Latest news with #EatonFire
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
LASD leans on each other for healing and rebuilding after Eaton Fire
The man tasked with helping Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies cope with tough situations is now needing support himself after losing his home in the Eaton Fire.
CBS News
18 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Altadena residents demand LA County waive rebuilding permit fees
Altadena residents are demanding that Los Angeles County officials waive the rebuilding permit fees that could cost Eaton Fire survivors upwards of $50,000. Freddy Sayegh, who started the neighborhood coalition, said many people who lost their homes can't afford to rebuild unless the county intervenes. Sayegh's family home on North Lake Avenue is one of the 9,418 buildings destroyed by the Eaton Fire, which is the second most destructive wildfire in California. "It's been horrendous," he said. "Every dollar is going to matter, especially in permits, fees and licensing, everything across the board. None of us have enough money to rebuild, nobody." Shawna Dawson Beer lost her entire neighborhood in west Altadena. She called on the county to waive permitting fees after LA Mayor Karen Bass took a similar step for the Palisades Fire zone. The executive order still requires approval from the city council. "We are a community of working-class people and historically underrepresented people," Beer said. "People are getting $40,000 and $50,000 base permit estimates and fees that they are supposed to cough up." Altadena and Pasadena residents will march outside Fair Oaks Burgers on Sunday to call on lawmakers to provide more financial support for rebuilding. "Those who stand in the way of rebuilding efforts should go and start finding a new profession," Sayegh said. "We will vote. We will not forget." The county said it is facing unprecedented financial challenges. Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office said they are working on plan that will be presented by the end of next week. She also plans to introduce a motion to defer permitting and inspection fees for like-for-like rebuilds as well as a funding strategy to waive fees. "I do appreciate the incredible work by Supervisor Barger," Sayegh said. "We want them waived, not deferred." The county said it received more than 600 applications to rebuild in the Eaton Fire area. It's only issued 15 permits as of Friday.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Eaton Fire 5 months later: A look at the progress that has been made
LOS ANGELES - It's been nearly five months since the Eaton Fire erupted in Altadena, burning 14,021 acres and killing 18. The fire, which erupted Jan. 7, destroyed over 9,000 structures and damaged another thousand. Nearing the five-month anniversary, Los Angeles County officials are highlighting the progress and work that has been done to rebuild the community. What they're saying According to Supervisor Kathryn Barger, over 5,000 (88%) of fire-damaged properties have been cleared of debris by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Of those 5,000 properties, 3,440 sites (60%) received final sign-off and returned to the county for follow-up. Barger says the Corps currently has 81 active debris removal crews operating in the area, clearing roughly 57 properties per day. To date, they have removed over 1.3 million tons of debris. "The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is demonstrating exceptional speed, efficacy, and dedication in their debris removal mission in Altadena. Their tireless work is helping our community heal and rebuild faster than many thought possible. I wholeheartedly appreciate their commitment and am proud to work alongside them as we support Altadena's road to recovery," Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. In terms of parks and community spaces, Charles White Park is fully cleared, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center is 95% cleared, and Farnsworth Park is halfway complete. Barger said all parks are projected to be fully cleared of debris within two weeks. Work is also underway to clear debris at the Altadena Senior Center, The Bunny Museum, and Lifeline Church. Barger said some of these properties are in various stages of clearance, with some already completed and others pending final contract approvals. Loma Alta Park became the first public park to reopen after the fire. Altadena had a grand re-opening celebration for Loma Alta Park on Saturday, May 10. According to the county, property owners who have fire debris on their property and have opted out of the government-sponsored debris removal program must hire a contractor to complete the work. Those who opted out or did not submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form must now obtain a Fire Debris Removal (FDR) permit and hire a licensed contractor by June 1. PREVIOUS COVERAGE:Eaton Fire survivors struggling with housing, essential supplies 3 months after wildfire County officials say if a permit is not obtained by the June 1 deadline, the property may be declared a Public Nuisance. The Source Information for this story came from the office of Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger.
Associated Press
a day ago
- General
- Associated Press
Hillcrest CEO Matthew Neeley Recognized as Outstanding Community Leader for Compassionate Leadership and Community Service
LA VERNE, Calif., May 30, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Matthew Neeley, President and CEO of Hillcrest, an age-qualified community in La Verne, was recently honored as an Outstanding Community Leader at the NAACP Pomona Valley Branch 6th Annual Freedom Fund Event. Through his compassionate leadership and steadfast commitment to serving others, Neeley has led efforts that uplift individuals, bridge divides and build a stronger, more inclusive community. 'We celebrate Matthew Neeley for his dedicated service to the city of Pomona and surrounding communities and honor him for his compassion, generosity, and commitment to serving our community,' said Jeanette EllisRoyston, President of the NAACP Pomona Valley Branch. This philosophy of service was evident during Hillcrest's rapid response to the Eaton Fire, which displaced senior residents from The Terraces at Park Marino. Upon receiving a call for assistance, Neeley and his team mobilized within 24 hours to prepare fully furnished, move-in-ready apartments. The displaced seniors were welcomed into the Hillcrest community with care and dignity. 'A great community leader clears the runway for meaningful change, ensuring that good things happen for those in need,' said Neeley. 'If each of us uses the influence we have in service of others, we will create stronger, more connected communities.' In another act of compassionate leadership, Neeley responded to the urgent needs of an Afghan refugee family—providing a safe home on the Hillcrest campus and rallying local faith communities to help them transition to life in the U.S. Today, the children are thriving in school and the parents are employed in their new community. During a moment of national reckoning in 2020, Neeley listened as a Hillcrest resident shared her sorrow in the wake of George Floyd's murder, recalling decades of civil rights struggles. Deeply moved, he wrote a poem that expressed solidarity and hope, which sparked meaningful conversations within the Hillcrest community. He later shared a public letter with 35 peer CEOs, encouraging empathy-driven leadership and continued progress toward equity and understanding. This spirit of unity led to new internal initiatives that continue to foster cultural awareness and dialogue at Hillcrest today. 'Caring for others in times of crisis is at the heart of Hillcrest's mission,' said Neeley. 'We don't just serve our own residents—we serve the larger community as well.' About Hillcrest Hillcrest is an upscale 501(c)(3) nonprofit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) centrally located in the San Gabriel Valley, less than 30 minutes from Los Angeles, Anaheim, Pasadena and San Bernardino and located at the gateway to the Inland Empire. Located in a quiet residential neighborhood just off Foothill Boulevard in La Verne, California, Hillcrest offers independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing with an emphasis on wellness and health. For more information, visit: NEWS SOURCE: Hillcrest Keywords: NonProfit and Charities, Hillcrest CEO Matthew Neeley, Hillcrest, Senior Living, NAACP, continuing care retirement community, Rob Bonta, Jeanette EllisRoyston, LA VERNE, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Hillcrest) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126609 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Limo company accused of scamming Eaton Fire victims on prom night
A special night meant to bring joy to students recovering from the Eaton Fire turned into a troubling case of betrayal after the limo service paid to take them to prom never showed up. "I tried to be forgiving and not have a vengeful spirit, but that doesn't mean you're not held accountable for what you do," mom Angie DiClaudio said. "Aside from being just like, a huge letdown ... This wasn't even our money. This was a nonprofit trying to help kids who lost their homes in a fire." The Virginia-based nonprofit Alice's Kids , with the help of actor Steve Carell, donated roughly $175,000 to treat 800 Altadena and Pasadena students to the full prom experience, including free tickets and limousine rides. It paid Shawn Lasley, the owner of Wize Guy Entertainment, $4,000 to take more than 20 students to their prom. However, parents scrambled to find a ride for their children when the night came. "Very nervous, horrified and disappointed," Alice's Kids spokesperson Hilary Riedemann said. "For him to not say anything and then to not show up, after not only we reached out to him but multiple parents did, to not show up was pretty atrocious." Parents like Carrie Meyers said Lasley blocked them when they tried to reach him. "The plan is we got to make this guy suffer," Meyers said. "He failed us. He ripped us off. Word has to get out." Luckily, parents called Ubers to make sure their teens still made it to prom. Despite the disappointment, everyone had a night to remember. "It's just like we build all this stuff up in our head," DiClaudio said. "We want it to be the perfect night. Oftentimes it isn't. It's OK. Sometimes the ones you don't expect to be are the best ones ever. CBS News Los Angeles reached out to Wize Guy Entertainment for comment but did not receive a response. Alice's Kids said they are in the process of taking legal action against the limo company.
