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. LXXIX • NO. XXXVI
THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2025
malibutimes.com • $.50 • WEEKLY
More details emerge from wrongful death lawsuit against Summer Wheaton Malibu in 2025: Progress and promise Building on a year of achievement, Malibu looks to the future with ambitious safety, education, and community development goals By DOUG STEWART Mayor of the City of Malibu
What do you want to be when you grow up? It’s a question we often ask children, yet for a city like Malibu — now 33 years old — there’s no simple answer. Malibu will never “grow up” in the traditional sense because each day brings new challenges and opportunities. Our focus is on evolving while preserving the essence of what makes Malibu special. To understand where we are headed, we must reflect on 2024, a year of progress and determination. While we take pride in our achievements, there’s always more to strive to accomplish.
2024: A Year of Progress Safety on Pacific Coast Highway The safety of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) has long been a priority, but in 2024, it became more urgent than ever. After the tragic deaths of four Pepperdine students in late CONTINUED ON PAGE A6
July 4 PCH crash victim’s family seeks damages against micro social influencer By JUDY ABEL Special to The Malibu Times
The family of Martin Okeke is requesting a jury trial in its case against a woman they claim caused a head-on crash in Malibu on July 4 resulting in his death. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed on behalf of his estate, as well as Okeke’s wife, young daughter, and mother, against Summer Wheaton, who was behind the wheel of the car that crashed into Okeke’s vehicle just minutes after a controversial party held that night at Nobu restaurant had ended. According to the lawsuit, all three plaintiffs were financially dependent on Okeke who worked as Families line up to take pictures and tell Santa what they want for Christmas during the Point Dume Christmas celebration on Dec. 24. Photos by Benjamin Hanson/TMT a ride-share driver. He was on duty the night of the fatal crash that also resulted in injuries to his teenage passenger and to Wheaton. Christmas Eve Point Dume Parade delights onlookers across the Malibu community Other defendants named in the began their cheerful adventure. “I Children and dogs and entire famhard to put this event on every year suit include the Hwood Group, By BARBARA BURKE grew up in Paradise Cove, so this DBDJ, and Nobu Malibu, LLC ilies lined up to speak with Santa, to bring joy to kids of all ages.” Special to The Malibu Times is a lot of fun.” sharing their most secret wishes for “How lucky we are to live in that rented its space for an annual After getting the Santa Sleigh all You could hear the entourage of gifts they longed for on Christmas such a sought-after location with CONTINUED ON PAGE A6 decorated and having a wee bit of merrymakers approaching, what morning. incredible natural beauty and to some pre-parade merriment, Santa with the truck’s sirens joyfully “I wouldn’t miss Santa and his still have this sense of community and his entourage of helpers and blaring and Santa using a very big sleigh for anything! My kids abso- and small-town feel,” Jenner conthis week elves left Paradise Cove on Christ- microphone through which he lutely love coming here to Malibu tinued. “Santa and his sleigh is just mas eve at 4 p.m., headed for the cheerfully declared in a booming West to see Santa and his elves on one of the many examples where first stop — Malibu West. voice, “Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! his first stop of the night,” Brandon neighbors come together in tradi“It’s my third year to help lead Ho!!” Jenner exclaimed. “I am so grateful tion to create memorable moments with the lifeguard truck,” Carter A large, cheerful crowd of res- to the Mullens, Baldwins, and Ad- for all us locals. Go Malibu!” Baldwin said as the jovial group idents delightedly greeted them. disons, among others, who worked CONTINUED ON PAGE A5
Malibu’s cherished fun holiday tradition shares cheer
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Malibu Foundation donates $100,000 to the Malibu Community Brigade |B1
The Santa Lucia singers rehearse inside of the Malibu Farm restaurant on the Malibu Pier on Dec. 22. Photo by Benjamin Hanson.
The Malibu Labor Exchange held its annual holiday party and a toy drive in partnership with the Santa Monica College Malibu Campus on Saturday, Dec. 21, at Malibu United Methodist Church. Photos by Samantha Bravo/TMT
Santa Lucia singers delight attendees at Malibu Farm with a beloved Swedish tradition
Lucia Day — also known ‘Lucy’s Day’ — is a Holiday joy and gratitude abound at MCLE luncheon as Christian feast day that Malibu Methodist Church hosts the Monica College Malibu Campus’ first annual toy drive can be traced back to the Malibu Community Labor Exchange event to benefit the families of the Labor Exchange,” Alice fourth century By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
The tree was abundantly blessed with a multitude of lovely, intriguing toys for all ages of children, and a festive, jovial ambiance warmly embraced attendees as they gathered together and mingled at Malibu United Methodist Church on Dec. 21 for the annual Malibu Community Labor Exchange holiday luncheon. “People really showed up for this donation effort and they were extremely generous as we sponsored Santa
Meyering, associate dean of the SMC Malibu Campus, said. “Members of our college and academic affairs departments were so giving. Look, how wonderful all the gifts are!” Smiling as he surveyed the festive scene, SMC-Malibu Photography Professor Ed Mangus commented, “What Alice has spearheaded with this toy drive is wonderful and I am sure our Malibu campus will participate many more times!” Photography Professor Josh Withers chimed in, noting, “This is just a great way CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
“It was amazing to host the Santa Lucia singers again this year!” said Helene Henderson, proprietor of Malibu Farm, after the singers performed twice at the restaurant on the evening of Dec. 22. “We feel super grateful to be able to hold the yearly event after the Franklin
Fire caused the cancellation of the original date.” In the Swedish tradition, “Santa Lucia” involves a young girl, representing Saint Lucia, who wears a wreath of candles on her head and leads a procession of singers, often referred to as “handmaidens,” carrying candles that symbolize the transformation of “light in the darkness” during the long, bleak winter months. The joyful entourage participants are dressed in full-length white gowns with red sashes, and they sing traditional songs.
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