Wednesday, May 14, 2025

State Farm Approved for Unprecedented Rate Hike

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

Three months after first making the request, California’s largest insurer received approval Tuesday to temporarily raise its rates following the deadly Los Angeles County wildfires in January, writes CalMatters’ Levi Sumagaysay.

Starting June 1, State Farm can hike up its rates by an average of 17% for homeowners, 15% for renters and condos and 38% for rental dwellings. The insurer said it needed emergency interim rate increases “to help avert a dire situation” for its customers and for California’s strained insurance market.

Besides getting the final sign-off from California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, State Farm also had to get approval from an administrative law judge, Karl-Fredric Seligman.

• Seligman, in his decision: “Taken as a whole, it represents a fundamentally fair, adequate, and necessary measure — effectively functioning as a rescue mission to stabilize State Farm’s financial condition while safeguarding policyholders.”

Seligman’s decision also addressed the possibility that this approval could lay the groundwork for other insurers to request emergency interim rate increases following major wildfires.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

New AI Tool Will Fast-Track Rebuilding For Eaton Fire Victims

County launches free software to streamline permit process and reduce delays for fire-affected homeowners

Los Angeles County has launched an innovative AI-powered tool to help victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires navigate the complex rebuilding process. The software, called AAR, allows residents to upload building plans and receive instant feedback on code compliance before they finalize their official submission of plans, potentially reducing review times from weeks to days or even hours.

“AAR is a software tool that allows residents to upload copies of their proposed site and building plans using AI,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger during Monday’s  Altadena Community Meeting. “The software checks whether the plans meet code and tells the user if changes are needed to come into code compliance.”

The tool was developed through a collaboration between the state of California, philanthropic organizations, Los Angeles County, and the City of Los Angeles. It represents part of a broader effort to streamline rebuilding after the devastating fires that destroyed thousands of homes in the region.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

L.A. County Supervisors Back State Bill To Combat Rampant Copper Theft

Motion supports stricter regulations on metal recyclers as county faces increasing infrastructure damage and public safety risks

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion supporting Assembly Bill 476, legislation aimed at curbing the rising threat of copper and nonferrous metal theft across California. The motion, introduced by Board Chair Kathryn Barger, who represents Pasadena, seeks to close loopholes enabling the resale of stolen metals and establish clearer pathways for prosecution to address a problem that has caused millions in damages.

“Copper theft is far from a petty crime, it’s a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Supervisor Barger.

“Supporting this bill reflects our shared commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and supporting stronger enforcement tools that will deter this type of theft. We need clear recordkeeping, tighter restrictions, and better coordination with law enforcement to stop these dangerous crimes.”

The approved motion directs the County’s Legislative Affairs branch to support AB 476,

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Sheriff’s Altadena Station Launches Email Tip Line for Altadena Residents

New digital tool aims to strengthen community policing efforts

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Altadena Station has established a new dedicated email address where Altadena residents can report suspicious activity and share digital evidence to aid investigators.

The new initiative, AltadenaTips@lasd.org, allows community members to submit photos or videos that might assist in solving crimes or identifying public safety concerns.

“Our goal is to empower the community to be proactive in public safety,” said the Altadena Station Captain. “We view our residents as partners — extra eyes and ears who can help us act quickly and effectively to keep Altadena safe.”

The sheriff’s department encourages residents to send photos or videos capturing suspicious or criminal activity, include specific location information such as street addresses or cross streets.

When submitting tips, it’s preferred if contributors provide their names and contact information, but they may remain anonymous if preferred.

Officials described the email system as part of the department’s ongoing commitment to community-based policing and increasing transparency and collaboration between law enforcement and the public.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Court to Set Preliminary Hearing Date for Man Accused of Killing Mother, Uncle in Altadena

STAFF REPORT

2021 fatal stabbings occurred during victim’s Zoom call, prompting 911 response

A date for a preliminary hearing is scheduled to be set on Wednesday for Robert Anderson Cotton, who is charged with fatally stabbing his mother and uncle at their Altadena home in 2021.

The court appearance will take place May 14 at 8:30 a.m. in Department H of the Pasadena Courthouse, located at 300 E. Walnut St.

Cotton, who was 32 years old at the time of the crime in March 2021, faces two counts of murder for the deaths of his mother, Carol Anne Brown, Ph.D., 67, and his uncle, Kenneth Wayne Preston, 69.

The stabbings occurred at the victims’ shared residence in the 3100 block of North Marengo Avenue in Altadena on March 22, 2021. The attack was partially witnessed by one of Brown’s colleagues during a Zoom call, who saw a man dragging another man into the living room.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

South Pasadena Library Announces Three-Day Closure for Repairs and Upgrades

Teen area improvements and facility maintenance scheduled for mid-May

The South Pasadena Public Library will temporarily close for three days to complete facility repairs and upgrade the teen area. The closure, scheduled for Tuesday, May 13 through Thursday, May 15, will allow maintenance staff to perform necessary work without public interference.

“On these days there will be no public access to the library building, including restrooms,” states the official library announcement. The closure affects all interior spaces while critical improvements are made.

Despite the building closure, library services will continue in limited capacity.

Curbside book drops will remain open for returns throughout the closure period. The library has also confirmed that expiration dates for held items will be automatically extended to accommodate patrons during this brief interruption.

Several regularly scheduled programs will be affected by the closure. Both the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning English Language Conversation Groups have been cancelled. However, events scheduled outdoors or in the Community Room will proceed as planned,

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Students To Showcase Black History Through Living Museum Today

Elementary students will portray historical figures at Robinson Recreation Center tonight

Pasadena Unified School District’s annual Black History Living Museum (BHLM) takes place tonight at Robinson Recreation Center. The event features third through fifth grade students bringing notable Black historical figures to life through performances and creative presentations, offering visitors an interactive experience with history.

“You know why it’s ‘Living’? Because our history is alive and well. It’s not the past, it’s now,” explained Nicole Phoenix, Black History Living Museum Co-Chair.

The museum opens to the public at 6:00 p.m. at 1081 N. Fair Oaks Avenue in Pasadena.

Students will create presentation boards and deliver original 90-second monologues in character, complete with costumes and props that transform the space into an interactive exhibition. Visitors can “press a button” to activate the costumed students, who will then deliver memorized speeches about the historical figures they portray.

“The Living History Museum is a collection of visual displays where students dress as famous individuals.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Newsom Wants Cities to Force Homeless Californians to Move Camp Every 3 Days

By Marisa Kendall, CALMATTERS

Gov. Gavin Newsom has a new strategy to eliminate the large, long-standing homeless encampments that have been a thorn in his side throughout his administration: Push cities to make them illegal.

The governor on Monday called on every local government in the state to adopt ordinances that restrict public camping “without delay.” He provided a hypothetical model ordinance that lays out exactly what he’d like to see banned: Camping in one place for more than three nights in a row, building semi-permanent structures such as make-shift shacks on public property, and blocking streets or sidewalks.

“We want to see this model ordinance across the state of California,” Newsom said during a virtual news conference Monday. “We want to see how quickly communities that have not adopted a local ordinance adopt it.”

On the other hand, some cities have gone too far — the governor cited Fremont’s brief attempt to make aiding and abetting a homeless encampment illegal — and need to “right size” their ordinances,

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

PAAASE Celebrates 21st Annual Rites Of Passage For African American High School Graduates

Community organizations award over $32,000 in scholarships to Pasadena Unified seniors

The Pasadena Alliance of African American School Educators (PAAASE) held its 21st Annual Rites of Passage Ceremony on Sunday, May 4 honoring African American 12th-grade students from across the Pasadena Unified School District. The celebration recognized students’ academic achievements while connecting them to cultural traditions and community elders through the symbolic presentation of kente cloths.

This tradition has become meaningful for the Pasadena community, serving as a bridge between generations.

“The Kente Stole presentation, a highlight of the ceremony, is described as a ‘passing of the torch’ and acknowledges the support of family, friends, and ancestors in the graduates’ achievements,” notes a Rutgers University description of a similar program.

Kente cloth is a handwoven textile originating from Ghana, made from silk and cotton threads woven into narrow strips, which are then sewn together to create larger cloths. Traditionally, kente cloth was reserved for royalty and worn during important ceremonies and special occasions.

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Young Sci-Fi Writers to be Honored at Vroman’s Bookstore Event

Celebrity Readings to Showcase LA County High School Students’ Short Stories

Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena will host the culminating event for the Omega Sci-Fi Project on Saturday, May 17, where emerging young writers will be celebrated for their science fiction stories addressing contemporary challenges.

The event, scheduled for 4-6 p.m., will feature celebrity readings of finalists’ stories selected for The Tomorrow Prize and The Green Feather Award, two competitions organized by the Light Bringer Project.

The Omega Sci-Fi Project describes its vision as opening doors for writers of all backgrounds to create unique stories that explore relationships between people, their world and the future. The project aims to empower young writers to contribute diverse perspectives to science fiction.

In February, the Tomorrow Prize invited Los Angeles County high school students to submit short science fiction stories that explore humanity’s challenges and spark creative solutions. Winners will receive cash prizes of $250, $150, and $100 for first, second, and third place,