Man killed, son injured in hit-and-run on PCH
Rodrigo Fernando Armas, 45, was killed and his 14-year-old son severely injured early Sunday morning when a car struck them while riding their bicycles in an organized race on Pacific Coast Highway. Armas and his son are from the Tehachapi area, according to Lost Hills/Malibu Sheriff’s officials.
Robert Sanchez of Santa Monica was arrested after he fled the scene in a van, and then on foot after he left his vehicle on the side of the road, a Sheriff’s detective said. Sanchez faces possible charges of felony vehicular manslaughter, hit and run, and driving while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Detectives investigating the case are awaiting toxicology reports.
At around 1:30 a.m., as Armas and his son were riding their bicycles along Pacific Coast Highway, Sanchez had crossed over the highway’s dividing line, according to detectives, and first struck the 14-year-old boy from behind, causing extensive leg injuries, and then struck his father, killing him. Armas and his son were on the last leg of an annual 200-mile race that begins and ends in Malibu.
Detectives said the bikes were properly outfitted with lights for night riding.
According to the Ventura County Star newspaper, which quoted Lost Hills Sheriff’s Lt. Scott Chew, Sanchez is a records clerk for the City of Malibu.
Armas was a Los Angeles County deputy probation officer. He is survived by his wife, Shelly, his 14-year-old son and two daughters, ages 9 and 12.
Malibu Stage announces 2009-2010 subscription season
Malibu Stage Repertory will present its first subscription season of three Pulitzer Prize winning plays and a musical for the Malibu Stage Company beginning in 2009 through May of 2010. Season subscriptions are on sale now by phone through the theater box office and will be available through Oct. 4 at the price of $90 each, a savings of $20 over regular ticket prices (if all four shows are purchased separately).
“The excitement over what is happening at Malibu Stage Company is palpable,” Malibu Stage Chairman Geoff Ortiz said. “Thanks to the herculean efforts of our many repertory members and board members, and the support of our patrons, we are finally able to commit to, and put up our first subscription season of four fantastic plays, including a musical. We are thrilled to have reached this milestone in our growth and are looking forward to many more, with the help of our public and the community of Malibu.”
The following plays will be presented throughout the season: “Proof” by David Auburn, opening Sept. 11; the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts, opening Oct. 30; Edward Albee’s “Three Tall Women,” opening Feb. 12; and “How I Learned to Drive” by Paula Vogel, which opens April 30, 2010.
Rick Johnson, artistic director of Malibu Stage Repertory and an MSC board member, said, “We selected these plays not only because they are critically-acclaimed Pulitzer Prize winners, but also because each one of them, including the musical, has the ability to make audiences laugh at real life situations. Each is unique and different from the others, and yet all four shows have great depth and meaning, and they all embrace the humor of life.”
Season subscriptions are available by calling the Malibu Stage Company box office at 310.589.1998.
Phase II of city’s plastic bag ban in effect
The City of Malibu’s ban on plastic bags entered Phase II of its implementation on June 27, when all retail and commercial establishments, vendors and nonprofit vendors were required to begin complying. Grocery stores, food vendors, pharmacies, restaurants and city facilities were subject to the restrictions as of December 2008.
On May 27, 2008, the City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance banning the point-of-sale distribution of both noncompostable and compostable plastic shopping bags. This followed the council’s previous implementation of a ban on polystyrene food containers in 2005.
According to Jennifer Voccola, the city’s Environmental Programs Coordinator, fewer than 5 percent of plastic bags are ever recycled, ultimately breaking down into small particles that enter soil, water and, eventually, the food chain. Discarded bags often end up in creeks and the ocean where they can be deadly to marine wildlife that mistake them for food or become entangled in the trash.
Local broadcasters appointed to hall of fame
The Associated Press Radio and Television Association has selected the following legendary broadcasters for its first-ever hall of fame: Vin Scully, sports broadcaster; John Madden, sports broadcaster; Stan Chambers, television reporter, KTLA/CW-TV, Los Angeles; Al Hart, radio and television anchor, KCBS, San Francisco; Dave McElhatton, radio and television anchor, KPIX-TV, San Francisco; Don Sharp, operations manager, KPIX-TV, San Francisco; and Ruth Ashton Taylor, television reporter, KCBS-TV, Los Angeles.
City honored for Cross Creek Road improvements project
The City of Malibu’s Cross Creek Road Improvements Project received honorable mention this week for the Furthering the Regional Vision Award at the Southern California Association of Government’s 3rd Annual Compass Blueprint Recognition Awards Luncheon.
The Cross Creek project, completed in Fall 2008, included numerous environmental features, such as permeable pavers in the walkways that allow water to soak through into the soil below, drought-tolerant landscaping and recycled water piping and irrigation systems. Safety features included additional street parking with handicap designated parking stalls, as well as walkways that utilize offset colored pavers to increase pedestrian visibility. Personalized tiles purchased by residents to benefit the City’s Legacy Park Project provide a community-inspired highlight to the walkways.
SCAG, a regional organization representing 187 cities and 6 counties throughout Southern California, created the Compass Blueprint Awards to recognize municipalities and/or developers for projects that demonstrate excellence and achievement in the four key elements of Compass Blueprint planning: Livability, Mobility, Prosperity and Sustainability.
“The City is honored to be recognized by SCAG,” stated Malibu Mayor Andy Stern. “The Cross Creek Road project exemplifies Malibu’s commitment to protect the local environment and it set an important precedent for sustainable development in our region.”
Brian Williams, SCAG’s Director of Government, Public and Regional Affairs, will attend the Malibu City Council meeting on July 27to formally present the award to the City.
-Laura Tate