Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Tournament of Roses Announces 2026 Theme: “The Magic in Teamwork”

By EDDIE RIVERA

In wake of Eaton Fire, Rose Parade theme honors the spirit of working together

The Tournament of Roses has revealed the theme for its 2026 Rose Parade, highlighting unity and collaboration under the banner, “The Magic in Teamwork.” The announcement, made during a ceremony at Tournament House Tuesday evening, promises to spotlight the power of working together to achieve shared goals, both locally and globally.

“In the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire” said Mark Leavens, 2026 president of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, “this theme honors those we lost in the fire, and all in our community who’ve worked tirelessly since, to help the fire victims.”

Leavens continued, “The Tournament of Roses Association and our 900 volunteer members are committed to working with our community partners to assist in the recovery and rebuilding effort. We stand with our community. We stand ‘Dena Strong.’”

“Those times when we have been a part of something really special.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Famed Former Pasadena Athlete Walt ‘The Jet’ Butler Joins Legal Action Against Southern California Edison

By EDDIE RIVERA

Law firm asserts Southern California Edison equipment is responsible for Eaton Fire

Attorneys representing wildfire victims announced a lawsuit Tuesday against Southern California Edison (SCE), alleging the utility company’s equipment sparked the devastating Eaton Fire that swept through Altadena and parts of Pasadena in January.

Among those joining the lawsuit is longtime Altadena resident and former Pasadena sports standout Walt “The Jet” Butler, who lost his home and cherished memorabilia in the blaze.

Butler, along with Luis Gonzalez and Denise Diaz Gonzalez, joined a group of former Altadena residents in suing SCE by claiming the utility’s equipment sparked the fire that destroyed their homes, numerous other structures, and resulted in at least 17 deaths.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, local attorney Doug Boxer, who represents LA Fire Justice, said the firm had filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court, seeking justice for the victims of what he described as a preventable disaster.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Partisan Divide Emerges In Federal Response To Eaton Fire

Democratic legislators tour devastated areas while Republicans are absent, as City coordinates massive emergency response and seeks crucial federal disaster funding

During Tuesday’s Legislative Policy Committee meeting, Pasadena officials detailed a stark partisan divide in the federal response to the Eaton Fire disaster, which has caused a local humanitarian crisis.

“I estimated last night that I’ve personally met with 30 members of Congress, or thereabouts,” said Committee Chair Steve Madison, describing an outpouring of support for Altadena and Pasadena from Congressional Democratic leadership, including House Democratic Caucus Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Catherine Clark, and local Representatives Judy Chu and Laura Friedman.

Notably absent? Republicans. (One local Republican who has been highly visible and tirelessly active is Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, but the Supervisorial position is nonpartisan.)

Federal legislative advocate Chris Giglio reported concerning developments in Washington: “Congressional leadership and the President have said that they would like to condition federal disaster relief for this particular event.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

PUSD Reaches Out To Community With Mental Health Support For Students Affected By Eaton Fire

District provides free comprehensive services and resources to help students cope with crisis impact

Pasadena Unified School District has launched a community outreach initiative providing comprehensive mental health support to help students process and recover from the impacts of the Eaton Fire. The initiative combines social-emotional learning with crisis management activities and mental health services, aiming to address various barriers to learning.

“To support our students’ well-being and help them heal from the impact of the Eaton Fire, PUSD is providing social-emotional learning, activities that help students cope with crises, and mental health services that address mental, social, and emotional barriers to learning,” Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco said in an email this week.

The District’s Student Wellness and Support Services is delivering these services through two main channels: Pasadena Unified School District Mental Health Services and the THRIVE: School Mental Health program.

Both programs offer free comprehensive support to students and their families, regardless of insurance status.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Corps of Engineers Begins Phase 2 of Debris Removal in Los Angeles Wildfire Recovery

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially begun Phase 2 of wildfire debris removal in Los Angeles County, marking a critical step in the region’s recovery efforts. The first sites to undergo clearing are two schools in the Pasadena Unified School District, where crews will remove hazardous debris to ensure a safe path forward for rebuilding.

The Army Corps of Engineers is leading this effort in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and in coordination with state and local partners. The work involves clearing fire-damaged properties of hazardous ash and debris while adhering to strict environmental and safety protocols.

FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton emphasized the importance of this phase: “Debris removal is a critical step toward rebuilding these communities. FEMA remains committed to supporting local communities in their recovery every step of the way.”

The Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles Wildfires Recovery Field Office Commander, Col. Eric Swenson, underscored the Corps’ commitment to the mission: “Beginning Phase 2 means we’re making tangible progress toward recovery.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

“Atmospheric River” Bears Down on Altadena and Pasadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

A pair of storm systems are expected to dump rain on Southern California beginning Tuesday, again raising fears of possible debris or mud flows in recent burn areas.

The first system is scheduled to arrive sometime Tuesday evening, according to the National Weather Service.

Los Angeles will see rainfall, likely receiving one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch in most areas, but as much as 1.5 inches in “favored hills and mountains, which includes the … Eaton burn scars.”

“This will generally be a beneficial rain for the region,” according to the NWS. “Snow levels will be very high and above any major roads. The risk for burn scar debris flows is very small. Flooding impacts should be minor and confined to localized roads and clogged storm drains. …”

A second storm system is projected to drop more rain from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.

Although rainfall totals were still being calculated,

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Insurance Challenges Loom as Altadena Rebuilds After Fire

State officials work to address insurance availability and homeowner concerns in fire-ravaged community

A state insurance official told Altadenans Monday that California is working to ensure homeowners can rebuild and maintain insurance coverage in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire disaster.

Julia Juarez, Deputy Commissioner for the Community Relations and Outreach Branch at the California Department of Insurance, said the department is collaborating with the California Governor’s office, legislature, and insurance companies to develop a sustainable insurance strategy.

Key protections for local homeowners are to include a mandatory moratorium on policy non-renewals, and assurances that residents with completely destroyed homes are to receive two years of continuous insurance coverage automatically.

Meanwhile, State Farm, California’s largest home insurer, requested an emergency 22% average rate increase for homeowners statewide. Advocacy groups pushed back, alleging the insurer should be able to cover the cost of fire claims without the large increase.

Juarez said the state has implemented a detailed “Safer from Wildfires”

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

New Altadena Recovery Commission Launched to Speed Community Rebuilding

County initiative will streamline permits and develop affordable housing solutions for fire-affected residents

At a virtual community meeting held Monday, Los Angeles County Board Chair Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced plans to establish an Altadena Recovery Commission in the coming days, a new initiative designed to accelerate the community’s rebuilding process.

The Commission, to be referred to as the ARC, will focus on modernizing infrastructure, streamlining permitting, and developing scalable housing solutions.

“Throughout every step of the recovery process, I’m committed to getting you the information that you need,” Barger said during the meeting, which included representatives from multiple agencies and addressed pre-submitted resident questions. “Altadena residents have a clear shared vision and commitment to rebuild this community and the time to rebuild begins now.”

The Commission, which Barger’s office will sponsor, will “have the mission to bend the arc of history for Altadena” through an expedited process that brings together government agencies, private sector partners, and community stakeholders.

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Begins Assessment of Heavily Damaged Eliot Arts Magnet School Today

The United States Army Corps of Engineers is set to begin assessing the condition of heavily damaged Eliot Arts Magnet School in Altadena today.

The assessment aims to develop a plan for fire debris removal while maintaining, to the extent possible, the architectural and historical integrity of the Altadena campus, largely destroyed on January 8 by the Eaton Fire.

This evaluation is a critical component of the federal debris removal initiative following the devastation wrought by the Eaton Fire, which affected five District schools.

“As we continue to move forward in restoring and rebuilding our PUSD community, I want to update you on work at Eliot Arts Magnet, which was damaged by the fire,” said Pasadena Unified School District Elizabeth Blanco on Monday Feb. 3. She added, “As previously announced, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has prioritized our area for the removal of fire debris from our five schools that were destroyed or significantly damaged by the Eaton Fire.”

Personnel in hard hats and safety vests will conduct evaluations at the Eliot site,

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Altadena Meteorologist Edgar McGregor Honored for Life-Saving Warnings During Eaton Fire

By EDDIE RIVERA

Altadena meteorologist Edgar McGregor could see the flames just seven blocks from his Altadena house on the evening of Tuesday, January 7. He knew it was bad.

He had no idea how bad.

“When I took that video warning people to evacuate,” he said Monday at a press conference honoring his work, “It was in between running out to my car to put stuff in and going back in the house to grab a few things that I wanted. I should have heeded my own warnings and packed my car, but being seven blocks away, the rational side of my mind just thought there’s no way a fire could reach us.”

“I went to a property on Montana Drive, I believe it was in Pasadena, which is where the fire [progressed] furthest into the Los Angeles basin,” he continued. “That was 23 blocks removed from the mountains. So, where I was seven blocks away, was definitely in danger,