Thursday, September 4, 2025

Federal Government Sues SoCal Edison for Damages Alleged in Eaton, Fairview Fires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles Thursday sued Southern California Edison over its alleged role in the devastating Eaton and Fairview fires, which burned tens of thousands of acres of National Forest lands, killed a total of 21 people, and destroyed thousands of buildings.

Both fires damaged federal government-owned land and property. The lawsuits seek to recover tens of millions of dollars in costs due to fire suppression and rehabilitation of national forest property.

“The lawsuits filed today allege a troubling pattern of negligence resulting in death, destruction, and tens of millions of federal taxpayer dollars spent to clean up one utility company’s mistakes,” Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. “We hope that today’s filings are the first step in causing the beginnings of a culture change at Southern California Edison, one that will make it a responsible, conscientious company that helps — not harms — our community. Hardworking Californians should not pick up the tab for Edison’s negligence.”

Thursday, September 4, 2025

California Lawmakers Pass Bills Requiring Parental Notification of Immigration Enforcement at Schools

The legislation aims to protect immigrant students and restore trust in educational institutions

California lawmakers on Wednesday approved two urgency measures that would require schools to notify families when immigration enforcement officers are present on campus, aiming to protect immigrant students and restore trust in educational institutions. 

Senate Bill 98, authored by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), mandates that K-12 schools and higher education institutions immediately alert students, parents, faculty and staff when immigration enforcement is confirmed on school grounds. Assembly Bill 49, introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and co-authored by Assemblymember Liz Ortega (D-San Leandro), prohibits immigration officers from entering nonpublic areas of school campuses without proper identification, a judicial warrant or written District approval. 

Both bills include urgency clauses, allowing them to take effect immediately if signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has until Oct. 12 to act. 

The legislation follows a widely publicized incident on Aug. 11, when a 15-year-old student with disabilities was mistakenly detained by federal immigration agents outside Arleta High School in Los Angeles.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

National Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump to Join Altadena Families in Demanding Action on Fire Recovery Delays, Health Hazards

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is set to join Altadena families Thursday morning to demand urgent reforms in the wake of a January fire that survivors say has left them displaced, endangered, and ignored. The press conference will be held this morning in front of four fire-ravaged homes belonging to the Calvin family on E. Las Flores Drive.

Crump, known nationally for representing victims of civil rights violations, will stand alongside attorney Anne Andrews and impacted residents to call attention to what they describe as “injustice after injustice,” including prolonged permitting delays and toxic environmental conditions.

Nearly nine months after the fire, only a handful of rebuilding permits have been approved, leaving many families in limbo. Survivors cite a “painfully slow permitting process” that has stalled recovery efforts and deepened community suffering.

Environmental experts have raised alarms about possible lead contamination in the soil where homes once stood, posing serious health risks. Several residents with preexisting medical conditions have reportedly died prematurely after being displaced and separated from critical care and equipment.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Homeowners to Benefit from New Mortgage Relief Legislation for Wildfire Survivors

New state bill targets local wildfire recovery

Altadena and Pasadena residents impacted by recent wildfires will soon receive substantial financial relief, thanks to the passage of Assembly Bill 238 (AB 238), also known as the Mortgage Forbearance Act. The bill, authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian—who represents Altadena and Pasadena in the California Legislature—was approved with an urgency clause and awaits the Governor’s signature to take effect immediately.

AB 238 specifically allows homeowners affected by wildfires in the Los Angeles region to pause mortgage payments for up to one year without facing penalties or damage to their credit scores. Importantly, lenders will be prohibited from requiring lump-sum repayments at the end of the forbearance period.

According to a statement from Assemblymember Harabedian, “For months since the fires, survivors have been forced to make two housing payments: one for their temporary rental accommodations and another mortgage payment for a house that either doesn’t exist anymore or is uninhabitable due to smoke and ash damage”.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

South Coast AQMD Launches Incentive Program for Space/Water Heating Units

The South Coast Air Quality Management District Wednesday launched its Go Zero incentive program designed to help residents and businesses switch to cleaner, zero nitrogen oxide-emission space and water heating appliances.

The technologies are up to 3-4 times more efficient than traditional gas systems and can help reduce energy use and lower utility bills, according to AQMD.

NOx emissions are a nationwide problem that is especially urgent in Southern California, which has some of the worst air quality in the country, according to the American Lung Association.

Go Zero includes rebates for heat pump devices for space and water heating for single-family homes, multi-family buildings and small businesses, AQMD says.

Incentives are available for two separate technologies: replacing traditional gas furnaces and central heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems or replacing conventional gas or propane water heaters.

Application assistance is available to help applicants maximize and combine program incentives for further savings.

Applications are processed on a first-come,

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Is Newsom’s CARE Court Living Up To His Promises?

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

Seven years ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom told Californians he wanted to be known for “audacious stretch goals” rather than being too timid.

His mental health overhaul counts as one of those, from changes that expanded coverage for mental health conditions to last year’s Proposition 1, the ballot measure that poured $6.4 billion into new mental health housing.

A team of CalMatters reporters this week published a deep look into one of the key components of Newsom’s mental health strategy: CARE Court, a program intended to help seriously ill Californians living on the streets.

They found the program has treated only a small fraction of eligible patients — as in hundreds of people rather than the thousands Newsom projected.

• Tanya Fedak, whose son cycles between homelessness and jail despite being accepted into CARE Court: “These are our loved ones. It’s our taxpayers’ money. There’s no accountability. And it’s frustrating to see it go down,

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

$1 Million Grant Program Targets Fire-Hit Small Businesses

Initiative offers up to $50,000 per business in Altadena, Malibu and Palisades areas

Small businesses devastated by the Eaton and Palisades fires can now apply for emergency grants through a $1 million relief program launched by Steadfast LA and Banc of California.

The initiative provides direct grants up to $50,000 per business to help owners rebuild damaged property, reopen their doors and cover fire-related expenses. Program organizers say the funding is designed to be flexible, acknowledging that each business faces different recovery challenges.

LiftFund, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution with three decades of disaster relief experience, will administer the grants. In its company profile, the organization says it specializes in providing financial assistance to small businesses during emergencies.

Business owners must meet strict eligibility requirements to qualify. A statement by Steadfast LA said companies must have been operating before Oct. 1, 2024, with documented sales revenue shown in business bank statements. Applicants without business bank accounts cannot participate.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Pasadena, Nearby Cities Follow State Law on Military Gear

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

As the Pasadena Police Department prepares for a public meeting Thursday, Sept. 4, to review its 2024–2025 Military Equipment Annual Report, Pasadena and nearby cities remain in compliance with California’s transparency law governing military-style equipment.

Under California Assembly Bill 481, law enforcement agencies must obtain local governing body approval via ordinance before acquiring or using defined types of “military equipment.”

Departments are also required to publish detailed inventories, issue annual reports, disclose costs, and hold public forums for residents. The law, passed in 2021, was designed to counterbalance federal programs that for decades made it easier for local departments to acquire military-grade tools.

“Keeping our community safe starts with being open and accountable,” said Mayor Victor Gordo. “As our Pasadena Police Department shares its 2024-2025 Military Equipment Report this coming Thursday, we want our community to know that these tools are used responsibly, with accountability, and always with respect for the people we serve.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Pasadena Assemblymember’s Wildfire Recovery Bills Clear Senate Committee

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Three bills help California wildfire victims with housing, mental health and community stability

Three wildfire recovery bills authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) advanced Friday through the state Senate Appropriations Committee, moving closer to a floor vote in the coming weeks.

“These bills represent meaningful advances in our recovery efforts,” Harabedian said in a statement. “From aligning all levels of government in rebuilding housing to protecting our proud history of homeownership and ensuring that victims of unimaginable disasters get the help they need, I am proud to continue fighting for an accelerated and survivor-led comeback for our community.”

The measures include:

AB 239, which creates a State-Led Disaster Housing Task Force to coordinate federal, state and local recovery efforts. A State Disaster Housing Coordinator would oversee rebuilding, provide accountability and report to lawmakers on progress and challenges.

AB 797, the Community Stabilization Act, which allows nonprofits to use Community Reinvestment Act funds to buy homes in disaster zones at fair market value.

Monday, September 1, 2025

Under A Blazing Sun, Altadena Town & Country Club Begins Its Next Chapter

By EDDIE RIVERA

The mood was part homecoming, part rally for the future

Under a blazing late-August sun, with temperatures pushing toward triple digits, as many as 700 members and guests streamed into the Altadena Town & Country Club on Saturday for what organizers called “a new beginning.” For the first time since the devastating January 7 Eaton Fire reduced the historic clubhouse to ashes, the club’s tennis courts, pickleball courts and swimming pool were once again filled with life.

The clubhouse itself is gone, has been reduced an empty lot, with only portions of its walls remaining, as a wooden staircase through an opening in a fence led guests to the party.

But the mood was part homecoming, part rally for the future.

Families fanned themselves under umbrellas while children raced straight to the sparkling pool, squealing as they leapt into the water. Guests were treated to lunch from Pie ‘n Burger and local taco trucks — a detail that Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was quick to praise.