Thursday, April 10, 2025

Grants Will Soon be Available for Local Restaurants

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

More help is on the way for local restaurants impacted by the Eaton Fire.

The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit focused on investing in and empowering California restaurants and their workforce, is launching the LA Fire Recovery Grants program.

The group will provide $2.4 million in grants.

“This year, we are proud to stand with Los Angeles’ restaurant community by launching the LA Fire Recovery Grants, a vital new initiative dedicated to supporting independent restaurant owners impacted by the heartbreaking wildfires,” said Alycia Harshfield, president of CRF. “Restaurants are the heart of California’s neighborhoods, and through targeted relief efforts, we are helping these businesses and the people behind them overcome hardship so they can focus on rebuilding and continuing to serve as essential gathering places for their communities.”

The LA Fire Recovery Grants will provide $10,000 grants to more than 240 independent restaurants and food trucks across Los Angeles County that suffered financial losses due to the wildfires.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

LA County Launches Governance Study With Public Listening Sessions

KH Consulting Group has begun an independent study of Los Angeles County’s governance model, with public listening sessions scheduled across the County this month. The initiative, directed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, aims to identify strengths and challenges in the current system and develop recommendations for actionable change.

“We invite representatives from interested CBOs, NGOs, and other representative organizations to join us,” stated KH Consulting Group in their announcement. “Session participants will learn more about Los Angeles County governance and have the opportunity to share relevant experiences and ideas for enhancing County services and ensuring inclusivity and transparency.”

The study includes eleven in-person sessions at various locations throughout Los Angeles County between April 17 and April 24, 2025. Sessions will be held at libraries, college campuses, and community centers in areas including La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Lancaster, Santa Monica, Willowbrook, Whittier, Los Angeles, Artesia, South El Monte, and East Los Angeles.

Two additional virtual sessions will take place via Zoom on May 6 and May 8,

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Pasadena Educational Foundation Announces “Resilience 2025″ Celebration of Schools and Students

Annual fundraising event to honor community response following Eaton Fire

The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) will host its annual “Celebrating Our Schools” event on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena City Hall Courtyard. This year’s theme, “Resilience 2025,” will highlight the community’s response to the Eaton Fire and showcase the strength and unity demonstrated during challenging times.

“In the wake of the Eaton Fire, our community has come together in an extraordinary way—showing strength, support, and an unwavering commitment to our students, families, and staff of the Pasadena Unified School District,” the Foundation said in its announcement materials.

The “Celebrating Our Schools” events represent more than social gatherings; they embody PEF’s ongoing commitment to supporting public education across Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre communities.

The Foundation has spent over 50 years raising and contributing millions of dollars annually to PUSD, supporting a wide range of programs including arts, music, health centers, gardens, and STEM initiatives.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Uber, Lyft Drivers Could Unionize Under New Proposal

After years of tussling with gig companies, California’s labor unions want to once again expand workers’ rights — this time by allowing ride-hailing drivers to unionize.

And as in tussles past, expect steep opposition from the businesses.

Backed by California’s Service Employees International Union, Democratic lawmakers unveiled a measure Tuesday that would allow drivers to bargain with companies like Uber and Lyft for better pay and benefits, a step toward more protections for gig workers.

“We stand for the principles that all work has dignity,” said Oakland Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who introduced Assembly Bill 1340, at a Tuesday press conference. “We stand for the right of every worker to truly have a voice.”

The SEIU said more than 600,000 ride-hail drivers statewide would benefit if the legislation is adopted and signed into law.

Uber said in a statement that the proposed legislation would make rides in California more expensive “while threatening the flexible jobs thousands depend on.”

“Drivers have been clear: They want to stay independent and keep the freedom to choose when and how they work,

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Authorities Seek Help Finding At-Risk 81-Year-Old Man

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Authorities sought the public’s assistance Wednesday in locating an at-risk 81-year-old man who was possibly displaced by the Eaton fire.

Daniel Drouet was in last contact with his family on Jan. 5 around 10 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials said he was last seen in the 500 block of East Marigold Street in the unincorporated Altadena area, and his family is growing concerned about his well-being.

Drouet was described as a 5-foot-3-inch tall white man weighing 158 pounds with white hair and blue eyes. It was unclear what he was last seen wearing.

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

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Free Health and Lifestyle Event Draws Region’s Older Adults, Caregivers To Pasadena Thursday

Golden Future Marks 15 Years With Pasadena Senior Expo Today

Today in Pasadena, older residents; futures couldn’t be brighter and a one-day convention at the Pasadena Civic Center will help them get there.

The 15th Annual Golden Future Senior Expo, running from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., transforms the Pasadena Convention Center into a hub of resources and activities specifically designed for seniors, their families, and caregivers during its 4-hour-and-30-minute program.

“Baby Boomers and Seniors have redefined every stage of their life and are now redefining the aging process,” said Toyia Moore Borrelli, Event Producer of Golden Future Expos. “The Golden Future Senior Expo is a Power-Up day for people to get out, socialize, access health resources, shop for products and services, be entertained and informed.”

Located at 300 E. Green Street on the Lower Level of the conference center, today’s gathering represents one installment in the broader 15th Annual Golden Future Senior Expo Series collection.

The free admission event features exhibitors presenting innovations in health,

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

KBLA Talk 1580 To Host Town Hall On Eaton/Altadena Fire Recovery in Pasadena

Radio station continues coverage of disaster’s impact on local Black community with 100-day reflection event

[Correction: The original headline indicated this event is today; it is not; it will be held next Wednesday.—Editor]

KBLA Talk 1580 will host and broadcast a community town hall titled “The Eaton/Altadena Fire: 100 Days and Counting” on Wednesday, April 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Robinson Park Recreation Center in Pasadena. The event aims to reflect on the aftermath of the fire and address critical questions about the community’s path forward.

“This event is part of KBLA Talk 1580’s continuing coverage of the fire, the aftermath, and its long-term impact on the Black community in Altadena,” the station said in its announcement.

The Town Hall will feature a panel of survivors, community leaders, activists, and experts.

KBLA personalities Tavis Smiley, Dominique DiPrima, and Nii-Quartelai Quartey will participate in the discussion.

James Farr, host of the one-hour weekly live program “Conversation Live: Altadena Rising,”

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

The Pressure On California’s Already Shaky Budget Keeps On Growing

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

A month from now, Gov. Gavin Newsom must reveal a revised version of the $322.3 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year that he proposed in January,

It’s not likely to be a pretty picture.

The current budget is already billions of dollars in the hole, thanks to soaring expenses for the destructive and deadly wildfires that were sweeping through Los Angeles County as Newsom unveiled his January budget and a massive increase in outlays for medical care for the poor.

Moreover, President Donald Trump’s heavy tariffs on imported goods and retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports are already depressing stock values, which could decrease income taxes from California’s wealthiest residents, the most important source of state revenues. If continued, the tariffs would likely have negative effects on the overall economy, which also would adversely affect corporate and personal income taxes.

California’s economy has not fully recovered from the effects of pandemic.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

LA County Distributes $19.1 Million in Wildfire Relief Funds to Small Businesses, Workers

Public-private partnership delivers aid to thousands affected by recent wildfires

The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity has awarded $19.1 million in relief grants to more than 3,600 workers and small businesses affected by recent wildfires, officials announced Tuesday.

The LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds distributed $14.52 million to 1,372 small businesses and nonprofits, with awards ranging from $2,000 to $25,000. An additional $4.62 million went to 2,309 workers who each received $2,000.

“These relief funds represent real hope for the small businesses, nonprofits, and workers who lost everything in the fires,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “Recovery won’t happen overnight, but this direct financial support is a critical lifeline to help our communities rebuild and move forward. I appreciate all the partners who stepped up to make this possible. I’ll continue pushing for more resources to meet the ongoing need.”

The relief program launched Feb.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

County Supervisors Vote to Eliminate Bureaucracy in Permitting Process

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

One day after it was revealed that no permits have been issued to Altadena homeowners that lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, the LA County Board of Supervisors passed a motion designed to cut through the red tape and bureaucracy.

The successful motion, introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger who represents the area, calls on the County to create a Unified Permitting Authority (UPA) within the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center to expedite the residential rebuilding process.

Barger said she has been keeping a close eye on the County’s One-Stop Permitting shop and was not satisfied with the pace.

“No rebuild permits have been issued in Altadena and that’s unacceptable. Today’s motion will cut through the red tape to get my Altadena constituents back on track to rebuilding faster. We don’t have time to waste.”

UPA County departments will identify and fix problems that are slowing down the permitting process.

A “strike team”