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Agoura Animal Shelter Pet of the Week, Meet Mami: Thursday, September 11

By
The Malibu Times
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Meet Mami!

Mami, A5696008, is ready for some “me time.” With her puppies happily adopted, it’s now Mami’s turn to find a loving forever home. Initially shy and reserved, she has blossomed with care and attention. This high-energy girl delights in treats, toys and playful adventures. Gentle and affectionate, Mami is looking for a stable, trusting adult home where she can feel safe, loved and cherished.

Care Center Hours:
Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed* on Sunday and holidays

29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
agoura@animalcare.lacounty.gov

Fraser Bohm denied bail reduction

By
Judy Abel
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Fraser Michael Bohm (left) and defense attorney Alan Jackson (second from left) exit the Van Nuys Courthouse after a pretrial hearing Sept. 5. Jackson said Bohm’s bail should be reduced because Bohm’s family’s assets should factor into the amount. Photo by Tony Gleason of Pepperdine University Graphic

Defense asks for a reduction from $4 million to $2 million for charges in crash that led to deaths of four Pepperdine students

Fraser Michael Bohm returned to a packed courtroom in Van Nuys on Sept. 5. The 23-year-old is charged with four counts of murder and four counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence following the Oct. 17, 2023, crash on Pacific Coast Highway that led to the deaths of Pepperdine seniors Deslyn Williams, Asha Weir, Niamh Rolston, and Peyton Stewart. The four sorority sisters were killed when Bohm, allegedly speeding, lost control of his BMW and, according to court filings, sideswiped a parked car, jumped the curb, and careened into where the young women were walking, killing them instantly.

Bohm entered Superior Court on Friday morning flanked by his defense team. Bohm recently replaced attorney Michael Kraut with Alan Jackson, whose client roster includes Hollywood actors, NBA athletes, and corporate CEOs. Jackson is the former Los Angeles district attorney who successfully prosecuted music producer Phil Spector on murder charges and earlier this year won an acquittal for accused murderer Karen Read in a highly-publicized Massachusetts case. Bohm was joined by his family and many supporters. The courtroom was also filled with victims’ family members and friends from the Pepperdine community.

Bohm spoke little at the pretrial hearing, but under questioning by Judge Thomas Rubinson, who will preside over his trial, waived his right to a speedy trial.

At the pretrial hearing, Rubinson denied a defense motion requesting a bail reduction from $4 million to $2 million. Jackson argued that his client’s family had sold their home and drained their finances in order to mount a defense and make bail. Jackson did not request any concessions beyond the bail reduction, meaning Bohm’s passport would remain confiscated and he would remain without driving privileges. In response, prosecutor Nathan Bartos argued that the initial $8 million bond had already been reduced to $4 million and its posting demonstrated that Bohm was capable of raising the necessary funds. Rubinson remarked, “There are many, many defendants sitting in the county jail right now who would love me to reduce their bail so they can hire Alan Jackson or other private counsel. That’s not the way it works.” That comment elicited some laughter in the courtroom. Rubinson argued that Bohm was free to hire another lawyer or use a court-appointed public defender. 

According to public records, Bohm’s family’s Big Rock home was listed for sale in June 2023 for close to $10 million. It was eventually sold in February 2024 for $7.25 million.

The prosecution and defense lawyers are still working out some discovery issues, including getting access to Bohm’s phone to scan it for any calls or texts leading up to the deadly collision. Both sides have indicated that Bohm was not driving under the influence of alcohol.

Bohm’s first attorney, Michael Kraut, claimed Bohm was the victim of road rage and that his car was clipped by another speeding driver. Kraut also argued that Bohm should not face murder charges when other recent fatal crashes on Pacific Coast Highway involving alleged alcohol abuse did not result in murder charges, such as the July 4, 2024, case involving Summer Wheaton. Wheaton faces vehicular manslaughter and DUI charges stemming from a head-on collision that occurred shortly after the closing of the Red White and Bootsy party at Nobu Malibu, resulting in the death of rideshare driver Martin Okeke.

In court filings, Kraut cited other “dry cases” where the accused driver was not charged with murder. Prosecutors responded that “during the last five years, the People have charged murder in traffic fatalities 39 times where there was no evidence of DUI. In an additional 19 cases, murder was charged in circumstances where DUI was suspected, but there was insufficient evidence of intoxication, however evidence of implied malice existed. Thus, in 48 [sic] cases in the last 5 years the prosecution has filed murder charges arising out of traffic fatalities.” The defense’s motion to dismiss the murder charges on this basis was denied by Judge Diego Edber in March.

Bohm has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The next court date is set for Oct. 8. 

Tragic Assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk

By
Hayley Mattson
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Sparks national outcry and bipartisan condemnation

In a shocking act of violence that has reverberated across the political landscape, Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative voice, was fatally shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on Wednesday afternoon. The incident, described by authorities as a targeted political assassination, unfolded just 20 minutes into Kirk’s presentation, drawing immediate responses from world leaders. As the nation grapples with the loss of a key figure in youth conservatism, a manhunt for the shooter continues.

President Trump, a longtime ally of Kirk, broke the news in a poignant post on Truth Social at 1:40 p.m. PDT, confirming the activist’s death. “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife, Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Trump’s announcement was swiftly followed by a presidential proclamation ordering all American flags to be lowered to half-staff nationwide until Sunday evening at 6 p.m. “In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to half-mast,” he stated. The White House flag was immediately lowered, a gesture echoed at federal buildings and embassies worldwide. This somber directive highlights Kirk’s profound impact on the conservative movement and the Trump administration’s inner circle.

Turning Point USA, the nonprofit Kirk co-founded in 2012, issued a brief but emotional statement to NBC News confirming the tragedy. “We ask that everyone keep his family and loved ones in your prayers,” the organization said. “We ask that you please respect their privacy and dignity at this time.” Kirk, a husband and father of two young children, leaves behind a legacy of mobilizing Generation Z voters for Republican causes, particularly during Trump’s 2024 reelection campaign.

Who Was Charlie Kirk?

Born on Oct. 14, 1993, in the Chicago suburbs, Charles James Kirk rose to prominence as a teenage conservative activist. Dropping out of community college to pursue his passion, he established Turning Point USA at just 18 years old. The organization quickly grew into a powerhouse, with chapters on hundreds of high school and college campuses nationwide, promoting free-market principles, limited government, and traditional values. Kirk’s approach was hands-on and confrontational: He hosted “Prove Me Wrong” tables at universities, inviting critics to debate him directly on hot-button issues like abortion, gun rights, and immigration. These sessions often went viral, amassing millions of views and solidifying his reputation as a fearless debater rooted in Christian conservative beliefs.

Kirk’s influence extended far beyond campuses. He became a staunch supporter of Trump, speaking at the 2024 Republican National Convention just days after an attempted assassination on the president in Pennsylvania. Trump frequently praised Kirk’s efforts, calling him a “genius” for engaging young people. Kirk hosted the popular podcast The Charlie Kirk Show, which reached millions weekly, dissecting current events through a conservative lens. His “American Comeback Tour,” which kicked off at Utah Valley University (UVU), aimed to counter what he described as “left-wing indoctrination” in academia and reclaim free speech for conservative students.

At the time of his death, Kirk was at the peak of his influence. The tour’s first stop in Orem drew an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 attendees, many of them students from UVU, Utah’s largest public university with nearly 47,000 enrolled. Kirk arrived on campus around 11:52 a.m., tweeting excitedly: “WE. ARE. SO. BACK. Utah Valley University is FIRED UP and READY for the first stop back on the American Comeback Tour.” The event featured his signature “Prove Me Wrong” format, where he fielded questions from the crowd.

The Shooting: A Moment of Irony and Horror

The presentation began at noon in the Sorensen Center courtyard under clear skies. Kirk, seated at a table flanked by security, was engaging the audience with his trademark energy, tossing hats to cheering supporters. About 20 minutes in, as he answered a question from a spectator on “shootings and transgender shooters”— a topic Kirk had frequently addressed in his talks — a single gunshot shattered the atmosphere.

Eyewitness accounts and graphic videos, now circulating widely on social media from multiple angles, capture the harrowing moment. Kirk recoiled violently, clutching his neck as blood poured from the wound. He collapsed backward off his chair, prompting screams and chaos as the crowd dispersed in panic. “As soon as I saw Charlie go back, you realize that it was a shot,” former Rep. Jason Chaffetz, who attended with family, told Fox News. “It wasn’t as if there was a whole bunch of gunfire. It was one shot.” Deseret News reporters Emma Pitts and Eva Terry, covering the event, described the “terrible irony” of the timing, with Kirk discussing mass shootings moments before becoming a victim himself.

Kirk’s private security team rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries en route. He was the only casualty, underscoring the precision of the attack. UVU Chief of Police Jeff Long noted that six campus officers, including plainclothes personnel, were on duty, but the shooter struck from a distance.

The Investigation: Confusion, Detentions, and a Widening Manhunt

Chaos ensued immediately after the shot. An older man in the crowd was detained by police, believed to be the suspect based on initial witness descriptions. However, it was quickly determined he was not involved; George Zinn, 62, was booked on charges of obstruction of justice for allegedly impeding the response. Videos of his arrest spread online, adding to the confusion.

By 3:30 p.m. PDT, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: “The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody. Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with @fbi. We will provide updates when able.” Yet, reports from NBC News at 3:31 p.m. painted a murkier picture. Utah Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason told reporters: “There was one shot fired, and one victim, while the suspect is at large. I believe this was a targeted attack towards one individual.”

Mason clarified that CCTV footage showed the shooter dressed in all-dark clothing, firing from approximately 200 feet away — possibly from a rooftop. “We do have that we’re analyzing it, but it is security camera footage, so you can kind of guess what the quality of that is,” he said. “We do know dressed in all dark clothing, we don’t have much better description.” A senior FBI official later told NBC News that the person of interest referenced by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox was the same individual Patel mentioned, and authorities were “confident this is the shooter.” However, as of late Wednesday, conflicting statements persisted, with Cox noting a separate person was being interviewed — not Zinn.

The FBI’s Salt Lake City field office established a digital media tip line at tips.fbi.gov/digitalmedia/f4507712a3b2893, urging the public to submit photos, videos, or information. SWAT teams scoured the campus and surrounding neighborhoods, knocking on doors and showing suspect photos to residents. The weapon, a high-powered bolt-action rifle, was recovered nearby. UVU canceled classes through Monday, directing students to evacuate and setting up a pickup site for lost items at the Young Living Alumni Center. The campus, a sprawling 537-acre site, remained a massive crime scene.

Gov. Cox, a Republican, addressed the media somberly, calling it a “dark day for our state” and a “political assassination.” He emphasized Kirk’s role as a “husband and dad” and condemned rising political violence, appealing to those celebrating the death to “look in the mirror.” The investigation, co-led by the FBI and Utah Department of Public Safety, promises swift justice, with Cox reminding the public that Utah retains the death penalty.

Bipartisan Mourning: Newsom’s Statement and National Response

The assassination transcended party lines, eliciting condemnations from across the spectrum. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted condolences, while First Lady Melania Trump posted: “Charlie Kirk’s life should serve as a symbolic reminder that compassionate awareness elevates family, love, and…” Conservative figures like podcaster Jack Posobiec vowed to continue Kirk’s movement, saying, “The movement that Charlie Kirk built… will never stop, because the movement is built on truth.”

In a cross-aisle gesture, Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent ideological foe of Kirk’s, issued a statement late Wednesday expressing profound grief and calling for unity. “We should all feel a deep sense of grief and outrage at the terrible violence that took place in Utah today,” Newsom said. “Charlie Kirk’s murder is sick and reprehensible, and our thoughts are with his family, children, and loved ones.

“I knew Charlie, and I admired his passion and commitment to debate,” he continued, acknowledging their personal acquaintance despite political differences. “His senseless murder is a reminder of how important it is for all of us, across the political spectrum, to foster genuine discourse on issues that deeply affect us all without resorting to political violence.

“The best way to honor Charlie’s memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse,” Newsom urged. “In a democracy, ideas are tested through words and good-faith debate — never through violence. Honest disagreement makes us stronger; violence only drives us further apart and corrodes the values at the heart of this nation.”

Newsom’s words, highlighted a rare moment of consensus amid national division. Other Democrats, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, echoed the sentiment, posting prayers for Kirk’s family. makeshift memorials sprang up at Turning Point USA’s Phoenix headquarters and UVU’s campus, with flowers and notes reading “Prove Us Wrong No More.”

Waves of Flags Returns to Pepperdine as a moving tribute to 9/11 victims

By
Hayley Mattson
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Nearly 3,000 flags fill Alumni Park in Malibu, honoring the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001

The rolling green hills overlooking Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus are once again awash in red, white, and blue, serving as a solemn reminder of the lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001. The annual Waves of Flags display transforms Alumni Park into a sweeping tribute, commemorating the 2,977 victims of the terrorist attacks while offering a space for reflection and remembrance.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, members of the Pepperdine and Malibu community planted nearly 3,000 flags, each representing a life lost that fateful day. The display also includes international flags to honor the citizens of other nations who perished in the attacks. This year, the installation welcomed Seaver alumnus John Bossler (‘80), a 9/11 survivor who emerged from the World Trade Center’s Tower One just moments after the first plane struck, to plant the first flag. Bossler, who has volunteered with the university annually for the Waves of Flags, described the ritual as both personally healing and a meaningful opportunity to create space for others to reflect.

“The Waves of Flags display is not just a visual tribute—it’s an invitation to pause and remember the human lives behind the headlines,” said Bossler in a statement.

Pepperdine’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11, at Alumni Park. Actor Dennis Quaid, known for narrating the documentary Twin Towers: Legacy and supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, will deliver the keynote address as the distinguished honoree. Remarks will also be offered by Pepperdine President Jim Gash (JD ’93) and Chancellor Sara Young Jackson (’74), alongside reflections and readings by other members of the university community. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for seating and to visit the Reflection Station, where they can write messages on “We Remember” cards and attach them to any flagpole.

Faculty and students alike emphasize the importance of this annual ritual for preserving collective memory. Loretta Hunnicutt, professor of history at Seaver College, explained that the attacks of Sept. 11 marked a profound shift in American values and continue to shape contemporary culture. “With Pepperdine’s Waves of Flags ceremony, we honor the innocent lives who, in a sense, became martyrs for American values,” Hunnicutt said in a statement. “The targets of these attacks — the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the Capitol — symbolize commerce, military service, and democracy. Out of grief, unity emerged, and the message that we can rise above adversity continues to endure.”

The display also resonates deeply with student veterans. Kleo Edgell, a U.S. Air Force veteran and Pepperdine graduate student, recalls being only five years old on 9/11, yet the event influenced her decision to serve, following a family legacy of military service. “Each flag represents a life, a family, and a story that still matters,” Edgell said. “Remembering is more than looking back — it is taking responsibility to carry those stories forward.”

Since its inception in 2008, the Waves of Flags has become a beloved Pepperdine tradition. More than 300 volunteers, including students, faculty, and staff, participate annually in raising the flags on the Malibu campus, located at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road. The installation remains on display through Sept. 26, when volunteers lower the flags in a closing ceremony. Visitors are encouraged to walk among the flags and reflect on the lives commemorated.

In addition to the Waves of Flags, Pepperdine is home to the Thomas E. Burnett, Jr., Heroes Garden, a permanent tribute to those who lived heroic lives, including Burnett, a Graziadio Business School alumnus and passenger on United Flight 93. Burnett and other passengers attempted to thwart the hijackers’ plans, sacrificing their lives in a heroic act of courage. A plaque in the garden reads: “Dedicated to freedom’s heroes of September 11, 2001, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, among them Pepperdine alumnus Thomas E. Burnett, Jr., who sacrificed their lives to overcome terrorists’ intent on destroying American lives and landmarks in our nation’s capital. We shall never forget.”

The Waves of Flags and the Heroes Garden together provide a space for remembrance, reflection, and education. Through these traditions, Pepperdine ensures that the lessons and legacies of Sept. 11 endure for future generations.

For more information on Pepperdine’s annual 9/11 commemoration visit pepperdine.edu/waves-of-flags.

Agoura Animal Shelter Pet of the Week, Meet Leo: Thursday, September 4

By
The Malibu Times
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Meet Leo, a handsome 2-year-old German Shepherd who’s been waiting patiently for his forever home since May. This active boy loves spending time in the playgroup on Tuesdays, where he gets to socialize with the other big dogs. He’s a tennis ball, stuffed animal, and pool enthusiast, and he’d be a great addition to any family with or without a large dog sibling.

Care Center Hours:
Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed* on Sunday and holidays

29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
agoura@animalcare.lacounty.gov

Lane Closures on PCH and Topanga Canyon Blvd. Sept. 2–5

By
The Malibu Times
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0

Motorists should plan for ongoing lane closures along Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard this week as crews continue emergency repairs following the Palisades Fire. While no closures are scheduled over the Labor Day holiday weekend, active work zones and reduced speed limits will resume Tuesday, Sept. 2, and continue through Friday, Sept. 5.

Pacific Coast Highway (Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace)

Current Conditions:

  • McClure Tunnel to Temescal Canyon Road: Open with 45 mph speed limit.
  • Temescal Canyon Road to Sunset Boulevard: Reduced to 35 mph with cones and signage.
  • Sunset Boulevard to Carbon Beach Terrace: Active work zone, single-lane closures, 25 mph.

Potential Lane Closures in Active Work Zones:

  • Ventura County Line to Carbon Beach Terrace:
    • Trancas Canyon Road to Guernsey Avenue and Corral Canyon Road Bridge repairs may see nighttime closures.
  • South of Las Flores Canyon Road to Sunset Boulevard:
    • Fire-damaged roadway, drainage, electrical, and slope repairs may require lane closures from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Just south of Big Rock Drive:
    • Temporary striping and cement barrier installation reduce lanes to one in each direction from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday and Friday.
  • Big Rock Drive to Topanga Canyon Boulevard:
    • Southern California Edison trenching closes northbound outer lane and shoulder from 4 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays and 4 a.m.–4 p.m. weekends.
  • Topanga Canyon Boulevard Intersection:
    • Rock mitigation repairs close one northbound lane from 6 a.m.–3 p.m. weekdays.

State Route 27 (Topanga Canyon Boulevard, PCH to Grand View Drive)

  • Closed to the public from midnight–5 a.m. daily.
  • One-way traffic with a pilot car from postmile 2.1–2.8 for emergency Caltrans work, 5 a.m.–midnight daily.
  • One-way traffic control for SCE trenching from postmile 3.4–4.2, 5 a.m.–midnight daily.

Authorities urge drivers to exercise caution, follow signage, and allow extra travel time while crews continue fire recovery and infrastructure repairs along these critical coastal routes.

Update: Carjacking and kidnapping crash injures three children and elderly Couple

By
Judy Abel
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Carjacking Crash Injures Three Children and Elderly Couple along PCH

Three children ages 2,7, and 9 plus an 80-year old male driver and an elderly female passenger were hurt Friday evening after a dramatic police pursuit ended in a multi-car crash in Malibu. The bizarre and dangerous incident started late Friday afternoon in East Los Angeles when a male suspect carjacked an idling vehicle at a 7-11 convenience store. It’s unclear if the carjacker knew that the three children were in the car, the two-year-old still strapped in a car seat. 

The suspect took off in the car and drove some 30 miles toward Malibu, ending up on Pacific Coast Highway driving at high speed with law enforcement on his tail and police helicopters following overhead. Police officers did not perform a PIT maneuver on the fleeing vehicle because they knew there were youngsters in the car. However, CHP did throw a spike strip onto the roadway in an effort to slow down the vehicle. The pursuit nearly came to an end when the suspect got to the intersection of PCH and Kanan. He blew through a red light, T-boning a car making a left turn from Kanan onto PCH, lost control of the stolen car, and slammed into several vehicles before crashing into a hillside. The suspect then leapt out of the car, leaving the children behind, and ran on foot toward Point Dume and Portshead Rd. where he unsuccessfully attempted to hijack another car. The unidentified carjacker discarded some of his clothing, scaled fences, including a barbed wire fence, and ran across a field barefoot before finally being captured by police on scene. 

Witnesses who had run out of nearby businesses say the children were crying and looked scared but were quickly whisked out of the vehicle by the waiting law enforcement and into ambulances. The children are said to have moderate to minor injuries. The 80-year old male driver of a Lexus was said to be seriously hurt after his car was struck. All the victims were taken to UCLA Medical Center, one by helicopter. 

The intersection of PCH and Kanan was closed from around 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Traffic signal at Guernsey stays

By
Judy Abel
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Caltrans hears from Malibu supporters of safety on Pacific Coast Highway

Believe it or not, there was a time in Malibu, not too long ago, when many of the city’s residents abhorred the idea of adding more traffic signals to Pacific Coast Highway. Those in opposition to traffic lights claimed abrupt braking before the signals would lead to more traffic accidents and would slow their commute times on the busy highway. But with renewed calls for safety on the deadly highway that has claimed 61 lives since 2010 and due to scores of other accidents with injuries there’s a growing urgency to make whatever changes are necessary, no matter how inconvenient, in furtherance of greater safety to pedestrians and drivers.

Caltrans, the state agency that facilitates Malibu’s thoroughfare, PCH, heard loud and clear from residents and city officials who pleaded to make a temporary stoplight at Guernsey Avenue and PCH permanent. On Monday, Aug. 25, Caltrans Public Affairs Alisa Almanzan issued this statement to The Malibu Times: “At Caltrans, safety is paramount to make Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) safer for all road users. We are working expeditiously to restore the crosswalk and traffic signals while we conduct the required engineering evaluations to identify the appropriate traffic control measures at this location. We anticipate the traffic signals will be operational this Saturday, (sic) Aug. 23. The restoration of the crosswalk delineation is currently planned for Thursday, Aug. 28. 

“The traffic signal at the Guernsey Ave. intersection with PCH was a temporary measure while Caltrans worked to replace the Trancas Creek Bridge. As the construction phase for this project is nearing completion, the signal and crosswalk were scheduled to be removed.

We value the partnership with the city of Malibu and look forward to our continued collaboration on this and other important matters on PCH.”

As of Tuesday, Aug. 26, the traffic signal and crosswalk were operational, allowing pedestrians to make a safer passage across PCH from Zuma Beach.

The City of Malibu urged Caltrans to make the Guernsey Avenue signal permanent in a social media post:

“The City of Malibu has heard from many community members who value the temporary traffic signal at Guernsey Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway for improving safety and access to Zuma Beach. The signal was originally installed by Caltrans during the Trancas Bridge replacement project to provide safe passage for pedestrians and cyclists during construction, and was scheduled for removal once the project was completed. The project was recently completed, but in response to community requests, the City requested that Caltrans delay removal of the signal. The City is now working closely with Caltrans to evaluate possible solutions and the steps needed to determine if the signal can be made permanent. We will keep the community updated.”

A vocal proponent of safety measures on the highway, Malibu City Councilmember Haylynn Conrad, earlier told supporters of the light and crosswalk, “This is not just about one traffic light. It is about a broken system on this state highway … This is about an elected official and mother in the city of Malibu that just has been ravaged by a historic fire who is angry and exhausted by the government and this one traffic signal will be that very symptom that illustrates a much bigger issue in this city and state. Malibu residents and Malibu’s elected officials are ignored again and again. The world sees us shouting at City Hall meetings and at our wits’ end, but they never see the process that drives us there. There’s a process of a thousand papercuts and it’s decisions like this are exactly what push people past their limits. 

“I have received more than a dozen emails from outraged residents about something as simple as this. ‘Just leave the light — simple: LEAVE THE LIGHT. This will be the simplest thing you do today — leave the light.’

“That stretch is a drag strip, a straight shot where people rev their engines at the light and launch full speed next to a middle and high school where kids are surfing steps away.”

Conrad suggested more constructive meetings with Caltrans on safety issues. “Residents are traumatized and exhausted,” she said. “We are tired of being dictated to by outside agencies that do not live here and do not face the dangers we face every day on this road.”

Upon learning of the news the light will stay, Conrad reacted, “The fact that we were actually heard by a government agency as big as Caltrans is extraordinary. This community could use a win. Even the smallest wins make the ocean of noes we all deal with worth it.” The councilmember wanted to thank Public Works Director Rob DuBoux, Interim City Manager Candace Bond, Interim Deputy City Manager Richard Rojas, their teams, and all the residents who reached out.

Ocean water use warning issued for a few Malibu beaches ahead of Labor Day weekend

By
The Malibu Times
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Ocean Water Use Warning Issued for Los Angeles County Beaches Ahead of Labor Day Weekend

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued ocean water use warnings for several popular beaches just as residents and visitors prepare for Labor Day weekend. Health officials caution beachgoers to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in the ocean at the following locations where recent water quality tests showed elevated bacterial levels:

  • Topanga Canyon Lagoon at Topanga County Beach — 100 yards up and down the coast from the lagoon.
  • Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica — 100 yards up and down the coast from the pier.
  • Ramirez Creek at Paradise Cove — 100 yards up and down the coast from the creek outlet.
  • Inner Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro — Entire swim area.

The Department of Public Health stated that the warnings were issued after water samples exceeded state health standards for bacteria, posing potential health risks to swimmers and other recreational water users. Exposure to polluted ocean water can cause illnesses such as stomach upset, ear infections, and skin rashes.

These warnings remain in effect until follow-up testing shows bacterial levels have returned to safe standards.

Beachgoers looking for the latest updates on water quality can call the county’s 24-hour beach hotline at 1-800-525-5662or visit the Department of Public Health’s website at publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach for a map of affected areas. For further questions, the department can be reached at (626) 430-5360.

The next round of testing is scheduled in the coming days, and officials will update the public as soon as conditions improve.

Kidnapping suspect leads police on high-speed chase with three children

By
Barbara Burke
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High Speed Chase on PCH in Malibu Photo and video by Barbara Burke

A kidnapping suspect driving a stolen vehicle with three young children inside led California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers on a dangerous high-speed chase late Friday night, ending in a multi-car crash on Pacific Coast Highway near Kanan Dume Road.

The incident began around 6:38 p.m., when the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) received reports that a vehicle left running with three children inside had been stolen by a stranger. Authorities say the male suspect allegedly jumped into the car and sped off, prompting an immediate search.

CHP units pursued the vehicle as it raced along PCH. During the chase, the suspect struck another car, triggering a multi-vehicle collision that left several people injured. Helicopters were later seen lifting off from the Zuma Beach helipad to transport at least one victim — and possibly more — to a nearby emergency room.

According to officials, the suspect abandoned the wrecked vehicle and fled on foot into nearby brush. Witnesses reported seeing the man barefoot, stripping off pieces of clothing as he attempted to escape. He was eventually taken into custody by law enforcement officers.

Despite the violent crash, paramedics were able to safely rescue the three young children from the damaged vehicle. Authorities confirmed they were conscious and breathing at the scene.

Law enforcement closed down portions of Pacific Coast Highway near Kanan Dume Road late into the night as crews worked to treat victims, investigate the collision, and clear the roadway.

The suspect’s identity has not yet been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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