Monday, April 14, 2025

Aid Event to Support Families Affected by Eaton Canyon Fires

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity leads community effort to provide relief resources

The Eta Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will host “Dena Phirst Aid Day” on Saturday, April 26, at Jackie Robinson Park Recreation Center to support families affected by the recent Eaton Canyon fires.

The free community event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will provide essential resources including food, school supplies, wellness checks and disaster recovery workshops to residents of Pasadena and Altadena — collectively known as “the Dena” to locals.

“This is about real relief and community love,” said organizers in social media announcements promoting the event. “Let’s show up, show out, and support our neighbors like only the Dena can.”

The relief effort comes in response to the Eaton Canyon fires that recently impacted communities in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The fires caused significant displacement and property damage in northeastern Pasadena and Altadena.

The event represents a broad coalition of community organizations.

Monday, April 14, 2025

Property Owners Who Fail to Submit ROE Forms Could Be On the Hook For Debris Removal Costs

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

According to the County’s recovery website, local property owners that do not turn in the required Right of Entry forms could be left with a bill if the Army Corps of Engineers is forced to remove debris from their land.

“If your property was affected, you must choose a debris removal option by April 15, 2025,” according to a statement at https://recovery.lacounty.gov/debris-removal/roe/.

“If you do not submit an Opt-In or Opt-Out form by April 15, 2025, the government will initiate a process to remove fire debris from your property to protect public health and safety.

“In such event, you will be responsible for the full cost of the government’s fire debris removal activities at your property, and a lien may be placed on your property to recover those costs.”

As of Sunday morning, 95 property owners had not filled out the necessary forms. Property owners are required to fill out the forms even if they wish to opt out of the Army Corps of Engineers removal program.

Monday, April 14, 2025

SCE Unveils $925 Million Rebuild Plan for Altadena, Malibu Following January Wildfires

Company to underground power lines, enhance grid resilience in fire-damaged communities

Southern California Edison announced a comprehensive $860-925 million plan Friday to rebuild electrical infrastructure in Altadena and Malibu communities devastated by January’s wildfires and windstorms, with a major focus on undergrounding power lines to prevent future disasters.

The initiative, detailed in a letter from Southern California Edison President and Chief Executive Officer Pedro J. Pizarro to California Governor Gavin Newsom, prioritizes converting overhead power lines to underground infrastructure across 153 circuit miles, with 63 miles planned for Altadena alone.

“We are operating with heightened urgency to build back stronger,” Pizarro wrote in the April 11 letter. “SCE began developing the rebuilding plan in mid-January, including undergrounding electrical distribution infrastructure and deploying new technologies to make Altadena and Malibu model communities for a resilient, clean and affordable energy future.”

In Altadena, SCE plans to underground approximately 40 circuit miles in High Fire Risk Areas (HFRA), with two miles already under construction with completion expected in the coming months.

Friday, April 11, 2025

$4.25 Million RESTORE Program Launches to Rebuild Parks and Trails After January Wildfires

In the aftermath of the devastating January 2025 wildfires, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) is proud to announce the launch of the RESTORE Program (Recovery and Emergency Support for Trails, Open Space, and Recreation), a $4.25 million initiative to support the recovery and rebuilding of public parks, trails, and open spaces in the hardest-hit communities across Los Angeles County.

RESTORE provides targeted, non-competitive grants to cities, agencies, and nonprofit landowners to help restore damaged recreation infrastructure, repair trails, reforest open spaces, and implement best practices in wildfire resilience. The funding also supports planning and technical assistance that will help these jurisdictions compete for future Measure A grants and catalyze investment.

“The January wildfires were devastating. Our communities lost homes, businesses, places of worship, schools—and alongside those, we lost parks, trees, trails, and cherished open spaces,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation and Director of RPOSD. “RESTORE is about helping to rebuild these vital public spaces as the broader recovery of homes and communities moves forward.

Friday, April 11, 2025

State Farm Moves One Step Closer to Emergency California Rate Hike

By Levi Sumagaysay, CALMATTERS

State Farm could soon win final approval to raise premiums for California homeowners and others on an interim basis, a move meant to help prop up the finances of the state’s biggest provider of property insurance, after a public hearing this week.

In early February, State Farm asked California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to approve emergency interim rate increases, saying the Los Angeles Country fires had worsened its financial situation as it awaited the Insurance Department’s decision on rate requests it submitted last summer. State Farm said it expects to pay more than $7 billion worth of claims from those fires.

Lara’s department and State Farm reached an agreement ahead of this week’s hearing. The outcome of an unusual rate hearing in Oakland over the past three days, overseen by administrative law judge Karl-Fredric Seligman, would make it official.

If the judge approves, starting in June the company’s customers will see average increases of 17% for homeowners — down from the 22% the insurer originally requested after it reached a deal with the California Insurance Department;

Friday, April 11, 2025

Local Jewish Community Finds Renewed Meaning in Passover Amid Local Temple’s Ashes

An ancient story of resilience becomes a lived experience as local Jews forge makeshift sanctuaries and shared tables

As Passover 2025 approaches, Pasadena’s Jewish community is demonstrating remarkable resilience following the destruction of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center by the Eaton Fire.

Congregants are opening homes to displaced families while community organizations adapt traditions to ensure holiday celebrations continue amid the devastation.

“The Passover story is about resilience and about wandering in the desert. We are definitely wandering right now. And so I think it’s really important to provide the opportunities to be together and to pray together and to sing together and to eat together,” said Melissa Levy, Executive Director of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center.

The fire has created a situation where a number of congregants lack basic necessities for the upcoming holiday, which begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12, and continues through April 20.

“We have many congregants that have no dining room to have their Seder in,

Friday, April 11, 2025

Buying Bunnies, Chicks as Easter Gifts Strongly Discouraged

By DAVID WEINER, City News Service

As they do each year when Easter approaches, shelter officials and animal rescue groups are urging people not to buy rabbits or baby chicks as holiday gifts for children.

Buying or adopting a live animal on a whim often leads to abandonment when the novelty wears off and families realize they’re not equipped to properly care for the pets.

Instead of a live animal, rescue groups recommend buying a stuffed toy bunny or chocolate candy rabbit for kids’ Easter baskets.

“We’re always concerned with the possibility of people unwisely purchasing rabbits or chicks around Easter,” said Kevin McManus, communications director for the Pasadena Humane Society, told City News Service.

“Our advice to people is to consider the long-term needs of any animal one chooses to bring into their household: That rabbit that is so cute on Easter has a lifespan of eight to 12 years. Rabbits need specific food, housing and care.

Friday, April 11, 2025

10 Homeowners Sue FAIR Plan Over Alleged Nonpayment of Fire Damage Benefits

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The California FAIR Plan Assn. was sued Thursday by 10 homeowners in Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu and Pacific Palisades whose residences were damaged during the January wildfires, with benefits were wrongfully denied or delayed.

The plaintiffs’ Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges insurance bad faith and breach of contract. The plaintiffs seek unspecified consequential and punitive damages as well as unpaid benefits. The plaintiffs also are suing multiple CFPA member insurers, including State Farm General Insurance Co., Automobile Club Inter-Insurance Exchange and Allstate Insurance Co.

The plaintiffs’ quickly notified the CFPA of their losses, the suit said.

“CFPA unlawfully failed to investigate and timely pay wildfire losses suffered by its customers, leaving thousands of families stranded and unable to access the coverage they paid for and desperately needed to repair their homes and protect their health,” the suit states.

A CFP representative issued a statement regarding the lawsuit.

“The FAIR Plan pays all covered claims,

Friday, April 11, 2025

First Rebuild Permit Issued in Altadena

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

LA County has issued the first permit to rebuild a home lost in the Eaton Fire

The nonprofit Habitat for Humanity said they received the permit in a press release on Thursday.

“This is not just about rebuilding homes—it’s about restoring hope, stability, and a future for families who have lost everything,” said SGV Habitat CEO Bryan Wong.

The property is located on North Olive Avenue. Habitat for Humanity built the home previously and will handle the rebuild for the family.

The announcement came just days after Los Angeles County received criticism after local media outlets, including Pasadena Now, reported that no permits had been issued despite promises of an expedited process while the fire was still burning.

Earlier this week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion to create a Unified Permitting Authority (UPA) within the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center to expedite the residential rebuilding process.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Debris Could be Cleared From Most Altadena Properties by Late Summer

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The Army Corps of Engineers continues to track ahead of schedule on Phase 2 of the debris removal in Altadena.

“We are going to be complete January 1, 2026,” said Col. Sonny Avichal at the annual Altadena Community meeting. “However we do expect that for the great majority of property owners, we should be complete late summer early fall.”

As of Monday there were 123 debris removal crews and 92 asbestos abatement removal teams working in Altadena.

Debris has been removed from 1900 properties, Avichal said.

The two stage process began in February after the devastating Eaton Fire broke in January. In Phase 1, teams from the Environmental Protection Agency removed hazardous materials from local properties.

After that was completed Phase 2 began. In that phase, local property owners were required to fill out forms allowing contractors with the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct comprehensive debris removal, including foundations and six inches of soil.