LOS ANGELES – The Original Farmers Market invites you to join its annual Chanukah celebration on Sunday, December 10^th from 3 to 5:15 pm. Bring your loved ones and immerse yourselves in an afternoon filled with music and fun!

Kicking off the festivities is an ice sculpture menorah carving demonstration, followed by arts and crafts for kids to enjoy. The evening continues with a youth musical performance by JLA, followed by a Chanukah sing-along with Miss Melo. As the sun sets, get ready for the grand finale, an ice sculpture menorah lighting with Miracle Mile Chabad.

Don’t miss out on this bright and festive event full of fun, food, and cheer!

WHEN:	Chanukah Celebration on Sunday, December 10th from 3:00 pm to 5:15 pm
WHERE:	The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90036
EVENT SCHEDULE:	3-4:45 PM Menorah Ice Sculpture Carving Demo And Arts & Crafts Activities  4:45 PM Youth Musical Performances by JLA  5 PM Chanukah Sing-Along with Miss Melo  5:15 PM Ice Sculpture Menorah Lighting with Miracle Mile Chabad

LOS ANGELES – At a press conference on Saturday afternoon, Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Michel Moore along with Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón and LA County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the arrest of the suspect in the murders of three homeless individuals across the city.

LAPD Chief Moore identified the suspect as Jerrid Joseph Powell, 33, of Los Angeles. Powell is alleged to be the gunman behind the murders of homeless men across Los Angeles from Nov. 26 to Nov. 29.

After a multiple agency cooperative investigation triggered by the follow-home murder of Nicholas Simbolon of San Dimas on Tuesday night by LASD homicide investigators, a car and weapon in that case was identified by the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Simbolon was a tenured L.A. County employee, who worked for the chief executive officer as a project manager in the IT department.  

“He was key in developing applications, software that helped to propel the office forward, and also helped us to meet our mission to deliver services to citizens and residents of L.A. County,” Sheriff Robert Luna said at Thursday’s press conference.  

LAPD asking for public’s help with murders of homeless persons

On Thursday morning, the suspect, Powell, was spotted in Beverly Hills driving the same vehicle and taken into custody.  

“When you get to a scene, you just start playing it backwards,” Sheriff Luna said while announcing the arrest [Thursday]. “They start looking at every avenue.”  

During the arrest, deputies recovered a gun that appeared to match the description of the weapon used to commit the crime, authorities added.

“Over the course of the investigation of our murders, we were able to identify the vehicle we believe is connected to our three homicides as being the same vehicle that Mr. Powell used in the murder of Mr. Simbolon,” Moore said at Saturday’s press conference. “[We learned] that it was being held in custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as evidence of their murder.”  

According to Chief Moore, that vehicle was the same being sought in the killings of the three homeless persons and the gun seized was the weapon used in the killings.

Related:

Press Conference Live:

LOS ANGELES – Flanked by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, LA Mayor Mayor Karen Bass and Martin Estrada, the United States Attorney for the Central District of California, Los Angeles Chief of Police Michel Moore, held a news conference Friday where he announced that three homeless people had been fatally shot while they slept within the past week.

Moore added that authorities believe one suspect is responsible for all three murders.

Detectives from the LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division are investigating three separate murders that occurred between November 26, 2023, and November 29, 2023. In each case, the victims were experiencing homelessness.

While some similarities have been identified, detectives are working to determine if these murders are related.  A community alert bulletin has been issued to make the region’s unhoused population and the community stakeholders aware of these recent murders.

The suspect in these homicides is described only as male. The suspect was seen in a dark-colored sedan. It is unknown if he was alone or there were any additional suspects.

Police have spotted who they believe the shooter is on surveillance footage — Moore said they believe it’s a man in a hoodie — and they also have images of the suspect’s vehicle, though Moore would not describe it in an effort to avoid misinformation.

“People will see different types of cars, different types of models,” he said. “I don’t want someone to say ‘You called this a Kia and it turns out to be a BMW or Mercedes,” he said.

“A single individual approached each one and shot and killed each one as they slept,” Moore said, though he avoided use of the term “serial killer.”

“The Los Angeles Police Department is employing all available resources  to bring justice to these murder victims.  I am thankful for our City partners who are working with us closely to ensure the safety of this vulnerable population as we pursue the criminal investigation,” said Moore.

“I want to be very clear about what we’re facing today: This is a killer who is preying on the unhoused,” Mayor Bass said, adding that homeless people should not sleep alone.

“As we always do in the face of a challenge or crisis, our region is mobilizing to respond to this issue. We will work tirelessly to find the individual responsible, arrest them, and hold them accountable. I have met with our partners at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Housing Department and we are moving immediately to get the word out to our unhoused neighbors in housing networks. Our message to our unhoused community is clear – try not to be alone tonight. We will do all we can to make shelter and services available. To the many Angelenos who have friends or family who are unhoused, please let them know the danger that exists. We must stay safe. We will work diligently to bring those responsible to justice,” the Mayor said.

“To the person responsible: We will find you, we will catch you and you will be held accountable,” Bass said.

“I commend the LAPD for creating a dedicated task force to uncover the identity of a potential serial killer preying on the most vulnerable in our community. I’ve assigned our Major Crimes Division, Bureau of Victim Services and our Bureau of Investigation to assist with these efforts. Today, we demonstrate our collective resolve and stand united in our pursuit of justice, unwavering against the darkness that preys on the most defenseless among us,” said LA District Attorney George Gascón.

Related:

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section, at (213) 486-6890. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). 

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org. 

Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.

LOS ANGELES — Project Angel Food saw a remarkable gathering of celebrities and 200 dedicated volunteers coming together to prepare and deliver 2,000 traditional turkey meals to critically ill clients on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. The initiative culminated in a total of more than 5,000 meals prepared and delivered throughout Thanksgiving week.

Thanksgiving Day at Project Angel Food was not just about distributing meals but also about the spirit of giving back while cherishing moments with family and friends.

Melissa Rivers, who recently got engaged to lawyer Steve Mitchel on Oct. 13, made a notable appearance — showcasing her stunning 5.6 carat, emerald-cut engagement ring as she volunteered alongside adult son Cooper Endicott. She shared, “Sometime maybe in 2025. It would be my second marriage and his second marriage so if anything, we’ll have a party, and a ceremony might break out. But nobody’s in any rush.”

Amanda Kloots, host of “The Talk”, expressed her deep affection for Project Angel Food, stating that she fell in love with the cause while filming a segment for the hit CBS talk show. She returned with Zach Braff and her four-year-old son Elvis, emphasizing, “I think it is so important to show our kids how blessed we are and how we can help one another.”

Joining the ranks, Lisa Rinna and her husband Harry Hamlin continued their annual tradition of giving back at Project Angel Food on Thanksgiving. Harry offered, “It goes without saying the people of L.A. need to be fed, and we’re here to do it, especially on Thanksgiving.” Lisa added, “It makes you feel good to give back, always, and we need to do it more.”

Actor and model Sam Asghari, marking his first Thanksgiving after his divorce from Britney Spears, refrained from discussing the split but reflected “I think it is important when you have a platform and a voice, and you have the ability to help others it is important to do.”

Unlikely friends Charo and Kat Von D were among the initial celebrity arrivals. Von D explained their unique bond, stating, “We’re Yin and Yang and complement each other. Since she had heard of Project Angel Food through Charo, she wanted to join.” Charo expressed her enthusiasm for volunteering, exclaiming, “I love people. This is my passion!”

The event saw the participation of other notable celebrity volunteers, including Amy Yasbeck, singer Em Beihold, Eve Mauro, Jai Rodriguez, Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Laura Pierson, Lauren Tom, Lawrence Zarian, Lisa Foxx, Loni Love, Mary-Margaret Humes, Michael Hitchcock, Peter Porte, Rachel Lindsay, Sandra Lee, Tamara Brown, and Tim Bagley.

Project Angel Food CEO Richard Ayoub expressed heartfelt gratitude stating, “Every day is like Thanksgiving at Project Angel Food. But on this day, we are especially grateful to our celebrity friends and hundreds of volunteers committed to bringing a little light to the thousands of critically ill men, women and children we serve.”

The meals were provided through “drive-by” pick-up for volunteers who then delivered them to Project Angel Food clients. The traditional Thanksgiving dinners included roasted turkey, root vegetables, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and a slice of pumpkin cheesecake. Additionally, vegetarian meals were also provided. The Thanksgiving Day meals were sponsored by The Stanley & Joyce Black Family Foundation, with additional support from Joybird, which furnished the Joybird VIP Love Lounge, allowing volunteers to take a break during the morning of service.

Beyond serving meals to 2,000 critically ill individuals, Project Angel Food extended its support by providing Thanksgiving Day meals for 500 people at PATH. PATH works tirelessly to end homelessness by building affordable housing and offering supportive services. Furthermore, actress and director Joely Fisher sponsored Project Angel Food meals, hosting a SAG/AFTRA “Friendsgiving” at Hollywood United Methodist Church for 200+ union members affected by the 118-day SAG/AFTRA strike on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.

Project Angel Food remains dedicated to providing daily meals to 2,500 critically ill individuals and delivering more than 1.5 million medically tailored meals annually across Los Angeles. Their clients often grapple with serious illnesses compounded by challenges such as poverty, aging, and isolation. Established in 1989 by Marianne Williamson, the organization has prepared and delivered more than 17 million meals in its 34-year history.

Related:

Project Angel Food serves up Thanksgiving meals for Angelenos:

LOS ANGELES — Project Angel Food proudly dedicated a star on its esteemed Path of Angels to the late George Michael on Monday, Nov. 20. This dedication ceremony, hosted at Project Angel Food on 922 Vine Street, marked the 25^th anniversary of Michael’s impactful volunteer work and the memorable press conference he held in the organization’s kitchen the Monday before Thanksgiving in 1998.

Recording artist David Archuleta, K-EARTH 101’s Lisa Stanley and CEO Richard Ayoub, unveiled the star which was seen internationally on Instagram Live. Attendees bore witness to this commemorative occasion, followed by a reception commencing at 12 p.m.

On Nov. 23, 1998, the Monday before Thanksgiving, George Michael was actively engaged in preparing 34 white cakes as a volunteer at Project Angel Food. Media attention escalated swiftly as helicopters, television crews and paparazzi swarmed the location to catch a glimpse of the Grammy winner who had recently come out as gay.

Despite not seeking the media spotlight, George chose to redirect attention towards Project Angel Food’s work. His presence drew focus to the organization’s mission of providing sustenance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. The ongoing support from George Michael’s estate continues to significantly contribute to this cause, upholding his legacy of support.

Reflecting on George Michael’s altruism, Ayoub remarked, “In 1993, during the height of the AIDS crisis, George made his initial donation to Project Angel Food. His consistent support included a substantial annual financial contribution of $25,000 and numerous acts of kindness, such as volunteering in the kitchen and donating a Mercedes for auction to raise additional funds.”

The star dedication pays homage to George Michael’s enduring dedication to philanthropy and acknowledges the contributions made by the George Michael fan group Lovelies.help, among others, who have generously donated more than $35,000 to Project Angel Food in his honor.

Archuleta, reflecting on George Michael’s impact, remarked, “George Michael shattered barriers and defied stereotypes. His honesty became a beacon of hope for countless members of our community yearning for acceptance in a society that often dictated our identities for us.”

The singer-songwriter recalled performing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” at the seventh season finale of “American Idol” as a duet with Sir Elton John, with George surprising the audience with a performance. He became emotional as he said, “After I came out, I went back and listened to that song and had it on repeat. Because the meaning took on so much more than  when I first heard it as a closeted 17-year-old on Idol. It holds the combination of feeling the pain life can bring, yet a hope for the future and empowerment that I needed — to feel seen, understood and keep going today. I am grateful for the genuine expression that was always felt in George’s voice as he sang.”

Lisa Stanley fondly remembered George Michael as “an icon, a musical giant, an inspiration, and a star whose bright light outshines all others,” highlighting his permanent place both in the organization’s Path of Angels and in the hearts of many.

Project Angel Food’s mission is monumental. Founded in 1989 by Marianne Williamson in the height of the AIDS crisis, the organization now provides daily meals to 2,500 critically ill individuals facing various medical conditions and delivers more than 1.5 million meals annually across Los Angeles. Our clients confront serious health challenges, often compounded by the difficulties of poverty, aging, and isolation.

LOS ANGELES – This morning Governor Gavin Newsom, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Alex Padilla, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and other local, state, and federal officials, announced the I-10 Freeway would reopen ahead of the Monday morning commute, beating the expected timeline by days thanks to around-the-clock work by union crews.

“What began as months has turned into days — before Angelenos hit the road on Monday, we’re opening the 10 back up. Thanks to the tireless work of Caltrans and union construction crews and with help from our partners — from the Mayor’s office to the White House — the 10’s expedited repair is proof and a point of pride that here in California, we deliver,” Newsom told reporters in the early Sunday morning press conference.

“The work that happened here is extraordinary,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “It was possible with the will and ambition of the workers on the ground, and their commitment as public servants and as union members to get this done and deliver for the people of Los Angeles. This is the kind of work that is happening around the country – where hard-working men and women, carpenters, laborers, and government workers, are rebuilding America’s infrastructure. Thank you to those workers for your commitment to the country.”
 
“The 10 will be safe to drive on weeks ahead of schedule because of urgent action and collaboration at all levels of government,” said LA Mayor Karen Bass. “When we work together, nothing can stop Los Angeles. Right when this happened, I heard from our state and federal partners that they would let nothing stand in our way. The White House and the Governor’s Office not only lived up to that promise, they helped us exceed all expectations. Today is proof of locking arms delivering real results for the people of this city.”

Today’s announcement, eight days since the fire, comes far ahead of the original project schedule and was made possible because of the around-the-clock efforts of crews and engineers on and off-site, better-than-expected structural testing results, rapid debris removal, and close coordination between state, local, and federal government officials to safely expedite repairs of a major freeway that is a critical backbone to the American and global economy.
 
As repairs continue over the coming months, the public should expect some temporary closures on occasional weekends and overnight, along with intermittent lane closures.

The 10 Freeway fire began on a site rented by Apex Development, Inc. (Apex). Two months prior to the fire, Caltrans sued Apex, seeking to remove the company from the leased property for failing to pay its rent and subletting the property without authorization. A hearing is set for early 2024 in that lawsuit.

Apex was responsible for maintaining the fenced-off site while they continued to assert rights under the lease. CAL FIRE’s investigation into the fire — suspected to be arson — remains ongoing. A person of interest has been identified and members of the public are encouraged to provide any leads or tips, which can be sent anonymously to the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408 or [email protected].
 
Last weekend, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County to support the state’s response. The proclamation facilitates clean-up and repair work and directs Caltrans to request assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, which the state secured.
 
The 10 Freeway is a major artery that serves hundreds of thousands of Angelenos daily. After testing samples and assessing damage from the site, state transportation officials determined the damage could be repaired without demolishing and rebuilding the 450-foot span of the freeway, which could have taken upwards of 6 months.

Union crews continue to work around the clock to get the freeway open by tomorrow morning. While I-10 is closed to all vehicles, Caltrans workers are seizing this traffic-free opportunity to carry out a wide-ranging “swarm” maintenance operation – sweeping, repairing bridge railings and broken concrete, painting over graffiti, cleaning drains and culverts, removing litter, weeds, and overgrown vegetation, and sealing broken access doors.

LOS ANGELES – The section of the10 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles damaged by a massive arson fire will reopen “five lanes in both directions” no later than Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom told reporters in a press briefing Thursday evening.

The major artery that serves 300,000 vehicles daily closed in both directions a week ago after a fire caused significant damage to up to 100 support pillars. Construction crews have erected wooden structures to shore up the overpass while the repair work gets underway.

Last week the governor said the cause of the fire was deemed suspicious by CAL FIRE investigators, and their team continues to investigate the fire as arson. Newsom also shared that the state took legal action months ago to eject the lessee of the site, Apex Development, Inc., for failing to pay rent and violating the lease agreement by subletting the property without state and federal approval. A court date is scheduled for February; however, the state is seeking options to expedite legal proceedings. 

During Thursday’s press conference  Newsom credited the tireless and continuous work of repair crews who have been working around the clock to get the busy roadway back open to traffic.

“We will be open, five lanes in both directions, Tuesday of next week,” the governor said.

KTLA reported Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were among the speakers. Both elected officials have promised regular and timely updates regarding the closure, which has crippled traffic in and out of downtown for several days and was initially expected to remain in place for several weeks.

“All of the stars have been aligned,” Bass said, paraphrasing a Caltrans official.

“This is what happens when we work with urgency. This is what happens when we come together. I want to make sure that there are no barriers to completely finishing the repair and that when the freeway opens up it will be completely safe,” said Mayor Bass. “City departments will continue to respond with urgency to the impacts of the traffic closure during the ongoing construction. We will not let up. I want to thank Governor Newsom for joining forces with me to make sure the repair is being expedited to get the freeway back up and running as fast as possible.”

The Los Angeles Times reported Newsom has repeatedly mentioned Apex Development Inc., leasing the area below freeway, had subleased some of its space to various businesses calling the company “bad actors,” and adding that the state was involved in ongoing litigation against it.

The company has been identified as Apex Development Inc., which subleased some of its space to various businesses. The legality over those subleases is under a bit of scrutiny.

The Times reported that Caltrans inspectors and local fire officials conducted regular visits to the site. The company’s attorney told the Times that any claims from government officials that it was unaware of the subleasing activity were false.

Instead, the company’s attorney laid the blame on the local homeless population which lived near the site, claiming that operators of the space repeatedly made calls to report homeless fires, which they allege were brushed off.

Today, the Governor also highlighted he has instructed Caltrans and CAL FIRE to conduct a thorough examination and assessment of all Airspace and Telecommunications Licensing Program (Airspace) sites throughout the state. Airspace sites are state-owned properties located within freeway rights-of-way that can be safely leased for secondary uses.

The Governor’s directive instructs Caltrans and CAL FIRE to conduct a comprehensive review of the Airspace program, and produce an inventory of all Airspace sites that identifies property types, locations, potential concerns, proximity to sensitive structures, tenancy status, site use types, and inspection status, among other details.

Additionally, Caltrans and CAL FIRE have been instructed to prioritize inspections of high-risk Airspace sites across California and recommend necessary programmatic, inspection, enforcement, and/or statutory changes to prevent future incidents similar to the I-10 Freeway fire.

The 10 Freeway fire began on an Airspace site rented by Apex Development, Inc (Apex). Two months prior to the fire, Caltrans sued Apex, seeking to remove the company from the leased property for failing to pay its rent and subletting the property without authorization. A hearing is set for early 2024 in that lawsuit.

Apex was responsible for maintaining the fenced-off site while they continued to assert rights under the lease. CAL FIRE’s investigation into the fire — suspected to be arson — remains ongoing and members of the public are encouraged to provide any leads or tips, which can be sent anonymously to the CAL FIRE Arson Hotline at 1-800-468-4408 or [email protected].
 
The 10 Freeway is a major artery that serves hundreds of thousands of Angelenos daily. After testing samples and assessing damage from the site, state transportation officials determined the damage could be repaired without demolishing and rebuilding the 450-foot span of the freeway, which could have taken upwards of 6 months.

Union crews continue to work around the clock to shore up the support pillars damaged in the fire. While I-10 is closed to all vehicles, Caltrans workers are seizing this traffic-free opportunity to carry out a wide-ranging “swarm” maintenance operation – sweeping, repairing bridge railings and broken concrete, painting over graffiti, cleaning drains and culverts, removing litter, weeds, and overgrown vegetation, and sealing broken access doors.

LOS ANGELES – Governor Gavin Newsom announced today that the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles is on track to at least partially reopen to traffic in three to five weeks. The major artery that serves 300,000 vehicles daily closed in both directions this weekend after a fire caused significant damage to up to 100 support pillars. 

After testing samples and assessing damage from the site, state transportation officials currently believe the damage can be repaired without demolishing and rebuilding the 450-foot span of the 10 Freeway, which could have taken upwards of 6 months. Union crews are working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to finish removing the extensive debris and shore up the pillars.

These efforts are aimed at making the necessary repairs to safely reopen the freeway to moving traffic as soon as possible. Additionally, on-site environmental monitoring is in place to fortify drains and ensure that every precaution is in place to contain area run-off due to incoming storms. An earlier evaluation of the site identified no highly toxic chemicals in the aftermath of the fire. 

Critical materials for the repairs are already on-site and no supply challenges are anticipated at this time.

The Governor also announced that by the end of the week, the state will have a livestream of the construction work so the public can see the progress firsthand.

Californians can visit Fixthe10.ca.gov for real-time project updates, alternate routes and public transit options.

Yesterday, Governor Newsom announced the cause of the fire was deemed suspicious by CAL FIRE investigators, and their team continues to investigate the fire as arson. The Governor also shared that the state took legal action months ago to eject the lessee of the site, Apex Development, Inc., for failing to pay rent and violating the lease agreement by subletting the property without state and federal approval. A court date is scheduled for February; however, the state is seeking options to expedite legal proceedings. 

Over the weekend, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County to support the state’s response. The proclamation facilitates clean-up and repair work and directs Caltrans to formally request assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, if appropriate.

LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, whose District includes the section of 10 Freeway damaged by the arson attack also addressed reporters during the press briefing. In a statement released by her office, Solis said:

“Upon learning about the incident, I immediately had my office connect with the LA Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and the County’s Homeless Initiative to get our County-funded outreach teams to engage with people experiencing homelessness near the site and get them to safety. I also had the County’s Department of Public Health and the South Coast Air Quality Management District investigate the air quality in the surrounding communities to ensure that residents’ health was not jeopardized by both the fire and traffic congestion. Through the County’s Department of Public Works, our engineers coordinated traffic management across jurisdictional boundaries to minimize disruptions to residents and businesses alike.”

“At the County, we want to be proactive about mitigating disruptions and impacts on residents’ lives. To that end, I plan to introduce a motion next Tuesday that will direct our Office of Emergency Management and Department of Public Works, as well as other County agencies, to not only monitor how this closure impacts unincorporated areas but also to prepare adequate responses, including communications targeting residents and how to best support our businesses in unincorporated areas,” she said.

UPDATE: California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday says the burned stretch of the 10 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles can be repaired rather than demolished, and that the work will take three to five weeks.

LOS ANGELES – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom provided an update on the ongoing efforts to fix the 10 Freeway in Los Angeles after a massive fire closed a portion of the freeway over the weekend. Since the incident, work crews have been on-site 24 hours a day. 

The state is taking an urgent all-of-government approach to fixing the 10 Freeway, a major artery in Los Angeles, with traffic estimated at upwards of 300,000 vehicles daily. 

Californians can visit Fixthe10.ca.gov for updates and alternate routes.

The Governor joined Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other local and state officials to survey the site where work is already underway to clean the site of hazardous materials, assess damage, and prepare it for necessary repairs. To ensure worker safety, shoring work has begun on damaged pillars, and engineers are on site assessing next steps for repair work. Samples taken from the core of the pillars are being used to determine structural integrity of the bridge. Preliminary results are encouraging, but more testing is required before finalizing repair plans.

“California is leveraging an all-of-government approach — working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to mobilize resources so we can fix the 10 Freeway as quickly as possible. This will be a long process, but we’re setting aggressive deadlines and delivering. We’re leaving no stone unturned as we identify ways to fast-track this work,” said Governor Newsom.

Shailen Blatt, the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), also surveyed the site today and emphasized the federal government is working closely with the state to quickly and safely reopen the 10 Freeway. This work is likely to be eligible for federal reimbursement under the FHWA emergency relief program. 

Newsom announced the cause of the fire was deemed suspicious by CAL FIRE investigators, and their team continues to investigate the fire as arson adding the 10 Freeway fire was set with ‘Malice intent.’

The Governor also shared that the state took legal action months ago to eject the lessee of the site, Apex Development, Inc., for failing to pay rent and violating the lease agreement by subletting the property without state and federal approval.

A court date is scheduled for February. Over the weekend, Governor Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County to support the state’s response. The proclamation facilitates clean-up and repair work and directs Caltrans to formally request assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, if appropriate.

Related:

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – The Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division detectives are seeking the person or person’s responsible for the acts of vandalism and thefts against the Woodland Hills Community Church located at 21338 Dumetz Road in Woodland Hills.

The United Church of Christ congregation’s rainbow peace sign artwork was vandalized with black paint graffiti on October 21, after an altercation with a MeetUp group that agreed to gather at the church without the church’s permission, a church spokesperson representative told KTLA.

KTLA reported that when the MeetUp members tried to get into the church, and were questioned by the youth minister, they responded with “aggressive and racial threats,” according to the church.

An entry for that day on the MeetUp Los Angeles website shows a game-night social was planned, and 68 people had indicated that they would attend.

Later that day, the rainbow peace sign artwork was vandalized with black paint, according to the church, and it was struck again five days later with spray paint and “USA” graffiti.

The church told KTLA that on Oct. 27, the day after the second attack on the peace-sign artwork, all exterior copper piping and back-flow regulators that supply water to the meeting hall and nursery were stolen. Then, on Oct. 30 and 31, one person came back to the church and “damaged and stole” outdoor security cameras and flood lights.

“We are replacing the cameras and repairing the sign for it to be rehung. The emergency pipe repair cost the church $3900 which we did not have in the budget,” said the church spokesperson. “We have since heard from many neighbors that our PEACE sign was a joy to them and gave hope to the neighborhood.”

The LAPD noted that if you have any information about these criminal acts, you can remain anonymous by submitting a tip to Crime Stoppers at www.lacrimestoppers.org, or call 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Anyone with information is also asked to call the church at 818-346-0820 or email [email protected].

Additional reporting by KTLA