Police Arrest 10 Burglary Suspects in Evacuation Zones
January 13, 2025 -- Since emergency orders were issued in Santa Monica last Tuesday, police officers have made more than 40 arrests in evacuation zones during the Pacific Palisades fire, police officials said Monday.

Santa Monica Residents Can Return Home
January 13, 2025 -- Santa Monica has lifted its mandatory evacuation order for the area north of San Vicente Boulevard allowing residents to return home for the first time in nearly a week, City officials announced Monday morning.

Santa Monica Remains on Fire Alert
January 12, 2025 -- All but one Santa Monica public school will open on Monday and City services will largely return to normal, but curfews remain in place in evacuation zones as winds pick up and police continue making arrests.

SMC Holds Fire Drive, Homeless Count Postponed
January 10, 2025 -- Santa Monica College (SMC) announced it would collect donations on Monday and Tuesday for those affected by the Pacific Palisades fire, while LA County postponed its annual homeless count.

City Updates Evacuation Orders
January 10, 2025 -- The City of Santa Monica on Friday afternoon lifted the Evacuation Order for the area between Montana Avenue and San Vicente Boulevard, allowing residents to return to their homes.

Poll Gauges Concerns from Laws to Health
January 9, 2025 -- Are there too many laws in California? Should the Council have made it easier for large projects to be approved? Does the bird flu pose a serious health threat?

Curfew in Place, Air Qualify Worsens
January 9, 2025 -- A curfew is now in place for the mandatory evacuation zone North of Montana Avenue, as Santa Monica residents are being urged to stay indoors with smoke from the Pacific Palisades fire approaching unhealthy levels.

Help, Justice Sought for Fire Victims
January 8, 2025 -- The American Red Cross is soliciting help for victims of the Pacific Palisades fire, while the County's top prosecutor is vowing to punish those who prey on them.

Evacuation Order Expanded, Local Schools Closed
January 8, 2025 -- City officials have extended the Evacuation Order issued for the area north of San Vicente Boulevard on Wednesday to include areas north of Montana Avenue between 11th Street and PCH.

Local Rents Dropped Last Year
January 7, 2025 -- Santa Monica rents dipped in 2024, reflecting state and national trends that saw apartments renting for less than they did a year ago, according to Apartment List's monthly report.

Evacuation Order Issued
January 7, 2025 -- City officials have issued an Evacuation Order for all areas of Santa Monica north of San Vicente Boulevard due to an "immediate threat to life" from the Pacific Palisades fire.

How Santa Monica Voted
January 6, 2025 – Bucking Santa Monica's liberal tradition, local voters on November 5 opposed a statewide rent control law and joined a large majority of Californians who voted to crack down on crime.

New Planning Head Assumes Post
January 6, 2025 -- Santa Monica began the year with a new interim head of planning as the City Council begins quickly shifting its policies to make it easier to build new housing.

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.

TOP STORIES OF 2024
First Quarter -- A Tale of Two Murals, Voting Rights Battle Drags On While Century's Biggest Development Gets Swift Approval

Second Quarter -- A Flawed Count, Death on the Streets and Million-Dollar Units Put Homelessness in the Spotlight

Third Quarter -- Pier Lands on Beach Bummer List, Speed Limits Drop and Sexual Assaults Mark 'Disturbing' Trend

Fourth Quarter -- Political Establishment Returns to Power; Murder Charges Filed in Shooting, Stabbing, Hit-and-Run Killing; City Manager Resigns