I was on my phone trying to check an important email when within seconds I was out cold. It was such a realization when I woke up like 30 minutes later I couldn’t even explain what happened or what I was doing. All I knew was that I was exhausted beyond being exhausted and my body told me enough. I hate to say it, but it feels like I must be burnt out to a degree that words cannot explain for me that I have to be exhausted to the point I have nothing left to give for me to get decent, interrupted sleep where I don’t dream.

That is the crazy aspect. Whenever I dream, I never sleep. There is this tossing and turning all night and I think the anxiety of whatever is going on in my head just limits my ability to actually sleep. I don’t want to dream at night and it’s not because I have bad nightmares (which happens from time to time), but because it feels like a nightmare rattles me to a point where it stuns me in a way I cannot explain. With that said, I’ve absolutely have cut off the use of technology when I get home from work.

If I start messing around with that mobile device, I’ll be on it for hours and I truly am a person who cannot sleep with any sort of light at night. If my phone dings or flashes because I have gotten an email or a message, I’m going to be up the rest of the night because I’m worried about what the email or message that was just sent pertains to.

I have blackout blinds in my bedroom because I need complete darkness when I sleep and I can’t have light piercing in the door or from the blinds. Call me weird, but we all have quirks when it comes to sleep. I can sleep with a fan on and I do daily. No, I don’t get cold, it is the sound that matters for me as it calms me to sleep.

If you ask me, do I have a decent timeframe for going to sleep? I cannot give you an answer, I can’t. I’m just in this orbit where I sleep when I can sleep. It could happen in the middle of the day where I steal a quick 20-minute nap if possible. I rarely sleep in the morning, it is like my brain knows when to wake me up and no matter what, I’m getting up. However, I’m starting to think I worry too much about stuff that should not be my worry.

I have to stop letting other people’s issues consume my life. That is an issue you must deal with. I can’t keep worrying because it’s putting me on empty so much to the point, when I get any time off, I don’t want to do anything but try to sleep. I don’t worry about oversleeping at work because it just is such a foreign thing for me. The brain clicks on when it clicks on. I am a morning person, and I think I have been for as long as I can fathom. Nights. Not so much.

I don’t operate well at night and yes, there are days where I must work long workdays and I don’t get home until the wee hours of the of the morning, but that is not something that is done all the time. Yes, I used to work midnights and pull all-nighters constantly while in college because of the busy schedule, but most Americans are adapted to work during the day and sleep at night; it just is what it is.

We keep being told time and time again that sleep is vital to our health, but we are ignoring the effectiveness of sleep on our bodies. Sleep matters and the more you ignore it, the more it will impact you and not in a great way.

The post Why Can’t I Sleep At Night? appeared first on Canyon News.

While I still think I love teaching, it waned a bit when you realize the different type of students you will have to deal with, and then my focus completely turned to attorney, particularly a district attorney/prosecutor. I felt by getting into law I could make a difference as it pertained to crime in the region where I grew up and perhaps make an amends to things that happen to me as it pertains to a crime that was never solved. In some odd sense, I was seeking justice.

However, there was an internal battle with the prosecutor and filmmaker as I was nearing the end of my high school career. That is where it totally hit me. What is the one job you could do the rest of your life, even if you didn’t get paid and you’d be happy no matter what? It was a film. I had the oddest fascination with cinema at an earlier age, particularly horror films. Like what four or five-year-old begs his mother to see a movie about a boogeyman wearing a mask that stalks babysitters at that age? Long story short, I got my wish, but my eyes were covered the entire time, so I don’t even recall watching that movie.

I think it was just a bond I had with my dad as a kid with those flicks, as much as my mom didn’t want me to watch. After my parents got divorced, there was a large chunk in my life that I didn’t watch them, at last five to six years or longer, by chance it came back to me and it just felt like the universe was telling me: this is your destiny, and I know it sounds cheesy, but you know when you’re good at something. I had a gift to write, and creative writing at that. The ideas would come in my head, and I placed them on paper, I wrote my first short story, and in the tenth grade I came up with an idea to reinterpret or reinvent, the 1984 classic “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”

Until this day I still have that idea as a guarded secret, and I knew going into college I wanted to be a filmmaker and that is what I studied as a minor with English as my major. It was me having the best of both worlds, writing and creative juices at the same time. I recall when I was writing my first script as challenging as it was the exhilaration I could not put into words. I had just saw “Batman Begins” and something clicked, and in like two to three days I completed my entire script because I had found my writing groove, and I refused to stop until I was finished.

I few years later I would write my second full-length script, and that one was more of a struggle because I had notions of the story, but it wasn’t as cohesive as I wanted it to be. I struggled with that one, but I’m glad I did because it opened my eyes to the fight I have when it is something I want. I haven’t written a script since because unfortunately life and the stressors that come with it just took over my life, but I told myself at the start of the New Year I wouldn’t make the excuse anymore, and I have made inroads to write more during my spare time.

Especially a drama that I think has slices of my life and feels like the drama of all dramas. It might be the most honest, realistic and devastating story that I have cooked up in my brain. I can never shake what my English teacher told me in high school. “You’re a good writer, but what you wrote is boring.” He shared I had to intertwine my real life with the story I was telling, and I have never forgotten that sense and I try to implement into my storytelling as much as I can.

People tell me I’m a great orator all the time and I hate it, because I don’t believe it, but apparently it’s true, and I have learned to hone into that skill and use it to my advantage.

The post What Do You Want To Do When You Grow Up? appeared first on Canyon News.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will allow attendees to pick up local produce while celebrating Earth Day at the Beverly Hills Farmer’s Market.

The event will offer:

-Mini Repair Cafe – Don’t toss it, fix it!

-Shredding Services – Securely dispose of your sensitive documents.

-E-Waste Disposal – Safely recycle your old electronics.

-Face Painting – Fun for the little ones!

-Crafts – Get creative while going green.

-Sustainable Booths – Discover eco-friendly products and tips.

For more information, visit www.beverlyhills.org/earthday.

The post Beverly Hills Celebrating Earth Day April 27 appeared first on Canyon News.

The program is celebrating 10 years, and provides hands-on police academy-style experience. From tactical scenarios to live demos, it gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at modern policing.

Class Schedule:

• Mon, June 2 – Fri, June 6 | 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sat, June 7 | Morning & Afternoon Sessions (Optional Range Day)
• Graduation – Date TBA

Applications will close on Friday, May 2 at 4 p.m., giving residents two weeks to apply. The program is open to residents of the city of Beverly Hills only. Proof of residency is required. The program does include physical activity and hands-on scenarios.

The post Applications For 2025 BHPD Citizen Police Academy Start April 18 appeared first on Canyon News.

The application period is open until Wednesday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m.

Applications submitted are reviewed by the City Council Administration and Finance Subcommittee in mid-Spring.

The Subcommittee makes recommendations to the City Council for award during the annual budget approval process each June. To learn more and apply at www.MalibuCity.org/GeneralFund.

The post Local Nonprofits Can Apply For General Fund Grant Program appeared first on Canyon News.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a notice lifting all fire-related ocean water advisories after “rigorous testing,” and advised beachgoers that it is safe to enter the ocean water and recreate on the sand on Los Angeles County beaches, including those in Santa Monica.

“The ocean water and sediment/beach sand testing, which looked for metals, nutrients, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are chemicals that may be found in water runoff based on previous California wildfires, revealed no chemicals related to wildfires at levels that are dangerous to human health,” Public Health’s release stated.

Water and sediment/beach sand testing was conducted over the past three months by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board, which re-released its testing reports this week to include analysis and screening thresholds to further demonstrate that metal, nutrient, PCB and PAH levels were below state and federal environmental standards for recreational water, residential soil, and Ocean Plan objectives or within background concentrations.

Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbors released a notice Friday indicating that the “dark sediment on beaches does not pose risk to human health.” Beachgoers should still stay away from any fire-related debris in the ocean or that has washed up onto the sand.

Santa Monica Beach Maintenance continues to regularly maintain the dry sand on the beaches and handpick large pieces of wildfire debris as it washes up on the coastline. In alignment with Beaches & Harbors, Santa Monica does not scrape the dark, silty wildfire sediment from the wet beach to avoid environmental damage and continue to protect the three-acre natural dune habitat in the North Beach area.

Beachgoers are asked to check the ocean water conditions before visiting any beach. The latest water quality information can be found at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach.

The post No Wildfire Health-Related Risks At Santa Monica Beaches appeared first on Canyon News.

The DUI checkpoint was held at N. Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Drive from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

A total of 1,630 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, and 206 were screened. One driver was arrested for driving under the influence, and four drivers were cited for driving without a driver’s license.

DUI checkpoint locations are based on reported incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary focus of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off roads.

Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The post BHPD Release DUI Checkpoint Results appeared first on Canyon News.

The individual was a female patient, but her age was unknown, who was originally on the edge of the overpass and moved onto the 101 Freeway towards the center divider.

LAFD fighters were able to shut down the freeway and make contact with the (uninjured) patient. The freeway will remain closed until the rescue ambulance can reach the patient and safely move off the freeway. Drivers were advised to avoid this section of the freeway for the short term.

The female was safely moved away from the freeway by officials. No additional details about the jumper or incident have been disclosed to the public.

The post LAFD Assist Potential Jumper On 101 Freeway appeared first on Canyon News.

Individuals using the system should have their utility bill ready when using WaterSmart, as the account number and customer number is needed to register.

Visit www.beverlyhills.org/WaterSmart to access the WaterSmart portal and take advantage of helpful features below like:

-Gain easy bill access: view and pay your bill online anytime. (Water, stormwater, refuse, and sewer)

-Monitor usage in near real-time: track your daily water consumption with up-to-date usage.

-Receive alerts: Set up personalized notifications to help manage usage and avoid unexpected charges.

-Efficiency tips: receive tailored, step-by-step actions to enhance your water-saving efforts and identify opportunities for greater efficiency.

-Signing up for the new portal is essential to avoid missed payments and any potential late fees.

For details on how to sign-up, visit www.beverlyhills.org/WaterSmartTips or call the askBH Hotline at 310-285-1000.

The post BH Launches WaterSmart appeared first on Canyon News.

The suspect approached and attempted to take the victim’s cell phone from their hand. The victim pulled the phone back and ran from the location. The suspect briefly followed the victim before turning around and walking south toward Westwood Village.

The suspect has been described as a Black male, in his 20s, with a dark complexion and short curly hair. He is clean shaven with a mole under his right eye. Last seen with a blue moving blanket draped over him.

The victim is a UCLA employee. The victim was not injured. No details about a vehicle in the incident were disclosed to the public. Anyone with details on the incident should contact the UCLA PD at 310-825-1491.

The post UCLA PD Investigating Attempted Armed Robbery appeared first on Canyon News.

After a 10-week trail, jurors found defendant Monica Sementilli guilty of one count of murder with special circumstance allegations that the killing was carried out for financial gain and by means of lying in wait. She was also found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit murder. The verdict makes her eligible for a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors proved that Monica and her co-defendant, Robert Louis Baker, were involved in a romantic affair and conspired to kill Fabio Sementilli, 49, in his Woodland Hills home in case BA452975.

On January 23, 2017, Baker fatally stabbed Fabio as he sat on his patio, then fled the scene in the victim’s Porsche, which was later found abandoned miles away. Baker previously pleaded guilty to first-degree, special circumstances murder of Fabio, killing him with a knife, and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Monica devised the plan to get her hands on her husband’s $1 million dollar life insurance policy.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman of the Major Crimes Division and Deputy District Attorney Heather Steggell of the Organized Crime Division. The case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.

“I want to acknowledge the exceptional work of the prosecution team of Beth Silverman and Heather Steggell in presenting their case with professionalism and diligence,” said District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “These experienced prosecutors and detectives investigated and prosecuted this case over eight years, painstakingly putting together each piece of this murder puzzle to overcome the lies and deception of Monica Sementilli and her lover who thought they had made a clean getaway.”

Fabio was a well-known celebrity hairdresser. He shared three children with Monica, Gessica, Isabella and Luigi.

Sentencing for Monica is scheduled for June 23 in Department 101 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

The post Monica Sementilli Found Guilty Of Murdering Her Husband, Fabio Sementilli appeared first on Canyon News.

LAFD Ground and Air Response with Los Angeles City Park Rangers to an adult male hiker who reportedly sustained a snake bite while on a remote section of the Toyon Trail in Griffith Park.

The patient was transported in fair condition by Park Rangers to the nearby Toyon Helispot, where the patient is being transferred to the LAFD helicopter, which has landed.

The LAFD Flight Paramedics will provide in-flight care during direct transport to an area hospital stocked with antivenom, that is awaiting their arrival. No details on the type of snake that bit the hiker has been disclosed to the public.

The post LAFD Rescue Hiker On Toyon Trail appeared first on Canyon News.

First arriving companies quickly extinguished fire in one unit on the first floor of a three-story apartment building, then noted fire extended into a wall. Companies on scene are currently ensuring full knockdown.

Rechargeable scooter noted in fire unit — HazMat specialists are attached to manage disposal of lithium-ion battery. One patient was being assessed on scene who is listed in fair condition.

By 2:03 p.m. firefighters reported the fire was reported extinguished in 28 minutes with 47 firefighters on scene. HazMat specialists remain en route, with no anticipated escalation beyond the apartment unit involved. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

The post LAFD Battle Apartment Fire In Hollywood appeared first on Canyon News.

There has been all this talk about the brothers potentially being released from prison, and my first reaction is WHAT? I can see if there were holes in the case and there are some, but the notion of self-defense because of sexual abuse I have trouble with. Why? It was not a murder that happened in the heat of the moment, that would give some credence to that claim. The brothers had premeditation with the murder of their parents; it was planned.

Yes, you can make the argument that they just snapped one day, but even then, they still committed murder and that is where I have a struggle with. There has been this push from previous Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon hoping to release the brothers, but then you have new DA Nathan Hochman who is against the release of the brothers, and I have to agree with Hochman. Why? They committed a vicious crime: murder.

It’s not like it was self-defense and the parents were trying to kill the brothers. It wasn’t an accident; they wanted to kill their parents and they succeeded. They weren’t framed for a murder they didn’t commit. Yes, TMZ and others have reported the changes that brothers have made amazing changes in their lives since being in prison and think those changes will happen as they transition back into the real world if they are released from prison.

I have no doubt people make changes while in prison because unfortunately you have nothing but time to reflect on things you wish you did differently in your life. My biggest concern about the brothers being released, especially if California Governor Gavin Newsom decides to commute their sentence is what that says for others in jail for murder.

Should we just let them out also because they are reformed, or they have made significant strides in changing their lives and trying to help others? That is a very dangerous slope if you ask me, and you’re opening the floodgates for some serious issues to permeate throughout the country and that scares the hell out of me.

Murder is a very heinous crime. You’re talking about someone away from their family and friends and that person will not exist in the flesh ever again. There is a reason most people get life in prison for committing murder because how else to you punish someone for such a heinous and brutal crime? People would have to justify it in a way that you can’t even justify it. If Newsom makes that move, guess what, I think that is a dealbreaker for his run as President of the United States in 2028. He has stayed mum on whether he will run, but let’s face it; he is, and the Republicans are going to eat up on that.

The crazy thing is people in this country are split on the issue. Some want to see the brothers released and others are totally against it. I’m one who is against it. They committed a heinous crime and there must be a punishment for it.

Written By Jason Jones

The post The Menendez Brothers Dilemma appeared first on Canyon News.

The victim left the room unattended with the door propped open. Upon returning to the room, the victim observed the suspect inside looking through the victims’ property. The victim confronted the suspect and chased him out of the room.

He has been described as a Black male, between 20-25 years old, standing 6 feet tall and with a medium build. The suspect has black hair, mustache, and was last seen wearing a black T-Shirt with black shorts and carrying a black backpack.

The victim is a UCLA student and the victim was not injured during the incident. The incident is currently under investigation. The UCLA Police Department would like to remind the campus community to:

-Dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency.

-For non-emergencies, program the UCLA PD 24-hour phone number into your cell phone – 310-825-1491.

-Always be alert and aware of your surroundings.

-Report any suspicious activity to the police.

-Do not leave doors to buildings propped open.

-Secure your residence by locking all windows and doors.

-Avoid poorly-lit or deserted areas when walking at night.

-Utilize the UCLA Safe Ride Service and UCPD CSO evening escorts.

Anyone with details about the incident should contact the UCLA PD at 310-825-1491.

The post UCLA PD Investigating Campus Burglary At Centennial Hall appeared first on Canyon News.

Authorities reported that between November 12, 2024, and December 7, 2024, several suspects broke into multiple storage units at Public Storage in Calabasas. The suspects created a fraudulent online application for a rental unit to gain access to the property.

Drum sets, amplifiers and instrument storage containers were stolen. The suspects were seen leaving the scene in a Nissan Altima and gray Nissan Murano.

Anyone with details should contact the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station-Detective Lopez 818-878-1808. To provide information anonymously call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use a smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile APP on Google play or the Apple App Store or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

The post LASD Investigating Public Storage Burglary appeared first on Canyon News.

The incident was reported at 9:23 a.m. at 9829 W. Yoakum Drive. A hillside retaining wall (railroad ties) started to buckle approximately 15 feet from a three-story ascending hillside home.

It appears to be an ongoing issue. LA Dept of Building and Safety were notified to respond. There are no injuries and no apparent structural damage to the home. No further details about the incident have been reported to the public.

The post LAFD Report Technical Rescue In Beverly Hills appeared first on Canyon News.

As the birthplace of the modern sport, Santa Monica has been in discussions about hosting beach volleyball since Los Angeles’ first bid for the Olympic Games in 2016. Both parties were not able to agree to terms around community benefits, operational details and financial guarantees. LA28 informed the city on April 4 that it plans to host beach volleyball elsewhere.

Santa Monica will focus efforts on bringing a host of opportunities surrounding the Games as a regional partner. City teams are exploring ideas for related events and revenue-generating prospects, including hospitality houses for numerous countries, broadcast centers, practice venues and watch parties to name just a few opportunities.

The city remains committed to partnering with LA28 and neighboring agencies to coordinate the Games in the region, including collaboration and support around transportation, hospitality, media, events and more.

“There is no better place to host the Olympic beach volleyball competition than Santa Monica, where the sport was born. We would have loved to be a venue city in 2028,” said Mayor Lana Negrete. “While we’re disappointed that an agreement was not realized, we remain eager to share in the excitement the Olympics will bring to our region and are looking forward to being a regional partner in this historic event.”

Prior to the end of venue city negotiations, a team of city officials had been meeting with LA28 since early 2023 to finalize a Venue City Games Agreement.

Separate from negotiations around the beach volleyball venue, preparations for the major regional event have been moving forward through the city’s CELEBRATE28 initiative. The initiative brings together key groups of staff and community partners in areas of sustainability, transportation, arts, special events, community safety and hospitality to prepare for welcoming thousands of spectators still anticipated to visit Santa Monica during the games.

The city and its partners plan to coordinate and prepare to welcome visitors and engage locals throughout the Games, and are exploring additional revenue generating options in Santa Monica, including opportunities that could bring benefit to the community in advance of the Games.

The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games kick off in Los Angeles on July 14, 2028. For more details on LA28, visit www.la28.org. For more information on CELEBRATE28, visit www.santamonica.gov/topic-explainers/celebrate28.

The post Santa Monica, LA28 Talks To Host Beach Volleyball For Olympics Ends appeared first on Canyon News.

The project is designed to provide a safe and modern space for the entire community to enjoy. Residents, local officials, and skate enthusiasts are invited to join for this special event as construction officially kicks off.

There will be snacks and beverages available and individuals will see design drawings for the new Skatepark.

The new Skate Park will feature street and transition elements including, stairs, rails, ledges, banks, a flow bowl, quarter pipes, spine, extensions, and waterfalls making it an exciting addition to our community’s recreational spaces.

For more details on the Permanent Skate Park, see the press release and visit the Skate Park webpage www.MalibuCity.org/SkatePark.

The post Malibu Skatepark Groundbreaking April 11 appeared first on Canyon News.

The event is free and offers something to everyone. There will be a wine and beer garden with live music, demonstrating artists, children’s activities and gourmet food.

The BH Art Show will be hosted at the Beverly Gardens Park and will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The post Beverly Hills Art Show Coming May 17 appeared first on Canyon News.