Skeletal remains found in Malibu ravine
Human skeletal remains were found in a pickup truck last Thursday afternoon in a Malibu ravine below the 4400 block of Encinal Canyon Road, the Los Angeles Times reports. The remains were found around 2 p.m. after a local resident spotted the truck and reported it to the authorities.
According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office, the remains were 200 to 300 feet down into the ravine in heavy brush.
The vehicle’s license plates were intact, and identification was recovered from the vehicle. However, coroner investigators are working to positively identify the remains, Ed Winter, assistant chief to the coroner’s office, said Tuesday.
Santa Monica teacher files appeal to block release of records
A Santa Monica High School math teacher has filed an appeal to block the release of his personnel records March 18, the Santa Monica Daily Press reports.
The male teacher had violated the school’s sexual harassment policy as a result of conduct with a 13-year-old female student. The sort of conduct remains unknown, but the girl reportedly left SAMOHI and now attends school abroad.
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District was ordered to release the records by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ruth Kwan earlier this month. Judge Kwan felt the public’s right to knowledge of the situation outweighed the teacher’s right to privacy, according to the article.
Judge Kwan told the SMMUSD to keep the record sealed until the teacher’s appeal is heard, which could take up to a year, despite Superintendent Tim Cuneo’s preparedness to release the records to parents.
More than 140 people signed a letter disapproving of the SMMUSD’s handling of the case, citing their right to information about it. Additionally, Michael Chwe, a parent of two SAMOHI students, filed a California Public Records Act Request in December in order to learn more about the incident.
The teacher’s appeal was filed during the school district’s response to the request, halting the release of the information.
Judge Kwan reportedly stated that the teacher’s violation of the sexual harassment policy was at the “lower end of the spectrum,” but maintained parents have the right to be informed of the situation.
Richard Schwab, the teacher’s attorney, said the charges were on the lowest possible level and called them “trivial.”
The district’s sexual harassment policy ranges from making inappropriate jokes to unwanted sexual advances.
Malibu Lumber Yard hosts fundraiser for Japan
The Malibu Lumber Yard and the Real Medicine Foundation host “From Our Ocean to Theirs,” a relief benefit for Japan Saturday. The event will feature live music, food, shopping and art. Performing artists include Max G, Jordan Seah, The James Burnett Band, among many others. Event supporters include Malibu High School and the Boys & Girls Club Malibu, in addition to many of the area’s vendors. All donations go to benefit the Japan relief efforts of the Real Medicine Foundation. The event will take place April 2, at the Malibu Lumber Yard, 3939 Cross Creek Rd., at 11 a.m.
DUI checkpoint planned
The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s station will be conducting a DUI/driver’s license checkpoint in the City of Malibu between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Friday, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Department.
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its ongoing campaign to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol involved crashes,” the release states. “DUI checkpoints are conducted to identify offenders and get them off the street, as well as bring awareness to our community of the dangers of impaired driving.”
Highway markings restenciled on Pacific Coast Highway
Recently Caltrans, in an effort to enhance and optimize Pacific Coast Highway safety, restenciled many highway crosswalk and intersection markings, including at John Tyler Drive.