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,

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

District Attorney Hochman Launches Criminal Probe Into Alleged Fraud in LA County Sex Abuse Claims

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman on Wednesday announced a criminal investigation into potentially fraudulent childhood sexual abuse claims filed against the County under California Assembly Bill 218, which extended the statute of limitations for such allegations.

The probe follows reports that individuals may have been paid to submit false claims through law firms, potentially defrauding the County and undermining legitimate survivors. Hochman said his office is investigating hundreds of cases and urged non-lawyer claimants who knowingly filed false reports to come forward, noting their statements will not be used against them. The offer does not extend to attorneys, doctors, recruiters or others who may have facilitated the alleged fraud.

“False reporting of sexual abuse undermines our entire justice system and is a grave disservice to actual victims who have already suffered unspeakable trauma,” Hochman said in a statement. “My Office is taking the allegations seriously that some individuals were paid cash to have law firms file false sexual abuse claims against the County.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Parents Mobilize Against Pasadena Unified Classroom Budget Cuts, Petition Urges Central Office Reductions

By KATHLEEN CASTIGNOLI

More than 650 parents in Altadena and Pasadena have signed an online petition demanding that the Pasadena Unified School District shift proposed budget cuts away from classrooms and toward central office operations, warning that reductions to teachers, specialists and magnet programs will drive families out of the district.

Dozens of families are expected to attend the Nov. 20 Board of Education meeting to deliver that message directly, as trustees prepare to vote on a fiscal stabilization plan requiring $30.5 million in savings for the 2026?27 school year.

The petition argues that the current proposal places a disproportionate burden on school sites, undermining enrollment and destabilizing academic programs.

“Our magnet schools can’t attract or retain families if they’re stripped to the bare minimum,” the petition states.

Parents cite independent estimates showing $10 million to $13 million could be saved through central office reductions and decreased contracted services, with less direct impact on students.

The petition calls on district leaders to preserve school?site staffing,

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Union Station Homeless Services Distributes Thanksgiving Meal Kits Wednesday

Event part of 50-year tradition as organization anticipates doubled demand

Union Station Homeless Services will distribute Thanksgiving meal boxes Wednesday at its Adult Center in Pasadena, providing families in need with all the ingredients to prepare a holiday dinner at home.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 412 S. Raymond Ave. and is part of the nonprofit’s long-running Dinner in the Park initiative, which has operated for more than 50 years.

CEO Katie Hill said demand for meals could double this year due to federal SNAP benefit disruptions affecting about 17,000 Pasadena residents. “With the rollback of these essential benefits, we are anticipating a 300% increase in food pantry boxes,” Hill said in late October. “Last year, we served over 6,000 Thanksgiving meals — that number may double this year.”

Union Station initially sought 750 frozen turkeys but raised its goal to 975 by mid-November, enough to serve an estimated 8,000 meals over three days. On Nov.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Who’s Running for California Governor? It Keeps Changing

By Dan Walters, CALMATTERS

Getting elected governor of California is a difficult task, requiring the creation of a large apparatus to plan and execute a campaign strategy and raising tens of millions of dollars to pay for it.

That’s why, as California’s population soared in the post-World War II era, those who aspired to govern the state typically declared their ambitions at least two years out, even if they were already occupying other offices.

That bit of political history is offered because California voters will elect a new governor in less than a year, and filing candidacy paperwork will open in just a few weeks, but the field of candidates seems to change almost daily.

Some who were in have dropped out, such as Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and former state Senate leader Toni Atkins. Meanwhile, some who considered a run — such as former Vice President Kamala Harris — backed away, and at least one who had opted out may jump back in.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Record Number of SoCal Residents Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Roughly 6.78 million Southern California residents are expected to travel for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, a record- setting figure for the holiday that is about 7% higher than the pre-pandemic level in 2019.

The projected number of travelers is a 2.8% increase from last year, according to figures released by the Auto Club of Southern California.

The vast majority of travelers — 5.88 million — are expected to travel by car, while 704,000 will fly and 196,000 will take other forms of travel such as train, bus or cruise ship.

Nationally, 81.8 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday, also a record number that tops last year’s figure by 1.6 million, according to the Auto Club.

The Auto Club defines the Thanksgiving travel period as Tuesday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 1.

“Thanksgiving travel has always been popular, but has grown into an even greater priority in recent years after the pandemic limited those opportunities to connect with family and friends,”