-Malibu marked the 20th Anniversary of the devastating Nov. 1993 fire, which destroyed 359 homes, 18,000 acres and left three dead. The fire left a permanent mark on all its survivors. Karen and I were among those who lost our homes in a conflagration that saw entire neighborhoods like La Costa Hills decimated. The fire also came within a few feet of the back door of The Malibu Times office in Las Flores Canyon. And though 20 years have passed, I still get that queasy feeling when the Santa Anas blow from the dry hot desert.
-An attempt to hold up the Bank of America in Point Dume ended with the robber in custody after he fled the scene and later crashed into a sign near Zuma Beach. The suspect, later identified as Jason Teas, didn’t realize Malibu folks don’t just roll over—in fact, Khalil Rafati, owner of SunLife Organics, followed the suspect with his cellphone and reported the suspect’s whereabouts to 911. Teas hopped into an old pickup truck and tried to flee the area unsuccessfully. Rumor has it he’s considering a change of occupation.
-The City of Malibu collected nearly $3 million in sales tax revenue in the 2012-2013 fiscal year. The biggies were destination restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and a few high-end clothing stores.
