Van Nuys News Press Covering the San Fernando Valley & the Greater Los Angeles area Directly south of the Van Nuys Metrolink and Amtrak station a new multifamily residential development built on the former site of a furniture store consists of a six-story building featuring 124 studio and two-bedroom apartments above at-grade and subterranean parking for 126 vehicles Project approvals included Transit Oriented Communities incentives to permit a larger structure than typically allowed by zoning rules. In exchange, 13 of the new apartments are to be reserved for rent as extremely low-income affordable housing Rents for the market-rate units are currently listed as ranging from $1,911 to $2,944 per month Ken Stockton Architects designed the contemporary low-rise building City records list the project's developer as an entity managed by Shlomi Asiss Van Nuys Station is poised to become a key regional transportation hub in the coming years, given that it is expected to serve as a transfer point to the new East San Fernando Valley light rail line and a planned heavy rail line connecting the Valley to the Westside via the Sepulveda Pass Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn / Threads / Instagram / Bluesky Despite residents’ health complaints and community pushback the airport’s operations continue to expand intensifying concerns about its health effects This article was supported by a grant from the Fund for Investigative Journalism When Jarret Palmer moved to the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles four years ago The roar of planes from nearby Van Nuys Airport is relentless, he said, adding that he fears the pollution from one of the nation’s busiest general aviation hubs is harming his family his daughter was born underweight and spent days in the neonatal intensive care unit “It kind of makes you … wonder … was I so determined to find a house for my child?” said Palmer “Did I make the mistake of … not looking into the environment enough a little bit of guilt there,” said Palmer Jarret Palmer sits in his home near the Van Nuys Airport In a Capital & Main survey of 80 residents who live in the airport-adjacent neighborhoods of Lake Balboa and Van Nuys 65% of respondents said they attributed a health condition to noise and air pollution from VNY Nearly half of respondents said they had consulted a medical professional for what they suspected were airport-related health problems since 2020 but it is an indication of anxiety among residents living near the airport Despite their health concerns and activism at public meetings residents said local officials have largely ignored their pleas for years “They [airport officials] don’t really care about us and it’s almost like they don’t care what they have to do to do that,” Sweet said Newly appointed airport manager Jacob Haik whom some residents credit with improving the airport’s communication with its neighbors said he is committed to ensuring that Van Nuys Airport “remains a good neighbor while continuing to serve as a vital economic engine for the region.” Last fall “We’ve been working on all kinds of different sustainability Most health concerns reported by residents to Capital & Main were respiratory in nature but dozens also said they linked other health problems to the airport said he copes with the constant smell of jet fuel in the air by keeping his windows closed at all times and having air purifiers in every room he said the air quality has gotten worse since his family moved into the neighborhood He said on one occasion his toddler son had an asthma attack that required a trip to urgent care for albuterol and that’s the least annoying thing about the airport — it’s just the smell,” Fenske said “It smells like raw jet fuel blowing into our neighborhood Fenske said that he plans to move his family out of the home this year she suffers from an annoying cough and eye irritation when she is home Those symptoms disappear when she is away at work Capital & Main conducted its digital survey of residents in Van Nuys and Lake Balboa last summer and fall Reporters also canvassed door-to-door in Lake Balboa a neighborhood of more than 26,000 residents Van Nuys is home to more than 162,000 people It is difficult to draw a direct line between a particular illness and pollution at the airport a professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine But he added that the airport’s neighbors are understandably concerned “I think those [concerns] are valid and should be looked at,” added Avol who is an expert in respiratory health and air pollution A 2016 study found that those who live near the 12 largest airports in California suffered from higher rates of respiratory and heart disease and visited emergency rooms at higher rates. A 2021 study linked increased brain cancer risk to exposure to airport-related ultrafine particles near Los Angeles International Airport which is also operated by Los Angeles World Airports Children born in hospitals near Van Nuys Airport have a higher-than-average rate of low birth weights, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment the community immediately west of Van Nuys Airport are in the 90th percentile of lead exposure statewide But Van Nuys Airport is also an economic powerhouse for the city, generating more than $2 billion in business revenues annually and more than 10,000 jobs for the local economy described the community members’ battles with the airport as a “David versus Goliath situation.” “The economic impacts and benefits of these airports for this region are really enormous that outweighs considerations of the impacts that they’re having on local communities,” Raman said The challenge of addressing the effect of the airport on the surrounding community became clear last year when a Los Angeles City Council committee voted to block the construction of a new hangar at Van Nuys Airport in response to residents’ concerns, only to later reverse its decision The initial vote was met with stiff opposition from the aviation industry Mayor Karen Bass ultimately argued that rejecting the lease would result in the loss of hundreds of millions in federal dollars Raman joined the majority in voting to both approve the lease and to settle a lawsuit filed against the city by Bonseph Helinet LLC the helicopter joint venture that had proposed the new hangar at the airport Palmer views a plane above his Van Nuys home Van Nuys Airport’s economic importance is not the only challenge for residents City and federal agencies share oversight authority over the airport but none wields absolute control over its operations Environmental Protection Agency establishes air quality standards nationwide under the Clean Air Act but neither of the local agencies charged with enforcing these standards — the California Air Resources Board or the South Coast Air Quality Management District — have jurisdiction over aircraft emissions “They don’t have the authority to tell a particular airport that you need to shut down because your emissions are too high or that you cannot operate because you don’t meet our emission standards because those airports are outside their jurisdiction,” said Yifang Zhu a professor in the University of California Los Angeles’ Department of Health Sciences who researches air pollution and climate change “Those emission sources are under EPA’s purview but their hands are tied because this is also FAA-involved.” The Federal Aviation Administration provides millions of dollars in grant funds for improvements at airports across the country That said, it is not impossible for city officials to push back against polluting airports. After a decades of local protest and litigation, city and federal regulators agreed to close the Santa Monica Airport in 2028 “It’s just that you have to see it as a priority And I don’t think they [governmental bodies] are seeing it as a priority at this point.” Frustrated advocacy groups have turned to the courts successfully suing companies at Van Nuys and other airports that provide fueling and maintenance for private planes that use leaded fuel companies at 23 California airports settled with the Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health over alleged violations of Proposition 65 which mandated warnings for carcinogen exposure The settlement also required the companies to switch to unleaded fuel once an alternative was available the center filed a motion in Alameda County Superior Court alleging that the companies had not complied with the agreement the volume of air traffic at Van Nuys continues to trend upward the airport averaged more than 249,000 takeoffs and landings annually Former Van Nuys Airport manager Paul Herrera told Aviation Week in April 2024 that the number of such operations had reached nearly 328,000 “It sounds like they’re dive-bombing us,” said Kern Konwiser “It’s certainly a heightened anxiety and persistent level of stress.” Vani Sanganeria contributed to the reporting of this article A Mother’s Battle to Protect Her Son’s Care USC Follows Amazon and Musk’s SpaceX in Calling Labor Board Unconstitutional Democratic and Republican Lawmakers Work to Undermine Voter-Backed Wage and Sick Leave Laws  ‘Jackie Robinson Would Be Outraged’ — Author Peter Dreier on the Dodgers’ Visit With Donald Trump A Majority of Californians Support Affordable Health Care for Undocumented Immigrants California Showdown Over Medicaid as GOP Approves Massive Cuts Soccer-Loving Father of Four Caught Up in El Cajon Immigration Raid California State University’s Financial Aid Students Learn Chaos 101 Iconic Schooner Invites Visitors to Experience May 2025 Dockside Seaside Tours from May 14 through Memorial Day weekend May 27 2025 and climb aboard the majestic Tall Ship Mystic Whaler modeled after a 19th Century coastal vessel that will set sail and make its voyage to Ventura Harbor Village https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/event/adventure-with-the-tall-ship-mystic-whaler/2025-05-14/ Made possible by Central Coast Ocean Adventures Foundation (CCOAF) will dock at Ventura Harbor Village Dock-C (near Ventura Boat Rentals During its visit to Ventura Harbor Village history buffs of all ages will have a chance to come aboard and join in the excitement with dockside tours and onboard hands-on learning experiences hear captivating sea stories and discover how the Mystic Whaler keeps maritime traditions alive Public dockside tours are scheduled to include the following: May 17             Deck Tour (1:30 PM-5 PM) May 23                    Deck Tour (2 PM-6 PM) May 24              Deck Tour (Noon -6 PM) May 25                 Deck Tour (Noon -6 PM) May 18          Tentative Private Sail or Additional Public Deck Tour Visitors boarding the Mystic Whaler have the option to make a suggested donation of $5 (kids are free) Please visit Venturaharborvillage.com for the most up to date schedule Welcome, Mickeymickey@disney.comManage MyDisney AccountLog OutMan shot to death outside donut shop in Van Nuys, gunman at largeSaturday 2025LAPD is investigating after a man was shot to death while standing by his vehicle outside a donut shop in Van Nuys.VAN NUYS LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- A man was shot and killed in a Van Nuys strip mall parking lot and an investigation of the shooting was underway Saturday Los Angeles Police Department officers from the department's Van Nuys Station responded at 12:35 a.m to the 16000 block of Vanowen Street between Woodley and Gloria avenues regarding a shooting the officers learned the victim was standing by his vehicle outside a donut shop when he was approached by two suspects The victim was struck by the gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics Police said the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle Historic executive order will boost economic growth WASHINGTON, D.C. — Late last month, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing a framework for American companies to identify and retrieve offshore critical minerals and resources. The Executive Order prioritizes U.S leadership in seabed mapping and mineral exploration ensuring reliable access to critical minerals like manganese Critical minerals are used in everything from defense systems and batteries to smartphones and medical devices Access to these minerals is a key factor in the health and resilience of U.S Under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act NOAA reviews applications and issues exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits to U.S entities for deep-sea mining in international waters NOAA is committed to an expeditious review of applications for exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits The agency will provide the necessary resources for license and permit reviews to ensure that those reviews go forward without undue delays the President is paving the way for supply chain resilience and a thriving domestic manufacturing industry,” said Erik Noble Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere “The United States will lead the world in deep sea mineral extraction and NOAA is the tip of the spear as we partner with federal agencies and private industry to support the discovery and collection of critical minerals on the sea floor.” NOAA and other federal agency partners will develop this sector and work to better understand the deep sea through advancements in mapping environmental data collection and resource assessments NOAA will carry out environmental compliance measures consistent with applicable law NOAA is working to update and streamline the application process by enhancing coordination across agencies working with regional fishery management councils and engaging private partners to ensure an efficient and transparent approach to granting licenses and permits The licensing and permitting process will include an opportunity for public comment Climate, weather and water affect all life on our ocean planet. NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict our changing environment and to manage and conserve America’s coastal and marine resources Mount Vernon, VA — As the nation gears up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of America, George Washington’s Mount Vernon will host a once-in-a-lifetime recognition and reenactment of George Washington’s historic departure on May 4 from his beloved Mount Vernon to attend the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia Washington was appointed commander in chief of the newly created Continental Army Washington only briefly returned to Mount Vernon in 1781 just prior to the Yorktown campaign and ultimate victory for American independence Scheduled for Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 1:30 PM, the reenactment of Washington’s historic departure also will include a ribbon cutting of the newly-installed Patriots Path Revolutionary War encampment and remarks from George Washington News outlets are invited to use related video footage and photographs attributable to the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association Media outlets interested in covering this historic event must pre-register with Mount Vernon to ensure access. Please contact Julie Almacy, Vice President of Media & Communications, at julie.almacy@mountvernon.org to schedule attendance George Washington will march down the Patriots Path and out Mount Vernon’s front gates marking the start of his journey to Philadelphia Washington will be accompanied by 18th-century musicians and a cadre of historic reenactors dressed in period costumes This reenactment is part of the highly popular Revolutionary War Weekend during which Mount Vernon’s serene 12-acre field transforms into a battleground and Hessians conduct military drills and 18th-century tactics is owned and operated by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association the oldest national historic preservation organization in the United States The estate is open to visitors and includes the Mansion It also includes the George Washington Presidential Library at Mount Vernon Assembly Bill 1454 makes sure educators are equipped with the tools they need to help all students succeed in reading and Assemblymember Blanca Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) announced new action to strengthen early childhood literacy efforts in California by equipping educators and school leaders with the training materials and support needed to help every student succeed Assembly Bill 1454 is now being amended to reflect an agreement to provide state support for instructional materials and training aligned to evidence-based reading and language development practices “Strong reading skills are the foundation for every student’s success and I am committed to improving California’s reading and literacy rates and it reflects agreement and robust consensus on ways to provide educators the evidence-based tools they need to support California’s diverse students We must make sure every child — no matter their background — has the opportunity to become a confident and thriving reader.” “Assembly Bill 1454 is a significant measure to advance the foundational goal of teaching every child in California to read This bill will promote evidence-based literacy instruction to teach reading skills that will lay the foundation for lifelong success After more than two years working on this measure I appreciate our education stakeholders coming together to strengthen professional development for early literacy instruction and provide training and support for schoolsite administrators.” “I have always prided myself on being a teacher before a legislator The success of our children has always been and will continue to be a priority of mine which is demonstrated by the months of hard work that was poured into the bill sitting before us today and the continued advocacy of countless stakeholders AB 1454 is a significant step toward addressing very real concerns with our student outcomes while supplying teachers with the tools to ensure success in their roles.” “Ensuring every child in California learns to read is one of the most important responsibilities of our public education system—and one that must be met with urgency,” said Marshall Tuck “AB 1454 is a critical step forward in improving literacy outcomes for California’s students and helping every child have a future filled with opportunity EdVoice is grateful for the leadership of Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Muratsuchi in putting forward legislation that will strengthen reading instruction for California’s kids.”  “We strongly support AB 1454 and are thankful to Speaker Rivas for bringing together a coalition of educators and Assemblymembers to author this important legislation,” said Jeffery Freitas President of CFT—A Union of Educators & Classified Professionals “CFT members have been calling for more robust and improved literacy training and support to better meet the needs of our students We urge Governor Newsom and the Legislature to fully fund this important legislation so that California teachers can immediately access the training and we can continue to improve on reading instruction throughout the state.” “We believe students thrive when educators are equipped with the right tools to drive positive outcomes,” said Dr Executive Director of the Association of California School Administrators “AB 1454 provides evidence-based professional development for both certificated and classified educators while empowering LEAs to reach all elementary grades and secondary schools; thereby supporting all of our students in achieving literacy development.” “Californians Together proudly advocates for policies and practices to support our state’s 1.1 million English learners,” said Martha Hernandez Executive Director of Californians Together “Literacy is fundamental to every student’s academic journey and we recognize the role of the legislature in proposing solutions to improve literacy that uplifts the unique needs of multilingual learners and honors their home languages and cultures which is why we are proud to support AB 1454 We appreciate Speaker Rivas’s leadership in bringing this legislation forward and we remain committed to ensuring that any new literacy policy fully supports English learners.” California has invested more than $600 million to support literacy coaches AB 1454 builds on this momentum by ensuring all students receive the support they need to become a confident There have been a number of proposals to ensure high-quality reading instruction is implemented across California schools including AB 1121 (Blanca Rubio) and AB 1194 (Muratsuchi) this year AB 1454 is being amended to reflect a consensus between the authors and sponsors of both those bills which will not move forward in their current forms Nearly three years since we last stopped by in Van Nuys construction is just about finished for The Brightly a mixed-use residential development from Braum Construction & Management Located at at 6569 Van Nuys Boulevard the project consists of a six-story building that will contain 174 studio and two- bedroom apartments above 18,400 square feet of ground-floor retail space and an underground parking garage Project approvals included density bonus incentives, requiring that 10 of the new  apartments be set aside for rent by very low-income households. Advertised rents for the property's market rate units range from $1,800 to $3,100 per month  The Ketter Group is designing the project A smaller apartment complex with ground-floor retail across the intersection of Van Nuys and Kittridge in 2021 A property abutting the G Line busway in Van Nuys could make way for an Executive Directive 1 affordable housing development, according to a new application to the Los Angeles Department of City Planning. slated for a site at 6100 Hazeltine Avenue calls for the construction of a seven-story edifice featuring 72 studio and two-bedroom apartments without on-site parking The scale and density of the project relies on density bonus incentives to permit a larger structure than zoning rules would otherwise allow. With the exception of a single manager's apartment, all of the new housing would be restricted to rent by low- and moderate-income households Architect Jamie Matz is designing 6100 Hazeltine which is shown in renderings as a contemporary low-rise structure Looking for affordable housing? Visit lahousing.lacity.org/aahr and housing.lacounty.gov California's 2024 state income limits Click here for additional affordable housing resources Four homes located a 6901-6907 N. Woodman Avenue in Van Nuys are poised to give way to affordable housing via the Mayor's Executive Directive 1. The proposed project from Schlomo Schmuel of 901 Woodman Ave., LLC, submitted on March 10 to the Planning Department calls for the construction of a new five-story building featuring 55 studio and one-bedroom apartments without on-site parking Save for a manager's unit, all of the apartments are to be set aside for rent by low- and moderate-income households making the project eligible for density bonus incentives permitting a larger structure than zoning rules would otherwise allow Malekian & Associates is designing the project which is depicted in a rendering as a contemporary podium-type building Looking for affordable housing? Visit lahousing.lacity.org/aahr and housing.lacounty.gov WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that disaster preparation season kicks off soon with National Wildfire Awareness Month in May and National Hurricane Preparedness Week With tax season over and peak periods for disasters approaching now is a good time for taxpayers to think about protecting important tax and financial information as part of a disaster emergency plan Disasters can have an immediate and lasting impact on individuals and observing Hurricane Preparedness Week and Wildfire Awareness Month provides an opportunity for an annual assessment of readiness So far in 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued 12 major disaster declarations in nine states impacted by winter storms, flooding, tornadoes, wildfires, landslides and mudslides. For current disaster declarations and information on how declarations are made, see FEMA’s Current Disasters page The IRS offers tips to help taxpayers protect personal financial and tax information when disaster hits birth certificates and land ownership documents need to be secured in a waterproof container in a safe space Taxpayers are also encouraged to make copies of these important documents and store them in a secondary location such as a safe deposit box or with a trusted person who lives in a different area scanned documents can be stored on a flash drive for easy portability can help individuals and businesses make lists of belongings or business equipment Taxpayers in the affected areas do not need to call to request this relief. The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies filing and payment relief. Those impacted by a disaster can contact the IRS Disaster Hotline at 866-562-5227 to ask their tax-related questions of an IRS specialist trained to handle disaster-related issues Taxpayers who do not reside or have a business in a covered disaster area but suffered impact from a disaster should call 866-562-5227 to find out if they qualify for disaster tax relief and to discuss other available options Taxpayers are encouraged to review publications and websites that may offer further assistance in advance preparation for disasters: Welcome, Mickeymickey@disney.comManage MyDisney AccountLog OutMother accused of drowning 7-year-old daughter in Van Nuys, LAPD saysSunday 2025A mother is in custody after allegedly drowning her 7-year-old daughter at a Van Nuys apartment Friday LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A mother is in custody after allegedly drowning her 7-year-old daughter at a Van Nuys apartment Friday according to the Los Angeles Police Department The girl was found unresponsive in the bathtub and was later declared dead at the scene No further information was immediately available Work is set to begin soon for the most visible element of a project intended to speed up service on the Valley's G Line Busway Metro has announced that starting Friday, February 21 the G Line's Van Nuys Station will be closed for three years to enable the construction of a new elevated station The new stop will be art of a bridge structure spanning Van Nuys Boulevard and Vesper Avenue G Line passengers who use Van Nuys Station will have a temporary stop at the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Oxnard Street which is used as a detour around the current station Passengers bound for Chatsworth will board at the northeast corner of the intersection while those headed to North Hollywood will board at the southwest corner Work at Van Nuys Station is one of the signature elements of the $668-million G Line Improvements project which will also include a grade separation of the crossing at Sepulveda Boulevard and improved signaling at the busway's 22 other intersections the project is expected to cut 12 minutes of travel times for G Line buses which currently take approximately 50 minutes to travel between Chatsworth and North Hollywood Approved as part of the funding plan adopted by L.A the current project has been pared back from original plans due to rising construction costs Metro's plans for the 18-mile busway had initially called for a larger grade separation spanning between Sepulveda and Van Nuys and gated crossings at all 35 street-level intersections Those improvements would provide light rail-like amenities for the busway which is also slated for a conversion to rail in the distant future under Measure M Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn / Threads / Instagram / Bluesky Print Faced with the possibility of losing hundreds of millions in federal funds the Los Angeles City Council reversed course on Tuesday and awarded a helicopter company a lease at Van Nuys Airport for up to 25 years despite protests from residents who live nearby the city’s lawyers and Mayor Karen Bass warned that the city would risk losing funding from the Federal Aviation Administration if the lease were rejected “Failing to [approve the lease] would endanger hundreds of millions of federal dollars for Los Angeles and vital projects at all of our airports,” Bass said in a statement before the vote “Our airports are entry points to our city for the entire world Bass had argued that the vote was especially urgent as the city prepares to host the World Cup in 2026 and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028 The council’s 11-2 vote followed a yearlong political fight that played out in courtrooms at emotional hearings and behind closed doors in the council chamber The decision represented a major defeat for Councilmember Imelda Padilla who had waged a campaign to block the lease voting with my conscience and with my constituents to ensure Van Nuys Airport respects and values the surrounding community,” said Padilla Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez also voted against the lease Padilla criticized the bidding process, saying it “lacked transparency and fairness.” She repeatedly warned the lease would result in expanded jet traffic — without measures to address noise and environmental impacts Padilla persuaded her colleagues to reject the lease proposal with Bonseph Helinet which responded months later by suing the city Bonseph Helinet is a joint venture made up of Helinet Aviation Services which operates a helicopter charter and maintenance facility at Van Nuys Airport; the Castagna 1998 Trust; and Bonseph Holdings Van Nuys which has a majority stake in Bonseph Helinet Helinet Aviation Services has operated at Van Nuys Airport fire departments and the entertainment industry The company also serves as a medical helicopter charter company transporting patients and organs to hospitals across the region Neighbors have complained about noxious jet fuels, saying their their children can no longer play outside because of unchecked flight growth and lack of measures to protect the community Many worry the improved facilities will allow the company to shift its emphasis by providing more lucrative charter jet service who lives in Lake Balboa and is co-founder of Fume Fighters called the decision to approve the lease “a real slap in the face to the community.” We are already suffering from the fumes,” she said Helinet plans to spend $25 million redeveloping the airport facility demolishing two deteriorating hangars and building two new ones The company has said it will continue to focus on current operations and has no plans to increase jet traffic the company is prohibited from operating with fixed base operations like a traditional jet charter service used by the rich and famous It emphasized that it will use the industrial portion of the airport as a flight path a seven-member panel made up of mayoral appointees recommended the 25-year lease in December 2022 after a bidding process Community activists argued the process wasn’t truly competitive since Bonseph Helinet was the only company that ultimately bid Padilla had warned the lease would lead to an expansion in airport activity, placing new burdens on her constituents. She persuaded her colleagues to reject the lease in March and secured the council’s support to draft a new zoning plan for the airport area — one that would look at new measures to address jet noise and air pollution. Bonseph Helinet sued the city in May over its decision to reject the lease, saying the council had missed the legal deadline for taking up the airport commission’s decision. In its lawsuit, the company accused Padilla of using the airport issue to win reelection two months earlier. The company also alleged the council unwittingly kept the telephone audio on during a closed-door meeting on the lease, allowing the public to hear city lawyers express concerns about rejecting the airport lease. Around the same time, the Van Nuys Airport Assn., a business group, filed its own complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration, alleging the council’s disapproval of the lease ran afoul of the city’s obligations under federal law. The group said the zoning changes would be used to limit airport operations. The FAA, after investigating the complaint, made a preliminary determination that the council had violated federal rules that require the city to make its airports publicly available “without unjust discrimination” against aeronautical activities. The agency advised the city to change course, giving the council until Oct. 24 to submit a “corrective action plan” on the matter. One day before the deadline, the council met again behind closed doors. In a confidential memo, the city’s lawyers warned council members that, if they failed to take corrective action, the FAA could withhold critical grant funding from the city — not just at Van Nuys Airport, but also at LAX. Los Angeles World Airports, which oversees the airports, “has been awarded over $622 million in grants between 2019 and 2025,” said the memo, a copy of which was reviewed by The Times. Of that total, about half had been “put in jeopardy” by the lease dispute, the memo said. The council resurrected the lease process, which was taken up again last month by the airport commission. On Tuesday, the council voted 8-5 to settle the lawsuit with Bonseph Helinet, with Padilla, Soto-Martinez and Councilmembers Kevin de León, Monica Rodriguez and Bob Blumenfield voting no. Under that agreement, Bonseph Helinet agreed to drop its lawsuit and conduct outreach on its redevelopment plans. Representatives of Bonseph Helinet declined to comment on the council’s decision. Rachel Uranga covers immigration for the Los Angeles Times. She previously reported for the Los Angeles Business Journal, Reuters in Mexico City and Southern California News Group, where she later served on its editorial board. David Zahniser covers Los Angeles City Hall for the Los Angeles Times. California Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented revised departure routes for jets leaving Van Nuys Airport The changes were designed to reduce aircraft noise in hillside neighborhoods noise complaints have dropped by 66% — from about 160 per day to just over 50 and Sherman Oaks have seen the greatest reductions in jet noise since the change Some residents say the change simply moved the problem “What we are experiencing is a sudden increase in the number of departures now which are cutting deep into the east Sherman Oaks Studio City region and … up through Toluca Lake all the way around the east side of Burbank Airport,” said Roslyn Dahl Van Nuys Airport Manager Jacob Haik said it takes time for pilots and air traffic controllers to fully adjust to changes “It typically takes 60 to 90 days for everybody to really get used to it and we are only about 30 days in right now,” he said but everybody’s adjusting to the new procedure.” He also noted that some noise complaints attributed to Van Nuys Airport may actually stem from nearby Burbank Airport “About 20% of our complaints that we get for Van Nuys (Airport) are actually Burbank Airport related I’m sure they get complaints that maybe are probably ours,” he said a group focused on mitigating aircraft noise said in a statement that the outcome was expected The revised flight paths have “effectively moved noise to Studio City an area that is heavily burdened already by (Burbank Airport) aircraft,” the group said They pointed to a key turning point in the new route and said that when concerns were raised in 2021 LAWA (Los Angeles World Airports) assured them the new procedure would not push noise into new areas “We stood down because we did not want to suppress the effort to reduce aviation noise,” the group said LAWA “confirmed that they would have the FAA do a study and reverse the action if the new procedure moved (the) noise.” the FAA launched Metroplex Area Navigation (RNAV) at Van Nuys Airport GPS-guided routes instead of relying on ground-based navigation While the change was intended to improve efficiency and reduce fuel use the new flight paths sent more jets over hillside areas such as Studio City and Sherman Oaks Monthly noise complaints reportedly jumped from about 15 to as many as 500 the FAA and local stakeholders formed the Southern San Fernando Valley Airplane Noise Task Force After public meetings and technical analysis the task force recommended shifting the departure paths back over the Valley floor — closer to pre-2017 routes The FAA agreed and approved revised RNAV procedures Van Nuys Airport officials say they will continue tracking noise complaint data “If we start seeing a different hotspot or there’s an uptick somewhere else then we will definitely relay that to the FAA so they can look at any further adjustments,” Haik said Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Your gateway to environmental health knowledge Join the Environmental Health News community Residents living near Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles say rising air traffic is worsening health problems linked to jet fuel fumes Chris Bibona and Shane Dimapanat report for Capital & Main. because those airports are outside their jurisdiction.” The quiet hum of private jets at airports like Van Nuys may sound like progress, but for nearby communities, that sound carries a different meaning: a growing environmental threat. These smaller, often under-regulated airports have become hubs for elite air travel yet the pollution they generate doesn’t stay confined to the tarmac Ultrafine particles from jet exhaust and lead from small aircraft gasoline drift into the neighborhoods beyond the runway disproportionately affecting low-income families and communities of color The problem is exacerbated by a fragmented regulatory system: the FAA governs flight paths and local agencies try to protect residents with limited tools hand-picked by our editors and researchers We offer a host of daily and weekly options Nonprofit organizations MADE SAFE and Plastic Pollution Coalition released the new Healthy Pregnancy Guideto help parents-to-be navigate the challenges of making healthier living choices for babies and the planet a newsroom powered by Environmental Health Sciences It all improves the health of our communities LAWA (the authority that owns and operates LAX and Van Nuys Airport) is proposing a new landing fee at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) The proposed fees aim to help cover the rising costs of maintaining and upgrading airfield infrastructure The landing fee will be based on aircraft landing weight and airfield operating costs LAWA will present the proposal and accept public comments at the Van Nuys Airport Association (VNAA) meeting on April 1, 2025, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM at the Airtel Plaza Hotel (7277 Valjean Avenue Van Nuys, CA 91406). Public comments can also be submitted by email to VNYLandingFee@lawa.org through April 11 Click here to view the details on the proposed changes More Than 55,000 LA County Employees Will Walk Off the Job in Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike Set to Begin on April 28th at 7:00PM; Union Demands an End to LA County’s Rampant Law Breaking Citing 44 Alleged Labor Law Violations To-Date LOS ANGELES – Fed up with Los Angeles County management’s repeated law-breaking and failure to bargain in good faith members of labor union SEIU 721 earlier today held a press conference and rally delivering a 10-Day Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) Strike Notice to the county The ULP Strike will directly impact more than 55,000 LA employees represented by SEIU 721 as well as nearly 10 million county residents Though plans will be put in place to ensure that emergency health services continue unimpeded SEIU 721’s LA County ULP Strike would be the first of its kind in Los Angeles County history SEIU 721 LA County membership includes health public health and mental health care professionals; social workers; parks & recreation staff; social services eligibility workers; public works personnel; clerical workers; custodians; coroner personnel; beaches & harbors staff; traffic & lighting personnel; and more “This is the workforce that got LA County through emergency after emergency: the January wildfires social service emergencies and more” said David Green SEIU 721’s Executive Director and President who has worked as an LA County Children’s Social Worker II for more than two decades “From the San Fernando Valley to the San Gabriel Valley That’s why we have had it with the labor law violations and demand respect for our workers.” The 55,000 union strong LA County workforce has serviced nearly 10 million residents in a 4,084 square-mile service area through the COVID pandemic; through the recent Winter wildfires; and through non-stop emergency situations in healthcare street repair and much more for many years Instead of being thanked by LA County management with good faith bargaining resulting in a strong contract they have been on the receiving end of management’s repeated law-breaking bearing the brunt of at least 44 alleged labor law violations during this contract bargaining cycle LA County management simultaneously has been operating a taxpayer-to-private sector pipeline – funneling $7.7 billion in FY 2024-2025 to private firms while not requiring them to pay a living wage the Board of Supervisors somehow found a spare $205 million recently to buy a skyscraper in downtown LA that will serve as new office space for themselves and LA County management These are the very same people telling the workforce – and taxpayers – that there is no money for more services or frontline staff Some of the first visible signs of work on a light rail line in the median of Van Nuys Boulevard are starting to appear Metro announced last week that advanced utility work is occurring for the East San Fernando Valley light rail line along the stretch of Van Nuys Boulevard between Nordhoff Street and Woodman Avenue K-rail barriers will be installed along a portion of Van Nuys Boulevard through the Fall leaving two lanes of traffic open in each direction The initial phase of the East San Fernando Valley line which secured nearly $900 million in federal funding in September 2024 will include 6.7 miles of right-of-way within median of Van Nuys Boulevard between the G Line's Van Nuys Station and the Metrolink right-of-way in Pacoima including connections to the G Line Busway Completion of the $3.6-billion light rail line is expected in 2031 A second phase of the project calls for extending services additional 2.5 miles to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station. Metro is considering  building a new station to connect with Metrolink's Antelope Valley Line at Van Nuys Boulevard and San Fernando Road as an alternative to extending light rail service Work on Van Nuys Boulevard will coincide with a three-year closure of the G Line's Van Nuys Station that commenced on February 21 to facilitate the construction of a $668-million project that will speed up travel times on the east-west busway Two-single family homes located just north of the Sepulveda Basin are slated to give way to a small lot subdivision, per a notice issued by the City of Los Angeles. The proposed project from Parviz and Roya Properties slated for two parcels at 6435-6439 Woodley Avenue calls for subdividing the total 12,000-square-foot site into 12 smaller lots to enable the construction of a single-family home with a two-car garage on each which are shown in a rendering as a series of contemporary three-story buildings arranged in a row around a common driveway The homes are each shown with four bedrooms The development site is located one block to the north of the G Line's Woodley Station and a short walk from the Sepulveda Basin's Japanese Garden The 2,000-acre basin is slated to undergo a makeover in coming years as a result of a new master plan which envisions a more cohesive park space for the San Fernando Valley I’m not sure what to make of this incident other than being grateful that the Southwest Airlines pilots seemed to know what they were doing… VASAviation has the air traffic control audio and a visualization of a close call in Southern California It’s worth understanding that the airports of Van Nuys and Burbank are just eight miles apart so planes operating to and from those airport often use the same airspace with deteriorating visibility for the aircraft approaching Van Nuys Essentially what happened is that the Cessna Citation never got a visual of the runway it was supposed to land on The issue is that the Southwest 737 was descending at the same time very close to the path of the Cessna Citation triggering a TCAS alert (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) I’d recommend giving the video below a watch but it’s the way the interaction happens that really makes this interesting who were doing exactly what they needed to do so you can’t fault anything about their performance But when it comes to the Cessna Citation pilot and the air traffic controller The Cessna Citation pilot just seemed woefully unprepared even though he was told twice that the runway was at his 12 o’clock The wildest part is that as he was asking for the vectors for the runway he already seemed to start climbing altitude suggesting that he was executing a missed approach without actually communicating that to the controller he was not flying the published missed approach sequence from the airport as clearly he didn’t read up on that Meanwhile I’m not sure what’s going on with the air traffic controller. No shade, but was he a trainee? He seemed to struggle to provide any sort of instructions when he was most needed, and just sort of froze. Compare that to the below controller from a recent incident I covered in Phoenix A Southwest Boeing 737 and Cessna Citation had a close call in Southern California as the private jet attempted to land in Van Nuys while the 737 attempted to land in Burbank and that’s why TCAS so often saves the day the combination of the Cessna Citation pilot and the air traffic controller really leave something to be desired SoCal airspace is overcrowded and while it’s not DCA or EWR the number of small airports that directly conflict with major ones is insane Many private pilots I know loathe crossing the LA basin because of the stress it causes Weather is usually the least of our concerns but it’s the small strips that are concerning GA rules might need a reshuffle or some special certifications going forward Question for pilots- will there be any consequences for the Citation pilot Im curious if records are kept for these types of incidents where a pilot couldve have caused an accident and if there are consequences Only if the tower controller submits a report about the incident or the Southwest pilot might file a NASA type report but those are de-identified My guess is the tower controller won’t write it up since it wasn’t his finest hour either We didn't have all these air disasters before January 20.. Seems like the Citation wasn’t prepared for the missed approach the VNY controller was giving him VFR instructions initially It makes me wonder if he was originally cleared for the visual approach Things like “advise you maintain” and “resume own navigation” are VFR instructions That would make more sense for what happened since the pilot on the visual wouldn’t have a particular missed approach to fly and instead would be expected to execute a normal go around and then follow ATC heading and altitude instructions A key requirement for a visual approach is that you report the field in sight though which either didn’t happen or the storm moving over the field subsequently obscured his vision the Tower’s subsequent instructions to fly the missed approach doesn’t make sense Very poor planning on the part of the Citation pilots for not briefing the missed approach procedure prior to commencing the approach especially at a busy airport like VNY with BUR just 8 miles away as Ben mentions we always had to brief what we would do in case we went missed as your instructor could call for a go around at any times Are close calls happening more often or are we just hearing about them more It says right on the approach plate for the VOR-B at Van Nuys: "A descent to at or below 1750 may be required when executing an early missed approach" This is specifically because an early climb will put them right in approach path for Burbank This has eerily similar shades of the mid-air collision in San Diego with PSA 182 and a Cessna(?) in the late 70's/early 80's It bought the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar for SFO-LAX It also had flights between SFO and LAX every 30 minutes using BAe 146 jets not a measure of what aircraft are purchased or how much fares cost Perhaps Tim Dunn can advise us why Delta is a premium carrier compared to Southwest or this Cessna jet He doesn't have posting abilities currently so give it a rest People who fixate on TD when he's not even posting are not making positive contributions to this community Perhaps president Elmo can fire some more ATC controllers and FAA staff Probably one of the Cessna pilots was trans Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe The comments on this page have not been provided approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered He doesn't have posting abilities currently so give it a rest Don't let him live rent free in your head You have successfully joined our subscriber list Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. See more about our ethics policies here After a groundbreaking ceremony last week, construction is officially underway for a $668-million upgrade to the G Line busway in the San Fernando Valley “These are the most significant improvements Metro has made to this line in its nearly 20-year history,” said Janice Hahn “This work will make the G Line faster and safer in the short-term and brings us a step closer to our ultimate goal of converting the line to light rail.”  The ceremony was held at the site of Van Nuys Station which is temporarily closed for three years to enable the construction of a new elevated crossing spanning between Van Nuys Boulevard and Vesper Avenue Other elements of the project will include a grade separation of the crossing at Sepulveda Boulevard Construction of the project is anticipated to be completed in 2027 Funding for the G Line upgrades comes from the Measure M and Prop C voter-approved sales taxes as well as the gas tax approved under SB-1 the state’s gas tax and vehicle fee transportation funding program The construction team for the project is named Valley Transit Partners and Modern Railway Systems.    the upgrades are expected to facilitate a future conversion of the busway to light rail The grade separation of Van Nuys Station will have another benefit: facilitating a transfer to the East San Fernando Valley light rail line, which is scheduled to open in the median of Van Nuys Boulevard in 2031. In Panorama City, construction is in the home stretch for a new affordable housing complex from Thomas Safran & Associates Vista Terrace, located at 8130-8146 N. Van Nuys Boulevard is a four-story building that is slated to feature 102 studio and three-bedroom apartments above a 55-car garage when completed Inclusive of supportive housing units, the apartments are to be restricted to renters earning between 30 and 70 percent of the area median income level HED is designing the contemporary low-rise structure which will feature amenities such as a courtyard A social media post from general contractor Morley Builders indicates that work is now in progress for building interiors and landscaping ahead of a projected debut for the project in mid-2025 Vista Terrace, which is located near a future stop on Metro's East San Fernando Valley light rail line down Van Nuys Boulevard, is one of two large affordable housing developments in the near vicinity, following a 180-unit complex from Holos Communities which recently opened across Van Nuys Boulevard Mendez opened the scoring on a three-yard run in the first quarter and added a 20-yard touchdown run along with the two-point run to make it 14-0 before halftime. His third touchdown came on a 37-yard run that gave the ninth-seeded Pythons (8-6) a commanding 30-7 lead early in the fourth quarter. He also recovered an onside kick with eight seconds left to ice the win. “I kind of wanted the ball and every time I got it I tried to put it in,” said Mendez, a senior running back and linebacker. “I worked too hard not to give it everything I had. I appreciate my coach relying on me so much.” Coach Adrian Beltran raised the trophy proudly before handing it over to his players to celebrate the historic accomplishment — the Pythons’ lone gridiron crown since the school opened in 2006. Giovanni Zermeno scored on runs of two and 15 yards and also scored on a two-point conversion for Panorama, which was playing in its third final in four years, having previously lost in the finals to Taft 21-20 and the Kennedy 22-21. Carlos Herrera threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to brother Edwin to get Van Nuys on the scoreboard with three minutes left in the third quarter, then ran for a seven-yard touchdown with 7:44 left in the game. Abraham Ceja blocked a punt, scooped up the bouncing ball and ran 39 yards to the end zone to pull the seventh-seeded Wolves (8-6) to within 30-21 at the 5:19 mark. Jeremy Rivas scored on a four-yard reverse and Hector Gonzalez caught the two-point toss from Carlos Herrera for the game’s last points with 12 seconds left. Van Nuys was seeking its first City crown since claiming back-to-back 3A titles under two different coaches in 1980 and 1981. High School Sports Los Angeles Metro is set to close the Van Nuys G Line Station for three years, beginning Friday, February 21, 2025, to facilitate major infrastructure improvements. This closure is part of a $668 million upgrade to the 18-mile Metro "G Line" Bus Line (BRT) aimed at enhancing travel efficiency and reducing traffic congestion The station parking lot and adjacent bike path will also be closed as part of the long-term construction project Riders will need to use temporary bus stops and plan for longer commute times due to detours The Metro G Line improvement project includes: and increase passenger capacity on one of the most heavily used transit corridors in the San Fernando Valley While the Van Nuys G Line Station is closed riders should use the Sepulveda G Line Station lot at 15430 W accessible from Haskell Avenue and Erwin Street TAP vending machines at the Van Nuys Station will be unavailable Metro advises passengers and cyclists to add 5-10 minutes to their travel time The Metro G Line upgrades will ultimately connect with the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project This expansion will further improve public transit access in the region For updates, visit Metro’s official website A 1940s single-family home near the Van Nuys Metrolink Station is set to make way for affordable housing, according to an application submitted last week to the Los Angeles Department of City Planning The proposed project - which comes from applicant Tal Hassid of the entity Western Imperial 2000 LLC - calls for the construction of a new six-story edifice featuring 97 one- Requested entitlements include density bonus incentives to allow a larger structure than zoning rules would otherwise permit The application also relies on the state bills AB 2334 and AB 2097 to permit unlimited density and to eliminate any required parking California Development & Design is designing the project which is portrayed in plans as a contemporary podium-type building which conforms to the long In addition to being located a short walk from the Van Nuys Metrolink Station, the project will also sit in close proximity to a future stop on the East San Fernando Valley light rail line, which is slated to break ground next year within the median of nearby Van Nuys Boulevard Twitter / Facebook / LinkedIn / Threads / Instagram Print Van Nuys High School is 109 years old Bob Waterfield and Marilyn Monroe among the famous alumni Its football program has been pretty much struggling for years took over as coach last year and welcomed the opportunity to teach the many players with no experience who came out for the team who joined the junior varsity team in 2022 when Osorio was coach He was a soccer player who didn’t know how to put on shoulder pads and said it was “nerve-racking” putting on a helmet for the first time Van Nuys (8-5) will be playing Panorama in the City Section Division III championship game with Herrera serving as the Wolves’ standout quarterback Herrera has passed for 21 touchdowns and run for 10 Van Nuys picked up another soccer player who has made major contributions See what happens when a coach teaches fundamentals and gets students from other sports to buy in John Bosco football center Matthew Perdue is one of the smartest players on any field He has a 4.3 grade-point average and is considering San Diego John Hopkins and Amherst among his college choices Ernest Nunley of Narbonne is a junior defensive back who won’t turn 17 until next August He’s been playing against some 19-year-olds and showing no fear Trevor McSween of Serrano carried the ball 46 times for 301 yards against Hemet on Nov 15 and insisted he wasn’t hurting afterward so who knows how many times he might get the ball Friday night in the Southern Section Division 8 final against St Bonaventure has had quite a two-year run playing running back Last season he rushed for 1,189 yards and 15 touchdowns This season he has rushed for 2,023 yards and 26 touchdowns He credits better strength for his improvement with no injuries Bonaventure plays Oxnard Pacifica on Saturday for the Southern Section Division 4 championship at Rio Mesa Here’s the complete weekend championship football schedule for City Section and Southern Section. This is a daily look at the positive happenings in high school sports. To submit any news, please send to eric.sondheimer@latimes.com. Eric Sondheimer is the prep sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He has been honored seven times by the California Prep Sportswriters Assn. for best prep sports column. En Español 한국어 LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass this week addressed an encampment near the Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts in Downtown Los Angeles and an encampment in Van Nuys near the Van Nuys Airport and Golf Course, bringing more people off the street and into housing. See photos and b-roll from the operations here.  “This week’s Inside Safe operations in Downtown Los Angeles and Van Nuys continue our work to address the homelessness crisis save lives and connect participants with housing and supportive services,” said Mayor Karen Bass “These efforts brought unhoused Angelenos inside and restored community space for students and businesses Thank you Councilmember Hernandez and Councilmember Padilla for your partnership as we continue to urgently house Angelenos.”  “This week’s Inside Safe proves again that a Housing First approach is the solution to our homelessness crisis,” said Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez “I am grateful to Mayor Bass for her leadership as we work together to bring people off the streets and into safe “This week’s Inside Safe operation in Van Nuys exemplifies the power of collaboration between city and county partners We are proud to continue working alongside Mayor Bass to bring people experiencing homelessness in CD6 inside providing them with safety and stability,” Councilmember Imelda Padilla said “As we face the challenges of homelessness our commitment to finding solutions with the mayor and our partners remains steadfast ensuring that every resident has the opportunity for a brighter future.” Since her first day in office when she declared an unprecedented emergency on the homelessness crisis Mayor Karen Bass has driven change in how we address homelessness with new initiatives to bring people living in encampments inside She has also worked to prevent people from losing their homes and to lock arms across all levels of government to move people inside and save lives and restore neighborhoods Key results from the 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count: Homelessness in the City of Los Angeles is down for the first time in six years Unprecedented drop in street homelessness (10% decrease in the City of Los Angeles – the first double digit decrease in the last at least 9 years) A decrease in makeshift shelters (38% decrease in the City of Los Angeles) The number of people who moved into permanent housing is at an all time high Tent encampments have come down in every council district and thousands more Angelenos came inside than in 2022 thanks to action locking arms with the City Council The mayor has worked to improve services provided for unhoused Angelenos coming inside and has also been vocal about the need to make homelessness programs more cost effective as this urgent work continues En Español한국어 we are highlighting urgent action the City has taken in collaboration with LAUSD including the installation of more than 250 speed humps near schools to slow down car traffic and more than 500 crossing guards to make it safer for children and families to get to and from school,” said Mayor Karen Bass “This is all part of a comprehensive public safety strategy to make all of Los Angeles safer.”  “This is personal for me,” said City Council President Paul Krekorian “From my first days on the Council I’ve had to comfort too many families whose children were injured or even killed by a driver hurtling through the intersection but there’s one thing you can all do as members of the public to make our streets and school zones safer especially near our schools and senior centers.” “Ensuring our students make it safely to school is one of our most important responsibilities,” said LAUSD Board Member Scott Schmerelson “We are committed to prioritizing making the path is safe - every step of the way.” "We are deeply grateful to Mayor Bass and the City for their steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of our students and community through the Summer Night Lights program and other traffic safety initiatives,” LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M we are making great strides in building a community that cherishes and protects its youth ensuring they have the opportunities and support needed to succeed Thank you for being an integral part of our journey towards a safer The City has completed installation of projects and taken action to make areas around schools safer ahead of this school year Implementing street safety projects in the form of “quick build” street improvements at more than 180 intersections at more than 40 schools Installing more than 250 speed humps near 92 schools where speeding is a known issue  Establishing School Slow Zones with reduced 15 mph speed limits on more than 450 street segments adjoining 190 schools Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) will deploy more than 500 crossing guards for the coming school year continuing the widest deployment in over a decade Signing an agreement with LAUSD to encourage safe passage that is free from violence for students traveling to and from schools Following the announcement of new street safety provisions Mayor Bass visited the LAPD Van Nuys Division in the Valley and participated in a ride-along with LAPD officers to examine safety challenges and discuss efforts to continue to bring crime down the City took action to help keep children and young people safe during the summer months by deploying resources through the Summer Night Lights program to some school-adjacent recreation facilities Summer Night Lights increases youth and family programming in our public spaces in order to help reduce violence and served more than 100,000 attendees at 44 sites over a series of evenings The program is a key component of the Gang Reduction and Youth Development (GRYD) Comprehensive Strategy Department of Transportation have announced a $893-million grant that will allow heavy construction to finally commence on a long-awaited light rail line in the San Fernando Valley The East San Fernando Valley line will travel 6.7 miles within the median of Van Nuys Boulevard Its 11 stations will include connections to the G Line Busway The project will run along the same alignment as the Pacific Electric Railway's former San Fernando Valley Line Metro will also build a new maintenance and storage facility for 33 light rail vehicles as part of the effort rapid transit connection to our growing Metro system is going to make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of residents across our East San Fernando Valley communities and it would not be possible without the federal support that Senator Padilla and Congressman Tony Cárdenas have worked so hard to secure," said Metro Board Chair and LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn in a statement "I am thankful for their years of hard work to secure this critical funding for Metro." The federal funding - created through the Biden administration's landmark infrastructure bill - will be delivered through the Federal Transit Administration's Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program which is intended to speed the completion of fixed guideway projects and upgrades to improve the capacity of existing systems Metro has also secured $600 million in state funding for the project Full construction is expected to commence before the end of 2024 and completion of the $3.6-billion light rail line is expected in 2031 That schedule is years behind what was originally hoped for by Metro which had once intended to begin serving passengers on Van Nuys Boulevard as early as 2028 A 1920s single-family home in Van Nuys could make way for an Executive Directive 1 affordable housing development, per a recently application to the Los Angeles Department of City Planning. listed as the owner of the site at 14717 W is seeking city approvals for the construction of a new five-story building featuring 24 studio and one-bedroom apartments without on-site parking The plan relies on density bonus incentives to permit a larger structure than zoning rules would otherwise allow. With the exception of a single manager's apartment, all of the new housing would be restricted to rent by low- and moderate-income households GA Engineering is designing the proposed project The project site is located a short distance northwest of the Van Nuys Civic Center, where multiple city-owned properties have been pitched as potential sites for similar affordable housing developments. The company, Parkwood Landscape Maintenance, must pay $276,425 for failing to provide employees with access to water, shaded area and proper training on preventing heat-related illness, according to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA. The landscaping company lacked written procedures for how to protect employees in high temperatures that often exceeded 95 degrees, and employees were forced to purchase their own drinking water, in violation of the rules, which require that employers provide fresh drinking water free of charge, the Cal/OSHA citation said. The citation marks the first time the workplace safety agency has issued its most severe charge for a heat safety violation, determining the violations were “serious” and “willful.” A violation is categorized as serious if it could result in injury, illness or death and classified as willful if the employer knew there was a health hazard and took no action to protect against it or had been previously cited for failing to take action, said former Cal/OSHA investigator Garrett Brown, who retired in 2014 after 20 years with the agency. Parkwood Landscape was cited previously, in 2022, for failing to meet heat safety requirements. Despite being provided with information on how to change its procedures, the company did not implement necessary preventative measures, Cal/OSHA said. “Employers have a responsibility to protect their workers from the dangers of extreme heat. It is unacceptable for any business to blatantly ignore safety protocols, putting their employees at serious risk,” Cal/OSHA Chief Debra Lee said in a news release from the agency. Business The indoor heat illness prevention rule regulates indoor workplaces in California that reach or surpass 82 degrees, such as kitchens and warehouses. Parkwood Landscape will have the opportunity to appeal the citation. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cal/OSHA began its investigation in June after receiving a complaint about Parkwood Landscape employees working outdoors without access to water or heat illness training. The citation represents an effort by Cal/OSHA to better enforce heat standards after fielding criticism that the agency been beset by inadequate staffing and claims of ineffectiveness. The criticisms come as scorching conditions have intensified in recent years due to climate change, endangering farmworkers, construction workers and others who toil in extreme temperatures. Climate & Environment As California regulators struggle with short staffing farmworkers say they are denied shade and water required by law Cal/OSHA is grappling with high vacancy rates and faced condemnation from lawmakers at a February hearing during which farmworkers testified that they’d been exposed to extreme heat and pesticides on the job The agency has begun recruitment efforts to fill those positions but remains understaffed and slow at hiring even as it seeks to enforce a growing list of heat and other safety regulations California became the first state in the nation to implement heat standards for outdoor work requiring employers to provide access to shade and water and cool-down rests when workers need them defined as temperatures of 95 degrees or higher employers are required to remind workers of safe practices and observe them for signs or symptoms of heat illness Earlier this year the agency adopted new heat protections that apply to indoor workers, expanding safety measures for more than a million workers laboring in warehouses, kitchens, laundry rooms and other hot indoor settings. Suhauna Hussain is a business reporter covering California labor and workplace issues for the Los Angeles Times. Hollywood Inc. Metro with Amtrak and Metrolink with trains running down the middle of Van Nuys Boulevard The southern terminus will connect with the Orange Line busway south of Victory Boulevard and will eventually take a sharp left at San Fernando Road in Pacoima headed for Sylmar The Southern segment is 6.7 miles with 11 new stations and is expected to start construction later this year some 80 years after the original train tracks were pulled up along the same street A Pacific Electric red car glides down Van Nuys Boulevard in 1951 When Isaac Newton Van Nuys was an old man in late 1910,  he witnessed the birth of the modern San Fernando Valley He saw his old farms and ranches rapidly give way to new streets and the first wave of homes and businesses the Pacific Electric Railway launched something called an Auto-Pullman a 20-passenger vehicle that ran from downtown L.A It was soon replaced by a full-fledged streetcar system once part of the largest interurban railway system in the world the Van Nuys and West Hollywood lines were losing almost $400,000 annually and the trolleys were replaced by buses Promoters bragged that the new system would shave 20 minutes off the trip by re-routing commuters onto the new Hollywood Freeway their great-grandchildren will get to save time by riding the new train scheduled to open seven years from now Thelma Golden will celebrate Lauren Halsey and U.K.-based singer Griff will take the stage featured A-list designers and Otis College standouts who earned scholarships for innovation in Fashion Design lawyers say Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe showed injuries consistent with a dog attack and plan to present a case against Chloe a German Shepherd who was re-homed by the owner's of the house where the cop's body was found in a snowbank Magazine’s takeaways on five notable topics from President Donald Trump’s first 100 days of his second term consumers are stocking up on household items and bites from THEBlvd and Hinoki & the Bird A red construction crane now towers above the intersection of Van Nuys Boulevard and Vose Street, as work ramps up for a mixed-use apartment complex from Alliant Strategic Arden on Van Nuys, located on an L-shaped property at 7050 Van Nuys Boulevard will include 332 apartments atop 4,105 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and parking for 180 vehicles when completed Project entitlements include Transit Oriented Communities development incentives, permitting permitting a larger structure than allowed by zoning rules in exchange for providing 37 of the apartments as deed-restricted affordable housing at the extremely low-income level the remaining apartments are to be reserved for households earning up to 90 percent of the area median income level AC Martin is designing the contemporary six-story building which will include three courtyards and two rooftop decks The project is the largest of four developments from Alliant Strategic in the San Fernando Valley which will provide a combination of workforce and extremely low-income housing