Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Music Legends Pledge $3 Million for Equitable Fire Recovery in Altadena, Pasadena

STAFF REPORT

Songwriter Mike Stoller and his wife, jazz musician Corky Hale Stoller, have pledged $3 million to support equitable fire recovery in historically Black neighborhoods in Altadena and in Pasadena, devastated by January’s wildfires.

The contribution will bolster the Black LA Relief & Recovery Fund, led by the Black Freedom Fund in partnership with the California Community Foundation. The fund prioritizes community-led rebuilding efforts, directing resources to organizations rooted in Black neighborhoods long shaped by redlining, housing covenants and intergenerational homeownership.

“This isn’t just about houses,” said Mike Stoller. “It’s about people — people, for many years denied equal access to real estate in Los Angeles … people who created a community for their families and friends, their churches and businesses. Corky and I wish to support the preservation of this community and to inspire others to help in that preservation.”

“History shows that if families are forced to leave while they rebuild, the odds of returning drop dramatically.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

County Marks Sheriff’s Department’s 175th Anniversary

Altadena has been under the Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction since the town’s first station opened 1927

Supervisor Kathryn Barger will honor the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department today with a commemorative scroll marking the department’s 175th anniversary, recognizing nearly a century of service to the County and to Altadena through its local station.

The presentation is scheduled during the Board of Supervisors’ public hearing at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration in downtown Los Angeles.

The Sheriff’s Department Band will perform at 9 a.m., followed by the scroll presentation at 9:30 a.m. with remarks from Barger and Sheriff Robert G. Luna, according to county event details. Captains from Fifth District stations, including Altadena, are expected to attend.

Founded in 1850, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is the nation’s largest sheriff’s agency, serving 42 incorporated cities and 141 unincorporated communities. Altadena has been under its jurisdiction since 1927, when Station No. 7 opened on East Foothill Boulevard. The station later moved to Lake Avenue and Mariposa Street before relocating in 1948 to its current site at the Altadena Civic Center.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Judges Hear Arguments in LA Over Lawsuit Concerning Passage of Proposition 50

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A three-judge panel in downtown Los Angeles Monday began hearing arguments in a lawsuit challenging California’s new congressional district maps, which were drawn to help more Democrats win future elections.

The suit asks the panel to grant a temporary restraining order blocking the newly drawn district lines by Friday — the day candidates can take the first official steps to run in the 2026 election.

Assemblyman David Tangipa, R-Fresno, the California Republican Party, and 18 district voters brought the lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court last month against Gov. Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, seeking to have California’s original map stay in effect for the 2026 midterm elections. The Justice Department later joined the suit.

Plaintiffs argue the new Proposition 50 maps are unconstitutional because they improperly use voters’ race as a factor in drawing districts by favoring Latino voters in violation of civil rights law.

“Proposition 50 represents a mid-decade redistricting,

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

No-Burn Order Extended Again, Through Tuesday for Much of Southern California

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended a No-Burn Alert through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, prohibiting wood burning in fireplaces and in all indoor or outdoor devices across four Los Angeles-area counties.

The updated alert now in effect until midnight Tuesday includes the South Coast Air Basin, covering large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, except the High Desert and Coachella Valley.

“South Coast AQMD reminds residents in these areas that burning wood in their fireplaces or any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device is prohibited at any time on No-Burn Days,” the agency said.

Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems, according to the AQMD. Fine particulate matter called PM2.5 can get deep into the lungs to cause asthma attacks and other respiratory problems, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are exempt from the requirement.

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Altadena Businesses Among Those Receiving LA County Wildfire Relief Grants

Based on Report by CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County has closed its small business and worker relief program after distributing $23.4 million to those impacted by January’s wildfires, including Altadena’s Cafe de Leche, county officials announced Monday.

The Department of Economic Opportunity awarded $17.7 million to 2,181 small businesses and nonprofits and $5.7 million to 2,892 workers. Officials said the program received 14,477 complete applications, underscoring the scale of economic damage caused by the Eaton, Palisades and other regional fires earlier this year.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena and co-sponsored the program, said in a statement that the relief effort was designed to stabilize lives quickly. “Closing this fund with every eligible applicant served is a testament to what we can accomplish when government, philanthropy and community partners collaborate to meet urgent needs,” Barger said.

The LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Funds program was created in response to the January 2025 windstorms and wildfires, which destroyed or damaged 1,907 brick-and-mortar businesses and disrupted 39,000 businesses employing 230,000 workers.

Monday, December 15, 2025

Altadena CHP Officer Eric Voss Dies After Off-Duty Motorcycle Crash

California Highway Patrol Officer Eric Voss, assigned to the Altadena Area office, died Saturday morning from injuries sustained in an off-duty motorcycle crash the previous day, according to official statements from the CHP and Commissioner Sean Duryee.

Voss was injured in a Friday morning crash while riding his personal motorcycle. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries about 24 hours later while surrounded by family.

Voss had served more than five years with the CHP, having graduated from Cadet Training Class II-19 in January 2020.

“The California Highway Patrol honors and remembers Officer Eric Voss, ID 22513, of the Altadena Area,” the agency said in a statement released across its social media platforms Saturday. “Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries while surrounded by family. Officer Voss, a member of CTC II-19, was a respected colleague and a valued member of the CHP family. His dedication to public service, professionalism, and commitment to others left a lasting impact on those who served alongside him.”

Commissioner Duryee also posted a tribute early Saturday morning,

Monday, December 15, 2025

Altadena Residents to Gather for Eaton Fire Community Information Day

The open-house style meeting will offer residents a chance to connect with County officials and emergency responders

Altadena residents are invited to attend the Eaton Fire Community Connection & Information Day at the Loma Alta Park Gymnasium on Monday night, where County officials and emergency responders will meet directly with the public nearly one year after the devastating blaze.

The open-house style meeting, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will give residents a chance to ask questions and share concerns with representatives from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management.

The County invitation describes the event as an opportunity to strengthen communication between agencies and the community in the wake of the January fire.

The Eaton Fire ignited Jan. 7 in Eaton Canyon and burned for 24 days, destroying between 9,366 and 9,414 structures and killing 19 people, according to official reports. The fire was fully contained Jan.

Monday, December 15, 2025

No-Burn Order Extended Through Monday for Much of Southern California

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended a No-Burn Alert for 24 additional hours Sunday, prohibiting wood burning in fireplaces and in all indoor or outdoor devices across four Los Angeles-area counties.

The alert is now in effect until at least midnight Monday and covers the South Coast Air Basin, including large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, except the High Desert and Coachella Valley.

“South Coast AQMD reminds residents in these areas that burning wood in their fireplaces or any indoor or outdoor wood-burning device is prohibited at any time on No-Burn Days,” the agency said.

Smoke from wood burning can cause health problems, according to the AQMD. Fine particulate matter called PM2.5 can get deep into the lungs to cause asthma attacks and other respiratory problems, increases in emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Homes that rely on wood as a sole source of heat, low-income households and those without natural gas service are exempt from the requirement.

Monday, December 15, 2025

New Altadena Wildfire Recovery Financing District Public Meeting Set for Monday

The Altadena Wildfire Recovery Infrastructure Financing District Public Financing Authority will hold a public meeting Monday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m., with a full agenda focused on bylaws, board leadership, and approval of a proposed infrastructure financing plan.

Altadena’s new Public Financing Authority is the governing board for the Altadena Wildfire Recovery Infrastructure Financing District, created by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors under SB 782 (Perez) as a separate local governmental entity subject to the Brown Act and state transparency laws. The Board authorized the District and its Authority on Oct. 21, with the Dec. 15 meeting set to consider bylaws, appointments, and the IFP, alongside potential actions to formally form the District and authorize a validation action.

The District is designed to use future property tax increment—not new taxes—from a defined area of unincorporated Altadena to finance wildfire recovery and resilience infrastructure after the Jan. 7, 2025 Eaton Fire. County materials describe an estimated approximately $2 billion investment envelope to rebuild and upgrade facilities,

Monday, December 15, 2025

Nation’s Largest Pro Bono Law Firm Brings Free Consumer Defense Clinic to Altadena

Residents struggling with debt collectors, foreclosure fears, or predatory lenders will have a rare opportunity to consult with top-tier legal experts at no cost this month.

The Altadena Library District is partnering with Public Counsel, the nation’s largest pro bono law firm, to host a free Consumer Law Clinic on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The event aims to arm locals with legal strategies to fight back against financial exploitation.

Running from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Main Library Community Room, the clinic is open to adults ages 18 and older. Organizers have highlighted accessibility: “Walk-ins welcome!”

Attorneys will provide consultations on fraud, debt collection, foreclosure, home improvement loans, student loans, used car scams, and unfair business practices.

Founded in 1970, Public Counsel is supported by over 140 staff members and over 5,000 volunteer lawyers. Together, they assist more than 30,000 individuals and organizations annually.

“Public Counsel is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to advancing civil rights and racial and economic justice,