Thursday, March 6, 2025

Alleged Anti-Armenian Bank Discrimination Probed in Los Angeles

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles officials are investigating bank account closures allegedly based on Armenian heritage, it was announced Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Civil Rights + Human Rights and Equity Department and other law enforcement organizations are encouraging victims to file claims if their bank accounts may have been closed or restricted based on their perceived Armenian heritage, particularly those with last names ending in “-yan” or “- ian.”

According to the department, staff received reports that suggested banks may have engaged in discriminatory practices, closing or restricting accounts without legitimate explanation, often targeting individuals of Armenian heritage.

A private law firm and the Armenian Bar Association are actively reaching out to L.A.’s Armenian community for the investigation.

If proven, the actions may violate local civil rights laws against national origin discrimination.

“We need the community’s help to fully understand the scope of this potential discrimination against the Armenian community in L.A.,” Capri Maddox,

Thursday, March 6, 2025

County Board of Supervisors Meet March 11, Will Address Major Area Plans and Review Emergency Responses

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will hold their next regular meeting on Tuesday, March 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the Board Hearing Room 381B at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, located at 500 West Temple Street in Los Angeles.

Among the significant items on the agenda:

1. General Plan Amendment Resolution (Item 13) – The Board will consider adopting resolutions for three major area plans: the West San Gabriel Valley Area Plan, South Bay Area Plan, and Westside Area Plan. These plans will establish updated land use policies, zoning changes, and development standards for multiple unincorporated communities across LA County. This is a voting item that will significantly impact development and land use in these regions.
2. January 2025 Windstorm and Critical Fire Events Emergency Response (Items 15, 20, and 24) – The Board will review ongoing emergency actions taken in response to the January 2025 windstorms and fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Kenneth fires. These items involve reviewing contracts issued without competitive bidding due to emergency circumstances,

Thursday, March 6, 2025

City Files Lawsuit Against Southern California Edison for Damages to Public Infrastructure in Eaton Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

On Wednesday, the City of Pasadena filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison (SCE) seeking compensation for extensive damages sustained to municipal property and infrastructure during the devastating Eaton Fire that began on January 7.

The Eaton Fire, which spread rapidly through wind-driven conditions, destroyed critical community assets throughout the city, including police facilities, water infrastructure, and multiple public service buildings. The fire burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed approximately 9,400 structures, damaged over 1,000 structures, claimed 17 lives, and affected thousands of residents throughout the region.

There were no deaths in Pasadena.

“The destruction of public facilities essential to Pasadena’s operations requires significant investment to restore and rebuild,” said Lisa Derderian, Public Information Officer for the City of Pasadena. “While our restoration efforts continue, we have a responsibility to pursue appropriate compensation for the costs of rebuilding the public infrastructure our community relies upon.”

According to a copy of the complaint obtained by Pasadena Now,

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Arrested: Monrovia Murder Suspect Known to Frequent Pasadena and Altadena

Arturo Gonzalez Jr., who was wanted in connection with the Feb. 22 killing of his father in Monrovia and known to frequent Pasadena and Altadena, has been arrested, according the Monrovia Police Department.

Gonzalez was wanted in connection with the Feb. 22 killing of his father, who was found dead in his apartment in the 100 block of West Olive Avenue, near South Myrtle Avenue in Monrovia, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Anyone with information about the homicide is still urged to contact Sgt. Delia or Sgt. Mezzano at (323) 890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Sierra Madre Sues Edison Over Eaton Fire Damage

The city of Sierra Madre filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Southern California Edison seeking damages for destruction to public lands, trails and infrastructure caused by January’s devastating Eaton Fire.

The legal action follows the reported Feb. 6 disclosure by Edison to state regulators allegedly admitting a “fault was detected” on its Eagle Rock-Gould transmission circuit coinciding with the fire’s ignition time and location.

“The January fire devastated irreplaceable wilderness areas that are central to Sierra Madre’s identity and character,” Sierra Madre Mayor Robert Parkhurst said. “Our historic wilderness areas and the Mount Wilson Trail – treasured community resources that draw visitors from across Southern California – now require extensive rehabilitation that will burden our city for years to come.”

The lawsuit contends Edison failed to adequately de-energize equipment in high-risk areas despite National Weather Service warnings about extreme fire danger and forecasted winds reaching 100 mph in the foothills.

“What makes this disaster particularly troubling is its preventability,” Parkhurst added. “The documented weather warnings provided Edison with ample notice of the dangerous conditions developing in our community.”

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

City of Pasadena Files Lawsuit Against Southern California Edison for Damages to Public Infrastructure in Catastrophic Eaton Fire

The City of Pasadena today filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison (SCE) seeking compensation for extensive damages sustained to municipal property and infrastructure during the devastating Eaton Fire that began on January 7, 2025.

The Eaton Fire, which spread rapidly through wind-driven conditions, destroyed critical community assets throughout the city, including police facilities, water infrastructure, and multiple public service buildings. The fire burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed approximately 9,400 structures, damaged over 1,000 structures, claimed 17 lives, and affected thousands of residents throughout the region.

“The destruction of public facilities essential to Pasadena’s operations requires significant investment to restore and rebuild,” said Lisa Derderian, Public Information Officer for the City of Pasadena. “While our restoration efforts continue, we have a responsibility to pursue appropriate compensation for the costs of rebuilding the public infrastructure our community relies upon.”

The filing details extensive damage to several key municipal assets including, among others:

• The Pasadena Police Department’s Advanced Officer Training Facility
• The Pasadena Municipal Assistance,

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Virginia Charity to Cover Prom Tickets for California High School Seniors Affected by Wildfires

Actor Steve Carell announces $175,000 grant to support students at six schools impacted by devastating Eaton Fire

A Virginia-based charity will pay approximately $175,000 for more than 800 high school seniors in Altadena to attend their prom following devastating wildfires that ravaged their community.

Alice’s Kids, along with longtime supporter Steve Carell, made the announcement via video on March 4, at senior assemblies across six affected high schools.

The donation comes after the Eaton Fire tore through the Altadena and Pasadena areas, impacting over 9,400 structures and displacing approximately 10,000 families in January. Despite the widespread destruction, the six high schools remained intact and are proceeding with their scheduled proms.

“Going to prom should be a celebration, and we wanted to help make the big night just a little easier for seniors whose lives have been turned upside down by the wildfires,” said Ron Fitzsimmons, Executive Director of Alice’s Kids. “Senior year is a turning point, and hopefully this allows the students to unwind and have some fun after a devastating year.”

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Church Launches Free Support Space for Wildfire Victims

Local initiative provides resources and connection for hundreds of displaced families

La Cañada Presbyterian Church has established a new community resource called Healing Grounds to support hundreds of families displaced by recent devastating fires. The free support space offers practical amenities and emotional support for those struggling in the aftermath of local wildfires, providing more than just a cup of coffee – it offers a lifeline of hope and connection.

“We know a lot of people are spending time waiting around town or needing a place to work,” said Pastor Ross Purdy, explaining the inspiration behind Healing Grounds.

“We have Wi-Fi, coffee, and refreshments, so we thought, ‘Why don’t we open this up to the community?’ It’s about offering a space for healing, bringing people together, providing quiet rooms where they can work or communicate, and simply getting to know one another.”

Located at 626 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada Flintridge, the initiative operates every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

County Supervisors Seek More Detailed Plan on Hiring Freeze

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday asked CEO Fesia Davenport and the County Counsel’s Office to provide it with a more detailed plan on a hiring freeze.

The January wildfires destroyed thousands of structures, affecting property tax revenues, and recovery efforts have led to higher spending, forecasted to also affect the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

To protect the limited financial resources, County Counsel’s Office offered two recommendations to the board on Tuesday:

• a hard hiring freeze, excluding critical health, safety and other necessary positions; and
• freeze on non-essential purchases of services, supplies and equipment to reduce expenditures.

A similar freeze had been implemented during the Great Recession in 2008 and COVID-19 pandemic.

Davenport was assigned responsibility to administer the hiring freeze and spending as necessary.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath questioned the hiring freeze and how it would affect those seeking employment in the county.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

UCLA Report: Immigration, Tariff Policies Make California’s Economic Future Uncertain

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Rapid-fire changes in immigration and economic policies implemented during the first two months of the Trump Administration have elevated economic uncertainties in California, according to a UCLA report released Wednesday, which predicts the state’s economy will grow on par with the nation for the next two years.

But actual conditions could change depending on the impacts of the new federal policies, according to the UCLA Anderson Forecast for the state.

“Indeed, the disruption of the previous functioning of national government combined with executive orders on immigration and tariffs present an economic policy landscape with unique challenges for evidence-based analysis and forecasts,” UCLA Anderson Forecast Director Jerry Nickelsburg wrote in the report. “While we have data on the impact of tariffs on California, and data on the impact of deportations, we do not have data on the implementation of the three grand policy changes taken at the same time. Therefore, the uncertainty that is associated with any forecast is now very much elevated with respect to this one.”