Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Altadena to Mark Juneteenth With Celebration, Awarding of Two $1,000 Scholarships to Muir Students

The Altadena Historical Society (AHS) and Mountain View Mortuary will host a Juneteenth celebration on Monday, June 19, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the William D. Davis Memorial Building at Farnsworth Park in Altadena.

The event will honor the spirit of Ellen Garrison Clark, a 19th-century civil rights activist, and will include the awarding of two $1,000 Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarships to John Muir High School graduating seniors.

Tickets are $20 for individuals or $160 for a table of eight. They can be purchased online at www.altadenahistoricalsociety.org.

The Altadena Historical Society (AHS) and Mountain View Mortuary will host a Juneteenth celebration Monday, June 19 that will honor the spirit of Ellen Garrison Clark, a 19th-century civil rights activist, and will include the awarding of two $1,000 Ellen Garrison Clark Scholarships to John Muir High School graduating seniors.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19, the anniversary of General Order No.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Gear Up for Summer Travel with a REAL ID

More than 15.8 million Californians now have a REAL ID – an increase of 172,036 from the previous month – according to California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) data.

As we approach the first official day of summer this month, now is the ideal time to get a REAL ID driver’s license or identification card. There is no need to wait for the federal enforcement date of May 7, 2025, that requires a REAL ID to board flights within the United States and access secure federal facilities. Not having a REAL ID or other federally approved document to get through airport security could put a dent to your future summer travel plans.

“Don’t let your future flight plans be a bummer by not getting a REAL ID this summer,” said DMV Director Steve Gordon. “You can save time by starting your application online, which means more time to enjoy fun in the sun.”

To apply for a REAL ID, Californians should visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov,

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

LA County Board to Consider Creation of LGBTQ+ Commission

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider Tuesday the creation of a commission concerned with the rights and welfare of LGBTQ+ persons throughout the nation’s most populous county.

According to the board motion by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn, such a commission is needed due to the “ever increasing bias, prejudice and hate against those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer.”

The proposed panel would also “ensure that county policies are inclusive of the specific needs of this community,” including safety from violence.

Research has found, according to the motion, that suicidal behavior across the nation was significantly higher among LGBTQ youth than other populations.

“It is incumbent on the board to ensure that positions and policies it takes are inclusive of all,” according to the motion. “One way of doing that is the creation of the county’s LGBTQ+ Commission, which would review recommendations to the board.”

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger to Deliver “State of the County” Address Today

Los Angeles County District 5 Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena on the County Board of Supervisors, is set to deliver her annual “State of the County” address at a luncheon Wednesday hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

During her address, Supervisor Barger is expected to discuss a range of important local topics, focusing on her efforts to increase public safety, address homelessness, and improve the County’s mental health services infrastructure and jails. 

The speech will likely provide insights into her work and priorities as the supervisor of the Fifth District.

In addition to highlighting her views and initiatives, Supervisor Barger will also recognize the achievements of local Santa Clarita Valley students who won a fentanyl awareness video contest. These students will be honored for their contributions towards raising awareness about the dangers of fentanyl, a potent opioid. As part of this recognition, Supervisor Barger will present a $50,000 check to the William S. Hart Education Foundation in support of fentanyl education and outreach.

Friday, May 26, 2023

Local $2 Billion Powerball Jackpot Declared Winner Seeks to Quash Summons of Challenger’s Suit

Altadena gas station sold ticket to massive prize

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The declared winner of the record-breaking November $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot says in new court papers that a process server for a man who sued him, insisting the prize is his, wrongly presented a summons and copy of the suit to the defendant’s father, whose name is identical except for the middle initial.

Edwin G. Castro bought the winning Powerball ticket at Joe’s Service Center in Altadena and was declared the winner. But one Jose Rivera says the tickets was actually his.

State officials have denied plaintiff Rivera’s claim in his Alhambra Superior Court lawsuit against the California State Lottery Commission that he is the lottery winner, insisting that Edwin G. Castro, also a defendant in the suit, is the proper winner as announced on Feb. 14.

In court papers filed Thursday, Edwin G. Castro’s attorney says the person served with Rivera’s complaint was actually Castro’s father,

Friday, May 26, 2023

Metro Green Lights $9 Billion Budget for 2024

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Metro’s Board of Directors approved the agency’s $9 billion budget for fiscal year 2024 Thursday, representing a $232.4 million, or 2.6%, increase over the current year.
The budget will make investments in service frequency and reliability, cleaning and public safety, Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggans said.

“All these investments focus on one thing: putting people first,” Wiggins wrote in her budget letter. “Metro’s budget must reflect that we are here to serve our customers.”

The budget includes $2.4 billion in the Metro Transit Operating and Maintenance program. The transit agency intends that allocation to provide about 8.9 million revenue hours of service, a 9.6% higher level of service than prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Metro will allocate $201 million in cleaning efforts, an increase of $23.6 million, or 13.3%, compared to the current year. The money will fund 10 roving cleaning teams, hire 24 more full-time custodial staff and hire up to 50 temporary part-time custodial staff dedicated to the B (Red) and D (Purple) lines.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Stepped-Up Law Enforcement of Traffic Laws Planned for Memorial Day Weekend

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Law enforcement personnel in Los Angeles County and statewide will be out in force over the Memorial Day weekend, on the lookout for people driving while impaired or otherwise violating traffic laws.

The California Highway Patrol’s “maximum enforcement period,” will begin at 6:01 p.m. Friday and continue through 11:59 p.m. Monday, said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. During this period, all available uniformed officers will be assigned to patrol duties.

“Memorial Day weekend is quickly approaching, and many Californians are preparing to kick off the summer with a holiday gathering or road trip,” Duryee said in a statement.

Forty-five people were killed in crashes statewide during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, nearly a 30% increase from the same period in 2021, Duryee said.

“This holiday, motorists can expect to see additional CHP officers patrolling California’s roadways,” Duryee said. “Our primary focus will be to enhance public safety, deter unsafe driving behavior, and when necessary, take appropriate enforcement action.”

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Metro Votes to Adopt $9 Billion Budget for 2024

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Metro’s Board of Directors approved the agency’s $9 billion budget for fiscal year 2024 Thursday, representing a $232.4 million, or 2.6%, increase over the current year.

The budget will make investments in service frequency and reliability, cleaning and public safety, Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggans said.

“All these investments focus on one thing: putting people first,” Wiggins wrote in her budget letter. “Metro’s budget must reflect that we are here to serve our customers.”

The budget includes $2.4 billion in the Metro Transit Operating and Maintenance program. The transit agency intends that allocation to provide about 8.9 million revenue hours of service, a 9.6% higher level of service than prior to the coronavirus pandemic.

Metro will allocate $201 million in cleaning efforts, an increase of $23.6 million, or 13.3%, compared to the current year. The money will fund 10 roving cleaning teams, hire 24 more full-time custodial staff and hire up to 50 temporary part-time custodial staff dedicated to the B (Red) and D (Purple) lines.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

State Board Declares LA County Juvey Halls Unsuitable to Detain Youth

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A state regulatory board Tuesday declared Los Angeles County’s Barry J. Nidorf and Central juvenile halls unsuitable to house pre-disposition youth and ordered the county to relocate such detainees out of the facilities within 60 days.

Members of the Board of State and Community Corrections said they felt they had no alternative other than to make the declaration, citing a protracted history of short-comings at the facilities, which were found in recent inspections to still be out of compliance with numerous state standards. Board members called the county’s recently approved “aggressive” plans for an overhaul of its juvenile detention system too little, too late.

Representatives for the county unsuccessfully asked the board for a 150-day delay in the board’s action, saying plans are already under way to relocate pre-disposition youth detainees to the previously closed Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, but doing so in 60 days could create “chaos” and safety concerns.

Roughly 275 pre-disposition youth —

Monday, May 22, 2023

California State Parks Offers Free Admission to Veterans, Active and Reserve Military on Memorial Day

California State Parks is honoring the service of veterans, and active and reserve military members, by offering free admission to 130 participating state park units on Memorial Day – Monday, May 29, 2023. The list of participating park units can be found at parks.ca.gov/MemorialDay2023.

“State Parks invites these brave people and their families to enjoy the beauty, peace, and rich history of their public lands,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “Thank you for sacrificing so much for your nation, for your families, and for our freedom.”

Veterans, active duty, and reserve military personnel must show a valid military ID, or proof of discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct, to receive free admission. AB 150 (Olsen), signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. in 2013, authorized California State Parks to offer veterans, active duty, and reserve military personnel from the United States Armed Forces and the National Guard of any state a reduced or free day use at participating state parks.

State Parks is reminding the public that there are other free passes available including the California State Park Adventure Pass for California fourth graders and their families.