The National Guard has checkpoints set up o Pacific Coast Highway and the Beach Bike Path at Will Rogers Beach in Pacific Palisades, allowing only residents and essential workers into the Palisades Fire burn area.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Convicted arsonist Dustin Nehl and his wife were arrested for impersonating firefighters with a fake truck in the Pacific Palisades.



Two Individuals from Oregon Arrested for Impersonating Firefighters within Palisades Fire.

The LA County Sheriff's Department released this Statement:

"On Saturday, January 18, 2025, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Bureau investigators were contacted regarding an arrest of two suspects for impersonation of firefighters. An LAPD patrol unit was driving through the Palisades Fire area with fire personnel and observed a fire truck that did not appear to be legitimate. They relayed the information, and Sheriff’s deputies contacted the individuals in the fire truck as they attempted to enter an evacuation zone.

Upon contacting the two occupants of the truck, deputies noticed they were both wearing turnout gear. The occupants claimed to be from “Roaring River Fire Department” in Oregon. Upon further investigation, the deputies learned that the department name was not a legitimate agency, and the truck was purchased at an auction. The two occupants were wearing CAL-Fire t-shirts under the turnout gear, helmet, and radios.



The two admitted to being in the evacuation zone on Friday, January 17, 2025. Deputies arrested Dustin Nehl, 31, and Jennifer Nehl, 44, for Impersonating a Firefighter and Entering an evacuation zone, and the truck was impounded.

Suspect Dustin Nehl has a criminal history in Oregon for criminal mischief and arson. Neither have a criminal history in California."



Nehl admitted to committing several acts of vandalism between 2013 and 2016, including causing an explosion on a property on Cascade Drive, damaging locks and a water tank at the City of Woodburn Water Treatment Facility in Centennial Park and damaging other property in an amount exceeding $2,000. He also admitted to possessing an "incendiary device."

Nehl pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree arson, one count of attempt to commit a class A felony, one count of unlawful possession of a destructive device, and three counts of first-degree criminal mischief. The crimes are all felonies. The charges stemmed from Nehl committing multiple acts of vandalism at Woodburn Estates & Golf properties and at a city of Woodburn property between 2013 and 2016.

Investigators will be presenting the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration on Tuesday.



Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7893.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

December 19 | 3:30 PM - 10:00 PM 🎉✨

This month, Locals’ Night is about giving back. With the recent Palisades fire leaving homes destroyed and local businesses struggling, the Santa Monica Pier Corp. invites the community to support by purchasing gift cards from Santa Monica restaurants, shops, and small businesses and bringing them to the event. These gift cards will be collected and donated to those in need.

It’s a night of music, connection, and care for the community!

This all-ages event is 100% FREE and packed with fun for everyone—perfect for kicking off the new year with music, good vibes, and Pier magic!


Join the fun with Books & Cookies' musical storytime (3:30-4:15PM) for kids in the charming Merry Go-Round building at the Santa Monica Pier! This lively session blends playful stories and sing-along songs to create an engaging, unforgettable experience. Perfect for little ones and their families, it's all about sparking joy, laughter, and a love for reading in a magical, historic spot by the sea. Come make some happy memories!

XICA SOUL is a Los Angeles-based DJ and radio host celebrated for her dynamic, genre-defying sets that ignite dance floors with energy and connection. As a natural music communicator, she masterfully crafts vibrant and eclectic mixes, driven by her passion for uncovering kaleidoscopic tracks that resonate deeply with listeners.

Initially celebrated for his unique fusion of boogie, garage house, and downtempo grooves, L.A. producer and underground icon BENEDEK continues to push boundaries with his esoteric sonic explorations. His music captures the essence of Los Angeles, from its sunlit allure to its enigmatic, hidden depths, offering a multifaceted soundscape that reflects the city’s complexity.

Santa Monica native DJ, producer, and beatmaker JAMMA-DEE (Dyami O’Brien) has been a driving force in the West Coast funk and boogie scene. Known for his dynamic DJ sets and production work, he has collaborated with legends like Steve Arrington (Slave), Joyce Wrice, Mndsgn, and more.

TAVISH, born and raised between Ocean Park and Venice, effortlessly transitions between hip-hop, house, and techno, showcasing his versatile approach to music. A prolific producer, he has released numerous records under various monikers and collaborated with SONNS for a 12” on L.A.’s own ESP Institute. Under his TAVISH DJ alias, he runs a personal edit series while occasionally returning to his shared project, SID ROAMS.

Find out about more upcoming local events, Click Here for the Event Calendar.

POWERFUL & DAMAGING SANTA ANA WINDSTORM INCOMING!!



Damaging Santa Ana Winds and extreme fire weather are expected the the Santa Ana wind prone corridors of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Fire weather concerns last from Monday through Tuesday with winds peaking Monday afternoon through Tuesday morning.



The wind forecast is similar to Jan. 7, the night the Palisades and Eaton fires broke out, but the air mass will be even drier. Relative humidity is forecast to range from 3% to 15%. Some weather models indicate the amount of atmospheric moisture, known as precipitable water, will be at all-time record minimums across Southern California.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Avoid Water Contact from Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler Beach at World Way

January 17, 2025

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is extending the duration of the Ocean Water Advisory due to fire debris runoff. Ash from the Los Angeles Fires may enter coastal water through surface water runoff and windblown ash. The ash may contain substances including arsenic, other metals, and asbestos, which can be harmful to human health. The Department advises beach users to avoid all water contact from Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler State Beach at World Way.

This advisory will remain in place until lifted by the Department of Public Health.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24-hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800- 525-5662.

Use the map below to obtain the current water quality status of your favorite beach location. Use your mouse wheel to zoom into a particular location. Click on the marker to identify the sampling location. This map is updated as conditions change.


For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

On Friday afternoon, Pacific Coast Highway reopened to the public from the Santa Monica Pier to W Channel Road / Entrada Dr., along with the very southern end of Pacific Palisades. Residents with ID are now being allowed to enter more areas of the Palisades .

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

On January 15, 2025, at approximately 1:30 AM, a shooting occurred in the 200 Block of Broadway in Santa Monica. Just prior to the incident, an unidentified female was seen arguing with the victim, a male believed to be homeless. The suspect, a male white or Hispanic, approached the victim and chased him into the middle of the street, shooting the victim in the back. The suspect was last seen running northbound in Alley 2 and out of sight.

Officers arrived on scene and attempted lifesaving efforts. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The victim has not been identified. Detectives are currently reviewing witness statements and surveillance video to identify the parties involved.

The Santa Monica Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in locating Fabian Mendez. Mendez is considered armed and dangerous. If located, do not approach or engage the suspect. Please call 9-1-1 when safe to do so.



Suspect: Fabian Mendez, Male Hispanic, 6’3”, 280 pounds, tattoos on forearms including “Zamora” in large letters

Anyone with information about this incident, please contact Det. Reyes (Isaac.Reyes@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-4852, Detective Sergeant Lozano (Alfonso.Lozano@santamonica.gov) at (310) 458-8774, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at (310) 458-8427.

On January 13th at about 6:45 AM Santa Monica Police Department officers responded to the intersection of Ocean Ave and California Ave in response to a call of a hit-and-run of a department employee. Northbound California toward Pacific Coast Highway is closed to vehicular traffic and only accessible by emergency vehicles. According to witnesses, two National Guard vehicles were traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of Ocean Avenue heading down California Ave toward Pacific Coast Highway. Witnesses saw a dark green Toyota Highlander follow the National Guard vehicles on the wrong side of the road and attempt to gain access to evacuation areas in violation of the shutdown.

A SMPD Traffic Services Officer (TSO) approached the Toyota and signaled it needed to stop. The TSO approached the vehicle and attempted to explain to the driver he was not authorized to pass through the checkpoint. The driver of the vehicle did not follow the order and instead continued through the barrier, driving over the TSO’s foot as he left. Officers monitoring the broadcast of the vehicle description utilized the department’s network of Flock cameras to locate the vehicle in the 2200 Block of Pico Boulevard. The officers conducted a traffic stop of the vehicle and confirmed through statements from the passenger it was the striking vehicle in the hit-and-run. The driver was identified as Walter William Larkins IV (DOB: 02-13-1987).



Larkins, a resident of Malibu, was arrested for Felony Hit and Run (hit-and-run resulting in injury to a person) and several additional violations of vehicle code.

The TSO was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for a soft tissue injury.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone who may have information related to this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Raleigh at Evan.Raleigh@santamonica.gov, our non-emergency dispatch line at 310-458-8491, or the Watch Commander 24 hours a day at 310-458-8427.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.

Saturday night, SMPD officers arrested 3 individuals near the evacuation zone for:
🔹 Possession of a controlled substance
🔹 Possession of drug paraphernalia
🔹 Driving without a valid license
🔹 Providing false ID to a peace officer
🔹 Possession of burglary tools

Suspect(s):






Between January 7 and the morning of January 12th, officers have arrested 39 individuals in the evacuation zones. This includes 10 arrests for burglary, 6 for possessing burglary tools, and others for drug possession, driving violations, warrants, and parole/probation violations. None of those arrested are from the local area.

For more news and updates on the Palisades Fire, Click Here.