BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills announced on its Facebook page that on May 2 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., the Beverly Hills Fire Department will conduct its second emergency evacuation drill that will include residents who live adjacent to and surrounding the area of Franklin Canyon within the city boundary north of Sunset Boulevard.

During this time, all community members are asked to revisit their own emergency plans and participate in the test evacuation drill. Participation is voluntary.

What the drill will entail:
-At around 1:30 p.m., sirens will sound in the area. Residents should grab their emergency “go bags” and head to Will Rogers Memorial Park using designated evacuation routes. Police and Fire personnel will be on-site to assist.

The area surrounding Franklin Canyon (North of Sunset) is where the evacuation drill will take place with the meeting point at Will Rogers Memorial Park. The city of Beverly Hills notes that practicing evacuation procedures now helps ensure everyone knows what to do when it matters most.

 

By Danny Jones

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills is asking for artists to participate in its 2026 Poster Contest for the Fifa World Cup. The deadline is Wednesday, April 15 at 5 p.m.

The Beverly Hills Arts and Culture Commission invites Los Angeles County-based artists and student artists to submit an original 2D artwork (digital illustration, graphic design, or similar) celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Selected artwork will be featured at the city’s summer events including, but not limited to, the weekly Concerts on Canon series and Festival Beverly Hills, the city’s multi-disciplinary arts and performance festival. Selected artwork may also appear on select city marketing collateral, and on various digital platforms.

The artwork proposal should be a full-color image designed for standard frame sizes 18” x
24” or 24” x 36”.

The artwork should NOT include the FIFA logo, or any otherwise trademarked images, including the city of Beverly Hills Shield, and must be original artwork created by
the artist.

The selected artists will receive a design award of $200 in the Student category and $300 in the General Artist category. Beverly Hills will cover the cost of printing,
installation, de-installation, and professional photographic documentation of the exhibition at no additional cost to the artist. Selected artists will work with staff to refine their proposal into an appropriately sized file for print.

To learn more and to submit artwork visit: www.beverlyhills.org/csevents.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On April 12, the city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that the existing Colorado Avenue vehicle ramp is now closed to vehicular traffic for the duration of the project.

Crews have opened a temporary vehicle access ramp on the southwest side of the Pier for emergency and delivery vehicles.

Pedestrians access will remain open until the anticipated completion of the temporary pedestrian bridge in early summer.

Pier businesses are open and ready to welcome residents and visitors. For more details visit: www.santamonica.gov – Pier Bridge Improvements.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, April 7, Luca Scalisi, 59, the chief financial officer of Del Records, was sentenced by a Downtown Los Angeles federal judge for his role in Del Records’ business dealings with a Mexican Criminal Cartel. Scalisi was sentenced to spend eight months in federal prison.

According to the reporting done by WeHo Times, Scalisi is required to pay a $15,000 fine.  Mexican concert promoter Jesús Pérez Alvear, who headed a company named Gallistica Diamante Perez, along with his company, was identified as being involved in drug trafficking by the United States Treasury Department.

This involvement took the form of a musician, contracted to Del Entertainment, performing at concerts promoted by Jesús Pérez Alvear.

Per a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, on August 15, 2025, José Ángel Del Villar, the head of both Del Records and Del Entertainment Inc., Alvear laundered money for both the Los Cuinis drug trafficking organization and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación.

Del Villar and Del Entertainment Inc were found guilty on 10 counts of violating the Kingpin Act, which allows the Department of the Treasury to place sanctions on narcotics traffickers and cartels, and also prevents U.S. companies from doing business with them. Del Villar and his entertainment company was also found guilty of committing one count of violating the Kingpin Act. It took the form of conspiring to engage in transaction with a specially designated narcotics traffickers in violation of the Kingpin Act.

In April 2018, the defendants did business with Jesús Pérez Alvear, a.k.a. “Chucho,” of Guadalajara, Mexico, a music promoter who controlled Gallistica Diamante, a.k.a. Ticket Premier. Pérez promoted concerts for Del Entertainment in Mexico until March 2019.

The U.S. Treasury Department listed Pérez and his company as “specially designated narcotics traffickers” under the Kingpin Act on April 6, 2018, after concluding he facilitated money laundering for the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) and the Los Cuinis drug trafficking organization. The Kingpin Act prevents people in the United States from conducting business with sanctioned persons and entities.

On May 23, 2025, Scalisi pled guilty to committing one count of conspiracy to do a transaction with a specially designated narcotics trafficker. The prosecution was part of Operation Take Back America.

Canyon News reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, for comment on the sentencing of Scalisi and the prosecution that lead to the sentencing, who indicated they had no comment.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On April 8, the city of Santa Monica announced on its website that the Santa Monica Fire Department invites the community to celebrate Fire Service Day at Fire Station 1 located at 1337 7th Street, with a fun, family-friendly open house on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The free event offers a unique opportunity for residents of all ages to meet local firefighters, explore emergency equipment and learn essential life-saving skills through interactive, hands-on experiences.

Event highlights include:

-Fire engines and a ladder truck for up close exploration
-Live auto extrication demonstration
-Hands-Only CPR training and emergency preparedness education in partnership with the American Red Cross
-Stop the Bleed education information about the department’s new Ambulance Operator Program and Advanced Provider Unit
-Photo opportunity with the U.S. Women’s Open trophy, on display ahead of the championship at The Riviera Country Club June 4-7 in the Pacific Palisades
-Free meals for the first 500 attendees, courtesy of Heavy-Handed LA

Community members are encouraged to attend, connect with local partners and service providers, and learn more about the vital services that help keep Santa Monica safe.

In addition to Fire Service Day, the SMFD provides year-round community outreach programs, including fire station tours, fire engine visits and education on fire and life safety topics.

Fire Station 1 serves Santa Monica’s downtown core and is the department’s busiest station. In 2025, the SMFD responded to a total of 17,446 calls for service. The station houses some of the department’s largest apparatus, including its ladder truck, which will be on display during Fire Service Day.

For more details visit: https://www.santamonica.gov/events/fire-service-day-2026.

 

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD/BEVERLY HILLS—On Sunday, April 12, the Los Angeles Police Department Wilshire Area announced that they need the public’s help to locate a missing person.

The family and friends of Ren Yu and authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

On April 10, around 3:45 p.m., Yu was last seen near the intersection of San Vicente Boulevard and 3rd Street. He has not been seen or heard from since, and his family is concerned for his safety. Yu suffers from dementia and is nonverbal.

He is described as a 76-year-old male Asian, standing 5 feet and 6 inches tall, weighing approximately 112 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a flannel shirt, tan vest, tan pants, and black shoes.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Ren Yu should contact the Wilshire Area Watch Commander at (213) 473-0476 or dial 911. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wanting to remain anonymous should call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

 

By Danny Jones

WOODLAND HILLS—On Saturday, April 11, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that they battled a two-story single-family fire in Woodland Hills. The fire was reported at 7:22 p.m. at 4808 N. Dunman Avenue, the fire was on the first floor upon fire department arrival.

Firefighters proceeded offensively with interior fire attack and roof operations. by 7:59 p.m. the fire was extinguished within 37 minutes with 41 firefighters working on scene. Companies remain for salvage and overhaul. All occupants reportedly out of the structure safety, with no injuries reported.

 

By Danny Jones

 

 

 

 

BEVERLY HILLS—At 11:57 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, the Beverly Hills Police Department announced via a post on its Facebook page that along with the Tulare County Sheriff, they are mourning the death of Deputy Randy Hoppert. Deputy Randy Hoppert was killed in the line of duty on Thursday morning.

According to the post, Deputy Randy Hoppert was killed during a shooting that occurred close to 10:20 a.m. Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies were serving an eviction notice to a person who lived in the area of Newcomb and Grand in Porterville.  While they were doing so, David Morales, 59, fired at the deputies. Deputy Hoppert was hit and taken to a hospital for medical treatment but later died.

Just before 6 p.m. Morales was killed by deputies of the Kern County Sheriff’s Office who drove over David Morales, in a SWAT vehicle.

The Beverly Hills Police Department asks the citizens of Beverly Hills to pray for the family of Deputy Randy Hoppert.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

MALIBU—At 3:23 p.m. on Friday, April 10, the city of Malibu posted on its Facebook page that stinging jellyfish have been spotted in the water off the beaches in Malibu as well as Los Angeles County. This includes Malibu Surfrider Beach.

According to the post, the city learned of the presence of the jellyfish after several surfers reported being stung at Malibu Surfrider Beach. The sting of these jellyfish is non-lethal.

The Los Angeles County Lifeguard Division wants Malibu citizens to be careful on the beaches and in the water, and to watch out for both jellyfish and their detached tentacles.  In addition, the Office of Public Safety wants Malibu residents to be aware of the side effects of a jellyfish sting.  This includes rashes, cramps, fever, and pain.

According to the post, if a person is stung by a jellyfish, they are to remove the tentacles from their skin but should not touch the skin.  They should rinse out the spot where they were stung with ocean water and then go to a lifeguard station to receive first aid.

If a person has a severe reaction after being stung by a stingray, they should call 911. Foror more information about jellyfish and stingrays visit the following website.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On April 12, commentator, YouTuber, and TikTok creator, Michael McWhorter, known as @Tizzyent, requests the public’s assistance identifying a woman who attacked a young woman on the e-train in Santa Monica. The entire clip can be seen below: The victim reported that she was sitting alone by the window when an unknown woman hit another woman in the head, knocking her unconscious. The victim begged bystanders to come to her aid. The victim noted she never seen the attacker before. “The victim said she stared at me with so much hate, as if she wanted to kill me,” she said. The victim was still coming forward when the victim swore at her. The perpetrator turned and walked away. The victim did say that some people stayed with her until the police arrived. @Tizzyent asks that anyone who recognizes the attacker contact the Santa Monica Police Department. Canyon News reached out to SMPD for comment about the incident but didn’t hear back in time for print.   By Sharon