Thursday, March 13, 2025

Purim Celebrations Mix Joy With Purpose as Pasadena Chabad Continues Fire Relief Efforts

Traditional Jewish festival takes on deeper meaning for community recovering from disaster

As Chabad of Pasadena prepares for Purim celebrations this week, the traditional Jewish festival of resilience and charity takes on added significance for approximately 60 families displaced by the devastating Eaton Fire. Rabbi Chaim Hanoka is connecting the holiday’s ancient themes with ongoing emergency relief efforts for affected congregants.

“The message of Purim is kind of a celebration of Jewish resilience and courage in the face of danger,” said Rabbi Hanoka, Executive Director of Chabad of Pasadena. “But the message of resilience is all the more so apropos today after having suffered all the tragedies of eaten fire and people still sadly having a lot of difficulty being out of their homes, not having home, et cetera.”

The two-day celebration begins Thursday, March 13 at 7:15 p.m. with a Megillah reading and festive gathering at the Chabad of Pasadena community center. Activities continue Friday with a children’s carnival from 3:00-5:00 p.m.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Pasadena Unified Superintendent Issues Late Night Email Addressing District’s “Extraordinarily Difficult Decisions”

In a somber open letter to the community emailed shortly before 10 p.m. Wednesday, Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco addressed the District’s current stark financial reality: years of structural deficits have forced painful budget cuts, including layoffs, despite recent voter support through a local parcel tax.

Dr. Blanco described the financial challenges confronting the District as severe but manageable through strategic, phased cuts and community involvement.

The District, still reeling from the devastating Eaton Fire, faces a $37 million three-year deficit — reduced from an original $47 million deficit after voters approved Measure EE in November. This financial challenge is driven by declining enrollment, rising costs and insufficient state funding. PUSD is not alone in its troubles, with “the overwhelming majority of California school Districts” experiencing similar challenges, according to Dr. Blanco.

While the advancement of insurance funds has helped the District maintain a “positive certification” in its Second Interim Financial Report, these monies are in fact already designated for school restoration and cleaning.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

No Rebuild Permits Issued Yet for Destroyed Altadena Homes, Officials Say

County aims for 30-day approval timeline as applications begin processing

Los Angeles County has not issued any full rebuild permits for homes destroyed in recent wildfires in Altadena, though officials report approximately 80-100 applications are currently under review, according to statements made at Wednesday’s LA County Recovers press conference.

Mark Pestrella, Director of Public Works for Los Angeles County, told reporters that the County has established an ambitious timeline for processing applications.

“Our goal is to issue a permit once permit applications have been submitted, within 30 days. This is an incredibly high goal for us in which we intend to meet,” Pestrella said.

The County has a target of completing initial reviews within two weeks.

It has been more than two months since the Eaton Fire, and the recovery effort faces continuing challenges. With rain forecasted in the coming days, officials warned of mudflow and landslide risks in fire-impacted communities.

An important March 31 deadline is approaching for property owners to decide whether they will use government assistance for debris removal or handle it privately.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

California’s Cities and Schools Face Big Budget Gaps, Few Options

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

California’s state budget is mired in what fiscal authorities call a “structural deficit,” meaning its revenues cannot keep up with spending mandated by current law.

For several years, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature have papered over the chronic gap between income and outgo with gimmicks, including on- and off-budget borrowing and creative accounting, plus dips into “rainy day” funds set aside for emergencies.

Those maneuvers merely postpone the day of reckoning, because the administration and the Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, project yearly multibillion-dollar shortfalls indefinitely.

The state’s dilemma has several roots, most notably an erroneously high multi-year revenue forecast in 2022 that led to a belief that there would be an immense budget surplus and to sharply increased spending. The administration later pegged the revenue error at $165 billion over four years.

That factor was exacerbated by what Petrek dubbed “a sluggish economy.”

“Outside of government and health care,

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Relatives of Late Grandson of Nickerson Gardens Founder Sue SCE For Eaton Fire Death

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Relatives of the grandson of the founder of Watts’ Nickerson Gardens housing complex sued the Southern California Edison Co. Wednesday, alleging the utility failed to properly maintain its equipment and prevent the Eaton Fire that claimed their loved one’s life in his Altadena home in January.

The late Rodney Nickerson’s grandfather was William Nickerson Jr., who founded the housing development that carries his name. The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit allegations by Rodney Nickerson’s family members include inverse condemnation, trespass, nuisance and negligence.

The suit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages. An SCE representative issued a statement Wednesday regarding the suit, expressing sympathy for the recovery victims and stating that the complaint will be addressed “through the appropriate legal process.”

Plaintiffs’ attorney Carl E. Douglas said Nickerson “was more than just a victim of the Eaton Fire, he was a pillar of his community and a link to a historic legacy. His death was avoidable and Southern California Edison must answer for its role in this tragedy.

Thursday, March 13, 2025

LA County Wraps Up Weekly Wildfire Recovery Press Conferences

Officials shift to community meetings as rebuilding efforts progress

Los Angeles County officials announced Wednesday they will discontinue their weekly wildfire recovery press conferences, marking a transition from emergency response to long-term rebuilding efforts following January’s devastating fires.

“This will be our final weekly press conference, but there will continue to be information provided to our wildfire survivors,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger during the March 12 briefing.

The County will instead host weekly community meetings every Monday at 4 p.m. to address residents’ concerns and questions. Officials will also continue updating the recovery.lacounty.gov website with the latest information.

The announcement came as the County reached major milestones in its recovery process, including $86 million in total individual assistance from FEMA and $1.5 billion in SBA loans approved for fire victims.

“These aren’t just numbers. They represent real lives that have been impacted and real progress that is being made,” Barger said.

Officials reported that more than 4,000 residents have visited disaster recovery centers while over 25,000 survivors have connected with the County for information and support.

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Will California Change Nonpayment Evictions?

By Lynn La, CALMNATTERS

Last year renter advocates notched a win after California passed a law extending the length of time tenants can respond to an eviction notice from five days to 10. This session, another bill to help renters facing eviction is being considered by the Legislature, writes CalMatters’ Felicia Mello.

Under state law, landlords can evict tenants for nonpayment of rent even if the renter is willing and able to pay their overdue rent. But a proposal by Sen. Aisha Wahab would change that, bringing California in line with 21 other states where renters are protected from eviction if they pay all of the rent they owe.

Tenant advocates say the current law undermines the effectiveness of rental assistance programs, which play a crucial role for local governments and nonprofits to keep people housed.

• Wahab, a Fremont Democrat: “If you are struggling and able to recoup the funds and pay what you owe,

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Urgent Deadlines Approach for Eaton Fire Recovery Programs as County Announces Range of Resources

STAFF REPORT

Impacted residents and businesses have just hours to apply for some relief funds as March deadlines loom

Los Angeles County officials are urging residents and businesses affected by the Eaton Fire to take immediate action as several critical assistance program deadlines arrive this week. The County has organized multiple support events to help fire victims navigate available resources before application windows close.

Today marks the final day to apply for Los Angeles County Household Relief Grants, Los Angeles Region Small Business Relief Fund, and Los Angeles Region Worker Relief Fund, according to the County’s disaster recovery calendar. These programs provide essential financial support for those who suffered losses in the fire.

An application clinic runs today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pacific Oaks College, at 45 W. Eureka Street in Pasadena. This in-person event offers hands-on assistance for completing applications before the March 12 deadline.

“Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity,

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

First Case of Measles Reported in LA County in 2025

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Health officials Tuesday reported the first case of measles in Los Angeles County in 2025, affecting a county resident who recently traveled through Los Angeles International Airport.

In collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, passengers assigned to specific seats who may have been exposed on China Airlines flight CAL8/CI8 that arrived in Los Angeles on March 5 will be notified by local departments of health, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Additionally, individuals who were at the following locations on the specified dates and times may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this individual:

• Wednesday, March 5 between 7 p.m. to 10:40 p.m.: Tom Bradley International Terminal (Terminal B) at LAX;
• Friday, March 7, between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Cloud 9 Nail Salon, 5142 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood;
• Monday, March 10 between 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.: Superior Grocery Store,

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Deadline Wednesday to Apply for County Fire Relief

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Residents, small business owners and workers impacted by the January wildfires have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to apply for financial relief possible through the Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity.

Brick-and-mortar businesses and nonprofit organizations that were fully destroyed may qualify for $25,000 grants. Businesses partially destroyed can receive $20,000. Businesses reporting loss of revenue can apply for $15,000. Home-based businesses and independent contractors are eligible for $5,000 grants for equipment loss and $2,000 for revenue loss.

Grants ranging from $6,000 to $18,000 are available for homeowners and tenants whose residences were damaged or destroyed, or who experienced a death in their household. Grant amounts are determined by household size.

Workers who lost their homes or jobs due to fire zone impacts may qualify for $2,000 in assistance.

Applications are available at laregionfund.lacounty.gov to apply promptly.