SAMOHI — He’s been making the rounds in cities across the central and northern part of the state, talking about healthcare, education and other issues expected to play a key role in the 2010 election. On Tuesday, San Francisco mayor and possible gubernatorial candidate Gavin Newsom came into the backyard of Los Angeles mayor and... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — Before purchasing a book online or driving to a mall in another city, shoppers might want to consider patronizing businesses in their own neck of the woods. That’s the message the Bayside District Corp. and City Hall want to send to residents through the new “Buy Local” campaign, hoping to give a shot in... Read more →

NOMA — Like many residents concerned about the cost of installing solar panels on their roofs, Ann Giagni wasn’t sure the investment would be worth it. She was interested in solar and had been for years, but there was always that financial uncertainty. That is until one afternoon last year when she visited the Farmers’... Read more →

LINCOLN BLVD — About 40 pounds of Ecstasy were discovered stashed inside of a parked car here on Sunday after Santa Monica Police and federal agents busted a Northern California man believed to be trafficking drugs. Ramandeep Singh Sandhu, 25, of Fremont, was booked by SMPD after authorities found about 51,000 tablets of MDMA —... Read more →

PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY — Facing an increase in auto burglaries just three months into the year, the Santa Monica Police Department is warning residents about keeping their vehicles safe from criminal activity. “Our goal is to take this comprehensive approach and lower that number by not only beefing up patrol and adding resources... Read more →

LONG BEACH — A local ordinance banning the fastest and largest jets from Santa Monica Airport — a law that is being challenged by the Federal Aviation Administration — is reasonable in its intent to protect residents who live just a short distance from the runway, according to a former federal official. “What the... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — Those frustrating days of queuing in the exit line at the garage, waiting for the drivers who dig through their car ashtray in an attempt to find enough change, could soon be a thing of the past. A series of prepaid parking ticket stations at the city-owned garages in Downtown are expected to go live over the next several... Read more →

Dear EarthTalk There’s a lot of talk today about solar and wind power, but what about biomass? How big a role might this renewable energy source play in our future? Couldn’t everyday people burn their own lawn and leaf clippings to generate power? Deborah Welch Niagara Falls, NY The oldest and most prevalent source of renewable... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — Even the luck of the Irish won’t save drunk drivers on March 17. The Santa Monica Police Department will deploy eight additional officers to patrol major streets and around bars on St. Patrick’s Day to discourage the impulse to grab the keys after one too many. “It’s just going to be extra eyes and... Read more →

DOWNTOWN — City Councilman Bobby Shriver, who was recently re-elected to another four-year term, is considering a run for state attorney general next year. In an interview with the Daily Press, Shriver, who is the nephew of President John F. Kennedy and the brother of California First Lady Maria Shriver, said he has had informal... Read more →