Minor earthquake hits Malibu
A magnitude 3.3 earthquake hit Malibu Monday night at 11:26 p.m., according to the United States Geological Survey. The quake’s epicenter was about three miles off Malibu’s coast and did not cause any damage or injuries. It was reportedly felt by people in surrounding areas such as Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks and parts of Los Angeles.
City employee resigns
Longtime Malibu resident and telecommunications specialist for the City of Malibu Jena Chanel has resigned from her public position. Chanel, who moved to Malibu in 1972, began working for the city’s Cable TV Task Force in 1991. Four years later, Chanel became a telecommunications specialist for the city to set up the government television broadcast channel that is still used today. The former Malibu Times journalist plans to work in social media and public relations in the future.
Malibu man killed in motorcycle accident identified
Sheriff’s officials have released the name of the Malibu man who died in a traffic accident on Pacific Coast Highway March 16.
Forty-one-year old Joseph Annocki died when the motorcycle he was driving struck a car that was leaving Geoffrey’s Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway about 8:45 p.m. March 16, according to Malibu / Lost Hills Sheriff’s officials.
Annocki was driving his motorcycle east on the highway and hit a car driven by a man who was leaving the restaurant’s parking lot.
The 50-year-old driver of the car and his passenger, a 47-year-old female, were visiting Southern California from Oklahoma. Annocki died at the scene.
Eastbound traffic Pacific Coast Highway was closed until 5:30 a.m. because of the accident investigation, according to authorities.
Calabasas man found dead in Malibu Canyon
A body found the morning of March 16 near Malibu Canyon Road was identified as 63-year-old Robin Thom of Calabasas by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
Thom’s vehicle was parked at a remote turnoff south of the tunnel on Malibu Canyon Road, and his body was found approximately 50 feet down a steep embankment.
His family reported that he had been acting strangely during the last three months, said Lt. Fred Corral of the Coroner’s Office.
Corral said no suicide note was found. The family of Thom said there is no conclusive evidence about his death. The body was scheduled for examination last Friday.
Marijuana dispensary applicant appeals to city council
Medical Marijuana dispensary Twin Lyons Wellness Center, whose application for operation was denied, has appealed the Planning Commission’s decision to the city council.
The dispensary’s application was denied March 1 at a Planning Commission meeting, partially based on the commission’s approval of Malibu Collective Caregiver’s permit to operate its medical marijuana dispensary. Twin Lyons Wellness Center is also appealing the commission’s approval of the other dispensary, citing that the approval should be based on the quality of the facility, not which permit was filed first.
Under current law, only two medical marijuana dispensaries may operate within city limits. One, PCH Collective, has already been in operation for more than two years, leaving two applicants competing for one approval. Twin Lyons, the denied applicant, asks that the city council rehear and reconsider both applicants.
It was recommended to the commission that they deny the second application in the event of approval of the first. The commission hosted a public hearing and agreed to deny the permit after testimony and deliberations.
Carbon Beach Villas foreclosed
The Carbon Beach Villas at 22605 PCH, which were forced into foreclosure during construction in 2009, have been foreclosed upon again for about $20 million. The original owners, the Carbon Beach Partners, LLC, will sell the property at a public auction to the highest bidder at the front entrance to the Pomona Superior Court Building April 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Charter Cable no longer carrying Malibu TV
As of March 20, Charter Cable is no longer broadcasting City of Malibu programming, according to the city. Local Verizon cable subscribers will continue to receive the city’s broadcasts. However, the city’s broadcasts will be down this week, returning to its regular schedule on Friday.
The City of Malibu will continue to provide live broadcasts of city council and planning commission meetings on its Web site, www.ci.malibu.ca.us.
City celebrates 20th anniversary
The city will celebrate its 20th year of cityhood with a community picnic Sunday at Legacy Park at 12 p.m. The event will feature live music and food from local vendors. Additionally, there will be games and activities for children and adults. Malibu officially became a city on March 28, 1991.
State issues statement on radiation exposure
Many Californians, particularly those in coastal cities, have expressed concerns about radiation levels at the coast due to the current nuclear crisis in Japan. The state has issued a release assuring that there are no current risks regarding radiation, and that the appropriate agencies are monitoring radiation levels to ensure safety.
“The safety of all Californians is our highest priority,” Dr. Howard Backer, interim director of the California Department of Public Health, and Mike Dayton, acting secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency, wrote in a statement. “We are in constant contact with the federal agencies responsible for monitoring radiation levels across the West Coast.
“We are actively monitoring the situation in Japan and are ready to take all steps necessary to protect Californians should risks develop,” Backer and Dayton wrote.
The state also urged Californians not to take potassium iodide as a precautionary measure. Doing so is unnecessary given current circumstances and can cause various side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea and bleeding.
Californians with questions about radiation exposure can contact the California Department of Public Health’s Emergency Operations information line at 916.341.3947.