Friday, February 7, 2025

Authorities Seek Help Locating At-Risk 96-Year-Old Woman Missing in Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Authorities sought the public’s assistance Thursday in locating an at-risk 96-year-old woman last seen in Altadena and may have been displaced by the Eaton Fire.

Elizabeth Jane Behny was in last contact with her family around noon on Jan. 5 and was last seen in the 2000 block of Pinecrest Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Behny was described as a 5 foot-1-inch tall white woman weighing 92 pounds with gray hair and green eyes. It was unclear what she was last seen wearing.

Sheriff’s officials said Behny utilizes a walker, and her family is growing concerned about her well-being.

Anyone with information regarding Behny’s whereabouts was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.

Friday, February 7, 2025

Newly Appointed EPA Administrator Tours Eaton Fire Burn Area

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Hazardous material removal continues Friday in fire-damaged areas of Altadena and Pasadena, a day after recently appointed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin toured both the Eaton Fire burn zone.

“It’s impossible to fathom,” Zeldin told KNX News after viewing the Eaton Fire area. “No American has ever seen anything like this ever before, and hopefully no American will ever have to see something like this ever again.”

He said his agency “has been proudly doing everything in our power” to complete the Phase 1 clearance of hazardous materials from the burn zones, with the agency trying to meet a goal of finishing the work in 30 days.

“We set a 30-day goal. We’re doing everything we can to possibly meet it.”

Once the Phase 1 hazardous materials work is finished on individual properties, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will expand its Phase 2 clearance of fire debris from properties, clearing the way for residents and businesses to begin rebuilding efforts.

Friday, February 7, 2025

LA County Offers Free Vital Records Replacement for Wildfire Victims

Program helps residents replace birth, death, marriage, property and business documents lost in Eaton Fire

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has launched a free service to replace vital records for individuals who lost documents during the Eaton Fire.

The new program offers free replacement copies of birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as real estate and business records, providing essential documentation for residents rebuilding their lives.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan will meet with affected residents to tell them about the records replacement service on Friday, February 7 at 10 a.m. at the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center, located at 540 W. Woodbury Road, Altadena.

Logan discuss how residents can recover their lost vital records, including personal, property and business documents necessary for rebuilding their lives. The presentation is part of the newly established Los Angeles County Recovery in Focus: Speakers Bureau, created to provide essential recovery information and allow media members direct access to County experts.

Friday, February 7, 2025

Altadena Organization to Hold Rally on Saturday

STAFF REPORT

My TRIBE Rise will hold a rally to bring Altadenans together to commune, grieve, support, inform and uplift each other from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2283 W. Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena.

A specialist will be on hand to provide expert advice on how the community moves forward.

My TRIBE Rise is one of the few Altadena-based organizations doing community work before the fire.

My TRIBE Rise joins with residents, schools, churches, organizations and businesses directly impacted by the Eaton Canyon Fire.

“The desire and end result of this event is to have the community at the forefront of communication, outreach, new build planning, environmental care, restoration and the future of Altadena. We, the people of Altadena, will uphold the culture and community of Altadena!”

The event will feature food, music, art and information. Come for the Community of Altadena!

Friday, February 7, 2025

Local Evacuation Center to Remain Open at Convention Center For Another Week

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The American Red Cross will continue to run the shelter at the Convention Center, according to a statement released by the City on Thursday.

The extension comes on heels of criticism by elected officials and local residents and an ongoing search by the nonprofit for a new location to host the shelter.

“The County of Los Angeles and the American Red Cross continue to search for a new site to relocate the shelter and/or find interim housing for shelter residents,” said Pasadena Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian. “Today, [Thursday, February 6th], the City of Pasadena, Pasadena Convention Center and American Red Cross confirmed the ability to operate the shelter at the Convention Center for approximately another week until the shelter can be relocated.”

“The City will continue to support this effort to ensure everyone receives the care and assistance they need. In the meantime, the portable trailers for showers, restrooms and laundry will be relocated to the west side of the convention hall.”

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Altadena Community Unites to Rebuild and Resist Predatory Practices

By EDDIE RIVERA

Organizer calls for ‘collective bargaining’ to reduce costs of building materials and reconstruction

Realtor Abraham Prattella took the stage Wednesday evening at La Cañada Congregational Church to deliver a powerful message to a standing-room-only crowd: “Altadena is not for sale.”

The town hall-style meeting, spearheaded by longtime resident Fred Sayegh, an Altadena attorney, brought together pastors, government officials, insurance experts, and real estate professionals to address the concerns of those affected by the devastating Eaton Fire.

More than half of the attendees lost their homes in the devastating fire, with scores more suffering smoke and ash damage .

Prattella warned residents about predatory real estate practices targeting fire-affected homeowners.

“If anyone approaches you with an offer below market value, report them,” he declared. He encouraged homeowners to take advantage of property tax reductions, mortgage forbearance programs, and rebuilding assistance rather than selling under duress.

“There is help,” he said.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Philadelphia Churches Rally to Help Local Congregations Hit by Wildfire

Altadena and Pasadena churches to receive two truckloads of emergency supplies from East Coast churches

Several Philadelphia churches have mobilized to send essential supplies to local churches in Altadena and Pasadena affected by the Eaton Fire.

Two 18-wheel trucks filled with vital goods are scheduled to roll into the parking lot at the Grocery Outlet in San Gabriel early Thursday morning.

“We thank the people of Philadelphia for their generosity and this heartfelt mission to donate vital items and fill two tractor-trailers with collected supplies goods to be delivered to the Altadena and Pasadena communities,” said Anthony McFarland, Pastor of LIFT International. “This collaboration delineates God’s grace in having all these churches work together for the good of our communities.”

The East Coast churches leading the relief effort include LIFT International, Northeast Baptist Church, and the Church of Christian Compassion, working to support local congregations including Pasadena Church, Community Bible Church, Hillside Tabernacle City of Faith, and Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

DENA Relief Drive Hits Major Milestone in Community Support

Relief organization reports providing 400,000 pounds of essential items, over $75,000 in gift cards while serving 6,000 families affected by Eaton Fire

The founder of The DENA Relief Drive, established in response to the Eaton Fire that burned through local neighborhoods, reported this week that it has distributed 400,000 pounds of essential items while providing critical resources to thousands of families, mobilizing over 1,800 volunteers and securing more than 75 partnerships with local businesses and organizations.

“The DENA Relief Drive is a testament to what we can accomplish when a community comes together,” said Brandon Lamar. “We’ve made a tremendous impact, but there is still more work to be done.”

Lamar said the initiative’s achievements reportedly include providing over 15,000 hot meals and securing more than $75,000 in gift cards for families facing hardship.

Additionally,the drive has supported 250 families with short-term housing assistance and distributed 150 new laptops and 700 pairs of new shoes through its Youth Resource Fair,

Thursday, February 6, 2025

CA Lawmakers Propose $175 Million Increase for Cal Fire Staffing

By LYNN LA, CALMATTERS

Roughly a month after deadly wildfires erupted in Los Angeles County, killing at least 29 people, lawmakers in the state Senate have introduced a proposal to bolster Cal Fire staffing, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is meeting with President Donald Trump over disaster aid.

Joined by several other senators and firefighters in Sacramento, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire unveiled a bipartisan measure Tuesday to keep all 356 of Cal Fire engines staffed year-round, reports CalMatters’ Sameea Kamal. The Santa Rosa Democrat described it as a “modern day staffing plan,” which would transition 3,000 state firefighters who are typically dismissed during the winter to full-time status.

The proposal is estimated to cost at least $175 million, and would also keep Cal Fire’s 38 wildfire vegetation management crews working throughout the year. These crews are responsible for clearing dead trees and creating barriers in cities and towns to slow the spread of wildfires.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

‘Phase 2’ Wildfire Debris Removal Expands as Cleanup Advances

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Despite the rain, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is continuing its “Phase 2″ wildfire-debris removal efforts Thursday, with work advancing at five Pasadena Unified School District campuses destroyed or damaged in the Eaton Fire.

The start of Phase 2 was announced Tuesday, with the work initially involving two PUSD campuses — Loma Alta Elementary School in Altadena and Edison Elementary in Pasadena.

Army Corps of Engineers Col. Eric Swenson told reporters Wednesday that crews were working at five PUSD campuses. It was unclear which other campuses were being cleared. Swenson said no clearance work had yet begun on any residential properties, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency still conducting its Phase 1 removal of household hazardous wastes from destroyed properties.

Officials have said that individual properties could move into the Phase 2 debris-removal stage, even as Phase 1 cleanup continued in the burn Palisades and Eaton burn areas.

EPA officials said Wednesday there were more than 1,000 people working on the hazardous waste removal effort,