Barger Lowers County Flags to Half-Staff for Fallen Deputy Vargas
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger (R-Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) announced this week that she has requested the Board of Supervisors Chair lower County flags to half-staff in honor of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Levi Vargas, who died March 28 at the age of 30 after suffering a medical emergency while participating in the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay race.
Vargas, assigned to the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station, experienced a medical emergency during the annual 120-mile law enforcement relay competition. Despite receiving medical care, he passed away from his injuries.
Vargas joined the department in 2015 as a custody assistant and later graduated from Academy Class 413, serving in several assignments X before his death — a career that spanned 13 years despite his young age, suggesting he entered the department’s custody division as soon as he was eligible. He was assigned to San Dimas.
“Deputy Levi Vargas represented the best of public service,” said Barger. “His dedication to protecting our communities and his compassion for others will not be forgotten. As we lower our flags today, we honor his life and his service.” Deputy Vargas is survived by his wife, parents, and siblings. Flags at all County facilities will remain at half-staff in his tribute.
Pérez Calls for El Monte Union Superintendent’s Resignation Following Sexual Abuse Judgment
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Altadena, Arcadia, Burbank, Claremont, Duarte, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, South Pasadena, Upland) is calling on El Monte Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Edward Zuniga to resign and for the district’s Board of Trustees to bring in outside leadership — a demand that follows a sweeping sexual abuse settlement between the district and the California Department of Justice announced March 20.
The settlement was the result of an 18-month DOJ investigation that reviewed 113 complaints and interviewed 26 individuals, including former students and staff, and found that the district repeatedly failed to conduct legally required investigations into allegations against teachers and coaches. The investigation focused primarily on Rosemead High School, one of the district’s campuses.
“The scope and gravity of the sexual abuse history inside the El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) is chilling and appalling. I want to believe that the measures outlined in the Attorney General’s stipulated judgment and the ongoing oversight will be sufficient to protect students, but I cannot put my faith in that belief,” said Pérez, Chair of the Senate Education Committee.
“Cultural change is needed at El Monte Union High School District and Rosemead High School immediately. It is time for new, outside leadership at this pivotal moment. For that reason, I am calling for the resignation of El Monte Union High School District Superintendent, Dr. Edward Zuniga. Students, parents and the survivors who bravely came forward deserve new leadership who will implement the measures outlined in the Attorney General’s stipulated judgment and faithfully deliver ongoing oversight to protect all students.
“I further call on the Board of Trustees to identify a new leader who comes from outside of the district. Fresh leadership will accelerate a new culture of student-centered protections and give the district the greatest chance to chart a new course and put this terrible era of abuse behind it.”
Bass Unveils 53-Unit Veteran Housing Project Near West LA VA
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass yesterday unveiled a new 53-unit 100% affordable housing development near the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, framing the project as the latest milestone in her administration’s effort to end veteran homelessness in the city.
The development, part of Bass’s House Our Vets initiative, is designed to provide permanent housing for veterans — including those who have experienced homelessness. Bass said the project is one of more than 6,000 affordable units currently under construction citywide, part of a pipeline of more than 40,000 units she attributes to Executive Directive 1, which streamlined the city’s housing approval process.
“When I took office, it could take years just to approve an affordable housing project in Los Angeles,” said Bass. “A maze of bureaucracy and years of inaction by past City leaders left far too many Angelenos and too many Veterans sleeping on our streets. We never hesitate to fund war, but when those young Americans come home, too often we fail them — and that’s unacceptable.”
Since taking office, Bass said her administration has placed more than 750 veterans and their families into permanent housing. She also cited a 17.5% drop in street homelessness and what she described as the city’s first consecutive two-year decline in overall homelessness under her leadership.
Torres Secures $1M for Autism and Law Enforcement Training Across Inland Empire
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas) announced $1,031,000 in federal Community Project Funding for the Autism Society Inland Empire to support specialized law enforcement training in Pomona, Fontana, Ontario, and Chino — money Torres secured through her seat on the House Appropriations Committee.
The funding is designed to improve how law enforcement officers interact with individuals whose conditions or disabilities may affect communication or require accommodations during emergency responses. Training will be delivered to agencies across the four cities to reduce escalations and improve outcomes in high-stakes encounters.
Torres, a former 9-1-1 dispatcher, said the investment draws on her own experience with the critical nature of first-contact moments.
“I know how quickly situations can escalate without the right training,” she said. “This $1,031,000 investment will give our law enforcement officers the tools they need to better understand and safely respond to individuals with autism and other disabilities.”
