Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Library District Agrees Monday to Settle Legal Claims by Ex-Director for $550,000

[Updated] The Altadena Library District agreed Monday to pay its former Director Mindy Kittay $550,000. That payment is on top of a $65,000 payment in 2018 from the Library to Director Kittay to settle her injuries covered by workers compensation.

The new settlement brings to an end a fractious public dispute between the innovative library leader and former Trustees which saw former Trustees purged from the Board of Trustees, Kittay paid $615,000 in damages, and $75,000 of Kittay’s attorneys’ fees funneled to fund grass-roots organizing.

Kittay was the Library’s Director from fall 2014 through mid-January, 2018. During that 3+ year period, Kittay’s supporters say she transformed a backward library into a 21st-century library that is outward-facing and responsive to the Altadena community.

But in January 2018, her doctor ordered her off work because of stress from what Kittay contended was harassment by former Trustees Ira Bershatsky, John McDonald, and Armando Zambrano.

Kittay hired Eagle Rock civil rights attorneys Dale Gronemeier and Skip Hickambottom,

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, January 19th

Sunday, January 13th

7:45 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 500 block of Crosby Street. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle via unknown means. Stolen: case containing CD’s.

Monday, January 14th

8:00 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 2400 block of Lincoln Avenue. Vehicle described as a white 2012 Lincoln MKS. Vehicle was recovered by CHP Altadena on 1/14/2019.

Tuesday, January 15th

9:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 70 block of Reever Way. Suspect(s) entered the residence by shattering the window. Stolen: unknown.
 

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Sheriff’s Department Asks Public For Help in Finding Teenager Missing Since Sunday

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Unit detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating Jonas Elijah Nelson. He is a 19-year-old black teenager who was last seen Sunday, January 6, 2019 at approximately 8:00 p.m. on the 4000 block of Chaney Trail in Altadena.

Nelson is described as 6’04”, 190 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing black sweat pants and an orange hoody with silver reflective tape.

The Altadena Mountain Rescue Team has been searching the area where he was last seen.

“On Saturday, we had members of Sierra Madre, San Dimas, and Montrose Search and Rescue Teams totaling 44 searchers spent 10+ hours on the hillside looking for Jonas,” an AMRT spokesperson said. “We were also joined by two Sheriff’s helicopters, sadly we were not able to find Jonas.”

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Missing Persons Detail,

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, January 12th

Sunday, January 6th

10:00 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 1700 block of N. Craig Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle via the unlocked door. Stolen: blue/white tennis rackets, black toolbox and a black video dash-cam.

Monday, January 7th

10:00 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 2900 block of Casitas Avenue. Suspect(s) entered the residence by removing the window screen. Stolen: diamond ring, silver bracelet and a black coin purse.
2:07 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the 500 block of Devirian Place. Suspect has been identified.
9:14 PM – An assault with a deadly weapon occurred in the 200 block of W. Palm Drive. Suspect was taken into custody.
10:08 PM – Jorge Espinoza, 22 years old of Pasadena was arrested in the 2100 block of Lincoln Avenue for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Tuesday, January 8th

8:00 AM – A shoplifting incident occurred in the 3000 block of Lincoln Avenue.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Volunteers Still Needed for “Every Person Has A Name”, A 25-Hour Holocaust Remembrance Program to Commemorate UN International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The Jewish Federation of the Greater San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys is partnering with the City of Pasadena and the community’s synagogues, to hold Every Person Has a Name. This 25-hour vigil will be held on the steps of Pasadena City Hall on Saturday, January 26 – Sunday, January 27, 2019.

The program will begin with a commemoration ceremony at 7:00 p.m. and it will feature speeches from elected officials, including Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek, Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Anthony Portantino, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Assemblymember Chris Holden (invited), Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, local clergy, as well as performances by the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Youth Orchestra and Kol HaEmek.

Immediately following the ceremony, the program will transition into the reading of the names of people who perished during the Holocaust. Holocaust survivors, and children of Holocaust survivors from around the community will begin by reading the names of their family members who were killed during the Holocaust, and then will be followed by volunteers from throughout the community reading names.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, December 15th

Monday, December 10th

9:45 PM – A domestic battery occurred in the area of Glenrose Avenue and Woodbury Road. Suspect was taken into custody.

Tuesday, December 11th

3:15 PM – A residential vandalism occurred in the 400 block of W. Altadena Drive. Damage: shattered window.
7:50 PM – A battery occurred in the 2300 block of Marengo Avenue. Suspect has been identified.

Friday, December 14th

9:04 AM – Nyah Brown, 38 years old of Los Angeles was arrested in the 700 block of E. Altadena Drive for shoplifting. Items stolen were recovered.

Saturday, December 15th

12:08 AM – Darshion Hamilton, 38 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 1900 block of Lake Avenue for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, December 8th

Sunday, December 2nd

11:00 PM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 2300 block of Lincoln Avenue. Damage: broken windshield and scratches.

Monday, December 3rd

1:00 AM – A petty theft from an unlocked vehicle occurred in the 2700 block of Raymond Avenue. Stolen: jumper cables.
3:00 AM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 300 block of E. Mendocino Street. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle via unknown means. Stolen: subwoofers and personal documents.
9:37 PM – A strong armed robbery occurred in the 2200 block of Raymond Lane. Stolen: credit cards, currency and personal documents.

Wednesday, December 5th

12:00 AM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 1700 block of La Paz Road. Vehicle damage: spray painted.
5:30 AM – A vehicle vandalism occurred in the 700 block of E. Mariposa Street. Vehicle damage: spray painted.
10:30 PM – A vehicle burglary occurred in the 400 block of Figueroa Drive. Suspect(s) entered the vehicle by shattering the window.

Monday, December 17, 2018

Los Angeles County Announces Holiday Tree Recycling Information

Los Angeles County residents can once again conveniently recycle their Holiday trees this year, County officials said.

Most areas throughout the County provide curbside recycling services and/or drop-off sites, where trees can be recycled.

Both Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa will be served with curbside pick-up service, with slightly different rules.

Altadenans will be served from December 26 through January 26, 2019. The trees should be placed by the curb by 6 a.m. on the service day.

In Kinneloa Mesa, service will be available from December 26 through January 12, 2019. Trees must be cut if taller than six feet in height, officials said, and flocked trees and tress wrapped in plastic will not be picked up.

The pickups in both communities will be conducted by Athens Services. Their phone number is 1-888-336-6100.

Officials asked residents to please remove all ornaments, tinsel, lights, nails, plastic containers, and plastic or metal tree stands.

The Holiday trees can then be placed at curbside next to the recycling and waste containers on scheduled trash collection day during the time period noted.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Altadena Gets a New Market Thursday, and Its Owners Promise Products Will Be ‘NOSH’

[Updated] A new grocery store is opening its doors to area residents Thursday, December 13, with the first 200 customers getting gift cards valued at anywhere from $5 to $200 and free reusable grocery bags.

At the same time, the store will donate the equivalent of what customers save for the first hour of Opening Day sales to the Education Committee of the Altadena Town Council, the owners said.

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, located at 2270 Lake Avenue in Altadena, will open at 9 a.m. Thursday. Before the grand opening, the owners, Mario and Michell Guajardo, are hosting a Preview Night Wednesday, December 12, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the store.

Mario said they decided to invest in Altadena because they believe area residents are looking for healthier, more organic alternatives.

“Everyone’s asking for that organic… that healthy brand, and that’s what we’re going to open up with, heavier than most other stores would,” Guajardo said.

Guajardo and his wife were both store managers for Walmart before they decided to open this store of their own.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Altadena’s Crime Blotter for the Week of Saturday, December 1st

Tuesday, November 27th

8:29 AM – A vehicle was reported stolen from the 2500 block of N. Lake Avenue. Vehicle described as a white 1999 Ford F250.
9:00 PM – A commercial vandalism occurred in the 700 block of E. Calaveras Street. Damage: shattered windows.

Thursday, November 29th

9:58 PM – Byron Hale, 54 years old of Altadena was arrested in the 300 block of E. Poppyfields Drive for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Friday, November 30th

8:30 AM – A residential burglary occurred in the 400 block of W. Poppyfields Drive. Suspects entered the residence via unknown means. Stolen: blue leather purse, black multi colored wallet, credit cards, and currency.

Saturday, December 1st

11:00 AM – A grand theft of landscaping equipment occurred in the 2600 block of Vischer Place. Stolen: orange Echo leaf blower and orange Stihl hedge trimmer.
11:28 AM – A petty theft occurred in the 2300 block of N.