Barger gives six-month anniversary report on wildfires
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger last week described both the progress made and the challenges that persist concerning the Eaton Fire, which devastated large portions of Altadena and destroyed nearly 7,000 residential and commercial units.
Barger’s report came on the half-year mark of last year’s LA wildfires that devastated Southern California.
“Altadena’s recovery has demonstrated what is possible when local, state, and federal agencies work together in lockstep,” said Barger. “In the time since the Eaton Fire, I’ve traveled to Washington D.C. and met with top level officials within the Presidential Administration, key Congressional leaders, and FEMA officials to advocate for ongoing support.”
As of July 1, 2025, debris has been cleared from 95% of eligible residential properties in Altadena, creating a safer environment for rebuilding to begin. Thousands of structures have been cleared of hazardous materials, allowing property owners to move forward with reconstruction.
County-led relief efforts initiated at Barger’s direction have awarded more than $27 million to impacted households, workers, and small businesses.
In addition, FEMA has approved $140 million in assistance to eligible Los Angeles County residents affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires, including $45 million in housing assistance.
Wildfire survivors interested in rebuilding with resilience in mind are invited to attend an upcoming virtual workshop from 10 am to 12 noon, Saturday, July 12 via Zoom. The workshop will cover requirements for manufactured and factory-built home submittals and is open to communities in unincorporated Los Angeles County recovering from the Eaton and Palisades wildfires. Information on registering, ADA accommodations, and language assistance is available at recovery.lacounty.gov.
Long Beach Airport called one of the nation’s best
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson last week lauded Long Beach Airport (LGB) after it was ranked second among the 50 Best Airports in America, according to The Washington Post.
LGB continues to be a favorite among travelers who recognize its convenient Southern California location and distinctively stress-free customer experience.
“Our award-winning airport is the preferred gateway to Southern California, offering a first-class experience for travelers,” said Richardson. “This recognition sets the stage for the important role LGB will play in welcoming visitors for the World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The Washington Post cited LGB as “simple to navigate and quick to get in and out of” and noted that “travelers adore the courtyard that brings the beach to the airfield.” One reader calls it their “airport oasis.”
Officially trademarked as america’s coolest airport™, Long Beach Airport boasts a modern Ticketing Lobby and Baggage Claim facility, the newly renovated 1941 Historic Terminal, live music by talented local artists and the recently completed Terminal Roadway Improvements, which resulted in improvements to the main pick-up and drop-off area.
Hochman announces guilty verdict in child torture and murder
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced last week that a jury convicted Ida Helen Brockman and her boyfriend, Malachi Xavier Whalen, of the torture and murder of Brockman’s 7-year-old daughter, A’Miya D., at their Hawthorne residence in September 2021.
Following a 10-week trial, jurors found 34-year-old Brockman, and 33-year-old Whalen, guilty yesterday of one count each of murder, also finding true the special circumstance of intentional torture-murder for each,
The jury also found both defendants guilty of one count each of torture, and found Brockman guilty of one count of child abuse causing death, and Whalen guilty of one count of assault on a child causing death.
“This was a case that shook us all to our core,” said Hochman. “The brutal murder of A’Miya, a defenseless 7-year-old girl, at the hands of her own mother and her mother’s boyfriend is nothing short of horrific. We are grateful that the jury returned a guilty verdict and held both defendants accountable for their cruelty.”
On September 9, 2021, A’Miya was brutally tortured, beaten, and killed by Brockman and Whalen. The couple attempted to frame A’Miya’s biological father for the murder; however, Brockman eventually admitted the plan to frame A’Miya’s father.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, A’Miya endured physical torture encompassing over 58 individual injuries, including severe burns, blunt force trauma, multiple fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, and other significant internal injuries.
Sentencing for Brockman and Whalen is scheduled for September 12 in Dept. 80 of the Airport Courthouse.
Valladarers gives critical context to immigration amendment
State Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, portions of the Antelope Valley) last week introduced contextual amendments to Senate Joint Resolution Nine (SJR 9) on the Senate floor.
The change came after Senate Democrats introduced SJR 9 to denounce immigration raids in California, but Valladares’ amendments to the resolution provided critical context, including the failed policies that led to the immigration raids.
“We can’t condemn immigration enforcement actions without first addressing the flawed policies that got us here,” said Valladares. “During the Biden Administration, over 10 million individuals entered this country illegally. California’s response? SB 54, a so-called “sanctuary state” policy, which has prohibited local law enforcement from coordinating with federal immigration authorities, pushing enforcement into our communities and workplaces.”
“We need to repeal SB 54,” Valladares continued. “I was encouraged to see the U.S. Attorney General take legal action against Los Angeles for violating federal immigration law. And it’s time for this body to follow suit.”
SJR 9 amendments presented by Sen Valladares can be found here.
