Pepperdine chaplain found dead on beach
Pepperdine Athletic Chaplain Maurice Hilliard was found dead Monday morning on the beach around the 26000 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Officials attempted to administer CPR, but Hilliard was pronounced dead at the scene. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department homicide unit is handling the investigation, but no foul play is believed to be involved.
Hilliard began working at Pepperdine in 2001. In addition to serving as the university’s athletic chaplain, he had also been assistant women’s basketball coach, the men’s basketball director of operations and an academic coordinator. He also served as program director for Pepperdine’s Boone Center for the Family since 2010.
Hilliard recently published a book called “The Price of a Pearl,” which discusses what he learned through teaching, coaching and mentoring young adults.
Hilliard, a Los Angeles native, graduated from Kennedy High School in Granada Hills and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of La Verne and a master’s of divinity in apologetics from Biola University.
“We are saddened to learn that Maurice Hilliard, our university athletic chaplain and program director at the Boone Center for the Family, died earlier today,” Pepperdine University President Andrew K. Benton said in a Monday press release. “Maurice touched the lives of so many of us at Pepperdine, especially our athletes who looked up to Maurice as a friend, counselor and mentor. He will be greatly missed.”
Man dies in kite surfing accident
A 28-year-old man died after a kite surfing accident at Topanga State Beach Monday around 6:15 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
A lifeguard was watching two kitesurfers when one of them appeared to be struggling. The kite soon went into the water and then became airborne again a short time later, but the surfer could not be seen. The lifeguard paddled out to find the surfer face down in the water. He was brought to shore, where CPR was performed, then transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
‘Kill Bill’ actor arrested at Malibu home
Actor Michael Madsen was booked and charged for cruelty to a child Friday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The 54-year-old actor was taken into custody at 2:15 p.m. at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station after allegedly abusing his teenage son.
Sheriff’s department reports indicate Madsen had been drinking at the time of the arrest. Madsen’s teenage son did not require medical attention and the actor has since been released after posting a $100,000 bail. Special Investigations Bureau detectives are currently looking into the allegations.
Madsen is known for appearing in Quentin Tarantino films “Kill Bill” and “Reservoir Dogs.”
Man arrested at Malibu construction site
A man was arrested early Tuesday morning after barricading himself in a house under construction following a dispute with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, according to a report by City News Service. The suspect was arrested around 3:10 a.m. on Cliffside Drive on Point Dume. Further details of the arrest have not yet been released.
Attempted murder in Calabasas
A Calabasas resident was arrested last Thursday morning for attempted murder after allegedly shooting a 50-year-old man at the 23700 block of Mulholland Highway, according to the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. Deputies responded to a call of a possible gunshot victim at the location and arrived to find the male victim with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to his neck. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and the suspect, a 57-year-old white male, was taken into custody and booked at the Malibu/Lost Hills sheriff’s station for attempted murder. He is being held on the charge and his bail is set at $500,000. The sheriff’s department indicated that the incident appeared to be related to a domestic dispute and there are no outstanding suspects.
Point Dume group hosting candidate forum
The Point Dume Community Association is sponsoring a Malibu City Council candidates forum March 21. At the discussion, candidates will answer questions relating to community interest submitted by the audience. The City Council election is April 10.
The forum is taking place Wednesday at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School, 6955 Fernhill Dr., at 6:45 p.m.
For more information, visit pointdume.org.
Grant fund applications due March 30
Applications for the City of Malibu’s General Fund Grants program for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 are being accepted until March 30.
General Fund Grants are given by the city to nonprofit organizations in Malibu that provide benefit services to the community.
Applications are available online at the city’s website (malibucity.org) and must be delivered to Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., by mail or in person by Fri., March 30. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.
For more information, contact Miriam Woodrow in the finance department at 310.456.2489 x248.
City to celebrate surfer statue
The City of Malibu is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the bronze surfer statue at Legacy Park, Wed., March 21, at noon. The 1,350-pound statue is dedicated to Surfrider Beach, which was recently named the first World Surfing Reserve. The beach was dedicated by World Surfing Reserves, a nonprofit organization that focuses on preserving and protecting surf spots.
For more information call 310.456.2489 ext. 247.
City hosting discussion on home toxins
The City of Malibu is hosting “Healthy Homes: A Better Standard for Green Living and Healthy Remodel Conversations,” a panel discussion about the dangers of environmental and construction material toxins found in homes and buildings, March 22 at City Hall, according to a release from the city.
The panel, moderated by city Environmental and Building Safety Division manager Craig George, includes speakers Connie Barker, Lyne Hethrington, Larry Gust, Michael Francis and Douglas Busch.
The panel will discuss the Healthy Home Standard for Conventional Construction from the International Institute for Building Biology and Ecology, Inc., the health-focused standard for sustainable building design, testing and certification.
The panel discussion is taking place next Thursday, at Malibu City Hall, 23825 Stuart Ranch Rd., at 6 p.m. For more information, call 310.456.