𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗢𝗙𝗙 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛: USC Researchers Test Coastal Microbes After Palisades Fire

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — On the morning of Wednesday, April 30, 2025, graduate students from the University of Southern California (USC) were seen collecting ocean water samples from the Santa Monica Pier as part of a field study investigating how marine microorganisms have been affected by the recent wildfire runoff into the Pacific. Using a bucket and rope, the students retrieved water from just below the surface. “Hi, my name is Mia. I'm here with Bradley and my lab partner Kelsey,” Mia explained. “We're here to look at marine microorganisms and their response to the fires and the subsequent rainfalls that L.A. has been experiencing.” The team’s research directly connects to the environmental aftermath of the Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, amid severe drought and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. The wildfire scorched 23,448 acres, destroyed 6,837 structures, and forced the evacuation of over 100,000 residents across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and surrounding areas. Twelve people lost their lives in the blaze, which was fully contained on January 31 after weeks of intense firefighting. Now, with heavy winter rains having followed the fire, scientists are studying how ash, debris, and nutrient-rich runoff may be altering coastal microbial ecosystems. “We just collected our water samples,” Mia added. “We’ll take them back to the lab to filter and analyze for any microbial shifts.” — Reporting by Santa Monica Closeup. Stay tuned for continued coverage of post-fire recovery and environmental impact research.

𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗦: Hart Built Construction Clears Sunset Blvd Commercial Properties After Fire

PACIFIC PALISADES — April 28, 2025 — Hart Built Construction was hard at work Monday, demolishing and clearing four commercial properties on the 15000 block of Sunset Boulevard in downtown Pacific Palisades.

The properties, owned by the Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades, were among the many structures heavily damaged by the devastating Palisades Fire earlier this year.

Chuck Hart, longtime Palisades resident and owner of Hart Built Construction, was on site personally overseeing the demolition. Hart Built Construction, based in Pacific Palisades, has been serving the community since 2001 and is known for its emphasis on craftsmanship, professionalism, and strict adherence to building codes.

The Community United Methodist Church, founded in 1922, was one of the town’s first structures. For over a century, its campus at 801 Via de la Paz served not only as a church and preschool but also as a vital gathering space for baptisms, weddings, funerals, plays, dances, volleyball games, and community events.

The historic building was destroyed in a matter of hours during the Palisades Fire on January 8, 2025.

The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, rapidly expanded under severe drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds. Burning approximately 23,448 acres and destroying nearly 7,000 structures, the fire led to widespread evacuations across Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and neighboring communities before it was fully contained on January 31.

Today, as downtown Pacific Palisades rebuilds, local contractors like Hart Built Construction are playing a critical role in clearing the way for renewal.

𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧: Property Owner Urges Mayor Bass to Step Down

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A large, controversial banner displayed along the Third Street Promenade calling for the resignation of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has sparked strong reactions from passersby and city officials alike. On Thursday, April 24, 2025, Santa Monica Closeup spoke directly with John Alle, the property owner responsible for displaying the sign.

Alle, a longtime property and business owner in Santa Monica, said the banner was independently funded and conceived by a group of local stakeholders, though he clarified that it does not represent the formal stance of the Santa Monica Coalition, which he co-founded. “This is my building,” Alle stated, “and the banner was authorized and funded by myself and a group of 15 to 20 individuals who do business in Santa Monica. It’s not officially part of our Santa Monica Coalition agenda.”

The banner features a family photo of Mayor Bass and poses the question: "Do you think she cares about yours?" According to Alle, the display is intended to highlight what he views as failed leadership in both Los Angeles and Santa Monica, particularly in response to the recent Palisades Fire and ongoing public safety issues downtown.

Alle, who manages and owns properties in neighborhoods across Los Angeles including Skid Row, MacArthur Park, and Pico Union, said he personally warned Mayor Bass about the risks of traveling internationally just days before the wildfire. “I told her there were going to be serious winds,” he recalled, pointing to a conversation just before she departed for Ghana. “I said, 'If those fires get out of hand, we could lose the commercial core of LA.'”

He further criticized the city's emergency preparedness, citing failures related to water pressure, empty reservoirs, and inactive fire hydrants. “The lack of coordination and inadequate infrastructure response contributed to unnecessary loss,” Alle claimed, citing conversations with visiting firefighters and LA-based emergency personnel.

The banner, he said, is a continuation of similar public messaging campaigns, including earlier signs criticizing public officials such as former Mayor Sue Himmelrich, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, and County Health Director Barbara Ferrer. Those campaigns, Alle asserted, helped force resignations and changes in leadership.

Much of Alle’s frustration centers on the perceived disconnect between elected leaders and the lived realities of taxpayers and property owners. He expressed concern over rising crime, the city’s approach to homelessness, underfunded police patrols, and what he describes as poor transparency and accounting in both LA and Santa Monica governance. “The homeless count is being misrepresented,” he said. “We volunteered for the count. It started at 8:00 a.m., but most encampments settle after midnight and break up before sunrise.”

Alle also questioned the occupancy of Getty House, the official residence of LA’s mayor. “Taxpayers didn’t elect a family to live there. They elected a mayor.”

Looking forward, Alle emphasized the group’s intention to hold public officials accountable through continued advocacy, audits, and further displays. “This is a call to action. Fires are year-round now. Winds are constant. Leadership must reflect that urgency.”

Alle confirmed that additional banners are planned in the coming weeks, as his group continues to spotlight what they view as systemic failures across city and county agencies. For now, the banner stands as a public expression of frustration—part protest, part plea for urgent reform.

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗗𝗢𝗟𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗔𝗧 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛: Father and Son Discover Marine Tragedy on Venice Shore During National Work Day

VENICE BEACH — April 23, 2025 — What began as a lesson in public service turned into a hands-on wildlife response for one Los Angeles County employee and his young son during this year’s National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

Jon Rubin, a grounds maintenance worker with Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors, brought his 9-year-old son Dylan to Venice Beach on Wednesday as part of the annual workplace tradition. The father-son duo started the day by collecting trash along the sand and parking lots. But the morning quickly turned into something unexpected.

While making their rounds, the two came across three sick sea lions along the shoreline. Acting quickly, Rubin placed cones around the animals to keep beachgoers at a safe distance and contacted the Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC). When MMCC responders arrived, both Jon and Dylan assisted in carefully securing one of the sea lions and helping load it onto the rescue truck for transport to the rehabilitation facility.

In addition to the marine mammal rescue, the pair also retrieved a dead pelican from the beach and delivered it to the city yard for proper disposal. Later, they encountered four deceased dolphins along the sand and placed safety cones around the area to prevent public interference until crews could respond.

Their efforts took place one day ahead of the national observance of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, which is formally recognized on the fourth Thursday of April. This year, the official date is April 24, 2025.

The program encourages parents and guardians across the U.S. to bring children into the workplace, offering young people exposure to professional environments and real-world challenges. While it is typically a chance to observe office duties or tour facilities, Dylan Rubin’s experience highlighted an unexpected but meaningful example of public service and environmental responsibility.

The County of Los Angeles participates annually, inviting employees to showcase their work and help spark early interest in civic careers. According to the Museum of Women’s History, more than 37 million people worldwide have participated in the program since its inception, with events taking place in at least 92 countries, including India and China.

For young Dylan, the day offered more than just insight — it was an opportunity to assist in a genuine marine wildlife rescue, and a chance to witness first-hand the environmental challenges facing Southern California’s coastline.

𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗢𝗨𝗥: Army Corps General Leads Press Through Nation’s Largest Post-Fire Debris Operation

PACIFIC PALISADES — April 22, 2025 — Brigadier General William C. Hannan Jr. of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers led Santa Monica Closeup and a small press delegation through the heart of the Palisades Fire cleanup zone on Tuesday, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at what officials describe as the largest post-fire debris removal operation in U.S. history.

The tour began at Ronald Reagan Palisades Post 283 and proceeded through damaged neighborhoods, temporary staging facilities, and down Pacific Coast Highway to inspect recovery operations at the ocean’s edge.

According to updated figures provided by the Army Corps, 160 personnel are currently assigned to the Emergency Field Office (EFO) in Palisades, with a total of over 450 USACE personnel and approximately 2,800 contractors involved in wildfire response across Southern California.

As of April 22, the Corps is averaging 56 cleared properties per day across the 37-square-mile impact zone, with a recent range of 52–57 per day. Approximately 1,242 truckloads of debris and ash are being cycled daily. Crews continue to work seven days a week, having taken only a single day off—Easter Sunday—since operations began more than 100 days ago.

To date, more than 1,900 properties have been cleared, and debris removal is approaching the 2,000-parcel milestone. Officials estimate that over 550,000 tons of debris have been removed so far—equivalent in weight to five and a half aircraft carriers.

On Pacific Coast Highway, the current focal point of the recovery mission, the Corps is managing 222 properties. Of those, 70 have received final sign-off, while 152 remain in active clearing. These coastal homes, many of them cantilevered over the bluffs, pose unique engineering and environmental challenges.

Material from cleared properties is processed at three Temporary Debris Staging and Reduction Sites (TDSR), including a recently added site at Will Rogers State Park. Concrete is crushed for reuse, and metal is compressed into cubes for recycling. The approach has significantly reduced long-haul trucking needs and increased operational efficiency.

Air quality remains a key concern. The Corps employs wetting methods, double-encapsulated truck loads, air particulate sensors, and on-body monitors to mitigate health risks from dust exposure. Officials report no significant air quality alarms to date.

The Corps emphasized three guiding principles: urgency, partnership, and care. Property owners are notified before work begins and are encouraged to walk the site with engineers to preserve any personal effects or mementos found in the debris.

“This is not just about structures,” said one official. “It’s about restoring homes, dignity, and safety to the people who lost everything.”

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Santa Monica Closeup will continue reporting from the front lines of recovery in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and along the Pacific Coast Highway. Stay tuned for continued coverage.

SM©U

𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗔 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗜 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛: Temporary Campus Opens at Former Sears Site Following Wildfire

SANTA MONICA – On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, more than 2,500 students, faculty, and staff from Palisades Charter High School arrived at their new temporary campus in downtown Santa Monica, marking their return to in-person learning after the devastating Palisades Fire forced the closure of their original campus in January.

The new site—“Pali South”—occupies the former Sears building at 302 Colorado Avenue. In just one month, the vacant commercial space was transformed into a fully operational school campus through a coordinated and expedited construction process led by city departments, Pali High administrators, architects from Gensler, and contractors with CW Driver.

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete and Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park were on site Tuesday morning at the Downtown Santa Monica Metro Station, greeting students and families as they arrived. Santa Monica Police officers, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies, and Santa Monica Firefighters were also present to provide a visible safety presence on the first day.

“This morning was a reminder of what community means,” said Mayor Negrete. “To see these students smiling and walking into a new space after all they’ve been through—it’s a privilege to welcome them here.”

Students will attend classes at the downtown site through June 6, and are expected to return again for the fall semester following summer break. The relocation was made possible through an emergency order approved by the Santa Monica City Council in the early days of the fire, which allowed affected schools to temporarily relocate to commercial properties within city limits. Palisades High is now the fifth school to do so under the order.

To accommodate the influx, the city developed a comprehensive transportation and mobility plan that includes adjusted traffic signals, dedicated drop-off and pick-up zones, and enhanced safety measures. Pali South is easily accessible by the Metro E Line and Big Blue Bus. Public transit ambassadors, law enforcement officers, and Downtown Santa Monica Ambassadors are stationed in the area to provide guidance and maintain order during peak hours.

Students from across the region are arriving via charter buses, rail, carpools, and active transportation. A dedicated drop-off area behind the Metro station connects directly to the campus via a pedestrian tunnel under 4th Street. Parking has been allocated for school personnel in nearby structures, and local officials are urging all commuters to plan accordingly, particularly during peak traffic windows between 7–8:30 a.m. and 2:30–4:00 p.m.

To support the students’ transition, local businesses—coordinated through Santa Monica Travel & Tourism—are offering special discounts and promotions for high schoolers. Physical education classes will be held at nearby parks, and the Main Library has extended resources and study spaces to the new student population.

The buildout of the Pali South campus included 90 new classrooms, 2,750 desks and chairs, 30 miles of wiring, 48,000 square feet of acoustic insulation, and 11,000 square yards of carpeting—enough to cover two football fields. In total, the rapid development included more than 28,000 construction hours over just 29 days.

Santa Monica Closeup will continue following Pali High’s presence downtown and document the evolving story of students, educators, and city staff working together to build resilience in the aftermath of disaster.

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Stay with Santa Monica Closeup for continuing coverage from the ground.

𝗢𝗖𝗘𝗔𝗡𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧 𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗔𝗖𝗞: SMPD Arrests One in Double Stabbing; Second Suspect at Large

SANTA MONICA — A violent stabbing on the 1700 block of Ocean Front Walk early Saturday morning has left one man in critical condition and a woman injured, prompting a swift response from Santa Monica Police and an ongoing investigation into a second suspect still at large.

At approximately 2:26 a.m. on April 19, 2025, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) officers responded within minutes to reports of a double stabbing near the beach promenade. Officers discovered two victims—both from Northridge, California—suffering from stab wounds. The male victim sustained multiple injuries to the upper torso and was transported to a local hospital in critical but stable condition. The female victim was treated for stab wounds and has since been released.

Witnesses reported that two male suspects fled the scene on foot, heading southbound. A preliminary investigation identified the assailants, leading to the arrest of 20-year-old Ivan Angel Plancarte of San Gabriel. He was taken into custody on Monday, April 21, and booked on charges of attempted murder under California Penal Code 664/187. His bail has been set at $1,000,000, with a court appearance scheduled for April 23.

The second suspect remains unidentified and at large. Described as a Hispanic male with a thin build, he was last seen wearing a grey sweater and a blue bandana or face covering.

Authorities urge anyone with information about the stabbing or the outstanding suspect to contact Detective Peter Zamfirov at (310) 458-8398, Detective Sergeant Alfonso Lozano at (310) 458-8774, or the SMPD Watch Commander at (310) 458-8427.

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Santa Monica Closeup continues to follow this developing story. Stay tuned for updates from the scene and additional information as it becomes available.