Gunshots fired at Halloween party
An Oct. 31 party in the West end of Malibu concluded with gunshots and an arrest. The Graphic, Pepperdine University’s student newspaper, reported the party’s hosts were a Pepperdine alumnus and a Pepperdine student.
Parker Mackey, 19, was arrested for discharging a firearm in a negligent manner that “he admitted to owning,” said Sgt. Lasko of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. Mackey is not a Pepperdine University student.
The Halloween party, which began on Oct. 30 and continued until gunshots were reported at 1:40 a.m. on Oct. 31, took place at the 32900 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Lasko said that after a fight broke out, “partygoers heard two to three shots from what turned out to be a shotgun from the house next door.” The shots came from Mackey’s current listed address and a shotgun was recovered at the scene.
No injuries were reported. Lasko said Mackey was charged because of “the fact that there was a crowd next door,” and added, “bullets come down eventually, and they could have struck someone at the party.”
Cyclists rescue two scuba divers
A group of cyclists rescued two drowning scuba divers on Saturday near Deer Creek Road. Martha Hunt of Westwood and Rachel Hosmer of Beverly Hills, both members of the L.A. Tri Club, were riding from Santa Monica to the “Rock” at Point Mugu when they heard shouting coming from the beach just after 11 a.m.
Hunt said she and Hosmer “looked down and could see two scuba divers.” She said one diver’s face was in the water and “the other guy was just screaming for help, he couldn’t even wave his hands.”
Hunt went down to the beach while Hosmer stayed on the highway and called for help. Hunt got into the water and helped the first diver out of the water. While waiting for the Fire Department to respond, Hosmer flagged down another group of cyclists who went down to the beach to help.
“The five guys came down and a couple got in the water, and helped get [the second diver] out of the water,” Hunt said.
Both divers were reportedly weak, yet conscious after being pulled from the ocean. Shortly after the Fire Department and paramedics arrived at the scene.
The identities of the second group of cyclists is unknown. The identities and welfare of the scuba divers is also currently unknown. Fire Department officials could not be reached for comment.
Workshop on viewshed ordinance
The Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday will function as a workshop for the community on the proposed viewshed preservation ordinance.
Malibu voters in 2008 approved a measure that called for the city to create a viewshed preservation ordinance. City staff has created a draft ordinance that combines elements of three previous drafts, including one written by a majority of a blue ribbon task force that met in 2008 and 2009 and one written by a minority of that task force.
The workshop will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. It will also be broadcast live on Channel 3.
Pentagon official says no missile fired of California coast
What some believed was a missile fired off the coast of Southern California near the Channel Islands on Monday may be just a condensation trail from an aircraft, according to a Pentagon official quoted in the Los Angeles Times.
Examination of radar data, satellite imagery and other high-level monitoring technology by several U.S. government agencies has not revealed any definite evidence that a missile was fired in that area and at that time, said the official, who added that no government agencies, which monitor launches of rockets by individuals or companies, have information of a launch.
A KCBS news helicopter had spotted what appeared to be a missile traveling through the sky northwest of Catalina Island, about 35 miles west of Los Angeles Monday at sunset, according to the Times. A video posted by KCBS showed what appeared to be a glowing tip, trailed by a long contrail, shooting through the sky.
The FAA did not approve any space launches in the area the time, and officials from the Vandenberg Air Force Base and the Naval Air Station at Point Mugu said neither base fired any missiles into the sky that day.
The Pentagon official quoted by the Times spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing. He said FAA records showed commercial airliners were flying in the area at the time, and that most government experts were coming to the conclusion that the condensation trail was caused by an aircraft.
Some people theorized that the U.S. government was conducting secret missile launches.
However, John Pike, director of globalsecurity.org, a Web site for military policy research, told the Times that the idea that the government would carry out a secret launch illuminated at sunset, within view of millions of Angelenos, is difficult to believe.
Free flue vaccines available
The five cities of the Malibu-Las Virgenes Council of Governments (Malibu, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and Westlake Village), along with Calvary Community Church and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health are offering free flu vaccines on Nov. 20 at Calvary Community Church, located at 5495 Via Rocas in Westlake Village.
As part of this exercise, free seasonal flu vaccine (while supplies last) and/or a vaccine against pneumococcal disease (PPSV) and Tdap for whooping cough will be offered to community residents who meet the age requirements (minimum of 6 months old) and vaccine guidelines. For more information, contact Brad Davis, Malibu’s emergency services coordinator, at 310.456.2489 ext. 260 or bdavis@ci.malibu.ca.us.
Get rid of your lawn for cash
Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts (LACWD), in partnership with the State Department of Water Resources, is offering property owners a cash rebate of $1 per square foot to remove lawn and replace it with water-efficient landscaping.
More information can be obtained by calling 626.300.3338 or e-mailing rjoseph@dpw.lacounty.gov.