Friday, November 21, 2025

Pasadena School Board Approves $24.5 Million in Fiscal Cuts After Intense Debate, Prioritizing Classrooms Over Central Office

[Updated] After hours of highly emotional testimony and rigorous debate, the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education approved a Fiscal Stabilization Plan on Thursday night, mandating spending cuts totaling over $24.5 million across central administration, school sites, and external contracts.

The vote, which came late in the evening after extending the meeting until 11:30 p.m., was the culmination of months of work by the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee attempting to stave off a potential takeover by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). In combination with grants and revenue generation, the plan would reduce the 2026-27 fiscal budget by $30.5 million.

The measure was only approved after significant amendments salvaged key student instructional programs by maximizing cuts to the central office—a decision that district staff warned would lead to organizational strain and potentially interrupt critical services.

In the end, board members Kimberly Kenne, Scott Harden, Tina Fredericks and Yarma Velázquez voted in favor of the amended plan, while Michelle Richardson Bailey, Patrice Marshall McKenzie,

Friday, November 21, 2025

Flood Advisories and Flash Flood Warnings Issued for Pasadena as Heavy Rain Pounds Los Angeles County

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard extended multiple flood advisories and flash flood warnings early Friday morning as heavy rain swept across Los Angeles County, with Pasadena among the communities under alert.

At 2:47 and 2:49 a.m., the NWS issued two Flood Advisories warning of urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall. Doppler radar indicated heavy rain, prompting the extension of advisories until 6 a.m. PST. Impacts include minor flooding in low?lying streets, water ponding in urban areas, and possible rockslides or mudslides in hillside terrain.

By 3:09 a.m. and again at 3:59 a.m., forecasters extended Flash Flood Warnings for both Southwestern Los Angeles County and South Central Los Angeles County. Radar and automated gauges showed moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms. Rainfall rates of 0.4 to 0.8 inches per hour were observed, with flash flooding ongoing or imminent. Hazards were described as “flash flooding caused by thunderstorms” and “flash flooding, along with rock slides and mudslides, caused by thunderstorms.”

The Weather Service cautioned residents to avoid flooded roads and emphasized: “Turn around,

Friday, November 21, 2025

Friday Morning Storm Slams San Gabriel Valley

A storm system brought heavy rain and colder temperatures to Pasadena Friday morning, with showers expected to taper by evening, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm’s intensity will be at it’s height early Friday and may impact the commute.

“Friday models have been consistent showing a very favorable severe weather threat across LA County,” the NWS said.

Forecasters said rainfall rates reached up to an inch per hour in parts of Los Angeles County.

Pasadena is expected to receive between one-third and two-thirds of an inch, with heavier showers possible. Thunderstorms may occur before 10:00 a.m., with a chance of showers continuing into the afternoon.

Friday’s high will reach near 60 degrees, with east winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 15 mph. Overnight lows will fall to about 49 degrees.

Conditions will improve Saturday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 68. Northeast winds will remain light. Sunday will be sunny with a high near 66.

Friday, November 21, 2025

LA County Deploys Control Measures to Reduce Dengue-Positive Mosquitoes

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County officials Thursday confirmed the presence of dengue in mosquitoes in the region, and began deploying targeted control measures to reduce the risk of disease transmission caused by the bugs.

The Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District found what are known as Aedes mosquitoes in the county — the dengue-positive mosquito was collected from surveillance traps in Sun Valley, a community located in the San Fernando Valley. It’s the first confirmed detection of dengue in the Aedes mosquitos population in both the county and state, according to county officials.

L.A. County Department of Public Health staff previously confirmed seven infections of locally acquired dengue this year. These individuals were detected in the areas of La Puente, Sun Valley and North Hollywood.

While the risk for widespread dengue virus transmission in the county remains low, DPH encouraged residents to take proactive steps to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites.

“The District is conducting enhanced surveillance,

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Pasadena Community Foundation Honors Local Heroes Amid Massive Eaton Fire Recovery

By EDDIE RIVERA

Foundation highlights unprecedented community response amid staggering losses

In a packed Mediterranean Ballroom at Brookside Golf Club on Tuesday afternoon, the Pasadena Community Foundation’s (PCF) 26th annual “Local Heroes” celebration unfolded as both a tribute and a reckoning. What is usually a broad salute to philanthropy and civic leadership became, this year, a concentration on the region’s recovery from the Eaton Fire — a disaster whose scale, Foundation leaders stressed, still defies comprehension.

The numbers were brutal—more than 9,000 structures lost; 6,000 of them homes, explained Ivy Lee Keltner, PCF board member, with regards to the Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery Fund.  More than 100,000 people were evacuated, including 10,000 Pasadena Unified students. Nearly 1,900 businesses were significantly damaged and more than 100 were lost outright. Thirteen schools were destroyed or heavily damaged. Fourteen churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples that are now gone.

The Foundation’s response — and the community’s — became the afternoon’s narrative,

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Facing County Takeover Threat, School Board Will Consider Adopting a Vision of “Doing Business Differently”

As Pasadena’s school board weighs an “existential” fiscal stabilization plan demanded by Los Angeles County education officials, a resolution before the board Thursday night lays out, in unusually blunt language, how years of declining enrollment, rising special education costs and dependence on one-time money have left the district at risk of losing control over its own budget.

Authored by Trustee Tina Fredericks, the “Review of Policy/Practices to Improve Long-Term Fiscal Solvency” resolution outlines a perspective on how Pasadena Unified has arrived at what county officials describe as a precarious financial position.

If adopted, it would commit the board to “Doing Business Differently” — capitalized and quoted throughout the document — beginning with the 2026–27 budget cycle, including pursuing new revenue and long-term planning aligned with projected enrollment losses.

The resolution documents a number of previous county warnings. It cites a Sept. 12 letter urging Pasadena to monitor enrollment and adjust staffing and facilities, and an Oct. 9 presentation where county advisers warned that “Pasadena has not yet reached a stabilization phase in its decline.” It says deficit spending since 2019 was masked by one-time COVID-19 relief and insurance funds.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Board of Education Votes Tonight on Fiscal Plan Amid Community Outcry

The Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will convene a high-stakes meeting on Thursday at 5 p.m. in the Elbie J. Hickambottom Board Room to vote on a controversial fiscal stabilization plan aimed at closing a projected $30.5 million deficit for the 2026–2027 school year.

The vote marks the culmination of months of tension between district administrators and a mobilized coalition of parents, teachers, and community members who argue the proposed cuts threaten instructional integrity across Pasadena campuses.

The deficit stems from multiple factors, including the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funds and a sharp decline in student enrollment. According to preliminary data presented to the board, enrollment has dropped to approximately 13,228 students for the 2025–2026 academic year — the steepest year-over-year decline since 2019. Because California ties school funding to average daily attendance, each student loss equates to roughly $14,000 in reduced revenue.

The administration’s Fiscal Stabilization Plan, up for final approval, outlines $25 million in direct expenditure reductions and an additional $5.1 million revenue strategies to meet solvency requirements set by the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Altadena Launches Massive Effort to Sow 100 Million California Poppy Seeds Across Eaton Fire Burn Scar

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

A sweeping volunteer effort to help restore the Eaton Fire burn scar is underway in Altadena.

Community groups, Scouts and local organizations have begun distributing and sowing 100 million California poppy seeds across damaged neighborhoods at no cost to residents.

The “Great Altadena Poppy Project,” spearheaded and funded by longtime community activist René Amy, aims to blanket the foothill community in spring blooms as a symbol of resilience after the fire destroyed hundreds of homes, including Amy’s. “Just imagine what Altadena will look like in the spring, when the poppies bloom,” Amy said.

Amy, known for large-scale community projects including the “Altadena Strong—We Will Rebuild!” banner unfurled while the fire was still burning, said the project is as much about morale as it is about beauty.

“Folks need hope these days—I know that I do,” he said. “California poppies exemplify beauty, grace and resilience. They will grow and flower in the toughest conditions.”

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

LA County Reports First Flu-Related Death of Season

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County health officials Wednesday confirmed the county’s first flu-related death of the season.

According to the county Department of Public Health, the patient was an “older person” with underlying health conditions, who had not received a flu vaccination. No other details about the patient were released.

Health officials said flu activity in the area is “currently low,” but is expected to inchrease with the approaching holidays as people travel and take part in large gatherings.

“We send our condolences to the family and loved ones of the person we lost. This tragic death reminds us how serious influenza can be,” Dr. Muntu Davis, county Health Officer, said in a statement. “The best protection this season is getting an updated flu vaccine. Protecting yourself also helps keep your community safer.

“You can also reduce your risk by taking simple but powerful steps: wash your hands frequently, stay home and away from others when you feel sick,

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Building an Affordable Future for Altadena Together

STAFF REPORT

On East Pine Street in West Altadena, Tiprin Mandalay Follett stands on a cleared lot that she has known for most of her life. It once held 14 affordable rentals, arranged within a charming bungalow court. After managing this property for decades, her family then purchased it 20 years ago, becoming the landlord and supporting Altadena residents with affordable rates. “Our kids grew up playing here,” Follett says. “Our tenants have been here forever.”

The property was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, and in the wake of the disaster, Follett’s family decided to let the property go. But rather than selling the property to an outside developer, they’re putting it in the hands of the community. Soon, the apartments will be reconstructed as 14 units, built and operated by local nonprofit Beacon Housing, and guaranteed to be affordable for the next 55 years.

The project began with a chance meeting at the Eaton Fire Collaborative between Follett and Beacon Housing Executive Director,