Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Altadena Sheriff’s Station Alerts Public to Disaster-Related Price Gouging and Fraud

Local law enforcement shares State guidelines for reporting emergency-related consumer crimes

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station, through posts on social media, has issued a public alert urging residents to report instances of price gouging and fraud during emergencies.

The state defines price gouging as sellers attempting to exploit consumers during emergencies by significantly increasing prices for essential goods and services.

California’s Office of the Attorney General has established dedicated channels for reporting such violations, including a specialized website at oag.ca.gov/lafires and a hotline at (800) 952-5225.

State law strictly prohibits merchants from raising prices more than 10 percent on essential goods and services after emergency declarations, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

The price gouging restrictions apply broadly across various sectors, encompassing both short-term rentals through platforms like Airbnb and traditional longer-term residential lease agreements.

Law enforcement officials advise residents to maintain detailed records including emails, texts, voicemails, direct messages, screenshots of rental listings,

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Hope for Fire Victims at Wildfire Resource Hub

By EDDIE RIVERA

Kaiser Permanente opens its facility for VOAD disaster recovery event

Kaiser Permanente opened its doors Monday to host the Wildfire Resource Hub, an event  aimed at helping families recover from the Eaton Fire devastation.

Organized by California Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), the six-day Wildfire Resource Hub is providing critical services, supplies, and support to hundreds of displaced individuals and families—all free of charge.

VOAD, a coalition of nonprofits dedicated to disaster relief, has been instrumental in creating a centralized space where survivors can access resources tailored to their immediate and long-term recovery needs. The event highlights the power of collaboration and the resilience of affected communities, with organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and faith-based groups like Hope Crisis Response playing pivotal roles.

VOAD Executive Director Kevin Cox explained the organization’s mission, saying, “Our responsibility is to provide free services to communities anytime a disaster occurs. This includes emotional,

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

LA County Officials Detail Altadena Fire Debris Removal Process At Monday Community Meeting

Officials present two-phase cleanup process with opt-in period starting Jan. 28

Los Angeles County officials detailed a comprehensive debris removal plan for Altadena’s fire-affected properties at a community meeting Monday afternoon, outlining a two-phase approach beginning with Environmental Protection Agency hazardous waste removal before proceeding to general debris cleanup.

“I would like to thank you all for joining us this afternoon. I’m hosting these meetings regularly so that you can get your questions answered and we felt this was the best way to go about doing it,” said Supervisor Barger. “I am pushing and I’m confident it will not take 18 months to get the rebuilding process started. We’re going to rebuild, we’re going to rebuild Altadena, and we’re going to rebuild the community so that we can all once again celebrate such an incredible, incredible place.”

Beginning Jan. 28, residents can opt into a free government-run cleanup program or choose to manage debris removal independently. At the Board of Supervisors meeting,

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Four Cities Unite in Opposition to EPA’s Hazardous Waste Site Decision for Eaton Fire Debris

Local municipalities challenge federal agency’s plan to process Eaton Fire debris near residential areas

The Environmental Protection Agency’s unexpected designation of Lario Park in Duarte as a collection and processing site for hazardous debris collected in Altadena and Pasadena from buildings damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire has provoked strong opposition from four cities.

Four California municipalities—Azusa, Irwindale, Baldwin Park, and Duarte—issued a forceful joint statement Monday condemning the lack of prior consultation about the project’s potential impact on their residents. 

“The Cities of Azusa, Irwindale, Baldwin Park, and Duarte (Cities) did not receive advanced notification nor were given an opportunity to express concerns regarding the cities’ close proximity to the site, and the potential negative effects this could have on its communities,” the cities said in a statement Monday. 

The cities formally oppose both the Lario Park operation and any other sites they believe could negatively affect their communities. 

The federal agency announced its decision on January 23 to commence operations at the site likely next week. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Rosebud Academy Looking to the Future After the Fire

By André Coleman, Managing Editor

The Pasadena Unified School District announced on Monday that Rosebud Academy has been offered space at Don Benito Elementary school.

The relocation would allow students from Rosebuds to share space with students at the school as the District continues to figure out how to place students displaced by the fire.

The academy was one of three charter schools destroyed in the fire.

The fire broke out on Jan. 7 and spurred on by powerful winds decimated Altadena and damaged additional buildings in Pasadena.

All told 9,000 buildings and 14,000 acres were scorched by the blaze, which forced many residents to flee their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

“One of our parents sent us a video of [the school] on fire,” said Shawn Brown, founder and executive director of the school. “We knew at that point that for the most part, our school had burned. I live around the corner,

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Arraignment Continued in Murder Case of Altadena Couple

By André Coleman, Managing Editor

According to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office, the arraignment of a man charged in the double murder of a couple found murdered in their Altadena home has been continued until Feb. 6.

In January, police found Wendell Harmon, 62, and his wife Beverly Harmon, 58, shot to death in their Altadena home.

A nephew, Melvin Johnson, has been charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances.

Wendell Harmon was a longtime City employee.

Police have not revealed any motive for the double murder.

Johnson, 35, of Altadena, has also been charged with an additional allegation of discharging a firearm with intent to cause great bodily injury.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, a final report on the deaths is not complete.

An official at the Medical Examiner’s Office told Pasadena Now earlier this month that the results of the autopsy are pending until tests are concluded.

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Eaton Fire Community Heroes To Receive County Recognition This Morning

Supervisors Chair Barger to present scrolls of commendation at today’s meeting

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger will honor several Eaton Fire community heroes and organizations by presenting them with scrolls of commendation at today’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

The ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, January 28 at 9:30 a.m., will take place at the start of the Board meeting in downtown Los Angeles.

Ten organizations and individuals will receive commendation for their service during the Eaton Fire incident.

The honorees include the Altadena Rotary Club, Altadena Weather and Climate/Edgar McGregor, AltaMed, and the American Red Cross.

Healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente and Pasadena Humane will also be recognized.

Educational and community venues that supported emergency response efforts round out the list of honorees. These include Pasadena City College, the Rose Bowl Stadium, and Santa Anita Park.

The presentation ceremony will be held in Board Hearing Room 381B at the Hahn Hall of Administration,

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

County Fire Officials Help Guide Residents Through Recovery Process

The County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) has shifted focus from emergency response to recovery and rebuilding following the devastating Eaton wildfire.

“Our heartfelt condolences and prayers remain with all the families who have lost loved ones along with those who have been displaced, lost homes, and businesses as a result of the Eaton wildfire,” said Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone.  “We stand alongside our impacted residents and offer our strength and continued support as we begin to recover and rebuild our communities.”

The Fire Department remains dedicated to connecting wildfire survivors with the information needed to begin the recovery and rebuilding process.  Please see below for a listing of available resources:

1. Los Angeles County Wildfire Recovery Resources
2. County of Los Angeles Fire Department Ready! Set! Go! Wildfire Action Plan which contains critical information on creating defensible space around your home, retrofitting your home with fire-resistant materials, and preparing you to safely evacuate well ahead of a wildfire.

Monday, January 27, 2025

The Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions Foundation and Pasadena Tournament of Roses Partner to Provide $1 Million in Fire Disaster Relief

STAFF REPORT

The Albertsons Companies Foundation, locally recognized as The Albertsons, Vons, Pavilions Foundation, has partnered with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association to provide $1 million in disaster relief for communities affected by the Eaton Fire.

The initiative will distribute aid through gift cards to affected residents in Pasadena, Altadena, and surrounding Los Angeles County areas.

“We are grateful to partner with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and their local nonprofit partners to support our neighbors impacted by the Eaton wildfires,” said Kevin Curry, Division President of Southern California at Albertsons Companies.

“We will continue to provide assistance as relief efforts continue in Altadena and Pasadena, as well as other affected communities across Los Angeles County.”

The initiative combines the $1 million commitment from the grocery foundation with an additional $200,000 Emergency Relief Fund established by the Tournament of Roses and its Foundation.

The emergency fund will provide direct financial support to the organization’s volunteer members and staff affected by the wildfires,

Monday, January 27, 2025

Pasadena School District Defends Charter School Relocation Plans Amid Fire Recovery

The Pasadena Unified School District issued a vigorous defense Sunday night of its efforts to relocate charter schools displaced by the devastating Eaton Fire, responding to criticism from charter school operators and parents over the handling of charter school campus relocations, and safety concerns.

In a detailed open letter to charter school communities, District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco addressed concerns about the District’s response, emphasizing the need for unity during the crisis that has left more than 10,000 students and 1,387 employees in evacuation zones.

The discontent centers on the District’s plans to relocate three charter schools whose campuses were severely damaged.

The fire damaged five school campuses in total, including Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, Franklin Elementary (closed in 2020), and three campuses occupied by charter schools: Aveson School of Leaders, Odyssey Charter South, and Pasadena Rosebud Academy.

“We have gone above and beyond to support charter school students in this time of need, including offering food service even though most charter school operators have not signed facilities use agreements or paid the pro rata share rates adopted by PUSD’s Board of Education,”