Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Parents Mobilize Against Pasadena Unified Classroom Budget Cuts, Petition Urges Central Office Reductions

By KATHLEEN CASTIGNOLI

More than 650 parents in Altadena and Pasadena have signed an online petition demanding that the Pasadena Unified School District shift proposed budget cuts away from classrooms and toward central office operations, warning that reductions to teachers, specialists and magnet programs will drive families out of the district.

Dozens of families are expected to attend the Nov. 20 Board of Education meeting to deliver that message directly, as trustees prepare to vote on a fiscal stabilization plan requiring $30.5 million in savings for the 2026?27 school year.

The petition argues that the current proposal places a disproportionate burden on school sites, undermining enrollment and destabilizing academic programs.

“Our magnet schools can’t attract or retain families if they’re stripped to the bare minimum,” the petition states.

Parents cite independent estimates showing $10 million to $13 million could be saved through central office reductions and decreased contracted services, with less direct impact on students.

The petition calls on district leaders to preserve school?site staffing,

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Union Station Homeless Services Distributes Thanksgiving Meal Kits Wednesday

Event part of 50-year tradition as organization anticipates doubled demand

Union Station Homeless Services will distribute Thanksgiving meal boxes Wednesday at its Adult Center in Pasadena, providing families in need with all the ingredients to prepare a holiday dinner at home.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 412 S. Raymond Ave. and is part of the nonprofit’s long-running Dinner in the Park initiative, which has operated for more than 50 years.

CEO Katie Hill said demand for meals could double this year due to federal SNAP benefit disruptions affecting about 17,000 Pasadena residents. “With the rollback of these essential benefits, we are anticipating a 300% increase in food pantry boxes,” Hill said in late October. “Last year, we served over 6,000 Thanksgiving meals — that number may double this year.”

Union Station initially sought 750 frozen turkeys but raised its goal to 975 by mid-November, enough to serve an estimated 8,000 meals over three days. On Nov.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Who’s Running for California Governor? It Keeps Changing

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

Getting elected governor of California is a difficult task, requiring the creation of a large apparatus to plan and execute a campaign strategy and raising tens of millions of dollars to pay for it.

That’s why, as California’s population soared in the post-World War II era, those who aspired to govern the state typically declared their ambitions at least two years out, even if they were already occupying other offices.

That bit of political history is offered because California voters will elect a new governor in less than a year, and filing candidacy paperwork will open in just a few weeks, but the field of candidates seems to change almost daily.

Some who were in have dropped out, such as Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former state Senate leader Toni Atkins. Meanwhile, some who considered a run — such as former Vice President Kamala Harris — backed away, and at least one who had opted out may jump back in.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Record Number of SoCal Residents Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Roughly 6.78 million Southern California residents are expected to travel for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, a record- setting figure for the holiday that is about 7% higher than the pre-pandemic level in 2019.

The projected number of travelers is a 2.8% increase from last year, according to figures released by the Auto Club of Southern California.

The vast majority of travelers — 5.88 million — are expected to travel by car, while 704,000 will fly and 196,000 will take other forms of travel such as train, bus or cruise ship.

Nationally, 81.8 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday, also a record number that tops last year’s figure by 1.6 million, according to the Auto Club.

The Auto Club defines the Thanksgiving travel period as Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 1.

“Thanksgiving travel has always been popular, but has grown into an even greater priority in recent years after the pandemic limited those opportunities to connect with family and friends,”

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

LA County Looks to Compel Telecom Firms to Underground Infrastructure

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The county Board of Supervisors instructed its staff Tuesday to initiate efforts aimed at requiring telecommunications companies to underground their infrastructure in the Santa Monica Mountains as a fire- prevention measure.

The board action directed staff to move forward with proceedings before the California Public Utilities Commission to address the issue in communities such as Topanga, Las Flores and others.

“Undergrounding utilities is essential to preventing wildfires and protecting our communities,” Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath said in a statement after the vote. “Fire season is here now, and our residents cannot wait for safer infrastructure. Undergrounding telecommunications reduces fire risks, keeps evacuation routes clear, and strengthens the systems our communities rely on every day. Through today’s action, we will work with the CPUC to require the urgent action our communities deserve. We owe it to fire survivors to build infrastructure that keeps them safe.”

According to Horvath’s office, Southern California Edison has been making “significant progress”

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Pasadena Senator Defends SB 805 Amid Trump Administration Lawsuit

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, who represents Pasadena and surrounding communities, issued a statement Tuesday defending SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act, in response to what she described as a lawsuit by the Trump Administration challenging the law’s constitutionality.

Pérez, a Democrat and chair of the Senate Education Committee, authored SB 805 to require law enforcement officers operating in California to display identification and to prohibit bounty hunters from engaging in immigration enforcement. In a press release issued by her office, Pérez said the law was designed to curb impersonations of law enforcement and protect vulnerable communities from vigilante actions.

“As the author of SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act, California took aggressive action to counter the chaos and confusion being unleashed on our streets by the Trump Administration’s cruel and fascist immigration enforcement,” Pérez said in the statement. “Nameless, faceless and aggressive agents acting as law enforcement led to a rise in cases of people impersonating police in order to prey on innocent and vulnerable people.”

She added that “California,

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Group of Community Organizations to Host “The State of Black Dena” Event in Altadena on Friday

A coalition of local organizations and community partners will host “The State of Black Dena,” a community gathering focused on Black life in Pasadena and Altadena, on Friday, Nov. 21, from 6 to 10 p.m. at 540 W. Woodbury Road in Altadena.

The event will convene residents, stakeholders and civic leaders for strategic dialogue, cultural celebration and collective visioning. Designed as a space to honor the past, confront the present and co-create the future, organizers say the evening is rooted in equity, resilience and collective well-being.

Programming will center on three themes:

• “Strategy for Our Future Community” — Exploring long-term goals, opportunities and initiatives that uplift and empower the Black community.
• “Honesty About Our Present Recovery” — Addressing current challenges, including economic recovery, community health and social equity with transparency and intention.
• “Celebration of Our Past Legacy” — Honoring the rich history, contributions and cultural roots that have shaped Black life in Pasadena and Altadena.

“This gathering is about collective power,” organizers said in a statement.

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Five Altadena Businesses Reopening With Major Fanfare On Saturday

“Rising Together” celebration at Mariposa Junction, frustrated by rain last weekend, all set for November 22

Five small businesses will celebrate their grand reopening on Saturday, November 22, marking one of Altadena’s first major community gatherings since the Eaton Fire.

The “Rising Together” celebration at Mariposa Junction, at 849 E. Mariposa Street in Altadena, represents a milestone for businesses that have continued when most did not. Nearly 1,900 small businesses within the fire burn zones were destroyed or displaced, supporting roughly 11,400 jobs. Economic losses from the fire reached $24 billion to $42 billion, according to early estimates from UCLA researchers.

Tyler Wells will officially cut the ribbon on Betsy’s Restaurant, which he reopened earlier on Friday, August 30, after renaming it for his mother. The restaurant had operated as Bernee for only 31 nights before the Eaton Fire exploded. Wells’ home burned to the ground, though his restaurant survived.

“Altadena always openly welcomed me, and I want to be part of the healing to help shape whatever comes next,”

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Pasadena Public Health Cautions Against Use of Kratom and 7-OH Products

The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) recommends avoiding products that contain kratom and the synthetic kratom compound known as 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), following the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s advisory. Recently, six overdose deaths in Los Angeles County among people aged 18 to 40 years old have been tied to 7-OH ingestion. There have not been any confirmed deaths tied to 7-OH ingestion in Pasadena.

7?OH is being synthetically concentrated into unregulated edibles sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online across LA County. These products are marketed as “plant alkaloids” or dietary supplements for pain, anxiety, mood, withdrawal, or energy, and may appear as tablets, gummies, drink mixes, or concentrated liquid shots. Since 7-OH concentration levels for products are unknown, overdose risk is high. Consumers who use 7-OH products are exposed to products that have not been proven safe or effective.

“The safest choice is to avoid all 7-OH products,” said Dr. Parveen Kaur, Acting Health Officer. “At low doses, 7?OH acts as a stimulant;

Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Disney to Help Re-Imagine, Re-Build Charles White Park in Altadena

The Walt Disney Co. announced Monday it will invest $5 million for the reopening of Altadena’s Charles White Park, which was heavily damaged in the Eaton Fire, with the company’s “Imagineers” designing a playground and other features “infused with Disney magic.”

The funds are part of a $15 million commitment the company has made for fire recovery efforts, according to Disney.

“Los Angeles has been home to The Walt Disney Company since its founding more than a century ago, which is why we felt a special responsibility to help this community rebuild in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires earlier this year,” Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. “I’m incredibly proud of our Imagineers who are volunteering their time and talents to help reimagine cherished public spaces like Charles White Park. Their work is not only a testament to Disney’s creative spirit, but also to our deep commitment to our neighbors throughout this region. We hope this effort brings comfort, joy, and a sense of renewal to the Altadena community for years to come.”