Friday, April 18, 2025

Local Congresswoman Proposes Mortgage Relief for Disaster Victims After LA Wildfires

Bill co-sponsored by Rep. Judy Chu would provide 180 days of forbearance for homeowners with federally backed mortgages

Two California lawmakers — one of them Pasadena area U.S. Representative Judy Chu —  introduced legislation Thursday, April 17, that would provide mortgage relief to homeowners affected by federally declared disasters, following wildfires that destroyed 16,000 homes in Los Angeles.

Reps. Chu and Brad Sherman introduced the Mortgage Relief for Disaster Survivors Act, which would give homeowners in presidentially declared disaster areas who have federally backed mortgages up to 180 days of mortgage forbearance, with an option to extend for another 180 days.

The forbearance would accrue no interest, penalties or fees during the relief period.

While present law allows for significant variance across federal mortgage providers in relief offered, this legislation would standardize a baseline of mortgage relief for survivors of any federally declared disaster nationwide.

“Disaster survivors — like thousands of my constituents still reeling from the devastating Eaton Fire — should not have to worrying about missing a mortgage payment in the immediate aftermath of natural disasters,”

Friday, April 18, 2025

Tongva Leaders to Share Cultural Knowledge at Community Dialogue

Indigenous scientist and tribal representatives will discuss land rights and recovery efforts following Eaton Fire

A community conversation featuring prominent Tongva tribal members will take place next week to foster understanding and solidarity with indigenous communities in Altadena.

The “Let’s Talk, Let’s Listen Community Series: Conversation with Tongva Women” event will bring together indigenous leaders to discuss tribal history, land rights, and recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire.

The dialogue will take place on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Altadena Library, located at 600 E. Mariposa St. in Altadena. It is free to attend.

The event features two distinguished panelists from the Gabrieleno Tongva San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians: Samantha MJ Yang, an indigenous scientist and cultural preservationist, and Kimberly Morales Johnson, Tribal Secretary and Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commissioner.

John Williams, Executive Director of The Center for Restorative Justice (formerly the Center for Racial Reconciliation), will moderate the discussion.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

LA County Allocates $50,000 For Art-Centered Fire Recovery In Altadena

STAFF REPORT

Funding initiative coincides with 20th anniversary celebration of County’s Civic Art Program

This week, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to allocate $50,000 to support art-centered recovery efforts in Altadena following the recent Eaton Fire.

The initiative aims to restore and preserve the community’s cultural fabric while using art as a healing mechanism for residents impacted by the disaster.

“As we celebrate two decades of civic art in our County, it’s important that we also use the power of art to help communities heal,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, who represents Altadena and Pasadena.

“Altadena is a vibrant, arts-rich community that has endured profound loss from the Eaton Fire. I’m committed to preserving the spirit of our community and ensuring art remains a cornerstone in its recovery. I’m proud to invest in efforts that not only conserve what was lost but also uplift and inspire hope through creativity.”

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Benefit Concert To Aid California Fire Victims Set For May 10

Eight Days of Hope presents “A Night of Hope” featuring award-winning artists

Eight Days of Hope (EDOH) will host a benefit concert on May 10th to raise support for California fire victims. The event, titled “A Night of Hope,” will feature Dove Award-winning artist Jordan Feliz and 2024 New Artist of the Year nominee Terrian at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena.

“We know that so many across Southern California are hurting, unsure of how to recover after such an insurmountable disaster,” says Stephen Tybor III, EDOH President and CEO. “Through A Night of Hope, we desire to bring together the local church and community to help those impacted through generosity and unity.”

The concert begins at 6:00 p.m. PST with general admission tickets priced at $20 and VIP tickets at $50. VIP ticket holders will receive reserved seating and access to an artist Q&A session. A love offering will be collected during the event with all proceeds going directly to families affected by the fires.

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Pasadena Unified Initiates Independent Soil Testing In Response to Lead Level Findings

PUSD also announces additional precautionary measures

In response to findings released last week by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health regarding elevated lead levels in soil samples collected near the Eaton Fire burn area, the Pasadena Unified School District announced Wednesday it is undertaking additional safety measures by conducting independent outdoor soil testing at all campuses. The District described the initiative is part of the District’s ongoing commitment to the safety of students and employees.

The recent findings were not from school grounds, and at this time, there is no indication that any PUSD campuses – or District sites – are unsafe or that anyone is in immediate danger, the District pointed out in a statement.

All PUSD schools remain open.

The areas where students and employees spend time daily, such as grass fields, astroturf, mulch, and gravel, are considered safe for children and adults, according to the District.

“The primary concern is with bare soil,

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Taking a Stand Against Social Security Cuts

By EDDIE RIVERA

Congresswoman Chu rails against Trump and Musk for proposed ‘Tax Cut for Billionaires,’ which would affect Social Security funding

“Let’s call this what it is — a backdoor cut to Social Security benefits,” U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu declared Tuesday morning outside the Social Security Administration office in Pasadena, flanked by a small but resolute crowd of advocates, retirees, and former Social Security employees.

“When someone can’t reach Social Security to get their monthly payment, that’s a cut. A delayed payment is a benefit cut,” she said.

Chu spoke forcefully against a proposed $4.5 trillion tax cut backed by President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, which she warned could gut essential programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.

The cut, she said, would result in staffing reductions and office closures across the Social Security Administration (SSA), crippling a system relied upon by over 110,000 residents in her district alone — including seniors,

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Black Entertainment Professionals to Host Prom Salon for Students Affected by Fires

Local collective offers free beauty services to help students prepare for milestone events

Satin Bonnets on TV, a collective of Black women entertainment industry professionals, will host their first Prom Salon on April 26 to support Black high school students in Altadena and surrounding Los Angeles areas who were affected by the Eaton Fires. The initiative aims to provide essential beauty services for students preparing for milestone events like prom and graduation.

“We believe there is strength in personal care and seek to provide opportunities to offer direct aid in our communities,” said a representative of Satin Bonnets on TV. “Our goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of these students by partnering with local businesses and providers to ensure they have the support they need for their milestone events.”

The event will take place at Borner’s Barber College at 1284 N Lake Ave. in Pasadena from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering students complimentary beauty services including hairstyling,

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Volunteer Program Launches to Help Altadena Businesses Recover From Fire

Local chamber of commerce announces initiative to coordinate relocation efforts for affected enterprises

The Altadena Chamber of Commerce has launched a new volunteer-driven program aimed at helping local businesses rebuild after the devastating Eaton Fire. Announced on Tuesday, April 7, 2025, the “Back in Business” initiative will coordinate relocation efforts, connect business owners with resources, and work to restore the area’s economic vitality.

“Businesses are an essential part of a community,” says Delgado, an urban planner with disaster recovery experience. “Their return—through compassion, commitment, and cooperation— is at the very core of successful rebuilding.”

The program focuses on two main components: outreach volunteers and space identification. Trained local volunteers will contact affected businesses to assess their needs through structured questionnaires, listen and respond to needs of business owners coping with disaster-related trauma, build lasting relationships among neighbors aimed at reconnecting businesses with their client base, and connect them with pro bono assistance from legal, real estate, and architectural experts. Meanwhile,

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day Recognized in LA County

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a motion to recognize April 24 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day within the county.

The Armenian Genocide took place between 1915 and 1916, when millions of Christians in the Ottoman Empire were displaced. As many as 1.2 million people were killed, according to the Holocaust Encyclopedia.

Los Angeles county is now home to the largest Armenian diaspora outside of Armenia.

Introduced by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis, Tuesday’s motion condemned the Turkish government for denying the genocide despite historical evidence.

The motion also made reference to alleged ethnic cleansing efforts in recent years. In 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military attack on the Artsakh region in Armenia, followed by a 10-month blockade of the Lachin Corridor. In 2023, over 100,000 Armenians were forcefully displaced from their ancestral lands, according to the motion.

Azerbaijan claimed full control over the region, which has been in dispute between the two sides since 1918.

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Supervisors Approve Recommended $47.9 Billion Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, City News Service

The county Board of Supervisors gave initial approval Tuesday to a $47.9 billion budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with the recommended spending plan including 3% cuts to some departments and the elimination of 310 vacant positions, but no layoffs.

The recommended budget reflects efforts to “offset extraordinary budget pressures,” according to a statement from the county, including more than $1 billion in costs related to the January wildfires. The county will also begin to feel the pain of a proposed $4 billion settlement of nearly 7,000 claims of sexual abuse against county workers, mainly at probation camps and halls.

County CEO Fesia Davenport presented the budget proposal to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, beginning the public process of reviewing, revising and adopting the spending plan.

Presenting the budget to members of the media on Monday, Davenport said the county’s future financial picture is also threatened by the possible loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding.