Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Know someone who would benefit from these updates? Feel free to forward this newsletter along, as they may not be on our mailing list! Anyone can sign up to receive our newsletters here. |
Every day, Angelenos cross the street, walk our kids to school, or take our dogs out for a morning walk. These are simple routines that shouldn’t engender fear. Yet too often, they do. In a city built for cars, walking can feel like an act of courage, and the consequences of a moment’s carelessness can be life-altering.
Last Sunday morning, someone driving a pickup truck struck a member of our team in a hit-and-run while she was walking her dog in the Miracle Mile neighborhood. She sustained serious injuries and was hospitalized with multiple fractures for several days. She is now in stable condition and recovering. Tragically, her beloved dog, Kobe, was killed in the crash. |
|
Kobe was part of our office family. His playful energy and easy affection brought smiles to everyone who met him, whether in the office or out at community events like CicLAvia, where he was a familiar face. Our office feels emptier without him, and our thoughts are with our colleague as she recovers from both her injuries and this heartbreaking loss.
The driver has since turned herself in, but this devastating incident is a reminder that far too many Angelenos are hurt or killed on our streets every year. In 2024 alone, more than 300 people lost their lives to traffic violence, many while simply walking or biking in their own neighborhoods. Behind every death or injury is a family changed forever, a community left grieving.
Last year, Angelenos took a major step toward safer streets by passing Measure HLA, which requires the city to build pedestrian, bike, and transit improvements outlined in the Mobility Plan whenever a street is repaved. But since HLA was not a funding measure, the city still lacks the resources needed to deliver this vision at scale. That is yet another reason why it is so important that we find new revenue streams that do not raise costs for Angelenos but allow us to make long-overdue investments in things like safer, more walkable streets. We all deserve to walk or bike around our neighborhoods safely. |
|
|
The Great Pumpkin Bash is back! On Saturday, November 1, from 11 AM to 2 PM, join me and my team, along with the Los Angeles Board of Public Works, at Pan Pacific Park for a family-friendly afternoon filled with music, good food, and some good old-fashioned pumpkin smashing.
The Pumpkin Bash is one of my favorite events of the year because it brings our community together to celebrate the season, learn how to live a little more sustainably, and just have fun. This year’s event will feature the Pumpkin Smash Zone, where you can take a swing at your old jack-o’-lanterns and then compost them. We'll also have a costume parade for kids, games, prizes, pumpkin-themed treats, and a special activation by the Discovery Cube.
There will also be food from local favorites like Du-Par’s, Angelini Osteria, and Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine, as well as sustainability workshops, cooking demos, and free shade trees to take home.
This event is free and open to everyone. I’m grateful to our partners at the Board of Public Works, Athens Services, Recreation and Parks, LA Parks Foundation, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Audacy Media for helping make it possible. I hope you’ll join us for a fun and memorable afternoon at Pan Pacific Park.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Pan Pacific Park
|
|
|
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at John Burroughs Middle School
On Monday, I joined LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill, students, teachers, and families at John Burroughs Middle School to celebrate the opening of a new classroom building. This $208 million modernization project brings new technology, updated furniture, and 27 additional, brand new classrooms, for a total of 71 when complete. John Burroughs is one of the top-performing middle schools in the district, and I’m proud to see this level of investment in a campus that continues to provide such an exceptional education for our students. |
|
Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council Monthly Board Meeting
On Wednesday, I joined the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council for their monthly board meeting to discuss issues that matter deeply to the community, including SB 79, public safety, ongoing streetlight outages, and potential City Charter reforms. I look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen safety, transparency, and quality of life across our neighborhoods. |
|
Zone Zero
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, I spoke about the State’s draft “Zone Zero” rules, which will establish new regulations to protect homes in areas at high risk for wildfire. While I strongly support the goal of making our communities safer, I also emphasized that the State must consider how these rules affect Los Angeles, especially neighborhoods like Westwood and the hillsides, where our environment and urban context differ significantly from the rural communities that shaped the original proposal. The State must incorporate local input to ensure the final regulations protect homes without removing healthy native plants, fire-adapted trees, and vegetation that help make our hillsides more resilient and keep much-needed shade in our urban-wildland interface neighborhoods.
Budget and Finance Committee
During this week’s Budget and Finance Committee meeting, we advanced a proposal to waive building permit fees for homeowners affected by the recent Palisades fire. These waivers are an important step to help families rebuild after loss, but they also come with real fiscal challenges for the City. Under normal circumstances, permit fees cover the staff time required to review and process applications. Waiving those fees shifts the cost to the City’s General Fund, which takes funding away from basic services for the entire city. I asked our City Administrative Officer to report back on ways to minimize that impact, including time-limiting the waivers and identifying efficiencies that keep rebuilding affordable for residents without undermining the City’s short- and mid-term financial stability. |
|
Overnight Lane Reductions Along Interstate 405 through Sepulveda Pass for Pavement Rehabilitation Project: October 14-16
Caltrans is continuing overnight lane reductions along Interstate 405 (I-405) through the Sepulveda Pass for median barrier work. The work will start after 9 PM each night and end as late as 6 AM each morning from Tuesday, Oct. 14, through Thursday, Oct. 16. Sign up for notifications about the project. If you have already signed up and are receiving project emails, there is no need to sign up again. For more information on the project, visit the Caltrans Current Projects Website. Caltrans reminds drivers to “Be Work Zone Alert” and to “Slow for the Cone Zone.”
Help Name the New D Line Stations — Submit Your Suggestions by October 31
Metro is asking community members to help choose the official station names for two new D Line stations: Westwood/UCLA and Westwood/VA Hospital. Share your feedback HERE and learn about Metro's Station Naming Policy HERE.
Decking Removal Begins at Westwood/UCLA Station on October 17
Decking removals at the Westwood/UCLA Station will begin Friday, October 17, at 11 PM. Work is anticipated to end at 6 AM on Monday, October 20. This work will require the closure of westbound Wilshire Boulevard, between Veteran Avenue and Westwood Boulevard as well as the reduction of eastbound Wilshire Boulevard to two lanes between Veteran Avenue and Westwood Boulevard. Decking removal is anticipated to require up to twelve weekends of work. Metro bus stops may be relocated, or lines could be impacted. For more information on changes to Metro service, please call 323.GO.METRO, or visit metro.net/tripplanner
Caltrans Announces I-405 Reduced to Three Lanes in Each Direction Through the Sepulveda Pass: October 17-20
Caltrans announced extended weekend lane reductions along Interstate 405 (I-405) through the Sepulveda Pass. The freeway will be reduced to three lanes in each direction, and motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes and explore public transportation options to reach their destinations. The work will start as early as 10 PM Friday, Oct. 17, through as late as 5 AM Monday, October 20. For more information on the project, visit the project webpage. |
|
Neighborhood Cleanups in Pico-Robertson, Castle Heights, Carthays & West LA
This week, our team coordinated cleanups in the Pico-Robertson, Castle Heights, Carthay, and West LA neighborhoods in collaboration with LA Sanitation, LAPD’s Wilshire Division, and LAPD’s West LA Division. These efforts help keep public spaces safe and accessible for everyone while responding to concerns from residents about health and safety conditions. Resources were offered to individuals experiencing homelessness in these areas, and our office will continue to monitor conditions and schedule additional cleanups as needed. I’m grateful to community members who have reached out to share their appreciation and partnership in maintaining clean, safe, and welcoming neighborhoods.
Pico Boulevard & Holt Avenue - Pico-Robertson Neighborhood |
3314 Livonia Avenue - Castle Heights Neighborhood |
Mississippi Avenue & Westwood Boulevard - West Los Angeles Neighborhood |
|
Council District Five Internship Opportunities
Our office is now accepting applications for college or graduate school-level interns to join our District Office team for the Spring and Summer semesters. Interns will gain hands-on experience in city government, working directly with staff on community engagement, constituent services, and policy research. This is a great opportunity for students interested in public service to contribute to meaningful work while learning how local government operates. Learn more about the role here. Applications due by October 20, 2025.
Temporary Street Closure of Fairfax Avenue from Wilshire Boulevard to 6th Street for Academy Museum Gala
On Saturday, October 18, Fairfax Avenue (from Wilshire Boulevard to 6th Street) will be closed to vehicular traffic northbound and southbound.
Closure Hours: 12:00 PM – 11:59 PM
Event Hours: 5:30 PM – 11:00 PM
The Academy Museum thanks you for your patience. If you would like to report any concerns regarding this closure, please contact (323) 930-3000 (press 0 to speak with a live representative) or email academymuseum@oscars.org.
Let’s Keep Pico-Robertson Clean and Beautiful | October 19th
Join us for the Second Annual Pico-Robertson Neighborhood Clean-Up on Sunday, October 19, from 1:00 to 4:30 PM, a community effort to keep our streets welcoming and safe. This year, we are proud to partner with JFEDLA, Chosen Links by Boaz Hepner, the Los Angeles Sanitation Department, the Los Angeles Office of Community Beautification, and LAPD to make this event possible. Volunteers will come together to clear trash, beautify our neighborhoods, and build stronger community connections. Register here to participate: Neighborhood Clean-Up Sign-Up.
Westwood Greenway Now Open
We’re excited to announce that the Westwood Greenway is now open! Beginning Thursday, September 25, the north side gates will be open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. Visitors can walk the path, explore restored native habitat, and enjoy this new green space in the heart of CD5. Guided tours are available by request, and community volunteer days provide opportunities to help care for this special biodiversity site. We invite you to join us in celebrating the soft opening of this long-awaited project. Click here for all upcoming events.
Relaxed Parking for the Upcoming Jewish Holidays
The Department of Transportation, Parking Enforcement and Traffic Control Division will relax enforcement of street cleaning, time limit, and preferential parking restrictions as requested during the dates and times listed below.
PLEASE NOTE: Meters, tow-away zones, and other safety violations will be enforced.
Upcoming Holiday Parking Schedule
Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah:
Monday, October 13, 12:00 PM to Thursday, October 16, 5:00 PM |
|
If you have any need pertaining to the City of Los Angeles, please reach out:
City Hall Office
200 N. Spring Street, Suite 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 473-7005
(323) 866-1828
|
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 Unsubscribe |
|
|
|
