Altadena Now is published daily and will host archives of Timothy Rutt's Altadena blog and his later Altadena Point sites.

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Archives Altadena Blog Altadena Archive

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Metro Reports Year of Steady Ridership Growth Amid Pandemic Recovery

Metro Reports Year of Steady Ridership Growth Amid Pandemic Recovery

Metro, or the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has reported a year of continual ridership growth, with November 2023 marking a significant milestone. In its most recent ridership report, Metro had 24.2 million boardings on its bus and rail services, reaching 82 percent of its pre-pandemic level in 2019.

The average weekday ridership was 907,343 boardings, the third consecutive month that weekday Metro ridership surpassed 900,000 boardings. Weekend ridership also saw a boost, with Saturday boardings averaging 635,228, and Sunday boardings averaging 524,632, almost reaching pre-pandemic levels, the report showed.

The A and E Lines, which have been operational for five months, contributed significantly to the numbers. The A Line, serving customers from Azusa to Long Beach, saw 1.63 million boardings, while the E Line, serving customers from East L.A. to Santa Monica, had 1.13 million boardings. The subway, including the B/D lines, recorded the highest number of rail boardings with 1.7 million trips taken.

A 13 percent year-over-year increase was observed in Metro bus ridership in November,

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Tuesday, December 19, 2023

L.A. County Supervisors Tackle Increasing Local Oversight of Battery Energy Storage Facilities

L.A. County Supervisors Tackle Increasing Local Oversight of Battery Energy Storage Facilities

STAFF REPORT

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion authored by Supervisor Kathryn Barger that directs Los Angeles County’s Department of Regional Planning to develop an ordinance that will regulate and prevent the overconcentration of battery energy storage sites (BESS) in North County.

The discussion among the Supervisors focused on finding a balance between supporting energy reliability and clean energy goals that will help reduce greenhouse gasses by developing new energy storage solutions like BESS facilities, while adequately mitigating fire risks posed by the storage of lithium ion batteries and safeguarding the equitable distribution of these storage facilities–which are prone to be developed in parts of the County where undeveloped land is available.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s motion adds more teeth to the County’s ability to have local oversight in approving BESS site locations.

“I believe in being proactive and realistic,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The push to create renewable energy storage sites will continue to grow.

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Monday, December 18, 2023

Altadena Resident to Lead NASA-Funded Project Inspiring STEM Pursuits at Cal State LA

Altadena Resident to Lead NASA-Funded Project Inspiring STEM Pursuits at Cal State LA

Dr. Arezoo Khodayari, an Altadena resident who’s Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at Cal State LA, is the principal investigator for a groundbreaking project funded by NASA that aims to foster student engagement in NASA research and steer them towards degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The project is a collaboration among Cal State LA, Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Cal Poly Pomona, according to a recent Cal State LA press statement.

Dr. Khodayari will steer the initiative, titled “Diversifying Student Pipelines in STEM: Environmental Pollution Reduction Inspired by Planetary Science.”

“This grant will bring exciting opportunities for our students and our college, and I hope this will lead to inspiring our students and cultivating them to make significant impacts in STEM fields,” Khodayari said. “I’m thankful for all the support from my collaborators.”

The $570,000 grant, spanning two years, is part of NASA’s Bridge Program, strategically designed to bolster diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the NASA workforce and the wider U.S.

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Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Average LA County Gas Price Drops for 74th Time in 75 Days

Average LA County Gas Price Drops for 74th Time in 75 Days

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped Wednesday for the 74th time in the last 75 days, falling 1.8 cents to $4.801.

The average price has dropped $1.513 over the past 75 days, including 1 cent Tuesday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service.

It is 6.9 cents less than one week ago and 36.6 cents less than one month ago, but 19.3 cents more than one year ago. The average price has decreased $1.693 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price dropped for the 73rd time in 76 days, falling 1.6 cents to $3.121. It is 9.5 cents less than one week ago, 24.4 cents lower than one month ago and 12.4 cents cheaper than one year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.895 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14,

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Thursday, December 7, 2023

L.A. County Supervisors Honor Legacy of Pioneering Altadena Artist Charles White

L.A. County Supervisors Honor Legacy of Pioneering Altadena Artist Charles White

STAFF REPORT

This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to honor the legacy of pioneering artist and Altadena resident Charles White.

The motion directs the County’s Department of Arts and Culture to contract the artist’s son, Ian White, to design and create civic art that will be displayed at the soon to be renovated Charles White Park.

“I’m proud our County will tangibly honor the life and work of Charles White,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “He was a true master of his craft and a visionary for what is possible when art, social commentary, advocacy, and community come together. He has undoubtedly influenced generations of artists. I look forward to his talented son creating something special in his memory. It’s exciting to see his legacy continue.”

Born in 1918, Charles White is renowned for highlighting African American related subjects in paintings, drawings, lithographs, and murals.

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Tuesday, December 5, 2023

LA County Closes Loophole, Requires Paid Health Care for Hospital Contract Workers

LA County Closes Loophole, Requires Paid Health Care for Hospital Contract Workers

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Photo courtesy LA County Department of Health Services

Closing a loophole that threatened to leave some contract workers at Los Angeles County-run hospitals without fully paid health care premiums, the Board of Supervisors Tuesday adopted a motion requiring existing contractors to provide such coverage for most workers by March 31.

In April, the board approved a motion requiring contractors providing services such security, food service and janitorial work at hospitals run by the county to provide 100% employer-paid health care for employees who work 30 hours or more per week. The requirement was to be effective by Dec. 31.

According to a motion introduced by Supervisors Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis, DHS officials are in the process of revising is contract solicitations to include the requirement in new contracts, however, the original motion failed to include a provision for existing contracts to be amended with the health care provision.

“Until that happens,

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Monday, December 4, 2023

Opening the Door to Homeownership in Los Angeles County with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs

Opening the Door to Homeownership in Los Angeles County with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs

STAFF REPORT

Opening Doors resource fair offers current and future LA County homeowners valuable resources to guide them from buying their first home to preventing foreclosure

The Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) hosted a resource fair and a series of workshops on Saturday, December 2, Opening Doors: Planning for the Stages of Homeownership, to support current and prospective homeowners living in LA County. The event brought together professionals and experts at Magic Johnson Park to provide direct guidance on the processes involved in each stage of owning a home.

Topics addressed during the event include:

• Homebuyer Education
• Navigating Down Payments
• The Document Recording Process
• Assessor Property Tax Savings Programs
• Assessment Appeals and Recordation of Deeds
• Secured Property Tax Collection
• Foreclosure Timeline and Foreclosure Scams
• Mortgage Delinquency and Default Counseling
• Homeowner Notification and Mortgage Relief Programs
• Estate Planning
• Innovations in Housing
• Accessory Dwelling Units
• Common Legal Pitfalls in Homeownership

Compared to the rest of the United States,

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Thursday, November 16, 2023

LA County Reports 1st Flu Death of the Season

LA County Reports 1st Flu Death of the Season

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County reported the county’s first flu-related death of the 2023-24 flu season Wednesday.

According to the county Department of Public Health, the patient was an “elderly” resident with multiple underlying health conditions, and was apparently unvaccinated against the flu.

“Although most people recover from influenza without complications, this death is a reminder that influenza can be a serious illness,” according to a statement from the health agency. “Pneumonia is the most common complication of the flu. Flu can also aggravate underlying health conditions like heart disease or asthma. Annually, thousands of people nationwide are hospitalized or die from influenza-associated illness.”

Health officials said they are anticipating a potentially busy fall and winter for the health-care system, given a trio of circulating viruses — flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. All three have similar symptoms, and health officials urged anyone who develops symptoms to get tested for COVID-19.

“Although influenza seasons are difficult to predict,

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Thursday, November 9, 2023

Investigator for Medical Examiner’s Office Charged with Theft

Investigator for Medical Examiner’s Office Charged with Theft

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A man who worked as an investigator for the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner has been charged with two counts of theft for allegedly removing a gold crucifix necklace from a dead man’s neck and keeping rare coins that were apparently linked to another man who was found dead, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday.

Adrian Munoz, 34, of Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count of grand theft of property and one misdemeanor count of petty theft of property, according to the DA’s office.

Surveillance video showed Munoz removing a gold crucifix necklace from the neck of a warehouse worker who died Jan. 6 of a heart attack at his job in South Los Angeles and placing it in his medical bag, according to the DA’s office, which alleges that Munoz did not return the necklace or document it in the property receipt.

Investigators who searched Munoz’s desk cubicle found rare antique coins with a receipt in the name of a man who had been discovered dead last November,

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Monday, November 6, 2023

In Altadena, Rotary and Sheriff’s Station Join to Host a Holiday Food Drive

In Altadena, Rotary and Sheriff’s Station Join to Host a Holiday Food Drive

STAFF REPORT

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Altadena Sheriff’s Station and the Altadena Rotary Club are joining forces to host an annual food drive.

This initiative is aimed at supporting families in need in the Altadena and unincorporated Pasadena area. The food drive, which runs from through November 30th, is accepting nonperishable food items.

The organizers are specifically requesting canned goods such as soup, green beans, corn, yams, cranberries, mixed veggies, and starch beans (pinto, kidney). In addition to these, boxes of stuffing, cornbread mix, packets of gravy or broth, boxes of jello/sweets, and boxes of mashed potatoes are also being accepted. These items were chosen for their long shelf life and nutritional value, making them ideal for a food drive of this nature.

Donations can be delivered to the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, located at 780 E. Altadena Drive, Altadena, CA 91001. The station is open for donations 24 hours a day, making it convenient for donors to drop off their contributions at any time.

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