Mountain lion hit and run
A mountain lion was allegedly killed by a car on Saturday in what appears to be a case of hit and run. Malibu resident Bruce Oatway was driving on Malibu Canyon Road approximately two miles up from PCH when he saw a dead mountain lion lying in the road. Two police officers from the Lost Hills/Malibu Sheriff’s station were already at the scene, with officers from the Dept. of Fish and Game on the way. Although there was no visible evidence of a car crash, it appears to officials to be the logical explanation. A hit and run incident with a wild animal is not illegal.
The mountain lion was later identified as a young male. An autopsy and DNA test were performed on the mountain lion. The lion was not one of the two cats currently being tracked in a study done by California State Parks and the Nature Conservancy. The purpose of the study is to better understand mountain lion behavior. The two cats are tracked via global positioning collars. Mountain lions are naturally elusive animals, but State Parks believes that there are currently between three and five mountain lions living in the region, two of which are the collared animals.
Town meeting on Trancas development
Development company Trancas PCH is hosting a town meeting on Friday night at Malibu United Methodist Church to discuss its recent settlement with the city of Malibu.
Last May, the city reached an agreement with Trancas PCH, allowing the company to build 32 town homes on 8.5 acres of a 35-acre property on Pacific Coast Highway near Trancas Canyon Road. Four of the homes will be designated for low-to-moderate-income housing. In addition, the remaining portion of the land will be used for recreation or open space. The county had granted the developer the right to build 15 single-family homes and 52 town homes in the mid-1980s. The city fought against that development, which led to litigation.
Shortly after the city’s settlement with Trancas PCH for the 32 town homes, the Trancas Property Owners Association sued the city, alleging the development the settlement allowed violated the California Environmental Quality Act among other things. Also, a Brown Act violation was alleged. The court ruled in favor of the city on all counts last month. Marshall Grossman of the property owners association said the group intends to appeal the decision. Friday’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. The church is located at 30128 Morning View Drive. More information can be obtained by calling 866.669.6736.
Animal hospital must find new home
The Malibu Bay Company gave the Malibu Animal Hospital a 90-day notice on March 31 to vacate the Chili Cook-Off property. It must leave by July 1.
Several weeks before sending out the eviction notice, Malibu Bay sent the hospital another statement that the rent was being doubled to more than $12,000 per month. Malibu Bay could not be reached for comment.
Attention parcel owners
The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office is issuing a reminder to all homeowners that the second installment of the annual property taxes will be delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. on April 12.
Additionally, mailed payments must be postmarked no later than midnight April 12. Late fees will be assessed on all installments received after the deadline.
Checks should be made payable to the Los Angeles County Tax Collector, and the appropriate second installment payment stub marked “2” should be included with the payment. Substitute bills can be obtained at the Treasurer and Tax Collector or at the local Assessor’s office.
To determine the amount due on any parcel, taxpayers are encouraged to access http://ttax.com.la.ca.us/ or call the toll-free Los Angeles County Property Tax Information Line at 888.807.2111.
New film is in the money
The Marine Mammal Center recently formally decided to be the fiscal sponsor for the upcoming Rio Films documentary, “Channel Islands Adventure.”
The documentary will be an educational film about the Channel Islands of Southern California.
The film will include the ecology and marine life of the islands and the current scientific research that is being done there. The documentary is being filmed and directed by Alan De Herrera.
The Marine Mammal Center is the largest marine mammal rescue organization on the West Coast.
Another Osbourne on road to rehab
Another member of the legendary Osbourne family is headed to rehab in Malibu. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne recently announced that their daughter, Kelly, is getting help for her addiction to pain killers at Malibu’s Promises Treatment Center.
Kelly Osbourne’s problem was revealed when her mother’s publicist received a phone call from a British tabloid seeking comment on a photo of Kelly allegedly doing a drug deal. When confronted by her mother, Kelly eventually admitted to taking painkillers, and handed over approximately 500 pills.
Her brother, Jack Osbourne, then took Kelly to the treatment center.
Everybody loves Malibu
Ray Romano, star of the CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” recently purchased an ocean-view home in Malibu.
The new gated home has five bedrooms and five bathrooms and cost the Emmy-winning star about $8 million, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The house is a Cape-Cod style home with hardwood floors and beamed ceilings. The compound consists of the main residence and two guesthouses.
Lawsuit pending
The family of a Malibu man who was shot dead in late February by Los Angeles police is suing the city of Los Angeles for at least $10 million. The family claims the fatal shooting was an unreasonable use of deadly force.
The victim, 23-year-old Nicholas Hans Killinger, was shot and killed outside Santa Monica High School after a 90-minute high-speed chase with police. Two officers inflicted the fatal wounds when they fired shots into the back window of Killinger’s vehicle.
Family members say the shooting was not justified because when the shots were fired, they allege, there was no imminent threat to the officers. The suit also claims that LAPD officers did not follow proper protocol when the decision was made to use deadly force. Additionally, the suit claims the officers used excessive force and failed to provide the victim with medical care.
West Nile strikes California
The West Nile virus was recently detected in Los Angeles and Orange counties for the first time this year. The virus was confirmed in a dead crow from the San Gabriel Valley. Antibodies of the virus were found in Orange County in two local house finches.
Throughout the nation in 2003, WNV was linked to almost 9,390 illnesses and 246 deaths. It was first detected in the United States in the state of New York in 1999. Since then, WNV has been found in 46 states and the District of Columbia.
WNV is traditionally spread to humans from animals by a mosquito bite. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds.
However, the public can take extra precautions to avoid infection by avoiding spending time outdoors when mosquitoes are most active, applying insect repellant and by making sure doors and window have screens.
For more information about extra precautions or how to report a dead report, visit www.westnile.ca.gov.
Computers for all
The Tech4All Recycling Program in Malibu recently conducted a successful computer giveaway to local schools. Juan Cabrillo Elementary School and Malibu Middle School each received three recycled computer systems, and one lucky student at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School also received a recycled computer system.
In addition, Juan Cabrillo and Pointe Dume Marine Science Elementary Schools have agreed to send several old computers to be recycled by the Tech4All Recycling Program.
Youth Commission applicants sought
The City of Malibu is seeking interested persons to apply for a City Council appointment to the Malibu Youth Commission. Any student in grades six through 12 in the 2004-05 school year who lives or attends school in the city of Malibu is eligible.
Applications may be obtained at City hall, at the Park’s and Recreation office at Bluffs Park or on the city’s Web site at www.ci.malibu.ca.us. The application deadline is April 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Adamson aquisition successful
The five-year campaign by State Parks to acquire the Adamson House artifacts has come to a successful conclusion, Malibu Sector Superintendent Hayden Sohm announced in a press release.
Rhoda May Adamson-Dallas and Sylvia R. Adamson-Neville, two members of the Adamson Estate, donated their portions of the Adamson House Collection to the state. Using funds accumulated through a fundraising effort, State Parks was able to complete the deal and purchase the remaining portion of the collection.
In an agreement between State Parks and the Malibu Lagoon Interpretive Association, the collection must remain at the Adamson House. The state has also agreed to care for the collection and ensure its safety. Now that the collection has been deeded to the state, many needed repairs can be completed on various artifacts. In the past, public funds had to be utilized for conservation, and these funds were very hard to obtain. This latest development has capped a year of unparalleled success for the Adamson House. Other major achievements include the renovation of the historic exterior murals, two successful grant award, and a new visitor center. Fundraising activities include the sale of commemorative tiles, which can still be purchased at either the Adamson House or Malibu Lumber. The tiles will also be available at the annual Mother’s Day Tea in May.
Skull of missing Malibu man identified
A skull found by a hiker on Nov. 9 on the Backbone Trail, located near the intersection of Saddle Peak and Stunt Roads, has been identified as being of Malibu resident Daniel May. May, who would have turned 29 this month, had been missing since June 20, 2002. It was not determined how he died.