BY PAULO MURILLO
WEST HOLLYWOOD
NEW GAY SPORTS BAR OPENS AT FORMER HOME OF STACHE WEHO
33 Taps is the latest gay sports bar to open in the city of West Hollywood at the former home of Stache WeHo. The new bar celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of West Hollywood last month. Known for its burgers, beers, and vibrant atmosphere, the new outpost, located at 8941 Santa Monica Blvd in the heart of the Rainbow District, features a 2,400-square-foot space with outdoor dining and weekly event programming, including its popular trivia and bingo nights.
PALM SPRINGS
LGBTQ+ LEADER CHARGED WITH $940,000 FRAUD
Jacob Rostovsky, CEO of Queer Works, an LGBTQ+ nonprofit in Palm Springs, faces 53 felony charges for allegedly misappropriating $940,000 in public funds from the city, Riverside County, and other entities, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin’s office announced.
Rostovsky, who has pleaded not guilty and posted $944,000 bail, was indicted on charges of grand theft, insurance fraud, perjury, and money laundering. Prosecutors allege Rostovsky diverted public funds intended for programs like the city’s Universal Basic Income (UBI) initiative, meant to assist transgender and nonbinary residents, into personal accounts, using some of the money for personal expenses.
According to the DA, Rostovsky also filed a fraudulent insurance claim by impersonating a Queer Works client, receiving $90,000 in settlement funds.
SAN DIEGO
SUSPECT ARRESTED IN HILLCREST PELLET GUN ATTACKS
Hernan Garduno Hernandez, 19, has been charged in connection with a series of pellet gun attacks in Hillcrest that authorities are investigating as a hate crime. Hernandez pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges for his alleged role in assaults that took place along University Avenue between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, injuring six people. San Diego police recovered a gel blaster device and hundreds of pellets from his silver sedan, which was linked to three incidents. The September attacks marked the second series of pellet gun assaults in Hillcrest this year. Hernandez faces six assault charges and an additional allegation that the crimes were motivated by victims’ perceived sexual orientation.
WEST HOLLYWOOD
ICONIC MICKY’S WEHO NIGHTCLUB HAS BEEN SOLD
Iconic Micky’s WeHo nightclub at 8855 Santa Monica Blvd, has been sold. The new owners, Dale Warner and Ruben Lopez, who currently own Hamburger Mary’s, have taken over 100 percent of the business assets. Micky’s owner and founder, Michael Niemeyer, will continue to own the building and serve as the landlord of the space. Sources say nothing will change at Micky’s WeHo, and they plan to keep the name and business operations, at least for now.
GLENDALE
FAULTLINE BAR EROTIC NEON ART FINDS NEW HOME AT MONA
The erotic neon art from the shuttered Faultline Bar has been donated to the Museum of Neon Art (MONA) at 216 S Brand Blvd in Glendale. The neon will get a second chance to shine after being in storage for several years, following Faultline Bar’s permanent closure during the pandemic. No word yet on the fate of the Judy Garland handprint, which was also removed from the property during the move.
