Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Even In Wet Years, Wells Are Still Dry. Why Replenishing California’s Groundwater Is Painfully Slow

By Alastair Bland, CALMATTERS

After abundant rain and moderate snowfall this year in the northern half of the state, California’s largest reservoirs are holding more than 120% of their historical average. But underground, the state’s supply of water for drinking and irrigating crops remains depleted.

Even after multiple wet winters, and despite a state law that’s supposed to protect and restore the state’s precious groundwater, thousands of wells — mostly in rural, low-income communities in the San Joaquin Valley — have gone dry because of over-pumping by growers.

So why hasn’t the recent bounty of rain and snow replenished the state’s underground supplies?

The Newsom administration has been pushing for more groundwater storage and investing hundreds of millions of dollars in solutions, but most stormwater flows into the ocean. Some of this is intentional — the water has to be routed quickly away from communities to prevent flooding,

Tuesday, February 25, 2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Clarifies Tree Removal Procedures for Eaton Fire Cleanup

Altadena property owners assured of consultation rights before any trees are removed

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has established clear guidelines for tree removal during the Eaton Fire debris cleanup in Altadena, prioritizing both public safety and tree preservation. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger secured these clarifications and announced them during her weekly Monday community briefing on Monday.

Col. Sonny Avichal confirmed that only hazardous trees posing threats to public safety will be considered for removal, as directed by Federal Emergency Management Agency orders.

“We recognize the value trees have in the Altadena community and that we must take a balanced approach that errs on the side of preserving trees as much as possible,” said Col. Sonny Avichal, commander of the USACE’s field operations for the cleanup.

The USACE currently has 16 crews working in the area with more expected to join in coming days, according to a federal source.

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Monday, February 24, 2025

Are CA’s Housing Laws Building More Homes?

By Lynn La, CALMATTERS

Has California’s spate of recent laws to build more housing worked? A report published today holds some answers.

Its conclusion? Outlook not so good.

As CalMatters’ Ben Christopher explains, YIMBY Law, a pro-housing development nonprofit, looked at five California laws. Those include one from 2021 allowing people to split their single-family homes into duplexes; and another from 2024 enabling churches and other places of worship to build affordable housing on their properties.

It found that while the laws chip away at regulatory barriers to encourage the construction of more apartments and other dense housing developments, they have had “limited to no impact on the state’s housing supply.”

Few projects have broken ground that take advantage of the laws: Under the 2021 duplex law, for instance, building permits for only 140 units were issued in 2023. And no religious institution has taken part so far in 2024’s “Yes In God’s Backyard law.”

YIMBY Law’s executive director said part of the reason the laws have been ineffective is because they include strict requirements and loopholes,

Monday, February 24, 2025

PUSD Could Lay Off 151 Staff Positions for 2025-26 School Year

Despite smaller reduction than initial 2024 plan, cuts appear to impact more teaching positions

The Pasadena Unified School District has proposed two resolutions to eliminate 151.6 full-time equivalent positions for the 2025-2026 school year, citing a drop in enrollment and the lack of funds.

The proposals, scheduled for a vote by the PUSD Board of Education on Thursday, February 27, are comprised of 117.6 certificated positions (primarily teachers and specialists) and 34 classified staff positions.

The total proposed cuts represent a 22% decrease from 2024’s initial plan of 196 positions, last year’s proposal included a number of unfilled positions which didn’t affect actual staff members.

Historical patterns suggest the final layoff numbers will likely be lower than the proposal.

According to district documentation, only 85-95 positions were ultimately eliminated in 2024 after accounting for vacancies, retirements, and internal reassignments.

“Districts over-propose to avoid missing March 15 deadlines, ensuring they retain legal flexibility,” explains one analysis of PUSD’s layoff process.

Monday, February 24, 2025

Updates for Pasadena Unified Campus Modernization Projects Go Before School Board

Fire damage at Franklin Elementary campus forces renovation schedule changes and relocations

Pasadena Unified School District officials will present a facilities and bond program update to the Board of Education on February 27, 2025. The report details both extensive campus relocations and adjustments to modernization project timelines due to fire damage at Franklin Elementary.

“The fires at the Franklin campus destroyed the Cafetorium and the Administration Building as well as significantly impacting the utilities at the site,” according to the facilities report. After the assessment, officials determined that Franklin would not be ready for use as a swing space during the 2025-26 school year.

This development necessitated changes to the campus modernization schedule.

Madison Elementary’s renovation will be postponed by one year, with both Madison and San Rafael now set to begin modernization in June 2026. Webster Elementary’s modernization project will also be delayed.

Six schools and programs have already completed relocations. Eliot Arts Magnet, Altadena Arts Magnet,

Monday, February 24, 2025

Caltech Opens Applications for High School Earthquake Research Fellowship

Courtesy of CALTECH

Program aims to teach earthquake science and university preparation skills to sophomores and juniors over four-month period

Applications are now open until April 1 for Caltech’s Earthquake Fellows Program, offering students from nearby schools hands-on experience in seismological research and instrumentation.

The fellowship, running from May through August 2025, will provide selected sophomores and juniors with comprehensive training in earthquake science, data analysis, and research methodology.

Participants will construct their own Raspberry Shake seismometers to install at home or school, collecting data for analysis under the guidance of graduate students and post-doctoral mentors.

The program includes three Saturday sessions in spring, followed by 19 weekdays of summer sessions, and culminating in two end-of-summer Saturday presentations focused on scientific communication.

Fellows will receive loaned computers, transportation for field experiences, and keep their self-built seismometers after completing the approximately 130-hour program at the Pasadena campus.

The program will expose students to Los Angeles geology through field trips,

Monday, February 24, 2025

School Board Will Vote on Extending District’s Emergency Declaration

District Board to review continuing impact of fires that destroyed multiple schools

On Thursday, the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education will review and vote on whether to extend a local emergency declaration for the city’s public schools.

The Eaton Fire disaster resulted in complete destruction of Eliot Arts Magnet Academy and three elementary schools — Edison, Loma Alta, and Noyes. Franklin Elementary School sustained 80 percent damage, while all other District facilities suffered smoke damage, according to the report prepared by Saman Bravo-Karimi, who serves as both the District’s Chief Information Officer and the Chief Business Officer.

The Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors initially proclaimed a local emergency on January 7, with California’s Governor declaring a state emergency the same day. The Pasadena Unified School District Board followed with its own Resolution 2798 at a special meeting on January 16.

Under Government Codes, a local emergency is defined as “a condition of extreme peril to person or property.”

Friday, February 21, 2025

New Bill Would Expand Mental Health Coverage for L.A. Wildfire Survivors

Additional therapy sessions proposed for residents impacted by devastating firestorms

A Pasadena lawmaker has co-introduced legislation Friday to expand mental health support for Los Angeles residents affected by recent wildfires.

The Wildfire Trauma Recovery and Resiliency Act (Assembly Bill 1032), authored by Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) and Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), would require health care service plans and insurers to cover 12 additional behavioral health visits annually for wildfire survivors, beyond what Californians are currently entitled to in their commercial plans.

“Wildfire trauma doesn’t disappear when the flames are out. Survivors deserve affordable access to behavioral health care when they need it most to support their recovery. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Speaker Rivas to introduce the Wildfire Trauma Recovery and Resiliency Act, ensuring those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires can receive up to 12 covered behavioral health visits annually- helping them rebuild not just their homes, but their well-being,” said Harabedian.

The bill, developed in partnership with community groups to address critical mental health needs after the devastating firestorms in Los Angeles,

Friday, February 21, 2025

LA County Board Grants $506,000 to Keep Foster Siblings Together

Innovative village project aims to maintain foster sibling bonds in Palmdale

Los Angeles County is taking steps to prevent the separation of siblings in foster care through a major funding initiative. Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger presented a $506,488 check yesterday to Together California, a visionary child welfare organization that works to keep siblings in foster care housed together.

The presentation brought together key leaders and supporters, including renowned actor Christian Bale, his wife Sibi Blaži?, Eric Esrailian, and Tim McCormick.

“I’m thrilled to support this important organization that will uplift our local foster youth,” said Supervisor Barger. “Together California’s innovative model will break the cycle of trauma that happens when you separate siblings when they enter foster care. Keeping siblings together and providing supportive homes and services is sure to make a lifelong positive impact on many youths’ lives.”

The funding, allocated through Los Angeles County’s Department of Health Services’ Housing for Health program, will significantly contribute to the construction of essential resources for the new Together California village in Palmdale,

Friday, February 21, 2025

Altadena Rite Aid Reopens

Local pharmacy restores critical health services to Altadena community

The Rite Aid pharmacy at 735 East Altadena Drive in Altadena has reopened with restored essential pharmacy services and retail operations following Eaton wildfire destruction in the area, returning to serve the needs of the local community.

“Customers impacted by the fires can fill their prescription at any Rite Aid pharmacy location convenient to them. Additionally, while a state of emergency is in effect, pharmacists located within the affected and surrounding counties are able to provide emergency refills of certain prescriptions to customers impacted by the fires.”

For uninsured people affected by disasters, the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program offers support in accessing necessary medications. Customers can learn more about this program through the aspr.hhs.gov website or by speaking with their local pharmacist for more information.

The reopened location will operate its pharmacy services Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,