The fire originally started in Feather River Canyon north of Sacramento. It has now destroyed 134 structures, threatens more than 13,871 structures, and caused many evacuations in the surrounding cities. California Fire Spokesperson Rick Carhart indicated the Lassen County community of Westwood could potentially be threatened because of how rapid the fire is spreading. 

The fire has only been contained 35 percent as of recent updates and spans across an area of 676 square miles. On Wednesday, August 3, the fire tore through a small town called Greenville. It leveled the town burning through the downtown region, including more than century-old buildings. 

According to Cal Fire, the steep terrain, heavy fuel loading, spot fires, and the wind being in alignment with the canyons are making the containment of the fire difficult. They also reported that they are strategizing tactics to protect cultural resources, critical infrastructure, and private property in the path of future fire growth near State Route 44 around Peninsula Village, as far east as Greenhorn. As a result, additional resources have also been ordered. 

For more information and updates on the Dixie Fire visit https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents.

The post Dixie Fire Continues To Grow appeared first on Canyon News.

The case was brought against Ching after a Los Angeles Times investigation revealed practices at his pet store and charity. The California Veterinary Medical Board requested an undercover operation conducted by the Department of Consumer Affairs Division of Investigation. 

Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said in a statement, “Just as you wouldn’t want an unlicensed doctor providing medical treatment to you or a loved one, the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine is just as serious an issue for our beloved animals.”

The Los Angeles prosecutors alleged that Ching endangered the lives of sick pets by encouraging their owners to treat them with herbs and diet regimens instead of traditional medicine. 

Another Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that Indonesian butchers accused Ching of paying them to torture and brutally murder several dogs, which he used as footage in campaigns against dog abuse. Ching denied the accusations. 

He was also charged with several misdemeanors in November 2020, which included false advertising of food products, processing, packing, and preparing meat products without a license and selling adulterated and misbranded food.

Ching has been sentenced to a 12-month summary probation and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine plus penalty assessments. He also agreed not to make false statements such as pet food being “organic” without proper certifications. 

The post Marc Ching Pleads No Contest In Malpractice Case appeared first on Canyon News.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the accident around 10:29 a.m. at 12430 of West Magnolia Boulevard. When officials arrived at the scene, they discovered one person trapped in an overturned vehicle. Emergency crews were able to quickly free the individual. 

Two people involved in the crash had serious injuries, while the other had minor injuries. All three were transported to a local hospital. 

The accident caused lane closures on Magnolia Boulevard, between Whitsett Avenue and Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The lanes remained closed, while the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the accident. Additional details about the incident has not been disclosed.

The post Two Car Collision Injures Three People appeared first on Canyon News.

The collision occurred on August 29, 2017, when on-duty Officer Alfredo Eudave’s police vehicle collided with the front of Farnaz Vojdani, 44, car. She indicated that the collision caused injuries to her neck, head, and back. The accident occurred at Rexford Drive and Burton Way.

Vojdani’s mother, Soror Azizgolshani, age 72 at the time, was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident. She was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after complaints of pain in her neck, left shoulder, and right knee. 

Since the accident, Azizgolshani suffered brain hemorrhaging and worsening dementia, according to the victim’s lawyers. Vojdani’s testimony noted that the “incident was like an ‘atomic bomb’ in her life.” 

The city of Beverly Hills took liability for the accident in June 2018, and a trial was held to determine damages. The specifics of the settlement have not been released to the public.

The post Beverly Hills Collision Lawsuit Settled appeared first on Canyon News.

Members of the community are asked to submit their nominations at https://www.malibucity.org/756/Jake-Kuredjian-Citizenship-Award. Nominations may also be picked up at the Michael Landon Community Center at Malibu Bluffs Park and Malibu City Hall. Nominations must be submitted by 4 p.m. on the due date. 

The award is presented annually to an outstanding individual or group who has given their time and resources to enhance the quality of recreation programs in the community. The Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award honors Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Hagop “Jake” Kuredjian. 

Deputy Kuredjian was killed in the line of duty on August 31, 2001, after he and other officers were involved in a shootout with a suspect in Stevenson Ranch. Kuredjian worked as an Armenian interpreter for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the FBI. The Gold Meritorious Conduct Medal was presented to Deputy Kuredjian in 1989 for rescuing a woman from a cliff while he was stationed in Malibu.

In a press release from the city of Malibu website, Mayor Paul Grisanti stated:

“Every year, the nominations for the Jake Kuredjian Award offer us a window into what makes Malibu so special – people who are passionate about making our community a better place for all.”

Nominations will be reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday, September 21. The Commission will select a recipient and make its recommendation to the city council.

For more details, visit https://www.malibucity.org/756/Jake-Kuredjian-Citizenship-Award.

The post Nominations Being Accepted For The Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award appeared first on Canyon News.

The Los Angeles Police Department responded to the incident that was reported around 11:31 p.m. The accident transpired at the intersection of North Sepulveda Boulevard and Moraga Drive.

The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Additional details about the cause of the accident and if other vehicles were involved have yet to be disclosed to the public.

The accident is currently under investigation by the LAPD. The name of the victim has not been disclosed to the public.

The post Victim Killed In Motorcycle Accident appeared first on Canyon News.

According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, Efrem Zimbalist Demery, 31, of Los Angeles, pleaded no contest to two charges of murder and one charge of arson of a structure. 

District Attorney George Gascón stated in a press release, “Although the life sentence, in this case, does not bring back the victims, it does hold the defendant accountable for his deadly actions. My deepest sympathies go out to the families, whose lives were forever altered by this atrocious crime.”

The Los Angeles Police Department reported that on April 14, 2018, Demery used gasoline and a lighter that he purchased across the street to set fire to the recording studio located at the 3700 block of Cahuenga Boulevard. Demery allegedly gotten into an argument with the two victims, Devaughn Carter and Michael Pollard. The victims were asleep at the time of the fire. 

Demery fled the scene after starting the fire and was later arrested in Willowbrook after being stopped by police officers for a traffic violation.

The post Efrem Zimbalist Demery Sentenced To 50 Years To Life appeared first on Canyon News.

According to a press release, the checkpoint will transpire from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. All traffic will pass through the checkpoint, and all motorists will be stopped. Uniformed officers will be checking for alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers and making sure all contacted drivers have a valid driver’s license.

The purpose of the checkpoint is to promote public safety and increase awareness of the dangers associated with impaired driving and hinder potential impaired and unlicensed drivers.

The BHPD is working in coordination with the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that works to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” Prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, can impair drivers enough to receive a DUI. Marijuana can also impair drivers enough to receive a DUI, when combined with alcohol or other drugs. 

For anyone with questions about the program or future traffic safety issues contact the BHPD Traffic Bureau at (310) 285-2196. In addition, the media is asked to attend the checkpoint to help spread awareness. 

Funding for impaired driving enforcement operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The post Beverly Hills Sobriety And Driver’s License Checkpoint appeared first on Canyon News.

The new initiative will kick off on Wednesday, August 4, at 8 a.m. at Roxbury Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive. The initiative encourages community members to enjoy wholesome foods from local businesses and incorporate wellness into their everyday lives. 

Actor Burt Bolus will be at the event teaching Total Body Conditioning. The workout is designed to provide a moderate to challenging exercise using one’s own body weight for overall conditioning. Community members are asked to bring a mat, towel, and bottled water.

The second “Wellness Wednesdays” is planned for August 18 at 8 a.m. A Pickleball Clinic at La Cienega Tennis Center located at 325 La Cienega Blvd.  will be hosted by certified instructors. They will provide basic instruction for kids, families, active adults, and seniors. Equipment will be provided. 

In a press release, Mayor Wunderlich stated:

“I’m passionate about the well-being of our community, and I hope ‘Wellness Wednesdays’ provides people with healthy options, both mentally and physically, that can be incorporated into their daily routine. A variety of activities and events are planned from exercise classes and yoga, to walks and bicycle rides, to meditation and other means of incorporating wellness into our lives. We are calling on businesses to be part of Wellness Wednesdays by providing services, such as fitness instructors, or food items, like healthy snacks.” 

For more details about “Wellness Wednesdays” and future events visit http://beverlyhills.org/citymanager/mayorandcouncilmembers/wellnesswednesdays/web.jsp?NFR=1. 

Businesses that would like to participate or those with questions can email wellnesswednesdays@beverlyhills.org or call 310-285-1014. 

The post Beverly Hills New Mayoral Initiative: Wellness Wednesdays appeared first on Canyon News.

State employees will be required to submit proof of vaccination by Monday, August 2. State employees who are not vaccinated will be required to get tested for COVID-19 at least once a week. 

The new mandate will go into effect for healthcare workers on Monday, August 9, and all healthcare facilities must comply with the mandate by August 23. Healthcare workers who are not vaccinated will be required to get tested at least twice a week. 

In a press release Governor Gavin Newsom stated:

“We are now dealing with a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and it’s going to take renewed efforts to protect Californians from the dangerous Delta variant. As the state’s largest employer, we are leading by example and requiring all state and health care workers to show proof of vaccination or be tested regularly, and we are encouraging local governments and businesses to do the same. Vaccines are safe – they protect our family, those who truly can’t get vaccinated, our children, and our economy. Vaccines are the way we end this pandemic.”

California leads the nation in the number of vaccinations administered, but the state is seeing an increase in cases due to the Delta variant. As of last week, California’s statewide case rate more than quadrupled from a low on 1.9 cases/100,000/day in May to at least 9.5 cases/100,000/day.

The post California Issues New Mandate Due To Rise In COVID-19 Cases appeared first on Canyon News.

A recent revised Health Order from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) is requiring face masks for indoor public settings regardless of vaccination status impacted the Beverly Hills City Council making the decision. 

The virtual meetings will also apply to the City Commission’s meetings. Virtual-only meetings will remain in place until further notice.

There have been a total of 2,089 COVID-19 cases reported as of Sunday, July 25. The Beverly Hills City Council will continue to monitor data from the LACDPH. 

The virtual meetings can be watched at http://beverlyhills.org/departments/informationtechnology/beverlyhillstelevision/watchlive/ or on BHTV (Spectrum Channel 10). For meeting agendas and minutes, you may visit http://beverlyhills.org/departments/informationtechnology/beverlyhillstelevision/citycouncilmeetings/.

The post Beverly Hills City Council Returns To Virtual Meetings appeared first on Canyon News.

According to the LAPD website, the LAPD’s Internal Affairs Division conducted an investigation after unspecified concerns came from the Los Angeles County Attorney’s Office while reviewing body camera footage of DUI arrests in October 2019. 

Investigators were working in connection with the Justice System Integrity Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. As a result, authorities were able to establish probable cause to believe that the body camera footage did not align with the written report. The specifics of the report have not been disclosed to the public.

As a result of the investigation, DUI charges were dropped against the suspect. Castillo was arrested and booked at the Metropolitan Detention Center, but later released on his Own Recognizance. As a result, Castillo has been relieved of his police powers. 

“The allegations of an officer falsifying a police report are extremely troubling and there must be accountability. This Department is fully cooperating with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in this matter,” said LAPD Chief Michel Moore.

Castillo was a 13-year veteran of the LAPD and resides in Los Angeles.

The post LAPD Officer Alejandro Castillo Arrested appeared first on Canyon News.

Diaz took the victim, who recently left a bar in a white 1997 Dodge Ram van around 2 a.m. The incident occurred on Melrose Avenue near Robertson Boulevard. 

A witness stopped an officer’s patrol car to report what he saw. Officer Kevin Herrera began following the van and once Diaz parked and walked away, he found the victim in the back of the van who appeared to be unconscious.  

Diaz was arrested and booked at around 3:15 a.m. and charged with felony kidnapping. He was released on Saturday, July 25 on a $100,000 bail. 

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Detective Cynthia Mejia at (310) 358-4028 or for anonymous tips you can call (800)-222-TIPS (8477). 

The post Fernando Diaz Arrested For Felony Kidnapping appeared first on Canyon News.

Sheriff deputies brought Weinstein into the courtroom in a wheelchair. His attorney Mark Werksman entered the not guilty plea for Weinstein a day after being extradited to California from New York. Werksman asked Judge Sergio Tapia that Weinstein be granted medical evaluation which the judge allowed. 

He plead not guilty to four counts of rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, two counts of sexual battery by restraint, and one count of sexual penetration by use of force. Weinstein is already serving a 23-year sentence in a New York state prison, and if he is convicted of other charges, he could face up to an additional 140 years in prison.

In March 2020, Weinstein was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in New York state prison after a Manhattan jury found him guilty of rape and committing a criminal sexual act. Former Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey filed multiple counts of sexual assault against the Miramax movie studio co-founder.

In October 2020, prosecutors filed six more charges against Weinstein involving two additional victims. In April 2021, a Los Angeles County grand jury indicted Weinstein on four counts of forcible rape, four counts of forcible oral copulation, two counts of sexual battery, and one count of sexual penetration by force.

In the first incident, Weinstein allegedly raped a woman at a hotel in Beverly Hills between September 2004 and September 2005. In the second case, the defendant allegedly raped a woman two times in November 2009 and November 2010 at a hotel in Beverly Hills

All five women testified against Weinstein during the hearings. He has denied all allegations and is appealing his conviction. At least 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual abuse across the U.S. and Europe.

Weinstein’s history with sexual assault was first introduced to the public in October 2017 when The New York Times published a detailed story with years of allegations from women who came forward. Among those were actresses Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd. The article sparked more women coming forward with alleged accounts of sexual harassment and rape, leading to investigations.

Many women had reported that Weinstein would force them to watch him naked and massage him as well as using sexual favors for career advancements. James has been representing the victims’ case in a class action lawsuit filed in 2018 involving Weinstein and The Weinstein company that instilled a “hostile” work environment.

Victims of Weinstein are expected to receive compensation in a settlement of $19 million as announced by New York Attorney General Letitia James on June 30, 2020 in a press release from her office. “The agreement ensures that women who experienced a hostile work environment, sexual harassment, and gender-based discrimination while working at The Weinstein Company, as well as sexual abuse by Harvey Weinstein, are entitled to obtain restitution, by creating a $18,875,000 victims’ compensation fund,” said James.

Weinstein is known for producing Oscar-nominated films like “Pulp Fiction” and “Shakespeare in Love.” Weinstein is currently awaiting another trail date which is unknown.

Written By Mary Kathryn Grill and Casey Jacobs

The post Harvey Weinstein Pleads Not Guilty To Sexual Assault Charges appeared first on Canyon News.

White is currently serving as the deputy city manager for the city of Berkeley. He oversees the internal service departments, public safety reform, economic recovery, and special projects. Before his current position, he served as the City Manager in Fairfield for five years.

“David has a keen understanding of the central issues our like-minded cities face and has demonstrated that he has the experience and spirit of can-do inclusion we need to lead Santa Monica at this critical time. We are thrilled to have found a candidate so aligned with our community’s values and impatiently await his arrival so we may begin our collective work,” said Mayor Sue Himmelrich in a press release.

The city of Berkeley, which has a population of 120,000, White was responsible for leading efforts that required community and organization-wide collaboration. He reimagined public safety, which included a new model of civilian oversight for Berkeley’s Police Department.

As the City Manager in Fairfield, where the population is 115,000, he advanced a citywide strategy to address homelessness, oversaw a large capital project portfolio, and prioritized fiscal health and community engagement. 

White grew up in Studio City and graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology and anthropology. He also has a Master’s Degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

White’s employment contract with a start date of October 11 and his salary will be up for consideration at the city council’s next meeting on July 27. 

The post David White Elected City Manager appeared first on Canyon News.

During the meeting, City Council will discuss the efforts to address homelessness in the city and proposed amendments to the City’s Nuisance Code to address the alarming amount of brush fires in homeless encampments. There have been 17 fires in 2021. The city’s current definition of a nuisance lacks clear detail to property owners what a nuisance is. The proposed amendments will include language specific to fire and public health hazards. 

In a press release, Mayor Paul Grisanti stated:

“As in so many communities across America, homelessness in Malibu has emerged as a humanitarian crisis with severe impacts to the community’s public health and safety, the environment and quality of life that cannot be ignored.” 

The city already has a Homelessness Working Group. Malibu City Council is working to provide more effort, resources, and attention to homelessness by creating a Brown Act-governed Homelessness Task Force. The Brown Act requires open meetings and public record-keeping by government bodies in California to ensure transparency and accountability. 

The new task force will be in charge of reviewing existing efforts, evaluating the need for an alternative sleeping location (ASL), developing strategies to mitigate the fire safety concerns of encampments located in open space and on undeveloped private property, addressing other issues related to homelessness, and providing regular updates and recommendations to the Malibu City Council. 

The agenda, staff report, viewing, and commenting instructions for the meeting are available at https://www.malibucity.org/VirtualMeeting. Community members may also review documents about past and ongoing work to address homelessness at https://www.malibucity.org/1066/Reference-Documents. 

The post City Council To Appoint Members To Malibu Homelessness Task Force appeared first on Canyon News.

Firefighters were able to stop the brush fire after battling the blaze for 2 hours. The flames were first reported around 3 p.m. near Tuna Canyon Road and Las Flores Heights Road, north of Tuna Canyon Park. The fire went from burning three acres to seven in a matter of 45 minutes. 

Around 195 firefighters were called to the scene and fire helicopters to assist with water droppings. One firefighter was injured during the incident. 

According to the California Highway Patrol, authorities shut down Tuna Canyon Road between Pacific Coast Highway and Saddle Peak Road, a stretch of about seven miles. A traffic advisory was also issued for Pacific Coast Highway for drivers to expect delays. 

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and still under investigation.

The post Malibu Brush Fire Contained After Burning 15 Acres appeared first on Canyon News.

According to the city of Beverly Hills, Connect Beverly Hills is a project to develop a series of streetscape plans and design standards for commercial corridors in Beverly Hills. The streetscape plan will establish guidelines for the public right away, including sidewalks and streets. In addition, the project will develop a plan for new sidewalk designs and pedestrian amenities that will help connect the community and prepare for the opening of the new subways.

The city is beginning with Wilshire and La Cienega Boulevards to prepare for the new Metro Purple Line Extensions for two new subway stations. The Wilshire Boulevard and La Cienega subway will come in 2023 and the Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo subway in 2025. 

If the Beverly Hills City Council adopts the final plan, it will include a recommended pedestrian mobility improvements at 30 intersections and midblock locations along both corridors to improve safety and access, a conceptual placement of sidewalk amenities like pedestrian-scale lighting, bus shelters, and landscaping, the design standards that recommend the types and styles of sidewalk amenities, and the concepts for potential Mobility Hub to support First/Last Mile connections with a combination of transportation and community-serving amenities located at the site of the La Cienega Station construction staging yard at Wilshire Boulevard/Gale Drive. 

The agenda for the meeting will be available the Saturday before July 24 at http://www.beverlyhills.org/departments/informationtechnology/beverlyhillstelevision/citycouncilmeetings/?NFR=1. For more details about the final plan and the project, visit https://connect.beverlyhills.org/.

The post City Council To Review Final Plan For Connect Beverly Hills appeared first on Canyon News.

A total of 17 million gallons of untreated sewage was dumped into the Santa Monica Bay after a power outage on July 11.

For two days after the spill, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health took samples from the water to see if there were any signs of bacteria. 

The public was asked to stay out of the waters until authorities announced it was safe.  After confirming the beaches were safe to reopen, officials notified lifeguards to remove beach closure signs.

The reopened beaches included Beach #110 – Dockweiler State Beach at Water Way Extension, Beach #111 – Dockweiler State Beach at Hyperion Plant, Beach #112 A – El Segundo Beach, and Beach #112 B – Grand Ave. Storm Drain. 

The post Santa Monica Beaches Reopen After Sewage Spill appeared first on Canyon News.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office identified the man on Thursday, July 15. Authorities originally believed the victim was around 65 years old, but it has been confirmed that he was 47 years old. 

Ibrahimi’s body was discovered around 6:15 a.m. near Big Rock Drive in the 20000 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Paramedics arrived shortly after the victim’s body was discovered and pronounced him dead.

The cause of death is still unknown.

The post Body Found In Malibu Identified As Rudik Ibrahimi appeared first on Canyon News.