Monday, December 22, 2025

California to Crack Down on Extreme Speeding on Highways

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In an effort to crack down on excessive speeding and prevent deadly vehicle collisions, the California State Transportation Agency announced a pilot program Monday to immediately review drivers cited for driving more than 100 mph.

The state transportation agency is working with the Department of Motor Vehicles and California Highway Patrol on the initiative known as Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets, or FAST. It’s part of a statewide effort to reverse what state officials describe as an alarming rise in traffic fatalities.

Under the pilot initiative, citations for excessive speeding will be automatically forwarded to the DMV’s Driver Safety Branch — no matter their prior record. The DMV will then review the case and the driver’s history to determine next steps, which could include suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.

This administrative process can happen independently of any court conviction, according to CalSTA.

The pilot program builds on the DMV’s existing Driver Safety Branch enforcement and Negligent Operator Treatment System partnership with CHP.

Monday, December 22, 2025

BofA Commits $10 Million in Loans for Residents, Businesses Impacted by Wildfires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Bank of America Monday announced $10 million in zero-interest loans to Community Development Financial Institutions for housing, nonprofit facilities and small business recovery following the Eaton and Palisades wildfires.

The loans will be managed through three West Coast CDFIs involved in the region’s disaster recovery efforts.

• Clearinghouse CDFI will use its fire-designated funding to finance property acquisition or single-family home development by nonprofits. It will also make funds available to small businesses for rebuilding expenses that outpace insurance proceeds and for resuming operations;
• Genesis LA will provide loans to support homeownership, economic development, and nonprofit facilities in the Altadena and Pasadena areas. It is working with various Altadena groups to acquire vacant lots for redevelopment, with nonprofit developers working with local residents to rebuild multiple homes simultaneously, and local businesses rebuilding their storefronts; and
• Pacific Community Ventures’ RESTORE LA Fund will offer no-fee loans to small businesses of $10,000 to $100,000 at a 3% interest rate that can be used to replace damaged property or equipment,

Monday, December 22, 2025

Free Sandbags Available for Home Protection in Altadena and Pasadena

Officials in Altadena and Pasadena are offering free sand and sandbags to help residents protect homes from storm runoff and debris flows.

In Altadena, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department noted that “properly filled and placed sandbags can be used by residents to divert moving water, redirecting storm and debris flow away from your property.”

The county program requires proof of Altadena residency, and residents may collect sandbags only from locations within their own city.

The Sheriff’s Department noted that “properly filled and placed sandbags can be used by residents to divert moving water, redirecting storm and debris flow away from your property.” The county program requires proof of residency.

Altadena’s sandbag site is at the Los Angeles County Public Works Fleet Maintenance Yard, at 252 Mountain View St. in Altadena.

Pasadena Distribution Sites

The City of Pasadena designates two fire stations as permanent sandbag distribution locations: Fire Station 37, 3430 East Foothill Boulevard, and Fire Station 38,

Monday, December 22, 2025

Altadena Workshop to Guide Eaton Fire Survivors Through County Rent Relief Applications

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger will highlight the county’s Emergency Rent Relief Program on Monday, Dec. 22, during an in-person workshop in Altadena aimed at helping Eaton Fire survivors and other eligible applicants navigate the grant process.

The session runs from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Drive, and will offer one-on-one assistance with applications, document uploads, and troubleshooting, according to county outreach materials. The event is hosted by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) in partnership with Klimt Consulting, LLC. Support will be available in English and Spanish.

The workshop is part of Los Angeles County’s broader effort to stabilize housing for residents affected by the January 2025 Eaton Fire, the Palisades Fire, related windstorms, and other emergency financial hardships. The Emergency Rent Relief Program, directed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and administered by DCBA, opened its application window on Dec. 17, 2025, at 9 a.m. PST.

County materials describe the program as providing grants to eligible landlords and displaced homeowners to cover up to six months of unpaid rent or other eligible housing costs,

Monday, December 22, 2025

Norovirus Cases Rising; Huntington Hospital Urges Precautions, Vigilance

Local health officials warn residents to take precautions as cases increase nationwide

Health officials are warning residents to take precautions as norovirus cases increase nationwide, with Huntington Health in Pasadena reporting concern over hospitalizations linked to the highly contagious stomach virus.

Norovirus, often called the “stomach flu,” causes vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration, and is responsible for 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Kimberly Shriner, medical director of infection prevention and control at Huntington Health, said dehydration related to the virus is the leading cause of hospitalizations of patients suffering  from norovirus.

“The symptoms can make people not only feel genuinely bad — with nausea and diarrhea — but they can also lead to dehydration, making compromised people quite ill, causing hospitalization,” Shriner said.

The CDC estimates about 20 million Americans contract norovirus each year. Officials say the virus spreads easily in crowded settings such as senior living facilities and can survive on surfaces for weeks.

Monday, December 22, 2025

Flood Watch Issued for Pasadena and Altadena as Atmospheric River Approaches

National Weather Service

A broad Flood Watch that includes Pasadena and Altadena will take effect Tuesday afternoon as a moderate to strong atmospheric river brings the potential for heavy rainfall and widespread urban flooding, according to a National Weather Service advisory issued Sunday.

The Flood Watch, announced by the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office, remains in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening. Forecasters said flooding caused by excessive rainfall “continues to be possible” across the region.

Officials warned that excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams and other low-lying or flood-prone locations. The advisory also noted the potential for mud and debris flows across all foothill and mountain areas. Both Altadena and Pasadena are included in the Los Angeles County San Gabriel Valley zone listed in the watch.

The Weather Service said the incoming system is expected to deliver high rainfall rates as it moves across Southwestern California. The agency described the storm as a “moderate to strong atmospheric river,” with widespread urban flooding possible.

Monday, December 22, 2025

Eaton Fire Lawsuits Return to Court Monday as Altadena Plaintiffs Press Case Against Edison

The next case management conference in the consolidated litigation over the Eaton Fire is set for Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, marking another step in the long legal process for hundreds of Altadena residents seeking accountability from Southern California Edison Company (SCE).

The hearing is listed for Department 17 at the Spring Street Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. The user-provided courtroom information contains a jurisdictional discrepancy, as Department 17 is traditionally located at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, while the Eaton Fire cases are confirmed to be assigned to Judge Laura A. Seigle at Spring Street. The consolidated action is proceeding under Gursey v. Southern California Edison Co., case number 25STCV00731.

Altadena resident Jeremy Gursey, whose Lake Avenue property was destroyed in the Jan. 7 fire, filed the first lawsuit on Jan. 13, 2025. His case now anchors more than 130 lawsuits brought by homeowners, renters, businesses, and wrongful death families, along with separate filings by Los Angeles County, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, and the U.S.

Monday, December 22, 2025

Guest Opinion | Chris Holden: Edison Must Advance Housing Relief and Agree to Fair Mediation

Nearly a year after the Eaton Fire destroyed thousands of homes across the San Gabriel Valley, a historic coalition has demanded that Southern California Edison keep families housed until they can get back home. The Eaton Fire Action Network’s proposal addresses the immediate crisis facing families who are running out of financial options.

The solution is straightforward: Edison must front up to $200,000 per displaced household in temporary housing relief based on verified costs, provided without legal waivers.

The Crisis Is Immediate

Edison’s fire doubled or tripled local rents, pushing costs from roughly $1,800 a month to $4,000–$6,000 or more. Insurance meant to cover the loss of use of someone’s home that is supposed to last years is depleting in months. According to the Eaton Fire Collaborative Housing Impact Survey, 72% of renters still need housing, yet 78% cannot afford current rents. Families face eviction or homelessness long before recovery is possible.

Meanwhile, Edison reports record profits. In October, regulators approved a rate increase generating nearly $1 billion annually,

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Pasadena’s LIFT International Church to Provide Wildfire Relief and $35,000 in Assistance on Sunday

LIFT International Church will provide critical relief supplies and direct financial assistance to families impacted by recent wildfires during a distribution event Sunday at its North Lake Avenue location, according to the church.

The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. at 1757 N. Lake Avenue in Pasadena. LIFT International Church and Ever After Events, working with partners including the California Community Foundation, The Black Freedmen Fund and LA Wildfires, will distribute more than $35,000 in direct financial relief to 25 to 30 local families, the advisory said.

The church will provide essential household items, childcare supplies and direct financial relief, while also fulfilling Christmas wish requests submitted by families through its community portal.

Items being distributed include Sealy air mattresses, pillows, air purifiers, amenity kits, tech decks, baby strollers, 8-piece nursery crib sets, child sleeping bags, clothing for men, women and children, and grocery gift cards.

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Altadena Workshop to Offer One-on-One Help as County Rent Relief Program Opens for Eaton Fire Survivors

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is urging Altadena residents affected by the Eaton Fire to apply for the county’s newly launched Emergency Rent Relief Program, which is now accepting applications from eligible landlords and homeowners. The announcement comes as county officials prepare to offer in-person application assistance Monday at the Altadena Community Center.

The program offers grants to cover eligible rental debt and related housing expenses, with assistance potentially covering up to six months of rent debt and mortgage assistance—subject to program limits. It is accepting applications from landlords and homeowners impacted by the Eaton Fire and other emergency-related hardships.

Landlords must submit applications first, after which tenants will complete a required tenant profile to support eligibility. Homeowners displaced by the Los Angeles Wildfires as well as landlords whose rental properties have outstanding fire-related repairs are also eligible.

Designed to stabilize housing in communities impacted by emergencies, the program helps renters remain housed while also supporting landlords and displaced homeowners facing financial strain.