Category: Mar Vista/Del Rey

Firefighters believe a fallen power line and exploding transformer may have sparked the blaze By Gary Walker A fallen power line that led to an exploding transformer is the preliminary suspected cause of an early Monday morning fire that destroyed the 99 Cents Only Store on Washington Boulevard. More than 70 firefighters battled the two-alarm blaze. Flames engulfed the entire structure and collapsed the roof and walls, reducing the discount outlet to smoldering rubble as firefighters battled small flare-ups throughout the day with aerial water cannons and hoses at ground level. Culver City firefighters received a call at approximately...

Marina del Rey tenants won’t see relief from housing costs this year By Gary Walker *UPDATE/CORRECTION: According to staff for L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, the rent increase freeze is expected to apply to some housing units in Marina del Rey, but which units remains unknown pending recommendations from Beaches & Harbors in January. The L.A. County Board of Supervisors is finally moving ahead with plans to limit rent increases in unincorporated areas — except in Marina del Rey, one of the more expensive rental markets in Greater Los Angeles, and unique in that the county owns the land....

Former store director strikes last-minute deal to avoid jail time By Gary Walker After months of denying any role in the disappearance of more than $400,000 worth of jewelry from Universal Jewelers in Marina del Rey, former store director Yupa Kalayar pled guilty last Friday to one count of misdemeanor grand theft. Kalayar, 40, faced charges of absconding with customers’ valuables after Universal abruptly shuttered following the October 2015 death of owner Arnold Smith. She will receive three years of probation under the plea arrangement, L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Mougeh Tala-Ahmari said. County prosecutors and defense attorney Sanford...

Lane closures have returned to Vista Del Mar, but commuters can rest easy that they are  temporary and have nothing to do with the defunct Playa del Rey road diet. Heavy rains on Monday caused a serious crack in the roadway alongside the bluff, said L.A. County Department of Public Works spokesman Paul Gomez, prompting city officials to close the right southbound lane for repairs. The city Bureau of Engineering expects work to continue until Friday, Jan....