Parking lot drama, wedding crashers Parking dispute between Norris, Promenade; noise dispute between La Venta, neighbors
by Dan Blackburn Two venerable and historic Palos Verdes Peninsula venues currently face threats that could result in their closures. Operators of the Norris Theater and its Performing Arts Conservatory are enmeshed in a dispute over parking at the Promenade Mall, and La Venta Inn owners are confronting neighborhood complaints about noise from wedding events. […]
Godwin wrote tax measure No argument
by Dan Blackburn Council candidate Daniel Godwin doesn’t just oppose the proposed city sales tax increase, Measure B. He wrote the opposing ballot argument. A program manager, and major in the Air Force Reserve, Godwin seeks one of three vacant council seats with an effort to beat down Measure B, and a promise to “restore […]
Hermosa Beach Election 2022: Raedy wants HB lifestyle protected
by Dan Blackburn Jeff Raedy is a candidate for one of three vacant council seats who recognizes an eccentric, but vital, side to the community’s identity. “There are times when Hermosa Beach can be a little rough around the edges,” he said at a recent local candidate’s debate, “but jazz isn’t music that started in […]
Hermosa Beach Election 2022: Commissioner Saemann says ‘Yes’ to rooftop dining, ‘No’ to M
by Dan Blackburn Rob Saemann has an idea that might revolutionize outdoor dining in downtown Hermosa Beach. The candidate for one of three open seats on the Hermosa Beach City Council on the November 8 ballot, Saemann has proposed that restaurants be allowed to create rooftop dining of the kind found in many, often larger, […]
Hermosa Beach Elections 2022: Jackson says pass tax, it’s simple math
by Dan Blackburn Hermosa Beach City Council member Ray Jackson has two primary objectives before him: earning reelection and pushing a new sales tax. Jackson captured his council seat vacated by Hany Fangary two years ago, besting four other candidates in a special election to serve the balance of Fangary’s term. Now the incumbent finds […]
Hermosa Beach City Council approves traffic cameras on roads leading in, out of town
by Dan Blackburn Four busy Hermosa Beach intersections soon will be under the gaze of local police officers, following City Council unanimous approval Tuesday of purchase and installation of automated license plate readers at the sites. The intersections are Pier Avenue at Valley Drive; Hermosa Avenue at 14th Street; Gould Avenue at Pacific Coast Highway; […]
Jeffery Woods’ suspect Joshua Dirnu bail not reduced
by Dan Blackburn Accused killer Joshua Dirnu will remain in jail as he awaits trial for the beating death of Hermosa Beach resident Jeffery Woods last year, a Superior Court judge decided Monday, refusing to lower the suspect’s $1 million bail. Dirnu also was denied a bid to move his case out of Los Angeles […]
Drunks not reliable, Hermosa Beach city commissioner says, for naming where they drank
by Dan Blackburn An ongoing effort by the Hermosa Beach Police Department to identify local bars responsible for sending drunks onto the streets has been “largely ineffective,” according to the city commissioner who suggested the practice. Since 2017, officers arresting individuals for driving under the influence or drunk in public would ask where the arrestee […]
Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) offers Hany Fangary chance to correct filings, avoid fine
by Dan Blackburn Former Hermosa Beach City Council member Hany Fangary may be able to avoid or reduce the $24,000 penalty levied by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) for alleged campaign fund violations, following a decision Wednesday by the state panel to delay action on the assessment. The commission voted to continue the matter […]
No harm intended, but Fangary still fined $24,000 by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC)
by Dan Blackburn A $24,000 fine has been levied against former Hermosa Beach City Council member Hany Fangary, his wife Dina Fangary, and two funding committees by the state’s Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), ending a years-long investigation. The FPPC “did not find any evidence that (the Fangarys) intended to conceal, deceive, or mislead the […]
Hermosa Beach City Council delays cannabis decision, pending survey results
by Dan Blackburn Hermosa Beach’s City Council decided to delay until May 10 a decision on the city’s response to a retail marijuana sales initiative until an ongoing community survey is completed. The survey, according to City Manager Suja Lowenthal, covers a variety of issues, one of which addresses the prevailing community view of allowing […]
Hermosa Beach Planning Commission talks on updating the city’s zoning ordinance
by Dan Blackburn The Hermosa Beach Planning Commission held a special meeting last Wednesday to discuss a lengthy staff report on updating the city’s zoning ordinance. It was last updated in 2017. The commission will vote at a future date to send the proposal on to the city council for public hearings and possible implementation. […]
Court appearance scheduled for suspect in Hermosa Beach resident Jeffery Roderick Woods’ death
by Dan Blackburn Joshua Edward Dirnu will appear in Torrance court April 14 at 8:30 a.m. in Dept. 8 for a second attempt at setting a preliminary hearing date on charges he beat and killed longtime Hermosa Beach resident Jeffery Roderick Woods in a July 8 incident caught on surveillance cameras. Dirnu, 23, has been […]
The Hermosa Beach Cannabis Advisory group opposes cannabis sales, but if approved, wants tax
by Dan Blackburn The Hermosa Beach Cannabis Advisory Group expressed unanimous opposition to an initiative on the November ballot that asks to legalize retail cannabis sales in Hermosa Hermosa Beach. The initiative, proposed by resident Colton Chacker, if approved by voters, would require the city to allow two cannabis retail stores. Hermosa currently bans marijuiana […]
Hermosa Beach Mayor Detoy plans Hermosa Beach Greenbelt ADA path demonstration
Hermosa Beach Mayor Mike Detoy will hold his monthly “conversation and clean-up” meeting with residents this Saturday, April 2, starting at 9 a.m. at the Valley Drive access to the Greenbelt. Detoy and Public Works Director Joe SanClemente plan to address compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). City officials have expressed interest in […]
Spoof spins the Hermosa Beach chief as victim of e-bike theft following St. Patrick’s Parade
by Dan Blackburn According to a story on the Hermosa Bee website, “Police Chief Paul LeBaron locked up his bike after the Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade to mingle with the people and local dignitaries. When he returned an hour later, his bike was stolen.” Lending credibility to the story was a photo, reprinted […]