Tuesday, April 29, 2025

LA County to Consider Approving $4 Billion in Sexual Abuse Settlements

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, City News Service

The county Board of Supervisors is expected Tuesday approve a $4 billion settlement of more than 6,800 claims of sexual abuse allegedly perpetrated in juvenile facilities or foster care as far back as the 1980s, billed as the “costliest” such payout in county history.

The payout is expected to have implications on the county budget “for years to come,” county officials said when announcing the proposed settlement earlier this month. The impact is already being felt in the proposed 2025-26 budget, which includes 3% cuts for many county departments.

“On behalf of the county, I apologize wholeheartedly to everyone who was harmed by these reprehensible acts,” county CEO Fesia Davenport said in a statement announcing the proposed settlement. “The historic scope of this settlement makes clear that we are committed to helping the survivors recover and rebuild their lives — and to making and enforcing the systemic changes needed to keep young people safe.”

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Pasadena Educational Foundation Hosts School Community Recovery Event Tonight

Local organization continues support efforts after devastating January fires

The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) will host “Celebrating Our Schools: A Night of Resilience and Hope” on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena City Hall Courtyard, located at 100 N. Garfield Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101. The event aims to honor the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) community’s resilience following the Eaton Fire in January 2025 that damaged five Pasadena schools and displaced more than 14,000 students and staff.

“We decided we wanted to go forward with it,” said Patrick Conyers, Executive Director of the Pasadena Educational Foundation. “We’re in a position where the money that we’ll be raising that night, will be going toward our Eaton Fire Response Fund. So it’s really about celebrating the resiliency of this community, the resilience of Pasadena Unified School District, and most notably the students, teachers, and staff that, in some cases have lost everything, but have continued making good progress.”

The foundation has been a critical partner in the school district’s recovery efforts since the early morning of January 9,

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Brandon Jackson Memorial Event Expands To Aid Fire Victims

Annual scholarship program now includes support for those affected by Eaton Canyon disaster

The 11th Annual Brandon Jackson Memorial Scholarship and Basketball Classic will take place on May 3, 2025, at John Muir High School in Pasadena. The event, which honors the legacy of Brandon Jackson, a John Muir High School student and football player who was shot and killed in 2011 in Altadena, has expanded its mission this year to include fundraising for victims of the Eaton Canyon Fire.

“The mission has evolved because initially it started out as myself being a grieving coach and mentor for Brandon Jackson,” said David Williams, Executive Director of Empower U, which organizes the event. “I initially just wanted to honor him for young man that had overcome so many obstacles to finally achieve the opportunity to be able to attend college.”

Since its founding in 2011, the scholarship fund has awarded over $156,000 to 79 students from low-income backgrounds. The program took a three-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic but has otherwise been held annually.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Thousands of LA County Workers Go on Strike

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The strike by Los Angeles County public works employees, public and mental health professionals, social workers and parks and recreation personnel continues Tuesday.

More than 55,000 members of Service Employees International Union Local 721 went on strike at 7 p.m. Monday, accusing the county of failing to fairly negotiate a new labor contract.

The union says it is the first strike of its kind in Los Angeles County. The walkout is expected to last 48 hours.

The strike could impact a number of services including the county’s non-urgent health clinics, public libraries, wildfire clean-up services, trash pick-up and homeless encampment enforcement.

“This is the workforce that got L.A. County through emergency after emergency: the January wildfires, public health emergencies, mental health emergencies, social service emergencies and more,” David Green, SEIU 721’s executive director and president, said in a statement.

“From the San Fernando Valley to the San Gabriel Valley, from the foothills to the beaches,

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,