Westside Current Los Angeles

08/02/2025

A 72-year-old woman and a dog were killed in a two- car collision on the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway in Westwood Friday evening, while three other people were injured, two critically.

An 80-year-old woman and a 66-year-old man were critically injured while a 60-year-old woman was hospitalized in fair condition, the LAFD reported.

LAFD personnel responded to the freeway, near the Wilshire Boulevard exit, around 7:15 p.m.

WESTWOOD - A 72-year-old woman and a dog were killed in a two- car collision on the northbound San Diego (405) Freeway in Westwood Friday evening, while three other people

07/02/2025

When the Palisades and Eaton fires tore through Southern California, displacing families and upending lives, Meghan Grimm—former assistant to Jennifer Lawrence and founder of Clyde Staffing Ventures—knew she couldn’t sit still.

What started as a simple Instagram post asking for donations quickly turned into a full-scale relief operation. Within days, Grimm’s living room was overflowing with supplies, and volunteers from all walks of life—mothers, students, entertainment pros—showed up to help.

“This is about healing, dignity, and making people feel like themselves again.” – Meghan Grimm

Last Saturday, empty buses rolled into an evacuation center in Altadena, bringing displaced families to the West Hollywood site, where they were met with warmth, care, and a community ready to lift them up.

Shoutout to the Village That Made This Happen:
- Hackman Capital Partners – Donated space at Television City (7800 Beverly Blvd)
- Chef Tim Kilcoyne & Chef Aron Pobereskin – Organized food vendors
- Charlie Streep & Red Cross – Coordinated transportation from Altadena
- Clarke Leisy (The Wall Group) & Alexandra Feldman (A Frame Agency) – Beauty & wellness support
- Simmone Taitt (Poppy Seed Health), Sky Biedron (grief counseling), & Lauran Huff (volunteer coordination)

✨ A clear way to help = a community that shows up.

LOS ANGELES - Meghan Grimm had spent years behind the scenes of Hollywood’s elite, orchestrating the lives of A-list celebrities with the same level of precision and dedication she would

07/02/2025

Vittorio’s was more than a restaurant—it was a home away from home, a place where regulars knew the family that ran it and were treated like family in return.

After 40 years as a neighborhood staple, the Palisades Fire reduced it to ashes, but the Pellegrini family refuses to let the flames erase decades of memories and community.

“We’ve survived so much, and we’ll survive this too,” says co-owner Vanessa Pellegrini. The restaurant’s legacy spans generations, from its founder Mercedes Pellegrini to her daughters, and now her six-year-old granddaughter, who already dreamed of carrying on the family tradition.

The loss is devastating, but the heart of Vittorio’s remains unshaken. The Pellegrinis are determined to rebuild and bring back the warmth, laughter, and countless meals that made Vittorio’s an institution.

The full story is linked in the bio and stories. https://www.westsidecurrent.com/eat/beloved-40-year-palisades-restaurant-wants-to-go-back-home/article_1cd14be8-de9a-11ef-bc0a-b3898d0bae20.html

06/02/2025

DoorDash is driving change by giving back to local businesses and providing financial relief and support to help communities rebuild.

The company is offering $10,000 in relief grants, reduced financing rates, and flexible payment options to support restaurants recovering from the fires. The organization has also donated $1 million to World Central Kitchen and is providing $150,000 in Community Credits for first responders.

Link in bio for more information.

LOS ANGELES — DoorDash is providing financial relief and support to local businesses impacted by recent fires in Los Angeles, offering grants and reduced financing rates to help with recovery

06/02/2025

The county Medical Examiner's Office identified the deceased as Jerramie Stubbs, 44, of Chandler, Arizona.

Police did not release details on how Stubbs ended up at the location, and the investigation was ongoing.

VENICE - Authorities Thursday identified a man whose body was discovered near the Venice Boardwalk earlier this week.

06/02/2025

As the city battles the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, budget concerns deepen.

L.A. faces major challenges, from depleted reserves to rising legal settlements and a shrinking property tax base. The recent credit warning from agencies like S&P Global highlights the city's financial struggles at a time when all eyes are on us.

Full story available at the link in our bio.

06/02/2025

Ingo Horst Gaida was allegedly engaged in "inappropriate activities" with the student since the end of 2024, prompting an investigation that began in late January, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

SANTA MONICA - A 58-year-old Santa Monica High School science teacher suspected of an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old female student was arrested Wednesday.

05/02/2025

Councilwoman Traci Park is pushing back after learning that the EPA has decided to use Will Rogers State Beach as a temporary site for toxic debris from the Palisades Fire, raising serious environmental concerns.

Why it matters:

The site could put Santa Monica Bay’s ecosystem at risk if hazardous materials wash into the ocean.
Zero community input—Park says she was never consulted.
A similar site in Lario Park has sparked backlash from nearby cities, warning of health and safety risks.
The EPA is also dealing with an estimated 1,000 fire-damaged lithium-ion batteries, calling it possibly the largest removal operation of its kind.

LOS ANGELES – Councilwoman Traci Park is pushing back after learning that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to use the parking lot at Will Rogers State Beach

05/02/2025

When disaster struck, Zibby Owens didn’t hesitate—she turned her Montana Avenue bookshop into a hub for giving. From launching a pop-up clothing shop for fire evacuees to giving away 1,000 children’s books in honor of World Read Aloud Day (today), she’s proving that kindness is the best story of all.

Now, she’s on a new mission: rebuilding school libraries lost in the fires. Schools like Marquez Charter, Seven Arrows, St. Matthew’s, and The Village School need our help.

Want to make a difference? Support Zibby’s campaign to return books to students who’ve lost so much.

SANTA MONICA - Zibby Owens’ life has been an open book—one filled with stories of generosity, community, and a deep desire to help others. So it’s no surprise that when

05/02/2025

Rick Caruso wasted no time taking aim at city leadership since the wildfires broke out. From calling out dry hydrants and unfilled reservoirs to criticizing Mayor Karen Bass for leaving the city amid high-wind warnings, Caruso is making sure Angelenos know who he blames.

His produced videos, media appearances, and $5M donation to LAFD Foundation (now $20M with outside contributions) have fueled speculation—will he take another shot at office? Governor? Mayor?

In the wake of the fires the billionaire mall master keeps swinging at local leaders. Is another mayoral run in the future?

05/02/2025

Authorities say officers responded to a call around 7 a.m. regarding a body found in the 300 block of Ocean Front Walk. Upon arrival, they located the body of a man, possibly in his 30s.

Police remain on scene as the investigation continues.

Link in bio and stories.

VENICE — The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating a death after a body was discovered Wednesday morning on the Venice Boardwalk.

04/02/2025

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has issued an emergency order to speed up the reopening of schools and child-care centers damaged by last month’s wildfires.

🔹 More Space for Displaced Students: Schools & child care centers can increase enrollment by 20% to accommodate children displaced by the fires—for up to five years.

🔹 Faster Relocations: Affected schools & facilities can get an immediate 180-day permit to relocate anywhere in the city (previously limited to 90 days).

🔹 Long-Term Solutions: Facilities needing to operate beyond 180 days will get priority approvals through an expedited review process.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency order Tuesday to expedite the reopening of schools and child-care centers damaged in last month's wildfires.

04/02/2025

After eight years, millions in taxpayer dollars, and a long road of controversy, the Venice Dell Project is officially dead. What went wrong? From ignoring community concerns to legal battles and last-minute blunders, this project became a case study in how not to build affordable housing in Los Angeles.

Key takeaway: Disregard the community at your own peril—governing officials come and go, but residents have the final say.

Behind the Post: How Not To Build a Housing Project

04/02/2025

The City Council will consider an ordinance today that would temporarily prohibit landlords from evicting tenants who have unauthorized occupants and pets who have been displaced by the multiple fires that erupted in January.

City Councilwoman Traci Park, who represents the Pacific Palisades, introduced an emergency motion calling for such protections on Jan. 14, a week after the fires started on Jan. 7.

Park proposed prohibiting evictions of tenants who welcomed displaced residents and their pets for one year.

"Some impacted people and their pets are currently staying with friends and family in rental properties that may not allow pets or additional persons under current leases," the motion reads.

LOS ANGELES - The City Council Tuesday will consider an ordinance that would temporarily prohibit landlords from evicting tenants for having unauthorized occupants and pets, who have been displaced by

04/02/2025

State Farm, California's largest insurer, filed a request with the state Monday for an emergency 22% rate hike for homeowner policies, calling the increase essential to stave off a "dire situation" for customers and the insurance industry in the state.

In the wake of the L.A.-area wildfires, State Farm officials said the company has already received more than 8,700 claims and has paid out more than $1 billion.

LOS ANGELES - State Farm, California's largest insurer, filed a request with the state Monday for an emergency 22% rate hike for homeowner policies, calling the increase essential to stave

03/02/2025

We've received a lot of questions at Westside Current about how to help children process the fear and uncertainty that come with wildfires. To provide expert insight, we sat down with Julie Cederbaum, Associate Professor at USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

Visit the link in our bio to see the full video of Julie sharing her advice on how to talk to kids about wildfires in a way that acknowledges their fears while helping them feel safe and supported.

03/02/2025

A storm system is expected to bring widespread rain and gusty winds to Southern California beginning Tuesday, raising fears of possible debris flows in recent burn areas.

Residents were urged to clear drainage paths around their properties, install sandbags to direct runoff away from homes, avoid travel in burn areas and mountain roads during heavy rainfall and sign up for emergency alerts at ready.lacounty.gov.

See the full details and emergency preparedness guide at the link in our bio.

03/02/2025

A ban on indoor and outdoor wood burning has been extended Monday for much of the Southland due to a forecast of high air pollution in the area.

The residential ban affects all those in the South Coast Air Basin, including the non-desert portions of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and all of Orange County.

Full details at the link in our bio.