Malibou Lake standoff ends with shooting
A 69-year-old man died Sunday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot after a standoff with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies near Malibou Lake, according to reports.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 29100 block of Paiute Drive Sunday morning after receiving a domestic dispute call, said Sergeant Anthony Arnold of Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s station.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s department, station desk personnel received a call from the 65-year-old victim saying she was being choked by her husband, the suspect. While sheriff’s station personnel were still on the phone with the victim, and while the deputies were on their way, desk personnel heard a gunshot. The victim was able to safely exit the house and local deputies soon arrived.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered that the suspect had barricaded himself in his home.
After a five-hour standoff, officers entered the home and found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, Sgt. Arnold said.
The homicide bureau was notified of the incident and is now investigating the suspected suicide.
State approves city’s housing element plan
Malibu’s revised plan for middle-to-low-income housing development was approved by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development on July 27.
The draft allocates 441 units of affordable housing, a number determined by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for the planning period of 2008 to 2014. The approval follows months of conflict between the city and state last year over the number of housing elements Malibu would be required to develop.
Between 2001 and 2010, Malibu gained just 70 new residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census. Many residents pointed to this lack of growth as evidence that the 441 figure was incorrect.
SCAG officials admitted the number was too high, but because the city did not appeal SCAG projections in 2008, they were considered final. City officials said that it appeared SCAG had included employees of Pepperdine University, located just outside the city limits, in its projections for Malibu.
For the next planning period, from 2014 to 2021, the city will only have to allocate for two housing units based on SCAG’s latest assessment.
The State of California Housing Element Law, put into effect in 1969, requires that local governments adequately plan to meet the housing needs of the community in all economic levels.
Officials relocate beach access near lagoon
Officials this week plan on relocating a beach access route at the Malibu Lagoon Restoration Project site, according to Craig Sap, the Angeles District Superintendent for State Parks.
On the new path, which will run parallel to the main channel in Malibu Creek and be 8-to-10 feet wide, beachgoers will pass over a temporary dirt dike.
Sap said the new path should be constructed by Friday and be open for use Monday.
The current access path starts in the lagoon’s parking lot and runs along the exterior of Malibu Colony.
The Malibu Lagoon is undergoing dewatering as a part of a state project to improve water circulation in the lagoon.
Researchers discover mountain lion kittens in Malibu
Biologists with the National Park Service recently discovered two mountain lion kittens near Western Malibu, according to a press release.
The kittens, estimated to be about two months old, were found in a den close to Circle X Ranch while their mother was away. They became the 23rd and 24th mountain lions to be outfitted with tracking devices as part of a decade-long study being conducted by biologists from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The kittens were named Puma 23 and 24, or P-23 and P-24.
“The fact that successful reproduction is occurring in the mountains indicates that we have high-quality habitat for mountains lions here,” Seth Riley of National Park Service said.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area biologists are now tracking seven mountain lions as a part of the study to understand how they survive in an urbanized landscape.
To learn more about the kittens, visit 1.usa.gov/QyerJG.
DUI checkpoint scheduled for Friday
The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station will conduct at DUI and driver’s license checkpoint Friday in Malibu between 7:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m.
According to a release, officers will be contacting drivers passing through the checkpoint and look for signs of drug or alcohol use. They will also be checking to make sure drivers are properly licensed.
Auditions open for Malibu Chili Cook-Off entertainment
The Malibu Kiwanis Club Chili Cook-Off is set to take place this Labor Day weekend, and musicians interested in entertaining the crowd now have the opportunity to audition.
To audition, interested performers can send a CD or DVD with a photo and biography or press release to American Musicals, Inc., 11693 San Vicente Blvd., #289, Los Angeles, CA.
The show is directed by Beverly Caveiro and produced by American Musicals, Inc.
The 31st annual Chili Cook-Off takes place from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 in Malibu. The event features food, activities and entertainment.
For more information about the event, visit malibukiwanischilicookoff.com.
Three arrested for attempted burglary in Calabasas
Malibu/Lost Hills Station deputies arrested three suspects for allegedly attempting to steal a car in Calabasas at about 5:20 a.m. on Aug. 2.
Deputies responded to the 5300 block of Parkmor Road in Calabasas after a local resident called 911 reporting two males lurking around a parked car, according to a press release from the sheriff’s department. After seeing the resident, the suspects fled the scene in a black Infinity sedan. Deputies soon located the suspects and arrested a 22-year-old male suspect from Van Nuys, a 21-year-old male suspect from Burbank and a 17-year-old male, also of Burbank. The adult suspects were later released on $20,000 bail, while the 17-year-old suspect was released to his parents.
Local detectives believe the suspects may be related to other property crimes in the area.
Anyone with further information can call Malibu/Lost Hills Station Detective Justin Solomon at 818.878.1808.
City accepting applications for Cultural Arts Commission
The City of Malibu is now accepting applications for its new Cultural Arts Commission, which was created by the City Council on June 25. The commission will be made up of five local residents, with the possibility of one member who lives outside the city limits but within the 90265 area code.
“The Cultural Arts Commission was formed following a final report from the Arts Task Force and is expected to continue the work begun by the Task Force to support and strengthen the arts in the community through education and the formation of partnerships with arts supporters, businesses, foundations and community leaders,” a press release from the city stated.
The application deadline is Friday, Aug. 17 at 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit malibucity.org.