Welcome to This Week in Malibu, your weekly digest of local developments, civic updates, and curious headlines shaping life along the coast. From major infrastructure decisions to hidden underwater mysteries, here’s what you need to know this week.
New Malibu High School to Open Early, District Says
Malibu’s new high school campus is on track to open five months ahead of schedule, with doors set to open in August for the 2025–26 school year. The 70,000-square-foot facility will feature modern classrooms, a library, food services, and administrative offices — all designed with flexibility and future-focused learning in mind.
Superintendent Antonio Shelton praised the community’s support and the project team’s resilience through challenges like the Woolsey Fire. “This new building is a forward-thinking educational space designed to challenge, inspire, and engage today’s students,” he said. Construction updates and more information are available on the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District website.
Malibu Faces Expensive and Complex Wastewater Decisions
As the city rebuilds after the Palisades Fire, a heated debate is unfolding over how to handle wastewater for hundreds of destroyed homes. During a recent city work session, officials reviewed five costly options ranging from individual septic upgrades with seawalls to massive sewer construction projects — some estimated to take up to seven years and cost over $260 million. One proposal would direct sewage to L.A.’s Hyperion Treatment Plant, while another would connect fire-impacted properties to Malibu’s Civic Center facility. An interim solution could allow temporary systems on-site, but would still require state regulatory approval. Homeowners, meanwhile, face rising frustration over delays and costs, voicing a need for leadership, clarity, and outside funding.
Source: The Malibu Times
What’s Going On at Sycamore Knoll?
Sycamore Knoll Disappears from Google Earth, Stirring UFO Rumors
Just off Malibu’s coast, Sycamore Knoll — a strange underwater formation long speculated to be a potential UFO hotspot — has suddenly vanished from Google Earth. Once clearly visible, the area is now blurred, raising questions from online theorists who believe the site may have been intentionally hidden. Some claim it's a secret base; others point to digital map updates, but the timing has sparked widespread curiosity.
Adding to the intrigue, a reported sighting from the area described a glowing, cathedral-like structure plunging into the ocean without a splash. While scientists have identified Sycamore Knoll as a unique geological feature near the Anacapa-Dume Fault, the sudden disappearance from public maps has reignited speculation — and left many wondering what exactly lies beneath the surface.
Source: Surfer Magazine
Rebuilding Slowly Begins After January Wildfires
Nearly four months after the devastating January 7 wildfires, residents in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Altadena are cautiously moving forward. Debris removal has begun, and a few homeowners are entering early permitting phases. Some, like Altadena’s Kathryn Frazier and TV showrunner DeAnn Heline, are committed to rebuilding their homes and communities — even if the process takes years. Others have co-founded grassroots organizations to support neighbors through complex recovery procedures. Yet the emotional and financial toll remains high, and many questions about long-term safety and affordability persist.
Source: NBC News
Malibu Welcomes New Mayor Marianne Riggins
In a packed and emotional City Council meeting, Malibu officially appointed Marianne Riggins as the city’s new mayor, succeeding Doug Stewart after a term marked by crisis management during multiple wildfires. Riggins inherits a city still grappling with staffing vacancies, fire recovery, and major planning decisions. Among the items tackled: forming a sewer system ad hoc committee, launching a School Resource Officer program for local campuses, creating a volunteer Fire Rebuild Ambassador role, and initiating urgent debris cleanup in partnership with L.A. County. The council also approved talks to ease restrictions on league sports at Trancas Canyon Park and committed to exploring new mobile home protections and civic transparency tools.
Source: Malibu City
Malibu Grants Now Open for Local Nonprofits
The City of Malibu has opened applications for its 2025–26 General Fund Grant Program, supporting local nonprofit organizations that provide community-focused services. These grants are reviewed by the City Council’s Administration and Finance Subcommittee and finalized during the city’s annual budget approval process.
Source: Malibu Patch
