Barger lauds injunction in County’s Chiquita Canyon Landfill Case
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger (R-Northern LA County, including Palmdale, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, San Marino, Pasadena, La Cañada-Flintridge, portions of the San Gabriel Valley) applauded the ruling issued last Friday by U.S. Federal Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong granting a preliminary injunction in the County’s litigation against the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
The decision marks a critical milestone in the County’s efforts to hold the landfill accountable for odors that have impacted surrounding communities.
The Court’s ruling found that the County met all of the legal requirements for a preliminary injunction, including demonstrating harm to residents, and establishing that an injunction serves the public interest. While the Court granted the injunction, it has asked the parties to further confer on the scope of impacted residences, with determinations to be made within the next 30 days.
“This ruling is an important victory for the residents who have suffered from the persistent odors caused by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill,” said Barger. “It sends a clear message that the County’s legal efforts are an effective and lasting lever for relief and change. Most importantly, this decision moves us closer to bringing much-needed relief to the communities I represent. I will continue working hard to ensure that every possible legal and policy tool is used to protect the health, safety, and quality of life of my constituents.”
Hahn urges state to improve cell service on Vincent Thomas Bridge
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn (D-Southeastern LA County, including Long Beach, San Pedro, Diamond Bar, Whittier, Cerritos, Downey, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hacienda Heights) sent a letter to California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin urging him and his department to work on solutions to the poor cellphone service on the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro.
The bridge has a history of suicide attempts from its span above the Port of Los Angeles. Hahn’s letter coincided with her motion approved by the board today to proclaim September “National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month” and September 8, 2025 as “9-8-8 Day” in Los Angeles County.
“You can put all the fencing and signage up you want, but if someone standing on that bridge chooses to make the call for help and can’t because of a bad connection, the result could be devastating,” said Hahn. “We continue to strengthen and promote our network of resources for people in mental health crises, and we urgently need to make sure everyone can reach them at all times.”
In an effort to prevent suicide attempts from the bridge, fencing was installed along its length, as well as signs with the Suicide Crisis Line phone number. However, the fencing has not successfully prevented all attempts, and the poor or nonexistent cell phone service on the span could hinder calls for help.
“I worry about someone standing on the bridge and choosing to call the Suicide Crisis Line, 988, or a family member, only to discover that they don’t have the cell signal necessary to make that lifesaving call for help,” wrote Hahn in her letter to Omishakin.
McKinnor, Durazo support communities impacted by Eaton and Palisades fires
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale), Chair and Senator Maria Elena Durazo (D-East Hollywood, East Los Angeles, Highland Park, Los Angeles, Pico Union, South Montebello, Vernon), Vice Chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation (Delegation) have announced that the Delegation has donated $100,000 to support rebuilding efforts following the devastating 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires, which destroyed over 18,000 structures and forced the evacuation of over 150,000 people.
The January 2025 fires were the most expensive wildfire disasters in Los Angeles County history. Families in the path of the Eaton fire, which included historically Black communities in Altadena, have since faced predatory real estate speculators and attempts to displace generations of homeowners in this vibrant area of Los Angeles County.
To help fire-impacted families in Altadena keep their land, preserve their wealth and rebuild their homes, the Delegation awarded their $100,000 grant to the Los Angeles-based SoLa Foundation. The SoLa Foundation recently launched a $1.5 million campaign, which will construct no-cost ADUs on fire-destroyed properties, allowing homeowners to live on their property as they rebuild.
“Rebuilding from the Eaton and Palisades fires is about more than drywall and new paint, it is about helping these families retain the community they have built in these Los Angeles communities for generations,” said McKinnor. “This donation is a small part of the multi-billion dollar investment that the State of California is making to support rebuilding efforts and we will continue this work until every family impacted by these fires is able to return to their home.”
Soto continues crackdown on short-term rentals and party houses
Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced yesterday that her office has settled lawsuits involving violations of the City’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance and Party House Ordinance.
She also announced that at least 10 rent-stabilized units have been returned to the City’s housing stock.
“We will not tolerate party houses that disrupt our neighborhoods and threaten public safety, or sit back while our laws are violated and rent-stabilized housing is ripped off the market,” said Soto. “These actions send a clear message that we will hold those who violate our laws accountable for their violations.”
Feldstein Soto’s office reached a pre-litigation settlement with MC Pico Properties, LLC (“MC Pico”), and Monem Corporation (“Monem”), the owner and manager respectively of the Franklin Apartments, a rent-stabilized building located at 6871 Franklin Avenue.
Since late 2020, MC Pico and Monem have allegedly facilitated illegal short-term rentals for more than 3,000 nights at the building, with at least 10 of the 30 units being removed from the long-term rental market and turned into an underground hotel by tenants. This has resulted in increased nuisance activity and complaints from other neighbors.
These short-term rentals violated the law because the buildings are subject to the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO), which bars RSO units from the City’s Home-Sharing Ordinance. Additionally, the rentals failed to use Home-Sharing registrations and were taken off the housing market for more extended periods of time.
Feldstein Soto encourages Angelenos involved with or interested in home-sharing, as hosts or guests, to review:
- The Los Angeles Home-Sharing Program: https://planning.lacity.gov/project-review/home-sharing
- The Los Angeles Party House Ordinance: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/los_angeles/latest/lamc/0-0-0-314547
- The Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance: https://housing.lacity.gov/residents/rso-overview
