Wednesday, April 9, 2025

County Supervisors Vote to Eliminate Bureaucracy in Permitting Process

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

One day after it was revealed that no permits have been issued to Altadena homeowners that lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, the LA County Board of Supervisors passed a motion designed to cut through the red tape and bureaucracy.

The successful motion, introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger who represents the area, calls on the County to create a Unified Permitting Authority (UPA) within the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center to expedite the residential rebuilding process.

Barger said she has been keeping a close eye on the County’s One-Stop Permitting shop and was not satisfied with the pace.

“No rebuild permits have been issued in Altadena and that’s unacceptable. Today’s motion will cut through the red tape to get my Altadena constituents back on track to rebuilding faster. We don’t have time to waste.”

UPA County departments will identify and fix problems that are slowing down the permitting process.

A “strike team”

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

U.S. Attorney Forms Task Force on Homelessness Fraud Across Southern California

CITY NEWS SERVICE

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli Tuesday announced the formation of a Homelessness Fraud and Corruption Task Force, which will investigate waste and corruption involving funds allocated to fight homelessness in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

This task force will comprise federal prosecutors from the Major Frauds Section, the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section, and the Civil Division’s Civil Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Assisting the office will be the FBI, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General, and IRS Criminal Investigation.

According to Essayli’s office, Los Angeles County alone contains a homeless population of more than 75,000, of which more than 45,000 are within the city of Los Angeles. The total homeless population of the remaining six counties of the district exceeds 20,000.

U.S. officials say that despite voter-approved initiatives and billions of dollars spent on tackling the issue,

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

LA County to Establish a Unified Permitting Authority to Expedite Eaton Recovery

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a motion aimed at accelerating rebuilding efforts in Altadena following the Eaton Fire, which destroyed more than 7,000 structures.

Introduced by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Lindsey Horvath, the motion calls for the creation of a Unified Permitting Authority (UPA) within the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center to expedite the residential rebuilding process.

“I’ve been keeping a close eye on the County’s One-Stop Permitting Shop and to be candid — I’m not satisfied with the pace,” Barger said in a statement. “No rebuild permits have been issued in Altadena and that’s unacceptable. Today’s motion will cut through the red tape to get my Altadena constituents back on track to rebuilding faster. We don’t have time to waste.”

According to Barger, the UPA will be empowered to make final permitting decisions across departments, resolve regulatory conflicts in real time and eliminate bottlenecks that have stalled recovery efforts.

Regional Planning,

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Developing Story: Police Chase Ends at Eagle Rock Recreation Center Following Multi-Vehicle Crash on 134 Freeway

STAFF REPORT

Suspects fled on foot after collision involving several vehicles; one person hospitalized

BREAKING: A police pursuit ended Thursday afternoon when suspects fled on foot to the Eagle Rock Recreation Center following a multi-vehicle crash that shut down portions of the eastbound 134 Freeway.

Police are also investigating a reported shooting, possibly involving officers, near Figueroa Street and the 134 Freeway in the Eagle Rock area.

The incident began around 3 p.m. when authorities responded to a three-vehicle collision on the eastbound 134 Freeway. According to emergency logs, the crash initially involved “a black SUV vs red Tesla vs silver sedan” blocking lanes, with subsequent reports indicating a gold vehicle and white truck were also involved.

By 3:16 p.m., emergency responders reported two Black male adults running eastbound in the fast lane of the freeway, with one described as shirtless. One responder noted they appeared to be “running fast, trying to get away from something.”

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

State Farm Begins First-of-its-Kind Insurance Rate Hearing Today

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

State Farm will try to justify its need to raise property insurance rates — stat — at an unprecedented public rate hearing starting today.

Rate hearings are rare and usually scheduled months in advance. This one’s different because California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara called it hastily about a month ago, after State Farm made a unique request: It asked Lara to immediately approve emergency interim rate increases of an average 22% for homeowners, 15% for renters and condos, and 38% for rental dwellings. State Farm said its finances are strained because of the Los Angeles County fires, from which it expects to pay more than $7 billion in claims.

A hearing over emergency interim rates has never happened before.

State Farm has pending rate requests from last summer — a separate rate hearing about those will happen by June — but said it needs to increase rates as soon as possible. Under California law,

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Deadline to Submit Debris Removal Form Just One Week Away

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Local property owners who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire have just one week left to submit Right of Entry forms for debris removal by United States Army Corps of Engineers.

Residents in Altadena and Pasadena have until April 15 to turn in the Right of Entry (ROE) form that allows crews onto their properties.

In total, 8,276 ROE forms have been transmitted to the Army Corps by local residents and people living in the Palisades for cleanup. The department is processing hundreds of ROEs daily and transmitting over 200 each day, ensuring that the cleanup continues at a steady pace.

Local residents can hire a private contractor for debris removal to opt out of the Army Corps of Engineers. However, they are still required to fill out an ROE.

The Army Corps of Engineers has significantly expanded its debris removal efforts in the Eaton footprint, with more than 80 crews now working to clear affected properties,

Monday, April 7, 2025

Can California Veterinarians Claw Back Another Cat Declawing Ban? Lawmakers Are Trying

By Ryan Sabalow, CALMATTERS

A proposal to ban veterinarians from surgically removing claws from cats seems like it would be an easy sell for California lawmakers, several of whom lovingly describe their pets in their official biography pages.

After all, several U.S. cities, states and more than 30 countries already have banned vets from performing declawing, arguing that it’s cruel and unnecessary. The American Veterinary Medical Association has for at least five years discouraged vets from performing the surgeries.

But five different efforts since 2018 to ban declawing in California have died due to resistance from the influential California Veterinary Medical Association, which has spent at least $1 million on lobbying during that time. It’s a demonstration of the power of money and spending in Sacramento, when even seemingly noncontroversial proposals are cast aside.

Assemblymember Alex Lee, a Democrat representing the Milpitas area, hopes this year will be different.

Lee described the procedure last week in graphic terms as he urged his colleagues on the Assembly Business and Professions Committee to advance his Assembly Bill 867,

Monday, April 7, 2025

Pasadena Humane Raises Over $350,000 At 27th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run

Nearly 2,000 participants and their pets gather to support animals displaced by recent wildfires

Under sunny skies and 80-degree weather, tails were wagging and sneakers were squeaking as the 27th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk & Run brought together nearly 2,000 people and their four-legged companions at Pasadena’s Brookside Park near the Rose Bowl on Sunday.

The event is Pasadena Humane’s largest annual fundraiser and it held special significance this year because the organization continues to care for animals displaced by January’s devastating Eaton Fire.

“We took in a lot of animals during the fires, and unfortunately, we still have about 140 animals that we are caring for, for people who lost their homes,” Kevin McManus, Communications Director for Pasadena Humane, told KTLA News.

According to humane society officials, $350,904.96 was raised before the event even started. The final amount collected has not yet been announced.

The funds will support vital programs, including the animal ICU, foster care, kitten nursery,

Monday, April 7, 2025

Rep. Chu Seeks Alternative Soil Testing After Federal Agencies Decline Request

Congresswoman meets with local organization about further testing of properties affected by Eaton Fire

Rep. Judy Chu is pursuing alternative methods for soil testing in areas affected by the Eaton Fire after federal agencies declined her request for comprehensive testing beyond the standard 6-inch topsoil removal.

The Democratic Congresswoman representing California’s 28th District expressed disappointment with the Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s refusal to conduct deeper soil testing in northern Pasadena and Altadena.

“I have asked the EPA and FEMA to do soil testing in Altadena and Pasadena, and I was disappointed when they flat-out said no,” Chu said in a statement released Sunday.

Federal officials told Chu they “haven’t paid for soil testing after debris removal since 2019″ and maintained that “whatever is found below the 6 inches is preexisting before the fires,” according to her statement.

The Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres across northern Pasadena and Altadena, destroying thousands of homes and potentially leaving behind hazardous residue.

Sunday, April 6, 2025

Free Metro Event Will Connect Older Adults with Transit Resources and Independence

“Go Metro” event will empower seniors with transit knowledge and skills

In a region where personal vehicles have long dominated transportation, Metro’s signature event for seniors offers Los Angeles County’s older residents alternatives for maintaining mobility and independence.

The free event, themed “Go Metro: Your Ticket to the World,” will take place at the Pasadena Convention Center on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. An estimated 500 older adults are expected to attend the expo, which aims to reduce barriers to public transit use among seniors.

The event highlights how Metro can connect users to “exciting destinations, cultural experiences, and everyday essentials—all while saving money and reducing stress!”

“The program’s mission is to remove barriers and enhance mobility among the older adult population,” states official Metro documentation about the On the Move Riders Program that organizes the event.

The expo will feature expert panels, workshops, live demonstrations, and a resource fair. Attendees will learn about Metro’s reduced fares,