NEW FALL HOURS: 9-7 DAILY
This weekend! OCT. 25-26
Malibu Moves Together! Join us at Zuma Beach on October 25–26 for the IPS Malibu Moves presented by UCLA Health. From the Kids’ Run and 1-Mile Zuma Dash to the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon, every race is walkerfriendly and open to all ages. Beyond the finish line, enjoy yoga on the sand, live music, food trucks, a kids zone, and a charity beer garden.
M A LIB U ’S AWA RD W INN IN G N E WSPA P E R S I N CE 1 94 6 WHEN: October 25 & 26, 2025
VOL. LXXX • NO. XXVI
WHERE: Zuma Beach, Malibu
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2025
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Malibu launches Zone Captains Program, hosts rebuild session
Malibu council confronts Fire Rebuild Crisis
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City leaders, federal and local partners, and Woolsey survivors gather to streamline rebuilding, share resources, and provide neighborhoodspecific guidance
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In a special meeting marked by public outrage and heartfelt testimony from fire victims, the City Council advances significant policy changes
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By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
The City of Malibu held a homeowners rebuilding special community session on Oct. 15, highlighting streamlined processes, neighborhood-specific assistance, and vital resources from federal and local partners. Held at City Hall and streamed live on the city’s YouTube channel, the meeting drew dozens of affected residents, city officials, and representatives from key organizations. Mayor Marianne Riggins emphasized the city’s commitment to transparency and speed, as attendees shared testimonials and feedback to refine the recovery. The session, moderated by Farrah Durand — whose own family lost
In an extensive four-hour special meeting on Oct. 15, the Malibu City Council addressed the ongoing fire rebuild crisis head-on, approving sweeping policy changes to expedite home reconstructions while fielding blistering public criticism over perceived delays and dysfunction. The session, marked by emotional pleas from fire victims, heated debates, and a recusal by two council members to vote on an agenda item, highlighted the city’s urgent push to restore normalcy seven years after the Woolsey Fire and nine months after the devastating Palisades Fire. With Councilmember Haylynn Conrad participating remotely via teleconference, the meeting drew a full chamber of in-person attendees and dozens of Zoom participants. Mayor
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The master of ceremonies, Bridget Thompson — a roommate and friend of the four victims — opened the ceremony by thanking Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE), an organization that tirelessly advocates for safer roads, for hosting the event. Photo courtesy of the City of Malibu
Two years on: Community gathers to honor four Pepperdine students lost on Pacific Coast Highway Press conference at Malibu’s Ghost Tires Memorial honors and remembers the four young women By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
Attendees of all ages and from all walks of life gathered for a press conference and remembrance event on Oct. 17 at the Ghost Tires Memorial at Pacific Coast Highway and Webb Way, somberly commemorating the two-yearanniversary of four Pepperdine students dying in a horrific collision in east Malibu along a stretch of Pacific Coast
Highway near Carbon Canyon. Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams, all aged 20 or 21, were seniors at Pepperdine and members of the Alpha Phi sorority who were pronounced dead on the scene of the accident. The victims were killedwhen Fraser Michael Bohm of Malibu drove his vehicle westbound at enormous speed and slammed into parked cars on the north shoulder of the roadway, causing the vehicles to hit and kill the
young women. Bohm awaits trial on four counts of homicide for the accident. The master of ceremonies, Bridget Thompson, was a roommate and friend of the four victims, began the ceremony by thanking Street are For Everyone (SAFE), an organization that continuously fights for safer roads for hosting the event. “We’re here to speak on behalf of four of the most beautiful souls that have ever lived,” CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
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INSIDE
this week
Pepperdine welcomes new class into Athletics Hall of Fame |B1
Anniah Smith, President of Pepperdine College Democrats (left), and Malibu Democratic Club Co-Presidents Hap Henry (middle) and Gina Muscatel (right) pose together at the “No King” rally on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Civic Center Way and Legacy Park. Photo courtesty of Malibu Democratic Club
Malibu Democratic Club organizes ‘No Kings’ event
Hundreds gather at Legacy Park to defend democratic values amid growing national unrest By HAYLEY MATTSON Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
On Saturday, Oct. 18, several hundred residents gathered in Malibu for the No Kings rally, part of a nationwide wave of protests that organizers estimate drew over 7 million participants across more than 2,700 events in the United States and abroad. Described as one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history, the turnout surpassed
Marilyn Green, a longtime volunteer at the Malibu Pie Festival, continued her tradition this year, eagerly ready to taste and judge the entries. Photo by Barbara Burke/TMT
Malibuites indulge at the annual Pie Festival
Fellowship, fun and friendship — bringing the community together the approximately 5 million who attended the inaugural No Kings for a day of food and celebration Day in June by a significant margin. The Malibu event, organized by the Malibu Democratic Club, unfolded peacefully along Civic Center Way, in front of the Malibu Library, and across the street in Legacy Park. Protesters waved American flags, held signs proclaiming love for democracy, and chanted in unison. Nationwide, the protests targeted CONTINUED ON PAGE A7
By BARBARA BURKE Special to The Malibu Times
As attendees entered Malibu’s iconic, muchanticipated, absolutely-can’t-be-missed, command performance annual pie festival — which is perennially hosted by Malibu Methodist Church — welcoming, celebratory smiles greeted them. Folks exchanged, “How are ya’s,” and, “So wonderful to see you’s,” in their uniquely Malibu, “I’m so happy to be with my tribe” sort of way. The cherished yearly event evinced and exuded
the very definition of community. It’s one of Malibu’s happiest places. Those attending this year’s festival on Oct. 18, like the 33 pie festivals before it, quickly became immersed in convivial, celebratory, conversational cacophony, and, of course, there was a lot of pie eating and enjoyment. There were so so so so many pies! Cream and meringue pies. Fruit pies. Seasonal pies. Savory pies. Apple pies. Gluten-free pies. Vegan pies. Of course, there were chocolate pies. Even the youngest in attendance got in on the pie contest. Little Violet Bricklin, 6, was delighted that her “hand pie” earned first place in the entrants younger than 8 years old category. “My grandma watched me CONTINUED ON PAGE A5
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . .A2 • It’s Culture, not Code. Lessons from Santa Rosa News Briefs . . . . . . . . . A3 • Florida Man Accused of Starting Palisades Fire Extradited to California Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . A4 • Oct. 25-26: IPS Malibu Moves Real Estate . . . . . . . . . .A8 Malibu Life . . . . . . . . . B1 • Everything’s coming up roses for Malibu homegrown People . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2 • Malibu Seen: Semper Fire: The Community Brigade helps to prepare Malibu Legals . . . . . . . . . . . . .B3 • Business & Directory B6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . B6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .B8 • Malibu Greatness flag football team gears up for fall season