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Special Edition 2025
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. XXXIX
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2026
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
A car moves cautiously along the road as pedestrians walk to the Escondido Falls trail, which drew large crowds over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. Photo courtesy of Haylynn Conrad
Nature creates, and tourists come to enjoy Malibu Visitors and locals visit waterfalls on Martin Luther King weekend, while Volunteers on Patrol helps law enforcement ensure traffic law compliance By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Staff of the City of Malibu Rebuilds team, along with Mayor Marianne Riggins (middle row, center), Councilmember Doug Stewart (back row, second from left), and Community Development Director Yolanda Bundy (middle row, left) were on hand to answer questions at the Community Rising Picnic at Pepperdine University, marking one year since the Paliasdes Fire. Photos courtesy of the City of Malibu
‘Community Rising Picnic’ at Pepperdine marks one year since the Palisades Fire
Residents, leaders, and community partners gather for an afternoon of healing, reflection, and connection By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
One year after the devastating Palisades Fire reshaped lives, landscapes, and neighborhoods across Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and surrounding communities, hundreds gathered on the scenic Pepperdine University campus for an afternoon rooted in healing, reflection, and togetherness.
On Saturday, Jan. 10, Pepperdine University, in partnership with Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath and the City of Malibu, hosted the Community Rising Picnic, a free, familyfriendly event designed to honor resilience and provide meaningful connection for those impacted by the fires of 2025. From 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Pepperdine campus transformed into a space of comfort
and care. Neighbors shared meals, participated in healing arts, listened to live music, and took time to reflect — many reconnecting with one another for the first time since being displaced. For communities long defined by their closeness, the simple act of gathering held profound significance. “One year after so much loss, listening, healing, and supporting one another is how we move CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
Waterfalls in and near Malibu spring to life after heavy rains, drawing literally hundreds of tourists, especially on a holiday weekend such as the Martin Luther King three-day weekend, which featured unseasonably warm temperatures. On Jan. 17 and 18, crowds were especially large, according to Mark Russo, team leader for Volunteers on Patrol, a highly trained group that supports law enforcement’s efforts to ensure that everyone is safe as they enjoy the waterfalls and beaches. Although there are other nearby waterfalls in Malibu and the Santa Monica Mountains, including Sycamore Canyon Falls, Paradise
By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief The Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council is helping residents prepare for, withstand, and recover from wildfires. Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council
Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council helps make fire-wise communities
One year after the devastating Palisades Fire swept through Malibu, destroying hundreds of homes and dramatically transforming the coastal landscape, the City of Malibu continues advancing its rebuilding efforts. On Jan. 15, city officials hosted another roundtable meeting with design professionals at City Hall to review progress, address ongoing challenges, and explore collaborative solutions to accelerate recon-
struction while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. The session, led by Community Development Director Yolanda Bundy, was also streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel. Bundy opened the meeting with a poignant acknowledgment of the one-year anniversary, displaying slides featuring photographs from resident Arno Koch in Big Rock. The images highlighted both the scale of the fire’s devastation and the resilience of the Malibu community. “While much work remains, momentum is steadily building,” Bundy said. As of mid-January, Malibu has approved 148 planning permits for fire rebuilds, with 63 still under review. In the construction phase, 68 projects CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
ness. While Malibu and surround- Malibu residents demand swift rebuilds and safer streets New resource to ing communities have neighborassist Malibu area hood-based fire safe councils, there Council meeting features calls for Doug Stewart, Haylynn Conrad, and Steve Uhring, homeowners in wildfire had never been a regional organizaestablishing a quorum. The session ran past 10:30 expedited fire recovery, stricter PCH tion to connect them, support their p.m., covering recovery efforts, infrastructure updates, preparedness
As wildfire danger continues to shape life in the Santa Monica Mountains, a relatively new nonprofit organization is stepping into a critical role, helping residents prepare for, withstand, and recover from the growing threat of catastrophic fires. Founded in 2023, the Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council (SMMFSC) was created to fill a gap in regional wildfire prepared-
CONTINUED ON PAGE A5
INSIDE
this week
Malibu rebuilds gain momentum amid challenges and collaboration with roundtable meeting City of Malibu continues working with design professionals while navigating regulatory, environmental, and coastal hurdles
By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
Falls, Solstice Canyon, Upper Zuma Falls, and the Grotto Trail at Circle X Ranch, Escondido is the most popular, Russo noted. “Escondido Falls is the number one destination for hikers in Malibu,” Russo said. “It is a popular destination for our international visitors as well as for those who live nearby.” Accessed from the Pacific Coast Highway about a mile south of Kanan Road, the Edward Albert Trail through Escondido Canyon leads hikers, mountain bikers, and some equestrians 4.2 miles
work and provide professional continuity. “We looked around at places like Ventura and Santa Barbara and saw that they had larger, regional fire safe councils with full-time staff,” said Pauline Allen, executive director of SMMFSC. “In the Santa Monica Mountains, there are a handful of smaller fire safe councils, but no regional one — and that’s a huge fire risk area. We saw that as a big gap.” Fire safe councils are grassroots, community-led organizations that CONTINUED ON PAGE A5
speed enforcement, and attention to long- public safety, and proposed policy changes. No moterm health effects from the Palisades Fire tions faced opposition, reflecting broad consensus. By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor in Chief
The Malibu City Council on Jan. 12 extended a longstanding local emergency declaration tied to safety hazards on Pacific Coast Highway, while allowing a separate fire danger emergency to lapse, amid ongoing discussions about accelerating post-disaster rebuilding following the Palisades Fire. The regular meeting, held at City Hall and streamed live on YouTube, was called to order by Mayor Marianne Riggins, with all council members present, Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Silverstein and Councilmembers
The agenda was approved unanimously, with one item — a contract extension with engineering firm Kimley-Horn — continued to a later date. Several consent calendar items were pulled for discussion; the remaining items were approved without objection. Among the key actions, the council unanimously extended the local emergency declaration related to conditions on Pacific Coast Highway. First declared in 2023 following a series of deadly crashes that claimed 23 lives, including four Pepperdine University students, the declaration is renewed every 60 days and grants the city manager authority to expedite CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
Martin Luther King Day brings welcome boost to Malibu restaurants and local businesses |B1
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . A2 • A year without a home: How it’s been going News Briefs . . . . . . . . A3 • State Supreme Court denies Bohm appeal Calendar . . . . . . . . . . A4 • SAT JAN 24: Malibu Pathway Community Showcase Real Estate . . . . . . . . A7 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . B1 • Pepperdine swim and dive shines with triple record day People . . . . . . . . . . . B2 • Malibu Scene: From Burrushis to Rocket Jellyfish Community . . . . . . . . B3 • Baywatch reboot splashes back Legals . . . . . . . . . . . B3 Business & Directory . . B6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . B6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . B8 • Guiney’s hot hand nearly lifts Waves past Oregon State