Thursday, May 22, 2025

Sycamores Breaks Ground on New Children’s Crisis Programs in Altadena

New mental health facilities aim to address critical shortage of youth psychiatric services in Los Angeles County

Sycamores has begun renovation of two new mental health facilities dedicated to helping children in crisis.

The groundbreaking ceremony on May 16 at the organization’s El Nido campus in Altadena marked the start of construction for a Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit and a Children’s Psychiatric Health Facility. These programs will provide a full continuum of urgent mental health services in a safe, age-appropriate environment, addressing a long-standing gap in care for youth experiencing mental health crises.

“This groundbreaking represents a powerful commitment to children and families in our community,” said Debra Manners, President and CEO of Sycamores. “Too many young people in crisis don’t get the help they need — or get it in the wrong place, like an emergency room. These new programs will offer the right care at the right time in the right setting. We are deeply grateful to our partners at the County and State levels for making this vision a reality.”

Thursday, May 22, 2025

County Supervisors to Consider Homekey+ Housing Projects and Governance Reform Nominees

May 27 meeting to include $5.2 million for affordable housing and appointments to new reform task force

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will consider approving five properties for submission to the state’s Homekey+ Program, including $5.2 million in mental health funding for one project, at their upcoming public hearing next Tuesday.

The Board will vote on a recommendation from Supervisor Kathryn Barger to approve joint applications for the affordable housing initiative, focusing on five properties located in Los Angeles and Torrance. The Huntington Villas project at 5350 South Huntington Drive would receive up to $5.2 million in Mental Health Services Act and/or Behavioral Health Services Act funds to support housing with mental health services. This item will be addressed during both the regular Board meeting and the separate Los Angeles County Development Authority meeting agenda portion.

The meeting will also include consideration of five nominees for at-large positions on the newly formed Governance Reform Task Force, following the Los Angeles County Governance Reform Motion approved on November 26,

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Getting Their Kicks

By EDDIE RIVERA

Dodgers Foundation, Shoes That Fit, deliver sneakers and spirit to fire-impacted Webster Elementary students and staff

More than 500 brand-new pairs of sneakers landed at Webster Elementary School on Wednesday, part of a major donation effort led by the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and the nonprofit Shoes That Fit. The delivery was a show of solidarity for a campus that’s still healing from the emotional and logistical trauma of the Eaton Fire.

Webster Elementary and Cleveland Preschool were among the schools severely impacted when January’s blaze forced evacuations across Altadena and Pasadena. In all, more than 10,000 Pasadena Unified students had to evacuate, and nearly 1,000 students and staff reported losing their homes, said Pasadena Unified School District Board President Jennifer Hall Lee.

“I am here with people who are very special — the Webster Wolves,” said Hall Lee. “You are helping to restore joy and confidence in our students as they run around with friends or explore Webster’s garden and outdoor science classroom.”

In a festive morning assembly,

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Longtime Principal Karrone Meeks Moves to New Leadership Role in Pasadena Unified

After more than 26 years leading Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School, Principal Karrone Meeks will transition into a new role as Principal on Special Assignment effective July 1, according to Pasadena Unified School District Senior Director for TK-12 Principals, Dr. Shannon Malone.

Meeks, a veteran school site administrator known for data-driven decision-making, will support Superintendent Zone schools and special programs, Malone said. During her tenure, she oversaw major magnet grants to expand science, technology, and mathematics education, as well as significant school facility improvements.

Malone said District officials are now seeking community input in selecting her replacement. A survey on the new principal will be open until May 30, with an announcement expected in June to facilitate a smooth transition for the upcoming school year.

“Please join me in thanking Ms. Meeks for her dedicated service to the WESM community and congratulating her on her new role in PUSD,” Malone said.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Caltech Y Friends Dinner Raises Over $2,500 for Fire Recovery Efforts

SPHEREx mission presentation by Professor Jaime Bock highlights annual community event

The Caltech Y recently hosted its annual Friends Dinner earlier this month, bringing together alumni, faculty, students, and supporters to raise funds for local fire recovery initiatives. The event successfully generated over $2,500 for the Caltech Y Fire Fund, which directly supports student-led fire recovery efforts in communities affected by the Eaton Fire.

“From the student-led fire relief projects already happening, to science experts applying their research to ensure the safety of those living in our community, to all of our community partners in the Eaton Fire collaborative, I have hope we will rebuild — and that the Caltech Y will have a part in that recovery,” shared Maya Rosental Saporito, Senior Project Manager at the Caltech Y and Altadena Native.

The evening featured a compelling keynote address from Caltech Professor Jaime Bock, who provided an insider’s perspective on the recent SPHEREx launch. Professor Bock discussed the collaborative effort involving graduate students and experienced space experts from JPL,

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Altadena Pride Walkabout To Proceed June 14 Despite Recent Disaster

Annual community celebration emphasizes resilience and unity after tragedy

Despite a devastating natural disaster that recently leveled half of Altadena, organizers are forging ahead with the town’s 4th Annual Pride Walkabout on Saturday, June 14, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event, beginning at Altadena Main Library (600 E. Mariposa St.), will transform from a regular celebration into what organizers call “an incredible celebratory walk of defiance and strength through the devastation” while emphasizing themes of resilience, resistance and community unity.

“In addition to the recent natural disaster that leveled half our town, diversity is under attack nationally, but Diversity Equity and Inclusion will always be an Altadena priority,” said Nic Arnzen, Altadena Town Council member, LA County LGBTQ+ commissioner and founder/organizer of Altadena Pride Walkabout. “It is a deep foundation to our community that wind, fire, hate-filled executive orders or incredibly cruel and fear-based legislation can’t take away.”

The event begins with an opening ceremony at 3 p.m. at Altadena Library,

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

PUSD Board to Consider Investigation Into Board Member’s Conduct

Meeting also includes emergency measures for LA County wildfires, English Learner Plan update, and swearing-in of new members

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will decide whether to launch a formal third-party investigation into alleged unprofessional conduct by one of its own members at its upcoming meeting on Thursday. The agenda did not identify the Trustee by name.

According to the meeting agenda, the Board will consider directing “the initiation of a formal third-party investigation into alleged unprofessional conduct by a member of the Board of Education that is reported to have occurred between May 2-4, 2025.”

The investigation would be conducted in accordance with applicable laws and District policies, though specific details about the allegations are not provided in the agenda materials.

In other actions on the agenda, the Board is scheduled to consider approval of Resolution 2819, which requests allowance of attendance due to emergency conditions related to the Los Angeles County Wildfires. Multiple wildfire-related items appear on the agenda,

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

School District Ramps Up Free Summer Meals Program, Open to for All Children

District reminds families about nutritious breakfast and lunch options throughout summer break

In an email to the Pasadena Unified School District community on Tuesday, district officials reminded parents about the district’s free summer meals program.

The district offers free breakfasts and lunches to all children and youth aged 18 and under through its 2025 Summer Food Program. The program will operate at more than 25 sites across Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre, with no registration or PUSD enrollment required for children to receive meals. Families can visit any participating site to receive meals.

“Parents can bring their children to one of our community feeding sites and they will be provided a free breakfast and lunch,” a Pasadena Unified School District representative stated in a press release. “This program provides an opportunity for PUSD students and all the children in our community to continue receiving those meals during the summer.”

The 2025 Summer Food Program, sponsored by the U.S.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Wildfire Debris Removal Reaches 5,000 Property Milestone

Joint federal-state effort clears half of eligible properties in three months

Federal and state agencies have cleared more than 5,000 properties of wildfire debris across the Eaton and Palisades burn areas in Los Angeles County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) announced the milestone achievement on May 20, marking a critical step toward recovery for thousands of wildfire survivors.

“Debris removal is being completed at a historic pace, thanks to close coordination between county, state, and federal partners along with support from the President and his administration,” said FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton. “Safety continues to be a top priority as we work to accelerate the remainder of the debris removal operation and help survivors move towards recovery.”

Final sign off indicates that debris removal is completed, hazardous trees have been removed, hydromulch and erosion control is in place, and the Right of Entry has been returned to Los Angeles County.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Heat Wave to Bake Southern California, Relief Expected by Weekend

Temperatures to soar up to 18 degrees above normal before cooling trend begins Friday

A ridge of high pressure will bring dangerous heat to Southern California this week with temperatures peaking Wednesday and Thursday before a significant cooldown arrives for the weekend, National Weather Service forecasters said Tuesday.

Temperatures will climb 12 to 18 degrees above normal midweek, potentially reaching 100 degrees in the warmest valley locations, according to the weather service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office.

“People working or playing outside in the valleys today should take heat-related precautions,” forecasters warned in their morning bulletin.

The heat wave intensifies Wednesday with highs reaching the 70s at beaches, 80s in inland coastal areas and 90s across the valleys. Weather service meteorologists said there’s a 40% chance that the warmest valley locations will hit 100 or 101 degrees.

Unusually warm overnight temperatures will compound the heat danger, with valley locations experiencing above-normal lows that will “exacerbate the heat danger,”