The article is based off a VOX article linked in it speculating that this will happen, not that it will happen. The web pages look amateurish for a newspaper of any kind. If there is such a plan, no one would leak it to a no-name weekly in California. If it is true, it will most likely be leaked to a Arizona newspaper or the MSM first.
The owner was suspended from the California bar and surrendered his law license for ethics violations.
Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Santa Monica Observer
Ripoff Report - Complaint Review: David Ganezer - Santa Monica California
California Consumer Protection, announcement of action against David Ganezer.
California State Bar - Attorney Search - David Ganezer.
Sorry for being a party pooper.
Thank you - Fake News, at it again...
AZ media has been very, very quiet lately.