Barger cuts ribbon on Altadena Post Office
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger yesterday joined U.S. Postal Service representatives and community partners to celebrate the grand opening of the new Village Post Office at Webster’s Community Pharmacy in Altadena.
The new postal counter at Webster’s offers letter and mail drop-offs, pre-paid box services, stamp sales, and priority and flat-rate mailing supplies. This collaboration between Barger, the United States Postal Service (USPS), Webster’s Community Pharmacy, and the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation (ARRC), reflects a shared commitment to supporting the community’s resilience.
“Today’s grand opening is more than the return of postal services, it’s another step towards cultivating hope and a sense of normalcy,” said Barger. “This new Village Post Office stands as a testament to the resilience and dedication of Altadena’s residents, local business owners, support organizations, and our federal partners who worked hard to make this reopening a reality.”
Barger gave a special shout-out to the USPS, including former Acting Postmaster General Douglas Tulino and new Postmaster General David Steiner, who began his tenure on July 14, for their responsiveness and partnership.
Richardson, Saro celebrate groundbreaking of Long Beach Permanent Supportive Housing
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and City Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro yesterday celebrated the recent groundbreaking for The 101, a 52-unit affordable housing development in the South Wrigley neighborhood for low-income individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
The five-story development by Jamboree Housing Corporation will feature fully furnished rooms, a community space outdoor green area with a barbeque and dining space, communal laundry facilities, and offices for supportive resident services and resources, case management and property staff.
“The 101 reflects Long Beach’s commitment to building a city where everyone has a place to call home,” said Richardson. “By investing in communities that provide stability and support, we’re not just addressing homelessness—we’re strengthening the foundation of a more inclusive, compassionate Long Beach.”
“The groundbreaking of The 101 marks an important step in our ongoing efforts to expand permanent supportive housing in Long Beach,” said Saro. “This development by Jamboree Housing will bring much-needed stability, services and dignity to low-income individuals and families who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Transforming a long vacant site into a place of healing and opportunity reflects our commitment to equity and community investment. I’m proud to support projects like this in District 6 that put people first and strengthen the fabric of our neighborhoods.”
The 101 is funded through a blend of public and private sources. Additionally, the Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB) contributed 51 Project-Based Vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Valladares calls for protection of flex-based Charter Schools
State Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R-Santa Clarita) yesterday joined a growing coalition of lawmakers, education advocates and concerned parents to urge the rejection of Assembly Bill 84, which would defund non-classroom-based charter schools and impose unnecessary, burdensome mandates and regulations.
Flex-based charters serve nearly 100,000 students across 56 of California’s 58 counties. These schools are 58% socioeconomically disadvantaged, 7% English learners, and 15% students with disabilities. AB 84 would slash funding and redirect resources away from classrooms and into bureaucratic layers.
The coalition expressed support for Senate Bill 414, an alternative bill that would provide oversight for charter schools without imposing burdensome restrictions.
“Charter schools meet students where they are, and they especially matter for students with disabilities, foster youth, minority students, and families without access to expensive tutors or private schools. These are the kids who need more choices, not fewer,” said Valladares.
“These schools aren’t just another choice; they are lifelines for students who often slip through the cracks in conventional education systems. In my own community, charter schools have been a life-changing option for pregnant teens, foster youth, and many first-generation high school graduates. I will never give up fighting to expand education opportunities for all of California students,” the lawmaker added.
Torres demands end to obstruction and discrimination at DHS Facilities
U.S. Reps. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas) and Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) this week fired off a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem condemning DHS for unlawfully obstructing and delaying Members of Congress seeking to conduct oversight visits to immigration detention facilities operated by DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In the missive, the lawmakers highlighted repeated violations of federal law, specifically Section 527(a) of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which clearly prohibits DHS from denying Members of Congress unimpeded access to detention facilities or making changes that alter what is observed during visits.
“For weeks, my office has been emailing DHS to schedule a visit, only to be met with shifting policies and ever-changing excuses for why Democratic Members of Congress can’t enter facilities,” said Torres.
“DHS is not above the law. Denying access to Democratic Members while granting Republican Members a free pass is not only illegal—it’s a dangerous abuse of power. Congressional oversight isn’t optional; it’s a constitutional duty. If DHS continues to obstruct and discriminate, then Congress must respond—through investigations, funding restrictions, or whatever tools are necessary to restore accountability and uphold the rule of law,” she added.
