Monday, January 27, 2025

The Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions Foundation and Pasadena Tournament of Roses Partner to Provide $1 Million in Fire Disaster Relief

STAFF REPORT

The Albertsons Companies Foundation, locally recognized as The Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions Foundation, has partnered with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association to provide $1 million in disaster relief for communities affected by the Eaton Fire.

The initiative will distribute aid through gift cards to affected residents in Pasadena, Altadena, and surrounding Los Angeles County areas.

“We are grateful to partner with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and their local nonprofit partners to support our neighbors impacted by the Eaton wildfires,” said Kevin Curry, Division President of Southern California at Albertsons Companies.

“We will continue to provide assistance as relief efforts continue in Altadena and Pasadena, as well as other affected communities across Los Angeles County.”

The initiative combines the $1 million commitment from the grocery foundation with an additional $200,000 Emergency Relief Fund established by the Tournament of Roses and its Foundation.

The emergency fund will provide direct financial support to the organization’s volunteer members and staff affected by the wildfires,

Monday, January 27, 2025

Pasadena School District Defends Charter School Relocation Plans Amid Fire Recovery

The Pasadena Unified School District issued a vigorous defense Sunday night of its efforts to relocate charter schools displaced by the devastating Eaton Fire, responding to criticism from charter school operators and parents over the handling of charter school campus relocations, and safety concerns.

In a detailed open letter to charter school communities, District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco addressed concerns about the District’s response, emphasizing the need for unity during the crisis that has left more than 10,000 students and 1,387 employees in evacuation zones.

The discontent centers on the District’s plans to relocate three charter schools whose campuses were severely damaged.

The fire damaged five school campuses in total, including Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, Franklin Elementary (closed in 2020), and three campuses occupied by charter schools: Aveson School of Leaders, Odyssey Charter South, and Pasadena Rosebud Academy.

“We have gone above and beyond to support charter school students in this time of need, including offering food service even though most charter school operators have not signed facilities use agreements or paid the pro rata share rates adopted by PUSD’s Board of Education,”

Monday, January 27, 2025

Kaiser Permanente Opens Pasadena Headquarters as Wildfire Resource Hub Starting Monday

STAFF REPORT

Kaiser Permanente will open its Walnut Center building in downtown Pasadena Monday as a Wildfire Resource Hub, offering free assistance to tens of thousands of residents displaced by devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

The aid center, located at 393 East Walnut St., will operate through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with a final day of service on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“In times of crisis, the true strength of a community is revealed through the compassion and support we extend to one another,” said John Yamamoto, vice president of Community Health and Government Relations at Kaiser Permanente.

The hub brings together national, state and local organizations to provide essential services at no charge, including non-perishable food, fresh produce, air purifiers, wildfire recovery information and financial assistance.

A Kaiser Permanente mobile health vehicle and ambulance will offer healthcare services including care for common and chronic conditions, wellness services and other medical support.

Monday, January 27, 2025

Pasadena Unified To Welcome Students Back at More Schools and Programs Monday In Second Phase of Reopenings

1,670 elementary students return to classrooms today, following Eaton Fire cleanup

Today, Pasadena Unified will welcome about 1,670 TK-5th grade students back to four elementary schools and one children’s program during the second phase of school reopenings following the Eaton Fire.

The reopenings will bring the total number of students back in classrooms to 5,070 since the wildfire shut down District operations.

Field Elementary School, Washington Elementary STEM Magnet, Madison Elementary, and Norma Coombs Elementary will reopen their doors, along with the Children’s Center on the Jefferson campus.

This follows the reopening of Alma Fuerte, a charter school located on the Cleveland campus, which resumed operations on Friday, January 24.

The District’s phased approach began on January 23, when ten schools and programs across six campuses — those located furthest from the fire — reopened after completing extensive cleaning, sanitizing, and passing environmental tests. These initial reopenings brought more than 3,400 students back to their classrooms in the first phase.

Monday, January 27, 2025

LA County Works to Fast-Track Wildfire Debris Removal Program

Right of Entry Forms will be available online for property owners affected by recent wildfires

Los Angeles County is helping to expedite wildfire recovery efforts by making Right of Entry debris clearance forms available online to property owners starting this coming Tuesday, January 28. The initiative, a collaboration between the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Public Works, aims to accelerate debris clearance for wildfire survivors and facilitate rebuilding processes.

“I want to commend the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Public Works for expediting the availability of Right of Entry forms. This is a critical milestone and first step forward towards ensuring wildfire survivors can begin clearing debris and rebuilding their homes without delays,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.

“President Trump was right to highlight the importance of accelerating recovery work—wildfire survivors should not have to wait 18 months to have their debris cleared. Obtaining signatures for these forms,

Monday, January 27, 2025

Chance of Rain Monday Edges Down to 40%, as Eaton Fire Containment Grows to 98%

CITY NEWS SERVICE with PASADENA NOW STAFF

As firefighters Monday improved containment of the massive Eaton Fire burn area to 98%, and continued to root out hot spots, the National Weather Service said the cold winter storm that dropped rain on Altadena over the weekend will head out today.

Only light showers are expected by Monday afternoon. For most areas there will be a chance of partly cloudy skies late in the afternoon.

A new Disaster Recovery Center will open in Altadena on Monday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be available to residents seven days a week. The new center will be located at 540 W. Woodbury Road. Both the Pasadena and Altadena locations will be open through the end of January, but beginning Feb. 1, the Pasadena location will close and all services will shift to Altadena.

On Monday, the Pasadena Unified School District, which includes schools in Altadena, will reopen Field Elementary School,

Monday, January 27, 2025

LA Metro to Resume Fare Collection Monday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

After waiving fees for more than two weeks as a result of fire emergencies, LA Metro has announced it will resume collecting fares Monday across its bus and rail systems.

“We hope the free rides the past 2+ weeks helped you make essential trips during the fires,” Metro noted on social media.

L.A. County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn, who is chair of Metro’s Board of Directors, implemented no-fare collection as a result of multiple fires that broke out Jan. 7. Thousands of residents in the Palisades, Altadena and areas around the city of Los Angeles had to evacuate and were displaced from their homes.

On Thursday, the Board of Directors approved a proposal to expand its LIFE program, an initiative to offer free and reduced-fare service for qualifying individuals.

The agency is expected to modify the eligibility of the program for at least six months. County residents displaced by the fires who enroll will receive 20 free rides every month or a discounted pass on another participating transit agency.

Monday, January 27, 2025

Court to Set Hearing Date in Eaton Fire Burglary Case

A preliminary hearing date will be set Tuesday, January 28, 2025, for four suspects charged with burglarizing an Altadena home during evacuations for the recent Eaton Fire.

Roy Sims, 18, Ryan Sims, 19, Naquan Dewey Reddix, 22, and Pierre Obannon, 19, are scheduled to appear in Department D of the Pasadena Courthouse. Each faces one count of first-degree residential burglary.

The suspects allegedly entered the evacuated home around 5 p.m. on January 8 and stole several items, including an Emmy Award belonging to the resident. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the case.

Prosecutors filed charges against the four defendants on January 10. The defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignment the same day.

Roy and Ryan Sims remain in custody with bail set at $50,000 each. Reddix and Obannon posted bail and were released.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to six years in state prison.

The case is part of a larger crackdown on looting and other crimes committed during recent wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Monday Meeting Will Brief Residents With Updates About Local Disaster Recovery

Community gathering aims to provide resources and support for rebuilding efforts

[Editor’s Note: This article has been changed. This meeting will in fact be virtual at 4 p.m.]

A meeting on Monday will update all those hard-hit by the Eaton Fire on the latest information about recovery efforts.

The January 27 session, led by County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, will start at 4 p.m. and bring together county, state, and federal agencies to provide critical updates and resources for the community’s rebuilding efforts.

“Our goal is to ensure that every resident has access to the information and resources they need to rebuild and recover,” Barger has said. “This meeting is an opportunity for the community to come together, ask questions, and receive support.”

The event will include a question-and-answer session where attendees can address specific concerns and receive personalized assistance on topics including mental health services, housing assistance, and financial aid.

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Congresswoman Chu Recounts Speaking With Trump About Support for Eaton Fire Recovery

Chu said the president emphasized time and time again that he would support Californians ‘100 percent’ in our recovery efforts and did not mention conditions

Congresswoman Judy Chu has recounted speaking to President Trump during the January 23 Fire Recovery Briefing in Pacific Palisades, where he pledged support for California’s wildfire recovery efforts.

Trump’s visit came three days after his inauguration.

“In [Friday’s] presidential briefing, I focused on the positive: President Trump emphasized time and time again that he would support Californians ‘100 percent’ in our recovery efforts,” Chu said in her statement. “He did not mention conditions he’d place on California or Los Angeles County for our residents and communities to receive federal natural disaster assistance and that we would receive ‘whatever we needed’ to heal, recover, and rebuild.”

The presidential visit included both aerial and ground tours of Pacific Palisades, where Trump met with affected homeowners and Los Angeles Fire Department officials.

A roundtable discussion followed at a local fire station,