Santa Monica, November 17, 2025 — A rainy Monday brought an unexpected spectacle to the Third Street Promenade as roughly 50 life-size Homer Simpson characters filled the pedestrian corridor in a coordinated promotion for Fortnite’s new month-long collaboration with The Simpsons.
The procession of Homers greeted shoppers, posed for selfies, and performed a synchronized group dance as onlookers crowded beneath umbrellas to watch the pop-up flash mob unfold. The activation showcased Fortnite’s newly released Simpsons skins and Springfield-themed content now available to players throughout November.
Adding to the surprise, Simpsons creator Matt Groening made an appearance at the event. Groening photographed the Homer performers, met with fans along the Promenade, and posed for photos with visitors who recognized him — turning the promotional stunt into a rare public moment that blended gaming culture with animation history.
Fortnite’s crossover, which launched November 1 and runs through November 29, introduces a cel-shaded Springfield map, themed weapons, character outfits, and a slate of in-game gags tied to the long-running series. Players can access Homer, Marge, Flanders, Blinky Fishstick, and other Springfield-inspired skins through the Springfield Battle Pass.
Disney+ is also rolling out four new Simpsons shorts this month to expand the crossover storyline, offering fans an animated explanation of how Springfield enters the Fortnite universe.
Despite steady rain, the Promenade crowd grew as the Homers marched, danced, and interacted with visitors, transforming a gray Monday into a vivid, cartoon-colored street scene.
Santa Monica Closeup continues to document notable public moments of community significance across the Westside.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — November 11, 2025 — The Santa Monica Pier transformed into a stage of remembrance and pride on Tuesday as civic leaders, military officials, and residents gathered for the city’s sixth annual Veterans Day Ceremony. The event brought heartfelt tributes, solemn reflection, and patriotic celebration beneath an overcast coastal sky.
The ceremony, hosted in partnership with the U.S. Army, featured remarks from Councilmember Dan Hall, Mayor Lana Negrete, and General Bryan P. Fenton, Commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, who delivered the keynote address.
Honoring Service and Sacrifice
Councilmember Dan Hall, a West Point graduate and Army veteran, opened the ceremony by reflecting on the meaning of Veterans Day and his own experiences at the U.S. Military Academy. “Standing here on the Santa Monica Pier, we gather in a place where people come to feel restored,” Hall said. “It is the perfect place to honor the men and women who carried that truth with them into service.”
A Message of Gratitude from the Mayor
Mayor Lana Negrete expressed deep appreciation for veterans and active-duty service members, including her own family members who have served in the Army. “It takes a very courageous, generous, selfless, and disciplined person to respond to the call to fight for the greater good,” Negrete said. “While we may have this Veterans Day celebration once a year, you have our gratitude and respect every day.”
Negrete also acknowledged the city’s Palisades Fire recovery heroes, presenting official commendations to organizations and agencies that played key roles in the region’s recovery efforts. Honorees included the American Legion Post 283, Coulson Aviation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the California National Guard.
General Fenton’s Keynote Address
General Bryan P. Fenton, who recently concluded his tenure as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, spoke passionately about the enduring legacy of military service.
“Veterans Day is a sacred day — a day when we pause as a nation to recognize veterans, past and present, who have served in defense of our freedoms,” Fenton said. He saluted wounded warriors, Gold Star families, and service members missing in action, calling them “the best of humanity.”
Fenton also highlighted ongoing challenges veterans face, including homelessness, unemployment, and suicide, urging continued public support: “By working together, we can ensure that those who gave so much receive the care, support, and opportunities they deserve — honoring our veterans year-round.”
Awards for Fire Recovery Heroes
Following his address, Mayor Negrete presented awards of commendation recognizing the tireless work of emergency responders and partner agencies during the January 2025 Palisades Fire.
American Legion Post 283 was honored for transforming its facility into a disaster relief center.
Coulson Aviation received recognition for its precision aerial firefighting missions, including more than 3 million gallons of water dropped during the wildfire emergency.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was commended for cutting debris removal timelines in half through military efficiency and compassion.
The California National Guard was recognized for securing burned areas and supporting displaced families during recovery.
Future Soldiers Sworn In
In a moving conclusion, General Fenton administered the Oath of Enlistment to a formation of new recruits, who raised their right hands and pledged to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. The crowd stood in applause as the future soldiers completed the oath, symbolizing the continuation of service and sacrifice across generations.
The ceremony also included a Chinook helicopter flyover from Coulson Aviation, a National Anthem performance by Master Sergeant Keith Beyer, and “God Bless America” sung by Miss USO Heidi-Marie Ferren.
Music and post-ceremony festivities followed, featuring DJs from 95.5 KLOS and Power106, while veterans and active military members received free meals and ride passes courtesy of Meals on Wheels and Pacific Park.
The event, organized by Sonki Hong, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, underscored Santa Monica’s ongoing commitment to honoring its veterans and those who continue to serve.
“Every veteran carries within them a story of honor and resilience,” Hong said. “Through their service, they have written the very definition of patriotism.”
On Monday, November 10, 2025, a team of veterinarians and marine biologists carried out a necropsy on a Cuvier’s beaked whale on Santa Monica Beach to help determine condition, cause of death, and any contributing factors. The animal — an adult male weighing more than 4,000 pounds and approximately 20 feet long — had originally washed up alive in Malibu on Friday before later coming ashore in Santa Monica.
The operation involved multiple agencies working side-by-side on the sand, including the California Wildlife Center, Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and Santa Monica entities such as Beaches and Harbors, maintenance crews, police, fire, and lifeguards.
California Wildlife Center Marine Program Manager Heather Henderson said the effort aims to preserve as much of the skeleton as possible for scientific study, noting that findings from rare species like this can offer insight into broader ocean health.
Santa Monica Closeup reports this as part of ongoing documentation of coastal events.
A deceased whale drew public attention on the sand in Santa Monica on Monday, November 10, 2025, after the animal washed ashore and was later moved farther up the beach by city crews.
The carcass — estimated at roughly 20 feet in length — showed clear signs of advanced decomposition. According to observers at the scene, the whale appeared to have been dead for some time before surf and tide carried it in.
Crews repositioned the remains away from the waterline to secure the area and prevent the carcass from drifting back into the surf. Members of the public stopped to look, take photographs, and discuss the sighting while keeping a cautious distance.
Specialized wildlife personnel are expected to conduct a necropsy — the animal-science equivalent of an autopsy — to help determine species, condition, and any contributing factors in the whale’s death.
Santa Monica Closeup reports this as part of ongoing documentation of coastal events.
Thousands of runners moved up the center lanes of Ocean Avenue on a foggy Sunday morning, November 9, 2025, as the Run Travis Run 5K brought out a high-energy crowd along Santa Monica’s shoreline.
The event — led by drummer Travis Barker — blended wellness culture with Barker’s familiar brand aesthetic, drawing participants across age groups and fitness levels. Many runners wore official race bibs and Run Travis Run apparel as they pushed through the coastal haze toward the finish.
Organizers positioned the 5K as more than a timed run, framing it as a lifestyle experience rooted in health, recovery and pop culture. After crossing the line, participants entered a branded post-run activation zone offering sponsor engagements, wellness tie-ins and social-media friendly moments.
The high turnout filled Ocean Avenue from curb to curb, underscoring strong community interest in themed fitness events and celebrity-connected runs along the Westside.
Santa Monica Closeup documented the scene.
Classic cars line Washington Boulevard at the Venice Pier during the Venice Block Party on Saturday afternoon, November 8, 2025 — turning the waterfront corridor into a nostalgic display of craftsmanship and chrome. Visitors stopped to admire the gleaming vehicles, snapping photos and selfies beside the restored rides that stretched toward the pier entrance.
Dogtown Car Club members stood by their vehicles, fielding questions, sharing restoration stories, and revealing the engines that power their decades-old machines. The relaxed, street-level setup fostered conversation between builders and bystanders alike, blending Venice’s neighborhood energy with Southern California’s long-running car culture.
Local artists, food vendors, and pop-up makers added to the scene, transforming the block into a community gathering that celebrated both creativity and heritage.
Santa Monica Closeup captured the atmosphere of the day as locals and visitors united around one of Venice’s enduring traditions — cars, community, and California sunshine.
Santa Monica Police reported the passing of mounted patrol horse “Laredo,” who died Monday, November 2, 2025, following a seven-month battle with rotational laminitis in his left front hoof. He was 18.
Laredo, originally from Wyoming, joined the department’s Mounted Unit in 2017. He served as a steady partner to mounted officers during routine patrols, protests, and high-activity crowd environments. He was also a regular presence at school demonstrations and public-safety outreach events, where his calm demeanor often resonated with children and families.
In February 2019, Laredo drew wider attention during what officers later referred to as a “hoof pursuit,” when he assisted in tracking a stolen-vehicle suspect in Downtown Santa Monica — a short chase that was captured on Los Angeles television news.
Santa Monica Closeup extends condolences to the Santa Monica Police Mounted Unit. Laredo’s years of service in the downtown and beachside corridors left a visible imprint on the city’s public-safety landscape, and his presence was familiar to countless residents, visitors, and officers alike.
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at around 5 p.m., approximately a dozen Santa Monica Police officers initiated a high-risk traffic stop on Marine Street near Neilsen Way after receiving an automated alert from the city’s camera network regarding a vehicle reportedly wanted for further investigation.
Officers conducted the stop with weapons drawn and ordered two occupants out of the vehicle. The individuals were then placed in handcuffs and temporarily detained while officers verified information connected to the alert.
According to officers at the scene, the vehicle matched a plate associated with a notice flag — however it was later confirmed to be a rental. After documentation checks and verification, the two individuals were released.
Police indicated they would contact the rental company for follow-up regarding the alert originating from the vehicle’s registration.
Santa Monica Closeup continues monitoring public safety activity across the Westside.
SANTA MONICA — The Santa Monica Police Department confirmed it has arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal hit-and-run collision that killed two pedestrians and critically injured two others on October 24, 2025, along the 1300 block of Wilshire Boulevard.
According to SMPD, the Major Accident Response Team led the initial investigation, with detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division later joining due to the severity of the case and the suspect’s alleged efforts to evade capture.
Investigators identified the alleged driver as 38-year-old Alex Kristopher Earl Kirksey. Prosecutors with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office have charged him with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of felony hit-and-run causing injury, and one count of reckless driving.
Detectives said the vehicle involved in the collision had been rented through an online platform, and that Kirksey traveled out of state in the days following the crash in an apparent attempt to avoid law enforcement. Investigators also determined that the individual who rented the vehicle allegedly arrived at the crash scene after the collision to ask questions about the incident, and later helped the suspect leave California. The extent of that person’s involvement remains under review by the District Attorney.
Search warrants executed during the investigation led detectives to additional electronic records and contact information, which helped determine Kirksey’s location outside the state.
Working with law enforcement partners in the Midwest, SMPD detectives tracked Kirksey to Chicago. With assistance from the Chicago Police Department, he was taken into custody at or near a transit center, where authorities say he appeared to be preparing to leave the area. He has since been extradited to Santa Monica and is now in SMPD custody.
Interim Police Chief Darrick Jacob said this development marks an important milestone in the case, noting that investigators “worked tirelessly to identify and locate those responsible for this senseless act.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman also issued a statement, saying his office remains committed to justice on behalf of the two victims killed — 61-year-old Maura Cohen and 61-year-old Brad Lipshy — as well as the two other victims who remain seriously injured.
Authorities are asking anyone with additional information about the collision to contact Traffic Investigator Lantz Lewis at (310) 458-2201 ext. 5311 or the SMPD Watch Commander’s Office at (310) 458-8427.
