INSIDE
Elderly Santa Monica Couple Over 90 Years Old Perished in Fatal House Fire, Records Show smmirror.com
August 21 – August 27, 2026 Volume CXXIII Issue 214
See Page 4
Appeals court allows Waymo to resume 24-hour Santa Monica operations pending review A state appellate stay temporarily pauses an injunction against overnight charging facilities. By Carlos Reyes. Autonomous vehicle company Waymo can temporarily resume 24-hour operations at its Waymo Santa Monica charging facilities following an emergency stay granted by a California appellate court. The California Court of Appeals issued an order temporarily halting enforcement of a lower court's preliminary injunction, which had barred overnight activity at the company's 1222 and 1310 Broadway locations. The appellate court's action allows round-the-clock operations to proceed while justices evaluate Waymo's request for a formal stay pending appeal. Court officials emphasized that the temporary stay does not address the legal merits of Santa Monica's lawsuit, nor does it overturn the Los Angeles County Superior Court's July 27 findings. "The Court of Appeal has temporarily paused enforcement of the injunction while it considers Waymo's challenge to the trial court’s decision. The temporary pause was issued without the benefit of the
City’s opposition, and it has not reversed or vacated the trial court's findings," City Attorney Heidi von Tongeln said. "Temporary orders do not end this dispute for our residents. A final decision does, and we will be urging the court to move quickly toward one." In that underlying decision, the trial judge ruled that the city demonstrated a strong probability of winning its public nuisance claim. The lower court determined that neighbor complaints regarding overnight noise, bright lights, and traffic impacts
outweighed the commercial harm Waymo would experience by pausing overnight activities before trial. Under the briefing schedule set by the appellate court, Santa Monica must submit its opposing arguments by Aug. 24, with Waymo permitted to reply by Sept. 2. Justices also requested both sides submit proposals to expedite the overall appeal process. Adjacent property owners have reported persistent sleep disruption from overnight activity at the Waymo Santa
Monica charging facilities for more than a year. Municipal officials sought judicial intervention after months of direct negotiations, formal modification demands, and structured mediation failed to resolve the neighborhood disturbances. City officials reiterated that the litigation focuses exclusively on land-use compatibility and neighborhood impacts rather than restricting autonomous vehicles within municipal borders.
SMPD Investigate Apparent Suicide on 7th Street Seventh Street remained closed between Wilshire Boulevard and Washington Avenue while crews completed their investigation By Carlos Reyes
Santa Monica police and fire personnel are investigating a death in the 1100 block of 7th Street, authorities said. An adult was pronounced dead at the scene following an apparent suicide, according to preliminary information. The death does not appear related to criminal activity, and there is no threat to the public, officials said. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death. The person’s identity was being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Seventh Street remained closed between Wilshire Boulevard and Washington Avenue while crews completed their investigation. Motorists were advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes.