Thursday, April 3, 2025

Altadena Chamber To Host Virtual Business Coffee Chat on Friday

Local entrepreneurs invited to discuss recovery challenges at weekly forum

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce & Civic Association will host its Weekly Business Coffee Chat on Friday, April 4 at 9:30 a.m. The virtual meeting aims to provide local business owners and operators a platform to share concerns, experiences, and insights regarding their path to recovery.

“Your voice matters! Whether you are facing supply chain issues, workforce challenges, or simply need a platform to discuss your ideas for moving forward, this is the space for you. Let’s foster a supportive environment where we can learn from one another and strengthen our community,” Chamber officials said in an announcement.

“Together, we can navigate this journey towards recovery with resilience and creativity.”

The Weekly Business Coffee Chat is designed as a relaxed and open forum where businesses can engage with one another, discuss challenges they are facing, and brainstorm collaborative solutions. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with fellow business owners while contributing to community resilience.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Xavier Becerra Jumps Into Crowded Race For California Governor

By Alexei Koseff, CALMATTERS

As Californians wait to find out whether one prominent veteran of the Biden administration is running for governor, another jumped into the crowded race on Wednesday.

Xavier Becerra, the former attorney general of California and longtime member of Congress who most recently served as secretary of health and human services under President Joe Biden, announced his campaign with a short video in which he promised to “rebuild the California Dream.”

In an interview with CalMatters, Becerra lamented that California has become too expensive for working people to live near their jobs and that the experience of his parents, who raised their family on the salaries of a construction worker and a clerical worker, is no longer achievable.

“I’m a native son of this state. I’ve done everything I can most of my career for this state. It’s in my blood,” he said. “We’ve reached this break-glass point.”

Becerra said that as governor he would work with the building industry to reduce barriers to housing construction and potentially seek to provide more down payment assistance to buyers.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Remains of 18th Eaton Fire Victim Found in Altadena

Death toll from Southern California wildfires rises to 30

Human remains discovered Wednesday in Altadena have been confirmed as the 18th victim of the Eaton Fire, bringing the total death toll from recent Southern California wildfires to 30.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner Special Operations Response Team responded to the 900 block of Boston Street where they investigated and confirmed the remains were human.

Officials report 18 deaths are now attributed to the Eaton Fire and 12 to the Palisades Fire.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner faces challenges identifying remains due to their condition, relying on dental records, DNA comparison, medical records review and radiographs to look for medical prosthetics or devices with associated serial numbers.

Authorities are working with law enforcement agencies to gather information on suspected missing persons and conduct follow-up with families. Officials caution that the complex identification process may take considerable time to confirm a decedent’s identity in these types of cases.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

LA Health Services Achieves Excellence In Patient Care And Innovation

Annual report highlights improved access, quality benchmarks and community health initiatives

The Los Angeles Department of Health Services has released its 2024 Annual Report documenting significant achievements in patient care, healthcare innovation, and improved access for vulnerable populations. The report said Los Angeles Health Services (LA Health Services) exceeded quality benchmarks and implemented new programs.

“Trust is at the heart of everything we do, which is why I am so proud to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals who are steadfast in their commitment to delivering high quality and timely care to each and every patient,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Health Services,

The report showcases LA Health Services’ exceptional performance across multiple quality measures, surpassing the 90% percentile for California state benchmarks.

LA General Medical Center received two consecutive ‘A’ grades from Leapfrog Group, a nationally recognized authority on hospital safety, reflecting commitment to maintaining the highest standards of care for every LA County resident through unprecedented improvements in mortality rates,

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

LA County Declares April As Armenian History Month

Board of Supervisors recognizes cultural heritage and community contributions

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion to designate April 2025 as Armenian History Month. The proclamation, authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn, aims to honor the cultural heritage, resilience, and significant contributions of the Armenian community in Los Angeles County.

“My district is home to the largest Armenian diaspora in the world,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “Thousands of my constituents are proud members of the Armenian community, and I have seen firsthand how their culture, resilience, and values are deeply woven into the diverse fabric of Los Angeles County. Proclaiming April as Armenian History Month is not just about remembrance—it is also a celebration of the strength, contributions, and enduring impact of Armenians who continue to shape our region in meaningful ways.”

The Board’s recognition provides a platform to remember the past and advocate for the future.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Los Angeles County Explores Efforts to Embrace Neurodiversity Employment

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The County Board of Supervisors is directing agencies Wednesday to study ways of increasing “neurodiversity” job opportunities for people with conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or other such disorders.

The board on Tuesday directed the departments of Aging and Disabilities and Economic Opportunity to work with the County Librarian, County Counsel and the CEO and report back to the board in 180 days with recommendations.

The motion passed unanimously and Supervisors Janice Hahn and Holly Mitchell cited reports noting that people with disabilities face challenges securing employment.

“Neurodiversity is the recognition that people have diverse ways of thinking, learning and interacting with the world. It includes conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia — natural variations of the human mind that do not necessarily impact job performance,” Hahn said.

“People with autism or other developmental differences have immense potential and valuable skills to offer, yet, are far too overlooked in the hiring process.”

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

County Supervisors OK Efforts to Support Small Businesses Affected by Fires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Adding to a long list of incentives to support Eaton Fire victims, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday adopted a resolution authorizing the approval of pop-up retail and commercial use applications in vacant lots cleared of fire debris in Altadena.

The director of regional planning was authorized to approve applications for a five-year period, with an initial period of three years and two possible one-year extension options.

Additionally, the director of economic opportunity was directed to set aside 500 Youth@Work positions in Fiscal Year 2025-26 for youth impacted by the fire.

The CEO and other relevant county departments were asked to report back in 30 days with a plan to establish a satellite America’s Job Center of California site in Altadena.

The initiative was intended “to ensure priority access of worker and employer resources including job training, employer hiring and incentive supports, upskilling, resume and interview skills training, and rapid re- employment services,”

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

In California’s Capitol, Some Political Fights Span Decades

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

Were we able to transport ourselves back in time 50 years and into California’s Capitol, we would find a governor seeking and enjoying massive attention by national political media as he eyes some greater office. We’d also find a Legislature dealing with conflicts among influential interests with heavy financial impacts.

In other words, the Capitol’s dynamics in 1975 were pretty much what they are today.

The resemblance even extends to specific issues. For instance, then-Gov. Jerry Brown was touting a “peripheral canal” in 1975 to carry water around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Gavin Newsom was seven years old then, but now as governor is waging the same campaign for a tunnel to do the same thing and is facing the same opposition.

Other conflicts that confronted Brown and legislators a half-century ago can be found again among the hundreds of bills introduced so far in the 2025 legislative session.

On Tuesday,

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Supervisor Barger Unveils Economic Recovery Initiative for Altadena After Eaton Fire

STAFF REPORT

In a decisive move to bolster Altadena’s recovery following the recent Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger which aims to provide essential economic support for local small businesses and workers affected by the disaster.

“Our small business owners are the backbone of Altadena’s economy, and we must do everything we can to help them recover,”Supervisor Barger said in a statement. She stressed that the approved motion aims to deliver financial relief and create opportunities for rebuilding the community.

Among several key provisions designed to revitalize the local economy and assist those impacted by the fire, the initiative allows for the establishment of pop-up restaurants and events in vacant lots across Altadena for up to five years, fostering community engagement and stimulating economic activity.

As part of the effort to support young residents, 500 Youth@Work positions will be allocated for the next fiscal year,

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Altadena Tenants Union to Hold First General Meeting Amid Post-Fire Recovery

The newly formed Altadena Tenants Union will hold its first general meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. online, bringing together local renters affected by the Eaton Fire to share experiences and discuss recovery efforts.

The virtual gathering comes as many Altadena residents continue to face housing challenges after the fire destroyed homes and left others covered in toxic ash, according to organization documents.

“No matter where you are right now, you are part of the Altadena community, and your experience is important,” states the meeting announcement. “For our first general meeting, we wanted to give folks a chance to share about what their experiences have been, and to build our bonds of community. We are neighbors helping neighbors, and it’s much more challenging when we can’t see each other on the stairs or at the grocery store, so this is an imperfect but hopefully useful effort to stay connected.”

The meeting registration link is here.

The Altadena Tenants Union was formed in response to challenges including unclear communication about cleanup responsibilities,