Long-Delayed Pier Bridge Project Set to Start
September 30, 2025 -- After more than a decade of planning, the City Council on Tuesday is expected to give the final go-ahead to replace the 86-year old Pier bridge starting in November.

Fire Prevention Week Focuses on Hot Household Devices
September 30, 2025 -- There are likely dozens in your home and constantly in use, but if damaged or not used correctly, they can start a fire or even explode.

City to Negotiate JSX Airport Lease Tuesday
September 29, 2025 -- As the City prepares to negotiate a new lease with a charter air carrier on Tuesday, City officials "reaffirmed" Santa Monica's "unwavering commitment" to permanently close the Airport at the end of 2028.

Playland Arcade Celebrates 71 Years of 'Games and Memories'
September 29, 2025 -- When the Playland Arcade opened on the Santa Monica Pier 71 years ago, friends were cramming into photo booths and shuffle bowlers were trying to knock down tiny pins.

Council to Weigh Three Options to Support Neighborhood Groups
September 26, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday will explore options that give the City more control over neighborhood groups -- which represent more than 50,000 residents -- and the information they disseminate.

Testing Life Without a Car
September 26, 2025 -- Starting next week, Santa Monicans can test first hand the challenges of getting around without a car and the advantages of having a municipal bus system.

Housing Developers Flock to Incentive Program
September 25, 2025 -- Market-rate housing developers rushed to take advantage of a City program that offers density bonuses and an opportunity to build affordable units off-site.

Downtown to Celebrate Oktoberfest Saturday
September 25, 2025 -- Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) will host its first Oktoberfest on Saturday on the Promenade's new Entertainment Zone as part of an ongoing effort to enliven the famous walk street.

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Harassing ICE Attorney
September 24, 2025 -- A Santa Monica man could face up to five years in federal prison for allegedly "doxxing" an attorney at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Justice Department announced Tuesday.

Free Meter Parking for Clean Air Vehicles Ends Next Week
September 24, 2025 -- Drivers of Clean Air Vehicles (CAV) have one week left to park for free at Santa Monica meters, as the city becomes the last in California to phase out the program.

First Responders Who Fought Wildfires Honored
September 23, 2025 -- Santa Monica honored first responders who fought the devastating January wildfires and celebrated the city's aviation legacy during Douglas Day 2025 on Sunday.

DUI Checkpoint Friday Part of Crackdown on Dangerous Drivers
September 23, 2025 -- The Santa Monica Police Department will conduct a DUI Checkpoint Friday, one month after arresting three drivers during a similar operation.

LETTERS -- Pampering Criminals More Important Than Fighting Crime
September 23, 2025 -- Local “establishment” officials blame the City’s financial rot on everything except homeless crime depressing touris.

Proposed Building Emissions Ordinance Postponed
September 22, 2025 -- A plan to impose emission standards on more than 750 existing buildings was removed from the City Council agenda over concerns it could impact Santa Monica's struggling economy.

Councilmember to Head Housing Advocacy Group
September 19, 2025 -- City Councilmember Jesse Zwick has been hired as director of a housing advocacy group, but it remains unclear how his new role will impact his participation on housing issues before the Council.

New Pier Funhouse Resurrects a Bygone Era
September 19, 2025 -- Six decades after Santa Monica's last funhouse closed at the old Ocean Park Pier, the bygone attraction is back to spook and disorient guests.

Trendsetting Air Carrier Seeks to Operate in Santa Monica
September 18, 2025 -- A fast-rising public charter air carrier that offers an alternative to major airlines by providing shorter flights on smaller aircraft has applied to operate from Santa Monica Airport.

Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Racial Attacks Case
September 17, 2025 -- A California Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Tuesday in a case seeking to reinstate murder charges against a homeless man allowed to undergo treatment without a trial.

Allen to Run for Insurance Commissioner
September 17, 2025 -- State Sen. Ben Allen, who will be termed out of his Santa Monica area seat next year announced Tuesday that he will run for California Insurance Commissioner.

Water Around Santa Monica Pier Turns Pink
September 16, 2025 -- The water around the Pier is among the most polluted on the West Coast, and on Monday it turned pink.

Case Against Man Charged with Pub Manager's Death Dismissed
September 16, 2025 -- The case against a Venice man initially charged with the murder of a Main Street bar manager in June of last year has been dismissed.

Controversial Housing Bill Clears Final Hurdles
September 15, 2025 -- A State bill that paves the way for large housing developments in Santa Monica's residential areas by overriding local zoning was approved with back-to-back legislative votes last week.

Council Approves Fiscal Distress Resolution
September 15, 2025 -- An item on last week's City Council agenda expected to be quickly approved with no discussion generated national headlines before it was adopted with an emphasis on what it won't do.

City Manager Taps Veteran Planner for Top Post
September 12, 2025 -- Santa Monica's longtime planning manager Jing Yeo will head the City's Community Development Department after the quiet departure of its former director less than seven months after being hired.

Police Blog Highlights Efforts to Help Homeless

September 12, 2025 -- Last month, a man who had spent a decade homeless finally transitioned into housing, while two others living on Santa Monica's streets agreed to go home to their families.

Council Fills Downtown Board Seats
September 11, 2025 -- With no discussion, the City Council Tuesday night permanently replaced the six members of the Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) Board it removed one-and-a-half months ago.

Poll Gauges Council Performance
September 11, 2025 -- A monthly poll of "civically minded" residents concerned with crime found a record percentage of respondents is unsatisfied with the Council's performance.

Developer Pulls Out of Gelson's Project
September 10, 2025 -- The developer of the 521-unit mixed use housing project at the Gelson's site at Lincoln and Ocean Park boulevards will not be moving ahead with the approved project.

Police Arrest Suspected Serial Peeping Tom
September 10, 2025 -- Police last Wednesday arrested a suspect in connection with a series of prowling and peeping incidents in Santa Monica's north side over the past four months.

Council to Take Up Suit Filed By Ousted Downtown Boardmembers
September 9, 2025 -- Two of the six Downtown Board members removed by the City Council filed a lawsuit Friday that seeks to invalidate the appointments the Council is expected to make Tuesday.

LA Opera Presents West Side Story on the Pier
September 9, 2025 -- Those who want to catch a real-time performance of LA Opera's production of "West Side Story" at Dorthy Chandler Pavilion don't have to pay $433 for an orchestra level seat.

City Defends Deputy Fire Chief Against Inaccurate Media Reports
September 8, 2025 -- A top ranking Santa Monica Fire official was not involved in immigration actions during a Washington state wildfire that captured national headlines for a week, City officials said Friday.

Police Make Arrest in Stabbing Near Pier
September 8, 2025 -- Police on Wednesday arrested a man believed to be homeless who is suspected of stabbing an employee of an eatery near the Pier over Memorial Day weekend.

Council to Replace Ousted Downtown Board Members Tuesday
September 5, 2025 -- The City Council on Tuesday will fill six vacancies on the Downtown Board to replace the members it ousted in an unprecedented move two and a half months ago.

Council Poised to Declare Fiscal Emergency
September 5, 2025 -- In an unprecedented move, the City Council on Tuesday is expected to officially proclaim that Santa Monica's government is experiencing a "fiscal emergency."

Free Meter Parking for EVs to End
September 4, 2025 -- For 23 years, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) have been allowed to park at meters across Santa Monica for free. That will end on September 30

SMC Makes MovieMaker's Top Film School List
September 4, 2025 -- For the second year in a row, Santa Monica College (SMC) was named by MovieMaker Magazine among the top 30 film schools in the U.S. and Canada.

City Manager Offers Insight into Law Enforcement Decisions
September 3, 2025 -- In a letter sent to neighborhood groups over the weekend, City Manager Oliver Chi provided some initial insights into recent public safety decisions that have spurred community-wide speculation.

Groups Call for Retaining Police Chief
September 3, 2025 -- In an unusual move, Santa Monica's most prominent slow-growth group on Tuesday joined an effort to retain Police Chief Ramon Batista after his surprise resignation last month.

EXTRA --Letter from City Manager Chi to Neighborhood Groups

September 2, 2025 -- As I read through your email, I was struck by your request that the City Council engage in the matter related to Chief Batista’s resignation.

Santa Monica to Cash In as Iconic Film Backdrop
September 2, 2025 -- Since Charlie Chaplin starred in a film comedy on the Pier in 1914, Santa Monica has been the backdrop of major films and TV shows -- from "Forrest Gump," "Baywatch" and "Barbie" to "Iron Man," "Sharknado" and "Speed."

Health Officials Issue Warning After Typhus Outbreak in Santa Monica
September 2, 2025 -- LA County Public Health officials are investigating an outbreak of flea-borne typhus cases in Santa Monica following an increase in reported cases countywide since 2010.