Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Long Beach Man to Plead Guilty to Fraudulently Seeking FEMA Funds for False Eaton Fire Damage Claim

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A Long Beach man is expected to plead guilty Tuesday to seeking disaster relief funds by falsely claiming that a property he rented was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, despite having rented no residence affected by the disaster.

Keandre Lowe, 21, has agreed to enter a plea in downtown Los Angeles to one federal count of fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Lowe admitted in his plea agreement that he filed a fraudulent application for FEMA benefits on Jan. 22, seeking disaster relief for an Altadena property that he neither owned nor rented. As a result of his fraudulent application, Lowe obtained about $28,300 in FEMA benefits, prosecutors said.

The actual property owner later confirmed to law enforcement that they were living in the home at the time of the fire and since 2007 had not rented the property to anyone.

A host of false claims were made in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires that started on Jan.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

LA County Registrar Wins 11 National Awards for Innovation

Programs span election security, worker training and technology improvements

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk received recognition for 11 innovative programs from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

The awards were announced Monday by Dean C. Logan, who leads the department. The programs span four categories: Information Technology, Planning, Personnel Management and Training, and Civic Education and Public Information.

NACo Achievement Awards recognize county government programs that improve residents’ lives. The association aims to inspire counties nationwide to adopt innovative approaches.

“We are honored to be recognized for these programs,” Logan said. “The RR/CC is committed to improving our processes to better support the public and our staff, and these awards demonstrate that we are taking important strides towards doing exactly that.”

The department has received previous NACo recognition for its work.

The 11 winning programs include election security measures, worker recruitment tools and technology solutions. Notable programs include the Threat Identification and Prevention System and the Voting Solutions for All People Chain of Custody Solution.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Local Assemblymember Points to Six Bills He’s Authored to Help Altadena and Pasadena Recover From Eaton Fire

On the 6-month anniversary of night the Eaton Fire ignited, Assembymember John Harabedian describes his efforts to support his hometown

Gov. Gavin Newsom was joined by Pasadena area Assemblymember John Harabedian and numerous other local officials at a Pasadena press conference marking the six-month anniversary of the Los Angeles wildfires on Tuesday.

The Democratic assemblymember from Pasadena joined the governor alongside community leaders, first responders and fire survivors to discuss the state’s ongoing commitment to recovery.

“Six months later, the pain and loss are still very real for so many families,” Harabedian said. “Today is about coming together to strengthen our resolve and continue to stand alongside survivors every step of the way.”

The state approved more than $2.5 billion in emergency wildfire relief following the fires. The funding supports recovery efforts and helps communities prepare for future climate-driven disasters.

Harabedian has introduced six bills aimed at helping wildfire survivors. The legislation addresses housing recovery, mental health care and financial protections.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Metro Board Approves $2.9 Billion for Local Transit Projects

Funding will support 66 transit operators and 89 jurisdictions across LA County

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board approved $2.9 billion in transit funding for fiscal year 2026, officials announced Monday.

The allocation represents nearly 30 percent of Metro’s budget and will distribute resources to 66 transit operators and 89 local jurisdictions throughout the county, including Pasadena.

“The $2.9 billion in Fiscal Year 2026 transit fund allocations represents almost 30% of Metro’s budget and will ensure continued mobility improvements throughout Los Angeles County, including those areas, such as Avalon, Lancaster and Santa Clarita, that Metro doesn’t currently serve directly,” said Metro Board Chairman Fernando Dutra, who also serves on the Whittier City Council.

The funding combines federal and state pass-through grants with locally collected sales tax revenue.

Areas outside Metro’s direct service area will receive dedicated funding through California Transportation Development Act Article 8 allocations. These include Avalon, Lancaster, Palmdale, Santa Clarita and portions of unincorporated county areas.

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

LA County Releases Ambitious “Blueprint for Rebuilding” Following Catastrophic Wildfires

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

In the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades Fires — two of the most destructive disasters in California’s recent history — Los Angeles County has released a comprehensive post-disaster recovery plan aimed at guiding the next phase of rebuilding.

The plan, titled “LA County Forward: Blueprint for Rebuilding,” sets forth a detailed roadmap to help residents, businesses, and communities recover swiftly, sustainably, and equitably.

“As we mark six months since these devastating fires, we recognize the historic actions taken to clear the debris from thousands of properties in record time,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “But this is only the beginning. We must move into the next phase – rebuilding – with the same determination and urgency.”

Locally, the Eaton Fire destroyed much of Altadena, killing 18 people and destroying more than 9,000 structures leaving 14,000 acres scorched.

Combined, the two fires destroyed or severely damaged more than 18,000 homes and structures across the county.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Barger Outlines Progress, Challenges at Eaton Fire Six-Month Anniversary

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

As the six-month anniversary of the devastating Eaton Fire approaches, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger reflected on the recovery efforts underway in Altadena, highlighting rapid progress while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

The January wildfire destroyed nearly 9,000 homes and businesses across Altadena and neighboring areas. In a statement Friday, Barger praised the coordinated response from local, state and federal agencies, while pledging continued support for residents and business owners still recovering.

“This recovery has demonstrated what is possible when government works in lockstep,” Barger said. “But we’re not done yet—there’s still more work to do.”

According to county data, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has cleared debris from more than 5,300 affected properties—95% of eligible residential sites in Altadena—as of July 1. The cleanup is on track to wrap by the end of summer, setting records for both speed and scale, officials said.

Pasadena continues to do its part as well.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Memorial Service for Eaton Fire’s 18 Victims Planned for 6-Month Anniversary Monday

Six months to the minute after the devastating wildfire ignited, community leaders will unite, to honor the dead while confronting long-term recovery challenges

Six months after the Eaton Fire killed 18 people and destroyed more than 9,400 structures, local residents and grassroots community leaders plan to gather for a memorial Monday evening — even as survivors of the devastating wildfire face daunting rebuilding crises.

The 7 p.m. vigil at 181 E. Las Flores Drive — near where victim Evelyn McClendon lived — is being organized by a coalition that brings together LA Voice, Black Events LA, the Pasadena NAACP Branch, My Tribe Rise, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network.

“Eighteen souls, who passed away. And we want to let them know that they didn’t die in vain, that they’re bringing our communities together,”  said Pablo Alvarado, co-executive director of the National Day Labor Organizing Network.

Monday’s memorial rededicates what organizers said they hope will be sustained advocacy for both the dead and the living — those who survived the flames only to face a different kind of disaster six months later.

Monday, July 7, 2025

Eaton Fire Survivors to Gather to Mark Six-Month Anniversary, Push for Accountability

Fire survivors will host press conference and call for action from insurers and government officials.

The Eaton Fire Survivors Network will host a special gathering Monday to mark six months since the devastating wildfire that killed 18 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings. The event aims to connect survivors while holding insurers and government officials accountable for ongoing recovery challenges.

“We’ll connect, share hugs, hold a survivor-led press conference, and write postcards to hold insurers and government accountable,” the Eaton Fire Survivors Network said in describing the July 7 anniversary event.

The grassroots organization has scheduled the “6-Month Fire Anniversary: Survivor Press Conference & Postcard Party” earlier in the day in Altadena.

Six months later, many survivors continue struggling with insurance claims and housing issues.

Many survivors are still struggling to find permanent housing, with some living in cars or hotels. The rebuilding process is being complicated by government red tape and permit delays.

Joy Chen,

Monday, July 7, 2025

Mayor Victor M. Gordo: Six Months After the Eaton Fire

Six months ago, the Eaton Fire tore through our foothill communities—scorching the land, damaging homes, and forcing families in Altadena and Pasadena to flee with little more than hope in their hearts. But the greatest loss, the most painful wound, was the loss of 18 precious lives. They were mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, neighbors—people who mattered. And they are deeply missed.

And yet, out of that destruction, we witnessed something remarkable: the strength, resilience, and deep connection that define our community. We saw neighbors reaching out to help neighbors. We saw strangers become family. And we saw the incredible strength of a community that, even in the face of devastation, refused to be broken.

As we mark this six-month milestone, I want to thank Governor Newsom for his leadership and steadfast support from day one. I also want to express tremendous appreciation for our federal, state, and local partners—including Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Sasha Renee Perez, Assemblymember John Harabedian, Supervisor Kathryn Barger and her team,

Monday, July 7, 2025

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK | Covering the Eaton Fire: Altadena’s Silent Firestorm

By EDDIE RIVERA

I thought I could get back home early.

I set my alarm for 3:30 a.m. on the morning of Wednesday, January 8, some ten hours after the start of the fire, thinking that I could dash out the door by 4 a.m., hopefully grab some fire footage,  and maybe interview a fire captain at a street command post somewhere in Altadena.

I was already far too late. I was somewhere near the middle of the worst of the Eaton Canyon fire. And things were only growing from there. The firestorm had already blown from east to west through Altadena like a hurricane, and by the approaching dawn, nearly a thousand homes had already been wiped out.

Leaving my home about 18 minutes away from the heart of the firestorm, flaming ashes were already swirling everywhere, and as I headed up Lake Avenue, a Sheriff’s deputy stopped me and told me to turn around. I explained that I was part of the media and needed to cover the fire.