Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

News


Sorted by date  Results 26 - 50 of 2901

Page Up

  • Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison. There are Murderers in California Who Get Less Time

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Mar 28, 2024

    Sam Bankman-Fried has just been sentenced to 25 years in prison for defrauding investors and customers. He ran FTX, a brokerage which also sponsored it's own proprietary crypto currency. The 27 year old was convicted of fraud for using depositor funds to back the currency. Alameda Research, ran by his girlfriend Caroline Ellison, developed the crypto currency. SBF was convicted on seven counts. Prosecutors had asked 50 years. His defense attorneys suggested 5 or 6. SBF's lawyers announced that...

  • Ukraine Sinks Two Ropucha Class Landing Craft And Bombs Sevastopol Communications Center for the Russian Black Sea Fleet

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Mar 25, 2024

    Ukrainian missiles destroyed two Ropucha class landing ships anchored at Sevastapol Saturday night. The attack coincided with an attack on the communications center of the black sea fleet. The 350 foot long ships were among the largest remaining ships in Russia's diminished Black Sea Fleet. Russia shut down the Kerch bridge into Crimea, another sign that Russian control over the Azov is slipping. An invasion of Odesa seems less likely. This from Andrea Gorashenko on Twitter: In Sevastopol, the...

  • Kate Middleton Announces that she has Cancer and is Undergoing Chemotherapy

    Christine Peake|Mar 25, 2024

    Kate Middleton announces she has cancer and is undergoing the early stages of chemotherapy. She made the announcement on Twitter and also other social media. "It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family. But I am grateful for my medical team." She said that her abdominal surgery in January was successful. However tumors were discovered, forcing her to undergo chemotherapy. "As you can imagine this has taken time. This has taken time for me to recover from my surgery....

  • UCLA Medical School Now Segregates Black and White Students on a Weekly Basis, to Discuss Racism

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Mar 25, 2024

    According to a post on Reddit, UCLA Medical school, once one of the nation's top medical schools, is now lowering it's admissions standards, then requiring students to attend weekly mandatory race discussions based on the race of the student. The poster writes as follows: "Apparently, UCLA Medical School (school was named in the comments by other posters) requires students to have a mandatory meeting once a week, where they are seperated by race ("white folks"/"black folks"/"non-black people of...

  • Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster Have New Owners as Pacific Park is sold

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Mar 25, 2024

    In a press release, the operator of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, has announced that they have sold the park to an investment firm called SC Holdings. The firms website is at www.sc.holdings. The two managing partners are identified as Jason Stein and Daniel Haimovic. It is unclear what the new operators intend to do with Pacific Park. The Pier of course is owned by a public corporation controlled by the City of Santa Monica. The Pier itself was not sold. The press release follows:...

  • Why George Gascon is in Trouble and Nathan Hochman is Highly Likely to Be the Next Los Angeles County District Attorney

    Corva Corvax, Observer Staff|Mar 21, 2024

    March 15, 2024 - With the majority of votes in Los Angeles County already processed, the race for Los Angeles County District Attorney appears to have narrowed to George Gascon, the incumbent, and Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, U.S. Assistant Attorney General, and private defense attorney. In looking at the distribution of votes among the twelve candidates for the office, it is apparent that, should the proportion of voters remain the same in the general election in November, Georg...

  • California Ballots by the Numbers for the March 5 Primary Election

    John Alle, Special to the Observer|Mar 21, 2024

    March 12, 2024 - Based on my research on the LA County Registrar's website, and discussions with LA County Election monitors and officials - - 1) Approximately seventy (70%) percent of ALL votes were counted AFTER the March 5th election date. 2) Ten Thousand (10,000) persons registered to vote ON Election Day. 3) Eighty (80%) of ballot votes were received and counted AFTER March 5th (Election Day). 4) One-third (1/3rd) of all ballot votes were RECEIVED BY MAIL. 5) As of 8 pm on Election Day...

  • Liftoff: Space X successfully Launches Starship Heavy Rocket at 6:25 am PST in Successful Test of Super Heavy Booster

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Mar 18, 2024

    Space X has successfully launched the Starship Heavy rocket on a suborbital flight, which will one day take colonists to Mars in Elon Musk's vision. They held it to the 8:25 Central Time launch time. Third Stage separation was acheived a few minutes later, followed by a de-orbit burn. Less than an hour later, Starship landed in a field of Plasma. The third test flight of Starship Heavy is historic, since the first two blew up shortly after launch. If they get it off the ground, Musk Tweeted, Sta...

  • Hit and Run Driver Who Killed Dog on Leash in Brentwood Intersection, Sought by Dog's Owner

    Mar 18, 2024

    A Brentwood resident has appealed for help to find the driver who killed her dog on a leash. Last Saturday, the driver went through the intersection of Gretna Green and Montana Avenue, hitting the dog on a leash and killing him instntly. He, the driver, stopped, got out and said he would move his car and return. But he instead drove on. In a post on Neighbors, a social media site, the unidentified resident wrote: "trying to find any witnesses to this accident on Saturday, March 9 in Brentwood....

  • Pepperdine to establish a College of Health Science

    Pepperdine University|Mar 18, 2024

    March 11, 2024 - Pepperdine University President Jim Gash announced the University's decision to establish a College of Health Science. The Board of Regents approved the proposal in a February meeting and gave their overwhelming support to proceed with further exploration of its foundational and future programs. "Establishing a College of Health Science is among the most ambitious initiatives ever undertaken by the University," said University President Jim Gash. "We see the tremendous need for...

  • Local Briefs: Santa Monica Budget Tops $750,000,000; Beverly Hills Middle School Expels Students Who Portrayed Classmates as Nude Through AI

    Observer Staff|Mar 14, 2024

    SM Budget Tops $750,000,000 Santa Monica lawmakers grappled with a three quarters of a billion dollar annual budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. "On June 27, 2023, the City Council unanimously adopted a balanced biennial budget for FY 2023–25 focused on community priorities of a safe and clean Santa Monica, addressing homelessness, and an equitable and inclusive economic recovery," says the City's website. "Adoption of the Biennial Budget comes as Santa Monica emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic...

  • Sweet Lady Jane Bakery in Santa Monica Hits Permitting Glitch in Plans to Reopen

    Observer Staff|Mar 14, 2024

    March 8, 2024 - The Sweet Lady Jane bakery branches, all of which closed to near-universal sorrow in January, has been bought by a new owner and has reopened in Beverly Hills. However, the branch on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica closed down again. According to a sign posted on the door, the new owners, "Julie and Matt," ran into a permitting glitch with the City of Santa Monica. The previous owner reportedly failed to acquire necessary permits for some remodeling work. A notice posted next to...

  • Pacific Park's Ferris wheel will light up the night for "International Women's Day"

    Cameron Andrews|Mar 11, 2024

    Pacific Park's Ferris wheel will light up the night for "International Women's Day" with a stunning display of purple, green and white colors, patterns and transitions on Friday, March 8. "International Women's Day" is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. "International Women's Day" has occurred for well over a century, with the first observance in 1911, which was supported by over a million people. Today, the celebration belongs to all...

  • SMMUSD School Superintendent Shelton Appeals to Community for Donations

    Antonio Shelton, SMMUSD|Mar 11, 2024
    1

    Editor's Note: The following is an email sent to the SMMUSD community on 3/5/24: Dear SMMUSD Families, I am writing with an urgent request and I hope you will read this entire message. We rely on the Santa Monica Education Foundation to help supplement and enhance the curriculum of all students in our Santa Monica public schools. Since 1982, the Ed Foundation's mission has been to help ALL students succeed. The Ed Foundation recently finished its big fundraising campaign on January 31. As of...

  • Sudden Squall, Flash Flood Warning Surprises Westside on Thursday

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Mar 11, 2024

    Sudden storms brought Thunder, lightning and even hail to the Westside on Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a severe thunderstorm warning and also a flash flood alert for Western Los Angeles County. This at 4:33 pm PST on March 6, 2024. The alert reads as follows: "Flash Flood Warning in effect for Western Los Angeles County until 10:00PM. Dangerous street flooding is possible. Avoid non-essential travel. DO NOT walk, swim or drive your vehicle through flood...

  • Flash Flood Warning Issued for Western Los Angeles County, Including Santa Monica

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Mar 6, 2024

    The National has issued a flash flood alert for Western Los Angeles County. This at 5:53 pm PST on March 6, 2024. The alert reads as follows: "Flash Flood Warning in effect for Western Los Angeles County until 10:00PM. Dangerous street flooding is possible. Avoid non-essential travel. DO NOT walk, swim or drive your vehicle through flood waters." Over an inch of rain fell Wednesday....

  • Santa Monica City Councilmember Lana Negrete Announces that She Has Breast Cancer

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Feb 26, 2024

    City Councilmember Lana Negrete has announced that she has breast cancer. “I was diagnosed with cancer 14 days ago.... it's Estrogen positive HER2 Negative breast cancer in my right breast and in 2 of my lymph nodes in that breast,” she wrote. Negrete, one of 7 City Councilmembers, was appointed to the council in 2021 and elected to a 4 year term in 2022. She also runs a music store in Santa Monica, and is married with children. She is also Mayor Pro Tem. Her Facebook post reads as follows: I h...

  • Obscure Corporation Seeks to Replace Sculpture at Windward and Ocean Front Walk, Venice Beach

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Feb 26, 2024

    An old rusting sculpture on Venice Beach has a Notice of Pending Demolition Permit on it. The Notice was issued by the Cal. Coastal Commission, which wants to replace the artwork with other art. Some would probably prefer open space at the intersection of Windward and Ocean Front Walk in Venice. The applicant for the permit is "LA Louver," which is a closed corporation. So no one is sure who's actually behind the move or what would follow it. According to the California Secretary of State, the...

  • Firemen put out a car fire in the parking lot underneath the Marriott Hotel, an SMFD spokesman said Friday. Photo by Matthew Gonzalez

    Matthew Gonzales, Observer Staff Writer|Feb 26, 2024

    Firemen put out a car fire in the parking lot underneath the Marriott Hotel, an SMFD spokesman said Friday. Photo by Matthew Gonzalez "Santa Monica Fire and Police responded to reports of a vehicle fire in the underground parking structure of the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. It's unknown how the fire started and it is currently under active investigation. There were no extension to any of the hotel rooms or any reported injuries. The hotel was evacuated as a precaution. " The fire occurred on...

  • In Denver, a Funeral Home Proprietor Arrested For Driving Around With the Corpse of a Person Who Had Been Dead for Two Years.

    Associated Press|Feb 26, 2024

    The former owner of a Colorado funeral home has been arrested following allegations that he hoarded the remains of dozens of people and hid a body in a hearse for nearly two years, authorities confirmed Friday. Miles Harford, 33, was taken into custody late Thursday night, after Englewood police received a report of an intoxicated man in the 4800 block of South Fox Street, 9 News reported. An earlier warrant for Harford's arrest in Denver lists potential charges of abuse of a corpse, forgery of...

  • On an Emotional Day, Los Angeles County Launches Pathway Home, takes 25 People off Santa Monica Streets....

    Phil Brock, Santa Monica Mayor|Feb 23, 2024
    1

    We have actually reacted to the emergency declaration a year ago with three new initiatives since I became Mayor. 1. Pathway home. 2. The community health (psychiatric) van, and 3. The Step Court. I am very proud of making real strides against the plague of homelessness in our city. Today was the most emotional day of my time on City Council, because we launched the Pathway Home. Here's our press release about the program: Los Angeles County's Pathway Home program brought 25 people experiencing...

  • Expo Line Train Collides With a Car in Santa Monica Saturday, Sending Train Operator to the Hospital

    Matthew Gonzalez|Feb 20, 2024

    10: An Exposition line train collided with a private automobile near the intersection of 7th Street and Colorado Blvd on Saturday. The train operator was slightly injured slightly. The SMPD issued the following press release on Twitter: Santa Monica Police and Fire and Metro Rail Supervisors responded to a train vs vehicle collision scene at the intersection of 7th and Colorado. The Expo Train bound for East Los Angeles struck the vehicle as it was headed Eastbound on the tracks alongside...

  • First Photo of Sam Bankman Fried in Jail Released; Convicted Crypto Fraudster

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Feb 20, 2024

    A photo of Sam Bankman Fried in jail, with other inmates has surfaced on Social Media. The photo was released not by the New York Men's Department of Corrections, but my social media influencer Tiffany Fong who is on Twitter as @tiffanyfong_ . SBF basically used client deposits to back his company's own proprietary crypto currency, FTX. It is interesting to note that due to the increase in the value of crypto currencies such as FTX and Bitcoin, SBF's "victims" may recover all their lost money...

  • Polling Shows Jon Hatami is Likely Contender for Gascon's Seat as Los Angeles County District Attorney

    Alyssa Erdley, Observer Staff|Feb 16, 2024
    2

    February 13, 2024 - A late January survey conducted by the California Elections and Policy Poll of USC shows Jon Hatami polling second among a field of numerous candidates for county district attorney. Only the incumbent, George Gascon, is polling better. Gascon is polling at 15% of the likely electorate. He would have needed more than 50% votes in order to win the primary outright. It is unlikely Gascon will win even the general election, however, since the same poll shows that over half of...

  • Lawsuit Filed Against Barbara Ferrer, LA County Health Department, and Venice Family Clinic Over Open-Air Needle Distribution Program

    The Santa Monica Coalition|Feb 16, 2024
    1

    Thursday, February 15, 2024 The Santa Monica Coalition announced it has filed a lawsuit against County Health Director Barbara Ferrer, the Los Angeles County Health Department, and the Venice Family Clinic as a real party of interest, in connection with the ongoing Needle Distribution Program which has been conducted for a period of approximately four (4) years at all three parks in Downtown Santa Monica. The lawsuit is the first of its kind to be filed by a resident and business owners' group t...

Page Down