Friday, April 11, 2025

Buying Bunnies, Chicks as Easter Gifts Strongly Discouraged

By DAVID WEINER, City News Service

As they do each year when Easter approaches, shelter officials and animal rescue groups are urging people not to buy rabbits or baby chicks as holiday gifts for children.

Buying or adopting a live animal on a whim often leads to abandonment when the novelty wears off and families realize they’re not equipped to properly care for the pets.

Instead of a live animal, rescue groups recommend buying a stuffed toy bunny or chocolate candy rabbit for kids’ Easter baskets.

“We’re always concerned with the possibility of people unwisely purchasing rabbits or chicks around Easter,” said Kevin McManus, communications director for the Pasadena Humane Society, told City News Service.

“Our advice to people is to consider the long-term needs of any animal one chooses to bring into their household: That rabbit that is so cute on Easter has a lifespan of eight to 12 years. Rabbits need specific food, housing and care.

Friday, April 11, 2025

10 Homeowners Sue FAIR Plan Over Alleged Nonpayment of Fire Damage Benefits

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The California FAIR Plan Assn. was sued Thursday by 10 homeowners in Altadena, Pasadena, Malibu and Pacific Palisades whose residences were damaged during the January wildfires, with benefits were wrongfully denied or delayed.

The plaintiffs’ Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges insurance bad faith and breach of contract. The plaintiffs seek unspecified consequential and punitive damages as well as unpaid benefits. The plaintiffs also are suing multiple CFPA member insurers, including State Farm General Insurance Co., Automobile Club Inter-Insurance Exchange and Allstate Insurance Co.

The plaintiffs’ quickly notified the CFPA of their losses, the suit said.

“CFPA unlawfully failed to investigate and timely pay wildfire losses suffered by its customers, leaving thousands of families stranded and unable to access the coverage they paid for and desperately needed to repair their homes and protect their health,” the suit states.

A CFP representative issued a statement regarding the lawsuit.

“The FAIR Plan pays all covered claims,

Friday, April 11, 2025

First Rebuild Permit Issued in Altadena

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

LA County has issued the first permit to rebuild a home lost in the Eaton Fire

The nonprofit Habitat for Humanity said they received the permit in a press release on Thursday.

“This is not just about rebuilding homes—it’s about restoring hope, stability, and a future for families who have lost everything,” said SGV Habitat CEO Bryan Wong.

The property is located on North Olive Avenue. Habitat for Humanity built the home previously and will handle the rebuild for the family.

The announcement came just days after Los Angeles County received criticism after local media outlets, including Pasadena Now, reported that no permits had been issued despite promises of an expedited process while the fire was still burning.

Earlier this week, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger introduced a motion to create a Unified Permitting Authority (UPA) within the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center to expedite the residential rebuilding process.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Debris Could be Cleared From Most Altadena Properties by Late Summer

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The Army Corps of Engineers continues to track ahead of schedule on Phase 2 of the debris removal in Altadena.

“We are going to be complete January 1, 2026,” said Col. Sonny Avichal at the annual Altadena Community meeting. “However we do expect that for the great majority of property owners, we should be complete late summer early fall.”

As of Monday there were 123 debris removal crews and 92 asbestos abatement removal teams working in Altadena.

Debris has been removed from 1900 properties, Avichal said.

The two stage process began in February after the devastating Eaton Fire broke in January. In Phase 1, teams from the Environmental Protection Agency removed hazardous materials from local properties.

After that was completed Phase 2 began. In that phase, local property owners were required to fill out forms allowing contractors with the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct comprehensive debris removal, including foundations and six inches of soil.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

College Access Plan to Host Free Webinar on Understanding Financial Aid

Experts to guide families through comparing college costs, enrollment processes

College Access Plan will offer a free webinar for high school seniors and their families on understanding financial aid offers on April 15, providing critical guidance as college decision deadlines approach.

The 90-minute virtual session, running from 6:30 to 8 p.m., aims to help participants accurately interpret financial aid packages, compare true college costs and navigate enrollment procedures.

“In this FREE webinar seniors and families learn how to read financial aid offers correctly,” according to promotional materials from the organization.

The program will specifically cover strategies for comparing institutions based on actual family costs and proper enrollment procedures to position students for academic success.

Interested participants can join via Zoom using the link tinyurl.com/ufao415. A QR code is also available for convenient access.

For additional information, families can contact the organization directly at families@collegeaccessplan.org or call (626) 714-1099.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Grants Will Soon be Available for Local Restaurants

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

More help is on the way for local restaurants impacted by the Eaton Fire.

The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit focused on investing in and empowering California restaurants and their workforce, is launching the LA Fire Recovery Grants program.

The group will provide $2.4 million in grants.

“This year, we are proud to stand with Los Angeles’ restaurant community by launching the LA Fire Recovery Grants, a vital new initiative dedicated to supporting independent restaurant owners impacted by the heartbreaking wildfires,” said Alycia Harshfield, president of CRF. “Restaurants are the heart of California’s neighborhoods, and through targeted relief efforts, we are helping these businesses and the people behind them overcome hardship so they can focus on rebuilding and continuing to serve as essential gathering places for their communities.”

The LA Fire Recovery Grants will provide $10,000 grants to more than 240 independent restaurants and food trucks across Los Angeles County that suffered financial losses due to the wildfires.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

LA County Launches Governance Study With Public Listening Sessions

KH Consulting Group has begun an independent study of Los Angeles County’s governance model, with public listening sessions scheduled across the County this month. The initiative, directed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, aims to identify strengths and challenges in the current system and develop recommendations for actionable change.

“We invite representatives from interested CBOs, NGOs, and other representative organizations to join us,” stated KH Consulting Group in their announcement. “Session participants will learn more about Los Angeles County governance and have the opportunity to share relevant experiences and ideas for enhancing County services and ensuring inclusivity and transparency.”

The study includes eleven in-person sessions at various locations throughout Los Angeles County between April 17 and April 24, 2025. Sessions will be held at libraries, college campuses, and community centers in areas including La Crescenta, Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Lancaster, Santa Monica, Willowbrook, Whittier, Los Angeles, Artesia, South El Monte, and East Los Angeles.

Two additional virtual sessions will take place via Zoom on May 6 and May 8,

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Pasadena Educational Foundation Announces “Resilience 2025″ Celebration of Schools and Students

Annual fundraising event to honor community response following Eaton Fire

The Pasadena Educational Foundation (PEF) will host its annual “Celebrating Our Schools” event on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pasadena City Hall Courtyard. This year’s theme, “Resilience 2025,” will highlight the community’s response to the Eaton Fire and showcase the strength and unity demonstrated during challenging times.

“In the wake of the Eaton Fire, our community has come together in an extraordinary way—showing strength, support, and an unwavering commitment to our students, families, and staff of the Pasadena Unified School District,” the Foundation said in its announcement materials.

The “Celebrating Our Schools” events represent more than social gatherings; they embody PEF’s ongoing commitment to supporting public education across Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre communities.

The Foundation has spent over 50 years raising and contributing millions of dollars annually to PUSD, supporting a wide range of programs including arts, music, health centers, gardens, and STEM initiatives.

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Uber, Lyft Drivers Could Unionize Under New Proposal

After years of tussling with gig companies, California’s labor unions want to once again expand workers’ rights — this time by allowing ride-hailing drivers to unionize.

And as in tussles past, expect steep opposition from the businesses.

Backed by California’s Service Employees International Union, Democratic lawmakers unveiled a measure Tuesday that would allow drivers to bargain with companies like Uber and Lyft for better pay and benefits, a step toward more protections for gig workers.

“We stand for the principles that all work has dignity,” said Oakland Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, who introduced Assembly Bill 1340, at a Tuesday press conference. “We stand for the right of every worker to truly have a voice.”

The SEIU said more than 600,000 ride-hail drivers statewide would benefit if the legislation is adopted and signed into law.

Uber said in a statement that the proposed legislation would make rides in California more expensive “while threatening the flexible jobs thousands depend on.”

“Drivers have been clear: They want to stay independent and keep the freedom to choose when and how they work,

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Authorities Seek Help Finding At-Risk 81-Year-Old Man

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Authorities sought the public’s assistance Wednesday in locating an at-risk 81-year-old man who was possibly displaced by the Eaton fire.

Daniel Drouet was in last contact with his family on Jan. 5 around 10 a.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Sheriff’s officials said he was last seen in the 500 block of East Marigold Street in the unincorporated Altadena area, and his family is growing concerned about his well-being.

Drouet was described as a 5-foot-3-inch tall white man weighing 158 pounds with white hair and blue eyes. It was unclear what he was last seen wearing.

Anyone with information regarding Drouet’s whereabouts was urged to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau Missing Persons Detail at 323-890-5500. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.