Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Average LA County Gas Price Rises to Highest Amount Since Last June

By STEVEN HERBERT, City News Service

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose Tuesday for the 23rd time in 24 days, increasing six-tenths of a cent to $4.785, its highest amount since June 28.

The average price has risen 29.4 cents over the past 24 days, including three-tenths of a cent Monday, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It rose a half-cent Jan. 26 and four-tenths of a cent Jan. 27, dropped four-tenths of a cent Jan. 28 and resumed increasing Jan. 29.

The average price is 10.4 cents more than one week ago and 29.2 cents higher than one month ago, but 2.2 cents less than one year ago. It has dropped $1.709 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price was unchanged, remaining at $3.161, after rising six of the previous eight days, increasing 2.5 cents. It is 2 cents more than one week ago and 4.1 cents higher than one month ago but 11.8 cents less than one year ago.

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Army Corps Launches Interactive Map to Track Wildfire Cleanup Progress

Residents can monitor debris removal progress in real-time across affected neighborhoods

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has unveiled a new digital tool to help Los Angeles County residents track wildfire debris removal operations in their communities. The Phase 2 Debris Removal Viewer, now available at the top of the Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District Wildfire Debris Removal Mission page, provides real-time updates on cleanup efforts through a color-coded mapping system that displays the status of affected properties.

“Transparency and timely information are critical as we work to safely and quickly remove wildfire debris,” said Col. Eric Swenson, Commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles Wildfires Recovery Field Office. “This new viewer gives residents a clear picture of where their property stands in the Phase 2 process, reinforcing our commitment to keeping the community informed every step of the way.”

The interactive map identifies three categories of properties: parcels submitted by Los Angeles County for Phase 2 debris removal,

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Webster’s Community Pharmacy Reopens in Altadena

By EDDIE RIVERA

Webster’s Community Pharmacy, an Altadena landmark since 1926, reopened Monday at its new Chase Plaza location following a closure triggered by the Eaton Fire in January and then by regulatory and infrastructure hurdles.

“Today is the first day we could physically open up after all the remediation and things we had to deal with,” owner Meredith Miller said. “Up until about a week ago, we didn’t have water. We had to wait for that.”

The business escaped the widespread destruction that affected many neighboring establishments. During the initial reopening phase, the pharmacy department will be fully operational, filling prescriptions and offering local delivery services.

“We’re a pharmacy first,” said Miller as customers returned to the 2333 Lake Avenue location. “Our team will be available to answer any questions and arrange for prescriptions to be delivered locally,” Miller said.

The pharmacy has served the Altadena community for nearly a century.

Like all others in California,

Monday, February 17, 2025

LA Mayor Bass Admits Ghana Trip Prior to Wildfires Was a Mistake

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is addressing her trip to Africa during the historic windstorm that preceded January’s deadly Los Angeles wildfires, admitting for the first time that she now views it as a mistake.

“Yeah, absolutely, there is no question about that,” Bass told NBC4’s Conan Nolan in an interview Friday when asked directly if the trip was a mistake.

Bass was heavily criticized for being out of the country when the fires broke out Jan. 7, 2025. She was in Ghana as part of a four-member U.S. delegation sent by President Joe Biden to attend the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama as that nation’s president.

The Eaton Fire decimated parts of Altadena.

Bass returned to Los Angeles the day after the fires erupted, but City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, acting as Mayor, had to sign the proclamation of a local emergency issued by Bass.

Forecasters had warned of dangerous fire weather conditions in the days leading up to Jan.

Monday, February 17, 2025

Los Angeles County to Prioritize Housing Vouchers for Wildfire Victims

Officials take emergency action to aid displaced families below 50 percent of area median income

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously last week to approve a motion allocating 50 federal housing vouchers to residents displaced by the devastating January wildfires.

The emergency housing initiative, introduced as a motion by Board Chair Kathryn Barger and Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, specifically targets families earning less than half of the area’s median income.

The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) will amend its Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan to distribute the assistance, commonly known as Section 8, to eligible residents on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Many of the residents affected by these wildfires were renters who now face immense challenges securing a new home,” Barger said in a statement on Monday. “These vouchers will serve as a critical lifeline for displaced families struggling to create stability for their children and households.”

Supervisor Horvath highlighted the urgency of the situation,

Monday, February 17, 2025

Massive Multi-Agency Effort Underway To Clear Millions of Tons of Eaton Fire Debris By Truck

Federal, state, county and local authorities coordinate unprecedented cleanup of 4.5 million tons of hazardous materials from Eaton and Palisade fires

Large dump trucks will roll in a continuous convoy today from Altadena and parts of Pasadena to regional landfills as a coordinated response to the Eaton Fire debris removal ramps up.

The cleanup operation, estimated to involve a total of 4.5 million tons of debris from both the Eaton and Palisades fires—ten times the volume from the 2023 Maui wildfires—represents one of the largest coordinated disaster recovery efforts in recent history.

Pasadena announced three major haul routes for debris removal: West of Lake Ave: Woodbury Road to Arroyo Blvd to I-210 on/off ramps; East of Lake Ave and west of Eaton Canyon Golf Course: New York Drive to Sierra Madre Villa Ave to Rosemead Blvd to I-210 on/off ramps; and East of Eaton Canyon Golf Course: Michillinda Ave to I-210 on/off ramps.

Trucks hauling debris from the burn areas will utilize local streets until they reach the haul route,

Monday, February 17, 2025

Historic Webster’s Community Pharmacy, Spared By Eaton Fire Flames, Reopens

STAFF REPORT

Landmark institution reopens doors Monday

Webster’s Community Pharmacy, an Altadena landmark since 1926, reopens its doors today at its new Chase Plaza location at 2333 Lake Avenue after its closure since early January caused by the Eaton Fire.

Unlike so many Altadena businesses, Webster’s was fortunate to have survived the destruction all around it.

“Exciting news! Webster’s Community Pharmacy in Altadena will re-open its doors on Monday, February 17, at 9:00 a.m.,” announced co-owner Meredith Miller.

“During the first phase of our re-opening, the Pharmacy will be fully operational,” Miller explained. “We will be able to process and fill all your prescriptions, and our team will be available to answer any questions you may have and arrange for your prescriptions to be delivered locally.”

To welcome customers, the pharmacy is offering free coffee and donuts during the reopening.

Founded by Frank Webster, the pharmacy played a historic role in the community,

Monday, February 17, 2025

FEMA Warns of Disaster-Related Fraud Schemes

Officials urge survivors to watch for scams targeting disaster assistance

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station is sharing Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance about potential fraud targeting disaster survivors through fraudulent applications and schemes.

After a disaster, scam artists often attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance shared by the Altadena Sheriff’s Station.

Individuals who suspect their personal information has been used for fraudulent Federal Emergency Management Agency applications can report it to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Investigations and Inspections Division at StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov or (866)223-0814.

Reports can also be submitted to the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721.

Additional information about disaster fraud is available at fema.gov/disaster-fraud.

Monday, February 17, 2025

Big Homeowner Rate Hike from State Farm Shot Down by California Regulator

By LEVI SUMAGAYSAY, CALMATTERS

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara today rejected State Farm’s request for “emergency” rate increases, setting up what could be a highly consequential showdown with the state’s biggest insurer — and going against the recommendation of his staff experts.

Lara, who has been urging insurance companies to write policies in the state again despite increasing wildfire risks, says in a letter to State Farm executives that he needs more information before he can approve an increase. He asks them to appear before him in person on Feb. 26 at the Insurance Department’s office in Oakland to answer his questions at an “informal conference.”

“The burden is on State Farm to demonstrate that interim relief is warranted under the circumstances,” the commissioner says in his letter. “My goal is to make sure policyholders do not have to pay more than is required. In light of the recent Los Angeles wildfires, State Farm’s customers need real answers about why they are being asked to pay more and what responsibility the company’s leadership is taking to get its financial house in order.”

“State Farm’s customers need real answers about why they are being asked to pay more and what responsibility the company’s leadership is taking to get its financial house in order.”

Ricardo Lara,

Monday, February 17, 2025

Altadenans to Rally Around Town’s Recovery At Major Support Event Today

Wildfire-stricken neighborhoods get boost from grassroots Coalition, which will offer rebuilding resources and family activities at gathering today

The Altadena Coalition (Altadena Strong) is hosting a comprehensive community support event today at 2270 Lake Avenue, combining disaster recovery resources with family entertainment to help rebuild after the devastating Eaton Fire.

The event is scheduled to run from noon to 6 p.m. Little Caesars’ Love Kitchen will partner with The Pepsi Foundation to serve up to 1,000 pizzas. There will be rebuilding resources and entertainment for children during the event.

“Altadena is not for sale—together, we rebuild stronger,” say Coalition leaders Freddy Sayegh and Pastor BJ King, both Altadena residents.

A free community rebuilding workshop will offer one-on-one assistance, application reviews, insurance guidance, Q&A sessions, and long-term recovery planning, with special support for seniors and bilingual individuals.

Seven major organizations, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Small Business Administration, American Red Cross, Army Corps of Engineers,