Monday, February 10, 2025

FEMA Recovery Centers to Adjust Hours Monday

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers for residents impacted by the LA County wildfires will start operating with new hours Monday, officials said.

The Altadena Disaster Recovery Center at 540 W. Woodbury Road will now be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, according to the Joint Information Center. The same applies to the center at UCLA Research Park West at 10850 W. Pico Blvd.

Residents seeking financial help can request FEMA assistance online at recovery.lacounty.gov. The deadline to apply is March 10.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass marked the one-month anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton fires Friday with a vow to fully rebuild and conduct a thorough review of the response to the disaster.

The mayor’s remarks came on the heels of a major advancement in the debris-clearance efforts in the Palisades and Eaton fire burn zones.

On Thursday night, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger announced that the county Department of Public Works had officially delivered the first batch of signed “Right of Entry”

Monday, February 10, 2025

Average LA County Gas Price Rises for 15th Time in 16 Days

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose six-tenths of a cent Monday to $4.653, a day after rising 1.8 cents.

The average price has increased 15 of the last 16 days. It is 12.1 cents more than one week ago and 20.6 cents more than one month ago, but 9.4 cents less than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

The average price has dropped $1.841 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price rose three-tenths of a cent to $3.139, a day after dropping two-tenths of a cent. It is 4.1 cents more than one week ago and 7.3 cents higher than one month ago, but 4.4 cents less than a year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.877 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

Monday, February 10, 2025

District Attorney, Lawmakers Announce Effort to Stop Looting During Disasters

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna and lawmakers are expected Monday to announce legislation they are proposing to toughen laws against looting and impersonating emergency workers during disasters and the recovery process.

The proposed legislation is scheduled to be announced Monday morning at the Hall of Justice.

The legislation was motivated by the devastating January wildfires with more than two dozen arrests of people accused of looting in fire zones, with some allegedly impersonating firefighters to avoid law enforcement.

“For those who commit crimes from looting to arson to impersonation of firefighters to price gouging to financial scams, justice will be swift and significant,” Hochman said when announcing charges last month.

“You will be arrested, prosecuted, and punished to the full extent of the law. Targeting victims of these fires at their lowest moment is despicable and shameful, and this office will do everything in its power to support the victims and bring their victimizers to justice.”

Friday, February 7, 2025

Local Congresswoman Appointed the House Budget Committee for 119th Congress

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents Pasadena, has been appointed to the House Budget Committee, where she vows to oppose Republican-backed tax cuts for wealthy Americans and advocate for middle-class families.

The committee, led by Democratic Ranking Member Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, oversees the federal budget process and establishes national fiscal priorities.

“The House Budget Committee plays a critical role in shaping the financial direction of our nation,” Chu said, criticizing what she called MAGA Republicans’ efforts to “pass tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy” while “giving billionaires like Trump’s biggest donor, Elon Musk, unfettered access to our government’s sensitive data systems.”

Chu, representing California’s 28th District, said she will focus on education, healthcare, cost reduction and public safety initiatives. This marks her return to the committee, though her previous tenure was not specified.

Boyle welcomed Chu’s appointment, calling her “a tireless advocate for the middle class” and expressing readiness to “stand up to Republican attempts to pass more tax giveaways for the ultra-rich and rig the economy against working families.”

Friday, February 7, 2025

Tenants Demand Action as Eaton Fire Damage Reportedly Leaves Hundreds in Limbo

Tenants say emergency measures are needed as ash and smoke rendered many units uninhabitable, allege landlords are delaying remediation

Dozens of Pasadena and Altadena residents affected by January’s devastating Eaton Fire pleaded with the City’s Rental Housing Board for help Thursday night, describing dangerous living conditions inside their rental units, mounting personal expenditures to deal with the situation, and landlords unwilling or unable to clean up ash and smoke damage in their units. 

The six-hour-and-six-minute meeting highlighted the ongoing crisis that developed after extraordinary windstorm conditions with gusts over 80 mph triggered an apocalyptic fire on January 7, leading to an official Local Emergency declaration.

“I can’t take my toddler home right now because there’s ash and soot all over, her toys, all over our beds,” said one District 2 resident who requested anonymity. “My daughter had to quit college to help me try to clean our apartment and try to help me watch my toddler.”

The disaster destroyed 117 single-family homes,

Friday, February 7, 2025

Altadena Takes Major Step Toward Post-Fire Rebuilding as County Submits Initial Debris Removal Requests

Los Angeles County officials begin hazardous waste cleanup after securing property owner approvals for Eaton Fire recovery

Los Angeles County initiated debris removal efforts for properties destroyed by January’s Eaton Fire by submitting its first batch of validated Right-of-Entry forms to the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The action enables federal crews to clear toxic rubble from fire-ravaged Altadena neighborhoods — a process officials say is essential for public safety and community recovery.

“This is a critical step forward in our mission to rebuild and restore Altadena,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger. “The debris left in the fire’s wake is not just a visual reminder of the devastation — it poses real health and safety risks to our community. By clearing these sites, we are paving the way for families to rebuild and reclaim their homes.”

The Los Angeles County Public Works Department delivered 1,409 validated Right-of-Entry forms Thursday after verifying property ownership details (to prevent fraud),

Friday, February 7, 2025

Authorities Seek Help Locating At-Risk 96-Year-Old Woman Missing in Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Authorities sought the public’s assistance Thursday in locating an at-risk 96-year-old woman last seen in Altadena and may have been displaced by the Eaton Fire.

Elizabeth Jane Behny was in last contact with her family around noon on Jan. 5 and was last seen in the 2000 block of Pinecrest Drive, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Behny was described as a 5 foot-1-inch tall white woman weighing 92 pounds with gray hair and green eyes. It was unclear what she was last seen wearing.

Sheriff’s officials said Behny utilizes a walker, and her family is growing concerned about her well-being.

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

Friday, February 7, 2025

Newly Appointed EPA Administrator Tours Eaton Fire Burn Area

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Hazardous material removal continues Friday in fire-damaged areas of Altadena and Pasadena, a day after recently appointed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin toured both the Eaton Fire burn zone.

“It’s impossible to fathom,” Zeldin told KNX News after viewing the Eaton Fire area. “No American has ever seen anything like this ever before, and hopefully no American will ever have to see something like this ever again.”

He said his agency “has been proudly doing everything in our power” to complete the Phase 1 clearance of hazardous materials from the burn zones, with the agency trying to meet a goal of finishing the work in 30 days.

“We set a 30-day goal. We’re doing everything we can to possibly meet it.”

Once the Phase 1 hazardous materials work is finished on individual properties, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will expand its Phase 2 clearance of fire debris from properties, clearing the way for residents and businesses to begin rebuilding efforts.

Friday, February 7, 2025

LA County Offers Free Vital Records Replacement for Wildfire Victims

Program helps residents replace birth, death, marriage, property and business documents lost in Eaton Fire

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk has launched a free service to replace vital records for individuals who lost documents during the Eaton Fire.

The new program offers free replacement copies of birth, death and marriage certificates, as well as real estate and business records, providing essential documentation for residents rebuilding their lives.

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan will meet with affected residents to tell them about the records replacement service on Friday, February 7 at 10 a.m. at the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center, located at 540 W. Woodbury Road, Altadena.

Logan discuss how residents can recover their lost vital records, including personal, property and business documents necessary for rebuilding their lives. The presentation is part of the newly established Los Angeles County Recovery in Focus: Speakers Bureau, created to provide essential recovery information and allow media members direct access to County experts.

Friday, February 7, 2025

Altadena Organization to Hold Rally on Saturday

STAFF REPORT

My TRIBE Rise will hold a rally to bring Altadenans together to commune, grieve, support, inform and uplift each other from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 2283 W. Fair Oaks Ave., Altadena.

A specialist will be on hand to provide expert advice on how the community moves forward.

My TRIBE Rise is one of the few Altadena-based organizations doing community work before the fire.

My TRIBE Rise joins with residents, schools, churches, organizations and businesses directly impacted by the Eaton Canyon Fire.

“The desire and end result of this event is to have the community at the forefront of communication, outreach, new build planning, environmental care, restoration and the future of Altadena. We, the people of Altadena, will uphold the culture and community of Altadena!”

The event will feature food, music, art and information. Come for the Community of Altadena!