Local News Briefs

Homeless Man Breaks Into Van

Santa Monica police arrested a homeless man whom they allege was breaking into a van today.

Just after 10 PM, the SMPD sent officers in respondse to a report of vehicle burglary in progress in the 2200 block of Third Street.

The reporting party had witnessed the suspect break into a white van parket on the street.

The reporting party stayed on the phone while the officers responded and were able to confirm with dispatch that the officers had arrived at the scene and were investigating.

The officers located the suspect inside the white van and detained him while they contacted the rightful owner of the white van.

The rightful owner of the white van confirmed with the officers that he did not know the suspect and had not given this man permission to enter the white van.

The officers arrested this homeless man and he was charged with vehicular burglary. It was not known at time of going to press whether or not bail was given.

Mayor O’Connor to Open Debut of

National, City-to-City Broadband

Initiative

Santa Monica, Mayor Pam O’Connor will give featured remarks at the launch of Next Century Cities taking place in Santa Monica on October 20. Next Century Cities is a bipartisan, city-to-city initiative dedicated to ensuring the availability of next-generation broadband Internet for all communities.

Joining Mayor O’Connor will be representatives from the other 30 member cities, including 16 elected officials from across the country. Mayor O’Connor will discuss the importance of broadband Internet to Santa Monica’s thriving economy and other communities across the country.

The launch, held at Cross Campus, a dynamic coworking space for Santa Monica’s technology companies, will feature speakers, panels, and demonstrations focused on why innovative leaders nationwide are joining together to form Next Century Cities. This new initiative will support communities and their elected leaders, including mayors and other officials, as they seek to ensure that all have access to fast, affordable, and reliable Internet.

Kids Can Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Santa Monica Public Library

On Saturday, November 1, children and their families are invited to the Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard, for a Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration! The celebration begins at 1:30 p.m. in the Children’s Activity Room with Creative Playground presenting “Dia de los Muertos: cuentos de mi familia.” Using the traditions of the Day of the Dead celebration, this interactive performance tells stories distinctive to the Latin American experience. Kids will be invited to take part in the butterfly dance, sing Cielito Lindo in Spanish, play musical instruments and act out the parts of masked characters. From 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the north library entrance courtyard, Mariachi Tesoro will entertain with their music while the kids enjoy crafts and have an opportunity to have their faces painted like skeletons! Free tickets are required for the Creative Playground performance and for Face Painting; they may be obtained while supplies last starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Youth Reference Desk in the Kids area of the Main Library.

Families are also invited into the Kids area of the library to enjoy the seasonal decorations and check out our books, DVDs, music and more in English and Spanish.

City’s Fleet Division Participates in MSRC Local Government Match

Program

The City of Santa Monica received a grant (Contract No. ML06071) from the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) of the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to partially fund the purchase of 3 heavy-duty vehicles and the installation of a small CNG station. Three sewer jetter trucks, powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) were purchased for the Water Department and the small CNG station was installed at the City’s corporate yards.

The purchase cost of $925,000 was offset by MSRC contributions of $149,925 for the purchase of these vehicles and the installation of the small CNG station. The grant helps offset the incremental cost of CNG vehicles and installation of the CNG station and assists the city in complying with AQMD Fleet Rules and the City’s Sustainability Plan. The City of Santa Monica’s fleet is made up of 70% alternative fuel vehicles, including CNG, LPG, electric, biodiesel and hydrogen. These vehicles emit considerably fewer emissions compared to conventional, unleaded gasoline and diesel vehicles. Additionally, the city supplies its vehicles with CNG for less than half the cost of diesel and gasoline.