Wednesday, December 24, 2025

CHP’s Christmas Enforcement Campaign Starts Wednesday Evening

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Drive safe, sober, and obey the speed limit during the Christmas holiday or face consequences, the California Highway Patrol warns.

The agency will initiate its annual Christmastime “holiday enforcement period” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, when all available officers will deploy to catch drunk or drug-impaired drivers, speeders and other scofflaws.

The HEP will span only about 30 hours, concluding late Thursday night.

“Every instance of speeding or reckless driving carries the potential for life-changing consequences,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said.

“Our officers see the destruction these choices can cause, and we urge every driver to slow down, stay alert and make decisions that protect themselves and others. No destination is worth risking a life.”

During last year’s Christmas HEP, CHP officers statewide arrested just over 300 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence, compared to about 900 the year before. The 2024 campaign lasted only a day and night because it fell midweek,

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

L.A. Care Extends Deadline for $6.75 Million Wildfire Recovery Fund

Nearly a year after the Palisades and Eaton wildfires devastated Los Angeles County, L.A. Care Health Plan announced it has extended the deadline for Round II applications to its Network and Community Relief Wildfire Fund, offering $6.75 million to support long-term recovery.

L.A. Care said in a statement that the extended deadline will allow more organizations to qualify for funding aimed at rebuilding essential health and social service infrastructure.

The Wildfire Fund was created in response to the strain the fires placed on Los Angeles County’s health and social service systems.

Earlier this year, Round I awarded $3.25 million to 28 organizations, providing direct assistance to more than 25,000 individuals and families. Funded services included mental health care, housing stability, case management, youth programming, small business recovery and environmental cleanup.

Round II funding is intended to advance recovery by supporting comprehensive, community-centered projects. Eligible proposals may include health care access, behavioral health services, housing support, outreach coordination, environmental health, or other programs that help residents regain stability.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

LA County Sheriff Luna Drops LASD Personnel Records Suit

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has dropped a lawsuit in which he sought judicial clarification of subpoenas for deputy personnel records issued by the Civilian Oversight Commission over alleged deputy misconduct issues.

In his Los Angeles Superior Court complaint filed March 19, Luna sought to find out what could properly be released under COC subpoenas concerning investigations that include confidential peace officer personnel records of deputies allegedly involved in such matters as internal cliques and inmate jail deaths.

While the LASD has complied with previous COC requests for information from LASD, it has not provided confidential peace officer personnel records because it is not legally permitted to do so, the Luna suit stated.

On Dec. 17, Luna’s attorneys filed court papers with Judge Jerrold Abeles asking that the lawsuit be dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning it can be refiled later. The court papers do not state if the parties resolved the issue or if the case was not being pursued for other reasons.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Heavy Rain Forecast Prompts Safety Reminders for Outdoor Holiday Lights

With a powerful rainstorm expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Pasadena and Altadena this week, residents with outdoor Christmas light displays are being urged to take precautions to reduce the risk of electric shock and fires.

Forecasters say rain is expected to begin Tuesday, with heavier rainfall developing Tuesday night into Wednesday as a strong Pacific storm system moves through the region.

Electrical safety guidance warns that these conditions increase the likelihood of water reaching outdoor electrical outlets, plugs and extension cords, particularly where connections sit on the ground or outlets are exposed to wind-driven rain. Moisture at these points increases the risk of short circuits and electrical arcing, and raises the risk of shock when electrical devices are handled in wet conditions.

Safety guidance consistently notes that the safest option during periods of sustained heavy rain is to turn off and unplug outdoor lighting displays until conditions improve.

For households that keep lights installed and on during the storm,

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

How A Speeding Ticket Can Be Worse Than Running Someone Over

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

You can kill someone with your car in California and not even have a point on your license.

A criminal justice reform bill passed in 2020 allows judges to effectively erase a misdemeanor case from existence, shielding people accused of “low-level” crimes from the stigma of having a conviction on their record, something that can limit work and housing opportunities.

But CalMatters investigative reporters Robert Lewis and Lauren Hepler found that the new misdemeanor diversion program has also had an unintended consequence: It allows some people charged with vehicular manslaughter to keep the case off of their driving record.

That means you could face more penalties for a speeding ticket than for running someone over.

• Allison Lyman, whose 23-year-old son, Connor Lopez, was killed when a woman hit his motorcycle in April: “I’m 43 and I will have to live the rest of my life without my son. But there’ll be no record of it for her?”

It’s part of a larger anger and frustration Lyman has at how the system is treating her son’s death.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Atmospheric River Brings Flood, Mudslide Risks to Altadena, Pasadena Through Christmas

A long-duration atmospheric river is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds and an elevated risk of flooding and debris flows to Altadena, Pasadena and the San Gabriel foothills from late Tuesday through nightfall on Christmas Day, according to the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles/Oxnard.

Forecasters have issued a Flood Watch for Altadena and Pasadena from Tuesday afternoon through late Thursday, warning that the most dangerous conditions are likely from late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, when rainfall rates are expected to peak.

The storm system is classified as an atmospheric river, with National Weather Service meteorologists and partner agencies indicating the event aligns with an AR3-category system for parts of Southern California.

According to the National Weather Service’s Area Forecast Discussion and quantitative precipitation outlooks, rain will begin increasing across the San Gabriel Valley late Tuesday afternoon, intensifying Tuesday night as the first major surge of the storm moves through the region.

For Altadena,

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Storm System Triggers Mudflow Warnings for Local Foothills as County Orders Early Evacuations

Altadena and Pasadena residents in foothill neighborhoods in burn scars are being urged to prepare for mud and debris flows as a storm system moves into Los Angeles County beginning Tuesday, according to a county press release. A Flood Watch will be in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

County officials said areas burned in the January wildfires remain highly susceptible to dangerous runoff, including communities along the San Gabriel Mountains that border Pasadena.

The Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management and law enforcement agencies are advising residents in designated at-risk zones to evacuate before the rain begins.

Evacuation warnings and orders for vulnerable homes identified by LA County Public Works will take effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

“GET SET for possible evacuations if you are near San Gabriel Foothills in Altadena. Gather loved ones, pets and supplies. Those who need more time evacuating should consider leaving now,” the alert said.

Sheriff’s deputies are conducting door-to-door outreach at those residences,

Monday, December 22, 2025

Pasadena’s Bad Weather Shelter to Open Tuesday Night Ahead of Incoming Storm

STAFF REPORT

Friends In Deed will open its Bad Weather Shelter on Tuesday night, Dec. 23, just two days after the official shift of seasons and the winter solstice, the nonprofit announced in a statement. Capacity and additional services will be limited during opening week, with full operations expected to resume in January.

The shelter opens on weather?activated nights when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures of 40 degrees or below, a 40% or greater chance of rain, or high winds of 40 mph or more. When fully activated in January, guests will receive a hot dinner, a cot to sleep on overnight, access to restrooms, warm clothing, and individualized assistance from trained staff and case managers who can help connect them to housing, employment and other essential resources. The program is intended to help guests stay safe during inclement weather.

“With storms on the horizon, we know how critical it is to respond quickly and provide warmth, food, and safety,” Laura Van Alstine,

Monday, December 22, 2025

California to Crack Down on Extreme Speeding on Highways

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In an effort to crack down on excessive speeding and prevent deadly vehicle collisions, the California State Transportation Agency announced a pilot program Monday to immediately review drivers cited for driving more than 100 mph.

The state transportation agency is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol on the initiative known as Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets, or FAST. It’s part of a statewide effort to reverse what state officials describe as an alarming rise in traffic fatalities.

Under the pilot initiative, citations for excessive speeding will be automatically forwarded to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch — no matter their prior record. The DMV will then review the case and the driver’s history to determine next steps, which could include suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.

This administrative process can happen independently of any court conviction, according to CalSTA.

The pilot program builds on the DMV’s existing Driver Safety Branch enforcement and Negligent Operator Treatment System partnership with CHP.

Monday, December 22, 2025

BofA Commits $10 Million in Loans for Residents, Businesses Impacted by Wildfires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Bank of America Monday announced $10 million in zero-interest loans to Community Development Financial Institutions for housing, nonprofit facilities and small business recovery following the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.

The loans will be managed through three West Coast CDFIs involved in the region’s disaster recovery efforts.

• Clearinghouse CDFI will use its fire-designated funding to finance property acquisition or single-family home development by nonprofits. It will also make funds available to small businesses for rebuilding expenses that outpace insurance proceeds and for resuming operations;
• Genesis LA will provide loans to support homeownership, economic development, and nonprofit facilities in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. It is working with various Altadena groups to acquire vacant lots for redevelopment, with nonprofit developers working with local residents to rebuild multiple homes simultaneously, and local businesses rebuilding their storefronts; and
• Pacific Community Ventures’ RESTORE LA Fund will offer no-fee loans to small businesses of $10,000 to $100,000 at a 3% interest rate that can be used to replace damaged property or equipment,