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Posted on March 12, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

The body found in the brush of Temescal Canyon was ruled a homicide.

Circling The News will launch a new membership program! Support local journalism and get full access to all CTN content. The news website will begin a new model on March 30.

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Circling the News began eight years ago after an important story in Pacific Palisades went largely uncovered. A homicide occurred on Temescal Canyon Road in 2018, there was surprisingly little reporting about it. That moment made it clear to me that our community needed stronger local coverage focused specifically on the Palisades.

Since then, the goal has been simple: report on the stories that matter to our community and make sure residents have a voice.

During Covid, when much reporting slowed down, I continued visiting locations across the Westside to understand what was actually happening on the ground. That reporting uncovered discrepancies in Safe Parking data and raised questions about programs affecting our neighborhoods.

Local journalism matters because decisions that begin locally often become city and state policies that affect our daily lives.

Circling the News has always tried to give residents a voice and hold decision makers accountable.

If you believe Pacific Palisades benefits from independent local reporting, I hope you will consider becoming a subscriber. CTN does not sell consumer data and there are no ads on the site. One doesn’t have scroll through popups just to read the news.

This accident took place in July 2018.

Posted in News | 3 Comments

Pali High Girls Basketball Makes State Finals: Boys Lose in Heartbreaker

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

Captain Elly Tierney hopes to end her Palisades career with a state championship in Sacramento.
Photo: STEVE GALLUZZO

By STEVE GALLUZZO

CTN Contributor

What a difference one month has made for the Palisades High girls basketball team.

After suffering a 36-point defeat to Birmingham in the City Section Open Division playoffs February 12, the Dolphins had nearly three weeks to lick their wounds and prepare for the Southern California Regionals. Turns out, time is just what they needed.

Head coach LeBre Merritt got his players back in the gym, restored their confidence and got them to re-focus. The Birmingham loss is a distant memory and now the Dolphins are headed to Sacramento to try to capture the first state championship in program history.

“Staying true to our identity has been key,” said Merritt, previously an assistant to Adam Levine, who stepped down last March after seven successful seasons in which he won 129 games and three City titles.

Placed in the 16-team Division IV bracket for regionals, the Dolphins have taken advantage, reeling off four victories in a row to raise their record above .500 and earn a chance to join the 1979 girls volleyball squad as the school’s only state champions.

Senior point guard and captain Elly Tierney netted 15 points, junior forward Riley Oku added 13 and Sumaya Levy sank three 3-pointers as the fifth-seeded Dolphins outscored No. 2 Godinez Fundamental 31-17 in the second half of a 54-28 victory March 10 in Santa Ana in the regional finals. Palisades led 23-21 at halftime.

Palisades started its state playoff run seven days earlier with a 61-59 triumph over La Palma Kennedy, followed up with a 42-39 win against Hillcrest in the quarterfinals March 5 and notched a 61-49 road victory over top-seeded Huntington Beach Marina in the semifinals March 7.

“Playing hard, smart and together has been a recipe for our success during this state run,” added Merritt, a Palisades alum who captained the boys’ 2008-09 varsity team under James Paleno. “We have been able to execute our game plans so far. We have to keep it going for the championship.”

LeBre Merritt has the Dolphins on the brink of their first state title in his first season as head coach.
Photo: STEVE GALLUZZO

The Dolphins (16-13) will face Northern California regional champion Faith Christian of Yuba City for the state title Saturday, March 14 at 10 a.m. at Golden 1 Center, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. The Lions (33-1) have won 24 straight games since their two-point loss to Chico, the top-rated team in the Northern Section, in December. Faith Christian won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V title on February 28, its third section crown in four years.

Levine piloted Palisades to the Division II regional championship six years ago, but the COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancelation of the state finals, denying the Dolphins a shot at the ultimate prize. Their only prior trip to the state finals was in 1999 when they lost to San Jose Archbishop Mitty 49-48 in the Division I (then the top division) matchup at Arco Arena.

BOYS LOSE HEARTBREAKER IN BAKERSFIELD

OJ Popoola drives the lane for two of his 20 points in Palisades’ 59-57 loss to Bakersfield Christian.
Photo: STEVE GALLUZZO

Palisades’ boys were hoping to join the girls on the bus ride north and it looked like it might happen as the Dolphins forged an early 10-point lead against host Bakersfield Christian in the Division II regional final.

However, the Eagles (24-1) soared back to take a one-point lead on a layup and free throw by center Taiwo Daramola with 43 seconds left. After a missed shot on Palisades’ ensuing possession, Daramola got the rebound, was fouled intentionally and sank one of two free throws to make it a two-point game with 5.3 seconds remaining.

The Dolphins played for the win and inbound the ball to their best 3-point shooter Jack Levey, but he was quickly double-teamed and got forced towards the sideline with time running out. As he crossed half court Levey let loose a desperation jumper that missed as the buzzer sounded and Palisades’ season ended in a 59-57 defeat.

Guard Phillip Reed Jr. (right) has his shot blocked by Bakersfield Christian center Taiwo Daramola.
Photo: STEVE GALLUZZO

Levey led the eighth-seeded Dolphins (23-12) with 21 points, hitting six 3-pointers and finishing the season as the City Section leader in that category. OJ Popoola had 20 points and twin brother EJ netted seven. Phillip Reed Jr. had six points for Palisades, which led 22-14 after the first quarter, 32-20 at halftime and 47-45 entering the fourth quarter.

Daramola scored in 28 points for Bakersfield Christian, which lost in the Central Section Division I semifinals. In 2020 the Eagles traveled to Palisades in the Division IV regional finals and won 57-43 but two days later the CIF opted to cancel the state finals due to COVID-19.

Despite the heartbreaking end, Palisades’ season was a success. In his second season, Jeff Bryant piloted the program to its first outright league title since 1969 and its first City upper division championship since 1969 while not able to practice or host games on campus until late January due to damage caused by last year’s Palisades Fire.

“This one will hurt—and it should,” Bryant said. “But the brotherhood we’ve formed will stick. This is a great group and with everyone back hopefully we can get this far again next year.”

Jeff Bryant receivers the runner-up plaque from Pacific Palisades High School Athletic Director Rocky Montz after the regional final.
Photo: STEVE GALLUZZO

Posted in Sports | Leave a comment

Steps Taken to Unify Palisades Voices

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

AS the Palisades starts to the rebuilding process a unifying voice is needed.

After the Palisades Fire, some residents felt there was a need for many groups to form to deal with the different situations arising.

Now more than a year later, it seems that some groups are duplicating efforts. Governmental officials are sometimes confused about which group speaks for the community.

Suggested by governmental officials, a decision was made to bring all groups under the Pacific Palisades Community Council, an elected body, so that all Palisadians could work together in unison to bring results.

The letter (below) was shared with the many active groups.

This coming Tuesday will be the final All Pacific Palisades Community Groups meeting. Moving forward, meetings will take place at a Advisory Task Force (ATF)/Committee level under the community council.

Volunteers are sought to serve on the following Task Forces/Committees:

Infrastructure – Already formed. If any openings become available, Reza Akef, chair of the committee will reach out.
Logistics and Evacuation Planning
Advocacy and Media Relations
Community Engagement

If you are interested in participating, please click here and indicate:

The committee/topic you are interested in
Your relevant expertise or background
Whether you can commit to serving at this time or would prefer to be considered as an alternate

Please note that participation is not guaranteed. Each ATF will be limited in size and structured to ensure broad community representation.

Each group will determine its own meeting schedule and coordinate monthly or bi-monthly meetings with their respective City counterparts.

And if you do not currently belong to a group, but would like to volunteer with the community council, please use the email above.

Posted in Community, Pacific Palisades Community Council, Palisades Fire | 1 Comment

Resident Told to Pay for Sewer Charges on an Empty Lot

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

(Editor’s note: The City has found yet another way to harm it’s residents, with bills for services they don’t get on properties that are vacant. When they try to fight the charges, they’re told it will take eight months.)

Some residents might call this false advertising.

I am trying to calm down after talking to DWP… the most incompetent city services in the United States.

I had the water turned back on last October. I had kept my long-time gardener on to clear the burnt plants (requiring a special dumpster that took ‘toxic’ plants to a designated area) and then tidy up the rest of the lot.

With all of the rain, there were still plants able to survive. We decided to try and find plumbing to see if a spicket could be connected allowing the gardener to water and keep those plants growing. I thought neighbors would appreciate a lot with a garden of greenery instead of just dirt. It made me happy to know some of our beloved plants of 50 years were still growing out of the ash.

The gardener was able to find the line for water, attached a spicket, and DWP was called to turn on the water again. DWP did arrive timely and the water is now turned on officially.

Two months later I received a bill from DWP for $173.16. It included almost $140 for sewer charges. We have no sewer. We have no home.

DWP was called. I was told to call Sanitation. Sanitation asked if I mentioned that we had no home on the property. “Yes,” I said. “They were told that.”

A form entitled Residential Sewer Service Charge (RSSC) Request for Adjustment was sent to us, which we received two weeks after speaking to Sanitation, and returned filled in to DWP on January 24, 2026.

On February 6, we received an email from a Brian Pham at LAcity.org stating that they were in receipt of our from and to please allow ONE to TWO months for our request to be put into the system.

I called today after receiving a second bill from DWP for another two months of sewer charges (which we are obligated to pay).

I called Sanitation which now has new departments you must find your way through on your phone to speak with someone. I wanted to ask why it takes one to two months to input a request into the system.

After the usual wait on my phone a woman answered and told me what the email from Brian Pham did not say was that it takes 8 months for DWP to make a decision once our claim is put into the system!!

She gave me a phone number to call to speak with someone to see if the request could be expedited. (213-485-2405) I called. It is a recording telling you that it will take 8 months, etc. There is no one you can speak with.

Meanwhile, we pay every 2 months just to get a small amount of water to existing plants. I understand from another neighbor that she has a very long extension cord going to a neighbor across the street to run the pump they installed to keep their property from flooding away. She has filled out every form and is in constant contact with DWP, too.

When I think back about fleeing our home of 50+ years with firemen standing in front of it and no water coming out of our hose, a fire hydrant two houses away that was recently painted bright red but not checked for water pressure, it angers me. I still have trouble handling the fire. Years ago, when Riorden ran for office and knowing he was a builder, I called to ask if there were plans for the infrastructure in LA and renewing water lines, etc. He hung up on me.

A resident

Posted in Palisades Fire, Real Estate | 10 Comments

Letter: Palisades Mobile Home Park Residents Need Assistance

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

There were gates that prevent people from going back to their properties in the Palisades Bowl after the fire.

(Editor’s note: The following letters was sent to Lee Zeldin, Head of the Environmental Protection Agency and President Donald Trump’s choice to examine the Palisades Fire Rebuild. The letter was cc’d to Circling the News. It is printed with permission.)

Administrator Zeldin,

My name is Jon Brown and I serve as President of the Palisades Bowl Community Group in Pacific Palisades, California.

I am writing on behalf of approximately 400 residents who were displaced when the Palisades Fire destroyed the Palisades Bowl Mobile Home Park in January 2025.

Palisades Bowl was home to roughly 170 households and represents the last remaining coastal affordable housing community in Pacific Palisades. Our residents include seniors on fixed incomes, young families, teachers, lifeguards, veterans, and other essential members of the local workforce.

Following the fire, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety declared the site a public nuisance due to conditions at the property. Cleanup and remediation were significantly delayed, raising concerns among residents about the handling of burned structures and debris, particularly given the property’s proximity to coastal stormwater systems that ultimately flow toward Santa Monica Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Despite hundreds of displaced residents and approximately 170 active residential leases tied to the property, the owners have not meaningfully engaged with residents or local leaders about restoring the infrastructure necessary for rebuilding. At the same time, the property has been marketed to potential buyers as a “blank slate for redevelopment.”

This situation has drawn concern and support from numerous local leaders and organizations, including Mayor Karen Bass, Councilwoman Traci Park, State Senator Ben Allen, County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Jessica Rogers of the Los Angeles Long-Term Recovery Group, Rick Caruso, Sue Kohl (President of the Pacific Palisades Community Council), and housing advocate Maryam Zar.

I have attached a brief one-page summary outlining the situation and the environmental concerns tied to the site.

There are viable solutions that could allow the site to be responsibly remediated and rebuilt. Any entity willing to assist would have the opportunity to help bring home hundreds of displaced residents — including seniors, young families, teachers, lifeguards, and veterans — who simply want the opportunity to return to their community.

If you or a member of your team would be willing to meet, even briefly, we would greatly appreciate the opportunity to provide additional context and discuss the environmental and community recovery issues surrounding this property.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Jon Brown, President, Palisades Bowl Committee

Posted in Letters | 1 Comment

“Rent” Opens at Pali High on March 12

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

There are about 7,000 residents that have returned to Pacific Palisades. The streets are dark at night and there are not a lot of activities, but here’s one that deserves your attention. Palisades High School drama department will present “Rent” for two weekends starting Thursday, February 12, at 7 p.m.

Come out of your condos, your apartments and the homes you’ve moved back into and enjoy live entertainment in the town at Mercer Hall, 15777 Bowdoin Street.

Director Cheri Smith wrote “La Vie Boheme! Jonathan Larson’s iconic Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, that shaped a generation of audiences and taught us all to measure our life in love is playing at Pali High.”

The musical is set in the East Village of New York City, and is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today, with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

As these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts it provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical that has become a pop cultural phenomenon.

And the talent at Palisades High School is so deep that every show produced is full of exceptional voices – and actors – many of whom go on to work professionally. The musicals are above high school standards and productions rival the best small theaters in the country.

Rent is exuberant, passionate and joyous, but audiences are warned that there is mature content and strong language.

Smith said, “We hope that you will join Pali Theater in our triumphant return to campus. Please come out and support these young artists!”

The musical will be on stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 12, 13, 14, and again on 19, 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. There are matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 14 and 21. General admission is $18 and VIP seating is $25 and tickets are available click here.

Posted in Arts | Leave a comment

Letter: Residents Should Have Access to Government Officials

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

Lee Zeldin (black shirt) met with Palisades resident on February 4. He also met with residents at the portable library on March 1.

All Palisadians should have access to all government officials. Lee Zeldin has been getting a biased message from various individuals of some PPCC and Palisades “Recovery Group” members who dislike Trump more than they loathe Karen Bass and speak up for the real solutions for the Palisades’ recovery.

Long-time resident – John Alle

(Editor’s note: Alle also found that Lee Zeldin’s publicly listed contact email, was [email protected]. “That email appears on the official EPA website (epa.gov) under the Office of the Administrator section, where it is provided for contacting him directly. The page also lists the main office phone number as (2020) 564-4700 for the administrator’s office. This is his official government email for his role as EPA Administrator, sworn in January 2025.” CTN was given a Zeldin’s staff member’s email on March 10, which will be given to anyone who asks for it. Staff promised that they looked at emails and would communicate directly with residents.

Posted in Letters | 3 Comments

If Mansion Tax Repealed in November, City Could be on the Hook for Millions

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

It started with compassion during Covid, but if a November Ballot Measure passes, the City of Los Angeles could owe millions.

In April 2020, the City Council approved a $7.1 million contract with Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) to prevent evictions.

Over the next three years, the contract expanded to $76 million. The City voted to expand it to $90.8 million through March 2026.

Now, the L.A. City Council voted on March 10 to increase it to $177 million in contracts for tenant-rights attorneys through June 30, 2027.

The City Attorney’s Office spokesperson Karen Richardson said, “What is in question is a $177 million blank check to LAFLA and its partners without the reports and invoice review that is required by law.”

City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto said the contracts should come under competitive bidding. At the hearing Councilmember Monica Rodriquez said “Graffiti contractors are required to provide more documentation just to get paid.”

In the past, LAFLA and SAJE have sued the City, and Feldstein Soto also warned councilmembers to consider those suits before awarding public contracts to some groups.

LAFLA Director Barbara Schultz said that the tenant program was effective and that a city contract should not prevent a group from suing the City.

Nonprofits are awarded money from the City without competitive bidding – and then they are allowed to sue the city.

The latest contract continues the city’s participation in Stay Housed L.A., a city-and-county-funded coalition of roughly 20 organizations that provides legal assistance, rental aid and tenant education to low-income renters facing eviction and include LAFLA, Liberty Hill Foundation, Strategic Action For A Just Economy (SAJE), and the Southern California Housing Rights Center,

After Councilmembers voted 12-1 to approve the money (John Lee was no, Curren Price recused himself and Hugo Soto Martinez was absent), Councilmember Monica Rodriguez introduced several amendments that would require more documentation and receipts from contractors.

Not surprisingly, Nithya Raman, a mayoral candidate, who chairs the council’s Housing and Homelessness Committee and favors increased tenants rights, voted against the amendments. She was joined by three other councilmembers including Eunisses Hernandez who is up for reelection this year.

As Jaime Paige reported in the California Post (“Tenant Lawyers Get $177 M in . . . Council’s Rental Breakdown) that money is more than “the annual budgets several Los Angeles city departments combined, including Animal Services, the Department of Disability and the administrative offices of the Board of Public Works.”

The money for eviction lawyers comes from the “mansion tax,” Measure ULA (United to House LA) that went into effect in 2023. All real property sold in the city of L.A. for above $5 million and below $10 million had an additional 4% transfer tax added. All real property sold for $10 million was taxed at 5.5%. According to one source, about one billion has been generated over the past three years.

There is a November ballot measure that could repeal the ULA. If that passes, L.A. would have to reimburse money already spent – and that would leave an even bigger deficit in city’s finances.

Posted in City | 2 Comments

Zeldin Meets with Residents, Selection Explained.

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

Lee Zeldin (black shirt) met with Palisades residents on February 4 at the American Legion Hall. He also met with residents at the portable library on March 1.

Lee Zeldin was appointed by President Donald Trump to oversee the administration’s response to the Palisades January 2025 Fire. Initially, it was thought the reason for the slow rebuilding, and it is slow, was because of state/local permitting issues and Trump ordered an executive order on permitting.

Once Zeldin arrived in Pacific Palisades, he learned that it wasn’t permitting that was holding up the process, but rather insurance money was not forthcoming to residents. That a major problem was a gap between what insurance would pay and the cost of building.

The lack of communication between the state and federal government was responsible for incorrect information to President Trump. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass also had a conversation with Trump about the Palisades rebuild on March 6. Once it was communicated to the President, that permitting wasn’t the issue, people could start to look at the real problems.

In a secret meeting with select residents held on March 1 at the new portable library building in Pacific Palisades, those residents were told to send details of what they felt the community needed.

Those residents misunderstood and thought they needed to produce a document by March 11. They continued to discuss and put together a two-page document. Most of the community was excluded from this exercise, because of the deadline those roundtable recipients felt they had to meet.

CTN reached out to Zeldin’s office to find out how residents were selected and to ask why there was a deadline. Zeldin’s spokesperson Daniel Gall said the selection of the residents was simple, some had reached out to the office and wanted to meet. Those residents also brought other residents to the round table. Gall was not aware of a given deadline.

Gall said, “No press was invited to ensure the most honest, open conversation without the pressure of cameras and media in the room.”

Zeldin’s spokesperson was told that many people did not feel represented by those who had participated in the roundtable or who had drafted the document. He suggested that they reach out to the office and that Zeldin would like to hear from them, too.

Posted in Community, Palisades Fire | 5 Comments

Survey Shows Insurance Pointed to as a Key Factor to Rebuilding

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Sue Pascoe

The January 7 Palisades Fire around 1 p.m.

Prior to going to Sacramento to speak with lawmakers about insurance, resident Martin Hak suggested that the 11-member delegation, which was accompanied by L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Councilmember Traci Park, have data to support conversations.

The survey, which was done the week before the February 9 trip, was conducted independently and self-funded, with pro bono design guidance from Pacific Marketing Research, a Palisades resident–owned global market research firm.

More than 520 residents participated, and the findings pointed to a clear theme: for many homeowners, the primary barrier to rebuilding is insurance claim friction, not permitting or federal aid.

Hak shared the key highlights with Circling the News:

About 40% of homeowners say their insurance claim is still unresolved.
A similar number report being in scope or estimate dispute with their insurer.
Many homeowners report being underinsured, with significant coverage gaps affecting rebuild feasibility.

“Two specific friction points stand out,” Hak said. “Contents itemization and Additional Living Expense (ALE).”

Those who had lost their homes described the requirement to itemize and value decades of acquired belongings as “time-consuming, emotionally difficult, and often subject to dispute,” Hak said.

He added that the survey showed that delays in contents settlement were slowing overall claim resolution for some families.

After the fire, most Palisades residents were initially displaced, and a year later, there were still nearly 70% of homeowners who had not moved back into the Palisades according to the survey.

The survey participants reported uncertainty around ALE timelines and concerns about coverage ending before rebuilding is possible.

“The interaction between ALE limits, claim disputes, and lender controls is creating financial strain,” Hak said and added that “Some respondents also report insurance proceeds being held in lender-controlled escrow, delaying access to funds even after payment is issued.”

The 11-member delegation to Sacramento were able to present data that suggested that most homeowners intended to rebuild, but the pace of recovery is closely tied to how efficiently insurance claims are resolved and when funds are made usable.

(Editor’s note: About the survey – this was a self-selected sample and not meant to be projectable. It is also not designed to represent household level answers, since multiple people from a given household could respond.)

Posted in General | 1 Comment

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