Photo by Maria Bleyberg, 87, a longtime Malibu resident. Her home is one of the few that survived in the Sunset Mesa neighborhood, and she recently captured this sunrise from her balcony.
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Plenty of prominent names have surfaced in the latest tranche of documents released by the Department of Justice known as the Epstein files. One of those names is Ken Starr, the federal judge who in the 1990s served as independent counsel in the investigation of a failed real estate venture involving Bill and Hillary Clinton known as Whitewater.
While Starr’s investigation led to 14 criminal convictions, the Clintons were not charged with any wrongdoing. However, the investigation led to the disclosure of sexual activity between then-White House intern Monica Lewinsky and President Clinton, which eventually led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives. Clinton was acquitted by the Senate.
From 2004 to 2010, Starr served as dean at what is now the Caruso School of Law at Pepperdine University. He later served as president of Baylor University. Starr died in 2022.
With the release of emails between Starr and Epstein, new questions are being raised about Starr’s legacy. While he sought to project a public image as a principled legal scholar, the emails reveal a more complex persona.
Starr served as Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer beginning in 2006 when the billionaire financier was under investigation for, among other crimes, the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Starr was called a “fixer” in legal journals for his role in Epstein’s 2008 plea deal. He negotiated an unusual and then-secret Non-Prosecution Agreement whereby no federal charges were made and Epstein pled guilty to two lesser state felony counts — solicitation of prostitution and procurement of a minor (under age 18) for prostitution. Starr also secured what attorneys described as a “sweetheart deal” after Epstein’s sentencing to 18 months in a Palm Beach County jail. Epstein only served 13 months and was infamously granted a work release allowing him to leave jail for 12 hours a day, six days a week, to work at his home office at his nearby mansion.
The Epstein files reveal more than an attorney-client relationship between the two, years after Epstein’s release. In one email dated March 2012, Starr addresses Epstein as “Jeffrey, My friend, my brother…” In others, Starr ends his emails with “Hugs” or “Luv ya.” In a Christmas 2016 email, Starr gushes to Epstein, “A prince thou art.” In an email dated Nov. 22, 2017, about arranging a visit to Epstein’s Palm Beach mansion, Starr signs off, “I’ll be there with bells ringing.” Other emails say “Hugs, Ken,” “miss you,” and yet another says “in your corner.”
The Above the Law legal news website suggests that Starr knew the details of the allegations against Epstein due to his access as defense counsel to memos from federal prosecutors that have been released in the latest document dump. One memo from 2008 describes: “One girl broke down sobbing … she said she was having nightmares about Epstein.” The email describes how the alleged victim could not compose herself and the interview was stopped. The memo continues: “The second girl, who has a baby girl of her own, told us she was very upset about the 18 month deal….she had heard that the girls could get restitution, but she would rather not get any money and have Epstein spend a significant time in jail.”
Lawyers routinely represent unpopular clients based on the principle that representation does not equal endorsement. Nevertheless, the apparently warm relationship between the two men is seen as troubling by critics who are poring through the files. These concerns are amplified by the circumstances surrounding Starr’s departure from Baylor University. He was demoted from his position as university president and later resigned after an external investigation found the school had mishandled multiple sexual assault allegations involving members of the football team. The investigation by an independent law firm found that under Starr’s leadership, the university had discouraged victims from reporting assaults.
In a 2018 email thread recently released, Starr defended the lenient plea deal he helped secure for the registered sex offender. Starr wrote that Epstein “was subjected to an unprecedented federal intrusion into a quintessentially local criminal matter in South Florida.” He asserted that “Epstein has paid his debt to society” as well as “millions of dollars to the asserted victims and their highly-creative lawyers.” Starr argued in conclusion, “In the spirit of the bedrock American belief in second chances, that unhappy chapter in Jeffrey’s otherwise magnificent life should be allowed to close once and for all.”
Epstein died by reported suicide in 2019 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City while being held awaiting trial on federal criminal charges, including sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking of minors.
Ariana Markey, 18, was the seventh player in line to take a shot at scoring a goal for the Philippines National Women’s Soccer Team during their sudden-death penalty shootout against Vietnam in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games’ championship in Chonburi, Thailand, on Dec. 17 — but things took a dramatic change.
After 120 minutes of regulation play and extra time the score was 0-0 and the penalty shootout was 4-4, and Markey’s teammate, Meryll Serrano, was supposed to kick the next scoring attempt for their squad, but she instead asked Markey to take her place.
Markey, also a freshman on the Pepperdine women’s soccer team, didn’t hesitate. She recalled reciting Bible verses to herself while preparing to take the kick in front of a stadium full of Filipina fans and Vietnam supporters.
“I’m going to bet on myself every single time,” Markey said. “I’m confident that I’m going to make this. Pressure is a privilege.”
She lined up and booted the ball into left corner pocket of the back of the net — beyond the reach of Vietnam’s goalkeeper Trần Thị Kim Thanh. Markey then celebrated by outstretching her arms confidently.
The Filipinas went on to edge Vietnam, the defending SEA Games champions, 6-5 in the shootout, claiming their first-ever gold medal at the SEA Games, a multi-sport event which features 11 countries from Southeast Asia.
Markey, a Fullerton native, whose mother Kyla Rodriguez is Filipina, said scoring the goal against Vietnam, a team the Filipinas strove to beat, was a seminal moment in her soccer career.
“This is the epitome of what every single player wants to experience,” she said. “Being in a stadium full of people who are there to see you represent a country. The energy, the competition, and the rivalry were so much fun to experience that on the field and be a determining factor. To me, this is what the sport is truly about.”
Markey said the gold medal was heavier than she thought it would be.
“I was wearing it around my neck the entire night,” she said. “I didn’t want to take it off. The next morning, my neck was sore. It was such an unreal experience — the energy and atmosphere might have been so much more valuable than the gold medal itself. The fans, the people, and knowing you made them proud meant so much more.”
The Philippines opened the SEA Games with a loss to Myanmar in group stage but bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Vietnam. They then beat Malaysia 6-0 before defeating Thailand 4-2 to reach the final match against Vietnam.
Markey scored her first goal against international competition in the 85th minute of the Filipinas rout of Malaysia.
“Scoring on my debut was also a really good moment for me,” she said.
Markey helped the Philippines win the gold medal a month after she helped the Waves win a second consecutive West Coast Conference title and make an appearance in the NCAA tournament.
Markey recorded one goal and six assists for Pepperdine during the 2025 season. She was excited heading into her freshman campaign and felt that she improved during Pepperdine’s 20 games.
“I told myself that I would brave and try new things to see where I am compared to everyone else on this level,” she said. “I wanted to see where my room to grow is. That means taking risks and getting outside of my comfort zone.”
Some of those risks included the left-footed Markey, a shifty player, using her right foot and taking on matchups against skilled opposing forwards.
“Something I learned this season at Pepperdine was being patient and composed on the field, but also being feared at the same time,” she said. “Not just working harder but working smarter has been a big thing for me.”
She noted that playing against a talented UCLA squad in the first round of the NCAA Tournament helped her prepare for her goal against Vietnam.
“There is truly nothing to be scared of on the field,” Markey said.
Markey grew up playing softball and soccer but shifted her focus to only soccer when she was an eighth-grader because it was hard to focus on playing both sports at a prominent level. She added that her hard work in the soccer began with her kicking a soccer ball against a wall at home continuously.
“I just wanted to be prepared,” she said. “I wanted to be on the ball. It was the drive I had that has prepared me so much for where I am today.”
Markey played club soccer with Slammers FC and then Legends FC. She played three years of varsity soccer at Orange Lutheran High School. Pepperdine head coach Tim Ward recruited her to the Waves after seeing her play several times in club soccer matches.
The Philippines national soccer program invited Markey to her first tryout when she was 15. She played on nation’s U17 teams in the 2023 and 2025 U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers and also took the field with the U20 team in the 2023 U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers. Soon after, she was called up to the senior team for an event but was unable participate due to her school schedule.
Markey said her national team teammates respect her, and despite her being a teenager, her age isn’t much of a factor on the pitch.
“Anyone who is out there, willing to step on the field will do it,” she added. “It doesn’t matter how old I am, it’s just the quality of play.”
Markey wanted to make her presence known on the Philippines senior squad in the SEA Games.
“I wanted to show not only the team but the supporters of the country what I was capable of contributing and that I’m an asset to the team,” she said. “Being able to prove myself of that on and off the field was such a big deal.”
Markey and the Waves are currently participating in their spring season.
She will join her national team teammates next month, competing against Australia, Iran, and South Korea in Group A of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Perth, Australia.
Markey is looking forward to taking the field against Australian right Ellie Carpenter, who also plays for Chelsea in the Women’s Super League in Europe.
“She is wingback, like I am, and I love how fierce she is on the field and her versatility,” Markey said. “I really reflect that in myself as a player. I think it will be really interesting if I do go against her. I watch her on Chelsea all the time.”
Markey hasn’t had an in-depth conversation with Serrano, her national team teammate, about why she turned to her to take the penalty kick against Vietnam, but she looks forward to.
“I was so honored that she had the belief in me, had the confidence in me,” Markey said.
After her college career, Markey wants to play professional soccer — so much so that she has been learning French because she dreams of playing for the French squads Lyon or Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in the Women’s Super League. She also is optimistic for soccer in the Philippines.
“Philippines is still building its football foundation,” Markey said. “I really want to help lift up the game and the sport. I really hope I can make an impact in that.”
Love was in the air — and so were wagging tails and happy purrs — as animal lovers gathered for a special Valentine’s adoption event hosted by Eastwood Ranch Foundation.
The foundation, established by animal advocate Alison Eastwood, focuses on rescuing dogs and cats from high-kill shelters and giving them a second chance through medical care, rehabilitation, and adoption. This Valentine’s Day celebration offered the perfect opportunity for the community to open their hearts — and homes — to animals in need.
By the end of the event, more than 30 rescue cats and dogs had found forever families.
“Seeing over 30 rescue cats and dogs adopted in one day was a strong reminder of what’s possible when a community supports local rescue efforts,” Eastwood said. “We’re thankful for everyone who chose adoption and helped move our mission forward.”
The festive gathering brought together a cross-section of Malibu residents, including many creatives from the local film and television industry. Among those who stopped by to show support were actor David Chokachi and his wife, Susan Brubaker. Michael Berk, executive director of the iconic television series “Baywatch,” also attended, along with actor Neal McDonough and his wife, Ruve McDonough, who came out in support of the cause.
Longtime Malibu philanthropist Cindy Landon, a steadfast supporter of animal-focused charities and a foundation board member, was also in attendance. Fellow board member Matt Felkner and his wife, Liz Felkner, joined the festivities and were even looking to adopt a cat of their own.
The afternoon was as sweet as it was meaningful, thanks in part to generous community contributions. Malibu veterinarian Dr. John Lupo baked and donated an astonishing 750 cookies for guests to enjoy — a heartfelt gesture that quickly became a highlight of the day. Meanwhile, JustFoodForDogs, a Malibu-based pet nutrition company, provided food for the adoptable pets, ensuring they were well cared for throughout the event.
Visitors mingled among the kennels and cat enclosures, taking time to learn about each animal’s story. Volunteers and staff shared details about the pets’ personalities, medical care, and readiness for adoption, helping match families with companions that best fit their homes and lifestyles.
For many attendees, the event was a reminder that Valentine’s Day isn’t only about romantic love — it’s also about compassion, community, and second chances. Children carefully held kittens while couples walked rescue dogs around the ranch property, imagining the joy they would bring home.
Eastwood Ranch Foundation has long been a safe haven for animals facing uncertain futures, and events like this underscore the power of local engagement. By partnering with veterinarians, businesses, volunteers, and supporters, the foundation continues to transform lives — both animal and human.
As the sun set on the ranch, dozens of once-homeless pets left cradled in loving arms. This Valentine’s Day, love wasn’t just spoken — it was adopted.
Guard Aaron Clark scored a career-high 33 points and big man Stefan Cicic threw down a putback dunk with seconds left in the game to lead the Pepperdine Waves men’s basketball team to a 90-89 victory over the Loyola Marymount Lions at Firestone Fieldhouse on Feb. 14.
Pepperdine head coach Ed Schilling said the win over the Lions, the Waves’ rival, was huge, while also crediting his team’s offensive execution and late-game defense.
“The players never quit despite being down in the last minutes of the game,” Schilling said. “Aaron was on fire offensively, and Stef Cicic came off the bench and played very well, including the game-winning tip dunk. I’m so happy for our guys.”
Clark scored on everything from slashing drives to catch-and-shoot threes, finishing 9 for 17 from the field, 10 for 12 at the line, and 5 for 7 from deep, to push the Waves to their first victory since mid-January.
However, it was Cicic, the 7-foot redshirt freshman center, who solidified their win. Clark received the ball on the right side of the court, drove to the basket, and laid the basketball off the backboard, but the ball bounced twice on the rim — and then Cicic exploded upward with two hands, snatched the ball, and slammed it down for his 12th and 13th points of the game with 5.4 seconds left in the contest.
Clark and Cicic weren’t the only Waves to score in double figures in the matchup. Sophomore big man Danilo Dozic scored 16 points, with three 3-pointers, and sophomore guard Styles Phipps and wing player Javon Cooley, a graduate student, each contributed 11 points.
The victory gave Pepperdine a 7-20 overall record, including a 2-12 record in the West Coast Conference, heading into their game at Portland on Wednesday.
The matchup between the Waves and Lions featured seven ties and 11 lead changes and was an offensive show from the very beginning.
Loyola Marymount scored the game’s first points and had a 17-10 lead with 15:28 left in the first half when Phipps splashed a jumper, beginning a Waves’ 8-0 run which included a scoring tear by Clark and an alley-oop dunk by Cicic, which briefly gave Pepperdine an 18-17 lead.
The Lions’ Josh Dalton, who scored a career-high 15 points, hit a 3-pointer, giving the Lions the lead again, but Pepperdine went on a second 8-0 run and grabbed a 28-25 lead.
Clark paced the Waves with 25 points before halftime. He hit free throws, swished a 3, and made a layup, while other Waves also got in the offensive action. However, the Lions, led by guard Myron Amey Jr., who finished with 25 points, still had a 56-54 lead at halftime.
Defense couldn’t douse the two teams’ offensive heat in the first half. Pepperdine shot 70.4%, while Loyola Marymount shot 63.6%.
The Lions went on a 9-0 run in the opening minutes of the second half, but then Clark hit a 3 for the Waves. Both teams’ scoring slowed a bit as Loyola Marymount maintained the lead. Cooley swished consecutive 3-pointers, cutting the Lions’ lead to 74-71 with 10 minutes left in the game.
Dalton swished a 3-pointer to give his team an 85-78 advantage, and Dozic answered with a score.
The Lions looked firmly in control, but with 2:29 left, the Waves surged. Cicic powered in six points, Clark buried another three, and suddenly Pepperdine held a one-point lead. The Lions had an opportunity to win the game, but Amey Jr. missed a long two-point jump shot as the clock trickled down to no time left.
The win was Pepperdine’s first win over the Lions in six years.
The game was also the third time Clark has scored over 30 points this season. He is averaging 20.8 points in the Waves’ last eight games.
Cicic’s 13 points were a season high for him, and he also had six rebounds. Clark, Cooley, and Dozic made all 10 of Pepperdine’s 3-pointers. Clark’s five made 3-pointers was a career high.
Pepperdine had lost six straight games before the win. Their last victory was over Portland on Jan. 14.
The Waves will play at Oregon State in Corvallis, Oregon, on Saturday and host Seattle on Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.
Pepperdine’s last regular season game is at home on Feb. 28 against Washington State.
Pepperdine will participate in the WCC Tournament in Las Vegas next month.
Meet Frosty (A5725680) This 1-year-old, Fox Terrier mix came in as a stray in early November and has been a playgroup superstar ever since. He would love a fur brother or sister to romp around with and brings the best goofy, happy energy wherever he goes. Housebroken and always ready for the next adventure, Frosty would make the perfect hiking buddy for an active family who wants a playful, fun-loving companion that keeps them smiling.
Care Center Hours:
Monday-Saturday 11am-5pm
Closed* on Sunday and holidays
29525 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
agoura@animalcare.lacounty.gov
If a proposed temporary one-half-cent countywide sales tax increase is approved by voters in June in the primary elections, the costs of goods and services will cost even more for Malibu residents, with the countywide sales tax increasing to 10.25%, the maximum state law allows. The proposed additional sales tax would help to address federal healthcare funding cuts and protect public hospitals, clinics, and safety-net services.
The term “sales-tax increase” may sound familiar to readers because the county sales tax already increased in April 2025 when voters approved Measure A, a half-cent sales tax hike that replaced Measure H, a quarter-cent sales tax, with those revenues being allocated to support homeless prevention initiatives.
County sales taxes apply inside incorporated cities such as Malibu, even though cities themselves do not control county tax measures. Currently, the combined sales tax rate in Malibu is 10.25%, a rate that includes a combination of California’s six percent state sales tax and an additional 4.25% of taxes consisting of LA County taxes and local district taxes. The sales taxes apply to taxable goods and services, including dining. If the measure passes in June, some L.A. County cities in the Antelope Valley will face a possible 11.75% sales tax rate.
On June 11, after heated debate, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed the Essential Services Restoration Act, asking voters to enact a half-cent general sales tax increase for five years, through Oct. 1, 2031.
The measure, which passed with a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger dissenting, aims to raise revenues needed to support county-provided health care services that are underfunded due to reductions in state and federal funding. The tax increase would generate an estimated $1 billion, according to the county. The measure would include oversight by a committee and audits, but final language for the measure has not yet been adopted.
The two sponsors of the county measure, Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solls, worked on the proposal with Restore Healthcare, a coalition of health care organizations and workers. Coalition members have said that if the supervisors had not approved the proposal, they would begin a signature-gathering campaign to place the measure on the November ballot.
“Unfortunately, after exhausting every existing alternative, this temporary measure is the only option that can be implemented quickly enough to prevent hospital closures and the loss of health care access for at least hundreds of thousands of residents,” the motion states.
A similar tax sales hike was approved by Santa Clara County voters in November to address reduced federal funding for health care and some labor unions are pressing for a proposed statewide billionaires’ tax to support the state’s health care system.
Last year’s federal budget bill, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” approved by Congress and signed by the President Donald Trump, set forth budget reductions in health care funding, causing reduced funding to Medi-Cal, the motion noted. “The county’s most impacted departments face projected losses totalling $2.4 billion over the next three years,” the motion recounts. “Due to funding losses, county officials have already initiated hiring freezes and are contemplating service consolidations, potential layoffs of 5,000 staff, and facility closures in the coming years.”
The state’s recent cuts to funding for Medi-Cal add insult to injury, the supervisors noted. California discontinued enrolling undocumented immigrants for health care and is expected to cut non-emergency dental care for immigrants here illegally who are already enrolled in the program. Starting in July 2027, California will charge a $30 monthly premium for immigrants who remain on the program, including those with legal status. Federal law does not fund health or dental care for persons who are illegally in the country.
Significant criticism from contract cities and tax reform advocates
The Board of Supervisors is facing strong criticism for its passing of the measure, especially because public employees’ salaries were recently increased. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association faults the proposed sales-tax increase, issuing a statement arguing, “The sales tax is already too high in Los Angeles County, so high that the most recent half-percent tax for homelessness services required special legislation from the state to allow it to exceed the cap on local sales taxes that is in state law. Raising the sales tax again is unreasonable and unfairly harsh on those who are least able to afford it.”
California Contract Cities Association strongly opposes the county-wide sales tax increase
Out of the 88 cities in Los Angeles County, a total of 42 are contract cities, including Malibu, meaning that those cities contract with the county or another city to provide municipal services such as police, fire, or public works such as waste disposal, rather than providing those services through their own city departments.
Marcel Rodarte, executive director of the California Contract Cities Association (CCCA), informed the Board of Supervisors that the organization opposes the tax increase because it, “is concerned the measure would burden the very residents the county seeks to protect, who are facing historic affordability pressures on housing, food, fuel, utilities andchildcare costs.” The statement argued, “This half-cent countywide sales tax increase would push the combined sales tax rates in some cities to over 11 percent, further straining household budgets. At the same time, cities are confronting their own structural budget challenges and are deeply worried about how to best address fiscal issues without compounding economic pressure on residents who are least able to absorb it. This is particularly distressing in the context of L.A. County seeking a legislative exemption that would allow this sales tax measure to bypass the state cap on local sales taxes.
“If such legislation passed, struggling cities that are already at or near the cap would be left overlooked with limited future fiscal options to support much-needed local services in their communities.”
“Backfilling federal funding cuts on the backs of county taxpayers is not acceptable.”
Other opponents of the measure assert that the tax increase will have a regressive tax impact on low-income residents as it applies to essential restaurant and retail purchases.
Barger, the sole supervisor voting against the measure also voiced vociferous opposition.
“Backfilling federal funding cuts on the backs of county taxpayers is not acceptable,” she said in a statement after the vote. “Los Angeles County residents are already stretched thin. Last year, Bloomberg News reported that Los Angeles now has the highest sales tax of any major metropolitan region in the nation.
“This proposed half-cent increase would push us even higher, making our county less affordable for families and less appealing for consumers to shop and businesses to operate. We are risking imposing higher everyday costs and small businesses and employers choosing to leave Los Angeles County altogether.”
Will tax revenues will be allocated to non-healthcare expenses?
The CCCA said, “there are significant flaws in the sales tax measure’s revenue model,” because the supervisors’ motion states that the funds generated by the measure would go into L.A. County’s General Fund, which technically classifies the dollars as unrestricted operating funds in future years. Structuring the proposed sales tax increase in this manner requires only a simple majority of voters to pass, whereas if the tax is structured as a special tax, two-thirds of the voters would have to approve the measure in the June election. Sharing such concerns, the Taxpayer Association is trying to qualify an initiative constitutional amendment to rescind recently approved special taxes and ensure a two-thirds vote requirement for all special taxes.
CCCA also stated that it “feels strongly that if a measure of this kind is established, it should be structured as a special tax to ensure there are guardrails on the revenue that is going towards protecting residents’ health needs. Voters and taxpayers deserve complete transparency, not creative structuring, when asked to shoulder additional tax burdens.
“Second, we are concerned about the temporary nature of the tax. While the motion states the measure will only be effective from Oct. 1 to Oct. 1, 2031, other temporary L.A. County measures have recently been extended (i.e., Measure H evolving into Measure A in 2024). Now, residents reasonably question whether temporary taxes are, in practice, permanent. Further, if this general sales tax measure were to be extended, it would have serious, long-term implications on cities’ ability to generate needed revenue.”
Accordingly, the CCCA respectfully requested that the board reconsider its approach to raising revenues for health care and “enter into open dialogue with cities about how we can work together to address the fiscal challenges of today without overburdening one another. Solutions must be equitable, transparent, and mindful of the cumulative impact on residents already struggling with affordability.”
Some cities in the Antelope Valley could face a possible 11.75% sales tax rate
The CCCA also acknowledged that the federal funding cuts are affecting local governments across California and stated that it welcomes, “conversations about advancing a statewide tax measure that could go towards supporting county-level health and safety net services in Los Angeles and beyond.”
The Malibu Times has reached out to the City of Malibu to inquire whether it intends to make a statement about the proposed tax measure, but the city had not responded as of press time.
Whether savoring Chef Oren Zroya’s delicious heart-shaped pizza at Papa Razzi’s Pizza in Point Dume Village, indulging in fine dining at one of Malibu’s renowned restaurants, or enjoying the natural beauty of the coastline, locals found plenty of ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year. Sweet treats from SweetBu Candy tempted some, while others visited local florists to select bouquets for their loved ones. Many opted for a quieter, romantic pace, strolling along the beaches, exploring tidepools, and soaking in Malibu’s breathtaking sunsets — timeless favorites for couples seeking connection with nature.
The artistic community also embraced the holiday with creative flair. “What a beautiful day for painting today at Lechuza Beach!” posted the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains & Seashore on social media Valentine’s evening. “A sunny day snuck in between the rains. The tide went low enough by noon for some of us to grab some tide pool scenery.” The picturesque afternoon offered the perfect backdrop for plein-air painting and seaside inspiration.
Local artist and yogi Lisa Love guided a soulful art class at Tracy Park’s Art Gallery, where participants expressed themselves through creativity and mindfulness. “I love creating and teaching the healing arts with others,” Love said. “I love seeing artists I teach being happy, peaceful, and playful from their hearts — it was all good love!” The session allowed attendees to combine artistic expression with emotional wellness, celebrating love in its most heart-centered form.
Meanwhile, the spirit of community and encouragement was alive at Pepperdine University, where students participated in a beloved campus Valentine’s tradition. Throughout the day, members of the Pepperdine Waves community exchanged paper hearts filled with handwritten messages of support, gratitude, and inspiration. Some pinned their notes to a central display board, creating a colorful mosaic of positivity, while others shared them directly with friends, professors, and even strangers. Messages ranged from simple affirmations like “You are strong” and “You are loved” to more personal expressions of gratitude.
In a bustling academic environment, the Valentine’s heart exchange provided a moment of reflection and connection. The tradition reminds students that even small gestures of kindness can carry significant meaning. “It’s a cherished way for students to pause amid busy schedules and intentionally uplift one another,” noted campus organizers. In Malibu, a city known for its close-knit spirit, the act of sharing love and encouragement resonated beyond the holiday itself.
For those seeking music and culture, Malibu offered a sophisticated evening of romance. The Malibu Friends of Music hosted “Live Music to Celebrate The Many Faces of Love” at the Montgomery Arts House for Music and Architecture (MAHMA). Guests enjoyed delectable chocolates and sipped Champagne while being enchanted by classical and contemporary works performed by a talented ensemble. The program featured composers such as Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Schubert, Maurice Ravel, Edith Piaf/Louiguy, and El Asra by Afro-Cuban pianist and composer Lico Jiménez. Hosted by Maria Newman and Scott Hosfeld, the event offered a rich sensory experience and a celebration of love in its many artistic forms.
From sunlit beaches and tidepool explorations to heartfelt student exchanges, art classes, and musical soirées, Valentine’s Day in Malibu embraced both intimacy and community spirit. The holiday celebrated not only romantic love, but also creativity, connection, and small, thoughtful gestures that leave a lasting impression. Whether enjoying a perfectly baked heart-shaped pizza, strolling along the shoreline at sunset, or sharing a handmade note with a friend, Malibuites experienced a weekend filled with sweetness, laughter, inspiration, and above all, love.
Caltrans crews reopened the 3.6-mile stretch of Topanga Canyon Boulevard/State Route 27 (SR-27) between Pacific Coast Highway and Grand View Drive, around 10 a.m. Thursday, after updated forecasts showed less-than-expected rainfall in the canyon. It remains open, weather permitting.
The agency had closed the highway at 10 p.m. Sunday in anticipation of strong storm systems moving through the Los Angeles area. The roadway remained shut down as multiple debris flows impacted the corridor, and additional storm activity was forecast.
The reopened segment runs through an active construction zone as crews continue recovery efforts following the devastating Palisades Fire and subsequent winter storms. While access has been restored, restrictions remain in place.
SR-27 is currently closed nightly from midnight to 5 a.m. In addition, motorists should expect traffic controls, including a roughly half-mile one-way traffic section south of the Topanga town center.
Caltrans is urging drivers to use extreme caution when traveling through the area. A 25-mph speed limit is strictly enforced within work zones, and motorists must follow all posted signage and directions from traffic controllers. Parking, stopping, and pedestrian access are prohibited in active work areas.
Drivers are also advised to be especially alert around blind curves, where stalled traffic may be encountered ahead of one-way sections. Workers and slow-moving construction vehicles remain present throughout the corridor, and fines may be doubled for violations within designated work zones.
Motorists can check real-time traffic conditions using Caltrans’ QuickMap online tool.
More information about emergency repairs related to the Palisades Fire and early 2025 rainstorms is available on the Palisades Fire Emergency Repairs website.
A new report from volunteer activist group Rent Brigade claims that of more than 18,000 alleged rent price gouging incidents reported after last year’s fires, enforcement action is being pursued against only a handful of cases.
In the chaotic weeks following the Jan. 7, 2025, fires, as fire-affected homeowners scrambled to find housing, spreadsheets listing alleged violators trying to take advantage of the disaster flooded the internet. Some of the addresses — including several in Malibu — showed dramatic spikes in asking rents shortly after the tragic wildfires.
At the time, officials from Gov. Gavin Newsom to local Los Angeles County and city leaders warned landlords that raising rents by more than 10% during a declared state of emergency could result in prosecution. Under California law, rent increases exceeding 10% above pre-fire levels violate the state’s price gouging statute, which was triggered when Newsom declared a state of emergency for the historically destructive fires in Los Angeles County.
Price gouging during a declared emergency is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $10,000 fine.Locally, penalties are steeper. The Los Angeles City Council raised potential fines to $30,000 per violation, while Los Angeles County increased its maximum penalty to $50,000.
Yet one year later, only roughly a dozen lawsuits have been filed, even with hundreds of reported cases.
According to Rent Brigade, the crackdown promised by public officials has yielded little. The group says it has received complaints from hundreds of displaced residents who claim they can document rent increases of more than 60%. In addition to individual complaints, Rent Brigade says it scraped rental data from Zillow to track listings where rents appeared to jump beyond the 10% legal threshold. The group claims, however, that rental asking prices do not always reflect actual negotiated lease agreements, which may not be publicly accessible. Volunteers also mailed notices to affected properties informing tenants of their rights and how to report suspected violations.
On its website, Rent Brigade lists hundreds of property addresses it alleges violated the emergency rules. The addresses are scattered across Southern California, with 42% located in Los Angeles County’s 3rd District — which includes Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Venice, Santa Monica, and Calabasas — communities where many displaced residents sought refuge. At least 15 Malibu addresses are suspected of unlawful price bumps.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Thursday that his office is actively investigating hundreds of complaints. The state’s Disaster Relief Task Force has issued 753 warning letters to landlords, real estate agents, and hotels suspected of price gouging. Criminal charges, however, have been filed in only six cases statewide.
“Folks across the region are being preyed upon by greedy businesses and landlords, scam artists and predatory buyers looking to make a quick buck off their pain,” Bonta said. “They are seeking to re-victimize the victims of the fires — to exploit them in their vulnerable state.”
Rent Brigade contends that no prosecutions have been filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. A statement from District Attorney Nathan Hochman acknowledged that his office has not filed price gouging cases related to the fires, but said prosecutors are collaborating with city and state officials on related enforcement actions.
So far, the City of Los Angeles has filed seven price gouging lawsuits — three civil and four criminal cases— while Bonta’s office has filed six. A successful case can result in restitution payments to victims, in addition to fines and penalties. Rent Brigade estimates that as much as $49 million in excess rent may have been collected over the past year by unscrupulous landlords.
Some proposed reforms aimed at strengthening enforcement stalled in Sacramento. A bill that would have required listing platforms to remove suspected price-gouged properties was ultimately vetoed by Newsom.
The emergency anti-price gouging rules, first enacted last year, have been extended and are set to expire Feb. 27.
Meanwhile, state officials are urging tenants to come forward. The Attorney General’s Office has launched a dedicated website for reporting suspected violations at oag.ca.gov/lafires and established a hotline at (800) 952-5225.
Victims can also contact RentBrigade.org for more guidance on reporting violations and seeking legal assistance.
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