Pasadena News, CA Local News

At a Pasadena car wash, ICE raid takes another chunk of the local immigrant work force

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 20:20:00 +0000

Yolanda Acevedo, of Pasadena, holds a protest sign as her niece Sandra arrives at a rally at the Pasadena Auto Wash on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 where her husband Jesus was detained along with five other employees in an immigration raid last weekend. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Alejandra Benavides, of San Gabriel, listens to children speak about their father who is in detention during a rally at the Pasadena Auto Wash on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. Six employees were detained at the car wash during an immigration raid last weekend at the car wash and Benavides, who has been going to the car wash for more than 25 years, knows them all she said. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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First, it was at a bus stop outside a donut shop. Then, near a city park where a popular street tamale vendor worked. Then, near Caltech. Now a car wash. The list of local spots in Pasadena where immigration raids have happened has continued to mount.

So have vigils that have come in their wake. And so have the federal government’s signals to expect more.

The latest vigil was Thursday, Aug. 28, as nearly 200 came out to a community “Vigil for Justice” at a Pasadena car wash — the site of a federal immigration raid that detained several of its employees a week ago.

But even as members of the Clergy Community Coalition in Pasadena began with prayer on Thursday night outside Pasadena Auto Wash on West Del Mar Boulevard, it came just hours after the White House’s border czar said federal officials will “ramp up” immigration enforcement actions in cities across the country, including Los Angeles.

“On behalf of the clergy community coalition, we stand with you saying we see you, we love you, we welcome you,” said Steve Wong, lead pastor of Pasadena Covenant Church. “We need you as a part of our community and we will walk with you through this.”

Like other community vigils for people detained by federal immigration agents in Pasadena, Los Jornaleros del Norte began the program with lively music, which members have previously called “an act of resistance.”

Attendees huddled around a truck, which doubled as a stage, holding signs like “Immigration built this nation” and “ICE out of LA.”

Organizers of the vigil included the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, the CLEAN Carwash Worker Center and the Pasadena Job Center.

They encouraged attendees to “turn [their] car wash into an act of solidarity” by donating and supporting the detained workers.

The vigil stemmed from the raid on Friday, Aug. 22. Federal immigration agents were said to have detained seven workers from the car wash, 164 W. Del Mar Blvd., though one was released shortly after the operation.

According to Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian, no Pasadena police officers were present and none witnessed the incident.

The raid prompted Blair High School, which is a few blocks from the car wash, to temporarily shelter in place due to law enforcement activity in the area.

Albert Sharaf, who has owned the car wash since the 1990s, said the six detained were about 10 percent of his workforce.

Some impacted family members of those detained on Aug. 22 huddled around each other at the vigil, sharing an embrace and wiping their tears away.

Allison and Nefthalie, two children of Jesus Herrera-Torres, who was one of the six detained, spoke to vigil attendees about their father and how his absence has affected them.

“When I first found out he was taken by ICE, I couldn’t believe it,” said 17-year-old Allison, who broke down in tears. She explained that her biological father passed away when she was 3 years old, and that Jesus, her stepfather, “raised [her] as his own.”

“No child should have to say goodbye to a parent in the morning, only to realize it was the last time,” said Allison.

Her brother, Nefthalie, who is 15, said their father’s absence has “changed our lives in ways we never imagined.”

The immigration raid at the Pasadena car wash is one of several that took place at other car washes across the region this past month.

Just days before the Pasadena raid, federal immigration agents detained workers at car washes in Santa Ana, El Monte and Los Angeles.

The Department of Homeland Security has stood firm in their reasoning for their raids in Los Angeles and across the country.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.,” said a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson.

That was an echo of broader signals White House border czar Tom Homan out on Thursday, saying that cities such as nearby Los Angeles – with so called “sanctuary city” policies should expect more raids.

“You’re going to see a ramp-up of operations in New York,” Homan told reporters at the White House. “You’re going to see a ramp-up of operations continue in L.A., Portland, Seattle, all these sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

No specific details of planned enforcement actions were provided.

ICE has been conducting stepped-up enforcement in the Los Angeles area since early June. Noem wrote on social media Tuesday that the agency had made its 5,000th arrest in the area.

“That’s 5,000 criminal illegal aliens, gang members, child predators, and murderers taken off our streets,” Noem wrote. “Precious lives saved. Families protected. American taxpayers spared the cost of their crimes AND the burden of their benefits. THANK YOU to our brave law enforcement officers. Make no mistake: if you are here illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and send you back.”

She added, “This is just the beginning.”

City News Service contributed to this article.

Pasadena Apartment Complex Sells for $22 Million in Tight Rental Market

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 19:02:24 +0000

A 51-unit boutique multifamily property in Pasadena’s Playhouse District has been sold for $22 million, according to a statement released Thursday by CBRE Group Inc. The ALUR Apartments, located at 700 Locust St., were acquired by ADC Real Estate Group LP, an affiliate of Amoroso Companies. CBRE’s Kamran Paydar and Kadie Presley Wilson represented the seller, a private investor based in Los Angeles. Acquisition financing was arranged by CBRE’s Debt and Structured Finance team, including Ryan Greer, Trevor Breaux, and […]

Olympic Diving May Move to Rose Bowl Aquatics Center

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 18:58:27 +0000

Mayor Victor Gordo said on Thursday he is excited about the prospect of Olympic diving moving to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. The proposed venue change for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games would relocate the event from Exposition Park to Pasadena. “On behalf of the Pasadena City Council and our community, I am excited that the Los Angeles City Council’s Olympic Games Ad Hoc Committee has moved us one step closer to seeing the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center host […]

Moving LA Olympics ’28 diving to Pasadena would be ‘an exciting milestone,’ mayor says

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:54:36 +0000

The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Hoping the Los Angeles City Council will take the final plunge to make it happen, Pasadena’s Mayor Victor Gordo is excited and hopeful that the Olympic diving events will, come 2028, be held at the city’s Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

“I’m excited that the Los Angeles City Council’s Olympic Games Ad Hoc Committee has moved us one step closer to seeing the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center host Olympic diving in 2028,” Gordo said in a statement on Thursday, Aug. 28.

“In the weeks ahead, we are hopeful the Los Angeles City Council will take that final step,” he said. “Such a decision would mark an exciting milestone for our historic venue.”

The Rose Bowl Aquatic Center, a nonprofit established in 1990 in Brookside Park, which features two Olympic-size pools and a diving well, would not comment on the news, referring questions to LA28.

On Aug. 27, a committee of the L.A. City Council unanimously approved a proposal from LA28 to relocate the diving events away from the John C. Argue Swimming Stadium at Exposition Park, noting that the pool would require a complete reconstruction to bring it up to requisite Olympic standards.

While the full council is yet to vote on the change, LA28 sought to sweeten the deal by offering to make improvements anyway to the Exposition Park pool, which was used in the 1932 Olympics. Those improvements would run around $2 million to $3 million.

A press release from the LA28 Olympic organization announced the proposal to relocate diving to RBAC, stating it would result in a large savings and expectations of additional revenue that would total up to $17.6 million for LA28.

“The decision to stage Diving at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center is beneficial on all fronts,” Reynold Hoover, CEO of LA28, said in the Aug. 27 release.

“This presents a significant opportunity to deliver successful marquee events, with greater budget certainty, while also ensuring an exceptional competition venue for our Diving athletes,” he said.

“We’re grateful to our Host City and Venue City partners for their unwavering support and collaboration as we finalize the 2028 Games plan,” Hoover said.

Gordo stated the value of bringing the 2028 Olympics to Pasadena.

“It will be a moment that brings energy, meaningful economic opportunity, and pride to our entire city,” he said.

“For generations, Pasadena has welcomed the world to share in events that inspire and uplift,” Gordo said. “And this will be another chance to add to that proud legacy.”

While the nonprofit Rose Bowl Aquatic Center was officially founded in 1990, the site’s history includes the Brookside Plunge, which was Pasadena’s first public pool, opened in 1914, and initially excluded people of color. It was located in the vicinity of RBAC.

Following protests from Pasadena’s large population of people of color, the city initially bent slightly by allowing “non-Whites” to swim there on Wednesdays during the day, which was just before the weekly nighttime draining and cleaning of the pool.

Outrage continued over the years, and eventually a lawsuit against the city officially forced desegregation of the pool in 1942, though it would be five years before it was fully unrestricted in 1947.

On Sept. 18, 2024, a ceremony was held at RBAC honoring Dr. Edna Griffin, who was instrumental in leading the lawsuit to desegregate the Brookside Plunge swimming pool. At that time, the RBAC officially renamed its recreational pool in her honor.

Griffin, the first black physician in Pasadena, became a community leader following her arrival in the city in 1935. She was the first black member of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and served as president of the local NAACP from 1939 to 1947.

Pasadena’s Aquatic Center would not be the city’s only piece of the upcoming L.A. Olympics. The Rose Bowl itself will host soccer, and venues from Long Beach to the Inland Empire will be home to other events.

But Gordo said that bringing the Olympics to the venue would highlight the city’s history and fortitude.

“It is a reminder of who we are — a city that rises to the occasion, embraces historic moments, and does it together,” he said.

Jarret Liotta is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and photographer.

Altadena’s tree stewards spend ‘roasting hot’ summer days saving what remains

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 16:27:38 +0000

René Amy finds a hole to feed a fire hose through as he taps into a fire hydrant to fill 500 gallon water tanks to water trees at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Amigos de los Rios, who Amy is working with, is bringing water to 1400 trees that were cut from irrigation after the Eaton fire. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

René Amy strides among the tombstones and grave markers at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena on Monday and calls out, “Good morning, everybody!”

The greeting is as much for the park’s departed residents as for the three young adults from the California Conservation Corps there for disaster site training.

Their task: Water 85 to 90 “old-growth” or grandfather trees on the historic 55-acre cemetery site, which was spared major damage in the Eaton Fire.

Amy, 65, approaches a broad-branched sycamore tree planted in a section of the park with graves of children from the 1910s, and World War I veterans.

“This guy was really crunchy last week,” Amy says, patting the dark, mottled bark. “When I got here then, I wanted to shout, ‘Hold on, I’m coming,’ because this poor guy’s been through an eight-month drought.”

Bryan Dominguez, 23, and Josue Cuc, 25, both of Los Angeles and members of the California Conservation Corps, bring fire hose to a fire hydrant to fill 500 gallon water tanks to water trees at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Amigos de los Rios is bringing water to 1400 trees that were cut from irrigation after the Eaton fire. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Josue Cuc, 25, Bryan Dominguez, 23, and Son Pao, 25, all of Los Angeles and members of the California Conservation Corps, bring fire hose to a fire hydrant to fill 500 gallon water tanks to water trees at Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. Amigos de los Rios is bringing water to 1400 trees that were cut from irrigation after the Eaton fire. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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Amigos de los Rios, the Altadena-based urban greening nonprofit, has been on emergency tree-saving mode since the Eaton Fire decimated the town’s tree canopy. The inferno also destroyed much infrastructure, including water lines. Surviving trees were without water for weeks, until water companies came back online, a second shock following the smoke and ash of the wildfire.

With help from the Arbor Day Foundation, Amigos de los Rios is offering to water Altadena trees for free, the better to help them survive the extended summer. So far, people from 180 Altadena parcels have signed up.

“It’s free because they’ve been through enough already,” said Claire Robinson, one of the nonprofit’s founders and its managing director. “So we’re here to support the last thing that’s connecting their neighborhoods, their trees. This is the critical period right now, with the heat.”

Robinson, who lost her three-bedroom home of 22 years, with its sycamore, cottonwood and pomegranate trees, said the watering program services 900 residential trees and about 500 more trees in sites such as the cemetery and the former Summerkids day camp, also lost to the Eaton Fire. Amigos de los Rios’ offices on Lake and Altadena avenues also burned to the ground.

“We’re here to support the last thing that’s connecting their neighborhoods, their trees. This is the critical period right now, with the heat.” — Claire Robinson

Altadena’s trees were on the frontline of the Jan. 7 inferno. Robinson estimates the town lost half of its celebrated trees immediately after the Eaton fire, which burned for 24 days, from Jan. 7 through 31. That total stood at about 14,000 trees. Add to that the loss of 20 percent more, or 2,800 trees, during the debris removal process completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and “we can’t lose any more trees.”

The town’s catalog of magnolias and oaks, sycamores and pines are “members of our extended community. Without them, this would not be the place we know and love,” Robinson said.

“The trees that remain are heroic and deserving of everyone’s care and attention,” she added. “It’s hard to stay focused when you know how many trees need help. You have to do it one tree at a time.”

That’s the mantra Amy is drumming into his interns, whether they’re pulling up to a tiny lot or expansive site. They’ve come up with innovative ways to deliver water to far-flung trees as efficiently and effectively as possible, “trying to inspire young people to join the effort with full hearts, on a budget that makes a shoestring look kinda chunky,” Amy said.

Aside from a grant from the Arbor Day Foundation, the tree-watering mission got help from Altadena Rotary, Edward Jones, the California Community Foundation and Niagara Water. Amigos de los Rios also works with Altadena Green and Angel City Lumber in Los Angeles on projects to save trees and use logs from those that are cut down locally.

It’s up to staffers like Amy to embrace their enterprising skills and figure out the best ways to do their tree-saving job. That includes coming up with ways to secure a hydrant meter so that no one will attempt to steal it or to steal water from it.

“It involves lots of chains and locks and just a smidge of stealth,” Amy said.

Amigos de los Rios is paying two of the four Altadena water companies so they can take water from its hydrants for its two “water buffalos,” 500-gallon water-tank trailers.

“It’s pretty-much roasting-hot work, day in, day out,” Amy said.

Crews will circle back to the trees on their list every three to six weeks, through October.

Alyson Mello, who is the nonprofit’s project manager, trains newbies in measuring a tree’s diameter and canopy to determine how much water it needs. The data she collects is also kept in a tree index that includes information on species, location, condition and dates a tree was tended to and inspected. (True to its enterprising spirit, the nonprofit worked with a Boston University computer science student who wrote the indexing program as an internship.)

There’s a spot for anyone with any set of skills to volunteer with Amigos, Robinson said, adding they hold volunteer events every weekend.

For Mello, who also works with greening schools from across Los Angeles County, the work is about having “distance in one’s eyes,” and looking generations ahead.

She herself can thank the people who planted the 80-year-old oaks that line the Pasadena street where she grew up. It was a blessing she didn’t fully appreciate until well into her environmental science studies.

“Think of it as a long-term investment,” in improving air quality, fighting urban heat, maintaining biodiversity and habitats as well as stabilizing soil, she said.

The tree-watering brigade has a fan in Cindy Flores of Mountain View Cemetery, who said the beloved memorial park, founded in 1822, is still recovering from wildfire damage, including melted sprinkler heads and other water issues. Never mind the emotional and ecological loss too.

“We’re very thankful they’re helping us out,” Flores said.

Altadena Cookie Co. Awarded $10,000 Grant for Wildfire Recovery

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:51:17 +0000

Altadena Cookie Co., co-owned by local entrepreneurs Michelle Taylor and Jessica Christopher, has received a $10,000 grant from Bank of America and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, recognizing the small business’s resilience and community impact following the devastating Eaton Fire earlier this year. The grant, announced Aug. 26 provides critical financial support for the business’s recovery efforts. The program was coordinated in part by the Pasadena City College Women’s Business Center, which selected Altadena Cookie Co. for its demonstrated need […]

UCLA Opens 2025 Season Against Utah Saturday at Rose Bowl Under Second-Year Head Coach Foster

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:34:33 +0000

UCLA begins its 2025 football campaign Saturday night at the Rose Bowl against Utah, marking the Bruins’ second season under head coach DeShaun Foster and their first non-conference meeting with the Utes since 2007. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Pacific Time, with national television coverage on FOX. The broadcast team will feature Connor Onion (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (analyst). Radio coverage will air on KABC-AM 790, the new flagship station for UCLA Athletics, with Josh Lewin (play-by-play), Matt Stevens […]

With Candidates Bowing Out, California’s Gubernatorial Race Remains Wide Open

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:25:42 +0000

Given California’s size and its cultural and economic impact around the globe, whoever captures its governorship instantly becomes one of the nation’s most prominent politicians and a potential candidate for president. However, running for governor is not for the faint of heart. It requires early commitment, stamina, a thick skin and the ability to raise the huge amounts of cash. That’s why, in most cases, serious candidates come from the ranks of lesser officeholders, spend years laying the groundwork their […]

The Fuller Foundation Names First Female Executive Director, Expands Leadership Team

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:22:01 +0000

The Fuller Foundation has appointed Dasha Thomas as its new executive director, marking the first time a woman will lead the organization. The announcement, made following a unanimous vote by the Foundation’s Board, signals a strategic shift aimed at expanding impact and deepening engagement across the Christian philanthropic landscape. Thomas, who previously served as chief development officer, will oversee the Foundation’s charitable giving and investment management services. Her responsibilities include setting strategic direction, cultivating client relationships and aligning operations with […]

Pasadena Issues First Rebuild Permits After Eaton Fire as Council Moves to Waive Fees

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:20:12 +0000

Pasadena has issued its first rebuilding permits and received 35 applications from homeowners seeking to reconstruct properties destroyed in January’s Eaton Fire. A total of five rebuild permits have been OK’d by the city since June 9, according to state tracking data. The blaze leveled 185 structures, mostly in Upper Hastings Ranch, Victory Rose, Dundee Heights and NATHA neighborhoods. In March, the City Council adopted a “like-for-like” rebuild ordinance to ease zoning restrictions. Tuesday’s action would ease the financial burden […]

Congresswoman Judy Chu to Visit Pasadena Head Start Center Amid Federal Funding Threats

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:18:20 +0000

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) will visit Pacific Clinics Head Start’s Peoria Early Head Start Center on Thursday to meet with educators, families and children, and participate in a community roundtable focused on the future of early childhood education. The visit follows federal actions that have jeopardized Head Start programs nationwide, including regional office closures and funding cuts under the Trump administration. The event, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. PT, will spotlight the essential services Head Start provides to […]

Cooking for a Cause Returns to Pasadena to Support Food Pantry Amid Rising Need

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:15:41 +0000

Friends In Deed will host its annual Cooking for a Cause fundraising event on Sunday, Sept. 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Agnes Restaurant and Cheesery, located at 40 West Green Street in Pasadena. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization’s Food Pantry, the largest food bank in Pasadena. The culinary competition will feature local aspiring chefs preparing appetizers and entrées using pantry staples and mystery ingredients sourced from the Food Pantry. The format is designed to reflect the […]

Community Vigil Planned Today After ICE Detains Six Car Wash Workers in Pasadena

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 13:12:27 +0000

A community vigil and fundraiser will be held Thursday evening in response to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid that resulted in the detention of six car wash workers last week in Pasadena. The incident occurred shortly before noon on Friday, Aug. 22 at the Pasadena Car Wash, located at 164 W. Del Mar Blvd. near Old Pasadena. According to organizers, seven employees were initially detained by individuals believed to be ICE agents. One worker was released shortly after […]

Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Aquatics Center tapped for 2028 Olympics diving events

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 19:39:00 +0000

LOS ANGELES — A City Council committee on Wednesday, Aug. 27, approved a proposal from LA28 to relocate Olympic diving events to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena.

In a unanimous vote, the seven-member Ad Hoc Committee on the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games advanced the proposal, which will head to the full City Council for consideration. LA28 officials said the move was necessary to address athlete safety and financial concerns.

“This presents a significant opportunity to deliver successful marquee events, with greater budget certainty, while also ensuring an exceptional competition venue for our diving athletes, with their safety remaining our top priority,” LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover said in a statement.

Earlier this year, the City Council approved several updates to the venue plan, which officials said will save more than $150 million in combined cost savings and boost revenues.

Among the updates, LA28 planned to use the John C. Argue Swimming Stadium at Exposition Park, which was also used for swimming events in the 1932 Olympic Games. Recently, the organizing committee determined the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center would be best suited to host diving events in 2028.

Shana Ferguson, LA28 chief of sport and games delivery, told committee members Wednesday morning the stadium was not up to international and domestic standards for swim competition — in addition to issues related to the diving towers.

In exchange, LA28 offered to make certain improvements to the stadium pool, bringing it up to national and international standards. LA28 noted moving diving events to Pasadena would result in nearly $18 million in savings.

“LA28 determined that the Swim Stadium pool would require a complete reconstruction in order to meet Olympic standards,” according to a report from city officials. “The necessary reconstruction is not able to occur simultaneously with the LA Memorial Coliseum track construction projects due to limited space within the surrounding footprint. The historical nature and close proximity of these facilities adds further complexity and cost.”

The stadium pool improvements are estimated at less than $2 million to $3 million, Ferguson noted.

Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, raised concerns about the city being left with the cost of construction at a time when city spending is tight.

“I would love to see the pool brought up to that standard, but maybe on the back end, if you have money left over, then we can improve the pool so that it can be an asset for Angelenos,” Yaroslavsky said.

Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez emphasized the need to ensure that communities are not left behind and working class neighborhoods receive investments in preparation for the Games.

Ultimately, all members of the Ad Hoc Committee advanced the proposal to move diving out of Los Angeles to Pasadena and the deal to improve the stadium pool for residents in South Los Angeles.

Rusnak’s Pasadena expansion is a little closer to reality. Here’s how

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:45:46 +0000

Rusnak will be expanding with a Porsche dealership at the corner of Colorado Boulevard and Sunnyslope Avenue in Pasadena. Seen here on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, it is currently used to display vehicles at Audi of Pasadena. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

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The new Rusnak auto dealership proposed for East Pasadena is estimated to begin construction in about six months, according to city officials.

Earlier this month the Pasadena Design Commission unanimously approved the final design review of a two-story, 61,000-square-foot sales building and 4,800-square-foot car wash building.

The project, near Colorado Boulevard and Sunnyslope Avenue, will be in a contemporary architectural-style and calls for an auto dealership with area for sales, parts storage and vehicle service for Rusnak Porsche. There will be surface parking as well as parking above the second floor at the roof level.

Eight adjoining parcels covering 4.4 acres makes up the project site area.

A public art installation will be set back 43 feet from the corner side property line along North Sunnyslope Avenue.

Also See: Rusnak mixed-used development plan is now on the table for Pasadena

At the Aug. 12 Design Commission meeting, city officials and Rusnak representatives presented on the project and fielded questions and comments from commissioners.

In October, the Design Commission approved an application for concept design review with six conditions of approval.

A rendering of the proposed Rusnak Porsche project near Colorado Boulevard and Sunnyslope Avenue. (Courtesy of City of Pasadena)

In approving final design, the commission included four conditions of approval on the following aspects of the project: accessibility, color/tone of the buildings, lighting and the use of artificial turf on the site.

Pasadena Planning Director Jennifer Paige said this week that the next step in the project is completing the public art requirement and the building plan check process to obtain a building permit.

In May, Rusnak had its concept art plan approved and has submitted the application for the final art plan, which is currently under city review. That final plan would then go before the Arts and Culture Commission.

In addition, the building plan-check process is ongoing to obtain a building permit to being construction.

“There are many unknown factors that make it difficult to determine the timing of construction,” Paige said in an email. “Since the plan check process is already underway, a conservative estimate would be that construction could start within approximately six months.”

Aside from the Arts and Culture Commission review the project does not require anymore commission or City Council reviews.

Last summer, the City Council approved the project to move forward after it was first proposed in 2021. A month after approval, the council approved a resolution to give up the city’s right to use a portion of Nina Street that is part of the project.

Rusnak Auto Group has locations in Arcadia, Pasadena, Anaheim, Thousand Oaks and Ontario.

Meet Bella, Chevy and Bear, this week’s Pets of the Week in the San Gabriel Valley

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:22:00 +0000

(Left) It’s a bird, it’s a bunny, but no, it’s Bella, a tiny, 3-month-old dynamo available for adoption from Lifeline for Pets. (Middle) Chevy, No. A522909, has got personality plus. This white pit bull is available for adoption from Pasadena Humane. (Right) Bear, No. A522508, is one handsome Alaskan malamute who is smart and eager to please. He is available for adoption from Pasadena Humane. (Left photo is courtesy of Lifeline for Pets; Middle and Right photos are courtesy of Pasadena Humane)

These pets are ready to settle in at their forever home — your place!

Bella, a tiny bundle of energy

Meet Bella, the tiny dynamo with a big personality! This little 3-month-old may be small for her age, but she makes up for it with endless energy and charm. Bella zooms through the house like a bunny, hopping and running with pure joy, and she isn’t shy about chasing around the older kitties just for fun.

When she’s not in full play mode, Bella loves to curl up in your arms, soak up tummy rubs, and remind you that she’s as sweet as she is spirited. Her story began in a pile of trash and leaves by a car wash, where she was rescued at only 7 weeks old. Now safe and thriving, this little bundle of joy is ready for a forever home where she can keep spreading her sunshine.

If you’re looking for a playful, cuddly kitten who will fill your days with laughter and love, Bella is your girl. She is fully vetted and healthy. See more photos, video, and apply to meet her at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/bella.html

For more information, 626-676-9505. Email: info@lifelineforpets.org. lifelineforpets.org

Chevy, No. A522909, loves belly rubs

Chevy is a 3-year-old white pit bull at Pasadena Humane with his signature spots and an even more unforgettable personality! He’s full of curiosity, playfulness, and charm — whether he’s chasing squeaky toys, rolling in the grass, or showering you with clumsy, heartfelt kisses. Chevy especially loves his belly rubbed; it seems to be his ultimate “reset” button.

Chevy is an active dog who thrives with exercise, adventure and patient guidance. He may need some time to adjust to new environments and routines, but once he settles in, his affectionate and goofy side shines through. He walks well once his initial excitement wears off, is tolerant of baths (according to his foster parent), and has shown he can be calm and friendly around people. He’ll do best in a home with adopters who can give him space to decompress and plenty of outlets for his energy.

If you’re ready to find new roads with this loyal co-pilot, Chevy is waiting at Pasadena Humane. Come meet him and you might just discover your perfect furry friend.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

View photos of adoptable pets and schedule an adoption appointment on the website. Adoptions are by appointment only, and new adoption appointments are available at 10 a.m. Sundays and Wednesdays. Walk-ins are available from 2 to 5 p.m. daily.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email. pasadenahumane.org

Bear, No. A522508, is ready for adventures with you

Looking for a big adventure buddy? Meet Bear! This handsome 3-year-old chocolate Alaskan malamute at Pasadena Humane is a true crowd favorite wherever he goes, and it’s easy to see why. Bear is a good-natured boy through and through whether strolling around the neighborhood or leaning in for belly rubs.

Bear is smart and eager to please! He already knows sit, down, touch, and will even shake with both his paws for a treat. While he’s generally calm, he’s a strong boy and can pull while on his leash, so he’ll do best with a confident handler to guide him. He takes time to warm up to new people, but once he trusts you, Bear shows his sweet and very affectionate side.

Because of his size and strength, Bear would thrive in a home with adults (or older kids) who can give him the consistency he needs. He’d love a quieter environment where he can be the star of the show.

If you’re ready for a loyal boy to share in life’s adventures, Bear is waiting to meet you at Pasadena Humane. Come fall in love with this teddy bear today.

The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, and age-appropriate vaccines.

Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by phone calls or email. pasadenahumane.org

Pasadena City Council waives permit fees for Eaton fire rebuild projects

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:45:43 +0000

The Pasadena City Council Monday, Aug. 25, unanimously approved waiving or reducing permit fees related to rebuilding from the Eaton fire.

The council adopted a resolution amending the general fee schedule to make the following changes for rebuilding eligible residential structures destroyed in the fire: waive plan check and building permit fees, waive the refuse collection administrative fee and reduce the deposit for the construction and demolition waste management, waive sidewalk inspection and repair fees, waive fire sprinkler and landscape review fees and waive electric service fees.

“To all of you who were impacted let me say that this isn’t just a financial decision but this is really on behalf of all residents of Pasadena to say we are sorry that you and your families and neighbors and friends have experienced this,” Mayor Victor Gordo said. “This action on behalf of the City Council is all residents of Pasadena saying to you, ‘we’re with you’ and we will do all we can to support you.”

Councilmembers Tyron Hampton and Jess Rivas were absent. Hampton sent a statement of support which Gordo read during the meeting.

Pasadena Water and Power fees collected for the water service fund remain in place but as part of the action taken Monday the City Council moved to defer discussion about how to handle those fees.

According to a City of Pasadena dashboard, 36 rebuild permit applications have been received, with 28 being reviewed. Five permits have been issued as of Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles have taken similar steps to slash costs related to the rebuilding process. In the Eaton fire area the county has received 1,418 rebuilding applications and has so far issued 234 building permits.

A handful of residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed in Upper Hastings Ranch, in the area of Startouch Drive, attended Monday’s meeting and voiced support for the fee waiver resolution.

“After 33 weeks of difficult aftermath of the fire and the painful memories it left behind I kindly ask for your support in voting tonight to waive all planning and permit fees,” Ed Karim said.

The City Council’s roll call vote was met with applause from the residents in attendance.

Pasadena Unified School District lays out timeline for fiscal stabilization plan

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:39:27 +0000

Facing an approximate budget shortfall of $30 million this year, Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco provided the public with a timeline of how the district’s fiscal stabilization plan will unfold.

In a message to the community Friday, Aug. 22, Blanco said the reasons for the financial issues are a combination of increasing costs and declining enrollment.

“This is a serious and urgent challenge, one that demands our full attention, collective resolve, and a commitment to make thoughtful, student-centered decisions,” Blanco wrote in the message.

Because of the district’s financial situation the Los Angeles County Office of Education required the district to approve a fiscal stabilization plan along with its fiscal year budget in June. The plan laid out how to cut about $83 million over three fiscal years.

Included within the three-year stabilization plan is an ongoing reduction of 120 full-time employees starting in the 2026-27 fiscal year.

This year, district officials will focus on special education efficiencies, grant maximization, central office reductions, contracts and procurement review, transportation analysis, asset management opportunities and staffing and vacancy evaluations.

Step one will begin next month and into October when the Superintendent’s Budget Advisory Committee will meet and analyze options. In November, committees will complete their recommendations and reduction options will be presented to the Board of Education.

According to Blanco, December is the project time when the implementation of the reductions will begin following approval from the board.

“This will require difficult decisions,” Blanco said. “And with transparency, collaboration, and a shared commitment to our students’ futures, and as with all our past challenges, I am confident that we will emerge stronger.”

According to the Thursday, Aug. 28, Board of Education meeting agenda, district officials will be presenting the fiscal stabilization plan implementation to the board.

Last school year the Board of Education approved the cutting of about 150 full-time positions. While the final number of layoffs ended up being much fewer after a process guided by state law and the collective bargaining agreement, the process drew the ire of teachers and the community as it came in the wake of 120 teachers losing their home in the Eaton fire.

Thursday’s meeting will be streamed live on the KLRN Pasadena YouTube channel.

Report: Montclair extension of A Line in San Bernardino County to add jobs, boost economy

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:07:42 +0000

The planned 3.3-mile extension of the A Line light-rail line from Pomona to Montclair will pump millions of dollars and add hundreds of high-paying construction jobs into San Bernardino County, a new study says.

During six years of construction, from 2026 through 2032, the Claremont-Montclair extension will add 580 jobs for a labor income boost of $45.9 million. The average worker added would earn $73,100 annually. In addition, the economy in San Bernardino County would receive an $80.3 million injection over six years from dollars kicked in by the San Bernardino County Construction Transportation Authority, according to a report from Kleinhenz Economics.

The report, released by the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority last week, the independent agency that is building the extension, is timed to coincide with an upcoming vote by the SBCTA’s transit committee to start funding their portion of the project. The committee delayed a vote in August and has scheduled a funding vote for next month.

Without committing the funds, or failing to sign an agreement with the Monrovia-based construction authority, the first line in LA Metro history to reach into San Bernardino County could be in jeopardy.

The project is seen as a game-changer that would remove 15,000 car trips from the roads each day, including Inland Empire single-passenger commuters who jam the 210, 10 and 60 freeways every weekday morning to job sites in Los Angeles County and drive back home in the evenings.

“People from San Bernardino County are driving into L.A. County for work. This train will allow them to avoid a car, they would not have that much gasoline and maintenance expenses, and have more disposable income to spend in our county,” said Montclair City Councilmember Bill Ruh, who also sits on the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority Joint Powers Authority.

Seen here is an artist rendering of the Montclair A Line (Gold) Station to be built at the Montclair Transit Center. Despite being awarded $798 million from LA Metro on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, the SBCTA has set aside around $80 million for the less than one-mile portion of a planned 3.3-mile extension from Pomona to Montclair that would be on San Bernardino County soil. But that amount has now increased. A meeting of the SBCTA Transit Committee will take up the matter in September 2025. (image courtesy of the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority).

The report hints at the line used by commuters in two ways, going from L.A. County cities into western SB County cities such as Montclair, Ontario and Upland for work, and those living in San Bernardino County cities taking the A Line light-rail train into Pomona, to the city of Hope in Duarte, the Claremont Colleges, Pasadena, downtown Los Angeles and even South L.A. and Long Beach to job sites.

There are 133,000 workers living in San Bernardino County who go to work in L.A. County, while 61,000 commute the other way from LA County into SB County. Those in the latter category may be going to work at SB County schools as teachers and aides or to Ontario International Airport, and to hospitals in Montclair, Upland and Ontario, Ruh said.

The combined commuter flow — jamming the 210, 10 and even 60 freeways — between the two counties amounts to 194,000 workers, and that is “equivalent of a medium-sized city,” the Kleinhenz report stated.

“The point is that cross-county commuting is a common occurrence with flows occurring in both directions, suggesting that there is a need for transportation solutions that cross county lines,” the report concluded.

The A line, like most LA Metro light-rail lines, has waits or headways that range from between eight minutes to 15 minutes. The regular fare is $1.75, with reduced fares for seniors, disabled, low-income riders and free fares for K-14 students. This is much less than Metrolink, a heavy-rail passenger line that already exists at the Montclair Transit Center but only continues west to Claremont, Pomona, El Monte, Covina, Cal State L.A. and Union Station.

The Claremont and Montclair A Line stations would add 8,000 daily boardings or about half of the line’s total adjusted ridership, reports estimated. The A Line stops at foothill communities, Pasadena, L.A. and Long Beach.

The two lines, Gold Line light-rail in yellow, Metrolink commuter rail in blue, will be at the same station for the first time (not counting Union Station) at Pomona by Sept. 19, 2025 and then Claremont and Montclair. A new LA Metro study shows a synergy between the two lines, both of which would increase in weekday ridership in the next few years after the Gold Line is extended. (courtesy of LA Metro)

The need for the longest light-rail line in the county, the A Line, to get extended into SB County took several years to be recognized as an urgent need to cut back on worsening gridlock on the 210 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.

The state Legislature gave the Foothill Extension Construction Authority the power to build the project into San Bernardino County in 2011. But the construction authority ran out of money in 2019, and the state rejected project gap funding in 2021, 2022 and 2023 despite large surpluses in the state budget.

LA Metro awarded $798 million to build the A Line — formerly the Gold Line — extension from Pomona to Claremont and Montclair in November 2024. But President Trump’s tariffs, and other inflationary pressures caused bids to skyrocket and were rejected. The project design contract went out to bid anew in June and proposals are due Oct. 15. A construction manager contract will go out to bid in November, the Construction Authority reported. If bids are accepted, construction will start early next year with completion toward the end of 2031.

For every dollar invested into the project the amount gets multiplied, the report explained.

For example, the money for the San Bernardino County construction phase gets multiplied by 1.4 million, meaning every $1 million or direct expenditures results in $1.4 million in total output. The money has a ripple effect through the supply chain and through construction workers spending their incomes locally.

Therefore, total output over six years of construction is estimated at $112.3 million.

Operational costs for trains running every eight minutes would be multiplied by 3.5, which is more than double that of the construction phase multiplier of 1.4. So, every $1 million in direct operating expenditures for the Gold Line supports $3.5 million in total output, the report explained.

As a result, money spent to operate the San Bernardino County portion will eventually pay for the investment and start making money for the agency.

Over three years of operating in the San Bernardino County portion, direct expenditures are estimated to be $16 million, while indirect and induced expenditures contribute another $40.4 million for a total output effect of $56.4 million, the report stated.

“Both the construction and the operations phases of the Gold Line are expected to generate additional economic output, jobs and wages, and tax revenues for San Bernardino County,” the report concluded.

Mom’s the Word: The ‘most British of tearooms’ in Pasadena to host Downton Abbey tea

Sat, 23 Aug 2025 11:17:33 +0000

Perhaps the only rival to Edmund and Mary Fry’s love for each other are 803 students in Kenya they consider family.

The proprietors of the beloved Rose Tree Cottage in Pasadena, quite the most British of tearooms and garden outside of His Majesty’s Commonwealth, are reunited after Mary Fry’s six-week sojourn to the African nation, where they founded Bloom Where Planted, the charitable foundation that supports the school.

“I met the students who are ready to start college after doing exceedingly well during their high school year, I came back knowing that we have to be sure they have the opportunity to attend,” Mary said.

That’s why Rose Tree Cottage is celebrating the final “Downton Abbey” film, opening on Friday, Sept. 12, with a special candlelight tea to benefit their children in Kenya. It is, Edmund Fry said, a chance for the “haves helping the have-nots.”

Tea is a tradition rarely ignored, as Mary Fry, center, and guests attest as they take the traditional beverage on the campus of the Kenyan school Mary and Edmund Fry support in Kenya. (Photo courtesy of Mary Fry)

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From the elegant lifestyle of Downton Abbey, to the life the African children have led is quite a leap, but guests can enjoy a day of escape into the Downton world and help others escape their poverty through education at the same time, the couple said.

Mary Fry said the need is apparent in the torn or outgrown uniforms some students wear, items so faded proof of the uniform’s extended “hand-me-down” status.

“The teachers clue us in as to the children who might come to school on a Monday and faint from lack of food over the weekend (they receive lunch at school), which has led to our ‘Seeds of Kindness’ program, providing monthly supplies of food for extremely needy families,” she said. “And, we are informed of any students whose parents can’t pay the fees requested by the government, so we help in those situations as well.”

The tea, set for 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, at Rose Tree Cottage, will benefit 18 Bloom Where Planted students in their first year of college. The Fry’s school serves children from nursery through Grade 9.

In Kenya, Mary visited the school’s new shops, which are taking their work beyond the classrooms by helping students who have attended (or are attending) trade schools gain experience in their field of study.

“For the students we have trained in sewing, we have ‘Blooming Good Tailoring’; ‘Blooming Good Mechanics’ for those trained in automobile and motorcycle repair; and, ‘Blooming Good Tea’ for the tourism and hospitality students.

“This gives them practical experience in their field as well as entrepreneurship training that will help them get (and keep) better jobs in a very tight job market,” Mary said.

The couple, unofficial U.K. ambassadors since starting the tearoom in 1979, are involved in the “Downton” world too, having hosted the cast and crew for tea and other parties. Mary is still mourning the loss of the grand Dowager Countess of Grantham, played with aplomb by the late Maggie Smith, but said her favorite now would have to be Isobel, Lady Merton, because “she’s plucky and on the side of right.”

Rose Tree Cottage, proudly festooned in all things Brittania at 801 S. Pasadena Ave., in Pasadena, is an escape in itself too, crammed with all sorts of Royal memorabilia and brimming with all the very proper elements of a true British tearoom. “Sir Edmund,” as his guests call him, escort ladies of all ages to their tables, and explain the traditions and romance and manners involved in an English tea to guests from all over the world.

Tickets to the Downton Abbey candlelight tea are $150 each. Ladies are welcome to arrive in tiaras and corresponding attire. Gentlemen will have to their their swords at the door. Reservations will be taken beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, by phone at (626) 793-3337.

Los Angeles County business illegally sent AI chips to China: DOJ

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 17:37:20 +0000

Two Southern California residents have been arrested and face federal criminal charges for allegedly illegally sending "tens of millions of dollars’ worth of sensitive microchips used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications" to China.

"Chuan Geng, 28, of Pasadena, and Shiwei Yang, 28, of El Monte, are charged with violating the Export Control Reform Act, a felony that carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison," the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

From 2022 to last month, the pair sent graphic processing units, which the DOJ describes as "specialized computer parts used for modern computing," to Singapore and Malaysia through their El Monte-based company ALX Solutions Inc.

Those two countries are "commonly are used as transshipment points to conceal illegal shipments to China," and the payments received by ALX Solutions came not from the purported recipients of the chips, but from "companies based in Hong Kong and China, including a $1 million payment from a China-based company in January 2024," the DOJ said.

Shipping these chips, which the DOJ describes as “the most powerful GPU chip on the market” designed for use in "self-driving cars, medical diagnosis systems, and other AI-powered applications," to China would require special approval from the U.S. Department of Commerce, permission that the DOJ said was never sought or granted.

In fact, prosecutors allege Geng and Yang intentionally tried to skirt that requirement.

"Last week, law enforcement searched ALX Solutions’ office and seized the phones belonging to Geng and Yang that revealed incriminating communications between the defendants, including communications about shipping export-controlled chips to China through Malaysia to evade U.S. export laws," the release said.

Geng, a legal permanent resident, was released on $250,000 bond. Yang, who overstayed her visa, has a detention hearing set for Aug. 12.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 11.

Teenage Boy Shot In Pasadena Transported In Extremely Critical Condition

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 01:51:58 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – A shooting in Pasadena Tuesday left a 15-year-old boy in critical condition.

Jan. 18, 2022 (CBSLA).

Police said they received a call at 3:03 p.m. from Pasadena Fire Department notifying them that one of their engines was out on an unrelated call near the 1600 block of Los Robles Avenue when a car pulled up with a gunshot victim in the backseat.

Medics began treating the teenage victim and transported him to an area hospital where he was listed in “extremely critical” condition.

Pasadena Police Public Information Officer Bill Grisafe said that shortly after receiving the call from the fire department, authorities got a 911 call about gunshots heard near Los Robles Avenue and El Dora Road.

A preliminary investigation by police suggests that the shooting occurred in the area reported by the 911 caller, and then the victim was taken to the location where the fire engine was located.

It is not known whether the shooting was gang related or not.

No one is currently in custody and no suspect information has been released.

Families Mourn 3 Teens Killed In Pasadena Crash

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 04:26:50 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Three teenage boys were killed Sunday evening in a vehicle crash in Pasadena.

“My little grandson, he was like a son to me, you know? My baby,” said Betty Maciel, grandmother of Nicholas Torres, one of the victims.

According to California Highway Patrol, 17-year-old Andy Bae was driving a 2005 Honda south on Michillinda Avenue, accompanied by two male passengers, 17-year-old Torres and 16-year-old Eric Gullekson. Family members said all three were friends who met about a year ago.

“My nephew had just met them because he had [gone] to school with them recently,” said Torres’ uncle Jacob Munoz.

At about 8:25 p.m. Sunday evening, police said Bae was driving down Michillinda Avenue south of Foothill Boulevard when he lost control of the vehicle, went up a concrete curb then crashed through a chain-link fence onto an embankment before rolling the car over.

At this time, authorities are unsure what caused the crash.

Bae and Gullekson, both from Temple City, died at the scene, according to the CHP. Torres, who was from Monterey Park, later died at a hospital. Maciel rushed to the hospital but arrived after Torres died.

“My son Jacob called me and he told me that my grandson got into a bad accident,” she said. “I called his mother right away and she went right out there to the scene.”

Family and friends of the teens gathered to organize a memorial with flowers, candles and tributes written onto the walls of the overpass near the collision. Torres was set to graduate high school later this month.

“He was a really good kid,” said Joel de la Torre, the teen’s stepdad. “I just want to be here for my wife and the rest of my kids. That’s all I could do.”

Anyone with information on the crash was urged to call the CHP Altadena Area office at 626-296-8100.

Hundreds Of Local Students Pound The Pavement In Rose Bowl Half Marathon In Pasadena

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 00:30:51 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Hundreds of local students gathered on Sunday to take on the Rose Bowl Half Marathon in Pasadena.

The 13.1 mile race began at 7 a.m., beginning just outside of the Rose Bowl, before participants ran through Colorado Street Bridge, Old Town Pasadena and Cal Tech University before finishing on the field of the world-famous Rose Bowl.

Among its participants were Students Run LA, a program that teaches at-risk youth long-term goals through continuous races on a monthly basis, leading to the full Los Angeles Marathon.

“It is an opportunity to make them understand that they are young, youthful, that they really haven’t reached their peak and that they have a long road ahead of them, that they can achieve long-term goals,” said Sam Scruggs, who works at Locke High School with Students Run LA.

Scruggs added that the program assist its young participants in knowing that they can accomplish anything, teaching them that they can achieve their long-term goals, with a very long road ahead of them.

Over 3,000 students throughout the county partake in the program.

CBS reporters were on hand to speak with a number of student runners prior to the race. “I really like to challenge myself. I grew up in Mexico, so I never had the opportunity to join a sport,” said Denise Garcia. “It gives me a sense of accomplishment and knowing that I am able to run 13.1 miles,” she continued. “Every time I check my pace, it gets better. It makes me feel like I’m able to accomplish anything.”

Carlos Hildago, another student taking part in the half-marathon, in his second year of competition, also spoke with CBS reporters prior to the race, “The experience I get is amazing – being with other people.”

DUI Suspect Runs Into Pasadena Neighborhood After Leading Police Pursuit

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 07:05:11 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Los Angeles Police Department officers were in pursuit of a suspect wanted for driving under the influence on Wednesday evening.

The pursuit began in the Eagle Rock area just after 10:45 p.m., and the suspect led officers on a short pursuit before bailing on foot into a home in Pasadena.

When the suspect exited the vehicle, it was left in drive, coming to a stop against a neighboring fence.

Authorities are now searching the area for the suspect.

Students At Pasadena Unified Return To Classes Amid COVID Surge

Tue, 04 Jan 2022 21:09:01 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Pasadena schools were back in session Tuesday morning after the winter break.

The Pasadena Unified School District is working with the Pasadena Public Health Department and recommending multiple prevention measures to help keep students healthy.

The requirements include weekly testing for all unvaccinated students in grades TK through 12 as well as vaccine clinics at several schools.

“We ran a testing clinic over the break and yesterday was the busiest day so I think parents want to make sure that their children are safe and other children are safe as well,” said PUSD Chief Academic Officer Elizabeth Blanco.

Surgical-grade masks will also be required both indoors and outdoors on all campuses when people can’t maintain six feet of distance.

Parents are also encouraged to keep children home if they have any COVID symptoms.

Hundreds Gather At Floatfest To View 133rd Tournament Of Roses Parade Winners

Mon, 03 Jan 2022 00:28:31 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – On Sunday, hundreds of people gathered to attend Floatfest, an annual tradition where attendees get the opportunity to view the floats that were featured in the Rose Parade up-close.

COVID-19 regulations didn’t hold many back either, as attendees were required to show either proof of vaccination or a recent negative test to get on the grounds, as well as required masks.

Gates opened two hours early for senior citizens, who were granted the earliest opportunity to wake up and smell the flowers, while general admission ticket-holders were allowed in at 9 a.m. to view the thousands of flowers that adorned the floats that paraded down Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day.

One early morning attendee, Priscilla Fuchita, couldn’t resist pulling her mask down to get the full affect, “Oh, it is awesome. You just see the detail and the creativity, the imagination. I cheated and took my nose thing down a little bit to smell the flowers, it’s really a nice way to do it.”

Many attend Floatfest as an annual tradition, but Cathy Burkman, who hadn’t been since she was a child, couldn’t believe the true extent creators go to for detail and creativity. “It was fun as a kid to see it as a whole,” she said, “But when you’re an adult you can see all the specific details, up-close is different.”

The UPS Store took top honors in the 133rd Tournament of Roses Parade, winning the 2022 Sweepstakes Trophy for its entry “Rise, Shine & Read!’ featuring a proud father rooster reading to his family of chicks on a 35-foot-tall, 55-foot-long animated float.

The UPS Stores float participates in the 133rd Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, January 1, 2022. – The parade features floral floats, marching bands and equestrian units to ring in the New Year along the 5.5 mile (8.8 km) route along Colorado Blvd in Pasadena. (Photo by RINGO CHIU / AFP) (Photo by RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images)

The float, built by Irwindale-based Fiesta Parade Floats, demonstrates the importance of literacy.

The Sweepstakes Award honors the most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment. UPS Store also won this honor in 2019 and 2020.

A factor well-considered when it comes to awarding the floats is not only their creativity, but their attention to detail, especially in regards to the parade’s annual theme.

Floatfest visitors, like Lynn Marecrk, were also appreciative of the little things when she got her up-close look at the larger than life floats, “I just love this, the creativity and how they use everything to bring it to life is just amazing. … We were noticing how there’s cabbages and bell peppers and all these exciting vegetables being used – things you wouldn’t notice on TV. I love the themes, how everybody creates something that fits the themes, this is just a little treasure for me.”

Creators and volunteers are grateful for the opportunity as well, as it gives the public a true chance to see all of the effort they put in to make something special. Pam Wiedenbeck, told CBS reporters that there’s a lot more than what can be seen during the parade, disclosing that this year, due to shortages from the pandemic, they dried and chopped fruits and vegetables to finish their creations.

Floatfest Chairman Robert Hickam offered a little bit of clarity into what this event means, not just to the staff but to the guests who attend from across the globe. “They come here from all over the country and sometimes all over the world. Sometimes just seeing the magic in their eyes when they see this up-close, it’s unlike anything that’s out there,” he said.

The other winning floats, 23 in all, are:

— Louisiana Travel “Feed Your Soul”
Wrigley Legacy Award for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment

— Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day “Seeding Tomorrow”
President’s Award for most outstanding use and presentation of flowers

— Lions Club International “Quest for Kindness”
Leishman Public Spirit Award for most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant

— Donate Life “Courage to Hope”
Extraordinaire Award for most extraordinary float

— AIDS Healthcare Foundation “Vaccinate Our World”
Queen’s Award for most outstanding presentation of roses

— RFD-TV/Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom “Wild Kingdom”
Director’s Award for most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral

— City of Torrance / Torrance Rose Float Association “The Embodiment of Nature”
Princess Award for most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length

— Kaiser Permanente “A Healthier Future”
Theme Award for most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade Theme

— Sierra Madre Rose Float Association “Nature’s Classroom”
Judges Award for most outstanding float design and dramatic impact

— City of Alhambra “School Rocks”

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: The City of Alhambra, “School Rocks,” float at the 133rd Rose Parade Presented By Honda on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images)

Tournament Volunteer Award for most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length

— City of Hope “Garden of Hopes and Dreams”
Past President’s Award for most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials

— The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation “Saluting America’s Band Directors: We Teach Music. We Teach Life.”
Showmanship Award for most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment

— California Physical Therapy Association “Physical Therapists Improve the Way You Move”
Grand Marshal Award for most outstanding creative concept and float design

— The Masked Singer “Anything Can Happen”
Isabella Coleman Award for most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design

— Reese’s University
“Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Success.”
Bob Hope Humor Award for most whimsical and amusing float

— Cal Poly Universities “Stargrazers”
Animation Award for most outstanding use of animation

— La Cañada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association “Who Says We Can’t?”
Crown City Innovator for most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology

— Western Asset “Let Imagination Be Your Guide”
Fantasy Award for most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination

— Trader Joe’s “You Are Invited”
Americana Award for most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions

— Wetzel’s Pretzels “California Cruisin”
Golden State Award for most outstanding depiction of life in California

— Burbank Tournament of Roses Association “An Unlikely Tale”
Mayor’s Award for most outstanding float from a participating city

— South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association “Sky’s the Limit”
Founder’s Award for most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization

— China Airlines “Biking Around Taiwan”
International Award for most outstanding float from outside the United States

UPS Store Wins Top Float Honors For The 2022 Tournament Of Roses Parade

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 18:56:01 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – The UPS Store has taken top honors in Saturday’s 133rd Tournament of Roses Parade, winning the 2022 Sweepstakes Trophy for its entry “Rise, Shine & Read!’ featuring a proud father rooster reading to his family of chicks on a 35-foot-tall, 55-foot-long animated float.

The float, built by Irwindale-based Fiesta Parade Floats, demonstrates the importance of literacy.

The Sweepstakes Award honors the most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment. UPS Store also won this honor in 2019 and 2020.

The other winning floats, 23 in all, are:

— Louisiana Travel

“Feed Your Soul”

Wrigley Legacy Award for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment

— Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day

“Seeding Tomorrow”

President’s Award for most outstanding use and presentation of flowers

— Lions Club International

“Quest for Kindness”

Leishman Public Spirit Award for most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial participant

— Donate Life

“Courage to Hope”

Extraordinaire Award for most extraordinary float

— AIDS Healthcare Foundation

“Vaccinate Our World”

Queen’s Award for most outstanding presentation of roses

— RFD-TV/Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom

“Wild Kingdom”

Director’s Award for most outstanding artistic design and use of floral and non-floral

— City of Torrance / Torrance Rose Float Association

“The Embodiment of Nature”

Princess Award for most outstanding floral presentation among entries 35 feet and under in length

— Kaiser Permanente

“A Healthier Future”

Theme Award for most outstanding presentation of the Rose Parade Theme

— Sierra Madre Rose Float Association

“Nature’s Classroom”

Judges Award for most outstanding float design and dramatic impact

— City of Alhambra

“School Rocks”

Tournament Volunteer Award for most outstanding floral presentation of the Rose Parade Theme among floats 35 feet and under in length

— City of Hope

“Garden of Hopes and Dreams”

Past President’s Award for most outstanding innovation in the use of floral and non-floral materials

— The Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation

“Saluting America’s Band Directors: We Teach Music. We Teach Life.”

Showmanship Award for most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment

— California Physical Therapy Association

“Physical Therapists Improve the Way You Move”

Grand Marshal Award for most outstanding creative concept and float design

— The Masked Singer

“Anything Can Happen”

Isabella Coleman Award for most outstanding presentation of color and color harmony through floral design

— Reese’s University

“Chocolate. Peanut Butter. Success.”

Bob Hope Humor Award for most whimsical and amusing float

— Cal Poly Universities

“Stargrazers”

Animation Award for most outstanding use of animation

— La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association

“Who Says We Can’t?”

Crown City Innovator for most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology

— Western Asset

“Let Imagination Be Your Guide”

Fantasy Award for most outstanding display of fantasy and imagination

— Trader Joe’s

“You Are Invited”

Americana Award for most outstanding depiction of national treasures and traditions

— Wetzel’s Pretzels

“California Cruisin”

Golden State Award for most outstanding depiction of life in California

— Burbank Tournament of Roses Association

“An Unlikely Tale”

Mayor’s Award for most outstanding float from a participating city

— South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association

“Sky’s the Limit”

Founder’s Award for most outstanding float built and decorated by volunteers from a community or organization

— China Airlines

“Biking Around Taiwan”

International Award for most outstanding float from outside the United States

133rd Tournament Of Roses Parade Restarts Beloved Tradition

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 15:52:31 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – The 133rd Tournament of Roses Parade made a colorful return to Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena Saturday, with crowds lining the sidewalks to see dozens of elaborate floral floats, high-energy marching bands and equestrian teams in the iconic New Year’s Day tradition that was called off last year due to COVID-19.

“Dream. Believe. Achieve.” was the parade theme this year, a celebration of “education’s ability to open doors, open minds and change lives.”

“Education paves the path to success with a world of opportunities achieved through knowledge, compassion and determination. Education is the great equalizer,” Tournament of Roses Association President Robert Miller said. “As a community college educator, I have seen firsthand the life- changing miracle that education provides.”

The UPS Store took top honors in the parade for the third consecutive time, winning the 2022 Sweepstakes Trophy for its entry “Rise, Shine & Read!’ featuring a proud father rooster reading to his family of chicks on a 35-foot- tall, 55-foot-long animated float.

The float, built by Irwindale-based Fiesta Parade Floats, demonstrated the importance of literacy.

The festivities began at 8 a.m. with a performance by Grammy-winning singer LeAnn Rimes, featuring a remixed and re-mastered version of “Throw My Arms Around the World,” created specifically for the Pasadena celebration.

Rimes, who first appeared in the Rose Parade in 2006, was accompanied by the Rose Parade Dancers, the Mark Keppel Dance Company, Rose Parade Flag Bearers and four drummers. A burst of fireworks set the stage for the two-hour parade.

Many spectators along the 5 1/2-mile parade route staked out their spots overnight despite unseasonably low temperatures. In 2019, the event drew an estimated 700,000 people in person, while 37 million people watched the television broadcast.

Some Rose Parade traditions remain unchanged since the first parade in 1890. That includes the requirement that every inch of the 37 floats must be covered with flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds or bark. The most delicate flowers, including roses, were placed in individual vials of water, set into floats one by one.

This year’s grand marshal was Emmy-winning actor LeVar Burton, who is also a director, educator and lifelong advocate of children’s literacy and known to generations of children for his role as host of PBS’ “Reading Rainbow.”

La Canada High School senior Nadia Chung reigned over the parade as Rose Queen, joined by the six members of her Royal Court:

— Jeannine Briggs, John Marshall Fundamental High School;

— Abigail Griffith, Pasadena High School;

— Jaeda Walden, La Canada High School;

— Swetha Somasundaram, Arcadia High School;

— Ava Feldman, South Pasadena High School; and

— McKenzie Street, Flintridge Sacred Heart.

The parade featured 17 marching bands. In a Rose Parade first that highlighted the theme of education, the Band Directors Marching Band included 270 band directors from across the United States and Mexico, ranging from recent music education graduates to retired veteran directors.

Other bands included the Los Angeles Unified School District All District High School Honor Band and the U.S. Marine Corps West Coast Composite Band, including musicians from Camp Pendleton.

Seventeen equestrian teams on the parade route included The New Buffalo Soldiers, a group of first responders who present a historical representation of the 10th Regiment, Company H of the U.S. Cavalry, formerly enslaved individuals who served as soldiers but received little recognition for their sacrifice.

The Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team, an all-women, high-speed precision rodeo specialty act, were among the other groups that rode on horseback to entertain the crowd.

The parade wrapped with a grand finale headlined by Grammy nominee Jimmie Allen and an appearance by the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute team.

Following the landing of the Golden Knights, Allen performed his hit song “Good Times Roll,” accompanied by his four-piece band, the Rose Parade Dancers, the Mark Keppel Dance Company and the Rose Parade Flag Bearers.

Allen made history as the first Black artist to launch a career with two consecutive No. 1 hits off his 2018 debut album, “Mercury Lane.” His two- time platinum debut single “Best Shot” claimed the number one spot on country radio for three weeks.

At 2 p.m. Saturday, attention will shift to the 108th Rose Bowl, where the Ohio State Buckeyes will take the field against the Utah Utes, in the latter team’s first appearance in the New Year’s Day game.

The two teams have matched up only once before — in 1986, when OSU dominated — and some sports analysts say OSU’s players may still be reeling from their bitter loss to rival University of Michigan.

Parade-watchers with tickets and football fans in the stadium were required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or a negative result from a test for the virus. Those 18 and older also have to show a photo ID.

Masks were required to be worn throughout the parade.

The parade’s floats will be on display at Floatfest after the parade and all day Sunday along a two-mile route at Sierra Madre and Washington boulevards. Visitors are advised to carry clear bags to get through security quickly.

Roads were expected to remain closed until 2 p.m. along Colorado Boulevard from Orange Grove Boulevard to Sierra Madre Boulevard and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma Street.

Utah, Ohio State Fans Prepare For Rose Bowl Game

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 06:41:36 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – New Year’s Day isn’t just about the parade, but the Rose Bowl as well. Stores are filled with red, not just for roses – but for Ohio State and Utah – who are facing off in the Grand Daddy of them all.

KCAL9’s Jeff Nguyen spoke with fans from both teams outside a merchandise store on Colorado Boulevard.

This is a first time experience for Utah fans – they only became qualified for the game in 2011 when they move to the PAC-12 conference.

For the folks in Utah – they only qualified for the game a few years back because they moved into the PAC-12 conference.

“We never thought it would happen. We were WAC (Western Athletic Conference), Mountain West [Conference], this was never on our radar,” said Utah fan Cory Kennedy. “So once we got into the PAC-12… this has been the dream.”

The Utes are playing in the first Rose Bowl Game after defeating the Oregon Ducks 37-10 in the Pac-12 Championship game.

“This is a bucket list thing for us,” said Ohio State fan Jimmy Hull.

The Buckeyes are making their 16th appearance in the Rose Bowl and their first since defeating Washington 28-23 in 2019.

“We are thrilled that our team is here and we are planning for this to not be the last time,” said Meggin Kennedy.

Utah has one the Pac-12 south division in three of the last four season and won their first PAC-12 Conference Championship this season.

“I love flowers. I’ve always wanted to come see the Rose Bowl Parade,” said Ohio State fan Debby Sharvin. “I’m so thrilled to be able to do that.”

Whether attendees are rooting for the Buckeyes or the Utes – both sides had something in common – no one was wearing a heavy coat.

Because when you’re coming from Ohio or Utah – Pasadena in January is basically t-shirt weather.

Spectators Claim Spots Ahead Of 133rd Rose Parade

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 06:10:54 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Despite souring COVID-19 rates in Los Angeles County, the Rose Parade is back this year after it was cancelled in 2021.

Thousands of spectators hoping to secure prime viewing for the 133rd Rose Parade began claiming spots along the route Friday. Although infections are surging again in the county this winter, Saturday’s parade and accompanying Rose Bowl Game are moving ahead as scheduled.

After a challenging couple of years caused by the pandemic – the Blake family carried on with a Southern California tradition: camping on Colorado Boulevard for the Rose Parade.

“This will be our 8^th year. I don’t think there’s ever been so empty spaces. Usually, it’s jam packed,” said Mallory Blake.

From the low-riders to the floats that were slowly moved into position. The parade is back after it was cancelled last year and LA County is seeing an alarming surge of new infections.

“Masks are not required outside but we are highly recommending it, because you need that extra layer of protection,” said Lisa Derderian, a Pasadena Spokesperson.

And proof of vaccination or a recent negative test is required at the stands that seat 10-thousand or more, as well as the Rose Bowl Game.

“I like to be able to watch the parade and say hey I saw that behind the scenes… before it was already out here,” said Mckenna Blake.

Andrea Canfield says she and her family wanted give their kids a break from being cooped up.

“We wanted to find a place that there wasn’t anybody around,” said Canfield. “So hopefully nobody – it’s supposed to be six feet from the campsites – so they abide by the rules.”

It’s as nice as sidewalk camping can get – chairs, a dining table, even beds. Denis Valenzuela has watched the Rose Parade from the sidewalk on Colorado Boulevard more than a dozen times – but this year, she hesitated due to Omicron.

“We teeter totted a lot about it, but we figured we would stay masked, and we’ve been isolating ourselves as a family,” said Valenzuela.

She hopes people will spread out and believes that it’s doable this year.

“If you look out, there is hardly anyone out here,” said Valenzuela. “We have been here since 7:00 a.m. and usually there’s more people here.”

Adriana Dakimowicz is attending her first rose parade this year. She too is conscious of keeping her family safe.

“Just keep to ourselves, not intermingle,” said Dakimowicz.

Kim Kelly and her sister Kathleen have the same plan.

“Well, I am sitting here with my mask on so yes, it did weigh on us,” said Kelly. “I am a nurse at UCLA so I am aware of the risks. But with being outside and being vaccinated and boosted, I felt like it was safe.”

Despite the increased traffic, about half of the businesses on Colorado Boulevard are boarding up and have chosen to close early Friday and stay closed through New Year’s Day.

“It’s very difficult for them to maintain their staffing levels and the health precautions when people enter into the restaurants,” said Chief John Perez of the Pasadena Police Department.

Along the parade route, masks are encouraged, but not required. Perez is still asking everyone to “make sure you wear yours masks. The masks in this weather will keep you warm.”

A woman attending the parade says she hopes when the parade is televised, it shows the world that people still gather – as long as it’s done safely.

“To show other people that we can still be active and still do the things we used to do, as long as we take precautions and if we all get vaccinated, we can do the things we used to do.”

Those in the parade grandstands must show proof of vaccination or a negative test result. Masks will also be required during the event.

Starting at 12 p.m., people were able to claim sidewalk seats along the 5 1/2-mile route, but all people and property such as blankets and chairs must remain on the curb until 11 p.m.

After 11 p.m., spectators can move out to the blue “Honor Line” on the street.

People planning to camp out must follow these rules:

Small, professionally made barbecues that are elevated at least 1 foot off the ground are permitted along the route, but they must be at least 25 feet from buildings and other combustibles. A fire extinguisher also must be readily available.
People under age 18 will only be permitted on the parade route from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Saturday if they are supervised by an adult.
Parade-goers should be prepared for cold weather and dress in layers.
Tents, sofas or boxes that can be used as stools or seats are prohibited along the route.
Bonfires along the route are prohibited.
No items can be sold along the route without a city permit.
Selling spaces along the parade route is prohibited.
Horns may not be sold, given away or purchased along the route.
No public areas can be roped off.
Ladders or scaffolding that can be used for elevated viewing of the parade are prohibited.
Open containers of alcohol are prohibited on public streets and sidewalks and other public areas.

Colorado Boulevard will close to traffic at 10 p.m. and remain closed until 2 p.m. Saturday. Closures will be effective from Orange Grove Boulevard to Sierra Madre Boulevard and northbound on Sierra Madre to Paloma Street.

The following freeway ramps will also be closed:

westbound 210 Freeway off-ramp at Sierra Madre and drop off lane;
eastbound 210 off-ramp at San Gabriel;
eastbound 134 Freeway off-ramp at Orange Grove;
southbound 710 Freeway off-ramp at Del Mar;
northbound 710 on-ramp at Del Mar;
northbound 710 on-ramp at California; and
southbound 710 left turn pocket.

The Tournament of Roses chose the theme”Dream. Believe. Achieve.” this year.

The parade will kick off at 8 a.m. with a performance by Grammy-winning singer LeAnn Rimes. Emmy-winning actor LeVar Burton will serve as the grand marshal.

A total of 37 floats will be in the parade, along with 17 equestrian groups and 17 marching bands.

Volunteers Begin To Prepare For 2022 Rose Bowl Parade

Tue, 28 Dec 2021 02:12:01 +0000

It's the last week of the year and that means the countdown is on to the Rose Parade and all the magnificent floats! Volunteers are racing to transform steel floats into colorful masterpieces. KCAL9's Tom Wait has more on the preparation.

Rose Parade, Rose Bowl Game Still on Jan. 1 Slate Despite COVID-19 Surge

Thu, 23 Dec 2021 19:54:48 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – While surging COVID-19 numbers have forced cancellations or postponements across a wide range of events, organizers of the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl game said today plans for those New Year’s Day traditions are going forward — though “we are prepared to adjust our plans as necessary.”

Due to surging cases in December 2020, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation relocated last year’s game to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas in order to allow spectators to attend.

“At the present time, we fully expect the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game to be held as scheduled on New Year’s Day 2022 in beautiful Pasadena, California,” according to a statement from the Pasadena Tournament of Roses.

The only other time that the Rose Bowl Game had been held outside of Pasadena, prior to last year, was in 1942 during World War II when the game was relocated to Duke Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

(Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

“We are aware of the rising COVID-19 infection rates, and are monitoring the situation very closely.”

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Public Health Department reported 6,509 new cases of COVID-19, over double the previous day’s total.

“As we continue to work with the Pasadena Public Health Department in regards to their health order, we are confident in our ability to host both the parade and game successfully, and in compliance with all the applicable government protocols needed to keep everyone safe. We are prepared to adjust our plans as necessary.”

The city and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses are instituting new rules to ensure this year’s events are as safe as possible. In addition to a masks requirement, attendees must show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event.

The association added: “The health and well-being of our parade participants and guests, as well as that of our volunteer members, professional staff and partners, remains our number one priority.”

Last year’s Rose Parade was canceled because of the pandemic. This year’s event — themed “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” — will wrap up with performances by Grammy nominee Jimmie Allen, TikTok favorite Timothy Fletcher and an appearance by the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights.

Ohio State will play Utah in the Rose Bowl game, set to kick off at 2 p.m.

Rose Parade To Continue As Scheduled

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 07:00:05 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — The City of Pasadena is pushing ahead with its largest events of the year amid the latest COVID-19 surge.

“The numbers are increasing which is a concern, but we also know that with the precautions we have in place we are doing everything that we possibly can,” said city spokesperson Lisa Derderian.

Last year’s Rose Parade and Floatfest were canceled last year, the first time since 1945, as the region dealt with a devastating winter surge. This plus the relocation of the Rose Bowl Game dealt a devastating economic hit to the city and local businesses. The Rose Bowl has only been moved from its namesake stadium twice in history. Once during World War II, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and last year during the winter surge which saw cases jump exponentially.

“It was a pretty big blow for us,” said Ervin Galvan, owner of We Olive And Wine Bar Pasadena.

However, the city and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses are instituting new rules to ensure this year’s events are as safe as possible. In addition to a masks requirement, attendees must show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event.

“We are…monitoring the situation very closely,” a Tournament of Roses spokesperson said in a statement to CBSLA. “We are confident in our ability to host both the parade and game successfully, and (with) protocols needed to keep everyone safe. We are prepared to adjust our plans as necessary.”

Business owners are hopeful that the new regulations will allow the events to continue and bring much-needed traffic back to Colorado Boulevard.

“It’s great for business,” said Galvan. “Especially being on Colorado Boulevard. It’s really great foot traffic. A lot of exposure.”

According to Derderian businesses are already preparing for out-of-town visitors.

“Our hotels are all sold out,” she said. “Our restaurants already have reservations on New Year’s Eve.”

Pasadena Crash Leaks 1,300 Gallons Of Fuel Into Alhambra Wash

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 17:30:56 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — A crash in Pasadena Sunday afternoon caused a spill that sent hundreds of gallons of fuel draining into the Alhambra Wash.

Dec. 19, 2021. (city of Alhambra/Twitter)

At around 3:15 p.m., a vehicle struck a fuel pump at the Union 76 Gas Station on Arroyo Parkway and Glenarm Street, according to the city of Pasadena.

A witness told CBSLA that a female driver behind the wheel hit the pump in such a way that it disabled the mechanism that would normally prevent gasoline from spilling as it did. The emergency shutoff malfunctioned, and authorities were instead forced to cut power to the gas station.

The city said the collision caused about 1,300 gallons of fuel to spill and then drain into the Alhambra Wash.

Hazmat crews with the city of Pasadena and Los Angeles County responded, as a portion of the intersection was closed. The spill was partly contained Sunday night. Cleanup efforts were expected to continue well into Monday afternoon, the city of Alhambra said.

(city of Alhambra)

During the cleanup process, residents in the surrounding area were advised to stay indoors and close windows. Anyone who reports feeling sick from the fumes should call 911.

LA County Hazmat and a private contractor will continue the clean up on the gasoline spill until 2pm today. They are coordinating the cleanup throughout the wash, starting in Pasadena, passing through Alhambra and ending in San Gabriel. All Alhambra crews have been released. pic.twitter.com/zDMsmKZ6jE

— City of Alhambra (@cityofalhambra) December 20, 2021

Authorities Investigating Hate Fliers Dispensed Throughout Pasadena, Beverly Hills Neighborhoods

Mon, 20 Dec 2021 03:59:41 +0000

BEVERLY HILLS/PASADENA (CBSLA) – Residents in several neighborhoods throughout the Southland awoke to messages of anti-semitic propaganda in their front yards on Sunday morning.

Several hundred fliers were distributed in neighborhoods in both Pasadena and Beverly Hills on Sunday morning, between 12:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., according to a report from the City of Pasadena.

For the second time within a month, antisemitic flyers containing COVID-19 conspiracy theories have been distributed to homes in Beverly Hills, a Jewish majority city, according to an Instagram post by Vice Mayor Lili Bosse. pic.twitter.com/mVGNLGyzNd

— The Beverly Hills Courier (@BHCourier) December 19, 2021

Authorities were made aware of the fliers just around 8:30 on Sunday morning, where more than 200 fliers were said to have been tossed onto resident’s driveways and front yards.

In Pasadena, the fliers were dispersed in plastic bags weighed down by gravel, while in Beverly Hills they were filled with rice.

Messages portrayed on the fliers included, “Every single aspect of the COVID Agenda is Jewish,” and named several prominent health executives.

The four-block radius in which fliers were distributed in Pasadena included Washington Boulevard, Mentor Avenue, Catalina Avenue and Wilson Avenue.

Beverly Hills Mayor Bob Wunderlich, issued a statement on Sunday in response to the anti-semitic messages, “In Beverly Hills, we are proactively fighting hating speech like this – as well as a variety of crimes. This is not the place where people should come to perpetrate hate speech or other sorts of crimes.”

Pasadena’s Mayor, Victor Gordo also released a statement issuing the same sentiment, “The distribution of antisemitic fliers in Pasadena and other Southern California communities over the weekend is abhorrent and totally antithetical to the values of our city and its residents. Our thoughts are with our residents and all those hurt by these disgusting acts. We know Pasadena residents — of all faiths — will to stand together and speak out against hatred in all forms.”

A similar event occurred in Beverly Hills, a Jewish majority city, in November. The team of investigators has not yet related the two incidents.

In response, the Beverly Hills Police Department indicated that they would be increasing patrols in the area, as well as dispersing private security teams throughout the city.

Grammy Nominee Jimmie Allen To Headline Rose Parade Finale

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 21:08:44 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Grammy nominee Jimmie Allen is set to perform at the finale of the 2022 Rose Parade, organizers announced Friday.

Jimmie Allen is nominated for a 2022 Best New Artist Grammy.

Organizers also announced that TikTok favorite Timothy Fletcher will perform while the U.S. Army’s Golden Knights descend from the sky.

During the grand finale, four members of the Golden Knights — the Army’s parachute team — will fall from the sky and land on the street for a live football toss from the parade route to the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Their descent will be accompanied by Fletcher, a drummer who has gained popularity on Instagram and Tiktok.

Allen will then perform his hit song “Good Times Roll,” accompanied by a four-piece band.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the parade will kick off with a performance by Grammy Award-winning singer LeAnn Rimes.

Rimes will perform a remixed version of the song, “Throw My Arms Around the World,” created especially for the New Year’s Day event.

The 133rd Rose Parade will return on Jan. 1 after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.

52 Rescued ‘Christmas Cats’ Available For Adoption At Pasadena Humane Society’s Winter Wonderland Event

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 19:14:23 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Dozens of cats and kittens rescued recently in Pasadena are looking for a new home for the holidays.

(credit: Pasadena Humane Society)

The 52 cats and kittens, who “were found living in unsanitary conditions inside the home and in a crawl space underneath the house,” will be available for adoption Saturday at Pasadena Humane Society’s Winter Wonderland cat adoption event.

These felines have been given festive, seasonally-appropriate names like Jolly, Merry, and Jingle. They have all since been given the necessary medical care, and will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before they go to their new homes.

“If you are able to open your heart and home this holiday season, please consider adopting one of the Christmas Cats,” Pasadena Humane President and CEO Dia DuVernet said in a statement.

The Winter Wonderland cat adoption event will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pasadena Humane Society, 361 S. Raymond Ave. Discounts may be available for cats 6 months and older.

LeAnn Rimes To Kick Off 2022 Rose Parade With Special Performance

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:50:56 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — The Rose Parade will kick off on Jan. 1 with a performance by Grammy Award-winning singer LeAnn Rimes, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced Wednesday.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 08: LeAnn Rimes performs during Weekend 2 of the ACL Music Festival at Zilker Park on October 08, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Josh Brasted/FilmMagic)

Rimes will perform a remixed version of the song, “Throw My Arms Around the World,” created especially for the New Year’s Day event.

She will be accompanied by the Rose Parade Dancers, the Mark Keppel Dance Company, Rose Parade Flag Bearers and four drummers.

The performance will conclude with fireworks and kick off the two-hour parade.

Rimes first appeared in the Rose Parade in 2006.

The annual parade was canceled in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

First Omicron Case Detected In Pasadena Resident

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 03:08:35 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — On Monday, the Pasadena Public Health Department reported its first COVID-19 Omicron case.

The person did not recently travel internationally and is believed to have acquired the infection locally in early December. The resident was fully vaccinated and had a booster dose. The person only had a mild illness and did not require hospitalization. All of the close contacts are currently self-isolating.

Health officials continued to advocate for residents to receive their vaccines and booster shots.

“Now is the time for anyone who is not yet vaccinated to get fully vaccinated, and for everyone 16 years and older to get a booster dose. Getting vaccinated, including a booster, remains your best defense against COVID-19 variants,” said Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Director of the Pasadena Public Health Department.

Pasadena Restaurants Losing Outdoor Dining To Rose Parade

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 06:58:48 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – For months, restaurants along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena have battled the detrimental monetary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with outdoor dining.

Outdoor dining on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. (Photo Credit: KCAL9 News)

Come Tuesday, many of those restaurants will lose that outdoor dining for almost three weeks, due to the return of Pasadena’s biggest event – The Rose Parade.

City crews will remove the traffic barriers starting on Wednesday as they begin to prepare for the parade, set to take place on New Year’s Day for the 133rd time.

While these moves may make an effect on the immediate day-to-day of restaurant owners in Pasadena, they understand that it comes with the territory.

“It’s gonna hurt the business, but you know what, it’s something they do every year. Last year we didn’t have a Rose Parade, “Juan Anaya, owner of Anaya’s Restuarant said. “We need to support whatever decisions they make, especially the city of Pasadena. They help us a lot with this… thanks to this patio, we survived during the worst part of the year – last year and this year too.”

Nikos Baltas, manager of Mi Piace, echoed that statement, “As I said this parade is very crucial to the city and they need the room. So, we’ll do what needs to be done and we’ll move on and everybody’s gonna be happy I think.”

(Photo Credit: KCAL9 News)

Business should return to what has become normal for these owners as soon as January 6, when city crews will replace the traffic barriers, giving restaurants a chance to bounce back from the temporary setback – something they’ve grown accustomed to over the last couple of years.

Sidewalk dining is set to resume even earlier on January 2, once the Rose Parade is officially over.

The Rose Parade was forced to cancel for just the fourth time since its inception in 1890 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s parade, along with new safety regulations, will look much different from years past.

Woman Shot In Face, Arm While On 210 Freeway In Pasadena Before Driving Herself To Hospital

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 23:20:19 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Police Friday were seeking information after a woman was shot and critically wounded while driving on the 210 Freeway in Pasadena.

The shooting occurred Thursday evening around 7:30 p.m. on the eastbound 210 Freeway near Lincoln Avenue, according to the California Highway Patrol.

“Detectives … determined a 27-year old female adult victim drove herself to Huntington Memorial Hospital with gunshot wounds to her face and arm,” the CHP said in a statement released Friday afternoon. “She is listed in critical condition.”

The woman’s identity was not immediately released. No information was available on the shooter.

Anyone with information on the case was urged to call Detective M. Yasutake of the CHP’s Major Crimes Unit at 323-644-9550.

Pasadena Prepares For Rose Parade Festivities Amidst Rising COVID-19 Cases

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 06:41:38 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – In just a few short weeks Pasadena will be paraded by tens of thousands of people – quite literally.

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 01: A general view of the stadium as the sun sets as the Oregon Ducks play the Wisconsin Badgers during the third quarter in the Rose Bowl game presented by Northwestern Mutual at Rose Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Tournament of Roses Parade, often referred to simply as The Rose Parade, or as “America’s New Year Celebration,” is set to take place on New Year’s Day, has been a yearly occasion since 1890, canceled only four times – 1942, 1943 and 1945 due to World War II, and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scheduled to return in 2022, The Rose Parade is, as always, partnered by The Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl Stadium is just three miles from Colorado Boulevard, where most of The Rose Parade takes place, as just as many people will flood the stadium to watch the Utah Utes face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes. After a year away, taking place at a neutral location (AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas), The Rose Bowl, with it’s 90,000+ capacity, will fill once again, as it returns to it’s rightful place in Pasadena.

After the parade comes Floatfest, a two-mile long showcase of all of the floats that took part in the parade, allowing spectators to appreciate the beauty and detail put into each float. This is, yet another event that brings tens of thousands of people to the streets of Pasadena.

Despite being cancelled last year, many residents are still apprehensive about joining the festivities, especially as case numbers continue to rise, and reported Omicron variant cases appear on the daily. They do however welcome the tight restrictions being put into place ahead of the parade, as an estimated 700,000 spectators are expected to line the streets.

(Photo Credit: KCAL9)

This year’s rules, for all three events, include:

Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination OR Proof of a negative COVID-19 test, at least within 72-hours of the event;
All guests aged 2-years and older must wear a mask;
Ticket-holders aged 18-years and older must provide a photo ID when presenting either the COVID-19 vaccination, either digitally or physically, or the negative COVID-19 test.

Pasadena City Spokeswoman Lisa Derderian clarified, stating that Tournament organizers are just following the health orders already in place in Pasadena.

She did indicate that non-ticketed spectators lining the streets to watch the parade won’t have to show proof of vaccination or a negative test, but they will be encouraged to wear masks.

Derderian urged attendees to do their due diligence ahead of time:

“Where we know there will be confusion is (that) some people, will be staying outside of Pasadena – it may be L.A. city jurisdiction, L.A. County, or if they’re staying in Pasadena, all three jurisdictions have different health directives. So, it’s imperative that they call ahead of time, whether it be the hotels they’re staying at, the restaurants they’ll be frequenting, the entertainment venues they’ll be attending… because it will vary.”

As always, the Parade is slated for January 1 and will begin at 8:00 a.m. continuing several hours. The Rose Bowl game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. the same day and FloatFest starts after the conclusion of the Rose Parade and goes through January 2.

This year’s theme, originally planned for 2021 is “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” As the Rose Parade’s website states, the theme centers around “celebrating education’s ability to open doors, open minds and change lives.”

PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Rose Parade float on the parade route during the 128th Tournamnet of Roses Parade Presented by Honda on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

The parade will run over five-and-a-half miles, featuring the traditional four categories of entries: floral-decorated floats entered by a participating corporation, non-profit organization or municipality, equestrian units, bands, and Tournament Entries.

LeVar Burton will be serving as the Parade’s Grand Marshal. Burton is an actor, director and children’s literacy advocate. He is known for “Reading Rainbow,” “Roots,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” and “Ali.” He has been awarded an Emmy Award, 12 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award for his work. In recent years he began writing children’s literature, and has two published books in this genre.

‘From Pasadena, With Love,’ City Of Roses Honors Small Businesses

Sun, 28 Nov 2021 02:20:09 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Both enamored the neon-lit machines displaying, alien battles, race cars and even a yellow sphere gobbling ghosts, it was only fitting that Mark and Mia Guenther’s love story began with the most classic arcade game.

“We connected over pinball college,” said Mark who first met his wife after he invited her to play on the pinball machine he kept in his dorm room.

After college, the couple slowly but surely continued to collect arcade games until it was too much to keep in their home.

“It was like one game turned into five, turned into 50,” said Mia. “Once we kind of hit a certain point, we [had] to open up a space to put these in because they can’t come in the house.”

In 2015, they decided to spread their love for vintage games with their own Neon Retro Arcade in Pasadena. It succeeded for its first five years until the pandemic closed it for 15 months.

“There were many times where we should’ve given up — or could’ve given up,” said Mia. “But people really love this place and we do too. We can’t imagine our lives without it.”

While it was difficult to persevere those 15 months, the business made it through. To show appreciation for the small businesses that persevered through one of the most difficult economic downturns in American History, the City of Pasadena started the event “From Pasadena, With Love” beginning on Nov. 27, Small Business Saturday.

“We’re so appreciative of everything that the community, as well as the city, has done to support the small shops,” said Jill Pearson, owner of Homage. “That’s why we’re still here.”

The campaign lasts until Dec. 24, Christmas Eve. Patrons can receive free gifts and enter giveaways while also getting discounts at various small businesses.

According to the Small Business Administration, local businesses raked in a record $19.8 billion during last year’s Small Business Saturday. The organization believes the record will be broken once again this year.

Pasadena Offers $10,000 Reward For Information In Shooting That Killed 13-Year-Old Iran Moreno

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 22:59:54 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — A $10,000 reward was announced Wednesday for information in the murder of 13-year-old Iran Moreno, who was struck by a stray bullet while playing video games in his bedroom.

(credit: Pasadena Police Department)

The reward was offered by the City of Pasadena, less than a week after the shooting sent a stray bullet into the boy’s home in the 900 block of North Raymond Avenue just after 6 p.m. Saturday. Police say Iran had been playing video games in his bedroom when he was shot.

Pasadena police say their homicide detectives are “working diligently to follow-up on all investigative leads,” and that tips from the public in previous investigations have “have proven to be instrumental” in making an arrest.

Iran was not believed to be the intended target of the shooting.

Anyone with information about the shooting can call Pasadena Police at (626) 744-4241. Anonymous tips can also be called in to Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), online at crimestoppers.org, or by downloading the P3 Tips mobile app.

2 Killed In Pasadena Shooting

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 23:23:28 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — Two people are dead after a dispute between two men escalated to a shooting in Pasadena Tuesday afternoon.

“We don’t think it was a burglary, we could always be incorrect on that [but] we don’t think it was a burglary,” said Pasadena Police Chief John Perez. “This was not a gang-related incident that we are aware of.

The incident was first reported at about 2:30 p.m. in the area of Orange Grove Boulevard and Sunnyslope Avenue. When officers arrived they found one victim suffering from several gunshot wounds and later located a suspect who was armed with a gun. According to Pasadena Police Chief John Perez, the suspect, who was in his 20s, shot and killed a 70-year-old man before carjacking one woman. When police arrived the suspect began to flee police on foot before exchanging gunfire with officers. No officers were injured. The suspect was later rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his gunshot wounds and later died. It is unknown if the suspect died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound or was struck by one of the officers’ rounds.

There may be as many as three potential crime scenes in connection with the shooting, and several streets have been blocked off for the police investigation.

Vigil Held For 13-Year-Old Iran Moreno Balvaneda Killed By Stray Bullet In Pasadena

Tue, 23 Nov 2021 02:27:20 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) — It was a day of mourning and disbelief in Pasadena Monday as more candles were lit in honor of a 13-year-old boy who was killed by a stray bullet inside his home.

13-year-old Iran Moreno Balvaneda was killed by a stray bullet in Pasadena.

Iran Moreno Balvaneda was in his bedroom Saturday evening, playing video games when what police are calling a stray bullet came through the window. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but didn’t make it.

Maria Balvaneda lives next door and is Iran’s cousin.

“We heard two ‘pops’ but we thought it was fireworks,” she said. “My uncle and my aunt are not doing well still. They’re hanging in there and my parents and I told them that they can’t give up. They have three other kids to look out for and life isn’t over. That justice will be served.”

Frustration continued to grow Monday as police continued to search for the shooter.

“You’re at your house thinking you are safe as well and you can’t be safe anywhere. This community, this city, is just too dangerous,” said family friend Maria Munguia. “He grew up such a loving kid with the biggest smile on his face.”

“He was a good kid,” said Balvaneda. “He loved video games, basketball, soccer. He was a straight-A student.”

As quickly as this community gathered to support the family of the 13-year-old, they are also demanding change.

“There is an uptick in violence, in particular, gun violence,” said Pasadena City Council Member John Kennedy. “The way to work us out of this is a heavy police presence.”

Police were back on the scene Monday talking to neighbors, trying to get them to come forward about who had the gun and fired the shots into the home.

“We hear words like tragedy and senseless but that gets old to me,” said Pasadena Police Department Chief John Perez. “This just needs to stop and we need to put people in jail for doing this.”

Although investigators do not believe the child or this home was the intended target, it’s little comfort for a family that now has to bury a child.

Officials Test Drive Floats Before Rose Parade To Return In Pasadena January 2022

Sat, 06 Nov 2021 14:19:50 +0000

IRWINDALE (CBSLA) – Officials in Irwindale were test driving the floats Saturday for the Tournament of Roses with just eight weeks to go until the event on January 1, 2022.

The parade will feature the theme that was planned for this year’s procession, “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” But the theme will be expanded beyond its original focus on education to celebrate the perseverance of health care professionals, first responders and essential workers during the pandemic.

The 2021 Tournament of Roses Parade was officially canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Financial strain has been really tough,” said Tim Estes, of Fiesta Parade Floats. “We lost 100% of our income last year and this year’s income is gonna be down about 50%.”

Since it started in 1891, the annual parade has not taken place only three times – the wartime years of 1942, 1943, and 1945. Every year, the parade and the accompanying Rose Bowl football game bring millions of people to Pasadena from around the country and the world on New Year’s Day, many of whom camp alongside the parade route for days beforehand.

Anthony Valladares Sentenced To 16 Years For Kidnapping That Ended With Chinese National’s Body Buried In Mojave Desert

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 17:16:06 +0000

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A Pasadena man is in federal prison Monday after being sentenced to more than 16 years for his role in a kidnapping scheme of a Chinese national whose body was later found buried in the Mojave Desert.

(credit: FBI)

Anthony Valladares, 29, was sentenced Friday in the violent abduction of Ruochen “Tony” Liao of Santa Ana in 2018. Liao’s body was eventually found buried in the Mojave Desert late last year.

Judge Fernando M. Olguin called the kidnapping scheme a “horrendous crime.” Olguin also ordered Valladares to pay $33,090 in restitution.

Valladares, who prosecutors say acted as the “muscle” in the scheme, had pleaded guilty in October of last year to one count of conspiracy to kidnap. According to prosecutors, Valladares took cash for intimidating, beating and subduing Liao, which was key part of the conspiracy planned with Chinese nationals Guangyao Yang, 28, and 35-year-old Peicheng Shen.

Shen had met with Liao several times, purportedly to help him collect a debt from another person, according to court documents. During their third meeting at a San Gabriel shopping center in July of 2018, Shen lured the unsuspecting Liao to a minivan driven by 25-year-old Alexis Ivan Romero Velez of Azusa, and used a word in Chinese to signal Valladares – who had been hiding in the van – to attack, prosecutors said. Liao was subdued with a taser, then tied up and his head covered with a black hood.

When he pleaded guilty last year in the case, Valladares admitted to helping Yang acquire the taser and the revolver and bullets used in the kidnapping.

Liao was taken to Rosemead, moved into a different car, and eventually brought to a house in Corona. He was confined in a closet with his legs bound, eyes taped shot and arms restrained behind him, prosecutors said. The cause of Liao’s death was not given, but prosecutors said Valladares was not physically present at the time.

The day after the kidnapping, Liao’s father received a demand for a $2 million ransom to be deposited into three Chinese bank accounts within three hours. After Liao died, Shen and Yang drove to Mojave to bury his body and other physical evidence, prosecutors said. Shen had the closet where Liao had been held re-carpeted, and Yang searched online to figure out how fast a corpse decomposes in soil, according to court papers.

The two Chinese nationals, who were last known to be living in West Covina, are in custody in China in connection with the kidnapping. Velez, the driver, pleaded guilty in September 2019 to one count of conspiracy to kidnap and is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 10.

Party In Pasadena Turns Violent; One Woman Shot

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 01:04:18 +0000

PASADENA (CBSLA) – A Halloween party in Pasadena turned violent when one person got shot and another got pistol-whipped before the suspects fled the scene.

A shooting on the in the 800 block of South Raymond Avenue was reported at around 2:30AM on Saturday evening. The party was taking place in a commercial building.

According to witness reports, an altercation started that resulted in the shots being fired.

One woman was taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the stomach, while another was taken to the hospital to address serious potential head injuries after getting pistol-whipped as the suspects fled. Both women are expected to survive.

They were seen driving away in two different cars, one white and one red.

Police are currently looking for three suspects who were involved in the incident, as well as looking for information on who organized the party.