County Approves $30M Wildfire Rent Relief, Explores Eviction Protections
The motions build on previous county actions, including a temporary eviction protection for wildfire-affected workers
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved nearly $30 million in emergency rent relief and directed county officials to explore eviction protections for residents impacted by January wildfires and federal immigration enforcement actions.
The board unanimously passed two motions introduced by Supervisors Lindsey P. Horvath and Hilda L. Solis to establish an Emergency Rent Relief Program (ERRP) with $29.8 million in funding. The program aims to assist wildfire survivors who lost homes or income, immigrant families facing financial hardship due to federal raids, low-income tenants at risk of eviction, and small landlords repairing firedamaged affordable housing units.
“Los Angeles County will never look away when our neighbors are living in fear of losing both their homes and their
livelihoods,” Horvath said. “Today, we invested nearly $30 million in rent relief and directed swift action to explore eviction protections so immigrant families and wildfire survivors can breathe easier.”
The ERRP includes three categories of assistance. Category 1 targets tenants countywide who meet specific criteria, such as residing in their rental unit before Jan. 7, 2025, having a 2024 household income at or below 150% of the area median income, and experiencing a financial impact from the wildfires exceeding 10% of their monthly income. Category 2 extends aid to displaced households who have exhausted FEMA or insurance benefits and small landlords repairing rent-stabilized units, offering up to six months of relief not exceeding $15,000. Category 3 supports tenant households facing sudden income loss due to federal immigration enforcement, also eligible for up to $15,000.
“Today’s motions are more than just relief. For many, they will be a vital lifeline,” said Solis, the board’s chair pro tem. “We know our residents, especially wildfire victims and those impacted by immigration raids, are navigating an incredibly difficult year.”
The funding comprises $10 million previously allocated—$1.211 million from American Rescue Plan Act-enabled funds and $8.789 million from Community First California Initiatives—plus an additional
$19.788 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for fiscal years 202526 and 2026-27. The Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) will administer the program, set to launch within 90 days, with a progress report due in 150 days.
Additionally, the board directed County Counsel to explore options for an eviction moratorium to protect households affected by federal immigration actions. A written
report is due within 14 days, with a verbal update scheduled for the Oct. 7 board meeting.
The motions build on previous county actions, including a temporary eviction protection for wildfire-affected workers that expired July 30. The new measures aim to prevent mass displacement amid overlapping crises, pairing direct financial aid with potential legal safeguards.
DA Hochman Appeals Diversion Ruling in Santa Monica Hate Crime Case
The DA’s office is seeking to vacate the ruling, contending that diversion is inappropriate for such a serious crime
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is challenging a judge’s decision to grant mental health diversion to a homeless man accused of a racially charged assault in Santa Monica in 2023, arguing that the severity of the crime warrants a trial, according to KFI AM 640. Oral arguments were heard Tuesday in the California Court of Appeal regarding the case of Job Uriah Taylor, 27, who
was charged with attacking three African American victims with a metal pipe while yelling racial slurs. The incidents occurred on March 3, 2023, over the course of an hour, culminating in a brutal assault that left one victim, 64-year-old Christian Hornburg, permanently confined to a wheelchair and requiring lifelong support, KFI AM 640 reported. .
According to a City of Santa Monica press release, the first incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when Taylor approached an African American man walking his dog on the 1100 block of the beach, threatening him with a metal pipe and using racial slurs. Santa Monica Fire Department personnel intervened, and Taylor fled on a bicycle. No injuries were reported in this encounter.
Approximately 20 minutes later, at 7:50 a.m., police responded to a second incident at the train platform on 4th Street and Colorado Avenue. Taylor allegedly attacked
an African American man and woman with the same pipe, striking them multiple times in the head while shouting racial slurs. Both victims were hospitalized; one was released the same day, while Hornburg sustained severe head injuries, according to the city’s press release.
Taylor was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of assault with a deadly weapon, and one count of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, with hate crime enhancements added to three of the charges.
On March 12, Superior Court Judge Lana Kim granted Taylor entry into the county’s mental health diversion program, sparing him a trial. The program allows defendants with mental health issues to pursue rehabilitation instead of incarceration, but prosecutors argue the violent nature of the attacks demands full legal accountability,
KFI AM 640 reported.
The DA’s office is seeking to vacate Kim’s ruling, contending that diversion is inappropriate for such a serious crime.
Better is helping our community breathe easier after a disaster.
The Disaster Relief Pulmonary Clinic at Saint John’s was founded to help restore the lung health of our community after the January fires.
The clinic offers specialized care to first responders and residents, focused on their long-term pulmonary health needs. Helping our neighbors heal is just one of the many ways we do everything for the better.
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Culver City Man Sentenced After Drone Crashes Into Firefighting Plane During Palisades Blaze
Judge Orders Prison Time, Home Detention, and $156K Restitution for Dangerous Drone Flight
Los Angeles prosecutors announced Monday that a Culver City man who flew a drone into a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft battling the Palisades Fire has been sentenced to prison time, home detention, and restitution, as reported by My News LA.
Peter Tripp Akemann, 57, pleaded guilty in February to one federal misdemeanor count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Akemann was a Hollywood executive, as the Former president of Skydance Interactive.
U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald ordered Akemann to serve 14 days in federal prison followed by 30 days of home confinement. The sentence also includes roughly $156,000 in restitution and fines, as well as 150 hours of community service tied to wildfire recovery efforts.
Prosecutors said the crash happened Jan. 9, when Akemann launched his drone from the top level of a parking structure at Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and flew it more than 1.5 miles toward the Pacific Palisades fire zone. The drone struck a Super Scooper carrying two crew members, tearing a three-by-six-inch hole in the plane’s wing. Though the aircraft landed safely, it was immediately grounded for
repairs, disrupting firefighting operations at a critical time.
Court documents show that Akemann admitted to knowingly violating Federal Aviation Administration temporary flight restrictions in place near the wildfire area. In a letter to the court, he apologized to the crew and the public, describing his actions as “stupid and reckless” and saying he was motivated by concern for a friend’s nearby home and curiosity about the fire damage.
The collision resulted in more than $65,000 in repair costs, which Akemann agreed to fully reimburse the government of Quebec, which supplied the aircraft, and the company that completed the repairs.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that unauthorized drone flights near wildfires pose a significant danger to firefighting crews and can lead to criminal prosecution, especially when they interfere with emergency operations.
Better is faster diagnosis-to-treatment times for stroke patients.
During a stroke, patients risk losing over 2 million brain cells a minute. Which is why The Expedited Stroke Treatment Team at Saint John’s provides quicker care for stroke patients, significantly improving the odds of a successful recovery. It’s just one of the many ways we treat you for the better.
Celebrated Santa Monica Restaurant Birdie G’s to Close
After Six Years of Culinary Creativity
Chef Jeremy Fox’s Eatery Will Host a Final “8 Nights” Dinner Series in December
Birdie G’s, the venerated Santa Monica restaurant known for its inventive American comfort food, will permanently close at the end of the year, the restaurant announced on social media on Wednesday. Its final service is scheduled for Dec. 31.
The restaurant, which opened in 2019, was created by chef Jeremy Fox as a tribute to his daughter, Birdie, and his grandmother, Gladys. The statement said the restaurant quickly gained a loyal following and critical acclaim but faced a series of setbacks just months after opening, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing with staffing shortages, labor strikes, fires, and a decline in tourism that hit the local dining industry hard.
Fox and his team also cited challenges with city support, noting that guests were never allowed to use the nearby Bergamot parking lot, even when it sat empty after hours. Promised infrastructure projects, such as a hotel, additional parking, and better transit access, never came to fruition, making it more difficult for independent restaurants to thrive, the statement read.
The restaurant plans to celebrate its final months with a farewell edition of its popular “8 Nights” dinner series in December, featuring guest chefs from across the country, which is one of Santa Monica and Los Angeles’ most exciting holiday dinners.
We’ve said before that when tickets go on sale for Birdie G’s 8 Nights, you should buy tickets immediately, but this December’s party promises to be one for the record books. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to go by and experience the restaurant again or for the first time between now and December.
You’ll be sad if you miss it because the loss of Birdie G’s is an incalculable one for the Santa Monica community and restaurant scene. It is a fact that without local support, small restaurants that are part of the fabric of Santa Monica’s culture will not survive for long.
Birdie G’s is part of the Rustic Canyon Family of restaurants, which includes Rustic Canyon, Milo & Olive, Huckleberry Bakery & Café, Esters Wine Shop & Oyster Bar, and Sweet Rose Creamery. Fox and his team thanked the community for its support over the past six years, saying they hope to see guests for a final meal before closing.
Welcome to Urban Jungle
Immerse yourself in a sanctuary where nature’s tranquility meets the vibrancy of city life. Urban Jungle is more than a plant store it’s a communitycentered oasis bringing a lush slice of paradise to your urban lifestyle. Here, we passionately believe in the power of plants to transform spaces and elevate well-being.
Zoie Brook Designs: Meet Interior Designer with Deep Local Roots
Connections, networks and partnerships are what make interior design firms thrive in Los Angeles. On the west side, interior designer and Santa Monica local Zoie Aliado brings seven years of expertise to her portfolio of clients through Zoie Brook Designs, a design studio specializing in new builds, home remodels, room additions and furnishing projects.
Proudly serving Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, the Pacific Palisades, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach, Zoie Brook Designs helps you transform your home, whether it’s a new build, remodel or full furnishing project.
This full-service interior design firm specializes in high-end residential interiors, working closely with clients, architects, builders and trades to ensure seamless execution from concept to completion.
Every stage of the process is thoughtfully guided, from space planning and finish selection to the creation of custom furnishings.
Growing up in Los Angeles, Zoie has always been inspired by the intersection of design and human connection. After earning her undergraduate degree in business communication, Zoie pursued further education in interior architecture, blending creative vision with technical
expertise. Her professional journey began as an interior design associate at a boutique firm where she gained foundational experience in residential design.
Later recruited to lead the interior architecture team at a Beverly Hillsbased firm, Zoie advanced to managing both the architecture and interior design departments, overseeing multiple largescale residential builds.
Zoie Brook Designs was launched to bring a more personalized, boutique experience to the clientele Zoie has built over the last seven years. Cultivating polished, yet livable spaces, her work is deeply collaborative, detail-driven and rooted in timelessness. Balancing luxury with warmth and structure with soul, Zoie’s work is deeply collaborative, detail-driven from ground-up construction to tailored furnishings.
Zoie’s collaborative approach to design guides her entire process, shaping the layout, refining proportions and creating natural flow in the residence.
As a Santa Monica resident, Zoie understands the codes that vary between different cities on the west side. She brings a personal connection to the landscapes, materials and architectural language that defines the region.
“Even though the west side is one
community, there are nuances to code, contracting and designing that make each city its own. I’ve lived in this area for four years and I’m excited to extend my connections, networks and partnership of contractors to homeowners looking for change,” Zoie said.
Professionally, Zoie is affiliated with the Southern California chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers and the Interior Design Society. Zoie works closely with architects, builders and trades to bring new homes, ADUs and full and partial remodels to life. No matter the size of scope, every project is navigated with clarity and cohesion from start to finish, helping you create a home that looks as beautiful as it lives.
Some of her recent projects include a 3,800 square foot Malibu new build, featuring custom oak and walnut cabinetry, floor to ceiling windows and seamless indoor-outdoor flow. In Manhattan Beach, Zoie designed a 2,800 square foot newbuild customized for a growing family. Anchored by a lime-washed brick fireplace, the new home features sculptural millwork, durable materials and custom furnishing throughout. In the Pacific Palisades, Zoie reworked a traditional layout into an open retreat for empty nesters featuring walnut millwork, built-ins and curated art to add
Santa Monica Police Ramp Up Safety Measures After Serious Pedestrian Injury
Week of Enforcement Sees
Critical Injury at Ocean and Bicknell, 47 Citations Issued
Santa Monica police responded to multiple traffic-related incidents and safety operations during the week of August 24 to August 30, including a serious collision that left one pedestrian with lifethreatening injuries.
The most severe incident occurred on Aug. 27 at Ocean Avenue and Bicknell Street when a driver reportedly ran a stop sign and struck a parked car, hitting two pedestrians in the process. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, one victim standing behind the parked vehicle suffered critical injuries and was transported to a hospital. The second pedestrian, who was standing on the parkway, sustained minor injuries. The driver, who was also
injured, was determined to be impaired at the time of the crash.
Two days later, on Aug. 29, police conducted a citywide traffic enforcement operation targeting posted sign violations. The effort, focused on areas including San Vicente Boulevard and Downtown Santa Monica, resulted in 57 vehicle stops and 47 citations issued.
That same evening, officers set up a DUI checkpoint on Pico Boulevard near Virginia Avenue Park. Of the 422 vehicles that passed through the checkpoint, 202 were screened by officers. Police reported
personality.
To see the full listing and photos of Zoie Brook Designs’ featured projects or connect with Zoie Brook Designs, visit ZoieBrookDesigns.com.
three DUI arrests — two for suspected alcohol impairment and one for cannabis impairment.
In addition to these targeted efforts, motorcycle officers carried out periodic patrols on San Vicente Boulevard and throughout Downtown Santa Monica to address safety concerns related to OffHighway Motor Vehicles (OHMVs). Police also increased enforcement on Nebraska and Berkeley streets following community complaints about speeding and reckless driving.
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE
SANTA MONICA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Nancy Greenstein, Chair; Dr. Sion Roy, Vice Chair; Dr. Luis Barrera Castañón; Anastasia Foster; Dr. Margaret Quiñones-Perez; Dr. Tom Peters; Rob Rader; Sophia Manavi, Student Trustee; Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President Santa Monica College | 1900 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | smc.edu
Photo by Ed Gandara