Natalie Wood’s daughter arrested on drug and weapon charges
Malibu residents Courtney Wagner, 38, and Mathew Cox, 24, were arrested April 22 on drug and weapons charges after a gunshot was apparently fired at a residence in an unincorporated area of Malibu. Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a report of possible gunfire on the 24400 block of Piuma Road April 22 at around 4:20 p.m., according to a release from the sheriff’s station. When they arrived, deputies found Wagner and Cox at the home. As they investigated the reported incident, deputies “recovered several handguns and several baggies of what appeared to be narcotics at the location.”
Wagner was arrested for suspected possession of narcotics and Cox was arrested for suspicion of discharging a firearm in a negligent manner. Both were booked at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station and later released on bail bonds.
There were no injuries as a result of the suspected shooting and there are no outstanding suspects. The incident is still under investigation.
Wagner is the daughter of actors Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood, according to multiple reports.
Man slams into traffic pole
A man driving a Lexus SUV crashed into a traffic pole at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Las Flores Canyon Road shortly before noon Tuesday.
The driver, Fu Xue, a man who looked to be in his 20s, was speeding at the time of the crash but has not been arrested for any crimes related to the accident, Lt. Robert Ward said. Xue was driving northbound in the number two lane of Pacific Coast Highway when he veered to his right and into the traffic pole at a high rate of speed, in the process clipping another vehicle that was waiting to turn right onto Pacific Coast Highway from Las Flores. Xue had minor scrapes and was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures but no other injuries were reported.
Vera Janischova, a Malibu Times employee who was in the car that got clipped by Xue, said he came around the bend in Pacific Coast Highway by Duke’s Restaurant at a high speed.
“He flew through the intersection and I thought he was going to hit me,” Janischova said.
Xue’s car also smashed a large potted plant sitting in front of the power pole, strewing pieces of pottery and dirt in front of the entrance of Cosentino’s nursery.
Woman, 25, found dead in Malibu home
Homicide detectives are investigating details surrounding the death of 25-year-old Katie Wilkins, who was found unresponsive in a Malibu home on the 23400 block of Moon Shadows Drive Saturday night, according to Detective Gunner of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau.
The sheriff’s department announced Monday in a release that foul play is not suspected, and the investigation was ongoing.
Wilkins was found unresponsive by her brother around 6:30 p.m. in the home’s garage, and was pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department Paramedics. The victim’s car was reportedly missing from the scene.
An autopsy was conducted Monday by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. The final determination of cause of death is pending the results of toxicology testing, which could take a matter of weeks.
Actor Patrick Dempsey saves teen from car wreck
Malibu actor Patrick Dempsey rescued a teenage boy whose car had flipped several times in front of Dempsey’s home last Tuesday, according to multiple sources. According to the reports, the teen’s car was totaled and flipped on its roof, and Dempsey arrived with a crowbar and was able to pry the driver free. He also called paramedics and stayed with the victim until they arrived. The driver, 17-year-old Weston Masset, got a concussion in the crash.
According to People magazine, the driver recognized Dempsey and asked: “Are you famous?” To which the “Gray’s Anatomy” actor replied, “Yeah, I’m a doctor.”
Three arrested in major pot bust near Point Dume
Three men were arrested April 24 for attempting to unload hundreds of pounds of marijuana onto a Malibu beach, authorities said. Sgt. Stephanie Shrout said Los Angeles County lifeguards alerted the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s station of a suspicious boat just off the Latigo Beach shore last Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. After confirming that it was a panga boat (an open-air fishing boat frequently used by smugglers), sheriff’s deputies notified the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Following a failed attempt to escape, the suspects were arrested near Point Dume. Authorities were able to recover the panga boat, as well as 80 20-pound bales of marijuana. The suspects are reportedly Mexican nationals.
Cash mob boosts business, second event planned
Around 40 shoppers formed a “cash mob” Saturday which descended on local clothing store Pinnacle to boost the local business’ sales. The idea of a cash mob is to have a group of people spend money at a chosen business to stimulate the local economy. The only requirement for the weekend event, organized by local citizen group Preserve Malibu, was shoppers were asked to spend a minimum of $20 at the store. Pinnacle, which has been open since 1978, is co-owned by Jillian Rydell and Leslie Goldstein and located at the intersection of Kanan-Dume Road and Pacific Coast Highway.
After the success of the first cash mob event, the group will host another May 12. Participants will meet at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Trancas Canyon Road at 2 p.m. After shopping at the chosen local businesses, which will be announced the day of the event, shoppers will then move on to a local restaurant at 4 p.m.
According to a release from the group, this event is a “festival of shopping,” and will feature three local shops, all with cash mob discounts, as well as a local restaurant.
For more information, email PreserveMalibu@gmail.com or visit the Preserve Malibu’s Facebook page.
Malibu High seeks funding for field lights
Malibu High School has launched its “Bring on the Lights” campaign to raise funds to install permanent lights at the school’s athletic field, according to an email sent to parents by principal Mark O. Kelly.
In order for the lights to be installed next fall, the school needs to raise $600,000 by June 1, the email states. So far in the campaign, the school has raised more than $100,000.
In October, the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the City of Malibu’s Local Coastal Program to allow for limited use of field lights at night on the main sports field at the high school.
The move was controversial, with some community members saying night lights would disturb wildlife and ruin the rural feel of the area, while others believe the night lights are important for the school’s athletic programs and the high school experience of its students.
Assembly candidates to debate Saturday
Assembly district candidates Richard Bloom, Betsy Butler, Torie Osborn and Bradly S. Torgan will take the stage for a candidate forum Saturday at the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District headquarters in Santa Monica. Each of the candidates is vying for election in the 50th Assembly District, which includes Malibu. Torgan is a Republican and Bloom, Butler and Osborn are Democrats. The discussion will focus on public education, but candidates will also address other topics like children’s and women’s health issues
The forum takes place Saturday at the SMMUSD Board Room, 1651 16th St. in Santa Monica, at 10 a.m. For more information, call 310.720.8761.
Road construction closes one lane on Pacific Coast Highway
Road construction began Monday near the 22706 block of Pacific Coast Highway just south of the Malibu Pier and will require the closure of one lane of PCH until May 11. The construction is being done to make improvements to the curb, gutter and sidewalk area, according to the City of Malibu. The work is scheduled for weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until May 11.
Motorists are encouraged to plan for extra time, use caution when in the area and use alternate routes when possible. The bus stop at the location will remain operational during the construction.
Mother of the Year award nominations being accepted
Nominations are now being accepted for The Malibu Times Mother’s Day Contest, to find the winner of the 2012 Mother of the Year Rosie Award. To nominate a mom, explain in 250 words or less why she deserves the award. Winners will receive two bottles of wine from Trancas Vineyard, movie tickets for the whole family and dinner for two at BeauRivage Restaurant, among other prizes.
Entries must be received by May 14 and can be mailed to The Malibu Times Newspaper, Attn: B. Calandra, 3864 Las Flores Canyon Rd., faxed to 310.456.7926 or emailed to Barbara@malibutimes.com. For more information, see page B8.
City promotes youth-supporting businesses
The City of Malibu Harry Barovsky Memorial Youth Commission’s Youth Appreciates You (YAY) program recently announced its 2012 recognized YAY businesses, according to a release from the city. The businesses are the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu Teen Center, Drill Surf and Skate Shop, Point Pizza and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. The commission program recognizes and awards local businesses for contributions to the youth in Malibu.
Santa Monica City Council donates $250,000 to local education foundation
The Santa Monica City Council approved a $250,000 donation to the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation at its April 24 meeting, according to a release from the foundation
The donation from the City of Santa Monica will be used to help fund education arts, academic and athletic programs throughout the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
“The education foundation has worked to enhance the quality of public education in our community for 30 years, and the city is extremely supportive of the work they do,” Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom said.
The contribution marks the second half of the City of Santa Monica’s $500,000 pledge to support the education foundation.