THE 26TH ANNUAL “VETERANS DAY” PUBLIC CEREMONY 10:30am TUESDAY NOVEMBER 11, 2025 MALIBU CITY HALL
NEW FALL HOURS: 9-7 DAILY
23825 STUART RANCH ROAD • MALIBU, CA 90265
M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 VOL. LXXX • NO. XXVII
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2025
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
City leads informative session on school separation
Malibu Planning Commission approves $55M PCH safety project
Residents get up to speed on the long, drawn-out process By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
It’s been a long slog for the City of Malibu in its decades-long effort to separate from the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, but the team leading the effort presented a town hall last Wednesday to keep the community informed that the process is ongoing and making progress, albeit slowly. Deputy City Attorney Christine Wood, who has been heading the strategic direction of the campaign Firefighters struggle to contain flames along Pacific Coast Highway during the Palisades Fire, after the LAFD pulled out days earlier following the Lachman Fire. Photo courtesy of CalFire for what is called“unification” in forming a stand-alone Malibu Unified School District (MUSD), led the discussion on the incre- LA Times reports; LAFD ordered a pullout days before the Palisades inferno; suspected arsonist faces mental steps being taken to form extradition as official report admits critical failures in containing the initial blaze an MUSD. By HAYLEY MATTSON of Jonathan Rinderknecht comes decision crews later described as a The convergence of these develAfter years of negotiations bePublisher, Editor in Chief alongside the release of a damning “bad idea.” Adding to the scrutiny, a opments has brought the January tween city leaders and the district, 70-page Los Angeles Fire Depart- Los Angeles Times investigation pub- wildfire back into the spotlight — both sides finally agreed in principle A Central Florida man accused ment (LAFD) after-action review, lished on Thursday, Oct. 30, based rightfully so — intensifying calls for to separate. Mediation to untangle CONTINUED ON PAGE A8 of deliberately sparking the cata- which reveals that firefighters were on reviewed text messages, shows accountability from both the alleged strophic Palisades Fire faces extra- ordered to abandon a smoldering that ground crews had warned their arsonist and public safety officials. dition to California, federal author- underground fire despite on-scene battalion chief as early as Jan. 2 that What began as a small 8-acre brush ities announced last week. The arrest warnings that it was still active — a the site remained hazardous. CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
Firefighters warned a ‘bad idea’ to abandon smoldering site
Malibu public schools finally equipped with generators
In a tense 4–1 vote, commissioners advanced Caltrans’ plan to repave and re-engineer 15 miles of Pacific Coast Highway By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
In a tense, sometimes chaotic session on Monday night, the Malibu Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve a $55 million Caltrans project to repave and re-engineer 15 miles of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), including sweeping safety upgrades — but only after a long discussion of scaling back planned lights, conditioning a controversial Pepperdine sidewalk, and navigating a storm of grief, fury, and debate over the city’s rural identity. The commission’s recent meetings have often descended into disorder, with commissioners speaking over one another, demanding extra time to comment, and prompting multiple reminders from the city attorney to CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
INSIDE
this week
SMMUSD updates parents who complained after weeks of power shutoffs cancelling school instruction days By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
After months of parental pressure and prolonged outages that forced campus closures, Malibu’s public schools finally have backup power systems in place. Representatives from the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and their contractor, Schneider Electric, briefed residents last week on significant progress made toward protecting Malibu campuses from Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and other outages — long a sore point for parents frustrated by lost instruction time. The presentation, led by SMMUSD Sustainability Manager Austin Toyama and Schneider Electric Program Manager Marc Starkey, detailed the installation of new generator “quick-connect” systems, temporary and permanent generators, and long-term plans for solar-powered microgrids at all four Malibu school sites. Toyama, who oversees alternative energy projects for the district, began by walking residents through CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Malibu football secures playoff spot with Senior Night win |B1
The Malibu High Homecoming court (from left): Finn Agarwal, Maizee Marderosian, Stevie Clarke (Homecoming King), Reghan Marlow (Homecoming Queen), Ella Stabile, Diego Alvarez. Photo by Steve Clarke
Malibu High’s Homecoming thriller ends in overtime victory
Big night brought back school spirit with a thrilling OT win, the crowning of a king and queen, and a celebration of seniors By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
It’s a beloved annual tradition for Malibu High students, and this year, the annual homecoming game and dance on Oct.17 proved to be exciting and delightful and at times during the game, quite a nailbiter, which only added to the fun. The festivities began with a dazzlingly impressive choreographed pep rally performed by the cheerleaders and the football team, followed by
the traditional Homecoming procession, establishing an energized vibe for the rest of the game. Nick Ortiz’ stellar performance of a rock-inspired guitar rendition of the national anthem was thoroughly enjoyed by all who packed the stands as students, families, and community members soaked in the festive atmosphere. Throughout the game, the drum line directed by Mr. John Kibler kept the crowd invigorated with dynamic beats, while the cheer team, led by Rachel Hébert, sparked school spirit with
choreographed cheers and nonstop enthusiasm. Announcer John Meyers engaged the audience from kickoff to the final whistle, making the night a perfect blend of school pride and athletic drama. Howdy’s served crowd favorites, drizzle funnel cakes that delighted sweet-toothed aficionados, and DJ Tracy Kies kept the energy high with a lively mix of music. Runyan Capital, a team sponsor, added extra fun with glow-in-the-dark CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 • Let’s Rebuild: A 10-day dare News Briefs . . . . . . . . . A3 • Franklin Fire: Almost one year later Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . A4 • Nov. 11: 26th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Malibu County News . . . . . . . A10 • Celebrating 100 years of friendship in one of LA’s most enduring hidden treasures Real Estate . . . . . . . . . A12 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . B1 • Like a phoenix, Malibu’s new businesses rise from the ashes People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Malibu Seen: Hollyween Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . .B4 Business & Directory . . .B6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .B8 • Schilling’s system takes center court as Waves tip off new season