Local News
Newsom declares state of emergency in Rancho Palos Verdes – NBC Los Angeles
A state of emergency was declared in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes Tuesday a day after more homes lost power due to the shifting land.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proclamation of a state of emergency would allow the state government to “utilize and employ” state resources to provide assistance to nearly 300 people who live and work in the area without gas and electricity.
“The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has been coordinating with the city and county for nearly a year to support the response to the land movement, including providing technical assistance, supporting the local assistance center, facilitating a federal mitigation grant for groundwater work in the area, and helping officials with initial damage estimates,” Newsom’s office said in a statement.
Under Newsom’s directive, all state agencies are to follow the guidance of the Office of Emergency Services and the state’s emergency plan to keep neighbors safe.
“We did think it took him a little too long to respond, but better late than never, I suppose,” said Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor John Cruikshank.
“I’m delighted. The city has been calling for the governor to declare a state of emergency and today’s announcement came not soon enough,” said Ara Mihranian, City Manager.
Meanwhile, those who live and work in the affected area are expected to follow the directions of the emergency officials, the governor’s proclamation said.
The declaration would also allow the state to provide further assistance to local government under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
After several calls for help from the state, a state of emergency was declared in Rancho Palos Verdes as shifting land forced utilities to stop their services in one community. Karma Dickerson reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024.
After SoCalGas cut off its gas service to the community due to the land movement in early August, Southern California Edison Sunday terminated its electricity supply to 140 homes and 53 businesses in the Portuguese Bend community before expanding the power shut-off to an additional 105 houses in the Seaview community Monday.
“(Sunday), Southern California Edison (SCE) notified the city and 105 out of 270 Seaview homes that their electricity service will be discontinued for varying lengths of time, due to the risk of utility equipment igniting a wildfire and other hazards caused by downed wires or damaged equipment impacted by landslide movement,” the city said in an update Monday morning.
The power shutoff will continue for at least 24 hours. According to the city, 47 homes will be without power for 24 hours; 40 properties will be without power for 1 to 3 weeks; and 20 properties will be without power indefinitely.
Potential solutions on the horizons
With the support of the state and an additional $5 million secured from the county, local leaders are brainstorming what they can do to remedy the disaster. Cruikshank said he is looking for long-term, off the grid solutions for his constituents.
Among those being considered is Tesla’s powerwall.
“I had a really great meeting with Tesla Energy,” the mayor said. “I met with them again today; they already came forth with some workable solutions.”
Cruikshank did not elaborate on how the city could potentially move forward with Tesla, but that route could take weeks or even months to complete.
Frustration mounts from impacted residents
With many residents in the community living with a lack of utilities, those who’ve been impacted by the shutoff are demanding resolutions that will help them long-term. In the meantime, however, they’re doing what they can.
“I don’t have a toilet that works because the grinder pumps are off and I don’t have any power or cell,” said a resident named Cassie, who was at a community center for those who were affected.
“It takes a while to get your head around this, so we are playing it day by day,” said David Blenko, whose home lost power on Monday.
One resident said it is unclear who is being impacted by the shutoff and who isn’t.
“People west of us had power and some didn’t,” said Jill Carlton, who lives in the area. “So, there’s no defined area, that they can even explain right now. So I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
Rancho Palos Verdes residents can check the city’s website to see if they fall under areas impacted by the power shutoff. Community members can click here to see if the are in an evacuation area.
Local News
How to add California driver’s license to iPhone, Apple Watch – NBC Los Angeles
California driver’s license holders can now add their state ID to Apple Wallet on their IPhone and Apple Watch, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.
The digital IDs will be accepted at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) check points, including Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco Airport, as well as select businesses.
“With this new integration, we’re working to better serve the people of California in the 21st Century,” Newsom said in a statement.
Here’s how to add your ID to Apple Wallet
- Go to Apple Wallet
- Click the + button on the top right-hand corner
- Under the “Add to Wallet” section, tap “Driver’s License or State ID” to select “California mDL Pilot.
- Scan the front and back sides of your California ID
- Scan your face
- Take a picture
- Wait for verification from the California DMV.
But there’s a catch
The mobile driver’s license (mDL) pilot program is currently only limited to 1.5 million participants.
If your license is expired or suspended, your mDL will be rejected.
Other factors that could impact your mDL applications are:
- Wearing headwear
- Not using plain background
- Lack of consistent lighting
- Other faces in the frame
- Wearing sunglasses
More tips can be found here.
Last month, the state announced the DMV addition of Google Wallet as an option to hold driver’s licenses and identification cards.
Local News
New LA City Council president begins leadership role – NBC Los Angeles
Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian will hand over the position Friday to Council President Pro Tem Marqueece Harris-Dawson in a leadership shakeup for the 15-member panel.
First elected to in 2015, the 54-year-old Harris-Dawson represents Council District 8, where he won his first election with 62-percent of the vote in an area that includes Baldwin Hills, Chesterfield Square, Crenshaw, Jefferson Park and other communities.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Harris-Dawson won his bid for the top council post in May and vowed to focus on the city’s homeless crisis. The chair of the city’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee co-authored Prop HHH, which was a $1.2 million bond measure to provide permanent supportive housing.
The council voted 14-0 to name Harris-Dawson as Krekorian’s successor as president.
As president, Harris-Dawson will preside as chair over council meetings, have the power to assign council committees and handle parliamentary duties such as ruling motions in or out of order. He was elected president pro tempore to replace Curren Price, who stepped down after he was charged in June 2023 with embezzlement, perjury and conflict of interest.
Harris-Dawson is expected to serve as president through mid-December. Following November’s election and once new council members assume their offices, another election will be held to elect a council president for a new term.
Krekorian received an ovation Thursday at his final meeting as council president. The Council District 2 representative will leave the body in December due to term limits. Councilman Bob Blumenfield unveiled plans to rename two sites in honor of Krekorian — the Victory Valley Child Care Center at 6451 Saint Clair Ave., and the Valley Plaza Sports Fields at 6980 Whitsett Ave. in North Hollywood.
Krekorian, whose district includes east San Fernando Valley neighborhoods, was first elected to the council in late 2009. He was elected council president in the wake of a leaked audio recording of colleagues, including then-President Nury Martinez, that shook City Hall.
Martinez resigned in 2022 after being heard in a recorded racially charged conversation with two other council members and a county labor official discussing the council’s redistricting process. The recorded conversation included racist comments about a colleague’s young Black adopted son.
Krekorian stepped into the council presidency during the tumultuous time at City Hall.
“I couldn’t do the work for the next 79 days and I couldn’t do the work as council president, and I couldn’t have done the work as an Assembly member or anything else without the support, guidance and love that I’ve received from my wife, Tamar, for the last quarter of the century almost,” Krekorian said.
He also thanked his staff.
“To all my staff, I hope you noticed that a number of members of this council specifically recognized you and that’s because you do extraordinary work — not only for me, our constituents, but for the entire city of Los Angeles,” Krekorian said.
Local News
Find Riverside County Airport Fire recovery assistance – NBC Los Angeles
Residents impacted by the Airport Fire in Riverside County can visit a local assistance center in Lake Elsinore.
Residents seeking assistance with food, health care support and more are welcomed to visit the one-stop resource center located at the Lake Community Center. The center will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Public Health, Housing & Workforce Solutions and other local agencies will be joined by representatives from the California Office of Emergency Services and several nonprofit organizations to provide information on how to get financial, medical and related aid.
Residents seeking help also can click here.
On Tuesday, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency declaration, enabling the county to seek state and federal allocations for infrastructure repairs or improvements and general recovery of expenses stemming from the blaze.
As of Thursday, the Airport Fire was 41% contained at more than 23,500 acres in Orange and Riverside counties.
For information about Orange County recovery resources, click here.
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