Friday, July 11, 2025

In Fire-Scarred Dena, a Joyful Choice: Let’s Pause

Neighbors who became friends through disaster will gather Saturday for what organizers call ‘joy as resistance’

Near where emergency shelters once distributed blankets to wildfire evacuees, a DJ will spin records on Saturday afternoon. Six months after flames destroyed thousands of homes here, community groups are betting that Pasadena needs a pause, if only for a day.

“There were so many things going on, where people had to go get new clothes, get food, get this, get that, and it was very overwhelming, but there was no space to pause,” said Florence Annang, who helped organize the seven-hour Memorial Park celebration.

“In February, I had a conversation with Councilmember Tyron Hampton, and I said, ‘we need some joy.'”

The “Communities in Unity” event, running from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., was originally scheduled for June. It was postponed it when federal immigration agents began conducting raids in the neighborhood that week.

“Pasadena, you can shake it for a little minute,

Friday, July 11, 2025

Civil Rights Attorneys Argue for Restraining Order Halting ‘Roving’ Raids in Los Angeles Area

By FRED SHUSTER, City News Service

A Los Angeles federal judge said she will issue a ruling in the coming days, possibly as early as Friday, on a request by immigrant advocates for temporary restraining orders aimed at restricting the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from conducting immigration enforcement operations in the Los Angeles area including Pasadena, and she appeared to be leaning toward ordering that detainees be given access to lawyers and that immigration stops be allowed only when agents have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

Attorneys with Public Counsel and the American Civil Liberties Union are seeking orders aimed at ensuring people detained are given their legal right to meet with a lawyer, and also aimed at ending so-called “roving patrols” of agents they claim are detaining people without warrants or probable cause, but instead only on suspicion and people’s race or ethnicity.

Sean Skedzielewski, a government attorney, denied those accusations Thursday, saying DHS enforcement activities are based on proper evidence and the “totality of the circumstances.”

Friday, July 11, 2025

Fire Chief Urges Preparation As Wildfires Across State Show Explosive Growth Behavior

California fires show extreme growth speeds this month, Chief Augustin reports

California wildfires that have erupted this summer have shown explosive growth speed, prompting Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin to sound the alarm over the escalating threat.

Citing the rapid growth of one blaze—the ongoing Madre Fire, which this month ballooned from 500 to more than 80,000 acres in just four days—Augustin said conditions across the state are primed for fires that escalate rapidly and those factors should command immediate public awareness and preparation.

“Wildfires can move fast, leaving little time to react,” he said.

Augustin said that taking “a few simple steps now can make all the difference,” and urged area residents to:

• Clear 30 feet around your home of dry vegetation and debris.
• Trim tree branches and remove brush under trees.
• Know your evacuation routes and keep a “Go Bag” ready.  Include essentials like water, medications, and important documents.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts,

Friday, July 11, 2025

Local Church Offers Free Food Distribution for Community

First United Methodist Church opens pantry doors to those in need

First United Methodist Church in Pasadena will distribute free groceries to community members in need next week.

The Community Food Pantry Distribution will take place on Tuesday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Canned goods and non-perishable foods will be available. A church statement said people seeking groceries should join the queue on the Oakland side of the church.

The church is located at 500 E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena.

First United Methodist Church describes itself as a welcoming Christian community in the heart of Pasadena. The church seeks to be people who worship God with open hearts, open minds and open doors.

The statement added the congregation is committed to nurturing spiritual growth through belonging, hope, compassionate service and inspiring worship.

The church welcomes those looking for a place to belong, grow and serve.

For more information,

Friday, July 11, 2025

Eaton Fire Survivor Is Told State Farm’s $900,000 Check On Hold Due To Insufficient Funds

By Levi Sumagaysay, CALMATTERS

Amelia McDonald couldn’t believe her ears. She had been navigating what she calls “a horrible experience” trying to get her claims paid by State Farm after the Eaton Fire burned down her Altadena home and ranch in January. She, along with her father, daughter and the goats that survived the fire, have been displaced since then.

Now a $876,354.07 check the insurer wrote her wouldn’t clear.

McDonald called the check-hold department of her bank, Chase, Tuesday, asking why the funds from the check she deposited on June 30 were not available more than a week later. She said someone there told her it was because State Farm — the state’s largest property insurer — had insufficient funds. In fact, he told her, the account had a negative balance.

She called the same department today, and reached someone who told her he expected the check to finally clear July 10. (Update: The check, which was also from a Chase bank account,

Friday, July 11, 2025

Stories Rise From the Ashes at Mariposa Night

Altadena voices find healing and unity through storytelling at Caltech

“The big challenge in recovery is keeping people here,” said Lucy Jones. “There is a risk of losing the community when its physical space is damaged. We can’t lose too many people and still be what we were.” That sobering reflection will resonate through Beckman Auditorium on July 12 during Mariposa Night, a free public storytelling event designed to support community healing following the destructive Eaton Fire in January.

Organized by Leadership Pasadena and sponsored by Caltech, Fire Aid, and VFW Lt. Kenneth Bell Post 3208, Mariposa Night offers more than a stage. It offers solidarity. The evening will feature personal stories from residents and workers affected by the fire—stories not centered on loss, but on perseverance, family and hope.

The fire deeply impacted Altadena’s historic Black community. According to research from the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge, 61% of Black households were located within the fire perimeter, and nearly half suffered major damage or total destruction.

Friday, July 11, 2025

Hope Returns as Business Expo Unites Altadena in Recovery

Hope Returns as Business Expo Unites Altadena in Recovery

On July 12, the Altadena Library will host the Rebuilding Altadena Businesses Expo, a free recovery-focused event co–organized by the Altadena Chamber of Commerce and Operation HOPE.

Running from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the expo will offer direct assistance to entrepreneurs rebuilding after the devastating Eaton Fire.

“We expect a strong turnout of small business owners from Altadena and nearby areas who are seeking assistance during this critical recovery period,” said Judy Matthews, president of the Altadena Chamber of Commerce. Senator Sasha Renée Pérez named Matthews her Woman of the Year, praising her leadership after the fire. “In the aftermath of the fire, Judy has been a tremendous leader in the community,” said Pérez.

The Eaton Fire, which began Jan. 7, killed at least 18 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings. “I’ve never had to deal with a total loss like this,” said property owner Joey Galloway.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Federal Judge Weighs Restraining Order to Halt ‘Roving’ Immigration Raids in Los Angeles

STAFF REPORT and CITY NEWS SERVICE

U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong appeared critical of the government’s defense of immigration officers’ actions in Los Angeles County.

In court Thursday, the judge’s criticism suggested she may order immigration agents to refrain from making stops without reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and require that detainees be granted access to legal counsel.

Frimpong said she will decide Friday whether to temporarily halt what civil rights attorneys describe as “roving” immigration raids in Los Angeles, amid growing outcry from public officials and immigrant advocates over alleged racial profiling and violations of constitutional rights.

Attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Public Counsel are seeking a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, arguing that immigration agents are detaining people without warrants or probable cause—often based on race or perceived ethnicity.

Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Montebello Mayor Salvador Melendez, Monterey Park Mayor Vinh Ngo, West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers and Culver City Vice Mayor Freddy Puza also voiced support for the legal challenge during an event on Tuesday.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

ACLU to Request Restraining Order Halting Immigration Raids in Court Today

By ANDRE COLEMAN and CITY NEWS SERVICE

Just days after several cities in LA County joined a lawsuit against the federal government, another legal move is scheduled to take place today.

According to City News Service, attorneys representing Southern California residents, workers and advocacy groups are expected to ask a Los Angeles federal judge Thursday for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to put a halt to what they contend are unlawful immigration enforcement raids targeting local residents based on perceived race and ethnicity.

Locally immigration officers have detained several people including six people at an early morning raid near Orange Grove Boulevard and Los Robles Avenue.

The presence of immigration officers has stoked fear in the community and left some residents afraid to leave their homes.

Earlier this week, Mayor Victor Gordo joined Montebello Mayor Salvador Melendez, Monterey Park Mayor Vinh Ngo, West Hollywood Mayor Chelsea Byers and Culver City Vice Mayor Freddy Puza attended a news conference announcing legal action.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Los Angeles County to Begin Annual Sediment Removal at Devil’s Gate Dam on July 15

County Launches Major Watershed Maintenance Project with Extensive Truck Hauling Plan

Los Angeles County Public Works will begin its annual sediment removal operation on July 15, moving up to 300 trucks daily to transport approximately 100,000 cubic yards of sediment from the Devil’s Gate Reservoir watershed.

The project will run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

Trucks will follow a designated route west on the 210 Freeway, then via Foothill Boulevard, Osborne Street, Glenoaks Boulevard, and Sheldon Street to Sheldon Pit in Sun Valley.

The maintenance effort stems from a comprehensive restoration project completed in August 2021, which originally removed 1.3 million cubic yards of sediment and restored 70 acres of habitat in the Arroyo Seco Watershed. The annual program aims to maintain flood protection for downstream communities and preserve ecological balance.

“LA County Public Works maintains a sustainable Devil’s Gate Reservoir to provide flood protection to downstream communities while preserving the ecological value of the Hahamongna Watershed,”