Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Altadena Future Fair To Connect Wildfire Victims With Rebuilding Resources

Free community event offers support for residents affected by devastating January fire

The Altadena Future Fair, scheduled for May 10-11 at the Pasadena Convention Center, will bring together rebuilding resources for residents affected by the catastrophic January 2025 Eaton Fire that destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

This free community event aims to connect displaced residents with architects, builders, sustainable materials vendors, and support services under one roof.

“Our goal is to ensure that every resident has the resources, support, and community strength to recover and thrive after this disaster,” said Toni Raines, Host of “Toni Talks” and Systems Consultant at Altadena Talks Foundation, in a press release for the Builders Town Hall event hosted by the Altadena Talks Foundation in February.

The two-day fair will showcase vendors specializing in fire-resilient building materials, including non-combustible insulation, lightweight concrete alternatives, solar energy systems, recycled and natural building materials, fire-rated windows and roofing, modular prefab innovations, and eco-friendly landscaping solutions.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Supervisors to Vote on Urgency Ordinance to Accelerate Fire Debris Removal

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will vote on adopting an urgency ordinance aimed at expediting the removal of fire debris from residential properties impacted by the January 2025 fires, citing urgent public health concerns.

The ordinance, which must be approved by at least a four-fifths vote, allows the County to fast-track the abatement of uncontained fire ash and debris on properties where owners have either opted out of government debris removal programs or have failed to take action.

Property owners now face a June 1 deadline to obtain a debris removal permit and must complete debris clearance by June 30.

“Those who opt out must fill out a form notifying the County of their intention to do so and hire contractors to perform any remaining hazardous materials removal and to remove the fire ash and debris,” according to the ordinance. “To facilitate this process, the County’s Department of Public Works has set up a simple process for those contractors to apply for and receive a debris removal permit for the property in the County’s EPIC LA system.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Newsweek Names 14 Kaiser Permanente Southern California Hospitals on its America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2025 List

STAFF REPORT

Newsweek has recognized 14 Kaiser Permanente hospitals in Southern California as part of its America’s Best Maternity Hospitals 2025 list for exemplary patient care. Kaiser Permanente Southern California is based in Pasadena.

High-quality maternity care, provided from pregnancy through birth and postpartum, is key to the long-term health of newborns and women who give birth. Given that maternity care is a major component of health care, Newsweek and Statista partnered to identify America’s Best Maternity Hospitals in 2025.

Kaiser Permanente hospitals recognized for excellence in maternity care were Anaheim, Downey, Baldwin Park, Fontana, Irvine, Los Angeles, Moreno Valley, Ontario, Panorama City, Riverside, San Diego, South Bay, West Los Angeles and Woodland Hills medical centers.

“This recognition is the result of our commitment to outstanding maternity outcomes and a testament to the high-quality maternity care across our hospitals,” said Michelle Gaskill-Hames, president, Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii, Health Plan and Hospitals. “It’s also due in no small part to the dedication of our staff and physicians,

Monday, April 28, 2025

Looting Fuels 250% Crime Surge in Fire-Devastated Altadena

Sheriff’s Department battles copper theft wave and sophisticated thieves as burglary rates soar 400%

Crime has surged 250% in Altadena following the devastating Eaton Fire, with burglary rates specifically spiking approximately 400%, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Looters are targeting evacuated homes and stealing copper wiring from damaged properties, prompting authorities to more than double patrols in the fire zone.

In a recent law enforcement operation targeting copper and metal thefts, a Sheriff’s Department sting netted 15 suspects in just 16 hours. Eight face felony charges and seven face misdemeanor charges, according to Lt. Ethan Márquez of the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.

Deputies arrested one suspect on April 13 after finding approximately 500 pounds of metal piping in his car.

Authorities report that suspects, often operating at night, enter burned homes to remove copper, metal wiring, and piping to sell for scrap.

Some thieves have escalated their tactics by impersonating officials and using technology to bypass security systems,

Monday, April 28, 2025

Sheriff’s Department Launches Emergency Vehicle Campaign

CITY NEWS SERVICE

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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Monday is launching its latest public safety campaign, “Emergency Lights? Pull to the Right.” It aims to educate drivers about the importance of staying vigilant when maneuvering near emergency vehicles and pulling to the right when emergency vehicles are approaching.

California law requires motorists to pull to the right and stop when emergency vehicles approach with lights and sirens in operation.

“Too often, we encounter drivers who are unsure of what to do or worse, ignore the sirens altogether,” Sheriff Robert Luna said in a statement. “This campaign is about saving lives by making sure every driver knows how to react when they see those flashing lights in their rearview mirror.”

The campaign highlights actions drivers to take when emergency vehicles are in their vicinity. They are:

• Keep music at a reasonable volume and avoid distractions to hear sirens and see flashing lights.
• Pull to the right.

Monday, April 28, 2025

LA County Offers Property Tax Relief for Wildfire Victims

Assessor’s Office processing thousands of claims for Eaton and Palisades Fire damage

The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office has begun enrolling property tax reductions for thousands of homeowners affected by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, officials announced.

County Assessor Jeff Prang’s office reported that approximately 13,000 enrollments have been completed to date as of last week, with thousands more expected as relief efforts continue.

Prang said the Assessor’s Office remains committed to ensuring that all affected property owners receive the property tax relief they are legally entitled to.

Property owners who suffered damage from the fires are receiving notifications through multiple channels. Officials sent 12,370 notices via U.S. Mail on April 3, followed by 14,228 email notifications on April 7 to claimants who provided email addresses.

Each affected property may receive multiple notices, depending on the complexity of the assessment, Prang said These notices serve to confirm receipt for those who have already submitted claims.

Notably,

Monday, April 28, 2025

Pasadena-Glendale Women’s Fire Academy Tackles Gender Gap in Firefighting

Weekend collaboration aimed to increase female representation in fire services

The Pasadena and Glendale Fire Departments made history this weekend by joining forces to host their first collaborative Women’s Fire Academy, introducing 60 young women to the challenges and rewards of firefighting careers in a profession where women represent just 5% of the workforce.

“I think what prompted it was we realized that women in both cities are underrepresented in the fire service,” Captain Jodi Slicker of the Pasadena Fire Department told Pasadena Now on Sunday.

“Working closely with Glendale — and them being our neighboring city — we thought that if we combined forces, we could reach out to a greater real estate, so to speak, to capture women that are interested in the fire service,” Slicker said.

The two-day program, held on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, provided 18-to 25-year-old attendees with hands-on training using firefighting equipment, including water hoses, ventilation tools, and power equipment.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Red Cross to Offer Second Round of Financial Aid to Wildfire Victims in Altadena Area Starting This Week

Assistance available April 29-May 13 for residents with homes in Palisades, Eaton fire burn zones

The American Red Cross will begin offering a second phase of financial assistance starting April 29 for people whose primary homes were located within the Eaton Fire burn perimeters.

The majority of eligible households will receive invitations to apply for the assistance through emails, text message or phone calls directly from the American Red Cross.

The organization said it will use contact information already collected or verified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“This second phase of financial assistance will allow people to continue their recovery, and these funds can be used to help offset the costs of recovery-related needs or impact,” the Red Cross said in its announcement.

Residents who believe they qualify but do not receive an invitation can visit enrollment sites in the Pasadena area between April 29 and May 13 to speak with American Red Cross caseworkers in person.

Monday, April 28, 2025

Registration Opens Thursday for LA County Fire Department Semiannual Girls’ Fire Camp

The event aims to inspire girls to consider fire service careers; registration opens on May 1

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will hold its 11th semiannual Girls’ Fire Camp “Heroes in Training” on Saturday, June 7. The free one-day camp is open to everyone aged 9 to 17 and provides participants with hands-on experience in firefighting skills and exposure to various career opportunities within the department.

“As the Department continues to work to promote an inclusive culture in the fire service, we are committed to inspiring our next generation of firefighters,” states the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and features a variety of activities. Participants will engage in a light workout, equipment demonstrations, team-building exercises, and discussions with firefighters, lifeguards, dispatchers, and public safety professionals. They will also learn about available career opportunities, youth programs, and receive a tour of the Fire Department, all while having fun, the Department said.

Monday, April 28, 2025

How Gavin Newsom is Balancing the Fight Against Trump with Los Angeles Fire Relief

By Alexei Koseff, CALMATTERS

Three months into President Donald Trump’s second term and the recovery from the firestorm that devastated Los Angeles, Gov. Gavin Newsom finds himself at a precarious juncture.

The olive branch that Newsom extended to Trump in January, as Los Angeles reeled from multiple fires and the president threatened to withhold disaster aid, has yet to deliver on its early promise.

Once a leading voice in the anti-Trump resistance, Newsom traveled to Los Angeles and then Washington, D.C. to meet with the president and lobby for federal assistance. Trump rewarded his outreach with a détente — ceasing reference to the governor as “Newscum” and publicly promising that an “L.A. fire fix” was coming.

But amid ongoing battles over government funding, Congress has to date ignored Newsom’s request for $40 billion to rebuild Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, new political pressures are mounting.