WEDNESDAY
9.16.15 Volume 14 Issue 264
@smdailypress
WHAT’S UP WESTSIDE ..................PAGE 2 CURIOUS CITY? ..............................PAGE 4 A PLACE FOR WILDLIFE ................PAGE 5 RECORD RAIN ................................PAGE 10 MYSTERY PHOTO ..........................PAGE 13
Santa Monica Daily Press
smdp.com
Public hearing on BBB fare increase brings ample complaints from residents BY JENNIFER MAAS Daily Press Staff
A public meeting was held last Thursday to inform Santa Monica residents about the changes to Big Blue Bus fares, during which many attendees expressed their deferring opinions over the proposal. As previously reported by the Daily Press, BBB will be adding 11 percent more service over the next 12 months as part of the Evolution of Blue campaign in order to provide connections to the upcoming Expo Light Rail Line. In order to offset their costs and bring some of BBB’s products inline with regional averages, the
base bus fare will increase by $0.25 to $1.25 per ride. Express fares will increase to $2.50 (50 cent increase), seniors/disabled fares and day passes will not see a change, tokens will increase to $1.25 (25 cent increase), the 13ride ticket will increase to $14 ($2 increase), a 30-day pass will rise to $50 ($10 decrease), a youth 30-day pass will drop to $38 ($2 decrease) and an express 30-day pass will increase to $89 ($9 increase). A new rolling 7-day pass will be made available for $14. Big Blue Bus director of transit services, Ed King led the meeting, SEE BUS PAGE 8
Alumnus chosen Concerns over to spearhead St. classroom Monica athletics temps heat up Cruz hired after unceremonious departure from USC
SMMUSD trying to keep learning spaces cool BY JEFFREY I. GOODMAN
BY JEFFREY I. GOODMAN
Daily Press Staff Writer
Daily Press Staff Writer
More than 35 years after graduating from St. Monica Catholic High School, Frank Cruz is back as its athletic director following an abrupt ending to a high-profile job. St. Monica officials touted Cruz’s coaching experience in the high school, college and national ranks, as well as his leadership skills and strong alumni connections after selecting him to fill the
With warm temperatures persisting in Southern California at the start of the school year, local students and teachers have complained about heat in their classrooms as the Santa Monica-Malibu school district attempts to provide relief. The issue was raised at the Board of Education meeting earlier this month by Sarah Braff, president of the Santa Monica-Malibu Classroom Teachers Association, who urged district officials to con-
SEE SPORTS PAGE 6
SEE SCHOOL PAGE 7
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Nicholas Salazar editor@smdp.com
The Santa Monica Police Department held a New Hire Ceremony on September 15 to welcome newly hired personnel from 2013 to the present. The event showcases the department’s appreciation for employees and officers alike.
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