City Council to consider Verizon agreement, Safe Routes program
At its meeting on Monday, the City Council will vote on a cable franchise agreement with Verizon California Inc. Currently, the city’s only cable provider is Charter Communications. Additionally, the council will be considering an ordinance regarding cable regulation. Since Malibu became a city, it has been following the county code on this matter.
Also at its meeting, the council will vote on whether to approve the Point Dume Safe Routes to School Walkway project, which involves the construction of decomposed granite pathways for local students to use while walking to school.
As of Tuesday, the project’s approval did not appear on the council agenda. A city official said that was because when the agenda was published last week, the construction contract for the project was still out for bid. The official said the item should be added to the agenda before the end of the week.
SMMUSD board to vote on whether to hold bond measure election
At its meeting last Thursday, several Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education members voiced support for a possible bond measure election in November. A 20-year, $400 million bond has been proposed, with the money being used to modernize and repair the school district’s facilities. The board will vote on whether to hold the election at its July 27 meeting.
Man involved in Lunita/PCH death will not be charged
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed this week that the man who allegedly killed Van Nuys resident Christopher Kamsler on June 23 will not be charged. The man’s name was not released. Also, the Sheriff’s Department said Kamsler’s mother and her companion, who were allegedly beaten by Kamsler, were not severely injured. The names of the two people were also not released.
According to a report written by Sheriff’s Deputy Oscar Butao, on June 23 Kamsler was seen abusing his elderly mother and her friend at a turnout near Lunita Road and Pacific Coast Highway. The unnamed man observed the incident, according to the report, and rushed over to rescue the two elderly persons by putting Kamsler in a headlock. Kamsler shortly died after that. According to the Sheriff’s Department, the cause of his death is still unknown.
Cool cars return to Bluffs Park
Bluffs Park will host the second annual Malibu Concours by the Sea event on Sunday. The main event will be a car show, with more 100 cars from the turn of the 20th century to the present. But there will also be live jazz bands playing all day, a barbecue and activities for children.
Last year’s event raised $30,000 for local charities. This year, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station Booster Club. This event will begin at 9 a.m. Admission is $25 for adults and $10 for children under 12. For more information call 360.6900 or go to www.malibuconcours.com.
State health officer urges Californians to take precautions against plague
Summer visitors to rural picnic spots, campgrounds and wilderness areas should take precautions to protect themselves from plague, a disease carried by rodents, State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton said this week. “Individuals can greatly reduce their risk of becoming infected with plague by taking simple precautions, including avoiding contact with wild rodents,” said Horton in a press release. “Do not feed rodents in picnic or campground areas and never handle sick or dead rodents. Also, leave your pets at home when visiting rural areas.”
Plague is a highly infectious bacterial disease that is spread by squirrels, chipmunks and other wild rodents and their fleas. When an infected rodent becomes sick and dies, its fleas can carry the infection to other warm-blooded animals, including humans. People also can be exposed through contact with infected cats, which are highly susceptible to the disease.
Early symptoms of plague include high fever, chills, nausea, weakness and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin.
Individuals who develop these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. Plague is curable in its early stages with prompt diagnosis and proper treatment, but may be fatal if not treated.
The Malibu Arts Festival is back
The Malibu Chamber of Commerce will host the 35th annual Malibu Arts Festival on July 29 and 30 at the Malibu Civic Center. There will be more than 200 exhibits showcasing original art from all over California.
Each day will begin with the Optimist Club’s Pancake Breakfast at 9 a.m. and lunchtime caterers include The Sunset, Roy’s, D’Amores and others. There will also be live entertainment from six original musical artists and events for children
For more information on this free event, call 456.9025 or go to www.malibu.org.
Truck crash causes brush fire
A brush fire broke out at Malibu Creek State Park around midnight of July 15, and burned nearly five acres before firefighters were able to put it out. According to KCBS news, a man, whose name has not been disclosed, crashed his pickup truck and it burst into flames while he was illegally off-roading. It is still unknown if he will face charges.
-Heather Laird and Jonathan Friedman