Friday, May 16, 2025

Debris Removal Completed On Nearly Half The Homes In Altadena

By André Coleman, Managing Editor

The Army Corps of Engineers has cleared ash from nearly half of the properties destroyed in Altadena by the Eaton Fire.

According to Col. Sonny Avichal, ash and debris have been removed from 4,250 of the 9,400 structures destroyed by the fire.

“We continue to clear about 68 properties per day,:” Archival said on Monday. “As you continue to walk through the streets, you’ll see more and more properties cleared every day.”

In addition to residential lots, the Corps has taken on cleanup duties at several public and community sites, including Farnsworth Park, Charles White Park, and the Eaton Canyon Nature Center.

Cleanup efforts will soon begin at the Lifeline Fellowship Center, Pasadena Jewish Temple, and the Altadena Senior Center.

The Corps is also scheduled to begin work on four multi-family properties where at least one resident is a property owner—making them eligible under current program rules.

The debris removal program is being carried out in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency,

Friday, May 16, 2025

Over 134,000 LA County Residents to Receive Medical Debt Relief

CITY NEWS SERVICE

More than 134,000 Los Angeles County residents will begin receiving notices next week by mail as part of the first wave of medical debt relief under a program launched last year, it was announced Thursday.

Residents will receive a notice from L.A. County and national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, informing recipients that their medical debt has been permanently cleared. It will also offer information for individuals who need help with additional medical bills.

The total amount of debt being relieved through this first round of aid is $183,580,711.32.

“If you get a letter in the mail from L.A. County and Undue Medical Debt this week– open it. We’ve eliminated medical debt for more than 134,000 residents, no strings attached,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn said in a statement. “This is real relief, and it’s hitting mailboxes soon.”

Supervisor Holly Mitchell added, “Medical debt should never stand between our residents and the care they need.”

Friday, May 16, 2025

Newsom Moves to Close Another State Prison. That Makes 5 Since He Took Office

By Nigel Duara, CALMATTERS

Gov. Gavin Newsom today called for the closure of another prison in his new budget proposal, which would be the fifth facility closed under his watch, though he didn’t specify which institution now has a target on its back.

The closure, which Newsom proposed take place by October 2026, would happen despite the implementation of Proposition 36, a new California law that is predicted to briefly increase the number of people in the prison system.

“While Proposition 36 is expected to increase (the prison) population, the population should continue its downward trend over the long-term,” Newsom said in the proposal.

Newsom’s proposed budget pledges that a  prison closure would save about $150 million annually. He called for the shutdown as part of his plan to close a $12 billion deficit.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office has calculated that California’s prison population — which, despite Prop 36’s additional inmates,

Friday, May 16, 2025

Report: Altadena Leaders Request $200 Million State Funding to Counter Post-Fire Real Estate Speculation

Community coalition says investment crucial to prevent displacement after devastating Eaton Fire

More than 500 Altadena residents and community leaders — together with allies from across the region — sent a letter to state officials calling for $200 million to combat real estate speculation and preserve community control of land following the devastating Eaton Fire, according to a statement issued Thursday afternoon by representatives of State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Inclusive Action for the City, and the California Community Land Trust Network.

The funding, championed by Senator Pérez, would support mission-driven nonprofits committed to preserving the economic and racial diversity of Altadena to acquire fire-damaged properties for redevelopment as affordable housing or community ownership models, the statement said.

“The people of Altadena suffered the worst of the Eaton Fire’s devastation. Now, they are being victimized a second time by outside real estate speculators who see a path to get rich on others’ pain,” Senator Pérez said in the statement.

“We must protect Altadena fire victims from harassing and predatory corporate buyers making low cash,

Friday, May 16, 2025

Pasadena Church to Host Day of Restoration for All Youth Impacted by Eaton Fire

All Saints Church Pasadena’s Children, Youth, and Families Ministry will offer a free day of self-care to all youth in 5th-12th grades who were impacted in any way by the Eaton fire. On Sunday, May 25, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the church, youth from the Altadena/Pasadena community are invited to have hair styling/haircuts and make-up sessions offered by Paul Mitchell School, to participate in creative activities and art therapy, and to just relax with therapy dogs.

“We all know today’s kids are carrying a lot—and for youth impacted by the fires, that weight can feel even heavier,” said Amanda Baughman, All Saints’ Director of Children, Youth and Families Ministry. “That’s why we wanted to create a space where they can take a breath, reset, and enjoy some much-needed fun. I hope youth from all over Altadena and Pasadena come through for a fresh cut, a brand-new book, or to hang out with friends in our art studio space.”

Parents are welcome to stay and spa water and light refreshments will be offered.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Numerous Kaiser Permanente Southern California Hospitals Earn an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group

STAFF REPORT

New Grade for Spring 2025 is a National Recognition of Kaiser Permanente’s Commitment to Patient Safety

Eleven Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals earned an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog. Kaiser Permanente Southern California is based in Pasadena.

Leapfrog assigns an ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals receiving an ‘A’ grade included Anaheim, Baldwin Park, Downey, Fontana, Irvine, Los Angeles, Ontario, Panorama City, Riverside, San Diego and Zion medical centers.

“Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade reflects enormous dedication to patient safety,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “I extend my congratulations to Kaiser Permanente Southern California, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for creating a culture where patients come first.”

The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors,

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Health Care, Prisons and More Cut in Newsom’s New Budget Plan

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

When Gov. Gavin Newsom released his preliminary $322 billion state budget plan in January, he projected a “modest surplus.” But many things have changed since then: A general economic slowdown in the U.S. economy; an estimated decline in income tax revenue due to the stock market fallout from President Donald Trump’s tariffs; and an unprecedented Medi-Cal budget shortfall to name a few.

Now — as Newsom on Wednesday unveiled his updated budget plan — California is facing a $12 billion budget deficit, writes CalMatters’ Alexei Koseff.

Newsom’s budget proposal paints an economic outlook that, at best, is unclear, and at worst, is grim. For instance, Trump’s ongoing tariff policies (which Newsom described in the plan as “remarkably inconsistent”) could have “broad-reaching impacts” on nearly all of the state’s imports and could worsen inflation in California. The state’s job growth is also expected to slow through 2026.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Some Pasadena Schools Reopen Outdoor Areas Following Fire-Related Soil Testing

Other campuses show elevated substance levels, will undergo remediation

The Pasadena Unified School District announced Wednesday that several schools have been cleared to fully reopen outdoor areas following soil testing conducted after the recent Eaton Fire.

Soil samples from the cleared schools showed no elevated levels of harmful fire-related substances, allowing students to immediately resume normal outdoor activities including recess, physical education classes and team sports, according to a letter from Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco.

“I am pleased to share that many of our schools have been fully cleared, with soil samples showing no elevated levels of harmful fire-related substances. These campuses have been deemed safe, and effective immediately, all outdoor areas, including bare soil spaces, playfields, and athletic facilities at these schools will fully reopen,” Blanco wrote.

However, testing revealed elevated levels of certain substances in specific outdoor areas at other schools. Those areas will remain closed until further testing and remediation are completed.

Thursday, May 15, 2025

County Closes Lincoln Ave Bridge to Repair Fire Damage

Altadena route shutdown affects disaster corridor with no reopening date set

Los Angeles County Public Works has temporarily closed the Lincoln Avenue bridge in Altadena due to fire damage requiring repairs. The closure, which began on May 13 at 6:30 a.m., affects a key segment between West Altadena Drive and West Palm Street in the unincorporated region of Los Angeles County. County officials have yet to determine when the bridge will reopen.

The emergency closure impacts a designated disaster route in Supervisorial District 5, potentially affecting emergency response capabilities in the area.

The damaged bridge is one of six current closures affecting disaster routes throughout Los Angeles County’s unincorporated areas.

County officials have not provided an estimated reopening date, listing the timeline as “to be determined” on the official closure documentation. The shutdown was not planned but implemented as an emergency response to the fire damage, officially designated as “fire damage to bridge” in Los Angeles County Public Works documentation.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Khanh Russo Named New President & CEO of Pasadena Community Foundation

STAFF REPORT

The Board of Directors at the Pasadena Community Foundation announced Wednesday that following a nationwide search, Khanh Russo has been selected to serve as PCF’s  next President and CEO following the retirement of Jennifer DeVoll. Khanh currently serves as Vice  President of Policy and Innovation at the San Francisco Foundation (SFF), where he has led regional and  statewide initiatives that advanced racial equity and economic inclusion, among many other  accomplishments. Khanh will assume his new role at PCF on June 9, 2025. 

The PCF Board’s Executive Search Committee, with support from Blair Search Partners, conducted a  comprehensive search over the course of several months. The Committee selected Khanh because of his  extensive leadership in philanthropy, public policy, and community engagement, as well as his deep  commitment to building resilient, thriving communities through strategic grantmaking, collaborative  partnerships, and systems change. 

Moreover, with nationwide challenges like affordable housing, health  equity, and workforce opportunity also impacting the Greater Pasadena area, the Committee recognized  Khanh’s compelling track record of addressing those issues and many more by strategically aligning policy,