Monday, August 11, 2025

Los Angeles County Supervisors to Address Housing, Health, and Community Initiatives at Tuesday Meeting

Comprehensive agenda tackles rental protections, public safety, and multicultural commemorations

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will convene Tuesday to consider a sweeping set of measures affecting housing, public health, and community services across the region.

A landmark ordinance would establish maximum indoor temperatures for rental housing units, requiring properties to maintain temperatures no higher than 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The proposal allows small property landlords until January 1, 2032, to comply fully with the temperature requirements, reflecting a phased approach to implementing cooling standards.

The board will extend price gouging protections through September 29, responding to continued concerns about rental market pricing. Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger have cited ongoing complaints about escalating costs as justification for maintaining emergency measures.

Supervisor Hilda Solis has proposed a comprehensive motion aimed at maintaining enrollment in critical safety net programs. The initiative would evaluate potential impacts of work requirements on Medicaid and food assistance, develop strategies to connect beneficiaries with employment opportunities,

Monday, August 11, 2025

School Board Reviews Immigration Enforcement Preparedness Ahead of New School Year

The Pasadena Unified School District board on Thursday reviewed staff preparations for possible immigration-enforcement activity as the new school year approaches, including districtwide training, an emergency phone line, campus safety signage, and family-preparedness webinars.

The district starts the 2025-26 school year on Monday, August 18.

Staff said the district began trainings in February and continued them through the summer for principals, administrators, counselors and other front-line personnel, with a principals’ refresher held last week and a full-staff session set for Aug. 14.

Guidance has been consolidated into a quick-reference “one-pager,” and a staff wellness kickoff on Aug. 13 will distribute a 10-month plan pairing well-being with procedural readiness.

The district is partnering with outside public-interest groups to offer family-preparedness webinars the week of Aug. 11, focused on immediate, short-term and long-term planning. Staff said identified personnel will work directly with families to ensure plans and contact information are current. Leaders also cited ongoing coordination with community partners, a dedicated district webpage for updates and “know your rights” resources,

Monday, August 11, 2025

The Eaton Fire Destroyed Everything She Built. 25 Years Into Her Nonprofit, She’s Starting Over

Altadena nonprofit founder lost her home and headquarters but refuses to abandon the children her music program serves

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, it took everything Azita Milanian had built: her home, her nonprofit’s headquarters, and thousands of important documents chronicling her work teaching music and dance to Los Angeles County children.

Now, Children of One Planet’s founder is rebuilding — marking the organization’s 25th anniversary not with celebration, but with recovery efforts.

“To make up for what was lost, this year we will be hosting an entire series of events to celebrate Children of One Planet’s 25th anniversary,” Milanian said, her organization’s entire physical infrastructure reduced to ash.

The fire destroyed thousands of important documents and donated goods meant for the children the nonprofit serves through its partnership with the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department. The organization provides professional dance and music instruction designed to foster confidence, discipline, and social skills among participants across Los Angeles County.

Monday, August 11, 2025

County Moves to Protect Medicaid Patient Privacy

County plans legal action against federal data disclosure that threatens immigrant healthcare access

Los Angeles County has approved a motion to explore legal remedies in response to a federal plan to access personal health information of Medicaid recipients. The Board of Supervisors aims to protect patient privacy and prevent potential harm to immigrant communities by challenging the data disclosure.

“Healthcare is a human right — no one should be afraid to access the care they need,” said Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis. “Today’s actions reaffirm the County’s commitment to support our immigrant communities and ensure that our residents can receive health and social services without fear that their data will be violated or used against them.”

The motion comes after reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials will be given access to personal data of nearly 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide. The proposed data release would include sensitive information such as home addresses and ethnicities, which are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Monday, August 11, 2025

Altadena’s Bob Lucas Memorial Library Sets Grand Reopening for August 16

Community celebration marks end of yearlong renovation project following April 2024 closure

The Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center will hold its grand reopening celebration Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m., following a yearlong renovation.

The library at 2659 Lincoln Ave. closed April 10, 2024, for comprehensive renovations led by the Altadena Library District.

“Bob Lucas believed in the power of the written word to change lives,” said Nikki Winslow, Altadena Library District Director.

“This reopening is not just about a building, it’s about honoring that belief and continuing to provide our community with the services, spaces and resources they need to achieve their dreams.”

The library honors Robert “Bob” Lucas, who in 1971 recognized West Altadena’s need for accessible educational resources, especially for youth unable to reach the main branch.

The celebration will feature festivities, family activities, and tours of upgraded facilities with improved access and modern amenities.

For information, call (626) 798-0833 or visit https://www.altadenalibrary.org.

Monday, August 11, 2025

LA County Reverse Mortgage Insurance Workshop Will Help Eaton Wildfire Survivors

The workshop will help homeowners navigate insurance claims and reverse mortgage issues following the wildfire

Homeowners affected by the Eaton Wildfire are invited to attend the LA County Reverse Mortgage – Insurance Workshop, a free public event hosted by the California Department of Insurance on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at the MonteCedro Senior Living Community, 2212 El Molino Avenue in Altadena.

The two-hour workshop is designed to help residents navigate insurance claims and disputes related to reverse mortgages and wildfire damage.

According to the event announcement, the session “will help guide you on how to work with the Department on any issues you may be having with your agent or adjuster during the claims process.”

To be led by representatives from the state Department of Insurance, the workshop will provide guidance on working with insurance agents and adjusters, particularly for those experiencing difficulties during the claims process. The event is part of a broader recovery effort following the Eaton Wildfire,

Monday, August 11, 2025

Los Angeles County Assessor Will Detail Critical Tax Relief Efforts for Eaton Fire Victims at Meeting

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has processed property tax relief for thousands of Altadena residents devastated by January’s catastrophic Eaton Fire, and will detail ongoing recovery efforts at a community address next week.

Prang’s office has completed assessment reductions for 18,000 of the 23,500 properties affected by what represents one of California’s most destructive wildfires in history, which claimed 19 lives and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings.

Prang’s office has been proactive in supporting affected property owners, with assessment reductions forming a critical component of the county’s $32.2 million relief fund for fire victims.

On August 19, Prang will host a community address organized by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce & Civic Association at Maxwell House in Pasadena, where attendees will receive a comprehensive overview of recovery mechanisms and support programs.

The January 7 Eaton Fire, which burned through 14,021 acres driven by Santa Ana winds reaching up to 100 mph, forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate their homes.

Sunday, August 10, 2025

Low-Income Housing Advocates Sue to Rezone Fire-Ravaged Palisades, Altadena Areas

The lawsuit challenges SB 9 development bans in post-fire zones, citing recovery and affordability concerns

A coalition of low-income housing groups and attorneys filed suit this week to challenge state and local restrictions on development in fire-damaged areas of Pacific Palisades and in Altadena, arguing that the bans hinder affordable housing efforts amid post-disaster recovery.

The lawsuit targets Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-32-25, which suspended SB 9 applications within “Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones” affected by the January Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires. The order was confirmed in a July 30 press release from the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office and further clarified by the Governor’s Office, which stated the suspension applies to all state-level SB 9 permits within the fire perimeters of Pacific Palisades and in Altadena.

Sonja Trauss, executive director of YIMBY Law, said the governor’s emergency powers must be used to facilitate—not restrict—rebuilding efforts.

“Rebuilding is recovery. Allowing more people to do more with their land is facilitating recovery,” she said.

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Woman Rescued After 300-Foot Plunge Off Angeles Crest Highway Above Pasadena

A woman was airlifted to safety Friday afternoon after her vehicle plunged 300 feet off Angeles Crest Highway near Mile Marker 28, in a remote canyon area above Pasadena. The dramatic multi-agency rescue operation involved the Pasadena Police Department and Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, among others, according to KCBS News.

An electricity crew working in the canyon witnessed the fall and initially attempted to assist before calling 911, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John Gilbert.

“They took one of their workers and went down and were trying to help this person,” Gilbert told KCBS.

The rescue effort mobilized 20 personnel from five agencies, including Los Angeles County Fire, Air Rescue 5, Pasadena Police Department, and search and rescue teams from Altadena and Montrose.

The operation was complicated by power lines directly overhead the crash site, requiring the woman to be loaded into a rescue basket and hoisted out by helicopter.

During the mission, one rescuer was stung by a bee and suffered an allergic reaction,

Friday, August 8, 2025

California Supreme Court Hands Victory to Rooftop Solar Panel Owners

By Malena Carollo, CALMATTERS

The California Supreme Court today sided with environmental groups in a case seen as pivotal for the proliferation of rooftop solar power in California.

In a unanimous vote, justices told a lower court to revisit a ruling that upheld reduced payments to solar panel owners for selling excess power back to utility companies. Justices did not rule on whether the changes to the solar program were legal, requiring the court of appeals to determine this.

“They basically said the lower court kind of punted on the whole substance of the [solar payments] decision,” Bernadette Del Chiaro, vice president for California at the Environmental Working Group, said. “I do think they’re clearly stating this needs to be reviewed.”

At issue is a 2022 decision by state regulators to reduce by about 75% payments to solar panel owners for excess power. The change was intended to help make bills affordable for all customers while still encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources.