Saturday, May 31, 2025

Altadena Disaster Recovery Center Closes, Transitions to New Location

Federal agencies will take up residence at the Altadena Community Center starting on Monday

The two Federal Emergency Management Agency Disaster Recovery Centers for the Los Angeles Wildfires are permanently closing Saturday, May 31, at 4 p.m. and federal resources will be transitioning to new locations.

On that short list is the Altadena Disaster Recovery Center at 540 West Woodbury Rd., which has been a community focal point since it opened.

The FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will be transitioning from these locations to county and city-run facilities, officials said.

Federal resources will be available at their new locations beginning Monday, June 2.

Locally, services will continue at the Altadena Community Center, 730 E. Altadena Dr., Mondays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Disaster Recovery Center will be closed weekends.

“If you applied for FEMA assistance, it’s important to stay in touch with FEMA to track and update your application should you receive an insurance settlement or denial and as your situation changes to work through any approval processes,” FEMA’s announcement said.

Saturday, May 31, 2025

New Task Force to Oversee LA County Governance Changes Convenes for First Time

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A task force created to oversee sweeping changes to Los Angeles County’s governance structure held its inaugural meeting Friday.

The county Governance Reform Task Force was created with voters’ passage in November of Measure G, which called for a series of changes in the way county government operates. Most notably, the measure called for an expansion of the five-member Board of Supervisors to nine members starting in 2032.

Measure G will also make the county CEO an elected position by 2028, and adds the positions of county Legislative Analyst and a director of Budget and Management.

The measure also formalized the establishment of an Ethics Commission – – which the county already began to create prior to the November election — and the hiring of a compliance officer by 2026, along with the creation of a Charter Review Commission to meet every 10 years and consider additional potential governmental changes.

The entire process will be overseen by the Governance Reform Task Force,

Saturday, May 31, 2025

DoorDash Distributes $200,000 in Grants to Restaurants Affected by LA Wildfires

CITY NEWS SERVICE

DoorDash has awarded $10,000 grants to 20 small restaurants impacted by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires in January, the company announced Friday.

The DoorDash-funded Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund aims to provide direct financial support to restaurants impacted by the fires. With support from small business resource Hello Alice, the grants are intended to help restaurant owners cover critical expenses such as rent, equipment replacement, inventory and payroll as they work to rebuild and recover, the food delivery company said.

The announcement was made where Amara Kitchen — an Altadena café that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire — once stood. Local restaurant owners, community members and civic leaders came together to celebrate the resilience of the city’s culinary entrepreneurs.

“When we lost Amara Kitchen to the fire, we lost more than just a building — we lost a gathering space, memories, and a part of our identity,” said Paola Guasp, owner of Amara Kitchen. “There have been moments of heartbreak,

Friday, May 30, 2025

Altadena Disaster Relief Loan Program Deadline Extended to June 30

Small businesses impacted by January’s Eaton Fire can apply for up to $75,000 in recovery funds

Los Angeles County has extended the application deadline for the Altadena Disaster Relief Small Business Loan Program to June 30.

The program, a joint initiative by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger and the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), offers loans of up to $75,000 to eligible small businesses recovering from the January 2025 Eaton Fire.

“Small businesses are essential to Altadena’s identity and economic vitality, so I want to ensure they have every opportunity to bounce back,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

“Extending the application deadline and expanding support tools will give more business owners the time and guidance they need to access this vital relief. I encourage every eligible business to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.”

The Altadena Disaster Relief Small Business Loan Program aims to help local businesses recover, rebuild, and retain local jobs in the Altadena community.

Friday, May 30, 2025

Free Legal Clinic Aids Eaton Fire Victims

Low-income residents receive free consultation on FEMA appeals and housing issues

On Tuesday, May 13, Koko Panossian, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services, and the department partnered with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) to provide critical legal assistance to those impacted by the Eaton Fire.

The free Disaster Relief Legal Clinic, held on May 22 at Jackie Robinson Community Center, offered specialized consultation to over 30 registered, income qualified participants facing post-disaster challenges.

Free Legal Clinic Supports Eaton Fire Victims

Low-income residents affected by the Eaton Fire received free legal assistance at a disaster relief clinic held last week.

On May 22, Pasadena’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Services department collaborated with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) to host the clinic at Jackie Robinson Community Center.

More than 30 income-qualified participants registered to seek guidance on FEMA appeals and housing challenges.

The clinic was part of an ongoing effort to assist disaster victims in navigating post-fire recovery.

Friday, May 30, 2025

State Claims There’s Zero High-Risk AI In California Government—Despite Ample Evidence To The Contrary

By Khari Johnson, CALMATTERS

California uses algorithms to predict whether incarcerated people will commit crimes again. It has used predictive technology to deny 600,000 people unemployment benefits. Nonetheless, state administrators have concluded that not a single agency uses high-risk forms of automated decisionmaking technology.

That’s according to a report the California Department of Technology provided to CalMatters after surveying nearly 200 state entities. The agencies are required by  legislation signed into law in 2023 to report annually if they use high-risk automated systems that can make decisions about people’s lives. “High-risk” means any system that can assist or replace human decisionmakers when it comes to encounters with the criminal justice system or whether people get access to housing, education, employment, credit and health care.

The California Department of Technology doesn’t know which algorithms state agencies use today and only reported what agencies told them, state Chief Technology Officer Jonathan Porat told CalMatters. When asked if the employment or corrections department algorithms qualify,

Friday, May 30, 2025

County Honors Eaton Health Village for Wildfire Mental Health Response

Local partnership recognized for providing critical mental health support to Altadena residents affected by devastating fire

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger honored the Eaton Health Village team at this week’s Public Hearing Meeting for their mental health response following the Eaton Fire. The recognition, coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month in Los Angeles County, celebrated the partnership that provided urgent care to impacted Altadena residents.

“In the aftermath of a disaster, it’s important for survivors to feel seen, supported, and cared for,” said Supervisor Barger. “That’s exactly what this remarkable team of providers delivered—a safe and healing space for individuals navigating one of the darkest chapters of their lives. Their lifesaving mental health support is nothing short of heroic. This month is the perfect time to honor the profound contributions of those behind the Eaton Health Village.”

The initiative, led by Heritage Clinic, MAHI International, Medical Mission Adventures, Molina Healthcare, and local faith-based institutions, provided medical care to over 500 individuals and distributed essential supplies to nearly 3,000 people.

Friday, May 30, 2025

Task Force Charged with Overseeing LA County Governance Changes to Hold First Meeting

CITY NEWS SERVICE

A task force created to oversee sweeping changes to Los Angeles County’s governance structure will hold its inaugural meeting Friday.

The county Governance Reform Task Force was created with voters’ passage in November of Measure G, which called for a series of changes in the way county government operates. Most notably, the measure called for an expansion of the five-member Board of Supervisors to nine members starting in 2032.

Measure G will also make the county CEO an elected position by 2028, and adds the positions of county Legislative Analyst and a director of Budget and Management.

The measure also formalized the establishment of an Ethics Commission – – which the county already began to create prior to the November election — and the hiring of a compliance officer by 2026, along with the creation of a Charter Review Commission to meet every 10 years and consider additional potential governmental changes.

The entire process will be overseen by the Governance Reform Task Force,

Friday, May 30, 2025

Altadena Petition Demands Environmental Testing at Arts Magnet School After Eaton Fire

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

More than 300 Altadena residents have signed a petition calling on the Pasadena Unified School District to conduct comprehensive environmental testing and remediation at Altadena Arts Magnet Elementary School, after the destructive Eaton Fire tore through nearby residential and commercial properties.

The school’s Calaveras Street campus lies within 250 yards of more than 75 structures destroyed in the blaze, including several businesses—such as laundromats and grocery stores—known to release hazardous chemicals when burned. While the District has performed some limited surface testing for ash and soot, petitioners argue that no meaningful indoor environmental testing has been completed, raising serious concerns about student and staff safety.

The petition urges the District to hire a Certified Industrial Hygienist to conduct full-spectrum testing for contaminants often found after urban wildfires. These include substances like asbestos, lead, and dioxins, as well as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals commonly found in industrial products such as fire retardants,

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Local Congresswoman Demands FEMA Expand Housing Aid As Eaton Fire Survivors Face Ongoing Crisis

Federal and state officials clash with California congresswoman over need for direct rental program in Los Angeles County

U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Pasadena) demanded expanded federal housing assistance Tuesday for survivors of January’s devastating Eaton Fire during a roundtable with 15 community groups and emergency management officials, criticizing current aid programs as insufficient amid ongoing displacement. The May 27 event at Altadena Library included representatives from Federal Emergency Management Agency, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and nonprofits, according to a statement from Chu’s office. 

Chu urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to activate its Direct Lease program, which would allow the agency to rent apartments directly for displaced residents unable to secure housing through existing vouchers. The fire destroyed nearly 13,000 homes, with more than half the losses in Altadena and surrounding communities, displacing over 20,000 residents, her office reported May 28. 

“Survivors of the Eaton Fire are slipping through the cracks,” Chu said at a press conference following the roundtable,