HOLLYWOOD — An independent theater operator has survived the COVID-19 pandemic by turning the staple snack of movie theaters everywhere into a thriving gourmet business. Christian Meoli, owner of Arena Cinelounge Sunset, is now marketing nine flavors of gourmet popcorn, marketed as non-GMO, vegan, dairy and nut-free, with the highest quality ingredients possible.  “As an independent theater owner, I’ve had to be creative about the survival and expansion of my business,” Meoli said. “I’ve taken my love and curation of new films and directed that energy to a true gourmet cinematic experienc ..read more

HOLLYWOOD — Hollywood High School is preparing for a fall semester of distance learning, after Los Angeles Unified School District officials announced July 13 that the second-largest school system in the country would not resume in-person learning, due to COVID-19. Mary Reid, principal of Hollywood High, said that returning to in-person learning and preventing the spread of the coronavirus was too difficult at this time. “We have to use our moral compass as our guide,” she said. “We don’t want a situation where we’re putting our students or staff at risk.” While children are at lower risk of g ..read more

LOS ANGELES — The daughter of the late legendary comic creator Stan Lee is taking on a Chinese businesswoman in a legal fight for control of the licensing of the comic book superheroes her father created. Lee, who founded Marvel Comics and created hundreds of well-known comic book characters including Avengers, Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, X-Men and Thor to name a few, now has his daughter JC Lee who is the sole heir and trustee of his estate, taking on Camsing International, the parent company of POW! Entertainment, in appeals court.  In June 25, U.S. District Court Court Judge Otis Wrigh ..read more

WEST HOLLYWOOD — LA Pride intends to move its annual LGBTQ parade and celebrations out of West Hollywood after more than four decades in the city, the organization announced July 15. Representatives from Christopher Street West, the nonprofit that produces LA Pride, said the parade and festival will be moved from West Hollywood in 2021, but a new location has not been announced. “There were several factors that led to our decision in moving future Los Angeles Pride festivities,” LA Pride said in a statement provided to City News Service. “This has been an ongoing conversation within our organi ..read more

LOS ANGELES — For the second time in three days, Los Angeles County set a daily record July 16 for new coronavirus cases and announced more than 50 additional deaths, while the county’s top health officer warned that workplaces have become a major source of virus transmission. The county Department of Public Health announced 4,592 cases of the virus, topping the single-day record of 4,244 set July 14. The county also announced 59 new deaths, lifting the countywide total to 3,989. The number of people hospitalized due to the virus dipped slightly to 2,173 — still one of the highest levels of th ..read more

HOLLYWOOD — Musso & Frank Grill, which weathered a three-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, announced July 13 that for the first time in its century-plus history, the iconic Hollywood eatery will begin taking to-go orders and offering delivery service seven days a week. The “Musso’s To You” program will remain in effect until L.A. restaurants are permitted to offer indoor dining once again, according to Mark Echeverria, the restaurant’s chief financial officer, chief operating officer and a fourth-generation member of the family of owners. Musso’s to-go and delivery services ar ..read more

WEST HOLLYWOOD — The city has yet to issue any fines to people not wearing masks in public, after announcing a week ago that it would start to do so, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which patrols West Hollywood, has instead been working closely with Kristin Cook, the city’s director of public safety, to give masks to those who don’t have one, versus handing out a citation. “When we approach an individual who’s not wearing a mask, we simply ask them to put one on and if they do not have one, we will provide them with a mask,” said Lt. Bil ..read more

LOS ANGELES — On a day that saw the governor order a renewed round of business restrictions due to spiking coronavirus cases, Los Angeles County’s public health director said the pandemic is on an “alarming” path locally, but widespread adherence to infection-control measures can again slow the virus’ spread. “I know this step back in our recovery journey is disheartening, but we must do everything in our power to stop the virus from spreading, from making the people we love sick and from causing untimely deaths,” Barbara Ferrer said. “These steps are taken in hopes that we get back to slowing ..read more

LOS ANGELES — Amid spiking coronavirus cases, Los Angeles Unified School District campuses will remain closed when classes resume next month, Superintendent Austin Beutner said July 13, defying President Donald Trump’s demand that students return to in-person instruction. “While the new school year will begin in August, it will not start with students at school facilities,” Beutner said. “The health and safety of all in the school community is not something we can compromise.” Citing Los Angeles-area coronavirus testing rates, which climbed to a seven-day average of 10% positive last week, Beu ..read more

HOLLYWOOD — “Glee” actress Naya Rivera’s death was ruled an accidental drowning July 14, one day after authorities recovered her body from Lake Piru in Ventura County, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department reported. Rivera, 33, had been missing since last July 8, when authorities found the boat she had rented on the lake with her son alone inside. The son confirmed that the two had gone swimming together. Afterward, Rivera placed him back onto the boat, before disappearing under the surface. It took five days to find Rivera’s body because of low visibility and other dangerous conditions. Riv ..read more