Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Storm System Brings Heavy Rain, Flood Risk to Pasadena and Altadena Tuesday

A strong storm system is bringing heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds to Pasadena Tuesday morning, prompting a flash flood watch for burn scar areas, according to the National Weather Service.

The cold front entered Los Angeles County around 6:00 a.m. and is expected to exit by 10:00 a.m., with showers and thunderstorms continuing for several hours afterward. Forecasters said rainfall totals in Pasadena could reach between 1 and 2 inches, with peak rates of up to 1 inch per hour.

The NWS warned of debris flows and road flooding, especially near first- and second-year burn scars. Residents in affected areas were urged to monitor weather alerts and follow instructions from emergency officials.

Winds ahead of the front could gust up to 20 mph in Pasadena, with stronger gusts of 45 to 55 mph reported in mountain and desert areas. Temperatures are significantly below normal, with a high near 61 degrees forecast for Tuesday.

Rain chances diminish by late afternoon and early evening,

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Congresswoman Chu Condemns JPL Layoffs, Warns of Impact on Pasadena Workforce and U.S. Space Leadership

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced Monday it will lay off 550 employees, approximately 11% of its workforce, marking the third round of staff reductions at the Pasadena-based NASA center in two years.

JPL, which is administered by the California Institute of Technology, did not immediately release details about which departments or missions would be affected. The announcement was made in a public statement issued by the lab.

Rep. Judy Chu, who represents California’s 28th Congressional District including Pasadena, issued a statement calling the layoffs “an absolute tragedy” and expressing concern for the local impact.

“My thoughts are with all the impacted workers and their families,” Chu said. “These layoffs are an absolute tragedy, especially as they come at a time when our community is still recovering from the Eaton Fire that destroyed thousands of homes and disrupted so many lives and livelihoods just nine months ago.”

Chu’s statement emphasized that the latest round follows two previous waves of layoffs last year that affected more than 850 JPL employees.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Today, LA County Board to Consider Local Emergency Proclamation Due to Immigration Raids

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The county Board of Supervisors will consider declaring a local state of emergency Tuesday in response to ongoing federal immigration enforcement raids, alleging they are preventing people from going to work and forcing some businesses to close.

The board last week, on a 4-1 vote, directed county staff to draft the proclamation and bring it back for approval.

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath introduced the motion calling for the drafting of the emergency proclamation in response to a report presented to the board by county attorneys on options for possibly enacting an eviction moratorium or other protections for people impacted by the raids.

The Los Angeles Tenants Union advocacy group has been pushing the board for weeks to enact such a moratorium, saying the raids are creating enough fear to prevent people from going to work, or prompting businesses to temporarily close, leaving their employees unable to work.

The county attorney report presented to the board last week noted that an eviction moratorium could be enacted during a declared local emergency,

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Evacuation Orders Possible for Altadena Burn Areas as Storm Intensifies, Barger Warns

Nearly 400 properties in Altadena and other high-risk burn areas could face mandatory evacuation as Los Angeles County officials escalate debris flow projections in response to a strengthening storm system.

County emergency officials confirmed Monday that conditions have shifted from Phase 1 to Phase 2, signaling increased risk of debris flows in areas previously impacted by wildfire. The change could trigger evacuation orders affecting standing homes in Altadena’s burn zones, though no official directive had been issued as of press time.

“As today’s storm intensifies, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of heeding evacuation warnings and orders,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger in a statement released by her office. “These alerts are issued to protect lives. Conditions can change quickly, and once debris flows begin, it may be too late for emergency crews to reach you.”

Barger acknowledged the disruption evacuation orders may cause but urged residents in warning zones to prepare for immediate departure if orders are issued.

Monday, October 13, 2025

Barger Highlights New Wildfire Recovery Laws in Open Letter to Altadena Residents

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued an open letter Monday to Altadena residents and survivors of the Eaton Fire, outlining three newly signed state laws aimed at strengthening wildfire recovery efforts and protecting disaster-affected communities.

The letter, released by Barger’s office, praised Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval of Assembly Bill 468, Senate Bill 571, and Senate Bill 782 over the weekend. Barger said the legislation will help safeguard rebuilding families from looting, accelerate infrastructure restoration, and provide new financial tools for local governments.

AB 468, authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, and SB 571, introduced by Senator Bob Archuleta, increase penalties for theft and looting in disaster zones. Barger cited post-fire crime in Altadena as a key concern, noting that nearly 200 Eaton Fire rebuilds are currently underway, with homes under construction and inspections in progress. She said the new laws, combined with increased patrols from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, will help protect families during reconstruction.

Barger also acknowledged Newsom’s veto of Senate Bill 629,

Monday, October 13, 2025

Evacuation Warning Issued for Altadena’s Eaton Fire Burn Scar Area Amid Mudflow Risk

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued an evacuation warning Monday afternoon for residents near the Eaton Fire burn scar in Altadena, citing potential mud and debris flows in the San Gabriel Foothills.

The emergency alert, released at 12:00 p.m. on Oct. 13, urges residents in vulnerable areas to prepare for possible evacuation. Those requiring extra time to leave — including individuals with mobility challenges, pets, or dependent family members — are advised to consider evacuating immediately.

The warning applies specifically to neighborhoods adjacent to the burn scar zone, where recent fire damage has destabilized terrain and increased the risk of post-fire runoff during storms.

Residents are encouraged to gather essential supplies and monitor updates through AlertLA.org, the county’s official emergency notification platform.

The Sheriff’s Department did not indicate whether mandatory evacuations were imminent but emphasized the importance of readiness.

Monday, October 13, 2025

County Offices To Be Closed Monday For Indigenous Peoples Day

By STEVEN HERBERT, City News Service

Los Angeles city and county offices will be closed Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day while federal offices will be closed for Columbus Day, which remains a federal holiday.

Indigenous Peoples Day is not a state holiday, so state courts and other state offices will be open. A bill approved by the Legislature in 1998 and signed into law by then-Gov. Pete Wilson designated the fourth Friday in September as Native American Day, a state holiday when state courts and other state offices are closed.

Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will also be open. Buses, rail services and Metrolink trains in Los Angeles run on a regular schedule.

The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver regular mail on Columbus Day, and post offices will be closed as will most major banks.

A 2017 ordinance declared the second Monday in October in Los Angeles as Indigenous Peoples Day, replacing Columbus Day as a holiday on the city calendar.

Monday, October 13, 2025

As County Takeover of Pasadena Schools Looms, Inglewood’s Journey Provides a Frightening and Cautionary Tale

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Pasadena Unified could lose control of the district to state overseers if the budget crisis persists

School board trustees were told last week that Pasadena Unified could lose control of the district as early as next year if it fails to convince Los Angeles County Office of Education officials by December that it can close a multi-year, $149.4 million budget gap.

Under state intervention, both the superintendent and the seven-member elected board would lose their decision-making authority.

“The decisions made in the upcoming months will define Pasadena Unified School District’s future,” said Octavio Castelo, Los Angeles County Office of Education’s director of business advisory services, who oversees the fiscal monitoring of all 80 districts in Los Angeles County.

Castelo warned trustees during a detailed presentation that the district’s finances have deteriorated to the point that a state takeover is a real possibility — a fate that befell Inglewood Unified School District in 2012.

Monday, October 13, 2025

Free Resource Fair Tuesday to Help Fire Victims Rebuild Homes

Southern California building industry professionals offer expertise on permits, materials and insurance

Fire victims in Southern California will have free access to building professionals and rebuilding resources at an event next week at the Paseo.

The Rebuild LA Resource Fair takes place Oct. 14 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at NOOR in Pasadena. The Building Industry Association of Southern California (BIASC) is hosting the event.

Attendees can consult with contractors and trade professionals about home reconstruction. They can also get guidance on permits, insurance issues and zoning regulations.

The fair will feature information on fire-resistant building materials. Financial service providers and legal advisors will be available as well.

Housing advocates and nonprofit agencies will connect residents with additional community resources.

“Rebuilding our communities after a disaster takes collective effort and accessible support,” said Jeff Montejano, BIASC CEO. “This event is about restoring hope, rebuilding homes, and reconnecting communities.”

The association represents building professionals from Ventura to southern Orange County.

Monday, October 13, 2025

Early-Season Storm System Poised to Slam Southern California Monday Night Through Tuesday

A very early-season storm system is forecast to sweep across Southern California beginning Monday night, bringing the potential for heavy rainfall, embedded thunderstorms, and localized flooding, particularly in areas with recent burn scars, according to the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office.

The system is expected to peak between 10 p.m. Monday and 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13–14, with rainfall totals ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches across coastal and valley areas, and up to 4 inches in the mountains and foothills. Rainfall duration is expected to span 6 to 8 hours. Forecasters warn of possible debris flows, shallow flooding, and traffic disruptions, especially in urban areas and along vulnerable slopes.

County-level peak rainfall timing and hourly rates include:

Los Angeles County peak rainfall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday is expected at  0.15–0.50 inch/hr, with isolated rainfall of 0.80 inch/hr, especially in western portions

There is a 10% chance of isolated rain rates reaching 1 inch per hour,