Friday, June 28, 2024

Altadena Sheriff’s Station Urges Hikers to File Safety Plans

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station is reminding hikers in Los Angeles County to prioritize safety by completing a Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Hiking Plan worksheet before embarking on their outdoor adventures. This recommendation comes as part of an effort to enhance emergency preparedness in the region’s wilderness areas.

According to an announcement posted on the Altadena Sheriff’s Station Facebook page, the completed form should be given to a responsible person who can provide the information to law enforcement or search and rescue teams if hikers fail to return as scheduled. The station emphasized that this precaution is crucial for all hiking groups, regardless of weather conditions.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue Hiking Plan worksheet is available for download on the Los Angeles County website. 

To download the worksheet, visit http://file.lacounty.gov/lasd/cms1_163961.pdf. 

The worksheet would assist emergency responders in locating lost or injured hikers more efficiently.

The Altadena Sheriff’s Station,

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Average LA County Gas Prices Drop

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County dropped Thursday a half-cent to $4.794, a day after it decreased two-tenths of a cent.

The average price is one-tenth of a cent less than one week ago, 28.8 cents lower than one month ago and 10.3 cents below what it was one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. The average price has dropped $1.70 since rising to a record $6.494 on Oct. 5, 2022.

The national average price rose nine-tenths of a cent to $3.503. a day after increased 2.5 cents. It is 4.8 cents more than one week ago but 8.9 cents less than one month ago and 6.1 cents lower than one year ago.

The national average price has dropped $1.531 since rising to a record $5.016 on June 14, 2022.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

LA County Launches ‘Lets Play Outside’ Campaign and Free Programming for July

CITY NEWS SERVICE

In celebration of 80 years of connecting residents to parks and nature, Los Angeles County officials launched the “Let’s Play Outside” campaign on Tuesday. The campaign offers free programming to kids during the month of July.

Various elements of the program will be available in Altadena at the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, at 1750 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena; at Charles Farnsworth Park 568 East Mount Curve Avenue, Altadena; and at the Loma Alta Park Pool, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena.

At a news conference Tuesday morning, representatives of the Department of Parks and Recreation and Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis highlighted the campaign, and what they dubbed the “Outdoor Children’s Bill of Rights,” 10 activities that children can participate in this summer at county facilities and programs.

The effort is intended to show the county’s commitment to providing all children — regardless of race, income, gender identity, ability, geographic location or type of home —

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

LA County Calls for Enhanced Efforts on Hepatitis C Testing, Treatments

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, City News Service

The Board of Supervisors directed its Departments of Public Health and Health Services Tuesday to provide Hepatitis C testing to patients in primary care settings, including pregnant women and other people considered at high risk.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection that spreads through contact with blood from an infected person. Introduced by Supervisor Hilda Solis, the motion approved Tuesday states that two-thirds of individuals exposed to HCV develop a long-term infection, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer, making it a leading infectious disease cause of death.

The motion also notes that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance to recommend universal HCV screening for all adults 18 and older, all pregnant people during each pregnancy, and more frequent testing of people in certain high-risk groups.

“Only one in three residents in the county with Hepatitis C are treated,” Solis said.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

LA County Board Places Homelessness Measure on November Ballot

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, City News Service

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to place on the November ballot an initiative that would repeal the county’s quarter-cent sales tax for homelessness-prevention measures and replace it with an indefinite half-cent sales tax to be used for the same purpose.

The county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office announced last week that backers of the Affordable Housing, Homelessness Solutions and Prevention Now measure had collected enough valid signatures to get the initiative on the ballot.

Supporters of the measure said they submitted more than 410,000 petition signatures, well above the required 238,922.

The ballot measure would repeal Measure H, a quarter-cent sales tax approved by county voters in 2017, and replace it with a half-cent sales tax to create a dedicated stream of revenue to address homelessness. Measure H had a 10-year lifespan, meaning it is set to expire in 2027.

The new proposed measure, if approved by voters,

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Proposed LGBTQ Commission for California Backed by LA County Board

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday officially threw its support behind proposed legislation that would establish a California LGBTQ+ Commission.

Assembly Bill 3031 would create a commission “that represents California’s diverse LGBTQ+ community and shines a light on the unique challenges that LGBTQ+ people face,” according to a motion by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Hilda Solis.

The proposed commission would advise the state Legislature and governor on policy matters, collect data, review and assess programs, and provide recommendations that respond to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, according to the motion.

The motion calls California a “national leader” in the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights, having passed laws that protect gender-affirming care, expanded inclusive education and anti-discrimination protections that include sexual orientation and gender identity.

In June last year, the board adopted a motion by Supervisors Solis and Janice Hahn to create an LGBTQ+ Commission in Los Angeles County,

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Altadena Library Foundation Enlists Expert to Boost Fundraising Efforts

[Photo credit: Altadena Library Foundation]

The Altadena Library Foundation will enhance its fundraising capabilities by collaborating with John O’Malley, a renowned fund development expert, according to Jericho Road Pasadena.

 O’Malley, principal of Pasadena-based O’Malley International Associates, was introduced to the Foundation through Jericho Road.

Jericho Road Pasadena is a nonprofit that matches the professional talents and expertise of volunteers with the needs of community-based nonprofit organizations in the Pasadena area.

Mark Mariscal, Altadena Library Foundation Board President, sought assistance in identifying potential private and corporate foundations to support the library’s work. O’Malley responded by creating a detail-rich Excel chart of local area foundations, rated by their potential to support the library, according to Jericho Road.

“John’s list and letter templates gave us a first-round direction on making contact with businesses and organizations that might be interested in offering financial assistance to the ALF,” Mariscal told Jericho Road. He added that their goal is to make at least $40,000 in asks and realize $10,000 in support.

Monday, June 24, 2024

LA County Supervisors Adopt Changes to 2024-25 Budget

By ANUSHA SHANKAR, CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors adopted final changes to the county’s recommended 2024-25 budget Monday, increasing the total spending plan to $45.6 billion, ahead of the start of the new fiscal year July 1.

County CEO Fesia Davenport presented her recommended budget updates to the board Tuesday, adding $251 million to the previous $45.4 billion spending proposal, and updated the total number of new positions to 1,247. But no changes were proposed to the property tax revenue forecast.

Davenport said the priority remains on expanding the county’s “Care First, Jails Last” initiative, as well as housing and homelessness, mental health services, public safety, among others.

Additional commitments included funding to protect against growing cybersecurity threats, additional security at juvenile halls, federal funding for refugee assistance and $19.8 million to support voting solutions.

Davenport said $9 million was assigned to substance abuse prevention and treatment at interim housing sites,

Friday, June 21, 2024

LA County Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in May

CITY NEWS SERVICE

Los Angeles County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 5.3% in May, the same rate as April, according to figures released Friday by the state Employment Development Department.

The 5.3% rate was above the rate of 4.8% rate from May 2023.

The May 2024 unemployment rate in Orange County, where seasonally adjusted rates were not immediately available, was 3.2%, down from 3.7% in April.

Statewide, California’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2% in May, down slightly from 5.3% in April, but above the 4.5% rate in May 2023, the EDD reported. The comparable estimates for the nation were 4% in May, 3.9% in April and 3.7% a year ago.

Total non-farm employment in Los Angeles County increased by 11,100 jobs between April and May to reach nearly 4.6 million.

The leisure and hospitality sector posted the largest gains, adding 8,200 jobs.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

LA County Board to Consider Putting Homelessness Measure on November

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors next week will consider placing on the November ballot an initiative that would repeal the county’s quarter-cent sales tax for homelessness-prevention measures and replace it with an indefinite half-cent sales tax to be used for the same purpose.

On Tuesday, the county Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s Office announced that backers of the Affordable Housing, Homelessness Solutions and Prevention Now measure had collected enough valid signatures to get the initiative on the ballot.

Supporters of the measure said last month they submitted more than 410,000 petition signatures, well above the required 238,922.

With signatures verified, the issue will move to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The board will have the choice of immediately placing the initiative on the November ballot or requesting a full report on the measure, which would be brought back within 30 days to the board, which will then place the measure on the ballot.