Thursday, February 12, 2026

County Counsel Files Lawsuit Alleging Fire Truck Suppliers Overcharge

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County is suing a private equity firm and three other companies alleging overcharging and state and federal antitrust violations in relation to fire truck purchases.

The defendants in the lawsuit, filed by County Counsel Dawyn R. Harrison on behalf of the county, its fire department, and the people of the State of California, are the private equity firm American Industrial Partners and fire truck manufacturers REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation and Boise Mobile Equipment, according to a news release from Harrison’s office.

The lawsuit claims the defendants’ conduct violated unfair competition laws “for consolidating the fire truck market through a series of anticompetitive mergers, acquisitions and other unfair practices… (that) sharply inflated the cost of fire trucks and parts to fire departments nationwide, including the L.A. County Fire Department,” according to the county counsel’s office.

“Los Angeles County will not allow companies to exploit the fire truck market at taxpayers’ expense,” according to a statement from Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

California Expands Mortgage Relief Program for Fire Survivors

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A state mortgage relief program that has provided $20,000 in financial support to fire survivors in Southern California will be expanded to provide a full year of assistance up to $100,000 that will not need to be repaid, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.

Launched in June 2025 by the California Housing Finance Agency, the CalAssist Mortgage Fund initially provided up to $20,000 in grants to homeowners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Homeowners whose homes were impacted by natural disasters and were issued a “State of Emergency proclamation” or a “Major Disaster Declaration” between January 2023 and January 2025 were eligible to apply for assistance.

The grant program has been increased fourfold, and eligibility will be expanded to cover more survivors, according to Newsom’s office.

In Los Angeles County, households with a combined annual income of up to $281,400 now qualify. This reflects a $70,000 increase from the previous limit.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Attorney General Opens Civil Rights Probe into Eaton Fire Response in West Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The state Attorney General’s Office Thursday announced a civil rights investigation into the response to the January 2025 Eaton Fire, questioning whether race, age or disability discrimination contributed to delays in emergency notifications and evacuations in the historically black West Altadena area.

Attorney General Rob Bonta noted that the 14,000-acre fire killed 19 people, all but one of whom lived in the West Altadena area, and the average age of the fire victims was 77 years old.

“The investigation we’ve launched is driven by one over-arching question — did the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s delay in notifying and evacuating the historically Black West Altadena community during the Eaton Fire violate state anti-discrimination and disability rights laws?” Bonta said at a Los Angeles news conference announcing the investigation. “Meaning, did unlawful race-, disability- or age-based discrimination in the emergency response result in a delayed evacuation notification that disproportionately impacted West Altadena residents?

“That’s the question. We don’t know the answer.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Barger Backs State Review of Eaton Fire Response in West Altadena

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she supports Attorney General Rob Bonta’s announcement of a state investigation into the emergency response to the Eaton Fire in West Altadena, issuing a statement that called for full cooperation and close examination of residents’ concerns.

“I welcome Attorney General Bonta’s investigation into the emergency response to the Eaton Fire and expect our County departments to fully cooperate,” Barger said in the statement.

She said the concerns raised by residents of West Altadena “deserve to be taken seriously and examined thoroughly.” Barger also noted that she initiated an independent After?Action Review led by the McChrystal Group “to scrutinize the County’s actions and identify what worked, what didn’t, and where improvements are needed.” She added that she has supported the County’s participation in the Governor’s After?Action Review process.

“If there were gaps, we must acknowledge them. If there were disparities, we must confront them. And if systems need to change, we must change them,” Barger said.

“I stand ready to support the Attorney General’s efforts and remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure we learn from this tragedy and strengthen our emergency response systems for every community we serve,” she said.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

A Lethargic Economy, Flickers of Hope — and a Cloud of Doubt

By EDDIE RIVERA

As the administration enters year two, population slowdown, rising layoffs and uneven housing signals underscore a nation still searching for economic footing

The U.S. economy is moving, but not exactly sprinting.

As the current administration enters its second year, new data compiled by the California Association of Realtors (CAR) suggests a nation still struggling to find momentum. Growth is forecast for both the broader economy and the housing market, but the signals underneath remain uneven, and confidence among employers and consumers alike, seems fragile.

The nation’s population rose 0.5% between July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates. That marks the slowest pace since 2021 and comes not far above the historic 0.2% low recorded during the early COVID period. The country added 1.8 million residents over the year, but the gain was sharply reduced by a drop in net international migration, which fell from 2.7 million to 1.3 million.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Tonight, School Board Will Set Guidelines and Goals for Committee That Could Recommend Campus Closures

The school consolidation advisory panel begins work on February 23 with a timeline to deliver recommendations by May

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will meet in a special session at 8:30 p.m. Thursday to set the goals for an advisory committee that will begin evaluating possible school closures in Pasadena and Altadena.

The Superintendent’s School Consolidation Advisory Committee is scheduled to launch Feb. 23.

Tonight’s board meeting centers on a single discussion item outlining the “Outcomes for Consideration” that will guide the committee’s work.

The advisory committee will hold seven meetings and could recommend school closures to the board by May. The board’s final vote on any consolidation scenarios is scheduled for June 25, according to the district. Any closures would take effect for the 2027-2028 school year.

Trustees voted 5-2 in January to approve the consultant contract and to adopt Resolution 2857, which established nine equity metrics the committee must use in its analysis.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Guest Opinion | William Paparian: Vote NO on the Essential Services Restoration Act

With the June 2026 election closing in, we face a defining moment: whether to approve the Essential Services Restoration Act, a half-cent sales tax hike that would push our countywide rate to 10.25%—and combined local rates in Pasadena and many other cities to 11.75% or higher in some spots. This isn’t a small tweak; it’s another layer of pressure on families already struggling to make ends meet. I will be voting NO on this measure, and I urge every one of you—particularly those of us in Pasadena—to join me in opposing it. My stance is rooted in affordability, fairness, accountability, and the real pain our community is feeling right now.

I stand firmly with Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the only Board member to vote no when this was placed on the ballot, because her arguments hit home harder than ever in places like Pasadena. Supervisor Barger declared unequivocally: “Backfilling federal funding cuts on the backs of county taxpayers is not acceptable.” These cuts—tied to federal policies like the Big Beautiful Bill—aren’t our fault.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Pasadena Humane Drops All Adoption Fees to $14 for Valentine’s Weekend

The three-day “Swipe Right” promotion includes spay or neuter, vaccines and a microchip for every pet

Every dog, cat, rabbit and critter at Pasadena Humane will be available for adoption at $14 starting Thursday, a three-day Valentine’s Day promotion that includes spay or neuter surgery, vaccines and a microchip at that price.

The promotion, called “Swipe Right,” runs February 13 through 15 at the shelter. It is the latest iteration of a Valentine’s-themed campaign the organization has run in past years, borrowing the language of dating apps to match Pasadena-area residents with shelter animals. MetLife is sponsoring the reduced fees, according to Pasadena Humane.

The shelter serves 11 cities, including Pasadena and Altadena, and helped more than 56,000 animals in 2024, according to the Pasadena Star-News. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1903.

“We operate under what we call an Open Adoptions philosophy,” Chris Ramon, president and CEO of Pasadena Humane, wrote in a column published February 6 in the Pasadena Star-News.

Thursday, February 12, 2026

What’s Open and Closed Today in Pasadena and Altadena for Lincoln’s Birthday

Thursday is a state — not federal — holiday

Today is Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, a California state holiday marking the 217th anniversary of the birth of the nation’s 16th president. While Lincoln’s Birthday is not a federal holiday, it is recognized by the State of California, and many state, county and city offices are closed for the day.

Here is a comprehensive guide to what’s open and closed in Pasadena and Altadena.

City of Pasadena — Government Offices

Pasadena City Hall is closed today and will reopen Friday, Feb. 13.

The City Service Center (CSC) is closed and will reopen Friday, Feb. 13, at 8 a.m.

The Municipal Services Payment Center and the Parking Office are closed today.

The Permit Center is closed for in-person services; however, many services remain available via Permit Center Online, where residents can obtain subtrade permits and submit plans for new construction, tenant improvements, accessory dwelling units and additions.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Pasadena Humane Unveils New Uniforms for Animal Control Officers Across 11 Cities

STAFF REPORT

Navy-blue outfits with shoulder patches and badges replace decades-old gear starting Monday

Animal Control Officers at Pasadena Humane will be wearing new navy-blue uniforms starting Monday, the first change in the division’s field attire in decades, the organization announced.

The officers — who respond to calls involving stray, injured, and dangerous animals across 11 San Gabriel Valley communities including Pasadena and Altadena — will carry Animal Control shoulder patches, badges, and embroidered identification on the updated uniforms, according to a Pasadena Humane press release.

“Our goal was to update our uniforms to clearly identify our officers, while also feeling approachable to the community,” said Jerry Mai, Director of Field Services at Pasadena Humane. “The updated uniforms reflect that our officers are educators, problem-solvers, and advocates — for animals and for the people who care about them.”

The new uniforms also allow officers greater freedom of movement for daily fieldwork, including animal rescues,