Friday, May 23, 2025

LA Metro Doubles Down on Safety in $9.4 Billion Spending Plan for Fiscal Year 2025-26

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Metro’s Board of Directors on Thursday approved a $9.4 billion spending plan for 2026 — which represents a 2% increase or $180.9 million more compared to the $9.26 billion in the current year — prioritizing more funding for public safety and boosting the frequency of transit services.

Despite financial headwinds and economic concerns, Metro directors adopted the budget in a unanimous vote, which they described as “balanced” and something that should not be taken for granted. One official noted that similar financial challenges have led other transit agencies across the country — including in San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia — to reduce services

“Metro is not immune to the same headwinds all of our peer agencies are facing,” Metro Director and Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval said Thursday, who is also the chair of the budget committee. “It’s time for us to have some honest, tough conversation about our future and priorities.”

Sandoval asked Metro staff to return next month with a framework outlining possible trade-offs and solutions to address the agency’s budget constraints.

Friday, May 23, 2025

LA County Launches Residential Soil Testing Program in Eaton Fire Area

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Thursday began a residential soil testing program in neighborhoods near the Eaton Fire to better assess the levels of lead potentially in the ground.

Earlier testing by the agency found levels of lead above health screening thresholds in the soil at properties downwind from the Eaton Fire. In response, the county Board of Supervisors voted last month to allocate $3 million to a more robust testing program for affected residents.

Under the program, which will continue through December, residents will be provided with instructions on how to collect soil samples from their yards and drop them off at a One Stop Permit Center at 464 W. Woodbury Road, suite 210, in Altadena between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

The samples will be picked up by certified labs, and residents will receive results within a week to 10 days, with a link to a website that will help residents interpret the results.

Friday, May 23, 2025

Ex-LA Deputy Mayor to Plead Guilty to Reporting Fake Bomb Threat

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Brian Williams, a former Los Angeles deputy mayor who is a Pasadena resident, has agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge for reporting a fake bomb threat to L.A. City Hall last year, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Williams, 61, is charged with a single count of threats regarding fire and explosives, a felony carrying a possible prison sentence of up to 10 years, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to his plea agreement, on Oct. 3, 2024, while serving as Mayor Karen Bass’ deputy mayor of public safety, Williams participated in a virtual meeting with multiple people in connection with his official duties. During the meeting, Williams used the Google Voice application on his personal cellphone to place a call to his city-issued phone, court papers show.

Williams then left the virtual meeting and called the Los Angeles Police Department’s chief of staff, falsely claiming he had just received a bomb threat to City Hall on his city-issued phone from an unknown man,

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Caltech Researchers Measure a Major Chemical Contributing to Los Angeles Smog

By Lori Dajose, CALTECH

The Los Angeles region has some of the most polluted air in the United States, failing to meet standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency for the last decade. Now, Caltech researchers have quantified the levels of a component of smog called ammonium nitrate, a molecule that has been notoriously difficult to measure, and have found that there is much more of it than previously calculated, especially on the most polluted days.

The findings emphasize the need for the continued reduction of fossil fuel emissions from cars, trucks, and other industrial processes, which produce the precursor to ammonium nitrate, called nitric oxides or NOx.

The research was conducted in the Caltech laboratories of Paul Wennberg, the R. Stanton Avery Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry and Environmental Science and Engineering, and Richard Flagan, the Irma and Ross McCollum-William H. Corcoran Professor of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Science and Engineering. A paper describing the study,

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Pasadena Firefighters Face Lingering Health Effects from Eaton Fire Smoke Exposure

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

[UPDATED] Pasadena firefighters who responded to the devastating Eaton Fire earlier this year are now experiencing lingering health issues tied to smoke exposure, with blood tests revealing elevated levels of carcinogens, toxins, and metals, according to a report by KCAL News.

“Pasadena firefighters gave their all during the Eaton fire and were exposed to tons of lead, asbestos and other toxins. This wasn’t a wildfire,” Fire Chief Chad Agustin told Pasadena Now on Wednesday. “My role is to make sure they stay healthy. We are communicating with the best experts around the country on testing and frequency of testing.”

Firefighters from Station 38, who were among the first to arrive at the scene, reported a range of severe reactions following the fire, including burning sensations in their eyes and throats, persistent headaches, and overwhelming exhaustion.

According to Agustin, many firefighters had symptoms immediately after the fire, and although much of that has subsided,

Thursday, May 22, 2025

LA County Supervisor Barger Leads Wildfire Recovery Roundtable In Washington

Local officials meet with federal lawmakers to address disaster recovery needs

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger led a bipartisan congressional roundtable discussion on wildfire disaster recovery in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, May 20. The high-level meeting, hosted by Representatives Judy Chu and Brad Sherman and Senator Alex Padilla, brought together federal lawmakers, Los Angeles County leadership, and disaster recovery experts at the U.S. Capitol.

The roundtable aimed to spotlight the urgent need for federal support following devastating fires across California.

“Our communities are still reeling from the aftermath of recent wildfires, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they are not left behind in the recovery process,” said Supervisor Barger. “We cannot afford to normalize disasters. We must strengthen our federal partnerships to better prepare, respond, and recover. Lives and livelihoods depend on that.”

The discussion, titled “Discussion on Fire Disaster Recovery,” addressed ongoing recovery efforts, housing displacement challenges, infrastructure rebuilding needs, and federal partnerships essential for mitigating future disasters.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

USPS Designates Third Week of May As Mailbox Improvement Week

Annual initiative encourages customers to inspect and maintain mailboxes for safe and efficient mail delivery

The United States Postal Service has designated the third week of May (May 19–24) as Mailbox Improvement Week. This annual initiative encourages customers on both city and rural delivery routes to examine their mailboxes and, where necessary, “give their mailboxes a little love” to ensure safe, secure, and efficient mail delivery.

“Customers are encouraged to inspect, maintain, and upgrade their mailboxes to ensure safe, secure, and efficient mail delivery,” said the Postal Service in its announcement.

The United States Postal Service emphasizes that mailboxes should meet several key requirements to function properly. These include being approved by the Postmaster General, fully operational, designed to protect mail from weather, safe to use, conveniently located, neat in appearance, and large enough—within allowable size limits—to support daily mail and package volume (see United States Postal Service Delivery Growth Management).

Customers planning to replace their entire mailbox must consult with their local postmaster or station manager first.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

74-Year-Old Man Missing Since January in Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Authorities sought the public’s assistance Wednesday in locating a 74-year-old at-risk man who was last seen in Altadena and may have been displaced by the Eaton Fire in January.

Juan Francisco Espinoza was last seen around 7 p.m. on Jan. 7 in the 10 block of La Venezia Court in an unincorporated area of Altadena, according to the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

Espinoza was described as a Hispanic man, 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds, with black and gray hair, brown eyes and a beard. He was last seen wearing blue overalls.

Sheriff’s officials said that Espinoza’s family is growing increasingly concerned for his well-being and is asking for the public’s help in locating him.

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

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Sycamores Breaks Ground on New Children’s Crisis Programs in Altadena

New mental health facilities aim to address critical shortage of youth psychiatric services in Los Angeles County

Sycamores has begun renovation of two new mental health facilities dedicated to helping children in crisis.

The groundbreaking ceremony on May 16 at the organization’s El Nido campus in Altadena marked the start of construction for a Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit and a Children’s Psychiatric Health Facility. These programs will provide a full continuum of urgent mental health services in a safe, age-appropriate environment, addressing a long-standing gap in care for youth experiencing mental health crises.

“This groundbreaking represents a powerful commitment to children and families in our community,” said Debra Manners, President and CEO of Sycamores. “Too many young people in crisis don’t get the help they need — or get it in the wrong place, like an emergency room. These new programs will offer the right care at the right time in the right setting. We are deeply grateful to our partners at the County and State levels for making this vision a reality.”

Thursday, May 22, 2025

County Supervisors to Consider Homekey+ Housing Projects and Governance Reform Nominees

May 27 meeting to include $5.2 million for affordable housing and appointments to new reform task force

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider approving five properties for submission to the state’s Homekey+ Program, including $5.2 million in mental health funding for one project, at their upcoming public hearing next Tuesday.

The Board will vote on a recommendation from Supervisor Kathryn Barger to approve joint applications for the affordable housing initiative, focusing on five properties located in Los Angeles and Torrance. The Huntington Villas project at 5350 South Huntington Drive would receive up to $5.2 million in Mental Health Services Act and/or Behavioral Health Services Act funds to support housing with mental health services. This item will be addressed during both the regular Board meeting and the separate Los Angeles County Development Authority meeting agenda portion.

The meeting will also include consideration of five nominees for at-large positions on the newly formed Governance Reform Task Force, following the Los Angeles County Governance Reform Motion approved on November 26,