BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Police Department announced on Friday, January 9 on its Facebook page that it is currently hiring. After months of deliberation, the Beverly Hills Police Department now offers even higher pay:

-While in the Academy: $104,986.14 ($50.47 hourly)
-Annual Base Salary: $111,432.18 to $138,443.15
-With education and assignment bonuses: Up to $181,014.42

Now accepting applications for:
• Entry Level Police Officers
• Lateral Police Officers
• Communications Dispatchers
• Crime & Intelligence Analyst*
• Civilian Investigator*
• Civilian Rangemaster*
• Police Cadets (Part-Time)

Police Officer Hiring Bonuses:
• $45,000 for Lateral Officers
• $35,000 for Entry Level Officers

To learn more or apply at joinbhpd.org. For guidance and questions, send an email to our Recruitment Officer at mgarrido@beverlyhills.org.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On January 2, 2026, the University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health released the results of a study that found a year after the California wildfires, smoke damage lingered indoors.

Some of the people who conducted the study were Dr. Yifang Zhu, Dr. Yuan Yao, Dr. Michael Jerret, and Dr. Haoxuan Chen.  It is titled “Indoor and Outdoor Volatile Organic Compound Levels during and after the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires” and was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Scholars began collecting air samples on January 8, 2025, and continued until February 18, 2025. While doing so, they tracked the movement of volatile organic compounds, including toluene, n-hexane, and benzene, and they found that the amount of benzene in the air was greater weeks after the fire started and that the amount of some of the compounds they were tracking some including toluene and n-hexane, peaked either during the later stages of the fire burned or after the fire stopped burning.  In addition, they found that levels present indoors and outdoors exceeded those recorded at the start of the wildfires.

The chemicals pose health risks and cause cancer and can also negatively affect the nervous system and the eyes and the liver. At risk are children, pregnant women and the elderly.

Scholars who conducted this study recommend that those returning to their homes in affected areas should undertake efforts to improve the ventilation in their homes by opening windows. When possible, make use of ventilation systems, that include either MERV-13 or higher-rated filters.  In addition, they also recommend that residents run portable HEPA air cleaners that included activated carbon filters.  Scholars suggest that dust and ash should be removed by using wet methods or HEPA-filtered vacuums.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—From January 12 to January 18, there will be overnight lane closures, and 24-hour parking restrictions will affect portions of State Route 2 in West Los Angeles and Echo Park.

The reason for the lane closure is construction work as part of a $70.2 million infrastructure project that spans from the SR-2 terminus in Echo Park to SR-2 from Centinela Avenue in Santa Monica.

This includes curb, sidewalk, and gutter improvements, which will occur from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night.  Parking restrictions will also be in effect around the clock, with signs posted in advance.

Overnight in West Los Angeles, one lane in each direction on Santa Monica Boulevard between Wellesley Avenue and Brockton Avenue will be closed, and no parking will be allowed. There will also be no sidewalk access from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Big Blue Bus stops on Wellesley Avenue will be temporarily closed.

As for Echo Park, there will be two lanes closed in each direction between Sunset Boulevard and Montana Street Alvarado Street between Sunset Boulevard and Montana Street on Alvarado Street.  In addition, there will be one-lane closures continuing from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The schedule might change depending on the weather or operations.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

SANTA MONICA—On Friday, January 9, Carmen Anita Degregg was charged with murder and assault on a child, causing death, for the death of her 17-month-old daughter, where a frying pan was involved. Degregg’s arrangement has been postponed, and it will now occur on February 19.

According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, if Carmen Anita Degregg is convicted, she will face a sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The name of the victim’s daughter has not been released to the public.

In addition, the way in which the frying pan was used has not been released. On January 6, at approximately 11:54 a.m., the Santa Monica Police Department was notified by UCLA Police that an adult female had been detained on the UCLA campus after making statements indicating she had harmed her 15-month-old child and left the child inside an apartment in the 2200 block of Broadway.

The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office will determine the manner of the child’s death and the cause. Degregg has been charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office with one count of murder and one count of willful cruelty to a child resulting in great bodily injury or death. She remains in police custody, with bail set at $2,000,000.

Anyone with details related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Isaac Reyes at isaac.reyes@santamonica.gov or the Watch Commander, available 24 hours a day, at 310-458-8427.

Written By Daniel Diquinzio and Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, January 7, criminal defense attorney, Alan Jackson, the lawyer representing Nick Reiner, was granted a request to resign as Reiner’s attorney.

Jackson announced the news during a press conference he held, after a hearing that was originally intended to be his client’s arraignment. Jackson met Judge Theresa McGonigle, who was overseeing the proceedings, in her chambers, he was replaced as his client’s defense lawyer by a public defender.  In addition, the hearing was postponed until February 23. Alan has not announced his reason for stepping down as Nick Reiner’s attorney.

Jackson announced that he could not reveal why he needed to step down, for both legal and ethical reasons.

During the same new conference, he also announced that he believed that under the laws of the state of California, his client was not guilty but did not say why.

The Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene has succeeded Jackson as Nick’s attorney. Nick has been accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. He has been charged with two charges of first-degree murder.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WESTWOOD—On Sunday, January 11, first responders were called to the scene after a man drove a U-Haul trailer into a crowd of pro-Iran demonstrators at 1338 Veteran Avenue. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that two people were evaluated at the scene but denied medical treatment. There were no more reported injuries at the time. The demonstrators were protesting unrest in their home country of Iran. Citizen video footage shows the U-Haul truck driving through the crowd. Screams can be heard in the background. There were signs on the U-Haul driver’s truck that read, “NO SHAH. NO REGIME. USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. NO MULLAH.” No Shah, is reportedly a Persian slogan meaning “No Kings.” It is a term used by protesters against Iran’s monarch. Mullah is in reference to a title of honor for a Muslim religious leader, scholar, or teacher. Geopolitics (Iran) defines the “Don’t repeat 1953,” indicating that it may refer to the last time the U.S. intervened with Iran. “USA: DON’T REPEAT 1953. In this context, it refers to the 1953 Iranian coup d’état, orchestrated by the U.S. (CIA) and the U.K. The protesters are urging the United States not to intervene in Iranian politics again in a way that would undermine their efforts to establish a new government, drawing a parallel to the event that ultimately led to the long reign of the Shah and the eventual 1979 revolution and current regime.” Another Citizen contributor shared video footage of police standing outside the taped-off area. A commenter on X posted video showing a large U-Haul Truck with the driver in the cab driving right through the protesters. There was an enormous crowd at this demonstration. Most appeared to have moved off the street out of harm’s way. The commenter said, “Please pray. This doesn’t look good.” The protest drew a crowd of several hundred people.  Reports indicate that after the U-Haul driver drove into the crowd, the crowd swarmed the truck and attacked the driver. They drove a flagpole through his window. The incident caused traffic back-ups for hours. Emergency personnel were advised to avoid 405 due to the off-ramp closure. Alternate routes were recommended.   By Sharon

SANTA MONICA—On January 9, Pacific Park announced its first-ever Drive-In Movie Night on Santa Monica Pier.  The beachfront cinema will open for “Locals Night” on Thursday, January 15, 3:30-9:30 p.m., featuring the 70s classic, “Grease.” According to the Pacific Park website, tickets are free but must be claimed with an advance RSVP. Patrons are welcome to bring their own blanket or chair.  Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those arriving in vehicles should plan to arrive between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. for the best parking opportunities. Guests will be able to sync their radios to a dedicated radio station. Free popcorn available for the first 200 moviegoers to arrive. Family-friendly time from 3:30-4:30 p.m. inside the merry-go-round building with cookies and story time. A 50s-inspired costume contest with chances to win Santa Monica Pier prizes. There will be Live DJ Sets and a Classic Car Club set up for the vintage car enthusiast. SAMOHI will sing a capella from 6 p.m. -6:30 p.m. The movie begins at 6:30 p.m. Viewers are asked to remain in place for the full screening of the show.  Exits will open at 8 p.m. Bar service is available for patrons 21 years of age or older. The Pier is open seven days a week Sundays 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. daily. M/T/W/Th 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fri/Sat 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Rides and games are open daily. Hours for some food and retail outlets vary located at Pacific Park, 380 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90765.   By Sharon

BEVERLY HILLS—On January 10, multiple reports indicated a disturbance occurred at Quentin Tarantino’s New Beverly Cinema, located at 7165 Beverly Boulevard. A double feature was showing of “Wild Strawberries (1957)”, directed by Ingmar Bergman, and the 1999 film, “The Straight Story,” directed by David Lynch, were interrupted by a man on his cell phone. The patron did not exit the theater becoming agitated and argumentative, forcing the manager to call the police to remove them from the premises. Dozens of moviegoers captured video of the incident on their cell phones. The manager earned rave reviews for his handling of the incident from directors Josh Safdie, filmmakers and screenwriters Ronnie Bronstein, and actor Joe Russo, who were in attendance and witnessed the manager’s quick response. Videos posted on X reached over 700,000 views in less than a day. One commenter, Scott Leger, posted, “My favorite part is always when they say, ‘don’t be like the beloved regular who pulled out his phone yesterday during the trailers, and was banned for life.” Another commenter praised the work of the policeman. “That policeman did an excellent job of not letting anything escalate. Thank God there are still some cops that understand what we really need from them.” The name of the man escorted out by police has not been released. Canyon News reached out to the Beverly Hills Police Department for more information and spoke to a Watch Commander by the name of Diamond, who referred to an LAPD Watch Commander for the Wilshire Division. No comment was provided before print.   By Sharon

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Tuesday, January 6, a two-vehicle crash occurred in West Hollywood, where an alleged drunk driver was arrested. The Los Angeles Fire Department received a call about the crash at 12:13 a.m.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Fountain Avenue and Fairfax Avenue. The vehicle driven by the suspected drunk driver collided with another car.  Afterwards, the drunk driver allegedly tried to escape from the scene, causing him to then crash into a building on Fountain Avenue and Orange Grove Drive.

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station responded to the scene and detained the alleged drunk driver. No additional details about the incident have been disclosed to the public.

 

By Daniel Diquinzio

WOODLAND HILLS—On Wednesday, January 7, the Los Angeles Fire Department battled a kitchen fire in Woodland Hills.

The fire was reported at 3:07 p.m. at 20763 W Dolorosa St. at a one-story, single-family dwelling with light smoke initially showing.

The Kitchen fire extinguished in 12 minutes by first-arriving companies. LAPD and DOT attached for traffic control — motorists were asked to find alternate routes while fire companies remain on scene for overhaul. There were no reports of any injuries. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.

 

By Danny Jones