Thursday, June 3, 2021

Newsom: To-Go Alcohol Sales Are Here To Stay, But Only With Food Purchases

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Restaurants in the Southland and across the state will be able to continue offering a service that evolved during the COVID-19 pandemic — selling alcoholic beverages to-go, Gov. Gavin Newsom said today.

Newsom said the state will also continue permitting restaurants and bars to operate in outdoor areas such as sidewalks and parking lots, although such operations are still subject to local zoning regulations.

According to Newsom’s office, the governor is “urging local governments to facilitate outdoor dining through local zoning and programs that support and promote expanded, open-air, take-out and delivery options.”

Expanded outdoor dining options and the sale of to-go alcoholic beverages emerged during the pandemic in an effort to help restaurants struggling to survive under strict COVID-19 regulations, which forced indoor dining to close for months and restricted eateries to open-air or take-out service.

Newsom noted that while the sale of to-go alcohol will be able to continue, such sales will have to be coupled with food purchases.

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Supervisors Renew $25,000 in Case of Altadena Boy Killed by Errant Bullet

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors renewed a $25,000 reward in the case of a 4-year-old killed by an errant bullet in a 2016 gang shooting in Altadena.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger asked her colleagues to renew a $25,000 reward 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 was found lying on his front porch on the 300 block of West Figueroa Drive about 10:40 that evening. He had been shot once in the head. A 27-year-old gunshot victim was also found on the porch and taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital. He survived.

Witnesses say the gunman was chasing and fired on the older man, striking both victims, before running away south on Olive Avenue. Sheriff’s investigators believe the suspect is a gang member and the shooting was gang related, and that the child was not an intended target.

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Free Summer Concerts at Farnsworth Park Announced

The Rotary Club of Altadena in association with the Sheriff’s Support Group of Altadena is announcing the lineup for the 24th season of Free Summer Concerts in the beautiful outdoor Amphitheater in Farnsworth Park, 568 E. Mt. Curve Ave., Altadena.

All Concerts are on Saturday evening and start at 7:00 p.m. This year’s season kicks off on July 10th featuring The Kings of ’88 and the classic piano rock of Billy Joel and Elton John. The July 17th concert will be Sgt. Peppers Beatles tribute band. On July 24th enjoy Psychedelic Summer Southern California’s Woodstock-era tribute band. July 31st Flogging Seagulls will perform classic KROQ era artists with an Irish-Celtic twist. On August 7th Country Nation will pay tribute to Country Music’s top contemporary artists. On August 14th Upstream returns to our stage once again as everyone’s favorite Steel Drum Reggae and Soca Band. As it is every year this concert will be a jammed packed audience! On August 21st the featured artists will be The Hodads featuring California beach music from the 50’s to the Disco of the 80’s.

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Young Man With Autism Who Went Missing in Altadena Found

An 18-year-old Altadena man with autism who went missing on Wednesday afternoon was found safe Thursday, sheriff’s officials said.

Kevin Aleman disappeared about 4 p.m. from the 800 block of Morada Place, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

After seeking help from the public, officials announced Thursday afternoon that Aleman had been found. No further details were available.

Friday, May 7, 2021

California Establishes Child Drowning Prevention Week in Honor of Girl Who Drowned at Altadena Summer Camp

By DAVID CROSS and BRIAN DAY

The third week of may has been officially declared “Roxie’s Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children” in honor of a 6-year-old Pasadena girl who drowned at an Altadena summer camp nearly two years ago.

The legislation, ACR 39, was authored by State Rep. Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, who has been working closely with the Meow Meow Foundation, set up by the parents of Roxie Forbes to raise awareness about child drowning danger in the wake of their family’s tragedy.

In observance of the newly created week of awareness, the Meow Meow Foundation, which is headed by Roxie’s parents, Doug Forbes and Elena Matyas, is planning a seven-day “unprecedented, week-long virtual event that addresses the endemic but largely underserved issue of childhood drowning,” the organization said in a written statement. The virtual event will begin on May 15.

“We honor Roxie in her death as we did in her life,” Forbes said. “Childhood drowning must finally receive the attention it deserves,

Friday, May 7, 2021

A Licensed Vocational Nurse Finds Time to Help Children in Foster Care in Altadena

STAFF REPORT

Genevieve Laguna, a licensed vocational nurse, works tirelessly to keep people safe, healthy, and recover from surgeries. Overworked and exhausted, Laguna still finds time to help others outside of the hospital.

Six years ago, her friend who lives down the street from Five Acres, a foster care and mental health charity in Altadena, was interested in volunteering and reached out to Laguna to support a Christmas collection drive for the charity. Since then, Laguna, a Montclair resident, has committed to having a pajama clothes drive for the children living at Five Acres in time for Christmas Eve. Each year Five Acres children open their pajama gift, have hot cocoa, and enjoy a holiday movie.

“Like most people, I’ve gone through some very personal things in my life where I’ve been down and out, but instead of giving up, I’ve learned what it means to live in gratitude,” said Laguna. “I am truly blessed and grateful for all that I have,

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Sheriff’s Tech Chief Eli Vera Will Run Against Villanueva in 2022

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A senior member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s leadership ranks today announced his intention to run against Sheriff Alex Villanueva in 2022.

Eliezer Vera is chief of the department’s Technology and Support Division, and has been with the LASD since 1988. He criticized Villanueva for how the sheriff has handled disagreements since his election in 2018.

Although the Sheriff’s Department does not patrol Pasadena, deputies patrol nearby unincorporated Altadena and work with the Pasadena Police Department.

Locally, Villanueva faced criticism when he threatened to close the Altadena substation. He has also ignored several subpoenas issued by the department’s Civilian Oversight Commission.

“I believe as law enforcement officers our mission is to bring calmness and civility and peace to very difficult situations. And what we’ve witnessed from the current sheriff is someone that when someone disagrees with him, we see nothing but utter disdain and contempt,” Vera said as he announced his candidacy this morning in Grand Park,

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Newsom: State Will Ease Mask Rule To Align With New Federal Guidance

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Gov. Gavin Newsom said today the state will loosen its COVID-19 mask mandate to align with new federal guidance, saying fully vaccinated people can gather outdoors and dine at outdoor restaurants without face coverings.

The new guidance was issued Tuesday morning by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a White House briefing that for people fully vaccinated against COVID, “things are much safer for you than those who are not fully vaccinated.”

Under the new CDC guidance, people can walk, run or bike outdoors with members of their own household without a mask, regardless of whether they are vaccinated. But people who are vaccinated can also shed their masks for small outdoor gatherings and for outdoor dining with people from other households.

Masks are still urged for anyone — vaccinated or not — attending an indoor activity or patronizing indoor businesses, and for anyone at a crowded outdoor event,

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Webster’s Pharmacy in Altadena Distributing COVID-19 Vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines are available to those 18 and older at Webster’s Community Pharmacy in Altadena, the business has announced.

The pharmacy at 2450 Lake Ave. is distributing the Moderna vaccine via online appointments, which can be made at https://scrcxp.pdhi.com/Portal/Member/d1e1f5d5-007f-4167-b8d1-1ea83cb3b215, co-owner Michael miller said. Walk-ins and appointments by phone are not available.

“We’re doing, I’d say, about 30 to 35 shots a day at this point,” he said.

The vaccines became available at the pharmacy this week.

Webster’s staff members were preparing to begin vaccinations with the Johnson & Johnson formulation several weeks ago, but usage of that vaccine was placed on hold as authorities looked into reports of possible serious side effects.

In keeping with standard procedure, after receiving the vaccine, patients are advised to hang around for 15 minutes so staff can watch for any potential adverse reactions, co-owner Meredith Miller said.

In the meantime, “we’re giving them a 15% discount during those 15 minutes,” she said.

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

L.A. County Supervisors Votes in Support of $36.2 Billion Recommended Budget

By ELIZABETH MARCELLINO, City News Service

Photo courtesy LACounty.gov

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday took the first of multiple votes to adopt a $36.2 billion recommended budget for fiscal year 2021-22, which highlights spending to expand safety-net services, support economic recovery and address racial and other inequities.

The budget process will continue with public hearings on May 19 and major adjustments will be made before the budget is ultimately finalized in October. For example, the budget does not yet include roughly $1.9 billion in federal funding expected to flow to the county from the most recent coronavirus relief package.

County CEO Fesia Davenport released the budget recommendations Monday, emphasizing spending to combat homelessness and fund new social justice initiatives during that presentation and again in her recap to the board on Tuesday.

“Clearly, this pandemic has exposed and increased huge inequities between the haves and the have-nots, and the county’s safety net was called upon as never before over the last 12 months,”