July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

The Santa Monica Mirror’s 2012 Year-In-Review: August:

In what was at times another high-stakes, high-drama year across Santa Monica, here is The Mirror’s run-down of the top headlines from August 2012.

Please note that some of the stories mentioned took place up to a week before or after the publication date, depending on whether it was a recap or preview piece.

August 3

• The Mirror looked at the Nov. 6 election candidates vying for spots in Washington D.C.: Incumbent Democrat Henry Waxman who was up against independent Bill Bloomfield in the race for the 33rd Congressional district while U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein was seeking a fifth term up against Republican challenger Elizabeth Emken. (Waxman and Feinstein breezed to victory Nov. 6)

• Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights’ steering committee voted to endorse Tony Vazquez and Terry O’Day in the race for City Council on Nov. 6. It followed the political organization’s three rounds of member voting the previous Sunday where Ted Winterer and Gleam Davis claimed the organization’s first-pick endorsements.

• St. Anne’s Church priest Rafael Venegas was arraigned at the LAX Courthouse on two charges — sexual battery and providing a minor under the age of 21 with alcohol.

• Food trucks returned to the corner of 14th and Santa Monica Boulevard to be held every Wednesday for lunch and dinner.

August 10

• The owners of a new restaurant coming to the Santa Monica Pier asked for an amendment to the Municipal Code to allow for a third story roof dining deck.

• The date August 6, 2012 will forever be etched as the day NASA landed its Mars rover “Curiosity” on the red planet to answer our burning question of whether life has existed or may exist there. By fortunate coincidence, the life of one of NASA’s greatest astronauts, Sally Ride, was remembered one last time at a private ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery, Mausoleum, and Mortuary in Santa Monica on the same day.

• National Night Out, an annual event sponsored by the Santa Monica Police Department, was celebrated in style in a highly successful event that included child fingerprinting, free food, rock climbing, instructional booths, and a youth rock band in order to promote partnership between the police and the Santa Monica community.

• The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District approved the addition of a $385 million bond called Measure ES to the Nov. 6 ballot for facility improvement projects across the district.

August 17

• Council members voted to suspend a few ambitious capital projects including the Civic Auditorium renovation, Civic Center joint use projects, and the Mountain View Mobile Home Park improvements.

• Council members voted unanimously to reinstitute an ordinance that expired in 2010 that allows auto dealerships within Santa Monica to expand their facilities by as much as 750 square feet.

• The Santa Monica College Board of Trustees election on Nov. 6 was canceled after no-one challenged the three board members up for reelection: Susan Aminoff, Robert Rader, and Margaret Quinones-Perez.

• A pilot who fatally crashed in West LA after taking off from Santa Monica Airport was identified as 70-year-old Sean M. McMillan, an attorney-at-a-large for a Century City law firm.

August 24

• Council members approved a 10-year lease extension for Rusty’s Surf Ranch, ensuring the pier mainstay will remain at the tourist destination for another decade serving its daily fare of burgers, sandwiches, soups, and salads.

• To ensure the long-term survival of the Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra, its 2012-13 concert season was suspended.

• Council members voted to pursue a land swap for a new fire station, trading three parcels of land located at 1337 to 1347 Seventh Street in exchange for City-owned property at 1338 to 1342 Fifth Street.

• Westchester resident Cara Cameron was arrested for striking and killing an Australian tourist near the Santa Monica Pier while she was driving under the influence of alcohol.

August 31

• Only weeks after Council members discussed food trucks operating on a lot near Santa Monica Boulevard and 14th Street, Planning Commissioners voted to recommend as many as four more locations primed to house mobile eateries.

• Council members discussed whether the Transportation Impact Fee could cover costs of developing new transportation infrastructure improvements that encouraged increased bicycle, pedestrian, and public transit traffic while managing vehicular congestion.

• The Santa Monica City Clerk’s Office confirmed a 15th City Council candidate had officially qualified for the Santa Monica City Council ballot on Nov. 6 — Civil/Environmental Engineer Armen Melkonians. He submitted his petition on Aug. 15, but the LA County Registrar’s office originally deemed he did not have 100 valid registered Santa Monica voters.

• City Hall came to a settlement agreement with Stanley and Harriet Epstein worth $77,500, ending a 14-month legal matter where the couple alleged a flawed parking citation appeals process and claimed the officials on behalf of the City of Santa Monica violated the California Vehicle Code by failing to provide proper explanations of why drivers were cited.

A Look Back On Santa Monica’s 2012

Year In Review: January

Year In Review: February

Year In Review: March

Year In Review: April

Year In Review: May

Year In Review: June

Year In Review: July

Year In Review: September

Year In Review: October

Year In Review: November

Year In Review: December

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...