Monday, July 7, 2025

Barger Outlines Progress, Challenges at Eaton Fire Six-Month Anniversary

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

As the six-month anniversary of the devastating Eaton Fire approaches, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger reflected on the recovery efforts underway in Altadena, highlighting rapid progress while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

The January wildfire destroyed nearly 9,000 homes and businesses across Altadena and neighboring areas. In a statement Friday, Barger praised the coordinated response from local, state and federal agencies, while pledging continued support for residents and business owners still recovering.

“This recovery has demonstrated what is possible when government works in lockstep,” Barger said. “But we’re not done yet—there’s still more work to do.”

According to county data, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has cleared debris from more than 5,300 affected properties—95% of eligible residential sites in Altadena—as of July 1. The cleanup is on track to wrap by the end of summer, setting records for both speed and scale, officials said.

Pasadena continues to do its part as well.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Memorial Service for Eaton Fire’s 18 Victims Planned for 6-Month Anniversary Monday

Six months to the minute after the devastating wildfire ignited, community leaders will unite, to honor the dead while confronting long-term recovery challenges

Six months after the Eaton Fire killed 18 people and destroyed more than 9,400 structures, local residents and grassroots community leaders plan to gather for a memorial Monday evening — even as survivors of the devastating wildfire face daunting rebuilding crises.

The 7 p.m. vigil at 181 E. Las Flores Drive — near where victim Evelyn McClendon lived — is being organized by a coalition that brings together LA Voice, Black Events LA, the Pasadena NAACP Branch, My Tribe Rise, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

“Eighteen souls, who passed away. And we want to let them know that they didn’t die in vain, that they’re bringing our communities together,”  said Pablo Alvarado, co-executive director of the National Day Labor Organizing Network.

Monday’s memorial rededicates what organizers said they hope will be sustained advocacy for both the dead and the living — those who survived the flames only to face a different kind of disaster six months later.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Eaton Fire Survivors to Gather to Mark Six-Month Anniversary, Push for Accountability

Fire survivors will host press conference and call for action from insurers and government officials.

The Eaton Fire Survivors Network will host a special gathering Monday to mark six months since the devastating wildfire that killed 18 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings. The event aims to connect survivors while holding insurers and government officials accountable for ongoing recovery challenges.

“We’ll connect, share hugs, hold a survivor-led press conference, and write postcards to hold insurers and government accountable,” the Eaton Fire Survivors Network said in describing the July 7 anniversary event.

The grassroots organization has scheduled the “6-Month Fire Anniversary: Survivor Press Conference & Postcard Party” earlier in the day in Altadena.

Six months later, many survivors continue struggling with insurance claims and housing issues.

Many survivors are still struggling to find permanent housing, with some living in cars or hotels. The rebuilding process is being complicated by government red tape and permit delays.

Joy Chen,

Monday, July 7, 2025

Mayor Victor M. Gordo: Six Months After the Eaton Fire

Six months ago, the Eaton Fire tore through our foothill communities—scorching the land, damaging homes, and forcing families in Altadena and Pasadena to flee with little more than hope in their hearts. But the greatest loss, the most painful wound, was the loss of 18 precious lives. They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, neighbors—people who mattered. And they are deeply missed.

And yet, out of that destruction, we witnessed something remarkable: the strength, resilience, and deep connection that define our community. We saw neighbors reaching out to help neighbors. We saw strangers become family. And we saw the incredible strength of a community that, even in the face of devastation, refused to be broken.

As we mark this six-month milestone, I want to thank Governor Newsom for his leadership and steadfast support from day one. I also want to express tremendous appreciation for our federal, state, and local partners—including Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, Assemblymember John Harabedian, Supervisor Kathryn Barger and her team,

Monday, July 7, 2025

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK | Covering the Eaton Fire: Altadena’s Silent Firestorm

By EDDIE RIVERA

I thought I could get back home early.

I set my alarm for 3:30 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday, January 8, some ten hours after the start of the fire, thinking that I could dash out the door by 4 a.m., hopefully grab some fire footage,  and maybe interview a fire captain at a street command post somewhere in Altadena.

I was already far too late. I was somewhere near the middle of the worst of the Eaton Canyon fire. And things were only growing from there. The firestorm had already blown from east to west through Altadena like a hurricane, and by the approaching dawn, nearly a thousand homes had already been wiped out.

Leaving my home about 18 minutes away from the heart of the firestorm, flaming ashes were already swirling everywhere, and as I headed up Lake Avenue, a Sheriff’s deputy stopped me and told me to turn around. I explained that I was part of the media and needed to cover the fire.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Altadena Sheriff Station Hosts “Guac With a Cop” Community Event

Deputies invite residents to join them for food and conversation at local restaurant

Deputies from the Altadena Sheriff Station will host a community engagement event Tuesday, July 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at El Patron Restaurant. The “Guac With a Cop” event aims to strengthen the bond between local law enforcement and the community through informal dining and conversation.

The event encourages residents to bring their appetite and questions to connect with deputies in a relaxed setting. The gathering provides an opportunity for community members to enjoy delicious food and get to know the faces behind the badge.

El Patron Restaurant, located at 2555 Lake Avenue in Altadena, will serve as the venue for this community policing initiative. The restaurant reopened in March after surviving the Eaton Fire that devastated Altadena in January.

The Eaton Fire began on January 7 and was fully contained on January 31, burning 14,021 acres and destroying over 9,000 structures in Altadena and surrounding areas.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Huntington Health Hosts Virtual Event to Combat Rising Elder Financial Abuse

Senior Care Network addresses $36.5 billion annual problem nationwide, which affects local community

Huntington Health will host a free virtual educational event this week addressing financial elder abuse as reports of exploitation continue to surge nationwide.

The Senior Care Network’s Noon Hour Series presentation on July 9 aims to help community members recognize warning signs and take protective action against a crime affecting more than six in 100 elderly Americans.

Financial elder abuse happens when someone illegally or improperly uses an older adult’s money, property, or assets—often through scams or manipulation. Financial abuse is more common than you think and often goes unnoticed, according to event materials.

The session will focus on scams targeting older adults, including how participants can protect themselves from exploitation after a disaster strikes. Elder Abuse Prevention Advocate Alisa “Lisa” Anderson from Bet Tzedek Legal Services will lead the 12:30 p.m. Zoom presentation.

The event targets caregivers, family members, and anyone working with older adults,

Sunday, July 6, 2025

In A First, California Moves Toward Paying Incarcerated Firefighters Minimum Wage

By Cayla Mihalovich, CALMATTERS

In a historic policy change, California is moving to pay incarcerated firefighters the federal minimum wage during active fires.

The wage increase, funded through the new state budget, follows years of advocacy to improve pay and working conditions for incarcerated labor. That effort took on a new urgency after hundreds of incarcerated firefighters were deployed to battle deadly wildfires that hit Los Angeles in January.

Incarcerated firefighters currently earn between $5.80 and $10.24 per day, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During active emergencies, Cal Fire compensates them an additional $1 per hour.

That appears to be changing. Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed a new state budget with $10 million to pay incarcerated firefighters $7.25 an hour when they’re on a fire. It will take effect Jan. 1 as long as the Legislature passes a bill that would mandate the policy.

“It’s the right thing to do and it’s long overdue,” said Assemblymember Isaac Bryan,

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Prominent Endocrinologist’s Death in San Marino House Fire Leads to Arrest of Estranged Husband

A six-month investigation into a deadly house fire has led to the arrest of a 62-year-old man accused of murdering his estranged wife, a respected endocrinologist, whose body was found in their burned San Marino home earlier this year.

Yoon Lai, also known as Kevin Lai, was arrested Thursday morning at his San Gabriel residence on suspicion of killing Dr. Irene Gaw-Lai, 56, on Jan. 6. He is being held without bail pending a case presentation to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on July 8, authorities said.

Dr. Gaw-Lai, also known professionally as Dr. Irene Gaw Gonzalo, was found dead inside her burning home on the 2000 block of Lorain Road. Firefighters responded to the blaze around 9:45 a.m. and discovered her body with severe burns and upper body trauma. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Initially treated as an accidental fire, the case shifted to a homicide investigation the following day after a medical examination reportedly revealed suspicious injuries.

“There was trauma to her upper body,” said Lt.

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Updated: Two Men Hospitalized After Brenner Park Shooting, Suspects at Large

[Editor: New information from authorities has resulted in significant new details that correct and expand the original story on this incident]

[Updated 7:08 a.m.] Two men were hospitalized after a shooting late Friday night at Brenner Park, and police are searching for two suspects, authorities said.

Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 11:08 p.m. near Mountain Street and Sunset Avenue, according to Pasadena Police Lt. Anthony Russo.

SoundThinking, a gunshot detection system used by Pasadena police that was formerly called ShotSpotter, detected 10 rounds fired in the area.

By the time officers arrived, both victims had already been taken to Huntington Hospital by acquaintances, Russo said.

An 18-year-old Altadena man suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the arm, chest, and shoulder and remains hospitalized with major injuries. A 32-year-old Pasadena man was shot in the hand. Both are expected to survive.

Police are seeking two Black male suspects. One was last seen wearing a white tank top,