Santa Monica Issues Emergency Order, Imposes Nighttime Curfew Amid Pali Fire
Approximately 2,472 Households in Northern Santa Monica Are Currently Under Mandatory Evacuation, With an Additional 8,338 Households Under Voluntary Evacuation Warnings
In response to the ongoing impacts of the Palisades Fire, the city of Santa Monica has declared a local emergency and enacted several measures, including a nighttime curfew in evacuation zones.
City Manager David White signed the emergency order late Wednesday, which must be ratified by the Santa Monica City Council within seven days.
The order imposes a curfew from sunset to sunrise in areas under a mandatory
evacuation. Approximately 2,472 households in northern Santa Monica are currently under mandatory evacuation, with an additional 8,338 households under voluntary evacuation warnings, city officials said.
“This emergency order assists our first responders and protects residents as we navigate this regional crisis and prepare for recovery,” said Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete.
The curfew aims to deter unauthorized access to evacuation zones, preventing looting and ensuring public safety, White said. “Our first responders are patrolling and coordinating efforts to protect life and property. This order is another tool to maintain safety and order in impacted areas.”
Additional Emergency Measures
The emergency order also includes:
• School and childcare relocation: Displaced schools and childcare facilities can temporarily operate in non-residential zones without prior approval.
• Parking enforcement: Preferential parking rules are suspended for residents sheltering evacuees.
• Price gouging protections: Emergency and recovery goods, services, and housing costs are shielded from price gouging.
• Eviction restrictions: Landlords cannot evict tenants hosting evacuees, including pets.
• Construction pauses: Building permits
in evacuation zones are suspended, with deadlines extended.
Fire Details and Regional Impact
The Palisades Fire, which began on Jan. 7, has burned over 15,800 acres, fueled by high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions. A rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag warning remains in effect for the Los Angeles region, with winds up to 80 mph expected.
The fire threatens homes, critical infrastructure, and transportation routes, prompting mandatory evacuations and
widespread emergency response efforts. Enforcement and Penalties
The curfew, enforceable by Santa Monica police and mutual aid law enforcement, includes exemptions for emergency workers, those traveling to work or medical appointments, and media representatives. Violations may result in misdemeanor charges or fines of up to $1,000 per incident.
The emergency order remains in effect until Jan. 15, 2025, unless extended by the City Council.
Beloved Westside Restaurants Destroyed in Palisades Fire
Iconic eateries like Moonshadows Lost to Destructive Blaze
Sadly, several historic and well-loved restaurants were lost in the Palisades Fire. Some of the structures were where many have so many memories, but the eateries have been destroyed.
Moonshadows reposted photos and videos on their Instagram page informing customers that the iconic restaurant and bar is gone. An IG stories video from Instagram user maddzak, shared by Moonshadows, showed the devastation.
It is a particularly sad blow for the Westside since the restaurant was a wellknown institution that has had many challenges in the last few years.
Reel Inn is another casualty of the Palisades Fire. On its Instagram page, the owners posted that its staff was safe, that it is grateful for the 35 years it has spent in the community, and that it is heartbroken and unsure what is left. The owners have expressed the hope that they can rebuild and have launched a GoFundMe campaign on behalf of their staff. The campaign page says, “Our deepest concerns are for our incredible staff and their ongoing support until we know when and if we are able to rebuild and reopen. These hardworking individuals are more than employees— they’re family. They’ve supported us through thick and thin, and now we want to ensure they have the financial stability they need during this difficult time. We’re asking for your help to raise funds to provide 3 months of wages, benefits, and support for our team as we navigate this
challenging period.”
Cholada Thai, from the restaurant’s Instagram account, posted the following message, after their Malibu restaurant was lost in the fire, “We are heartbroken to announce that our first Cholada location on the Pacific Coast after serving since 1999 due to the Palisades Fire.” The post added that customers “kindness and solidarity mean the world to us.” Cholada Thai, like Reel Inn, has launched a GoFundMe to rebuild the restaurant. The owner, Nick, says on the campaign page, “Cholada Thai has always been a place of warmth, laughter, and community. Together, we can rebuild it stronger than ever. I deeply appreciate every bit of support, whether financial or emotional, as we work to get Cholada back on its feet.” and that he appreciates whatever help anyone can give.
Rosenthal Wine Bar and Patio was also
lost on the horrific first day of the fire. Rosenthal’s IG post said, “The incredible support from our community and all of you have helped through the past 24 hours. All staff were reported safe and they are said to be unsure of their “next moves” but said that they would keep their customers informed when they know more.
Palisades Village Area Unrecognizable As Smoke Clears
Several Businesses are Skeletal Embers of Themselves
By Zach Armstrong
Downtown Palisades is unrecognizable with several beloved businesses and structures now skeletal embers of themselves.
In a post on X by @JonVigliotti, everything around the intersection of Antioch and Swarthmore is nearly or completely incinerated. The Starbucks at 15300 Sunset Blvd. along with adjacent businesses on its same block, as well as the entire stretch of businesses along Antioch in between Swarthmore and Via de la Paz, is simply gone. The stretch of businesses along N Swarthmore from Antioch down to La Cruz Drive appear to have vanished in flames as well. The video showed Palm Trees completely blackened and stripped of their leaves.
The stretch of businesses that go along Antioch on the other side towards Sunset Blvd., such as Noah’s Bagels, appears to
be spared, according to the video.
At the time of this writing, the Palisades fire has now reached about 18,000 acres with well over 1,000 structures damaged and several injuries to officials and residents, authorities said.
Gov. Newsom: “New Offshore Drilling Has No Place in California”
The Biden Administration’s Recent Move Safeguards Over 625 Million Acres across the U.S., Including The Pacific Coast of California
California Gov. Gavin Newsom praised President Biden’s decision to expand protections against offshore oil and gas drilling along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. In a statement, Newsom highlighted that “hundreds of miles of California’s iconic coastline is now fully protected from expanded offshore drilling,” crediting Biden’s action as a boon for “generations to come.”
Biden’s announcement safeguards over 625 million acres across the U.S., including the entire Atlantic coast, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California, and portions of Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea. The White House emphasized that these areas are crucial for coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and local economies dependent on fishing,
recreation, and tourism, which would be at risk from oil spills and other drillingrelated impacts.
The move is part of Biden’s broader conservation effort, which has now protected more than 670 million acres of America’s lands and waters, surpassing any previous president’s record, according to a statement from The White House. This includes protecting regions significant to Tribal Nations, Indigenous peoples, and various stakeholders.
However, the decision has sparked controversy. President-elect Donald Trump criticized the ban during an interview with Hugh Hewitt, vowing to “unban it immediately” upon taking office. Trump’s previous attempt to reinstate drilling in areas blocked by former President Obama was thwarted by a 2019 court ruling under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which allows presidents to block drilling but not to undo such bans without Congressional action, The Hill reported. Despite this, Trump insisted he has the authority to reverse Biden’s decision, stating, “I have the right to unban it immediately”
Newsom’s response underscores California’s long-standing opposition to offshore drilling, reinforcing the state’s commitment to environmental protection.
“New offshore drilling has no place in California, and the President’s action strengthens our work to protect the coast,” Newsom stated.
Homeless Man Struck Near Same Intersection
of Tragic Hit-and-Run of
This Intersection Has Been Under Scrutiny Since a Tragic Hit-And-Run on Dec. 22 Claimed the Life of 85-YearOld Judy Mershon
On Jan. 5, around 8:25 p.m., the Santa Monica Police Department responded to 911 calls reporting a traffic collision in the 2400 block of Wilshire Boulevard, just east of Chelsea Avenue, the same intersection where an Army veteran was recently killed in a hit-and-run.
Upon arriving, officers found a pedestrian, described as a homeless male in his late 60s, who had been run over by a westbound vehicle on Wilshire Boulevard. The pedestrian, for unknown reasons, was lying in the roadway at the time of the incident, according to SMPD. He was taken to a local hospital where he is reported to be in stable condition and expected to survive.
The driver of the vehicle involved
Vietnam Veteran
stayed at the scene and cooperated with the police investigation. Authorities have stated that there is no indication of driving under the influence in this crash. Details about the vehicle’s speed at the time of the collision are unavailable, and the investigation remains ongoing.
A tragic hit-and-run near the same location on Dec. 22 claimed the life of
85-year-old Judy Mershon, an Army veteran. Friends and family gathered at Lighthouse Church for a memorial, highlighting Mershon’s forgiving nature and her service during the Vietnam War. According to ABC7, Mershon was known for her kindness, faith, and playful sense of humor.
Mershon was crossing the street when
she was struck by a vehicle driven by Rod Sharif, who was later arrested on Dec. 27. Police used surveillance footage and gathered evidence from Sharif’s home, including a white Toyota Rav4 with front-end damage. Sharif faces charges of murder and felony hit-and-run, with prior arrests for DUI and reckless driving noted by the police.
Historic Will Rogers Ranch, Topanga Ranch Motel Wiped Out in Palisades Fire
The Destruction of These Sites Are Among Many in the Palisades, Where a Multitude of Landmarks and Establishments, in Addition to Thousands of Local Residences, Are Now Gone After Being Engulfed in Ravenous Flames
By Zach Armstrong
The ranch house once owned by actor and performer Will Rogers and the Topanga Ranch Motel, built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, have been reduced to rubble by the Palisades fire.
While a full assessment of damage has yet to be made, California State Parks announced Wednesday that over 30 structures were destroyed at Topanga State Park and Will Rogers State Park including the two historic buildings. State park employee residences, all concessions of TRM and other historic structures at WRSP were also wallowed up in the fire.
CSP closed both state parks as a
ranch house–complete with a stable, corrals, golf course and riding trails –was gifted by his widow to State Parks and it became a historic park. The house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
precautionary measure on Tuesday shortly after the fire erupted, but the fire swiftly moved onto those properties, according to the agency. Horses along with historical artifacts, including artwork were evacuated from WSP ahead of the blaze.
“While the loss to the Will Rogers Ranch is devastating, it pales in comparison to the loss of the property and businesses and, more importantly, the lives of those in the surrounding area.” Jennifer Rogers, a Rogers family representative, said in a statement.
The destruction of these sites are among many in the Palisades, where a multitude of landmarks and establishments, in addition to thousands of local residences, are now gone after being engulfed in ravenous flames.
A video posted on X by @JonVigliotti showed the Palisades Village area as a skeletal ember of its former self, with everything around the intersection of Antioch and Swarthmore is nearly or completely incinerated. Palisades Charter High School and Elementary School, the PCH-adjacent seafood restaurant Reel Inn, and the Theatre Palisades were shown by local news outlets to be completely infused with flames. The Getty Villa Museum, however, although confirming to outlets that its grounds had caught fire, is still safe.
By the mid-1930s, when he owned the 359-acre ranch in what is now Pacific Palisades, Will Rogers was one Hollywood’s biggest names, even being dubbed “America’s most beloved citizen” at one point. In addition to film acting, Rogers gained fame as a philanthropist, radio personality, columnist, and “cowboy philosopher,” Almost ten years after his death in 1935, Rogers’ 31-room
The 30-room bungalow-style Topanga Ranch Motel was constructed in 1929 by William Randolph Hearst. In addition to being a popular film and TV filming spot, the residence served as an affordable seaside vacation option for families and writers. CSP acquired the property in 2001. Recent plans were in motion to restore around 20 of its cabins for public use, according to CSP.
The Palisades fire was estimated to encompass 15,832 Acres at the time of this writing, and has destroyed at least 1,000 homes, businesses and other establishments, marking its place in LA history as the most destructive to ever hit the region.
An evacuation center at Westwood Recreation Center, located at 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd., is open for evacuees and accepts small animals. Those outside the evacuation area are asked to shelter in place. Pierce College, located at 6201 Winnetka Ave., is open for the evacuation of large animals.
Vistamar is a private independent high school in the South Bay
Up To $25K Reward Offered For Info on October Hit-and-Run That Left Woman With Severe Injuries
The Reward Is Part of the City of Los Angeles’ HitAnd-Run Reward Program Trust Fund
Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division are seeking information from the public regarding a hit-and-run collision in October 2024 that left a 22-year-old woman with severe injuries.
The incident occurred on October 16, 2024, at approximately 3:41 a.m. A gray sedan, possibly a Toyota Camry, was traveling north on Western Avenue near Clinton Street when it struck a female pedestrian crossing the street. The driver fled the scene, continuing northbound on Western Avenue without stopping to provide assistance or identifying themselves, as required by law.
A male pedestrian who was crossing the street with the injured woman also fled the scene without identifying himself, potentially as a witness to the incident.
Paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department provided medical aid at the scene and transported the injured woman to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the driver or resolution through a civil compromise.
The reward is part of the City of Los Angeles’ Hit-and-Run Reward Program Trust Fund, established in 2015 to assist in solving these cases.
The LAPD reminds motorists involved in collisions to pull over, notify emergency services, and remain at the scene to provide necessary information. Additionally, pedestrians are urged to obey traffic laws and ensure it is safe before crossing streets.
Anyone with information about this
incident is urged to contact West Traffic Division Detective Morton at (213) 473-0233 or Detective Holmes at (213) 473-0238. During non-business hours or weekends, tips can be directed to 1-877LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247).
For those who wish to remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-2228477), visiting www.lacrimestoppers. org, or using the “P3 Tips” mobile application and selecting L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers as the local program.
Volunteer Registration Open for 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count
Community Support
Needed for Annual Count, Taking Place
January 21-23
Volunteer registration is now open for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, which will take place on the evenings of January 21, 22, and 23. Volunteers can sign up through the newly launched Homeless Count website, count. lahsa.org.
“Last year’s Homeless Count marked the first decrease in street homelessness that Los Angeles has seen in years,” said Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, CEO of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). “As we gear up for this year’s count, community support is crucial. We need thousands of volunteers to join us in counting our unhoused neighbors so we can better understand where they are, the services they need most, and what it will take to bring them home.”
The Homeless Count is conducted annually across Los Angeles County, covering 4,000 square miles. Volunteers, working in small groups, travel assigned census tracts to tally the number of unsheltered individuals, tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters they encounter.
The data gathered informs strategies to address homelessness and allocate resources effectively.
The 2025 Unsheltered Count will proceed as follows:
• Tuesday, January 21: San Fernando Valley and Metro Los Angeles
• Wednesday, January 22: San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles
• Thursday, January 23: Antelope Valley, West and South Los Angeles, and the South Bay/Harbor region
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates a biennial point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness. However, since 2016, LAHSA has conducted the count annually to provide consistent data and a more comprehensive analysis. The Homeless Count consists of three elements: the Unsheltered Count (including the Youth Count), the Sheltered Count, and the Demographic Survey.
In 2024, the Homeless Count found decreases in homelessness at both the County and City levels. The Point-in-Time estimate for Los Angeles County dropped by 0.27% to 75,312, while the City of Los Angeles saw a 2.2% decrease to 45,252. Notably, the estimate for unsheltered homelessness in the City dropped by 10.4%, and Los Angeles County saw a 5.1% decrease. The 2024 Shelter Count also recorded a 12.7% increase in interim
housing in the County and a 17.7% increase in the City.
LAHSA credits the decline in unsheltered homelessness to unprecedented coordination among
government agencies and initiatives aimed at addressing the crisis. The Youth Count will be conducted from January 22 through 31, and the Housing Inventory Count will take place on January 22.
