Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Pasadena Unified Schools to Reopen Monday; Superintendent Urges Families to Prepare

Pasadena Unified School District schools will reopen Monday, Aug. 18, and families are being urged to complete registration, update student records, and review health and safety guidance ahead of the new academic year, according to a district-wide email update sent Monday by Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco.

“Our theme this year, The Power of PUSD: Rising Together, reflects the unity and strength of our students, families, staff, and community. After the Eaton fire, we’ve worked hard to restore school communities and ensure that students return to welcoming campuses,” Blanco wrote.

Blanco outlined key academic priorities for the 2025–2026 school year, including strengthened instruction in literacy and math, expanded college and career readiness, and a continued emphasis on student well-being. The district will offer a range of innovative programs, including:

• Dual language immersion in four languages
• STEM and arts integration
• International Baccalaureate curriculum
• Dual enrollment in college courses
• Advanced Classes and career technical education

A new Immersive Storytelling Academy for middle school students will debut this fall,

Monday, August 11, 2025

After Altadena Fires, TV Producer Puts Youth Voices at Center of New Drama Series

Local television producer transforms wildfire tragedy into groundbreaking storytelling opportunity

From his temporary refuge at the Oak Tree Inn in Monrovia, veteran television producer André Barnwell watched wildfire coverage of his beloved Altadena and noticed something missing: while adults discussed rebuilding, no one was asking the teenagers how they planned to move forward.

Barnwell, a 12-year BET veteran and creator of groundbreaking sketch comedy “The Way We Do It,” is now developing “Altadena,” a high school drama series that centers authentic youth voices in disaster recovery. The project aims to fill a critical gap in media representation by focusing specifically on teenagers’ perspectives during crisis situations.

“When I was sitting there and they were showing some high school students, interviewing them about their losses during this fire, I just triggered,” Barnwell said. “They’re talking to adults about rebuilding… but they never went back to the young person’s perspective.”

The series is more than just a television show. Barnwell plans to shoot entirely in Altadena during summer 2025,

Monday, August 11, 2025

PUSD Says Soil Removal Will Continue Into School Year at Some Campuses

District officials say certain areas will remain fenced off until state approval is granted

Pasadena Unified School District officials acknowledged Thursday that soil removal and follow-up testing will not be completed at some campuses before students return, leaving certain areas fenced off until state regulators approve remediation plans.

Speaking during an Aug. 7 special meeting of the Board of Education, district staff reported that initial testing at 34 district properties cleared 16 for access to exposed dirt areas. However, the remaining 18 sites showed evidence of “impacted soil,” prompting deeper and wider follow-up sampling to determine the extent of contamination.

Some restricted areas are limited to planters and landscaped walkways, while others include outdoor play areas and athletic fields.

“There will be some disruption at the beginning of the school year,” a district staff member told the board.

Chief Business Officer Saman Bravo-Karimi said the summer timeline for completion had proven unrealistic.

“We had hoped to have all testing and soil removal done before school starts,” he said,

Monday, August 11, 2025

Los Angeles County Supervisors to Address Housing, Health, and Community Initiatives at Tuesday Meeting

Comprehensive agenda tackles rental protections, public safety, and multicultural commemorations

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will convene Tuesday to consider a sweeping set of measures affecting housing, public health, and community services across the region.

A landmark ordinance would establish maximum indoor temperatures for rental housing units, requiring properties to maintain temperatures no higher than 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The proposal allows small property landlords until January 1, 2032, to comply fully with the temperature requirements, reflecting a phased approach to implementing cooling standards.

The board will extend price gouging protections through September 29, responding to continued concerns about rental market pricing. Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger have cited ongoing complaints about escalating costs as justification for maintaining emergency measures.

Supervisor Hilda Solis has proposed a comprehensive motion aimed at maintaining enrollment in critical safety net programs. The initiative would evaluate potential impacts of work requirements on Medicaid and food assistance, develop strategies to connect beneficiaries with employment opportunities,

Monday, August 11, 2025

School Board Reviews Immigration Enforcement Preparedness Ahead of New School Year

The Pasadena Unified School District board on Thursday reviewed staff preparations for possible immigration-enforcement activity as the new school year approaches, including districtwide training, an emergency phone line, campus safety signage, and family-preparedness webinars.

The district starts the 2025-26 school year on Monday, August 18.

Staff said the district began trainings in February and continued them through the summer for principals, administrators, counselors and other front-line personnel, with a principals’ refresher held last week and a full-staff session set for Aug. 14.

Guidance has been consolidated into a quick-reference “one-pager,” and a staff wellness kickoff on Aug. 13 will distribute a 10-month plan pairing well-being with procedural readiness.

The district is partnering with outside public-interest groups to offer family-preparedness webinars the week of Aug. 11, focused on immediate, short-term and long-term planning. Staff said identified personnel will work directly with families to ensure plans and contact information are current. Leaders also cited ongoing coordination with community partners, a dedicated district webpage for updates and “know your rights” resources,

Monday, August 11, 2025

The Eaton Fire Destroyed Everything She Built. 25 Years Into Her Nonprofit, She’s Starting Over

Altadena nonprofit founder lost her home and headquarters but refuses to abandon the children her music program serves

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, it took everything Azita Milanian had built: her home, her nonprofit’s headquarters, and thousands of important documents chronicling her work teaching music and dance to Los Angeles County children.

Now, Children of One Planet’s founder is rebuilding — marking the organization’s 25th anniversary not with celebration, but with recovery efforts.

“To make up for what was lost, this year we will be hosting an entire series of events to celebrate Children of One Planet’s 25th anniversary,” Milanian said, her organization’s entire physical infrastructure reduced to ash.

The fire destroyed thousands of important documents and donated goods meant for the children the nonprofit serves through its partnership with the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department. The organization provides professional dance and music instruction designed to foster confidence, discipline, and social skills among participants across Los Angeles County.

Monday, August 11, 2025

County Moves to Protect Medicaid Patient Privacy

County plans legal action against federal data disclosure that threatens immigrant healthcare access

Los Angeles County has approved a motion to explore legal remedies in response to a federal plan to access personal health information of Medicaid recipients. The Board of Supervisors aims to protect patient privacy and prevent potential harm to immigrant communities by challenging the data disclosure.

“Healthcare is a human right — no one should be afraid to access the care they need,” said Chair Pro Tem Hilda L. Solis. “Today’s actions reaffirm the County’s commitment to support our immigrant communities and ensure that our residents can receive health and social services without fear that their data will be violated or used against them.”

The motion comes after reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials will be given access to personal data of nearly 79 million Medicaid enrollees nationwide. The proposed data release would include sensitive information such as home addresses and ethnicities, which are protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Monday, August 11, 2025

Altadena’s Bob Lucas Memorial Library Sets Grand Reopening for August 16

Community celebration marks end of yearlong renovation project following April 2024 closure

The Bob Lucas Memorial Library and Literacy Center will hold its grand reopening celebration Saturday, August 16, at 10:00 a.m., following a yearlong renovation.

The library at 2659 Lincoln Ave. closed April 10, 2024, for comprehensive renovations led by the Altadena Library District.

“Bob Lucas believed in the power of the written word to change lives,” said Nikki Winslow, Altadena Library District Director.

“This reopening is not just about a building, it’s about honoring that belief and continuing to provide our community with the services, spaces and resources they need to achieve their dreams.”

The library honors Robert “Bob” Lucas, who in 1971 recognized West Altadena’s need for accessible educational resources, especially for youth unable to reach the main branch.

The celebration will feature festivities, family activities, and tours of upgraded facilities with improved access and modern amenities.

For information, call (626) 798-0833 or visit https://www.altadenalibrary.org.

Monday, August 11, 2025

LA County Reverse Mortgage Insurance Workshop Will Help Eaton Wildfire Survivors

The workshop will help homeowners navigate insurance claims and reverse mortgage issues following the wildfire

Homeowners affected by the Eaton Wildfire are invited to attend the LA County Reverse Mortgage – Insurance Workshop, a free public event hosted by the California Department of Insurance on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to noon at the MonteCedro Senior Living Community, 2212 El Molino Avenue in Altadena.

The two-hour workshop is designed to help residents navigate insurance claims and disputes related to reverse mortgages and wildfire damage.

According to the event announcement, the session “will help guide you on how to work with the Department on any issues you may be having with your agent or adjuster during the claims process.”

To be led by representatives from the state Department of Insurance, the workshop will provide guidance on working with insurance agents and adjusters, particularly for those experiencing difficulties during the claims process. The event is part of a broader recovery effort following the Eaton Wildfire,

Monday, August 11, 2025

Los Angeles County Assessor Will Detail Critical Tax Relief Efforts for Eaton Fire Victims at Meeting

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang has processed property tax relief for thousands of Altadena residents devastated by January’s catastrophic Eaton Fire, and will detail ongoing recovery efforts at a community address next week.

Prang’s office has completed assessment reductions for 18,000 of the 23,500 properties affected by what represents one of California’s most destructive wildfires in history, which claimed 19 lives and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings.

Prang’s office has been proactive in supporting affected property owners, with assessment reductions forming a critical component of the county’s $32.2 million relief fund for fire victims.

On August 19, Prang will host a community address organized by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce & Civic Association at Maxwell House in Pasadena, where attendees will receive a comprehensive overview of recovery mechanisms and support programs.

The January 7 Eaton Fire, which burned through 14,021 acres driven by Santa Ana winds reaching up to 100 mph, forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate their homes.