide.
Santa Monica First Quarter Unemployment Reaches New Low
May 1, 2017 -- Santa Monica ended the first quarter of 2017 with an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent, according to preliminary statistics released by the California Employment Development Department (EDD).
Bestselling Author Reveals What Fish Know During Santa Monica Lecture Tuesday
May 1, 2017 -- If you've ever wondered if fish can think or can recognize you staring at them through the glass of an aquarium or diving mask head over to Christine Emerson Reed Park Tuesday night for a lecture sponsored by the Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society.
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