Tuesday, July 26, 2022

LA County Supervisors Advances Ballot Measure for Removing Sheriff

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors gave preliminary approval Tuesday to an ordinance placing a measure on the November ballot that would give the panel authority to remove a publicly elected sheriff from office for cause.

The board approved the ordinance without discussion on a 4-1 vote, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger dissenting. The ordinance will return to the board for final approval Aug. 2, then placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.

The board considered electing a sheriff after Lee Baca refused to step down after deputies were convicted in an inmate abuse scandal several years ago.

The ballot measure would give the board the power to remove a sheriff “for cause” on a four-fifths vote of the five-member panel. “Cause” is defined as “a violation of any law related to the performance of their duties as sheriff; flagrant or repeated neglect of duties; a misappropriation of public funds or property; willful falsification of a relevant official statement or document;

Saturday, July 23, 2022

Unique Visual Exhibit Displays Fourteen Decades of Altadena History on Annular Rings of 140-Year Old Deodar Tree

Planted in 1883, Deodar Tree #8 (also known as “Herbert”) on Altadena’s famous Christmas Tree Lane, lived through 14 decades of Altadena history before being cut down in 2017 due to drought damage. 

But Herbert was not to be forgotten; a thin slice of the tree’s trunk is preserved and is now the centerpiece in a professionally designed visual exhibit that will greet visitors at the Altadena Community Center, set to reopen to the public on Saturday, July 23, after a long closure due to the pandemic.

The exhibit also includes photographs, writings and other items that feature events tied to the rings on the slice of Herbert’s trunk – things that tell the story of how Altadena came to be. 

It was Altadena area volunteer René Amy who preserved this slice of the trunk, or tree cookie, and gave the fallen tree the name Herbert. When Amy later met retired exhibit designer Baeri Penn on a trail-clearing hike, they talked about the idea of creating a permanent exhibit that will include that piece of Herbert’s trunk.

Friday, July 22, 2022

New LA County Department Launches for Economic, Workforce Development

STAFF REPORT

Los Angeles County officials Thursday marked the creation of a department focused on economic and workforce development, as part of the dissolving of the former Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services.

The Department of Economic Opportunity aims to advance workforce equity and mobility by combining services that were previously performed by four different agencies in the county.

Kelly LoBianco, the former executive director for economic and workforce development at WDACS, was appointed the department’s new director.

“Thanks to the vision of our Board of Supervisors and the commitment of our county team and partners, we are proud to have created a new, centralized department that will empower all of our workers, small businesses and high-road employers, and communities,” LoBianco said in a statement. “As we continue to recover and look to the future, our charge is to advance workforce equity and mobility and drive inclusive and sustainable growth here in L.A. County.”

The department has 178 budgeted positions and is overseen by two county commissions: the Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board and the Small Business Commission.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Supervisor Barger Announces LA County Contract with Pasadena Humane for Animal Care and Control Services in Targeted Regions

STAFF REPORT

Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced the unanimous approval by the Board of Supervisors for the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control to enter into a contract with Pasadena Humane to provide regional animal care services to the residents of Altadena, and unincorporated La Crescenta, East Pasadena, and San Pasqual.

“I am delighted that the County will be working with Pasadena Humane to provide these critical animal care and control services for the communities of Altadena and unincorporated La Crescenta, East Pasadena, and San Pasqual,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The proximity of Pasadena Humane to these areas will help pet owners reclaim lost pets more quickly, and facilitate drop offs for residents who find lost pets. In addition, this partnership should help improve public safety responses as officers will be readily available to respond to calls regarding aggressive dogs, animal abuse or neglect, law enforcement assistance and other animal emergencies.”

Under the contract approved by the Board of Supervisors today,

Saturday, June 25, 2022

In Wake of Roe Decision, County Health Dept. Stresses Its Options for Women

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Friday decried the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down Roe v. Wade, calling it “shocking in its disregard for the health, rights, and dignity of half of the U.S. population.”

At the same time, the health department highlighted the county’s “Safe Haven Abortion Project,” which “seeks to improve access to abortion and to the full spectrum of reproductive health services for Los Angeles residents and for people who travel here from states where abortion is no longer an option.”

“Access to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, is fundamental to the health of individuals, families and communities,” according to a health department statement.

Friday’s 5-4 Supreme Court decision striking down the 49-year-old Roe ruling sends abortion policy back to individual states, many of which have restricted or outlawed the procedure in recent months.

California officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A.

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

LA County to Explore Possible Local Rules to Control Gun Sales

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously directed its attorneys Tuesday to investigate potential gun-control measures that could be implemented locally.

“There’s no doubt that we’re facing a gun violence epidemic in our nation,” Supervisor Janice Hahn, who introduced the motion asking for the report, told her colleagues. “There’s simply too many guns out in our communities.”

The motion calls for county attorneys to explore an array of possible local regulations, such as increasing the required age to purchase a long gun from 18 to 21, enacting a safe-storage ordinance similar to one in place in the city of Los Angeles, creating buffer zones between schools and gun stores, and banning people who are on the federal no-fly list from purchasing guns.

Hahn referenced gun-control rallies that were held across the country over the weekend, including in downtown Los Angeles. She said students and parents are “begging those of us who can to take action against gun violence.”

Thursday, May 12, 2022

$50,000 Reward Offered For Information in Fatal Shooting of 4-Year-Old Boy

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A $50,000 reward was available as of Wednesday for information leading to the person who fatally shot a 4-year-old boy in Altadena nearly six years ago in what detectives said they believed was prompted by a gang-related dispute.

Salvador Esparza III, who lived in Monrovia but was visiting family friends when the gunfire erupted, was shot about 10:40 p.m. July 5, 2016, in the 300 block of West Figueroa Drive near Lincoln Avenue, just a few blocks north of the Pasadena city line.

The gunman walked to the home and fired at least 13 rounds, striking the 4-year-old boy and a 27-year-old man, who was a family friend not related to the child, authorities said. Both were taken to Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, where the boy was pronounced dead. The man survived.

“Detectives believe the shooting was the result of a gang-related dispute and Salvador was an innocent victim in this senseless act of violence,”

Monday, May 2, 2022

Altadena Residents Receive US Presidential Lifetime Achievement Awards

STAFF REPORT

Four Altadena residents — Silvera Grant, Tony Ward, Maureen Ward, and Mary Landau — have received U.S. Presidential “Lifetime Achievement Awards” in recognition of their thousands of hours of volunteer service to others and to their community.

Grant is the longtime president of the Altadena Community Garden, Ward is the past “Lane Foreman” of the Christmas Tree Lane Association (CTLA), Ward is a past president of CTLA, and Landau is a longtime volunteer with several local, county, and statewide organizations.

“While volunteerism rates have declined such that California is now 47th in the nation overall, Silvera, Tony, Maureen, and Mary stand as shining examples for others to emulate. The organizations they serve should be very proud, indeed,” said Amy, who himself received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2020 for his volunteer efforts on behalf of humanitarian-aid organization ShelterBox USA.

A letter from President Joe Biden accompanied each award, thanking each awardee for their service.

“By sharing your time and passion,

Sunday, May 1, 2022

Altadena Student Announced as Grand Prize Finalist in The Music Center’s 34th Annual Spotlight Program

STAFF REPORT

The Music Center in Los Angeles has selected a 17-year-old Altadena student as one of 14 Grand Prize finalists in its 34th annual Spotlight program, a nationally acclaimed performing arts competition, scholarship and artistic development program for teens.

Oscar Yum, 17, a junior at Flintridge Prep School in La Cañada who resides in Altadena, was selected as the Spotlight Grand Prize Finalist for Classical Voice. He will be performing at the Spotlight Grand Finale at the Music Center’s Ahmanson Theater on June 15, showcasing his talent and providing a behind-the-scenes look at his artistic journey through the Spotlight program.

In addition, Yum will receive a $5,000 scholarship, like the other 14 finalists.

Spotlight is a Music Center arts program that provides Southern California teens with expert advice, coaching, auditions and mastery classes taught by professional artists and arts administrators. The program recognizes and rewards all participants throughout the competition with a range of benefits,

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

County Bans Single-Use Plastics in Food Service

The County Board of Supervisors Tuesday gave final approval Tuesday to an ordinance requiring that all food-service containers, cups, dishes and cutlery distributed by restaurants and food facilities in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County be recyclable or compostable.

The ordinance, which will be phased in starting in May 2023, will also prohibit retail stores from selling “expanded polystyrene,” or Styrofoam, products such as coolers, packing materials, cups, plates and pool toys, unless they are encased in a “durable material.”

It also requires that full-service restaurants with sit-down service provide customers with reusable “multi-service” utensils and plates.

The board, which tentatively approved the measure two weeks ago, voted 4-1 Tuesday without comment to give it final approval. Supervisor Kathryn Barger was the dissenting vote.

The ordinance will take effect May 1, 2023, for all food facilities operating in a permanent location, and for all retail stores. It will take effect for food trucks on Nov. 1, 2023, and on May 1,