Thursday, December 25, 2025

Wind Advisory in Effect for Pasadena and Altadena Through Thursday Afternoon

The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard office issued a wind advisory early Thursday warning Pasadena and other Los Angeles County communities to expect strong south to southeast winds through 3 p.m.

The advisory forecasts sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph across the San Gabriel Valley, including Pasadena. The weather service cautioned that gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects and that very wet soils this week increase the risk of downed trees.

Officials said travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Winds this strong can make driving hazardous, and residents are urged to use extra caution.

The advisory is part of a broader set of warnings across Southern California tied to a powerful atmospheric river storm. High wind warnings remain in effect for mountain and coastal regions, including the western and eastern San Gabriel Mountains, where gusts could reach 80 mph. Other areas under warnings include the Santa Clarita Valley, Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands,

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Governor Proclaims State of Emergency for SoCal Storm

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In response to a series of powerful storms impacting California during the Christmas holiday, Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday proclaimed a state of emergency, unlocking resources and state assistance for Los Angeles County, Orange County and four others.

“California is acting early and decisively to do all we can to get ahead of dangerous winter storms. The state has prep-positioned resources, activated emergency authorities and we are working closely with local partners to protect communities and keep Californians safe,” Newsom said in a statement.

The emergency proclamation allows for the rapid mobilization of state resources and support for local governments under the California Disaster Assistance Act and the deployment of the California National Guard, if needed. The order also authorizes the California Department of Transportation to seek federal assistance for repairs to damaged roads and highways.

Newsom’s office said state agencies deployed 55 fire engines, 10 swiftwater rescue teams, five hand crews, five dozers, four loaders, three helicopters and an incident management team,

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Arriving ‘Pineapple Express’ Storm Won’t Reach Peak Intensity Until Midmorning Wednesday

National Weather Service labels system “very dangerous” with flood watch in effect through Thursday

The atmospheric river storm forecast to bring dangerous flooding and debris flows to Los Angeles County had not yet reached peak intensity in Pasadena and Altadena as of early Wednesday, with the most hazardous period expected to extend through midday as heavier rainfall moves into the region.

As of 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, light rain had begun across the area, but “the heaviest rainfall has not yet arrived,” according to an early-morning status summary compiled from official forecasts and public safety reports.

“We’ll be closely monitoring all day,” Pasadena Chief Communications Officer Lisa Derderian said early Wednesday.

A Flood Watch was in effect for Pasadena, Altadena and much of Los Angeles County from Tuesday afternoon through 10 p.m. Thursday, and a Wind Advisory remained in effect for the Pasadena-Altadena area into Thursday afternoon.

County officials said evacuation warnings tied to the Eaton Fire burn scar began Tuesday morning,

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Heavy Rain, Flooding, Mudslides Could Make Holiday Travel Dangerous in Altadena, Pasadena

Officials are warning Pasadena and Altadena residents to prepare for hazardous driving conditions today as a powerful atmospheric river storm is expected to cause widespread flooding, mudslides and debris flows across the region on Wednesday and Thursday. 

The National Weather Service said rainfall rates ranging from 0.6 to 1.25 inches per hour, with localized downpours up to 1.5 inches on south-facing mountain slopes, will make roads treacherous.

“There will almost certainly be numerous rockslides and mudslides along with areas of severe flooding in urban locations and along freeways, which is why being out on the roads will be exceptionally dangerous,” NWS meteorologist Ariel Cohen said at a Tuesday news conference. 

He urged travelers to reconsider plans that call for driving on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

Lower elevations such as downtown Pasadena are expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of rain, while other areas could see 4 to 8 inches. That includes foothill terrain above Pasadena and Altadena, where saturated soil and canyon roadways increase the risk of slides. 

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Rain Falling in Pasadena and Altadena as Storm Arrives

Light rain was reported in Pasadena on Tuesday and early Wednesday as an atmospheric river storm moved into Southern California, according to local weather accounts and resident observations. The onset of precipitation marked a shift from overcast skies to measurable rainfall in the region.

As of 4:30 a.m., up to 1.2 inches of rain have fallen in Los Angeles County, according to one report.

At 1:44 a.m. Wednesday, the Pasadena Weather account on X (formerly Twitter) noted conditions changing to light rain with temperatures rising to 58 degrees and winds increasing to 22 mph. Earlier, at 11:31 p.m. Tuesday, a local resident posted that rain had started in Pasadena, expressing concern about the storm’s severity.

These reports, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), provide real-time confirmation of rainfall in Pasadena and surrounding areas. While broader flood warnings were issued for Southern California, the localized posts specifically document rain beginning in Pasadena, with implications for nearby foothill communities Altadena and Sierra Madre.

No special media or media reports reviewed in the past 10 hours mentioned active mudflows or debris movement.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

CHP’s Christmas Enforcement Campaign Starts Wednesday Evening

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Drive safe, sober, and obey the speed limit during the Christmas holiday or face consequences, the California Highway Patrol warns.

The agency will initiate its annual Christmastime “holiday enforcement period” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, when all available officers will deploy to catch drunk or drug-impaired drivers, speeders and other scofflaws.

The HEP will span only about 30 hours, concluding late Thursday night.

“Every instance of speeding or reckless driving carries the potential for life-changing consequences,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said.

“Our officers see the destruction these choices can cause, and we urge every driver to slow down, stay alert and make decisions that protect themselves and others. No destination is worth risking a life.”

During last year’s Christmas HEP, CHP officers statewide arrested just over 300 motorists on suspicion of driving under the influence, compared to about 900 the year before. The 2024 campaign lasted only a day and night because it fell midweek,

Wednesday, December 24, 2025

L.A. Care Extends Deadline for $6.75 Million Wildfire Recovery Fund

Nearly a year after the Palisades and Eaton wildfires devastated Los Angeles County, L.A. Care Health Plan announced it has extended the deadline for Round II applications to its Network and Community Relief Wildfire Fund, offering $6.75 million to support long-term recovery.

L.A. Care said in a statement that the extended deadline will allow more organizations to qualify for funding aimed at rebuilding essential health and social service infrastructure.

The Wildfire Fund was created in response to the strain the fires placed on Los Angeles County’s health and social service systems.

Earlier this year, Round I awarded $3.25 million to 28 organizations, providing direct assistance to more than 25,000 individuals and families. Funded services included mental health care, housing stability, case management, youth programming, small business recovery and environmental cleanup.

Round II funding is intended to advance recovery by supporting comprehensive, community-centered projects. Eligible proposals may include health care access, behavioral health services, housing support, outreach coordination, environmental health, or other programs that help residents regain stability.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

LA County Sheriff Luna Drops LASD Personnel Records Suit

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has dropped a lawsuit in which he sought judicial clarification of subpoenas for deputy personnel records issued by the Civilian Oversight Commission over alleged deputy misconduct issues.

In his Los Angeles Superior Court complaint filed March 19, Luna sought to find out what could properly be released under COC subpoenas concerning investigations that include confidential peace officer personnel records of deputies allegedly involved in such matters as internal cliques and inmate jail deaths.

While the LASD has complied with previous COC requests for information from LASD, it has not provided confidential peace officer personnel records because it is not legally permitted to do so, the Luna suit stated.

On Dec. 17, Luna’s attorneys filed court papers with Judge Jerrold Abeles asking that the lawsuit be dismissed “without prejudice,” meaning it can be refiled later. The court papers do not state if the parties resolved the issue or if the case was not being pursued for other reasons.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Heavy Rain Forecast Prompts Safety Reminders for Outdoor Holiday Lights

With a powerful rainstorm expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to Pasadena and Altadena this week, residents with outdoor Christmas light displays are being urged to take precautions to reduce the risk of electric shock and fires.

Forecasters say rain is expected to begin Tuesday, with heavier rainfall developing Tuesday night into Wednesday as a strong Pacific storm system moves through the region.

Electrical safety guidance warns that these conditions increase the likelihood of water reaching outdoor electrical outlets, plugs and extension cords, particularly where connections sit on the ground or outlets are exposed to wind-driven rain. Moisture at these points increases the risk of short circuits and electrical arcing, and raises the risk of shock when electrical devices are handled in wet conditions.

Safety guidance consistently notes that the safest option during periods of sustained heavy rain is to turn off and unplug outdoor lighting displays until conditions improve.

For households that keep lights installed and on during the storm,

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

How A Speeding Ticket Can Be Worse Than Running Someone Over

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

You can kill someone with your car in California and not even have a point on your license.

A criminal justice reform bill passed in 2020 allows judges to effectively erase a misdemeanor case from existence, shielding people accused of “low-level” crimes from the stigma of having a conviction on their record, something that can limit work and housing opportunities.

But CalMatters investigative reporters Robert Lewis and Lauren Hepler found that the new misdemeanor diversion program has also had an unintended consequence: It allows some people charged with vehicular manslaughter to keep the case off of their driving record.

That means you could face more penalties for a speeding ticket than for running someone over.

• Allison Lyman, whose 23-year-old son, Connor Lopez, was killed when a woman hit his motorcycle in April: “I’m 43 and I will have to live the rest of my life without my son. But there’ll be no record of it for her?”

It’s part of a larger anger and frustration Lyman has at how the system is treating her son’s death.