Wednesday, August 20, 2025

State Pre-Deploys Fire Resources to L.A. County Ahead of Heat Wave

CITY NEWS SERVICE

As the Southland braces for a dangerous heat wave Wednesday through Saturday, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Management has pre-deployed an array of firefighting resources to Los Angeles County to contend with heightened wildfire danger.

The announcement came Tuesday, with California’s new CalHeatScore tool showing much of the state reaching high and severe levels of extreme heat later this week.

Temperatures are expected to range from the upper 90s at the coast to well over 100 inland as high pressure moves in from the east, creating “a high risk for heat illness and fire danger,” the National Weather Service said.

“Now is the time to check the forecasts for your area and prepare for higher temperatures and dangerous fire weather,” Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said in a statement.

“While the best thing we can all do is prepare now, the state is also pre-deploying resources to protect communities from catastrophic wildfire.”

According to Newsom’s office,

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Bill to Safeguard Eaton Fire Survivors’ Insurance Interest Advances Towards Governor’s Desk

Legislation aimed at ensuring wildfire survivors receive the full benefit of their insurance payouts is one step closer to becoming law, following Assembly passage of AB 493 today. The measure, authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena), is on its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for final approval.

Known as the Disaster Interest Accrual Act, AB 493 mandates that homeowners earn a minimum of 2% annual interest on insurance proceeds held in escrow after property damage or loss. The bill seeks to close a longstanding loophole that has allowed financial institutions to retain interest earnings—often amounting to thousands of dollars—rather than returning them to families rebuilding after disasters.

“This bill makes sure homeowners—not banks—benefit from the interest on insurance payouts meant to help them recover after disaster,” Harabedian said in a statement. “Eaton Fire survivors need all the help they can get to rebuild their lives and our community. This bill will ensure that thousands of dollars go back to homeowners, rather than Wall Street.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

From Golf Course to Murals, Altadena Recovery Advances as Families Await Insurance Relief

Altadena’s post-fire cleanup crossed a major threshold Monday as federal engineers declared private-parcel debris removal complete and set a year-end timeline to return the Altadena golf course to the county, while the supervising county official urged insurers and regulators to accelerate claims that residents say are slowing recovery.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has finished the private-parcel phase and has “only two special inclusion parcels” left before the full debris program winds down.

The Corps announced a restoration schedule for the golf course: earthwork finished by mid-October, sod in place by the end of October, the driving range restored by mid-November and a handoff to Parks and Recreation by the end of the calendar year.

“As of today, we have completed the private parcel debris removal program and only two special inclusion parcels remain before we complete our full debris removal program,” Ober said.

He added that processing equipment has been demobilized, stockpiles of reduced material have been shipped off-site, and soils potentially impacted by the work are being removed and replaced with imported fill,

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

California Sues Trump Over New Conditions On Funding For Crime Victims

By Mikhail Zinshteyn and Cayla Mihalovich, CALMATTERS

Attorney General Rob Bonta on Monday filed California’s 39th lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging new immigration enforcement requirements it placed on federal funding for crime victims.

States were set to receive more than $1.2 billion in federal crime victim funding this year, with California expected to claim $165 million. But last month, the U.S. Justice Department’s Office of Victims for Crime announced that states must agree to support and assist the Department of Homeland Security with federal immigration enforcement in order to access those funds.

Some states view that condition as unworkable and the potential loss of funding could be the second significant hit this year from the Trump administration to California programs that support crime victims. Earlier this year, the U.S. Justice Department slashed grants for violence prevention and victim service programs that were initially valued at $811 million. In California alone, the department cut just over $80 million.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

LA County Seeks Public Input on Measure A Homeless Spending Plan

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County Monday invited residents to help shape how Measure A funding will be used to address homelessness through the launch of its new Department of Homeless Services and Housing starting next fiscal year.

Earlier this year, L.A. County officials enacted a plan to create a centralized homeless department and move more than $300 million dollars from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority to this new entity. The decision came in response to scathing audits that faulted LAHSA with issues tracking its homeless service providers and not alleviating the homelessness crisis.

LAHSA has disputed the findings and said it has taken steps to improve data tracking, including the release of online tools.

The meetings will focus on a spending plan for Measure in the 2026-27 fiscal year, and will serve as an opportunity for residents to decide how to shape the county’s homeless response and housing system.

Meetings will take place via Zoom,

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Pasadena Unified Students Return to School: A Day of Hope and Resilience

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

District welcomes 13,500 students under bright August sun

Under a bright August sun beaming 90-degree temperatures, about 13,000 students streamed back onto nearly two dozen Pasadena Unified School District campuses Monday morning, their return marked by joy, resilience, and the comforting rhythms of a first day of school.

At John Muir High School, a DJ spun the tunes, as Lawton Gray stood near the entrance as a long line of staff and community members cheered students walking in.

“The mood is, we’re ready for the new year and we’re ready for our students,” he said. “We know there’s a lot of things going on, but this is a safe haven for our kids and our community. So we’re excited about being open and providing this place for our families and community and this special welcome.”

Gray noted that the tradition of turning the first day into a kind of community festival has roots in the work of alumni and district supporters.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Altadena Town Council Will Mark 50 Years of Civic Service With October Event

The anniversary celebration will reflects on five decades of community representation, is planned as Altadena rebuilds from the Eaton Fire

The Altadena Town Council will commemorate its 50th anniversary on Oct. 11 with a Community Celebration & Resource Fair at the Altadena Community Center, honoring five decades of civic engagement and local representation in Los Angeles County’s largest unincorporated community.

Founded in 1975, the council has served as Altadena’s primary advisory body, representing approximately 43,000 residents to county government.

The anniversary date coincides with the council’s first election, held exactly 50 years earlier, when more than 1,500 ballots were cast for just two seats — an early sign of what has evolved into the strong civic participation Altadena is known for today.

Chair Victoria Knapp, who has led the council since 2023, continued serving despite losing her own home in the fire.

The current executive committee includes Vice Chair Nic Arnzen, Recording Secretary Kim Yu, Corresponding Secretary Connor Cipolla and Treasurer Milissa Marona.

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Altadena Reopens Expanded Bob Lucas Memorial Library

By EDDIE RIVERA

Building honors journalist’s legacy

The west side of Altadena celebrated resilience and renewal Saturday with the reopening of the newly expanded Bob Lucas Memorial Library & Literacy Center, a facility that bears the name of a man who spent his life advocating for the written word.

The event drew hundreds of community members, civic leaders, and elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, along with representatives from the offices of Senator Sasha Renée Pérez and Assemblymember John Harabedian.

For many in attendance, the afternoon was about more than bricks and mortar. It was a reaffirmation of literacy as a cornerstone of equity.

Autumn Mora, granddaughter of Bob Lucas, reminded the audience of her grandfather’s enduring message.

“He knew that literacy was the pathway to equity,” she said. “The last seven months have reminded us of what my grandfather already knew — that Altadenans are resilient. We are strong, and we rebuild.”

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Community Groups Offer Healing, Food Distribution for Wildfire Survivors

Events scheduled Tuesday provide emotional support and emergency supplies for Eaton Fire victims

Two community support events will offer help Tuesday for residents still recovering from the devastating Eaton Fire that struck Altadena in January.

The Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) will host a healing circle from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Center for Restorative Justice. The group is partnering with local community leaders to provide wildfire recovery support.

The event, Heart Space Pasadena, is described as a Black-led and culturally competent healing circle and peer support program. It will be held at 75 N. Marengo Ave., Suite 314.

“BEAM is working in partnership and collaboration with community leaders from Pasadena/Altadena to bring Heart Space to folks needing to process the aftermath of the recent wildfires,” according to organizers. “We’re holding space for collective healing and answering the call to show up by offering resources rooted in care, connection, and restoration.”

Earlier that day,

Monday, August 18, 2025

Judge Could Announce Trial Date for Eaton Fire Litigation

Attorneys anticipate an imminent announcement

A Los Angeles County judge could announce the trial date Tuesday for the Eaton Fire litigation, a case involving hundreds of plaintiffs — including the County of Los Angeles, the city of Pasadena and scores of homeowners — seeking compensation from Southern California Edison for damages caused by the devastating wildfire.

The announcement would come more than seven months into the legal process, with attorneys representing the plaintiffs suggesting that the setting of a trial date could accelerate settlement negotiations.

“A trial date is one thing that actually holds their feet to the fire and motivates them to resolve the case,” said Allan Bridgford, an attorney with Bridgford Gleason and Artinian, referring to Southern California Edison.

Bridgford’s firm represents about 1,000 individual plaintiffs affected by the Eaton Fire.

Judge Laura A. Seigle, who is presiding over the consolidated litigation in Department 17 of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, will make the announcement in the lead case “Gursey v.