Community, Diversity, Sustainability and other Overused Words

Articles written by Samuel Alioto


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 25 of 320

  • Santa Monica's Cannabis Cash Grab: Equity Nonsense Meets Budget Desperation

    Samuel Alioto|Updated Sep 17, 2025

    In a 6-1 vote, Santa Monica's City Council just opened the door to commercial cannabis dispensaries for the first time in over a decade, and they're dressing it up as some noble social justice crusade. Here's the deal: they've carved out retail zones and are handing out permits like candy, but only if you check the right "equity" boxes-prioritizing communities supposedly scarred by the war on drugs. They're even tossing in micro-grants for "reinvestment," as if that's going...

  • Minneapolis Shooter Wednesday was a Transgender 23-Year-Old Man Named Robin Westman

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Aug 27, 2025

    Minneapolis, MN – August 27, 2025, 1:15 PM PDT** – The individual responsible for the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic School during morning Mass has been identified as Robin Westman, a 23-year-old man from suburban Minneapolis who legally transitioned to identify as transgender. The attack, which claimed the lives of two children aged 8 and 10 and injured 17 others, including 14 children, has sent shockwaves through the community and prompted a federal inv...

  • Las Vegas Tourism Takes a Hit in 2025, Down 6.5% Amid Economic and Global Challenges

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jul 29, 2025
    1

    *Las Vegas, NV – July 20, 2025* – The neon lights of Las Vegas are shining a bit dimmer this year as the city grapples with a significant decline in tourism, a cornerstone of its economy. According to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), visitor numbers have dropped by 6.5% through May 2025, with nearly 1 million fewer travelers compared to the same period in 2024, when the city welcomed 41.7 million visitors. This downturn has sparked concern among loc...

  • Westside Doctor Pleads Guilty in Matthew Perry Drug Overdose

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jul 25, 2025

    In a dramatic hearing at the Roybal Federal Building in Los Angeles, Santa Monica physician Dr. Richard Haskell pleaded guilty on Wednesday to illegally supplying actor Matthew Perry, beloved for his role as Chandler Bing on *Friends*, with prescription drugs. The 57-year-old doctor, who ran a discreet clinic on Wilshire Boulevard, admitted to providing Perry with hundreds of oxycodone pills and ketamine vials from 2022 to 2023, fueling the actor's addiction in exchange for...

  • Insane Doorcam Footage of Shootout in Philadelphia Residential Neighborhood

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jul 11, 2025

    **Philadelphia, PA - July 7, 2025** - A violent shootout erupted in the heart of Philadelphia late Monday evening, leaving three people dead and nine others injured, including three children, according to local authorities and eyewitness accounts. The harrowing incident, captured on a Ring doorbell camera, has reignited concerns about the escalating gun violence plaguing urban areas across the United States. Original ring camera footage may be seen on X.com at:...

  • Burglary Suspect Shot After Driving Through the Window of West LA Marijuana Dispensary

    Samuel Alioto, Observer STaff Writer|Updated Mar 11, 2025

    A burglary suspect, driving a newer Hyundai sedan, deliberately crashed the vehicle through the glass window of ERBA, a weed dispensary in West LA. A security guard employed by the dispensary shot the suspect, who was found with a gunshot wound and taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The suspect, identified as a 25-year-old man, later died from his injuries at a hospital. The shooting was reported at 3:12 a.m. at ERBA Markets' West LA dispensary on...

  • Pacific Palisades Largely Burns to the Ground, as Pali High, 5000 Homes Immolate

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 9, 2025

    Update: Tahitian Village Mobile Estates and Palisades Bowl Trailer Park are both reportedly engulfed in flames. 8 pm PST 1.7.25 California State's leadership stood around unable to help the richest, bluest part of the County of Los Angeles, as the Palisades Fire burned home after home to the ground. The exact number of homes burned in the Palisades Fire is not yet clear, but many structures have been reported destroyed as the fire threatens over 25,000 homes. Evacuations have...

  • Traffic Signals Out Saturday Afternoon on Olympic Blvd in West Los Angeles, From Barrington to Sepulveda

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 4, 2025

    Traffic signals malfunctioned Saturday around noon in West Los Angeles, From Barrington to Sepulveda on Olympic Blvd, a main East-West thoroughfare. Traffic is of course, at a stand still. We suggest alternate routes such as Pico or Wilshire Blvd, or delay your trip. There is no time frame for resolving the problem. "Traffic signals were reported out on Olympic Blvd in West Los Angeles, affecting the area from Barrington to Sepulveda. Drivers should exercise caution and be pre...

  • Santa Monica Police Thwart Kidnapping of 8 Year Old Girl in the Alley behind 800 block of Maple Ave

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Saff Writer|Updated Aug 28, 2024

    18: The SMPD says it arrested a 40 year old homeless woman for trying to kidnap an 8 year old girl. This was the second time in 2 weeks that a homeless woman tried to kidnap a girl (but the 2 incidents were not related). This time, the girl and her neighbor were in an alley loading pets into a car. Witnesses called to report "a suspicious person in the 800 block of the alley south of Maple Street," wrote Erika Aklufi, in a press release. The suspect, Courtney Perrone,...

  • Everest Climbers Pass Numerous Bodies of Unsuccessful Hikers On Their Way to the Summit

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Dec 12, 2023

    At 29002 feet tall, Everest is the world's tallest mountain. Oxygen must be carried up the path for most people to complete the trek, due to the thin air at the height of a commercial airline flight. For over twenty years, numerous mountaineers ascending Mount Everest have encountered "Green Boots," a deceased climber who lost his life near the summit in 1996. "Green Boots' body serves as a grim milestone for climbers, indicating their proximity to the summit.⁠ Despite o...

  • Elon Musk to Visit Israel November 28. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Will Tour Kibbutzim Destroyed by Hamas. #ElonGoToGaza Trended on Twitter

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Nov 27, 2023

    Tesla and X owner Elon Musk is expected to visit Israel next week, during which he will visit towns near the Gaza border that were attacked by Hamas on October 7, N12 reported on Thursday. According to the report, Musk will meet with President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his visit. The visit comes as Musk continues to come under fire for failures to combat antisemitism on his X (formerly Twitter) platform, for sharing content from antisemitic...

  • Teacher Attacked by 270 Pound "Boy" Last Summer Wants Brendan Depa to Incur the Maximum Sentence

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Nov 20, 2023

    The Florida teacher who was beaten unconscious by a 270 pound teen reportedly wants "no mercy" for her attacker. She says she has been living off donations. The victim, Joan Naydich, says her whole life has been turned upside down and she wants the maximum sentence of 30 years behind bars for her attacker Brendan Depa. Brendan Depa viciously beat Noan Naydich in 2023 after she took away his Nintendo. Brendan Depa faces up to 30 years in prison for the brutal beating. His...

  • IPhone Stolen at Gunpoint in Robbery at 17th Street and Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Sep 17, 2023

    9/10/23: Police are searching for a suspect who brandished a gun while robbing a person of an iPhone and watch. A 911 caller reported the incident at 1626 Wilshire Blvd, just after 6 pm PST. Reaction on Social Media was quick: "You can usually track the location of a iPhone. Should be easy to catch this criminal," one woman wrote on Facebook. "The great tragedy of our times is we KNOW how to fight crime and maintain law and order and we KNOW how to create thriving societies...

  • Dead Man Found in a Barrel Floating in the Malibu Lagoon, Identified as Javonnta Murphy, 32

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Aug 6, 2023

    The LA County coroner has identified the body found in a 55 gallon barrel in Malibu lagoon on Monday. Javonnta Murphy, 32, was an aspiring musician from Sylmar with a social media presence. His friends posted on social media to express sorrow and dismay that someone so young, so seemingly harmless, had died, and in such a strange way as well. "One day, the true story will come out," one of them tweeted. The deceased body found inside the barrel at Malibu Lagoon was identified...

  • Small Claims Court Moves From Santa Monica Courthouse, to Beverly Hills

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jun 10, 2023

    The Superior Court has announced that effective July 3, 2023, all small claims hearings in the Court's West District will be moved from the Santa Monica Courthouse, 1725 Main St., Santa Monica, to the Beverly Hills Courthouse at 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. This from the office of Clerk of Court David W. Slayton. "While in-person small claims hearings will transition from the Santa Monica Courthouse to the Beverly Hills Courthouse, litigants can continue to appear remotely...

  • Owners of 33 Apartments in Ocean Towers Indicted For Allegedly Embezzling Funds From Ocean Towers HOA

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated May 19, 2023
    1

    15: John Spahi, 70 and his son, Omar Spahi, have been arrested after a grand jury indicted them for converting HOA funds to their personal use. Ocean Towers is the only Cooperative apartment building in Santa Monica. For years, residents have alleged that the Spahis dominated the board of Directors of the HOA, and improperly used HOA funds for personal uses. Also indicted were Joe and Dorothy Orlando, who managed the building. The complaint alleges that the Spahis owned or...

  • Santa Monica Youth, 19, Found Dead on Freeway Embankment After Car Accident

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Apr 23, 2023

    Joshua Bodor, 19, has been found deceased on a freeway embankment. He was a graduate of John Adams Middle School and Santa Monica High School. His family announced his death on GoFundMe website. In an email to us, Joshua's father said that he died in an automobile accident. "It is with deep sadness that we share the news of Joshua Bodor's passing," wrote Ilona Bodor on Godfundme.com. Her announcement continues below. "Joshua, a 19-year-old resident of Santa Monica,...

  • Airman Who Worked on Security Systems Arrested for Treason in Pentagon Leak Case. #Discord

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Apr 19, 2023

    The FBI has arrested a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard in connection with the disclosure of highly classified military documents on the Ukraine war, authorities announced Thursday. "Today the Justice Department arrested Jack Douglas Teixeira, in connection with an investigation into alleged unauthorized removal, transmission, and transition of classified national defense information. He is an employee of the United States Air National Guard," said US Attorney...

  • Former LA County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas Convicted of Corruption Charges

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Apr 4, 2023

    Once among the most powerful politicians in the nation's most populous county, a Federal jury on Thursday convicted former LA County Supervisor and LA City Councilman Mark Ridley Thomas on charges of bribery, conspiracy, mail fraud and wire fraud. The charges related to benefits his son received at the University of Southern California (USC). The verdict, which jurors reached in their fifth day of deliberations, marked a tragic turn for a gentleman who for more than 30 years...

  • Homeless Man Arrested for Burglarizing Guesthouse in 500 Block of Marguerita Avenue, in Santa Monica

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Jan 19, 2023

    A 27 year old homeless man was arrested for burglarizing a guesthouse behind a home in the 500 block of Marguerite Avenue, Santa Monica Police Lt. Rudy Flores wrote the following press release: On January 17, 2023, at approximately 8:33 PM, Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) Officers were dispatched to a Burglary Alarm call at a residence in the 500 block of Marguerita Ave. Dispatch was also contacted by an individual reporting she observed someone enter the guest house of...

  • Scooter Company Kicks In $25,000 to Santa Monica Education Foundation for SMMUSD Programs

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Dec 2, 2022

    I have to admit I love riding scooters. It's a way to go to our office in Downtown Santa Monica, without having to park. It's fun to watch couples riding them. There are several electric scooter companies present in Santa Monica, including Lyft, Lime, Bird and Spin. But the three letter name company VEO has donated $25,000 to the Santa Monica education campaign. Here's the press release from the Santa Monica Education Foundation: Santa Monica Education Foundation Kicks off...

  • Shooting on 26th and Wilshire in Santa Monica Late Sunday Night Wounds One Man

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Nov 1, 2022
    1

    A shooting Sunday night at the intersection of Wilshire Blvd and 26th Street in Santa Monica, wounded one man. He suffered a gunshot wound to the arm. This is breaking news; details are lacking at this time. The shooting occurred near the Union 76 Gasoline station. The Los Angeles Police Department later got a call for a shooting and Wilshire and Bundy, less than half a mile away. This indicates that it may have been a car to car shooting, since the location of the shooting...

  • Pedestrian, Dog struck in Traffic Accident at 22nd Street and Pico Blvd.

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Oct 30, 2022

    1/25: A female pedestrian was struck in a marked crosswalk, across Pico Blvd. at 22nd Street in Santa Monica Tuesday evening. The pedestrian was walking her dog when they were struck by a vehicle on the westbound side of the street (nearer to Virginia park). It's unknown if the dog was struck but the canine fled from the scene. Further details are pending....

  • Hurricane Ian Lands at Sanibel Island as Category 4 Storm; Storm Surge up to 18 feet

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Sep 28, 2022

    1 pm EST: The National Hurricane Center said that the eyewall of Hurricane Ian was moving onshore at Sanibel and Captiva Islands. In an update, Acting NHC Director Jamie Rhome said that extreme wind warnings would be in place for the Sanibel, Cape Corral and Boca Grande areas. An extreme wind warning is in effect for Englewood, Rotonda, and Grove City until until 2 p.m. EDT. "Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to an...

  • Residents of Beijing Report City is Calm, Normal, and all Monuments and Tourist Attractions are Open

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Updated Sep 26, 2022

    Americans residing in Beijing report that the situation there is normal. There is no sign of a coup or of unusual military movements. "This is Xinhua Gate, the main entrance to the Zhongnanhai compound, where the entire central leadership resides and works, including Xi Jinping," posted Georg Fahrion. "Elite paratroopers have wrested control over the gate, cunningly disguised as the five middle-aged dudes who always stand there," he said, obviously tongue in check. He posted o...

Page Down