Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Five Altadena Businesses Reopening With Major Fanfare On Saturday

“Rising Together” celebration at Mariposa Junction, frustrated by rain last weekend, all set for November 22

Five small businesses will celebrate their grand reopening on Saturday, November 22, marking one of Altadena’s first major community gatherings since the Eaton Fire.

The “Rising Together” celebration at Mariposa Junction, at 849 E. Mariposa Street in Altadena, represents a milestone for businesses that have continued when most did not. Nearly 1,900 small businesses within the fire burn zones were destroyed or displaced, supporting roughly 11,400 jobs. Economic losses from the fire reached $24 billion to $42 billion, according to early estimates from UCLA researchers.

Tyler Wells will officially cut the ribbon on Betsy’s Restaurant, which he reopened earlier on Friday, August 30, after renaming it for his mother. The restaurant had operated as Bernee for only 31 nights before the Eaton Fire exploded. Wells’ home burned to the ground, though his restaurant survived.

“Altadena always openly welcomed me, and I want to be part of the healing to help shape whatever comes next,”

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Pasadena Public Health Cautions Against Use of Kratom and 7-OH Products

The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recommends avoiding products that contain kratom and the synthetic kratom compound known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), following the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s advisory. Recently, six overdose deaths in Los Angeles County among people aged 18 to 40 years old have been tied to 7-OH ingestion. There have not been any confirmed deaths tied to 7-OH ingestion in Pasadena.

7?OH is being synthetically concentrated into unregulated edibles sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online across LA County. These products are marketed as “plant alkaloids” or dietary supplements for pain, anxiety, mood, withdrawal, or energy, and may appear as tablets, gummies, drink mixes, or concentrated liquid shots. Since 7-OH concentration levels for products are unknown, overdose risk is high. Consumers who use 7-OH products are exposed to products that have not been proven safe or effective.

“The safest choice is to avoid all 7-OH products,” said Dr. Parveen Kaur, Acting Health Officer. “At low doses, 7?OH acts as a stimulant;

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Disney to Help Re-Imagine, Re-Build Charles White Park in Altadena

The Walt Disney Co. announced Monday it will invest $5 million for the reopening of Altadena’s Charles White Park, which was heavily damaged in the Eaton Fire, with the company’s “Imagineers” designing a playground and other features “infused with Disney magic.”

The funds are part of a $15 million commitment the company has made for fire recovery efforts, according to Disney.

“Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding more than a century ago, which is why we felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit, but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.”

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Schiff, Chu Visit Altadena Recovery Hub, Urge Federal Support for Pasadena-Area Wildfire Survivors

U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Judy Chu toured a community-led recovery center in Altadena last week, calling for expanded federal aid to support Pasadena-area residents displaced by recent wildfires in the San Gabriel Mountains.

The Nov. 14 visit to The Collaboratory, a hub for long-term recovery services, included a roundtable with survivors, local organizers, and leaders from the Pasadena Job Center and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. The event was co-hosted by NDLON and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, known as CHIRLA.

Schiff praised the center’s model as “a beacon of hope and a model for community-led recovery,” according to a Nov. 17 press release from his office. “We know that climate change is making fires more frequent and more intense, and we must ensure that communities like Altadena and Pasadena get the support they need to recover and rebuild.”

Chu emphasized the importance of equitable access to federal disaster relief. “We must ensure that federal disaster relief is accessible to everyone,

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Jackson Elementary Honors Ruby Bridges With Walk of Courage Day

The event celebrated courage, inclusion, belonging and civic engagement through art, storytelling and literacy

Pasadena Unified’s Mary W. Jackson STEAM Multilingual Magnet Elementary School hosted Ruby Bridges Walk of Courage Day on Thursday, Nov. 13, spotlighting the civil rights icon’s legacy and the importance of safe, inclusive learning environments.

Funded by a grant from the Ruby Bridges Foundation, the event invited students to reflect on Bridges’ historic role in integrating an all-white elementary school in Louisiana in 1960 at age six. Her story served as a foundation for campus-wide activities exploring courage, justice and community action.

Students participated in a walk-through storytelling installation featuring large art panels that illustrated key moments from Bridges’ journey. Parent volunteers and student leaders read stories about Bridges in classrooms, linking literacy with themes of social justice and personal bravery.

A schoolwide chalk art path symbolized Bridges’ “steps of courage,” with students adding inspiring words and illustrations. Each student also created a “Flag of Hope” pennant with messages of bravery,

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Guest Opinion | Jonathan Gardner President, United Teachers of Pasadena: Not Just a Budget Crisis – PUSD Has a Values Crisis

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education finds itself in the position of needing to trim roughly $30 million from its annual budget. Unfortunately, its approach to these cuts is utterly backwards and self-defeating.

School districts exist to educate students. Thus, even in times of financial distress, the classroom learning experience should be valued and protected above all else. Instead, the PUSD Board of Education appears determined to carry on its tradition of underfunding school sites while insulating the Central Office from cuts—according to proposals, the absolute maximum that would be cut from Central Offices would be $5 million while the absolute minimum that would be cut from schools would be $18 million. What would these upside-down priorities look like in practice? Here are but a few examples:

1. HURTING OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS. Students at Rose City High School would lose their CTE Business Principles teacher. For these students, this class is not only a graduation requirement but also a crucial link to career readiness.

Monday, November 17, 2025

Altadena Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Over Eaton Fire

Attorneys for LA Fire Justice announced Monday that they have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Southern California Edison, Edison International and Genasys Inc. on behalf of Geraldine “Gerry” Darden, whose sister Stacey Darden was among 19 people killed in January’s Eaton Fire.

The suit alleges corporate negligence led to the blaze that devastated Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre.

Gerry Darden, speaking in a statement released by LA Fire Justice, said her family struggled with the decision.

“We are not litigious. Our family thought long and hard about the decision to file a lawsuit. Edison started this fire, and Genasys never warned her that she was in danger. My sister was studiously following the evacuation orders the night of the Eaton Fire. The truth is that if these companies had done what they were supposed to do, Stacey would be alive today.”

LA Fire Justice said its legal team was the first to identify an abandoned transmission line as the source of the fire,

Monday, November 17, 2025

State Senator Pérez Urges Utilities Commission to Reject Utility Profit Hike, Citing Harm to Altadena’s Eaton Fire Victims

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) is calling on the California Public Utilities Commission to reject proposed profit increases by investor-owned utilities, warning the move would further burden Altadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire and exacerbate energy affordability statewide.

In a letter to the CPUC, Pérez criticized Return on Equity (ROE) proposals submitted by Pacific Gas and Electric, Southern California Edison, Southern California Gas, and San Diego Gas and Electric. The utilities are seeking ROEs between 11% and 11.75%—figures Pérez described as “unjustifiably high,” based on outdated financial data and flawed methodology. ROE represents how much profit a company makes for each dollar invested by its shareholders and is expressed as a percentage.

The letter, released as part of a public statement from Pérez’s office, also urges the Commission to conduct an independent analysis of ROE benchmarks to ensure fairness and accuracy.

“In this critical moment, we cannot allow excessive utility profits to stand in the way of affordable recovery and living,” Pérez wrote.

Monday, November 17, 2025

Cold Front to Bring More Rain, Flood Risk to Altadena and Pasadena Monday Afternoon

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND CITY NEWS SERVICE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT

With increased traffic at the start of the work and school week and more rain on the way, a city official urges residents not to “let their guard down”

A brief morning lull in storm activity Monday is expected to give way to renewed and intensified rainfall across Pasadena and surrounding foothill communities, with the National Weather Service warning of advisory-level flooding, debris flows and hazardous travel conditions during the afternoon and early evening commute.

The forecast, issued by the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard office at 3:29 a.m. Monday identifies a cold, moisture-laden storm system moving southeast into Los Angeles County.

Altadena and Pasadena, already saturated from historic weekend rainfall, faces elevated geotechnical and hydrological risks, especially in areas near recent burn scars in the San Gabriel foothills.

Meteorologists warn that the region’s saturated soil will amplify the impact of even moderate rainfall.

“It will not take as much rainfall to cause additional flooding/rockslides,” the NWS stated in its Area Forecast Discussion.

Monday, November 17, 2025

Supervisors to Vote on Immigration Protections, Veteran Homelessness, and Major Land Use at Tuesday Meeting

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider a wide-ranging agenda Tuesday morning

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 9:30 a.m. to vote on motions addressing immigration enforcement, veteran homelessness, labor protections, and land use.

A motion by Supervisors Holly J. Mitchell and Hilda L. Solis proposes legal protections for County workers involved in immigration-related incidents and mandates new protocols in County health facilities. The acting chief executive officer would develop a federal law enforcement response plan.

Supervisor Janice Hahn’s motion aims to end veteran homelessness, citing a 10 percent drop in homeless veterans and 1,197 permanent placements since October 2024. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would coordinate services for non-VA eligible veterans.

Solis and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath introduced a motion requiring labor peace agreements for janitorial and security vendors. A draft policy and fiscal analysis are due in 90 days.

The Board will also vote on the Entrada South/Valencia Commerce Center project,