Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Altadena Main Library Reopens Tuesday After Two-Month Eaton Fire Closure

Community hub returns to normal operations while Bob Lucas branch undergoes renovation

The Altadena Library District is reopening its Main Library on Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. following two months of recovery efforts after the Eaton Fire. The library has been remediated and is ready to resume services for residents who are rebuilding their community in the aftermath of the devastating fire.

“Over the past two months, we’ve partnered with many local organizations to support our community, including a fundraising campaign with LA County Library to provide free hotspots to our community,” says District Director Nikki Winslow. “We also helped staff the LA County Parks’ Care Camps, hosted programs at Pasadena Library branches, and have been to countless outreach events. But we are so happy to return to our library, to serve Altadenans here in our community. We want the library District to be a symbol of hope and recovery for our community.”

For nearly a century the Altadena Library District and its facilities have served as essential community gathering places.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Firefighters Honored At Academy Awards For Wildfire Response

Pasadena Fire Department among those recognized during ceremony hosted by Conan O’Brien

Los Angeles area firefighters received a standing ovation at the 97th Academy Awards on Sunday, honored for their heroic actions during the Southern California wildfires in January. The recognition came during a ceremony that paused twice to acknowledge the destruction caused by the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire.

The Pasadena Fire Department shared news of the honor on Facebook, expressing gratitude for the recognition at the prestigious event. “And The Oscar Goes To…PFD & our Public Safety partners will be honored tonight at the Academy Awards,” the department posted on Sunday.

Firefighters were welcomed onto the stage at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, where celebrities and stars rose to their feet in appreciation. The moment marked the second time during the ceremony that the program acknowledged the devastation caused by the recent wildfires.

Conan O’Brien, who hosted the event, first mentioned wildfire relief efforts during his opening monologue.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Postal Inspectors Warn of Imposter Scams During National Consumer Protection Week

Officials urge consumers to verify identities before sharing personal information or sending money

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a warning about imposter scams as part of National Consumer Protection Week, which runs from March 2 to 8. These fraudulent schemes involve scammers posing as friends, relatives, or legitimate organizations to steal personal information and money from unsuspecting victims.

“There are many types of imposter scams,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the USPIS Criminal Investigations Group. “But they all start with messages like, ‘I’m in trouble…,’ ‘I need…,’ ‘You’ve won!..,’ or ‘I have a great offer for you!'”

Shen said these deceptive tactics create a false sense of trust that allows scammers to access privileged information and ultimately drain financial accounts.

The warning comes as part of a broader consumer protection initiative by the USPIS.

Postal authorities recommend several precautionary measures to help consumers protect themselves from these increasingly sophisticated scams. They advise taking time with financial decisions,

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Wildfire Victims to Receive Free Haircuts at Relief Pop-Up Salon

Local organizations partner to offer grooming services and essential products to those affected by recent disasters

Foothill Unity Center is collaborating with the Beauty Bus Foundation to host a Wildfire Relief Pop-Up Hair Salon on Friday, March 7, providing complimentary haircuts and styling services to those impacted by recent fires.

The event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., will offer free grooming services to 90 pre-registered participants including both adults and children.

Taking place at the Foothill Unity Center’s Monrovia location, the pop-up salon will provide haircuts, styling, barbering services, and beard trims to help wildfire victims. Attendees will also receive premium hair, beauty, and skincare products donated by Henkel, Thrive Causemetics, and ella + mila.

“We’re excited to team up with the Beauty Bus Foundation to offer free haircuts to those impacted by the recent wildfires,” said Foothill Unity Center in a Facebook post on Feb. 26. The organization encouraged people to “come by and let us help you feel refreshed and renewed!”

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

30 LA County Probation Officers Face Charges Over Youth Violence at Juvenile Hall

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Thirty Los Angeles County probation officers are facing multiple criminal charges Tuesday including child abuse and endangerment following an investigation that detected cases of “youth-on-youth violence” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey.

As part of the indictment announced Monday, prosecutors allege the officers staged “gladiator fights” among the youth detainees at the troubled facility. According to state Attorney General Rob Bonta, 69 fights were allowed to occur between youths housed at the facility between July and December in 2023.

“Officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of those under their care,” Bonta said in a statement Monday. “Instead, the officers charged today did just the opposite — overseeing `gladiator fights’ when they should have intervened. The indictment – – and the filing of criminal charges — is an important step toward holding these officers accountable and addressing shortfalls at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Let today’s charges be a warning for all those who abuse their power: the California Department of Justice is watching,

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Massive Communal Dinner At Rose Bowl on Saturday Will Support Wildfire Recovery

1,000-person benefit event this Saturday aims to raise funds for Altadena and Pacific Palisades communities

This Saturday, March 8, the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium will host an extraordinary fundraising dinner featuring a 1,000-person communal table to support communities affected by recent Southern California wildfires. The “Day After Tomorrow” benefit event will bring together donors, first responders, and impacted community members for a family-style, farm-to-table meal prepared by Los Angeles’ top chefs, with all proceeds benefiting the Altadena Community Fund and the Palisades Community Fund.

“This is a powerful act of kindness by the food community to nourish the people of Altadena and the Palisades,” said Jim Denevan, founder of Outstanding in the Field, the organization producing the event. “We feel privileged to set this healing table just miles from where the Eaton Fire burned with the participation of the farmers and winemakers that care for our land.”

The community funds were established in January 2025 in response to the devastating impact of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires.

Monday, March 3, 2025

Cancer Support Community To Donate Up To $100,000 From Annual Gala To Eaton Fire Relief

Cancer Support Community Greater San Gabriel Valley (CSCSGV) will donate up to $100,000 from its 35th annual Angel Gala to support those affected by the Eaton Fire. The fundraising event, themed “Rise Together,” will be held on April 26, 2025, at The Langham Hotel Pasadena, with proceeds benefiting both cancer support programs and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund.

“In the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire, we recognize the importance of coming together not only to support those affected by cancer but also to uplift our community who has supported us for so many years,” said Patricia Ostiller, Chief Executive Officer, Cancer Support Community. “With that in mind, Cancer Support Community will donate up to $100,000 of the funds raised at our 2025 Angel Gala to Pasadena Community Foundation’s (PCF) Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund.”

The majority of proceeds from the event will continue supporting CSCSGV’s free programs, including support groups, educational workshops, healthy lifestyle classes, and one-on-one counseling for families affected by cancer.

Monday, March 3, 2025

Who Should Pay Billions for Climate Disasters? California and Others Take Aim at Big Oil — Will the Strategy Work?

By Alejandro Lazo, CALMATTERS

Big Oil faces mounting lawsuits as extreme weather worsens, with California leading efforts to make fossil fuel giants pay billions of dollars for the climate damage they have long denied.

Across the country, states, cities, tribes and environmental groups have filed dozens of lawsuits against oil companies alleging that they misled the public about the dangers of their products. These cases share a core argument: Oil companies knew fossil fuels were driving climate change and lied about it.

California and other plaintiffs are recycling a legal strategy deployed during the 1990s, when states alleged that tobacco companies knew cigarettes cause cancer. Four large companies settled the cases by paying billions to fund states’ anti-smoking campaigns and other efforts. The manufacturers also must make annual payments to the states as long as they sell cigarettes in the United States.

The settlement set a powerful precedent for using litigation to hold industries accountable for public harm caused by deceptive practices.

Monday, March 3, 2025

Hearing Date to Be Set for Four Suspects in Eaton Fire Looting Case

Men accused of stealing Emmy Award from evacuated Altadena home face up to six years in prison

A preliminary hearing date is scheduled to be set Monday for four men accused of burglarizing an evacuated home during January’s devastating Eaton fire in Altadena.

Roy Sims, 18, Ryan Sims, 19, Naquan Dewey Reddix, 22, and Pierre Obannon, 19, face charges of first-degree residential burglary for allegedly entering the home on Jan. 8 and stealing various items, including an Emmy Award belonging to the resident.

The hearing is set for 8:30 a.m. in Department D of the Pasadena Courthouse.

According to authorities, the alleged burglary took place in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Jan. 8, during evacuations for the Eaton Fire. The suspects are accused of taking advantage of the emergency situation to enter the evacuated residence and steal property after residents were forced to flee under mandatory evacuation orders.

Roy and Ryan Sims remain in custody with bail set at $50,000 each,

Monday, March 3, 2025

Average LA County Gas Prices Rise

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose four-tenths of a cent Monday to $4.752, a day after dropping three-tenths of a cent and ending a six-day streak of drops.

The average price has dropped 3.2 cents over the past seven days, including six-tenths of a cent Saturday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 14.7 cents lower than one year ago but 22 cents more than one month ago.

The average price has dropped $1.742 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price dropped for the 11th consecutive day, decreasing one-tenth of a cent to $3.097, a day after dropping a half-cent. It has dropped 6.8 cents over the past 10 days, including 1.1 cents Saturday.

The national average price is 4.7 cents less than one week ago, one- tenth of a cent lower than a month ago and 24.9 cents lower than one year ago.