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,

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Kaiser Pharmacy Workers End Three-Day Strike as Nurses’ Open-Ended Walkout Continues

STAFF REPORT

More than 3,000 UFCW members return Thursday while 31,000 UNAC/UHCP health care professionals remain on picket lines at the Pasadena-headquartered system

More than 3,000 pharmacy and laboratory workers are ending a three-day unfair labor practice strike against Kaiser Permanente on Thursday, but approximately 31,000 nurses and health care professionals remain on an open-ended walkout at the Pasadena-regional headquartered health system that has closed some pharmacies and labs and disrupted services for millions of Southern California members.

The pharmacy and lab workers, represented by United Food and Commercial Workers locals across Southern California, walked off the job at 7 a.m. Monday, February 9, joining nurses and other professionals represented by the United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals who have been striking since January 26. The UFCW said its members will return to work at 5 a.m. Thursday, February 12. The nurses’ strike has no scheduled end date.

Kaiser said the UFCW walkout involved 2,424 pharmacy employees and 929 clinical lab scientists at facilities in Los Angeles,

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Pasadena State Senator Issues Statement After Federal Court Upholds the “No Vigilantes Act”

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez, a Pasadena Democrat, issued a statement on the United States District Court for the Central District of California’s ruling against the Trump Administration’s lawsuit challenging SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act. Pérez represents Pasadena and the surrounding communities in the 25th Senate District.

“Today, U.S. District Judge Christina Snyder has upheld my SB 805, the No Vigilantes Act, marking a major legal victory for California and a stinging defeat for the Trump Administration,” Pérez said in the statement on Tuesday. She added that the ruling “is vindication that California has the right to pass laws requiring all law enforcement operating in our state to displaying identification.”

Pérez said that as “the Trump Administration’s conducts its cruel and fascist war on immigrants, California won in court today.” She noted that in addition to requiring law enforcement to display identification, SB 805 “already bans bounty hunters from conducting any immigration enforcement.”

She also said she was “disheartened by the judge’s ruling against Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 627,

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Judge Rules on CA’s Mask Ban for Law Enforcement

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

A federal judge has pumped the brakes on a California law banning local and federal officers from wearing masks. But both sides — California lawmakers and the Trump administration — are claiming victory.

In her ruling Monday, District Judge Christina Snyder, a Clinton-appointee, said that because the legislation exempted state law enforcement, it discriminated against federal agents and is therefore unconstitutional. Authored by state Sen. Scott Wiener, the law was supposed to go into effect Jan. 1, but has been put on hold after the Trump administration sued last November to block the measure. Snyder’s temporary injunction goes into effect Feb. 19.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi called the ruling a “key court victory” on social media, adding that the federal Justice Department will “continue fighting and winning in court for President (Donald) Trump’s law-and-order agenda.”

So why, then, did Wiener also consider the ruling “a huge win”?

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Pasadena School Board to Hold Three Special Meetings Thursday

The trio run all afternoon and into the evening, will discuss litigation, include a “retreat” and campus consolidation planning

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will convene three separate meetings Thursday, including a closed session on litigation, a board retreat, and a special session tied to the Superintendent’s Consolidation Advisory Committee, according to district notices.

The meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 12 in the Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room (Room 236) at 351 S. Hudson Ave. in Pasadena. Agendas are posted at pusd.us/board.

The district’s announcement states that the special meeting related to the Superintendent’s Consolidation Advisory Committee will focus on defining outcomes for consideration and developing desired outcomes and related factors to guide the committee’s work.

The first special meeting begins at 3 p.m., followed by a second at 4 p.m. and a third at 7:30 p.m., all in the same board room.

For more details about the board’s retreat click “Pasadena School Board to Hold Governance Retreat Thursday;

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

After Incident, County Supervisors Order Review of Street Parking for Altadena Fire Survivors’ Trailers

Parking citations issued to a family living outside their damaged home prompt a broader policy evaluation

Thirteen months after the Eaton Fire, Derrick and Shirley Collins are still living in a rented trailer on the street outside their damaged home. Last week, L.A. County parking enforcement officers told them to move it or lose it.

Now the county is reconsidering.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger directing county departments to evaluate whether fire survivors could temporarily park recreational vehicles and mobile homes on certain public rights-of-way in the Altadena area. The departments have 21 days to report back with options, eligibility requirements, time limits and safety standards, according to a county statement.

The motion followed the Collins family’s experience, reported by KABC-TV and CBS LA: two parking citations in a single week for the fifth-wheel trailer they have been renting and parking on El Sereno Avenue since the fire swept through their neighborhood in January 2025.

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Pasadena School Board to Hold Governance Retreat Thursday; Public Comment Limited

The special meeting will focus on board governance training and meeting procedures

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will hold a special meeting and board retreat Thursday, Feb. 12, focused on how trustees run meetings and make decisions.

The retreat will be one of three special meetings scheduled to run all Thursday afternoon, into the evening.

It is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room, Room 236, at district headquarters, 351 S. Hudson Ave., in Pasadena. The district’s notice says the meeting will be streamed online and broadcast on Charter Cable Channel 95.

Because it is a special meeting, public comment will be limited to items on the agenda. The posted agenda lists one discussion item: “Board Governance Training,” described as a presentation and discussion of parliamentary procedure using Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, meeting protocols and Brown Act-aligned decision-making.

No additional business items are listed for action. The agenda, as posted,