𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧-𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: National Guard Troops Run 5K Along Coastline Following Palisades Wildfire Deployment

PACIFIC PALISADES – April 2, 2025 — Beneath clear blue skies and a gentle ocean breeze, approximately three dozen National Guard soldiers participated in a morale-boosting 5K run along Will Rogers State Beach on Wednesday morning. The event marked a moment of physical camaraderie and recovery for troops deployed in the aftermath of the devastating Palisades Fire.

The soldiers, now stationed at security checkpoints into Pacific Palisades, have been assisting local authorities in maintaining access control and providing logistical support since their deployment earlier this year. Their presence follows one of the most destructive wildfires in recent Southern California history.

The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, 2025, rapidly tore through the region, fueled by extreme drought and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds peaking at 100 miles per hour. Over the course of several harrowing weeks, the blaze consumed roughly 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures—including homes, businesses, and places of worship—and prompted mass evacuations affecting more than 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and nearby communities.

Twelve people lost their lives in the fire, with dozens more injured. High winds initially grounded firefighting aircraft, complicating early containment efforts. Full containment was finally achieved on January 31, 2025, following a massive coordinated response from state and local agencies.

Wednesday’s 5K served not only as a morale event for the soldiers but also as a visible symbol of resilience and ongoing recovery in a region still healing from disaster.

𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗬𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧: LA County Lifeguards Reposition Towers Ahead of Beach Season

Santa Monica, CA – April 1, 2025 – On Tuesday morning, Los Angeles County Lifeguards, in coordination with the Department of Beaches and Harbors, began repositioning lifeguard towers along Santa Monica Beach in preparation for the spring and summer seasons.

Using two tractors, the crew moved four lifeguard towers back to their frontline positions near the shoreline. The seasonal relocation marks the beginning of the department’s ramp-up for increased beachgoer activity in the warmer months.

“We’re getting ready for spring and summer,” said LA County Fire Department Lifeguard Captain Smith during the operation. “Come on down — we’ll have the towers up, ready to serve the public and get busy.”

Captain Smith explained that tower placement is adjusted seasonally due to weather and surf conditions. “In the winter, we get bigger surf, so we move the towers back. But in summer, when everyone comes to the beach, we bring them up,” he said.

While the majority of towers are moved seasonally, the department maintains 24-hour staffing at two primary locations year-round. Additional towers are deployed strategically based on weather assessments.

Captain Smith also credited the Department of Beaches and Harbors for their vital role in the seasonal transition. “They assist the LA County Fire Department in moving the towers. They come out with their tractors, bulldozers, and crew to help us get the beaches safe for 2025,” he said.

With towers now returning to the sand, Santa Monica Beach is gearing up for another busy summer season under the watchful eyes of LA County Lifeguards.

𝗗𝗢𝗭𝗘𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗣𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗦: Alarming Deaths Unfold on Venice Beach Shoreline

On Friday, March 28, 2025, Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors employees collected dozens of deceased seabirds—including pelicans, seagulls, and cormorants—from the shoreline of Venice Beach. The birds were gathered near the Lifeguard Headquarters and subsequently buried in the sand.​ While official necropsy results are pending, preliminary observations suggest that the birds may have succumbed to domoic acid toxicosis. This condition arises from harmful algal blooms off the California coast, particularly those involving the microscopic algae Pseudo-nitzschia australis. These blooms produce domoic acid, a neurotoxin that accumulates in small fish such as sardines and anchovies—the primary prey for pelicans and other seabirds. Ingesting high levels of this toxin can adversely affect the brain and heart, leading to seizures, neurological impairment, and heart failure in affected wildlife.​ Recent incidents along the Southern California coastline have raised concerns about the impact of domoic acid on marine life. According to a CBS News report, at least 20 birds taken to the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center have died after being poisoned by domoic acid algae. The recurrence of such events underscores the ongoing environmental challenges posed by harmful algal blooms and their detrimental effects on marine ecosystems. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for public awareness and caution when encountering distressed or deceased wildlife along the coast.

𝗚𝗔𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗧: Santa Monica Environmentalist Links Gasoline to Trump Support

Santa Monica, Calif. – Longtime environmental advocate Paul Scott was spotted holding a bold sign at the corner of Pico Boulevard and Fourth Street in front of the ARCO gas station in Santa Monica. The sign read: “WHEN YOU BUY GAS YOU SUPPORT TRUMP.”

Scott, co-founder of Plug In America and a figure featured in the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car?, said his goal is to draw attention to the connection between consumer gas purchases and political contributions from oil companies. Speaking during rush hour, Scott explained that oil industry profits—fueled by consumer gasoline purchases—have historically funded conservative political campaigns, including Donald Trump’s.

“I want to plant a seed of guilt,” Scott said. “When people buy gas, that money flows to oil companies, which in turn spend billions backing Trump and MAGA politicians.”

Scott emphasized that the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is crucial for political and environmental change. His goal, he said, is to reduce demand for internal combustion vehicles by urging progressive buyers to go electric—ultimately shrinking the market and forcing a shift in manufacturing.

He aims to continue his protest for four years, standing at the same corner for one hour each weekday to maximize visibility. “I get paid in thumbs up and friendly honks,” he added, noting that even negative reactions serve as confirmation that his message is being noticed.

Scott began this campaign in February and views it as an act of direct advocacy, using himself as a “live-action ad” to push for systemic change in transportation and political funding.

𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗣𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘: The Unshakable Faith of Venice’s Street Pastor

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Venice Beach, March 27, 2025 — On Thursday morning, Santa Monica Closeup photojournalist Fabian Lewkowicz encountered a familiar face along the Ocean Front Walk: Pastor Johnny, known in the local community as the “Shepherd of Venice.” A fixture of the Venice Beach landscape for the past five years, Pastor Johnny shared insight into his daily routine, spiritual mission, and personal journey of faith. “I’ve lived in my car for six years — just me and Jesus,” he said, reflecting on his commitment to street ministry. “I wake up around 1 a.m., shower by 1:30, and begin praying by 2. I try to pray until 8.” Dressed sharply in a black suit, patterned tie, and a matching black fedora, Johnny offered warm greetings as he emphasized his purpose: to "seek and save the lost,” referencing Jesus’ words. “There’s a lot of people out here who need a doctor — not a physical one, but a spiritual one. That’s why I’m here.” The self-described former “Guido from Jersey” spoke candidly about his transformation. Raised Catholic, he recalled an early spiritual awakening at age seven, during his first Holy Communion. “The priest said, ‘Do you know why you were created?’ Then he said, ‘Because God loves you.’ And in that moment, everything changed.” Johnny explained that the experience led to a deep, lasting connection with Jesus. “It wasn’t something I heard with my ears — it was with my spirit. I felt love, real love, for the first time. That’s when I became born again.” Passionate and driven, Johnny expressed frustration at what he sees as a lack of purpose among many Californians. “Work isn’t work when you love what you do,” he said. “I’m consumed with this calling. I don’t have time for entertainment — I’m here to tell people that God not only loves them but wants to empower them.” During the impromptu conversation, he also shared a glimpse of his past — including time spent wrestling and boxing in high school — and lightheartedly joked about once being on his school’s chess team. “I was on the sixth board — the last one,” he said, laughing. As the two parted ways, Johnny offered a final note: “I bully demons,” referencing an inside joke known among locals familiar with his street ministry. “It’s not about hate — it’s about casting out what doesn’t belong.” For many in Venice Beach, Pastor Johnny remains a constant — a voice of faith on the boardwalk, navigating homelessness, hardship, and hope with unwavering conviction.

𝗣𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗟: Crews Relocate Power Infrastructure for Santa Monica Bridge Upgrade

Construction activity continued Monday, March 24, 2025, as Doty Bros. Construction Company advanced work on the Pier Electrical Utility Relocation Project adjacent to the Santa Monica Pier Bridge. With the aid of a crane, crews installed electrical PME boxes on the north side of the pier—an essential step in relocating critical power infrastructure ahead of the upcoming bridge replacement.

The PME (Pad-Mounted Equipment) boxes are secure, weatherproof enclosures designed to house medium-voltage electrical components such as power lines, transformers, switchgear, and protective devices. These ground-level systems are part of the underground electrical distribution network that will help ensure uninterrupted service to pier businesses during the bridge's demolition and reconstruction phase.

Jason Hoang, P.E., Santa Monica City Senior Civil Engineer, was on-site to oversee the installation process.

This relocation is a preparatory phase for the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project, scheduled to begin in late 2025. The existing bridge, built in 1939, is the only vehicular access point to the pier and serves as a key pedestrian connection from Palisades Park. The new bridge will be seismically resilient and pedestrian-friendly, with completion targeted before the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

The city contracted Doty Bros. Equipment Company to manage the utility relocation. Construction began on March 3, 2025, and is expected to wrap by September 2025. Early stages of work included setting up staging areas, installing fencing, and potholing existing utility structures within Beach Parking Lot 1N, the future home of the relocated power equipment.

For more information or questions about the project, the public is encouraged to contact Jason Hoang at 310-351-7913 or jason.hoang@santamonica.gov.

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗟 𝗚𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗬: Crews Dig Out Street in Castellammare After Hillside Collapse Destroys Home

On Monday, March 24, 2025, construction crews worked urgently along Castellammare Drive in Pacific Palisades, digging out tons of mud and debris after a hillside home collapsed during a post-fire mudslide. Using heavy equipment, including an excavator, crews focused on clearing the roadway, which remained blocked by the wreckage of the collapsed home and the surrounding hillside.

The incident occurred last week on Posetano Road, where a home that had survived the Palisades Fire slid down the slope onto Stretto Way, damaging another residence and cutting off access to the narrow street. The collapse followed a series of rainstorms that saturated the hillside and may have been worsened by a ruptured water main linked to the damaged property.

Neighbors report that the second home, already structurally compromised, was split in half by the impact. Cleanup and recovery efforts have since intensified, with crews working to restore access and assess further risks in the area.

On the same day, Santa Monica Closeup toured the Castellammare neighborhood, documenting the visible toll of the fire and subsequent mudslide. Charred foundations, collapsed rooftops, and scorched terrain tell a sobering story of destruction, as residents face the slow and complicated process of recovery.

The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, burned 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and led to mass evacuations across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding communities. Propelled by extreme drought and Santa Ana winds reaching up to 100 mph, the fire claimed 12 lives and caused widespread devastation before it was fully contained on January 31.

This latest mudslide highlights the persistent vulnerability of hillside neighborhoods like Castellammare, where weakened terrain and aging infrastructure continue to pose serious challenges months after the flames were extinguished.