Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Alex Villanueva Announces 2026 Campaign For Old Job

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has declared his candidacy to challenge Robert Luna in the June 2 primary, despite a 19-percentage point loss in 2022.

“Over the last several years, Los Angeles County has seen the consequences of failed leadership, not just in the sheriff’s department, but across our local government,” Villanueva said in a video released Tuesday night.

“Promises made in 2022 have been replaced with a grim result — over a quarter of the workforce gone, an ongoing exodus of experienced personnel, and a tragedy of deputy suicides and in-custody deaths,” he continued.

“On our streets, lawlessness has become the new normal, with street takeovers, looting, and organized burglary crews terrorizing our communities. Families feel unsafe. Deputies feel unsupported. It’s time to bring steady, proven leadership back to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“We must rescue this department from paralyzing dysfunction, rebuild it back to full strength, and restore our capacity to fight,

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Webinar Will Support Small Businesses, Nonprofits With Immigration Enforcement Guidance

Free online training outlined ICE protocols, legal rights, and policy tools for workplace preparedness

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and Public Counsel’s Community Development Project will hold a free one-hour webinar titled “Know Your Rights: Small Businesses & Nonprofits.” Delivered via Constant Contact, the session aims to help small businesses and nonprofits prepare for immigration enforcement scenarios through practical legal guidance. 

Topics will include recognizing workplace rights during ICE visits, building protective internal policies, and navigating enforcement raids. 

DEO Director Kelly LoBianco and Doug Smith, director of policy and coalition building at Public Counsel, will lead the discussion. LoBianco spotlights the county’s investment in small business aid, stating,”Access to no-cost legal support is crucial for small businesses rebuilding after adversity—our partnership with Public Counsel delivers that help at scale.” 

The webinar builds on Public Counsel’s January FAQ, which details key protections such as the right to remain silent and to bar entry without a judicial warrant.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Wildfire Recovery Roundtable Thursday Will Spotlight Altadena’s Business Rebuilding Priorities

Thursday session will address retention, insurance, capital access and price gouging

A community roundtable scheduled for Thursday, July 24, will focus on supporting Altadena business and commercial property owners impacted by the Eaton Fire. The free event will be held at 2 p.m. in the Westminster Presbyterian Church community room and will tackle issues including employee and business retention, rebuilding, capital access, insurance and price gouging enforcement.

“Our small business owners are the backbone of Altadena’s economy, and we must do everything we can to help them recover,” Barger said during an April motion approving economic aid.

The event is hosted by Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office in partnership with the Community Coalition for Altadena Recovery, the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity, the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs and the Los Angeles County Development Authority. No registration is required.

Since the fire’s containment on January 31, more than $27 million has been distributed in aid to households,

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Altadena WILD President Joins Community Recovery Effort Following Eaton Fire

Environmental nonprofit leader helps shape Altadena’s future after wildfire

Altadena WILD President Michael D. Bicay has joined the Community Coalition for Altadena Recovery (CCAR), a leadership group chartered by Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger to help guide wildfire recovery following the January Eaton Fire.

CCAR is working with Supervisor Barger’s office to ensure that recovery efforts are systematic, methodical and community-driven. The coalition collaborates with Altadena residents to incorporate their values and perspectives into the rebuilding of the community.

The group meets every two weeks and welcomes dialogue and useful suggestions at altadenawild@gmail.com.

Bicay’s appointment strengthens the link between environmental advocacy and civic leadership in Altadena.

CCAR includes representatives from the Altadena Town Council, Altadena Coalition of Neighborhood Associations, Altadena Heritage, Altadena Historical Society, Rotary Club/Altadena chapter, Altadena Chamber of Commerce & Civic Association and the NAACP/Altadena chapter.

Altadena WILD is a grassroots environmental organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the San Gabriel Mountains foothills in Altadena.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Pasadena Job Fair Aids Thousands of Wildfire Survivors, Offers Support and Path to Employment

More than 2,417 wildfire survivor families — 6,043 individuals — attended a recovery-focused job fair at PazNaz Church in Pasadena on July 19, according a hosting organization that help stage the event.

Five hundred job opportunities were reportedly pledged and hundreds benefited from access to support services, according to Global Empowerment Mission.

The initiative, titled “Hire a Survivor,” connected 1,035 applicants with dozens of employers offering on-the-spot hiring for roles in public safety, skilled trades, and construction.

Resources extended beyond employment, including resume support, job coaching, free food, family-friendly activities, and access to long-term recovery services. Programs like Los Angeles County’s Youth@Work and the Fire Recovery and Resilience Workforce Program participated in offering tailored support.

Congressmember Judy Chu delivered remarks highlighting the importance of sustainable recovery. Among community volunteers were actress Katie Cassidy, star of CW’s “Arrow” and a third-generation Los Angeles native affected by the Palisades fire, and actor Stephen Huszar of Hallmark Channel.

Global Empowerment Mission reported distributing $986,073.52 in in-kind goods and services and $925,000 in direct cash assistance via BStrong.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

L.A. County Supervisors Designate Altadena’s First Historic District

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to approve the County’s first-ever historic district and landmark designation in Altadena, marking a milestone in the preservation of the area’s architectural and cultural heritage.

The newly adopted ordinance adds the northern portion of the Historic Highlands neighborhood to Title 22 (Planning and Zoning) of the Los Angeles County Code, officially recognizing the Historic Highlands Historic District. The district comprises 77 parcels, primarily early-20th-century single-family residences, and enters the County Register effective immediately upon adoption.

The designation reflects the recommendations of the Historical Landmarks and Records Commission and the Regional Planning Commission, following years of community engagement and local advocacy. More than 50% of property owners in the area supported the proposal, exceeding the County’s threshold for historic district consideration.

“Altadena recently suffered a great loss, and it is especially meaningful to take this action now to ensure that the community’s historic treasures are preserved,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “Today’s vote affirms our commitment to honor Altadena’s past while safeguarding it for future generations.”

The Historic Highlands neighborhood is noted for its concentration of Craftsman,

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Red Cross Urges Immediate Blood Donations Amid Summer Shortages, Offers Incentives

The American Red Cross is urging eligible donors to give blood or platelets to help stabilize the national supply, with a special emphasis on Type O blood donations. Critical shortages can occur suddenly, potentially jeopardizing care for trauma victims, cancer patients and new mothers, officials warned Tuesday.

To encourage participation, the Red Cross is offering several incentives. Donors who give by July 31 will receive a Fandango Movie Reward via email. Those who donate between Aug. 1-28 will be eligible for a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. Additionally, successful August donors will receive a free A1C test—used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes—limited to one test result per 12 months.

“Even a strong blood supply can drop quickly,” the Red Cross said in a statement, adding that maintaining availability through the summer is vital to ongoing patient care.

Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Here are details on upcoming blood donation opportunities in Pasadena:

7/22/2025: 10 a.m.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Los Angeles County Board to Consider First Historic District in Altadena

The public hearing will explore landmark designation for 77 parcels in Historic Highlands neighborhood

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to consider designating Altadena’s Historic Highlands neighborhood as the county’s first official historic district.

The hearing will take place in Room 381B of the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration and marks the culmination of a six-year community preservation campaign.

If approved, the designation would cover 77 parcels in unincorporated Altadena and introduce long-term protections for early 20th-century architectural resources, including Craftsman bungalows and Spanish and Tudor Revival homes.

The move follows unanimous recommendations by the County’s Historic Landmarks and Records Commission and the Regional Planning Commission.

Designation would require a Certificate of Appropriateness for exterior changes and make properties eligible for Mills Act tax relief.

The proposal represents the first district designation since the County’s Historic Preservation Ordinance was adopted in 2015.

It follows years of grassroots advocacy led by the Historic Highlands Neighborhood Association,

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Los Angeles County Home Sales Decline in June

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Home sales fell in the Southland in June, while rising statewide after three straight months of decline, the California Association of Realtors announced.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 264,260 last month. June home sales activity rose 4% from the 254,190 homes sold in May but was down 0.3% from a year ago, CAR announced on Thursday.

The statewide annualized sales figure represents what would be the total number of homes sold during 2025 if sales maintained the June pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

Los Angeles County’s sales figure was down 5.4% from May, but up 1.1% from June 2024. Orange County sales were down 1.2% from May, but up 0.1% from June 2024.

Meanwhile, home prices increased locally but fell statewide. The median sold price of an existing, single-family home in Los Angeles County was $903,650 in June,

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

California OSHA Inspectors Don’t Visit Worksites Even When Workers Are Injured

By Jeanne Kuang, CALMATTERS

California’s worker safety agency is under-inspecting workplaces after accidents and worker injuries, failing to enforce labor regulations in a way that “may undermine” them because it does not have enough employees to do the inspections, a state audit found.

In a review of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health published Thursday, state auditors found understaffing was a primary factor leading inspectors to skip in-person inspections of worksites even in cases where auditors found — and division managers agreed — it was likely warranted.

Nearly one-third of the division’s 800-plus positions were vacant last year, a rate that is even worse in some district offices and among some of the staff responsible for inspections and enforcement.

“When it does perform inspections, Cal/OSHA’s process has critical weaknesses,” state auditor Grant Parks wrote.

The weaknesses, he wrote, included inspectors failing to review employers’ required injury prevention plans, document notes from interviews with workers,