Arcadia Weekly_11/10/2025 by Beacon Media News

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Former Anaheim chamber chief seeks to withdraw guilty plea

By Paul Anderson, City News Service

Federal prosecutors are recommending one day in jail, or time already served, for former Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Todd Ament as a reward for his cooperation with authorities in their probe of ex-Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu in the failed Angel Stadium sales deal, according to a sentencing brief obtained Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Ament’s attorneys have filed a motion to withdraw his guilty plea, arguing he got bad advice from his prior attorney, Sal Ciulla. Ament’s motion to withdraw his plea comes after U.S. District Judge Fernando Aenlle-Rocha rebuffed prosecutors’ attempts to dismiss a wire fraud count against Ament.

Ament pleaded guilty in July 2022 to defrauding a cannabis company in addition to loan fraud and tax cheating.

Melahat Rafiei, a former Orange County Democratic Party executive director, was sentenced to six months in federal prison and fined $10,000 for her role in the public corruption case. Rafiei pleaded guilty to attempting to rip off a client for her political consultancy firm and a bribery scheme involving two Irvine City Council members.

Rafiei wore a wire to help authorities build a case against Ament, who later wore a wire himself when meeting with Sidhu, leading to his conviction and a twomonth prison sentence in the failed Angel Stadium sales deal.

The U.S. Probation Office has recommended 30 to 37 months in federal prison and that Ament should face $10,000 to $1 million in fines. Federal prosecutors had argued Ament should face 18 to 24 months behind bars, but given his cooperation in

the Sidhu investigation, he should instead face zero to six months in prison, according to a sentencing brief filed Tuesday.

“Based on defendant’s cooperation, the government respectfully recommends that the court impose a sentence of one day (time served),” according to the brief from Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Rabbani.

Prosecutors also recommended restitution of $225,000 and a fine of $9,500.

Ament’s attorneys argue that their client got bad legal advice when he pleaded guilty in the case. They also argue there is not enough evidence in the wire fraud count to sustain a conviction.

“Mr. Ament made clear to his prior counsel that he could not admit to the facts alleged in the plea agreement,” his attorneys Daniel Silva and Ashwin Ram argued in court papers filed Tuesday.

“The reason: the facts were untrue,” the defense attorneys added. “Despite his protests of his innocence and

an inherently flawed factual basis, prior counsel directed Mr. Ament to plead guilty, to proffer his guilty pleas to the court, and to accept the factual basis at his plea hearing.”

Ament waited to contest the guilty plea until he was finished cooperating with investigators through last fall “on multiple criminal investigations,” his attorneys said. Also, his current attorneys “privately raised arguments with (prosecutors) that the information alleged facts that did not amount to criminal conduct,” according to the motion.

The defense attorneys argued that Ament was “targeted due to his political connections” as a Republican strategist.

The attorneys argued that Ament’s prior attorney “had exceedingly limited experience defending subjects and targets of federal white-collar investigations.”

Ament was “fearful and overwhelmed” when he agreed to cooperate with authorities following a “civil forfeiture case filed” against his home, his attorneys said. Ament claimed he was told by a prosecutor that if he cooperated the charges against him would “go away,” his attorneys said.

“With these promises, FBI special agents immediately asked Mr. Ament about politically conservative, pro-business (political action committees) in Orange County,” his attorneys said. “Mr. Ament warned that he had never engaged in bribery or other corrupt influence activities.”

Ament’s work helped lead to Sidhu receiving a two-month sentence in federal prison for registering a helicopter he bought out of state to avoid taxes and for obstructing justice in the stadium deal negotiations.

The defense attorneys

LA Mayor Bass lifts emergency declaration on homelessness

Mayor Karen Bass on Tuesday lifted her declaration of a local emergency on homelessness, saying that while the crisis persists, the city now has the tools in place to continue urgent action without the temporary order she signed on her first day in office.

In a memo to the City Council, the mayor reiterated that if at any point “extraordinary authority” is needed to maintain or accelerate progress on homelessness, she would not hesitate to reinstate the declaration.

Her decision came at a time when council members have discussed steps to phase out her emergency declaration.

“I look forward to our continued partnership and thank you for your commitment to serve the people of Los Angeles,” her letter continued.

Bass’ declaration of a local emergency gave her and city officials authority to expedite contracting and to launch her signature program Inside Safe. The mayor then issued Executive Directive 1, which expedited the process and approval for homeless shelters and 100% affordable housing projects.

City officials are advancing an effort to codify ED1 as an ordinance.

The mayor also touted progress on reducing homelessness in the city, citing data from the annual Homeless Count overseen by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

“For the first time ever, Los Angeles has seen two consecutive years of reduction in homelessness, including a 17-percent drop in street homelessness,” her letter said.

“Therefore, with the city firmly pointed in a new direction on homelessness, I am lifting the official declaration of a state of emergency. Let me be clear: The crisis remains, and so does our urgency,” Bass wrote in her letter. “Every day, we will continue to be on the streets, engaging with people living in encampments and RVs, bringing people Inside Safe and restoring neighborhoods across Los Angeles.”

By Jose Herrera, City News Service

Angel Stadium. | Photo courtesy of Carol Highsmith/Library of Congress/Picryl

Tents on the sidewalk line an LA street. | Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

Incidents of rabid bats in LA County continue upward trend

By City News Service

Just days after a pest control company branded Los Angeles the nation’s “rattiest” major city, health officials delivered another blow Wednesday morning, announcing 61 rabid bats had been found so far in 2025, the second-highest total ever recorded in the county.

The total is the most since 2021, when 68 rabid bats were confirmed, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Health, which said the numbers are in keeping with a “decade-long upward trend.”

About 14% of bats who come into contact with people or pets in the county test positive for rabies and the numbers spike in late summer, officials said.

“Bats are vital to our environment, but they can also carry rabies, a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said. “Anyone who may have had contact with a bat should

immediately speak with their medical provider or contact public health. Never touch a bat or any wild animals. Immediately report any bat found indoors, or outdoors if it appears sick, active during the day, unable to fly or dead.”

Awareness and prevention are the best defenses against rabies, officials said.

Exposure happens when saliva or tissue from the bat enters the body through the mouth, nose or eyes or through a bite, scratch or contact with a wound, according to the health department.

“Because bat bites are often so small they can go unnoticed, anyone who wakes up to find a bat in the room, or finds a bat near a sleeping person, child or pet should treat it as a possible exposure and contact animal control or public health right away,” officials warned, adding that if possible, safely collect the bat so the animal can be tested.

Locations where rabid bats have been found stretch throughout Los Angeles County, including suburban areas in the San Fernando Valley, the buildings of downtown LA as well as the county’s numerous parks, schools, businesses and residential backyards.

Late summer is usually the peak period for rabid bat detections. In August last year, 23 rabid bats were confirmed.

“Over the past decade, the Santa Clarita Valley has recorded the most rabid bats in Los Angeles County, with the majority found among the Canyon Bat species, suggesting rabies may be circulating primarily within that local bat population,” officials said.

People should never touch a bat nor allow pets to come into contact with them as even small bites can transmit rabies. If a bat is found inside a home, residents are advised to try and cover the animal with a box

or container and call animal control for collection and testing, then seek medical advice.

“If a bat cannot be tested or tests positive for rabies, consult a physician or Public Health right away,” the department urged, explaining that rabies is preventable with post-exposure vaccines administered in a timely fashion.

“Protecting your pets from rabies is one of the best ways to protect your whole family,” officials said, adding that bats that are active during the day, on the ground or unable to fly may be sick. In such cases animal control should be called immediately.

Last week, Orkin announced that Los Angeles had placed first on its annual list of America’s “rattiest” cities, an unscientific conclusion based on tracking new rodent services in owner-occupied residences from Aug. 20, 2024, to Aug. 21, 2025.

Pasadena utility receives nearly $10 million in clean energy grants

By Staff

Pasadena took another step toward goals for clean energy and grid resilience with the acquisition of grants totaling nearly $10 million, most of which is for a battery storage facility, city officials announced Wednesday.

The Pasadena Water and Power Department, or PWP was awarded four grants.

“We are very excited to bring new energy efficient innovations to Pasadena,” PWP General Manager David Reyes said in a statement. “Investments in energy storage solutions and distributed energy resources are at the forefront of Pasadena’s goal to source 100% carbon free electricity by the end of 2030. We will continue to seek additional grant funding to support our clean energy initiatives.”

Battery storage

The city and California Energy Commission recently formalized a $9.66 million grant initially made in 2024 from the commission’s Distributed Electricity Backup Assets program. The grant will pay for Pasadena’s

first Battery Energy Storage System at the Glenarm Power Plant, located at Glenarm Street and Fair Oaks Avenue.

“This investment/project shows how local and state action can work hand-inhand, to bring innovative solutions that strengthen California’s grid during heatwaves and give Pasadena added resilience during outages to better protect the community,” commission Vice Chair Siva Gunda said in a statement.

The PWP battery storage project will provide 25 megawatts of four-hour/100 megawatt-hour storage, officials said. Groundbreaking is set for sometime next year with operation expected to start in 2027.

According to the city, battery technology will help sustain reliable electricity during extreme weather events, help restore power in the event of a complete shutdown, known as a “black start.”

Updates and key metrics for achieving Pasadena’s carbon-free future are available online at PWPweb.com/

CleanEnergyTracker.

Federal vouchers

The U.S. Department of Energy is providing Pasadena with two “in-kind voucher support” for two studies on local Long Duration Energy Storage, or LDES projects, officials said. LDES systems can provide power for 10 or more hours to increase grid reliability.

The voucher program is a partnership between the Energy Department and the nonprofit EnergyWerx providing support to municipalities in need of technical assistance for implementing clean energy technologies.

Pasadena Water and Power will work with industry experts on feasibility studies that look at incorporating LDES projects locally, according to the city. The studies are with Fresno-based X Utility, which will evaluate site selection and permitting procedures for potential local LDES project locations, and Montrose-based Grand Summit Group LLC, which will evaluate the suitability of the retired Broadway Power Plant as a possible location

for long-term storage.

The studies will cost up to $100,000 and $150,000, respectively, with expected completion by September 2027.

“The study results will provide PWP with actionable pathways for next generation storage,” officials said.

Rooftop wind study

The city also received a $60,000 grant for a rooftop wind microturbine pilot

project. The funding is from the American Public Power Association’s Demonstration of Energy and Efficiency Developments program.

The project will install a wind microturbine on a cityowned building and provide insight about reducing energy consumption at city facilities.

“This effort will also help demonstrate the value of emerging distributed energy

resources in urban locations, such as Pasadena,” according to the city.

PWP expects the microturbine installation to finish in September 2027.

PWP provides electricity to more than 65,000 customers in Pasadena and delivers water to nearly 38,000 households and businesses in the city and adjacent communities in the San Gabriel Valley.

| Graphic courtesy of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health / Facebook

The Glenarm Power Plant in Pasadena. | Photo courtesy of Downtowngal/Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

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TOlympics closing ceremonies to be held at LA Coliseum

he Los Angeles City CouncilWednesday confirmed the relocation of the closing ceremonies for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to solely the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved a motion introduced by members Curren Price and Marqueece Harris-Dawson to enact the change. The City Council’s action finalizes a decision LA28, the host committee, had previously announced earlier this year.

There was no prior discussion before the vote. As the host city, and pursuant to the Games Agreement, Los Angeles must provide written approval for any changes to the venue plan for the official Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2028 Games.

In May, LA28 announced that ceremonies would be held at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and SoFi Stadium.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Inglewood Mayor James Butt joined LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover for the announcement.

The Coliseum will be the first venue to host three Summer Olympics Opening

Ceremonies. It previously hosted Opening Ceremonies in 1932 and 1984.

The 2028 Opening Ceremony, scheduled for July 14, will be shared between the Coliseum and SoFi Stadium, creating a dualvenue experience that will also serve as the Olympic debut for the Inglewood facility.

“The venues selected for the 2028 Opening and Closing Ceremonies will

highlight Los Angeles’ rich sporting history and cutting-edge future, showcasing the very best that L.A. has to offer on the world stage,” LA28 Chairperson and President Casey Wasserman said in a previous statement. “These two extraordinary venues will create an unforgettable experience, welcoming fans from across the globe to an Olympic and Paralympic Games like never before and concluding

what will go down as one of the most incredible Games in history.”

The Closing Ceremony is set for July 30, 2028, at the Coliseum.

The Paralympic Opening Ceremony is set at SoFi Stadium on Aug. 14, 2028, and will kick off the first Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The Paralympic Closing Ceremony will take place at the Coliseum on Aug. 27, 2028.

5 Southland residents arrested at request of Germany

Fiveallegedinternational fugitives living in the Southland have been arrested at the request of Germany, where they are charged for their suspected roles in a fraud scheme involving the creation of recurring bogus debit or credit card charges from fictitious merchants, officials announced Wednesday.

Medhat Mourid, of Woodland Hills; Andrew Garroni, of Los Angeles; Guy Mizrachi, of Agoura Hills; Ardeshir Akhavan, of Irvine; and Tunde Benak, of Irvine, were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service and made their initial appearances in federal court in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Authorities said they would act to extradite the defendants to Germany.

deliberately kept monthly charges on credit cards to below around $57 to avoid suspicion among victims about the nature of the charges. The charges were linked to fictitious companies using fake websites that were only accessible via direct links or URLs, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors contend that the operators of the network colluded with German payment service processors -- including their executives and compliance officers -- to process the payments. Former employees and executives of German payment processors were among those arrested Tuesday, officials said.

Germanauthorities allege the complex scheme resulted in the creation of a “shadow financial system” in Germany.

By City News Service

| Photo by trpnblies7 via Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Photo by Maheshkumar Painam on Unsplash

Post-wildfires, toxic smoke a lasting health concern in California

By Amy McDermott

for the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Pulitzer Center-Public News Service Collaboration

ThispastFebruary, chemist Pawel Misztal pulled his white Ford van onto the I-10 freeway, headed west from Austin, Texas, to southern California. The last embers of the massive Eaton and Palisades fires cooled as Misztal drove toward a devastated Los Angeles County. The Ford, an electric vehicle dubbed “the Sniffer Van,” was loaded with mass spectrometry instruments, made to measure even tiny amounts of air pollution released by the fires. Because it’s electric, the Sniffer Van doesn’t belch exhaust that contaminates samples (the signature from other traffic is clear and distinct). Its range is only 120 miles, so “we had to stop like 15 times,” Misztal says. He drove the 1,400 miles from Austin, sometimes cruising in the slow lane, just under the speed limit with the air conditioning off, to stretch the van’s charge. On the fourth afternoon, he pulled into Altadena, where the Eaton Fire had crawled down

the ridge of the San Gabriel Mountains and gobbled up much of the suburb. His first impression: “shock,” Misztal says. “It looks like a war zone.”

As Misztal cruised through the burned-out streets of Altadena, his instruments sucked in outdoor air through narrow polymer tubing to identify compounds. When Misztal drove by charred debris, or downwind of blackened houses, he saw spikes in various airborne chemicals on his laptop, whirring beside him on the passenger seat. That’s “the beauty of real-time data,” he says. The instruments draw air through an inlet on the back of the van, detecting short-lived spikes in some pollutants and overall background changes in others.

Over the next few weeks, in both Altadena and the Palisades, Misztal collected 300 gigabytes of data, capturing more than 1,000 different airborne compounds. Some were toxins, such as benzene,

acetone, and carbonates released from burned cars and plastics. Just how dangerous might those compounds be? It depends on the dosage of exposure, Misztal says. He’s still processing the data, but says that the bottom line is “we don’t fully understand exposure and toxicity for a majority of compounds.”

Misztal’s research is part of a larger collaboration between multiple universities, including the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Universities of California Los Angeles and Davis, and Misztal’s home institution of the University of Texas at Austin. Called the Los Angeles Fire Human Exposure and LongTerm Health Study (LA Fire HEALTH Study), the goal is to evaluate the pollutants released by the January fires and the health impacts of those emissions. The project highlights a growing perspective on wildfires—that they’re not only natural disasters, but potentially major health

disasters as well.

Toxic Brew

As devastating wildfires happen more often, the public breathes extreme levels of air pollution more frequently, says Mary Berlik Rice, a pulmonologist studying air pollution and climate at Harvard’s School of Public Health. Because of the stew of materials being burned, the toxins released in urban wildfires are potentially more carcinogenic and potentially deadlier than smoke from other wildfires, she says.

While few if any studies have quantified the relationship between long-term smoke exposure and cancer risk in humans, work in mice finds that wildfire smoke damages the lungs and increases inflammation (1). And a summary of workplace health risks for firefight-

ers, published in The Lancet Oncology, finds that they have a significantly elevated risk of several cancers (2). Smoke also contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have been linked to cancer at high levels. The health consequences of repeat exposure to low levels of VOCs—for instance, in neighboring Los Angeles (LA) suburbs or in faraway towns breathing smoke on the wind—isn’t yet clear.

What is clear is that fire makes air quality much worse. Even on a quiet weather and wildfire day, LA has some of the worst air quality in the country. Exhaust from cars, factories, and ports all contribute, even without a wildfire in the mix.

See Toxic smoke Page 05

Typical particulate matter levels in LA are under 20 micrograms per cubic meter, less than what you’d breathe from smoking one cigarette. But during the Eaton Fire, fine particulate matter shot into the atmosphere exceeding 480 micrograms per cubic meter. Breathing that air for one day was equivalent to smoking about 22 cigarettes, according to OpenAQ, a Washington, DC-based environmental tech company (3). The estimate comes from the mobile app, “Sh**t I Smoke!” It plugs real-time air pollution data from OpenAQ into a formula developed by the nonprofit Berkeley Earth, which calculates that breathing small particulate matter at a concentration

The sniffer van’s two mass spectrometers have identified smoke-associated toxins in Altadena and the Palisades, though the health impacts of many toxins appear to be dose-dependent. | Photo by Daniel Sung/ U.T. Austin

of 22 micrograms per cubic meter is roughly equivalent to smoking a cigarette a day. Populations are repeatedly exposed to wildfires, yet, “we’re lacking these longterm health studies,” Rice says—studies crucial for estimating risks for the general population.

A Storm in the Lungs Smoke plumes can include fine particles, polycyclic hydrocarbons, VOCs, and other gases. The exact cocktail depends on what’s burning. Doctors have known for decades that smoke irritates the lungs and causes asthma attacks. “What’s been emerging in the last 5 to 10 years is increasing evidence of a link [of smoke] with mortality,” Rice says. Urban wildfire smoke, especially from burning plastic, seems to be the most toxic.

Some of the strongest evidence comes from the US Environmental Protection Agency, where senior toxicologist Ian Gilmour has led several studies asking, “is all smoke equal?” He embarked on this line of research in 2008, after smoke from a massive peat fire in eastern North Carolina drifted about 100 miles to Gilmour’s Raleigh-Durham area office. Gilmour collected smoky air samples during and after the fire. He used a high-volume air sampler at a campsite in the path of the smoke, about 20 miles downwind of the fire. Samples collected during the fire had 70% more endotoxin from peat than samples after the blaze (4). But he needed more data.

So Gilmour and his team designed a follow-up study in mice, testing the health impact of smoke from various fuels on the lungs (1). They burned several types of wood and a combination of plastic, plywood, cardboard, and diesel fuel to simulate house fires or military burn pits, each in a long quartz tube furnace. “We lay the fuel along the tube, and then a ceramic heater moves along the tube and burns the fuel,” Gilmour explains. The smoke emptied into a small chamber, where mice inhaled it for 1 hour.

Gilmour’s team measured mouse breathing rate in the chamber as a proxy for lung function. And 4 to 24 hours later, they assessed acute lung injury through assays of inflammatory cells and signaling molecules of cell injury. They also gauged relative cancer risk from different fuels by exposing salmonella bacteria to concentrated smoke from the various fuels. The bacteria grow quickly, and their bacterial DNA mutates if exposed to carcinogens.

Across all metrics, flaming plastic was the worst, Gilmour says. It was the most damaging to lung function.

Hotter burning conditions were associated with more inflammatory lung neutrophils, likely because hotter combustion releases more of the known mutagens called polyaromatic hydrocarbons, Gilmour says. Neutrophils “are your defense in the lungs. They come in and try to clean up damage,” he explains.

The results show that different smoke has different health effects. “Depending on the fuel you burn, there could be differences in toxicology,” he says. Among the implications: The health risks from fires in rural woodland North Carolina or Oregon may require a different approach and regulations than suburban wildfires in the hills above LA.

The Afterburn Concerns about what the LA fires might release prompted “an immediate call across the country to top scientists,” says Joseph Allen, a professor of exposure assessment science at Harvard’s School of Public Health. He and others quickly coalesced around the idea for the LA Fire HEALTH Study. “Many of us study pollution, water quality, and knew we could be of service,” Allen says. On the ground in LA, Misztal’s van recorded 3,600 unique data points every hour. Two mass spectrometers whirred away in the back of the Ford. One of them detected trace gases using a technique called soft ionization. The instrument fired hydronium ions at air toxin molecules to collide and attach a proton. The proton charged the toxin, so the instrument could detect it in an electric field. Heavier charged molecules take longer to move through the chambers; lighter toxins fly faster. Based on the time of flight, the instrument could detect the exact mass of the compound. It worked back from there to calculate the chemical formula and concentration of whatever compound it had sucked up. “We can get chemical formula very quickly,” Misztal says, because “we have real-time mass spec.”

The other Sniffer sampled for aerosols (like a mist of tiny pollution droplets) using a technique called hard ionization. It fired electrons at aerosols to break them apart. Then, by looking at the pattern of fragments, Misztal and his team could ID the crude groups of compounds in the sample. The Sniffers immediately picked up smoke-associated toxins such as ketones, aldehydes,

Toxic smoke

benzene, acetone, and lead, among others, in Altadena and the Palisades.

The LA Fire HEALTH Study was widely advertised, and part of the work involved sampling affected homes. Misztal, with other LA Fire HEALTH teams, collected simultaneous measurements of indoor and outdoor air quality. “That was the most mind-blowing,” he says. Organic chemical pollutants were surprisingly higher indoors, likely from a combination of smoke damage and off-gassing from indoor materials (see also https:// www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/ pnas.2016161117). “I could smell it on my clothing,” Misztal says. “There’s a lot of sticky compounds.” Despite the poor air quality, people picked through their properties without respirators or gloves, he says.

Misztal’s lab is still analyzing all the data. He and his team meet with other members of LA Fire HEALTH weekly to share new results and plan how to communicate their findings with residents. They drove back out from Austin to collect more data this May and are now working on the papers. So far, they’ve generally found evidence of elevated VOCs and particulate pollution in homes with visible soot and ash.

But Misztal and Allen are careful not to frighten people unnecessarily. Despite the many scary-sounding pollutants, Misztal says, the danger is really in the dose. Until he has comprehensive results about what concentrations people are exposed to, he treads carefully. Ultimately, one huge goal is to get information to the public about the safety of the air, water, soil, and ash—in hopes of determining how and when to clean, and whether it’s safe to move back in. Ongoing monitoring, if funded, should reveal what compounds are detected, at what levels, and where.

Tongues of Flame

Misztal’s results may be preliminary, but there are already plenty of data on the dangers of prolonged smoke and ash exposure, to firefighters in particular. The story of the LA fire and its aftermath is still unfolding. But what’s already emerged echoes data from other sources highlighting some dangers.

In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized subunit of the World Health Organization, classified occupational exposure from firefighting as carcinogenic (5). Firefighters’ health came into broad public focus after the September 11th attacks,

says Paul Demers, an epidemiologist and industrial hygienist, who chaired the IARC group. The magnitude of the disaster—with so many first responders and bystanders covered in dust from the towers—worried experts over the building materials they’d inhaled. Research since has observed an uptick in cancer cases in firefighters over time, including bladder cancer, mesothelioma (associated with breathing asbestos fibers during structural fires), prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colon cancer, testicular cancer, and malignant melanoma (2). Urban smoke, from house fires or suburban wildfires, is particularly dangerous, Demers says, because it contains burning synthetic materials. But most any smoke has some known carcinogens, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aromatic amines, both in the air and in soot, that can pass through the skin.

Demers cautions that the public in Altadena or the Palisades isn’t getting the decades-long dose that firefighters do. Even in places like British Columbia, where wildland firefighters can breathe weeks of smoke with nothing but bandanas over their mouths for protection,

there are clearly respiratory effects, but whether that translates to a higher risk of cancer is “hard to show.”

Cancer takes decades to develop, and without longterm data on air quality and exposure after wildfire, it’s hard to say.

Cancer isn’t the only potential health risk. Air pollution may also damage bone in the long term. In a recent study of postmenopausal women, exposure to sulfur dioxide, a gas that billows from wildfire smoke plumes in both urban and rural areas, was associated with reduced bone mineral density, a biomarker of bone health and predictor of fractures (6). The study assessed about 500 metabolites of bone health and found that some were affected by air pollution. For example, exposure to sulfur dioxide led to decreased levels of the metabolite C-38:4 phosphatidylethanolamine, offering “the first evidence for mechanism of damage,” says coauthor Diddier Prada, an environmental and molecular epidemiologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.

Even after the smoke clears, toxins remain in the ash. Not even air quality

indices are reliable in such cases, Rice says, because they report particulate matter near a monitoring station. The burn zone “can be a very different story,” she explains, with persistent VOCs and other toxins kicked up by the cleanup effort. The field needs longer-term data on the consequences of prolonged or repeat exposure, Rice says, especially to whatever lurks in the charred debris left behind. The LA Fire HEALTH Study is a start to that work. It’s some of the first research to measure detailed air chemistry at fine temporal and spatial scales for individual houses, according to Misztal. “There’s a lot of fundamentals we’re learning,” he says. One recent data brief, from late August, made headlines after reports of elevated levels of toxic chromium6 were detected in the air around the debris cleanup zones (7).

“Just being able to see a smoke plume,” Rice says “isn’t necessarily a good indicator” of whether the air is toxic, or for how long. “What are the health effects in the long term for kids and adults? We’re lacking these long-term health studies for the general population.”

Glendale City Notices

NOTICE INVITING PROPOSALS

NOTICE is hereby given that the City of Glendale (“City”) will receive Proposals until the deadline established below for the following project:

Jail Medical Services Request for Proposals

Proposal Submittal Deadline: Submit before 3:00 p.m. on December 19, 2025

Proposal Submittal Location: 131 N. Isabel St. Glendale, CA. 91206 or by email (address below)

A prospective Proposer may receive this RFP by mail, e-mail, in person or online at: https://www.glendaleca.gov/government/departments/finance/purchasing/rfp-rfq-bid-page

Distribution of the RFP in no way represents the City’s acceptance of a Proposer’s qualifications, reputation, or ability to perform the Services.

NO LATE PROPOSALS WILL BE ACCEPTED. City of Glendale Contact Person for RFP Process:

Lt. Ernesto Gaxiola Interim Jail Administrator Email: EGaxiola@glendaleca.gov. No phone calls please

Project Description:

The City of Glendale/Glendale Police Department is accepting proposals from qualified bidders to provide contractual medical services to arrestees in the city jail and other situations (DUI checkpoints etc.) including blood draws, pre-booking and medical screening examinations (in person and/or via telehealth), and treatment of minor injuries. Qualified bidders must be able to respond to the city jail in 30 minutes or less when dispatched.

A potential Proposer should read this document in its entirety before preparing and submitting a Proposal.

Dated this ______ day of _____________, 2025, City of Glendale, California. Suzie Abajian, Ph.D., City Clerk of the City of Glendale.

Publish November 10 & 13, 2025

GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PLANNING HEARING OFFICER PUBLIC HEARING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. PCUP-005411-2025 ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT NO. PAUP-005433-2025

LOCATION: 820 & 822 EAST COLORADO STREET

APPLICANT: Ara Hayrapetyan for Domus Design

ZONE: “C3” - (Commercial Service) Zone

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Portion of Lot 24 of Tract No. 1164 as per Map Book 17 Pages 198-199, and portion of Lot 14 of Childs Tract as per Miscellaneous Records Book 5 Page 157, in the City of Glendale, in the County of Los Angeles.

APN: 5674-024-022

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The applicant is requesting approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow operation of a banquet hall within two existing tenant spaces, with seating and viewing areas totaling 2,565 square feet (SF), and an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) to allow on-site service and consumption of alcoholic beverages within the banquet hall. The project includes a 180-SF addition connecting the tenant spaces. The 25,538-SF project site is in the Commercial Service (C3) zone.

CODE REQUIRES

1) A banquet hall requires a CUP in the C3 Zone (Table 30.12-A, GMC Section 30.12.020).

2) The service and consumption of alcoholic beverages require an AUP in the C3 Zone (Table 30-12.A, GMC Section 30.12.020).

APPLICANT’S PROPOSAL

1) A CUP to allow continued operation of a banquet hall in the establishment addressed as 820 and 822 E. Colorado St. in the C3 Zone (Table 30-12.A, GMC Section 30.12.020).

2) An AUP to allow service and consumption of alcoholic beverages in the C3 Zone (Table 30-12.A, GMC Section 30.12.020).

ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION

The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as a Class 1 “Existing Facilities,” per Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines, because the project involves the operation of a banquet hall, including alcoholic beverage sales and service, in existing commercial tenant spaces. The project involves a 180-SF building addition that will not increase the structure’s floor area by more than 2,500 square feet.

HEARING INFORMATION

The Planning Hearing Officer will conduct a public hearing regarding the above project in Room 105 of the Municipal Services Building, located at 633 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206 on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2025, AT 9:30 AM or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the hearing is to hear comments from the public with respect to zoning concerns for the project. The hearing will be held in accordance with Glendale Municipal Code, Title 30, Chapter 30.42.

The meeting can be viewed on Charter Cable Channel 6 or streamed online at GlendaleCA.gov/live. For public comments and questions during the meeting call 818-937-8100. City staff will be submitting these questions and comments in real time to the appropriate person during the Planning Hearing Officer Hearing. You may also testify in person at the hearing if you wish to do so. If the final decision is challenged in court, testimony may be limited to issues raised before or at the public hearing. The staff report and case materials will be available prior to the hearing date at GlendaleCA.gov/agendas.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS

If you desire more information on the proposal, please contact the case planner, Alan Lamberg, at alamberg@glendaleca.gov or (818) 548-2115 or (818) 937-8158.

PROCEDURES

Any person having an interest in the subject project may participate in the hearing, by phone as outlined above and may be heard in support of his/her opinion. Any person protesting may file a duly signed and acknowledged written protest with the Director of Community Development not later than the hour set for public hearing before the Hearing Officer. “Acknowledged” shall mean a declaration of property ownership (or occupant if not owner) under penalty of perjury. If you challenge the decision of this project in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Glendale, at or prior to the public hearing. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, please notify the Community Development Department at least 48 hours (or two business days) for requests regarding sign language translation and Braille transcription services.

When a final decision is rendered, a decision letter will be posted online at GlendaleCA. gov/planning/decisions. An appeal may be filed within 15 days of the final decision date appearing on the decision letter. All appeals must be filed using the City’s online permit portal: GlendaleCA.gov/permits

Dr. Suzie Abajian, The City Clerk of the City of Glendale Publish November 10, 2025 GLENDALE INDEPENDENT

Probate Notices

NOTICE OF PETITION TO

ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: BARBARA ANN ALVAREZ AKA BARBARA ANN JIORAS

CASE NO. PROVA2500728

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of BARBARA ANN ALVAREZ AKA BARBARA ANN JIORAS.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by MICHELLE WAITE in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that MICHELLE WAITE be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 01/22/26 at 9:00AM in Dept. F1 located at 17780 ARROW BLVD., FONTANA, CA 92335

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Attorney for Petitioner

MARY E. DOERGES FREY - SBN 263264

RYAN R. WONG - SBN 320324

BOHM WILDISH & MATSEN, LLP

600 ANTON BLVD., SUITE 640 COSTA MESA CA 92626

Telephone (714) 384-6500

BSC 227603 11/6, 11/10, 11/13/25 CNS-3982887# ONTARIO NEWS PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF:

WILLIAM L. JOHNSTON

AKA WILLIAM LINDLEY JOHNSTON

CASE NO. 25STPB12166

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of WILLIAM L. JOHNSTON AKA WILLIAM LINDLEY JOHNSTON.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by JIAN B. PANG in the

Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that JIAN B. PANG be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s WILL and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The WILL and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act with limited authority. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows: 12/05/25 at 8:30AM in Dept. 79 located at 111 N. HILL ST., LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

Attorney for Petitioner DANIEL FONG, ESQ. - SBN 248397 FONG LAW GROUP 407 W. VALLEY BLVD., UNIT 3 ALHAMBRA CA 91803

Telephone (626) 289-8299 11/6, 11/10, 11/13/25 CNS-3983106# WEST COVINA PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: MICHAEL QUEEN

CASE NO. PROVA2500205

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the WILL or estate, or both of MICHAEL QUEEN.

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by TRAVIS BRIAN GIRARDO, JOY GOLDEN in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN BERNARDINO.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that TRAVIS BRIAN GIRARDO AND JOY GOLDEN be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held in this court as follows:

12/11/25 at 9:00AM in Dept. F3 located at 17780 ARROW BLVD., FONTANA, CA 92335

Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law.

Attorney for Petitioner

BRYAN ANDRADE - SBN 358294

THE LEGACY LAWYERS, PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION 18872 MACARTHUR BLVD., SUITE 300 IRVINE CA 92612

Telephone (714) 963-7543 BSC 227610

11/6, 11/10, 11/13/25 CNS-3983520# ONTARIO NEWS PRESS

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF James Steven Kraai Case No. 25STPB12227

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of James Steven Kraai

A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by David Ronald Kraai in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES.

THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that David Ronald Kraai be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on December 12, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. 44. located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

(1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner:

DAVID RONALD KRAAI 36612 92ND ST. E LITTLEROCK, CA 93543 NOVEMBER 6, 10, 13, 2025 BURBANK INDEPENDENT

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF CRISTINE J. SCETTRINI Case No. 25STPB11658 To all heirs, beneficiaries, cred-itors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of CRISTINE J. SCETTRINI A PETITION FOR PROBATE has been filed by Shirlee L. Bliss in the Superior Court of California, County of LOS ANGELES. THE PETITION FOR PROBATE requests that Shirlee L. Bliss be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent.

THE PETITION requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

THE PETITION requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administra-tion authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objec-tion to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A HEARING on the petition will be held on Dec. 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM in Dept. No. 5 located at 111 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.

IF YOU OBJECT to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your ap-pearance may be in person or by your attorney.

IF YOU ARE A CREDITOR or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issu-ance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. YOU MAY EXAMINE the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

Petitioner:

Shirlee L. Bliss

law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code).

I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk

File# R-202509482

Pub. 09/01/2025, 09/08/2025, 09/15/2025, 09/22/2025 Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as Arise Pharmacy

10364 Arlington Ave Riverside, CA 92505

Riverside County Arise Pharmaceutical Corp (CA, 2857 Camellia Ct, Corona, CA 92882

Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct.

(A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. Peter Wasif, CEO Statement filed with the County of Riverside on October 22, 2025

NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code).

I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R202512910

Pub. 10/27/2025, 11/03/2025, 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025 Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as 909VAULT 3760 Hilgard St Corona, CA 92882 Riverside County

JUAN JOSE CHAVEZ, 3760 Hilgard St, Corona, CA 92882 Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a individual. Registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein on September 1, 2025. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. JUAN JOSE CHAVEZ

Statement filed with the County of Riverside on September 30, 2025 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code).

I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202512077 Pub. 10/27/2025, 11/03/2025, 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025 Riverside Independent

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. fbn20250010286

The following persons are doing business as: BY THE SLICE PIZZA CO., 10748 Dove Ct, Adelanto, CA 92301. Mailing Address, 10748 Dove Ct, Adelanto, CA 92301. # of Employees 2. (1). Enrique Velasquez (2). Pamela J Myers. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a general partnership. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information

on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 62506277). /s/ Enrique Velasquez, General Partner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on October 29, 2025 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250010286 Pub: 11/03/2025, 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025, 11/24/2025

San Bernardino Press

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT 20256728079. The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: Applewhaite & Associates Insurance Agency, 407 W Imperial Hwy H765, Brea, CA 92821. Full Name of Registrant(s) N&R Enterprises LLC (CA, 407 W Imperial Hwy H765, Brea, CA 92821. This business is conducted by a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. Applewhaite & Associates Insurance Agency. /S/ Rosalind Applewhaite, Managing Member. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Orange County on October 29, 2025. Publish: Anaheim Press 11/03/2025, 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025, 11/24/2025

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). CATALYST – BLYTHE (2). CATALYST BLYTHE (3). CATALYST CANNABIS BLYTHE (4). CATALYST CANNABIS –BLYTHE (5). CATALYST CANNABIS CO – BLYTHE (6). CATALYST CANNABIS DISPENSARY –BLYTHE 1894 E Hobsonway Blythe, CA 92225 Riverside County Mailing Address, 401 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802. Riverside County CATALYST – BLYTHE LLC (CA 401 Pine Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802 Riverside County

This business is conducted by: a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).)

s. ELLIOT LEWIS, MANAGING MEMBER

Statement filed with the County of Riverside on October 29, 2025 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code).

I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office.

Peter Aldana, County, Clerk

File# R-202513207

Pub. 11/03/2025, 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025, 11/24/2025 Riverside Independent

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. FBN20250010467

The following persons are doing business as: CMM Advantage, 14427 Huntridge Drive, Victorville, CA 92394. Mailing Address, 14427 Huntridge Drive, Victorville, CA 92394. # of Employees 1. Thrill The Tastebuds LLC (CA, 14427 Huntridge Drive, Victorville, CA 92394; Monique Jennings, CEO. County of Principal Place of Business: San Bernardino This business is conducted by: a limited liability company (llc). Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. By signing below, I declare that I have read and understand the reverse side of this form and that all information in this statement is true and correct. A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor

punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). I am also aware that all information on this statement becomes Public Record upon filing pursuant to the California Public Records Act (Government Code Sections 62506277). /s/ Monique Jennings, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of San Bernardino on November 6, 2025 Notice- In accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920. A Fictitious Name Statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the County Clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of Section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to Section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et seq., Business and Professions Code) File#: FBN20250010467 Pub: 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025, 11/24/2025, 12/01/2025 San Bernardino Press

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as (1). Slim Weight Loss (2). Slim Coaching Group (3). Slim Wellness Group 284 Dupont Street #115 Corona, CA 92879

Riverside County Mailing Address, 5406 Fulmer Ct, Jurupa Valley, CA 91752. Riverside County Better Life Coaching Group (CA, 5406 Fulmer Ct, Jurupa Valley, CA 91752

Riverside County This business is conducted by: a corporation. Registrant has not yet begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed herein. I declare that all the information in this statement is true and correct. (A registrant who declares as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of the Business and Professions Code, that the registrant knows to be false, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousands dollars ($1000).) s. Samuel Abraham, CEO Statement filed with the County of Riverside on November 6, 2025 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to

section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202513466 Pub. 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025, 11/24/2025, 12/01/2025 Riverside Independent

The following person(s) is (are) doing business as ALOHA CONSTRUCTION 4395 LEONARD WAY CORONA, CA 92883 Riverside County ALOHA REMODELING & LANDSCAPING (CA, 4395 LEONARD WAY, CORONA, CA 92883 Riverside County

s. BETSABE IRIGOYEN MUNOZ, MANAGING MEMBER Statement filed with the County of Riverside on November 5, 2025 NOTICE: In accordance with subdivision (a) of section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of the five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision (b) of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any changes in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in the residence address of a registered owner. A new Fictitious Business Name Statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 Et Seq., business and professions code). I hereby certify that this copy is a correct copy of the original statement on file in my office. Peter Aldana, County, Clerk File# R-202513420 Pub. 11/10/2025, 11/17/2025, 11/24/2025, 12/01/2025 Riverside Independent

Riders, community groups praise LA transit safety program

By Suzanne Potter, Producer, Public News Service

The Metro train and bus system in Los Angeles has recently formalized and expanded its transit ambassador program, earning praise from transit riders and community groups.

The unarmed transit ambassadors, in their lime green polos, help people find their way, connect riders in distress to resources and report any maintenance, cleanliness or safety issues.

Adalberto Rios, Roots for Peace program director for the nonprofit American Friends Service Committee, said this progress is years in the making.

SixteenpercentofLos Angelesmetroarea households could afford to purchase the $837,060 median-priced home in the third quarter of 2025, up from 14% in the second quarter and up from 15% from the third quarter last year, the California Association of Realtors announced Thursday.

The statewide median price of existing single-family homes in California fell 2% in the third quarter of 2025

“The transit ambassadors came as a result of the murder of George Floyd,” Rios explained. “In the wake of that moment, there was a champion that pushed for something different than police on our transit system.”

The program started as a pilot in 2022, with about 300 ambassadors working as contractors. This July, they became part of the Teamsters union and are now official employees with benefits. Metro also hired and trained an additional 85 ambassadors.

Rios noted the ambassadors receive extensive training on how to de-escalate difficult

LA,

situations, so law enforcement does not have to get involved.

“Ambassadors are really helpful, resourceful people that respond to safety and wellness needs, such as our unhoused neighbors, people that are overdosing on the system,” Rios outlined. “They’re the first responders for any major issues.”

Metro works to hire people for the ambassador role who have lived experience; in particular, candidates who come from communities of color, people with disabilities and people from backgrounds affected by homelessness.

Monrovia Chamber to host Community Prayer Breakfast

By Staff

The Monrovia Chamber of Commerce invites the community to attend the 59th Annual Community Prayer Breakfast, themed “Resiliency Through Faith.”

The event will take place on Friday, Nov. 21, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, located at 924 W. Huntington Drive, Monrovia. The Community Prayer Breakfast program will

feature a welcome from Mayor Becky Shevlin and special messages from Navy veteran Brock Milhorn, City Manager Dylan Feik, Pastor Stephanus Eli, Pastor Karen Mastrogiovanni, and Rabbi Ira Rosenfeld.

The event will also feature a musical performance by Marlow Barkley of Centre Stage. A hot breakfast buffet

will be served, provided by the DoubleTree by Hilton Monrovia.

This event is open to the public, and all community members are welcome to attend.

Advance tickets can be purchased by Nov. 14 for $45. After Nov. 14, tickets will be $55. To register or inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit MonroviaCC.com.

Orange County residents able to buy homes in July-September

compared to the previous quarter, reflecting a cooling in market competition, CAR determined.

However, on a yearover-year basis, home prices rebounded — rising 0.8% after posting the first decline in eight quarters earlier this year — as easing mortgage rates encouraged more buyers to return to the market. With the market transitioning into the off-season, home prices are expected to moderate

The council had last extended the mayor’s declaration in August; however, councilmembersTim McOsker and Monica Rodriguez began an effort to phase out the mayor’s declaration. Under the City Charter, the council must vote to extend or terminate a declaration of emergency every 90 days — or as frequently as they decide to.

With the extension, the council also requested reports that would provide recommendations to ensure payments to service provid-

ers and continued operation of interim housing sites if the declaration were to be lifted.

When a declaration of local emergency is in place, the mayor has the ability to suspend competitive bidding as well as expedite the procurement of contracts for construction, service providers and other work related to the emergency.

Continuing the state of emergency requires regular evaluation of so-called indicators of progress such as whether the declaration is

By City News Service

further as seasonal factors kick in, CAR reported.

If lower mortgage rates materialize in the months ahead and economic uncertainties subside, housing affordability could see some slight improvement in the next couple of quarters.

More California households — 27% — could afford a typical condo/townhome in third-quarter 2025, rising from 25% both in second-quarter 2025 and

in third-quarter 2024. An annual income of $163,600 was required to make the monthly payment of $4,090 on the $649,990 medianpriced condo/townhome in the third quarter of 2025, according to CAR.

In Los Angeles County, 12% of households could afford to purchase the $954,130 median-priced home in the third quarter of 2025, down from 13% in the second quarter and up from 11% from the third

Homelessness

resulting in a reduction of street encampments, regulatory relief from outside and internal agencies to address the crisis, increased housing placements, increased affordable housing options and a reduction in homelessness, among other things.

McOsker agreed the declaration gave them the tools to act quickly and cut through bureaucratic barriers to address an urgent humanitarian crisis.

“That declaration was necessary and effective, but emergency declarations

are meant to be temporary. Emergency powers are designed to allow the government to suspend rules and respond rapidly when the situation demands it, but at some point those powers must conclude, and the city must return to operations under the charter,” McOsker said in a statement.

According to the councilman, the mayor’s action to lift the declaration allows the city to formalize a more transparent set of government operations.

“It signals that we are

quarter last year.

In Orange County, 13% percent of households could afford to purchase the $1.4 million median-priced home in the third quarter of 2025, up from 12% in second-quarter 2025 and up from 12% in third-quarter 2024.

The highest median price in California in the third quarter was San Mateo County’s $2.08 million. Lassen remained the most affordable county in Califor-

nia during the quarter, with homes selling at $257,500. Compared with California, CAR found, more than one-third of the nation’s households could afford to purchase a $426,800 medianpriced home, which required a minimum annual income of $107,600 to make monthly payments of $2,690. Nationwide, affordability edged up from 35% in both the second quarter of 2025 and a year ago.

committed to delivering results through more regular processes that ensure greater transparency, oversight, and public accountability. For example, ending the emergency restores normal rules for contracts and property use, giving residents better visibility on how public resources are spent,” McOsker said in his statement.

Council members have recently taken steps toward a new direction in addressing the crisis, including establishing a new bureau

in the Housing Department to provide oversight of homelessness programs and spending.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles County officials withdrew more than $300 million in Measure A funds from LAHSA, and will transfer staff members to support a new homelessness department.

According to LAHSA, 16,723 people were living unsheltered in Los Angeles this year. The city’s total homeless population was 43,695.

Transit ambassadors are a visible, positive presence on buses and trains across the LA area. | Photo courtesy of Metro

Mayor Becky Shevlin. | Screenshot courtesy of Monrovia Chamber / YouTube

LAHSA opens seasonal winter shelter beds through March

By City News Service

TheLosAngeles HomelessServices Authorityannounced Wednesday the start of its seasonalWinterShelter Program, which is expected to provide interim beds through March 31, 2026.

According to LAHSA, the program formally began Nov. 1 with the opening of 61 beds, with more set to come online as winter progresses. Each site is expected to offer three meals a day and supportive services for participants. Pets are also welcome.

Los Angeles County and the city provide funding to the agency for the program, which has two components: the seasonal Winter Shelter Program and the Emergency Response Program. The winter program will operate from through the end of March 2026. The seasonal sites are open 12-24 hours a day, seven days a week.

During severe cold or rain, the county or city may activate the Emergency Response Program to open more temporary bed sites. The emergency program

“Los Angeles is not immune to the dangers presented by wet winter weather,” LAHSA Interim CEO Gita O’Neill said in a statement. “LAHSA mobilizes its annual Winter Shelter Program to provide vital refuge for people experiencing homelessness. These warm, dry beds save Angelenos’ lives.”

also offers temporary motel vouchers to help people come indoors during severe weather events.

LAHSA’s emergency program began in the spring of 2024, built out of its Augmented Winter Shelter Program.

It’s designed to deploy resources and bring unhoused individuals indoors as quickly as possible amid local emergencies or weather conditions that pose a threat to people. The program can be triggered for excessive heat, cold and rain, fires, landslides, and mudslides, among other reasons.

Anyone needing a Winter Shelter bed should go directly to the site, https://www.

lahsa.org/Winter-Shelter, ask a homeless service provider to

Aor call 211

Judge rules UCLA encampment protesters can move forward with lawsuit

judge has ruled that a group of UCLA professors and students can proceed for now in their lawsuit brought against the UC Regents in which they allege their rights to free speech and expression were violated when they and others, who are pro-Palestinian, were bullied and attacked by counter-protesters in spring 2024.

The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit was brought by UCLA professors Salih Can Asiksoz and Graeme Blair, as well as Bruin students Benjamin Kersten and Catherine Washington. The plaintiffs further contend the school administration was hostile to their cause, failed to

By City News Service

protect them and ordered the May 1, 2024, dismantlement of their encampment that was put up on April 25, 2024.

noted how prosecutors with the state Attorney Genera’s Office made a search warrant against Sidhu public alongside the complaint against Ament to kill the stadium deal.

“Mr. Ament later learned that Melahat Rafiei was the original target” of federal prosecutors, Ament’s attorneys said.

Rafiei was flipped to target Ament, his attorneys said.

“Ms. Rafiei redirected the (prosecutors’) attention to her political rival -- Mr. Ament -even though she was engaged in multiple instances of theft, bribery and fraud,” Ament’s attorneys said.

Rafiei admitted to bribing

Irvine officials, planning to steal from the cannabis company and dangling bribes to Anaheim City Council members, but “none of this had anything to do with Mr. Ament, the chamber of commerce, or Mayor Sidhu,” his attorneys said. Ament also denied defrauding the Chamber of Commerce.

Still to be determined is a motion to include the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce as a victim in the case. The dismissal of the wire fraud count could have scuttled that case. Attorney Dean Steward, who represents the chamber, has argued in

Nov.

UCLA

the

Plea change

court papers that it deserves $264,330 in restitution.

The Chamber of Commerce filed a brief on Wednesday saying prosecutors have failed to adhere to rules of court with regards to what it says is its status as a victim in the case. Steward argued in the brief that dismissing the wire fraud count against Ament would have “effectively cut off restitution for the chamber and a second victim of Ament’s fraud.”

Steward added that despite the judge’s “warning to the prosecution during the last hearing on Aug. 22, 2025, that under federal statutes,

victims have a number of rights, to date, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has not contacted counsel for victim chamber in any way.”

Prosecutors have never responded to the chamber’s claim in November of 2022 that it was a victim, Steward said.

“The prosecution has apparently unilaterally decided that the chamber is not a victim, and sought no information from counsel, in contravention of the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act,” Steward said.

In Wednesday’s brief, the chamber asked for $41,000 in restitution.

diately for the safety of the campus community. The UC

damages.

“The fact they did not declare an unlawful assembly while there was alleged violence occurring at the encampment, but instead waited nearly 24 hours until the violence had ended, is circumstantial evidence that defendants were motivated not by public safety but rather by, at least in part, plaintiffs’ protected speech activity,” the judge wrote.

The judge did dismiss individual defendants from the case as well as the plaintiffs’ requests for punitive damages. Jessner had heard arguments in the case on Oct. 22 and took the issues under submission before ruling last week.

Todd Ament. | Photo courtesy of Anaheim Hills Rotary/Facebook

connect them, engage an outreach worker,

to receive a referral to the site closest to them.

| Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority / Facebook

3, Judge Samantha Jessner overruled a challenge to the lawsuit in which UC attorneys maintained that

made

“reasoned decision” to request law enforcement assistance to clear the encampment imme-

Regents also contended that the school was immune from

Photo by Joy Armani on Unsplash