Sunday, June 8, 2025

California Launches $105 Million Mortgage Relief Fund For Disaster Survivors

Altadena wildfire victims among those eligible for grants up to $20,000

California launched a $105 million mortgage grant program Thursday to help homeowners whose properties were destroyed or left uninhabitable by recent disasters, including the devastating Eaton Fire that burned through Altadena. 

The CalAssist Mortgage Fund will provide eligible homeowners grants of up to $20,000 to cover three months of mortgage payments, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced. 

Applications open June 12 and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. 

“Homeowners whose home was destroyed in a recent fire, flood or other disaster deserve support in their recovery. We know that recovery takes time, and the state is here to support. Today, California is extending this ongoing support to disaster victims in Los Angeles and beyond, by assisting with mortgage payments to relieve financial pressure and stress as families rebuild and recover,” Newsom said, according to California Office of Emergency Services News.

Saturday, June 7, 2025

County Supervisor Barger Calls for Transparency After Friday’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement Raids

Board Chair emphasizes need for fairness while supporting law enforcement actions in Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger called for transparency and fairness Friday after federal immigration agents conducted enforcement operations across Los Angeles that resulted in dozens of arrests. Barger represents Pasadena on the Board.

Barger said her office was actively monitoring the situation following the Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. While she expressed support for law enforcement, she emphasized the need for federal agencies to act with respect for individual rights.

“While I fully support the enforcement of our nation’s laws, I also believe it is essential that actions taken by federal agencies are conducted with transparency, fairness, and respect for the rights and dignity of all individuals,” Barger said in a statement.

The supervisor said her priority remains “the safety and well-being of all residents of Los Angeles County.”

Federal agents conducted raids at multiple locations Friday, including a Home Depot in the Westlake District and an Ambiance clothing store in the Fashion District near downtown Los Angeles.

Saturday, June 7, 2025

More Local Families File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Edison Over Eaton Fire

Pasadena family among victims claiming utility negligence led to deaths, medical complications

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced a wrongful death lawsuit Friday against Southern California Edison on behalf of families who lost loved ones in the Eaton Fire, including a Pasadena family whose two disabled relatives died after the blaze disrupted their home-based medical care.

The Barr family lost Ivy and Betty Barr, who relied on around-the-clock support, specialized medical equipment, and nutritional access — all of which were compromised when the fire displaced them in January. Both died in March. Kimberly Barr suffered a cardiac emergency shortly after the fire and continues to face serious kidney issues, according to the announcement.

“This has been more of a tragedy that we would ever imagine,” said Byron Barr, son of fire victim Betty Barr, according to ABC7. “None of us would be in this shape if it wasn’t for the negligence of the power company.”

Some investigators have linked the cause of the fire to utility infrastructure operated by Southern California Edison,

Saturday, June 7, 2025

Fire-Survivor Restaurant Gets Uplifting Mural in Altadena

World-renowned artist Robert Vargas creates artwork celebrating community resilience following January wildfires

A new mural by world-renowned Los Angeles artist Robert Vargas will be unveiled Saturday at Fairoaks Burger, celebrating the resilience of the Altadena community following devastating January wildfires.

The mural, facing E. Calaveras Street at the restaurant located at 2560 Fair Oaks Ave., honors both the beloved eatery that miraculously survived the fires and the community’s ongoing recovery efforts.

Fairoaks Burger, owned and operated by sisters Janet and Christy Lee, has become a symbol of survival and community solidarity. The restaurant sustained heavy damage during the Eaton Wildfire but underwent significant remediation and is set to reopen for business June 14.

The unveiling coincided with a free farmers’ market held in the restaurant’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon, part of an ongoing partnership between Fairoaks Burger and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Food for Health program.

The unveiling is scheduled for 10 a.m. Vargas is expected to attend.

Friday, June 6, 2025

California Highway Patrol Launches Statewide Speed Enforcement Campaign This Weekend

CHP via CHP Facebook page

The California Highway Patrol is launching a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period to tackle speeding, one of the most dangerous behaviors on California roads.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the Maximum Enforcement Period campaign will run from 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, to 5:59 a.m. on Sunday, June 8.

According to the California Highway Patrol, officers will increase patrols to target drivers who exceed speed limits or drive too fast for conditions. Speeding is a significant factor in nearly 30% of crashes statewide.

“Speeding puts everyone on the road at risk,” said California Highway Patrol Commissioner Sean Duryee. “Every additional mile per hour over the limit reduces a driver’s ability to react and increases the severity of a crash. Slowing down saves lives, it’s that simple.”

Last year, preliminary data showed more than 116,000 crashes resulted from unsafe speed, leading to nearly 500 deaths and over 48,000 injuries.

According to preliminary data from the California Highway Patrol’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System,

Friday, June 6, 2025

Rams Rookies to Paint Murals At Fire-Affected Altadena School Illustrating Juneteenth

Third consecutive year of partnership brings hope to community still recovering from January’s Eaton Fire

The Los Angeles Rams and City Year Los Angeles are continuing their annual Juneteenth tradition by leading a school beautification project, this time at Odyssey Charter School in Altadena.

Today’s event represents the third consecutive year the organizations have partnered to paint inspirational murals in recognition of Juneteenth, while also bringing some happiness and support to a community affected by the Eaton Fire.

The beautification project is part of the team’s “Rookie Community Tour,” designed to help all 23 members of the Los Angeles Rams 2025 Rookie Class get to know Altadena.

Participating in today’s mural painting are the rookies, Rams Cheerleaders and mascot Rampage, who will join staff volunteers from Bank of America and the Rams to paint murals on campus.

Friday, June 6, 2025

John Muir High School Graduates Celebrate Resilience After Fire-Marked Year

Class of 2025 overcomes January wildfire challenges, with eight students earning college degrees alongside diplomas

Against the backdrop of a year marked by wildfire devastation and community recovery, John Muir High School’s Class of 2025 crossed the graduation stage Thursday afternoon at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, transforming a ceremony of achievement into a testament to resilience.

The graduation, held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the auditorium on 300 E. Green St, celebrated not only traditional academic accomplishments but also the extraordinary perseverance students demonstrated following January’s devastating Eaton Fire.

Pasadena Unified’s graduation ceremonies got underway Wednesday with the Center for Independent Studies and Rose City High School, followed by Blair High School and Pasadena High School. John Muir High School graduation exercises were on Thursday at 2 p.m., with Thurgood Marshall Secondary School concluding the ceremonies at 6 p.m.

Eight graduating John Muir seniors achieved the rare distinction of earning both high school diplomas and a combined total of 14 associate degrees from Pasadena City College.

Friday, June 6, 2025

California’s Stubborn Problems Keep Thwarting Its Ballooning Budget

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

The first quarter of the 21st century has been, in a sense, a test of whether California — a state enormously blessed but enormously troubled — can be effectively governed.

For decades, California’s two political parties had struggled for dominance. Control of its governorship, its Legislature, its congressional delegation and its presidential electoral votes had shifted back and forth as the mood of voters oscillated.

However, by the turn of the century, Democrats had captured all the levers of political power. And over the last 25 years their dominance has grown ever stronger, interrupted only by the performative seven-year governorship of action film actor and nominal Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The disappearance of inter-party competition means Democrats have been free to implement their responses to multiple issues spawned by the state’s economic and cultural complexity — such things as erratic water supply, low-performing public schools, homelessness, housing shortages,

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Altadena Chamber Asks Community Members to Write to Congressional Leaders

Local business groups seek support for $39.8 billion disaster funding package before June 15 deadline

Two regional chambers of commerce are urging locals to write congressional leaders before June 15 in support of Governor Newsom’s $39.8 billion supplemental appropriation for disaster funding.

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce & Civic Association was joined by the Malibu Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce to launch the letter-writing campaign because Congress has yet to approve Newsom’s request submitted in February 2025.

“We ask that you submit the form no later than Sunday, June 15th,” according to a joint letter from chamber leaders. Their effort aims to present a compelling case to Congress for the time-sensitive relief funding.

The chambers invited affected businesses to sign a draft letter available online and write personal stories about how wildfires have impacted their business, community and family.

Participants can submit responses through an online form at https://form.jotform.com/251026783133149 that also accepts photographs.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

California Democrats Push to Block ICE From Schools, Hospitals And Shelters

By Jeanne Kuang, CALMATTERS

Hospitals. Schools. Shelters.

Those are some of the places that California lawmakers want to shield from immigration arrests and raids. They advanced a package of bills this week as President Donald Trump’s administration continues its ramped-up deportation campaign around the country.

The Democratic-dominated Legislature can’t block federal agents from entering places where someone has allowed them to be. They also can’t stop ICE from going where officers have the  legal authority to be, such as immigration courthouses. But the bills the state Senate passed Monday push local officials to limit cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and to require agents to get a warrant to enter.

One bill would bar immigration agents from entering “nonpublic” parts of schools without a warrant. Another would do the same in hospitals, and prohibit health care providers from sharing patients’ immigration status with federal authorities unless they have a warrant. Another would limit immigration agents from accessing homeless or domestic violence shelters.