Saturday, February 27, 2021

Community Leader Juanita De Vaughn Recognized by Asm. Holden and California Legislative Black Caucus

Altadena and Pasadena  area community leader, Juanita De Vaughn was recognized by Assemblymember Chris Holden and the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) in a virtual ceremony as the 41st Assembly District’s 2021 Unsung Hero for her positive impact in the community.

“Juanita De Vaughn’s contributions to our community will have a powerful impact for years to come,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden. “Through her dedication and hard work, she carries on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and is an inspiration for future generations. I have known Juanita for many years and it is an honor and a privilege to recognize her.”

Juanita De Vaughn was born in Boligee, Alabama, where she began her career as a lifelong educator and civil rights activist. She taught at the Industrial School for Girls and Boys in Alabama, and worked as a Dietician at Talladega College and as a Nutritionist for the Headstart program in Birmingham.

Active with the civil rights movement in Alabama,

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Altadena Grocery Store Workers Will Soon Get $5 ‘Hero Pay’

Supervisors approve hourly increase for four months

By ELIZABETH MARCELLINO, City News Service

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 today to adopt an urgency ordinance requiring national grocery and drug retail employers in unincorporated areas of the county, which includes nearby Altadena, to pay frontline workers an additional $5 per hour hazard pay, or “hero pay,” for the next 120 days.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena, voted against the measure, which is to take effect immediately. Barger cited unintended consequences and a concern that the ordinance only covers a “small sliver” of the essential workforce.

Supervisors Hilda Solis and Holly Mitchell co-authored the motion calling for the temporary “urgency” ordinance that would apply to store chains that are publicly traded or have at least 300 employees nationwide and more than 10 employees per store.

Solis pointed to store profits as one justification, though she referenced a Brookings Institution analysis that includes retailers like Amazon and Home Depot,

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Reward Reestablished in Fatal Shooting of Altadena Boy

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved and increased a reward in the case of a 4-year-old boy killed in a 2016 gang-related shooting in Altadena.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger asked her colleagues to reestablish and increase the reward from $20,000 to $25,000 for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the gunman who shot and killed 4-year-old Salvador Esparza on July 5, 2016.

The boy, who had been shot in the head, was found lying on his front porch on the 300 block of West Figueroa Driveat about 10:40 that evening. A 27-year-old gunshot victim who survived was also found on the porch and taken to Huntington Hospital.

Witnesses said the gunman was chasing both victims when he fired his weapon, striking both victims before running south on Olive Avenue. Sheriff’s investigators believe the suspect is a gang member and the shooting was gang-related. Authorities said the child was not an intended target.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

L.A. County’s COVID-19 Case Rates Continue To Decline

Los Angeles County’s latest coronavirus numbers — 1,869 new cases and 29 additional deaths — represent a strong enough decline in case rates that elementary schools are expected to be permitted to reopen for in-class instruction as early as this week.

The number of coronavirus patients in county hospitals also continues to fall, dropping from 3,270 Sunday to 3,092 Monday, with 30% of those people in intensive care, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which noted that the relatively low numbers could reflect reporting delays over the holiday weekend.

Updated figures released by California’s health department — which are a day ahead of the county — show that the number of county residents in the hospital with the coronavirus has now fallen below 3,000, at 2,964. The county’s hospitalization rate has dropped sharply since peaking at more than 8,000 in early January, and has declined 60% since Jan. 15.

The countywide unadjusted adult ICU bed occupancy was 86%.

Monday, February 15, 2021

County Reports 82 COVID-19 Deaths on Sunday

Lower COVID-19 Case Numbers Reported Over Holiday Weekend
CITY NEWS SERVICE

The county reported 1,936 new cases of COVID-19 and 82 additional deaths today, as officials said the lower case numbers may reflect reporting delays over the weekend.

The number of coronavirus patients in county hospitals continues to fall, dropping from 3,426 Saturday to 3,270, with 30% of those people in intensive care units.

The Los Angeles Department of Public Health said Saturday that the county’s hospitalization rate has declined 37% since Feb. 1.

The seven-day average for the county’s daily test positivity rate, which has also been steadily declining, dropped to 5.1% Sunday from 5.3% Saturday.

County Health Department officials continued to urge everyone to celebrate this weekend’s Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day holidays without mingling with people from other households. They say being around people who don’t live in the same household creates a greater risk for COVID-19 because people can be infected with the virus and not yet know it.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Supervisor Barger Sends Letter to Governor Urging the Reopening of All L.A. County Schools

Supervisor Kathryn Barger on Friday sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom asking for the immediate reopening of schools, grades TK-12, in Los Angeles County.

“It has been 11 months since the state closed L.A. County schools, and during this time, we have witnessed a significant academic, social and emotional decline in our children and youth,” said Supervisor Barger. “I am urging Governor Newsom to allow for the immediate reopening of schools to provide in-person learning, which is critical for the development of our school-age children.”

The state previously created a waiver program for schools to apply to reopen, during which L.A. County allowed the reopening of schools for grades TK-2nd. The ability to apply for these waivers ended on Jan. 14 as set by the state, with the caveat that only those schools that had reopened with approved waivers could remain open. Under the current guidelines, any school that had not applied for a waiver, or who had received a waiver but not reopened prior to Jan.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Pasadena, Altadena Both Remain As Distance Learning Only on State’s New School Reopenings Interactive Map

CITY NEWS SERVICE

With debate continuing to rage locally and statewide about reopening schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic, California health officials Friday released an interactive map that allows parents and others across the state to track the status of campus reopenings.

The Safe Schools Reopening Map provides data on the status of reopening and safety planning for school districts, charter and private schools in Los Angeles and across California.

It shows both Altadena and Pasadena still stuck in distance learning only, while nearby La Cañada Flintridge is allowed to use “hybrid” learning.

Officials hope it will help communities and school staff evaluate their own reopening plans.

Schools will update their information every two weeks, and the California Department of Public Health will add data on reported outbreaks in each school district and information about whether schools have partnered with the Valencia Branch Lab for COVID-19 testing.

“As COVID-19 conditions continue to improve and vaccinations ramp up throughout the state,

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Pasadena Jaycees and Altadena Ale House Team Up to Provide Meal Kits to Out-of-Work Restaurant Workers

STAFF REPORT

The Pasadena Jaycees are partnering with Altadena Ale House to provide free meal kits to restaurant employees who have been furloughed, laid off, or had their hours cut due to COVID-19.

“With COVID-19 continuing to spread across the globe, millions remain out of work,” according to a statement released Wednesday. “One of the industries most impacted by this pandemic has been the restaurant industry, with an astounding 11% of the population of California working in restaurants in some capacity.”

Restaurant workers have been heavily impacted by the virus. Many have been out of work for nearly a year and continue to struggle to pay rent and buy food for themselves and their families, according to the release.

The Jaycees are seeking donations to help cover the costs of the kits — $25 buys one kit which feeds two people. Donations can be made via Venmo (@Jaycee-Treasurer), PayPal (paypal.me/pasadenajaycees), or check (payable to Pasadena Jaycees, 474 W.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Altadena Man With Schizophrenia Missing for More Than a Year

By BRIAN DAY

Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials reached out to the public Tuesday for help in finding a 70-year-old Altadena man suffering from schizophrenia who vanished more than a year ago.

Kenneth “Kip” Christianson was last seen in Pasadena on the morning of Jan. 20, 2020, the Sheriff’s Department said in a written statement.

“Mr. Christianson suffers from schizophrenia. His family has not seen or heard from him in a year. They are very concerned and are asking for the public’s help,” the statement said.

He’s described as white, 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 165 pounds, with blue eyes. As of last year, he had short gray hair. He has a scar on his stomach and three moles on his neck.

Anyone with information was urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau’s Missing Persons Unit at (323) 890-5500. Tips may also be submitted anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

Monday, February 1, 2021

Altadena-Based Prospect Park Books is Acquired By Turner Publishing

STAFF REPORT

Altadena-based Prospect Park Books has been sold to Turner Publishing Co., according to an announcement released Sunday.

The acquisition, effective Sunday, January 31, comprises more than 100 existing titles and approximately 11 titles in the process of being published. Turner is purchasing the assets of the company, including the titles, inventory, name, and other intellectual property.

In 2006, Colleen Dunn Bates founded Prospect Park Books in Pasadena with the publication of the first edition of Hometown Pasadena. She gradually expanded the title roster to include fiction (including mysteries), cookbooks, humor, memoir, and regional nonfiction.

Although the authors and titles have roots in many states, as well as Canada and France, Prospect Park’s core strength has been in publishing California authors, including Naomi Hirahara, Lian Dolan, Chris Erskine, Christine Moore, Bill Esparza, Phoef Sutton, Gar Anthony Haywood, Charles Phoenix, Marla Jo Fisher, Andy Weinberger, George Geary, Mary Lea Carroll, Sean Carswell, Rachel Harper, Hans Röckenwagner, Gina Fattore, Karen Rizzo, and Lou Mathews.