Monday, March 10, 2025

Bipartisanship is Rare in the California Legislature. Here are the Bills Breaking the Divide

By Ryan Sabalow, CALMATTERS

In these hyper-partisan times, Democrats and Republicans can’t seem to agree on much. That includes the members of the California Legislature.

Of the 2,278 bills lawmakers submitted by the deadline last week, only 11 had Republicans and Democrats as joint lead authors, according to a CalMatters analysis of the Digital Democracy database.

Another 41 bills had bipartisan “co-authors” and “principal co-authors,” designations that are more symbolic since a bill’s lead authors and their staffs are expected to marshal the legislation through to the governor’s desk.

Authors and co-authors can still be added to bills later in the year. But taken together, these  early bipartisan bills represent less than 1% of all the legislation filed so far this session. The figure perhaps isn’t surprising, given ever-rising partisan acrimony and Democrats having a supermajority in the California Legislature.

“You know, at the end of the day, we as Democrats also represent a significant portion of Republicans,

Monday, March 10, 2025

It’s Official: Fire-Damaged Loma Alta Park in Altadena Set to Reopen in May

Park to be rebuilt with expanded facilities and new community services

Loma Alta Park, which was damaged in the Eaton Fire, will reopen in May with enhanced facilities and expanded services, Los Angeles County officials announced Friday.

The rebuilding effort, which typically would take 18 months, has been compressed to just two months through expedited measures by state and county authorities, along with community partners and volunteers.

“The people devastated by the Eaton Fire need their community back, and LA County will heed the call,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of Los Angeles County Parks, at a Wednesday ceremony at the park.

Several funding partners have stepped forward to support the park’s revival. Fire Aid, a January 30 benefit concert, provided a $2.4 million grant to rebuild and expand the park’s playgrounds with enhanced accessibility features.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced funding for “Alta Chat,” a new community hub featuring Adirondack chairs and amenities designed to foster neighborhood connections among displaced residents.

Monday, March 10, 2025

Three Pasadena Wells Fargo Branches Join Wildfire Recovery Effort

Financial giant partners with Operation HOPE to provide disaster recovery services for Los Angeles wildfire victims

Three Pasadena Wells Fargo branches have been designated as financial disaster recovery centers for individuals and businesses affected by recent Los Angeles wildfires.

The Pasadena locations are part of five Wells Fargo branches activated under Operation HOPE’s Project Restore HOPE Los Angeles initiative, making Wells Fargo the first financial institution to launch these specialized recovery support centers.

The Pasadena branches offering these services include Wells Fargo Hastings Ranch at 3701 E. Foothill Blvd., Wells Fargo North Pasadena at 1830 E. Washington Blvd., and Wells Fargo Pasadena Lake at 82 S. Lake Ave.

Two additional recovery centers are located at Wells Fargo La Cañada at 555 Foothill Blvd. and Wells Fargo Montrose at 2434 Honolulu Ave.

“We recognize that financial recovery is just as crucial as physical rebuilding after a disaster,” said Alice Juarez, Regional Branch Network Executive at Wells Fargo. “The wildfires in Los Angeles have left many families facing uncertainty,

Monday, March 10, 2025

When Flames Meet Faith: New Horizon School Becomes Sanctuary for Fire-Displaced Muslim Community

Educational institution opens doors to victims during holy month of Ramadan while redirecting fundraising efforts

New Horizon School Pasadena (NHSP) has transformed from an educational institution into a vital community sanctuary during the holy month of Ramadan, offering displaced Muslims space for daily prayers, community meals, and support services after devastating fires affected Masjid Al-Taqwa in Altadena.

The pre-K-8 school has opened its Cypress Avenue campus facilities to serve as a community hub for Muslims displaced by the recent fires, providing essential religious and community spaces during a critical time for gathering in Islam.

“In the spirit of Ramadan, and in following the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, supporting our neighbors is deeply emphasized in Islam and is considered an important part of our faith,” New Horizon School said in a message on its website.

The timing adds spiritual significance to the school’s response, as the Muslim holy month traditionally emphasizes charity and community support through practices like daily prayers and iftar meals breaking the daily fast.

Monday, March 10, 2025

Rising From the Ashes: Women Financial Leaders Help Guide Pasadena’s Economic Recovery After Eaton Fire

Local leaders address economic challenges faced by women in Pasadena’s ongoing recovery efforts

Two months after the Eaton Fire destroyed over 9,400 homes and businesses in Pasadena and Altadena, financial experts will gather to help women rebuild their financial lives at the upcoming workshop.

The free HERstory 2025 event, scheduled for Thursday, March 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. at All Saints Church Learning Center, will focus on financial literacy and resilience strategies for women.

Financial uncertainty, displacement, and expenses have affected women in the aftermath of the January 7 disaster that caused 17 fatalities and left families struggling to recover.

“We’ve been noticing that finding housing in the surrounding area has been a challenge,” said Diana Herrera, Regional Branch Manager for Pasadena Federal Credit Union, who will present at the event. “We’ve seen many people moving to Commerce, Inglewood, and Orange County to find housing, or several family members have to live under one roof. I’ve heard of as many as 20 people sharing housing in one house.”

The workshop,

Monday, March 10, 2025

Debbie Allen Brings Dance and Healing to Eaton Fire Victims

By EDDIE RIVERA

Famed choreographer hopes to bring rejuvenation through movement

Healing comes in so many forms, whether mental, physical or spiritual, and for the scores gathered at Pasadena City College’s Patterson Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon, movement became their means of healing. Under the guidance of renowned choreographer Debbie Allen and her staff from the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA), survivors of the Eaton Fire found solace through dance in her “Dancing in the Light” community class series.

“The inspiration was the wildfires, the devastation of our entire community,” Allen said. “Everyone is sending food, clothes, trying to help them find housing, but how do we help heal their souls? How do we help pull up their spirits? That’s what this program does.”

Allen, a trailblazing dancer, choreographer, and director, is best known for her work on Fame, Grey’s Anatomy, and numerous Broadway productions. Her dance academy, founded in 2001, has become a hub for young dancers of all backgrounds,

Monday, March 10, 2025

Magnitude 4.1 Earthquake Shakes Los Angeles County

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck northwest of Malibu on Sunday afternoon, sending tremors across Los Angeles County and as far as Santa Barbara and San Diego, officials said.

The quake hit at 1:03 p.m. at a depth of approximately 7.2 miles, according to earthquake monitoring data. It was followed by a series of aftershocks, including a magnitude 2.5 tremor one minute later and magnitude 3.0 and 2.8 aftershocks at 1:07 p.m.

Pasadena residents, located approximately 43 miles east of the epicenter, experienced what seismologists classify as “weak shaking,” which typically causes minimal disruption and rarely results in damage to structures.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor was felt by millions of people throughout Southern California, with reports coming from areas as far north as Santa Barbara and as far south as San Diego County. Caltech seismic stations from Fresno to Tijuana recorded the impact of this moderate earthquake, demonstrating its extensive geographic influence.

“Seismologists have spent decades trying to read the tea leaves to look for patterns,”

Monday, March 10, 2025

Red Cross Closes Eaton Fire Shelter After Residents Were Relocated

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Less than two weeks after transferring occupants from an emergency shelter at the Pasadena Convention Center to a new location in Duarte, the Red Cross closed that location.

The Red Cross moved the occupants to the shelter on Feb. 15 from Pasadena. The nonprofit took control of the Pasadena shelter days after the City used a portion of the convention center to house reportedly more than 1,000 people.

“Pamela Park shelter closed on Feb. 26, 2025. According to the American Red Cross, all individuals who were sheltered there transition into a housing accommodation, in collaboration with LAHSA,” Helen Chavez, spokesperson for Supervisor Kathryn Barger told Pasadena Now on Thursday. “Eaton fire survivors that were staying at the Double Tree hotel all moved to the Westin and Hilton hotel properties, leaving no one at the Double Tree hotel.”

Chavez said currently, the American Red Cross is working with 211LA to do care coordination for the 24 families that remain in those hotels,

Monday, March 10, 2025

Slight Decrease Extends Run of Dropping LA County Gas Prices

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The run of decreases to the average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County was extended Sunday to 12 times in the last 13 days with a decrease of three-tenths of a cent to $4.705.

The average price has dropped 7.9 cents over the past 13 days, including 1.1 cents Saturday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It is 4.3 cents less than one week ago and 23.3 cents less than one year ago, but 5.8 cents more than one month ago. It has dropped $1.789 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price dropped for the third consecutive day, decreasing six-tenths of a cent to $3.089. It is nine-tenths of a cent less than one week ago, 4.7 cents less than a month ago and 30.8 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.927 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14,

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Sacred Spaces, Shared: Altadena Islamic Congregation Experiences Ramadan Without Their Spiritual Home

Interfaith solidarity emerges as local churches open doors to Muslim community displaced by January’s devastating Eaton Fire

For the first time in over two decades, Altadena’s Muslim community is observing Ramadan without their spiritual home, Masjid Al-Taqwa. Instead, they’re finding refuge in the sanctuaries of Christian neighbors and classrooms of a local Islamic school following January’s Eaton Fire.

The blaze reduced the mosque to ashes weeks before Ramadan began on Feb. 28. Fueled by 90 mph Santa Ana winds and drought conditions, the fire claimed at least 17 lives and left homeless so many community members, including mosque leaders.

“This masjid is sort of like a home, a family place,” said Wynona Majied-Muhammad, a Board member of Masjid Al-Taqwa. “You can always go back to someplace where you can always find familiarity like a family with friends who basically grew up together, or at least your children grew up together.”

The loss has been poignant during one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar,