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Mountain Views News Saturday, August 2, 2025

Arrested 
Made in 
Theft of 

Little League 
Baseball 
Equipment

Caltech Efforts to Reduce 
Human-Coyote Conflicts

 
Pasadena Police 
announced the arrest 
Thursday of a man wanted 
in connection with the 
break-in of a Pasadena 
Southwest Little League 
storage shed and thousands 
of dollars worth of baseball 
equipment missing.

 Police alleged that Freddy 
Solario, Jr. Broke into the 
shed at Allendale Park in the 
1100 block of S. Marengo 
Ave., by force Friday around 
5 p.m. stealing more than 
$4,000 worth of equipment, 
including power tools. 

 The break-in was caught 
on surveillance identifying 
Solario as the suspect. 

 Police Chief Gene Harris 
thanked the Pasadena 
community for their 
assistance in making this 
arrest. 

 

 Director of Pasadena Public 
Health, Manuel Carmona, and 
the department have recognized 
the efforts of Caltech to address 
concerns about the presence 
of coyotes on campus. In 
partnership with Pasadena 
Humane, Pasadena Public 
Health Department provided 
community education and 
technical guidance to Caltech 
that has proven effective for 
reducing the number of human-
coyote conflicts.

 “Removing attractants is 
the best way to help coyotes 
maintain their natural fear 
of humans and curtail any 
association of human activity 
with food,” Carmona said. “In 
addition, the elimination of 
attractants helps to establish 
healthy boundaries for coyotes 
reducing their visibility to 
humans and potential for 
human-coyote conflicts.”

 He said Caltech has embraced 
the guidance and taken several 
steps to reduce sources of food, 
water, and shelter, resulting in a 
reduction of coyote encounters, 
including:

• Picking up fallen fruit

• Trimming shrubbery to reduce 
hiding places

• Keeping fences in good repair

• Filling holes or areas in the soil 
that can become den sites

• Promptly taking out trash and 
picking up litter

• Keeping lids on trash cans

• Cleaning up quickly after 
events

 The Caltech Strategic 
Communications team has led 
public outreach and education 
by featuring in-depth coyote 
safety tips on its campus wildlife 
page, as well as distributing 
monthly campus email 
newsletters. Additionally, the 
campus hosted outreach events 
where students, staff members, 
and neighbors could ask 
questions, get safety tips from 
partners (PPHD and Pasadena 
Humane).

 When Caltech classes start this 
September, PPHD experts will 
join Caltech staff for another 
sidewalk talk with students, 
faculty, and community 
residents to discuss their 
experiences with coyotes, share 
coyote behavior education, and 
offer tools helpful to keeping 
coyotes wild.

Applications 
Now Open 
for the 2026 
Tournament 
of Roses 
Rose Court

 

 

 Pasadena Tournament of 
Roses officials announced 
Friday that applications 
are now open for the 2026 
Pasadena Tournament of 
Roses Rose Court. Interviews 
will take place in early 
September. 

 “We are excited to continue 
the treasured legacy of the 
Rose Court, a legacy that 
has inspired its members 
to connect with their 
communities, give back in 
meaningful ways and grow in 
self-confidence from valuable 
experiences,” officials said. 
“These are experiences that 
will not only enrich their lives 
but also have a lasting impact 
on the communities they 
serve.” 

 The geographic eligibility 
to serve on the Rose Court 
includes the Pasadena 
Community College District 
Map and seven additional zip 
codes in the area, including 
Eagle Rock, Highland Park, 
San Gabriel and Alhambra. 
To be selected for the Rose 
Court, participants must live 
and attend school full-time 
within those boundaries.

 Applicants who have been 
displaced by the Eaton Fire 
and no longer reside within 
the geographic boundaries 
can apply, provided they 
attend a school that is 
within the eligible area. “We 
recognize the strength it takes 
to move forward after such 
a loss, and we’re committed 
to ensuring eligible students 
have the opportunity to 
be part of the Rose Court 
experience.”

 “We’re looking for applicants 
who bring diverse strengths 
and perspectives — whether 
they’re natural public 
speakers, youth leaders, 
academic stars, or involved in 
their community and school,” 
they said. “An applicant isn’t 
required to have all these 
skills; the selected Rose 
Court members will provide 
a well-rounded group who 
serve as ambassadors of the 
Tournament of Roses, the 
Pasadena community and the 
greater Los Angeles area.”

 Each Rose Court member 
will also receive a $7,500 
educational scholarship.

 The Rose Court application, 
eligibility requirements and 
additional information can be 
found at: tournamentofroses.
com/about/rose-court.

 The first round of Rose 
Court interviews will take 
place at Tournament House 
on Saturday, September 6, 
and Monday, September 8, 
2025.

 The 2026 Rose Court will 
ride down Colorado Blvd. in 
the 137th Rose Parade and 
attend the College Football 
Playoff Quarterfinal at the 
112th Rose Bowl Game, both 
on Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Insurance 
Proceeds 
Workshop 
for Eaton Fire 
Survivors

$75K Reward 
in Cold Case 
Murder 
Renewed

 Residents of Altadena and 
Pasadena who were impacted 
by the Eaton fire are invited 
to attend a new workshop, 
“Unlock the Power of Your 
Insurance Proceeds,” on 
Tuesday, Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. 
onsite at the Pasadena Senior 
Center.

 This workshop is geared to 
fire-impacted homeowners 
who want to learn more 
about their options, and asks 
the question, “What if you 
could use your insurance 
funds for more than just 
rebuilding?” Representatives 
from United Policyholders, a 
non-profit whose mission is 
to be a trustworthy and useful 
information resource and a 
respected voice for consumers 
of all types of insurance 
across the United States, 
will be on hand to answer 
your questions, and suggest 
alternative ideas, including:

Building or buying a home in 
a different town, city or state

Applying to a senior 
community with step-up care

Creative options for your 
future

What can you do with your 
insurance payout

 To register for the “Unlock 
the Power of Your Insurance 
Proceeds” workshop, visit 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org and 
click on Workshops under the 
Lectures & Classes menu. The 
workshop is free, and open to 
all.

Join this workshop to Explore:

What’s legally possible

The ins and outs of insurance 
policies, your rights, and state 
laws

Real life success stories

Hear about others who’ve used 
their proceeds in creative ways

Maximizing your payout

Understand common pitfalls 
and expert strategies to make 
sure you get the most out of 
your insurance funds.

 This workshop is just one 
of many initiatives of PSC’s 
Eaton Fire Community 
Support resources that were 
provided to the community 
within days of the devastating 
Eaton Fire. Additional 
resources to community 
members impacted by the 
fire can be found under 
the Resources menu at 
pasadenaseniorcenter.org.

 Los Angeles County Board 
of Supervisors Chair Kathryn 
Barger renewed a $75,000 
reward for information 
leading to the arrest and 
conviction of the person 
responsible for the tragic 2016 
Pasadena murder of four-
year-old Salvador “Chavita” 
Esparza III. 

 “This is a plea to the public,” 
said Supervisor Kathryn 
Barger. “Nine years ago, 
this innocent child’s life was 
stolen in a senseless act of 
violence. Someone knows 
what happened–and even the 
smallest tip could be they key 
to justice. I implore anyone 
with information to come 
forward and help us bring 
closure to the Esparza family.”

 On the evening of July 5, 
2016, young Salvador was 
fatally shot while standing on 
the front porch of a relative’s 
home in Altadena. The shooter 
has never been identified. 
Despite ongoing efforts by law 
enforcement, the case remains 
unsolved. 

 Supervisor Barger’s decision 
to renew the reward is a 
renewed call for leads and a 
reflection of her continued 
commitment to seeking 
justice for the Esparza family. 

 Pasadena Mayor Victor 
Gordo echoed the urgency 
for public involvement. 
“Salvador ‘Chavita’ Esparza’s 
life was needlessly cut short 
at just 4 years old,” stated 
Mayor Gordo. “We must 
not forget this innocent 
child. I want to emphasize 
that the community’s help 
is vital. Supervisor Barger’s 
leadership in renewing the 
reward reinforces our shared 
commitment to accountability 
and justice.”

 The Los Angeles County 
Sheriff’s Department 
Homicide Division continues 
to actively investigate the case. 
Anyone with information 
is encouraged to contact 
Detective Adam Kirste or 
Sergeant John Aanarial at 
(323) 890-5500. 

 Anonymous tips can also 
be submitted by dialing (800) 
222-TIPS (8477) or visiting 
lacrimestoppers.org.

City of Pasadena Recipient 
of the 2025 CASQA Award

 Director of Public Works, Greg 
de Vinck, announced Thursday 
the City of Pasadena has been 
selected to receive the 2025 
California Stormwater Quality 
Association (CASQA) Award 
for Outstanding Stormwater 
Implementation Program 
(Phase I MS4). The award will 
be presented during the opening 
plenary session of CASQA’s 
21st Annual Conference, to 
be hosted in Pasadena from 
September 15 to 17.

 This recognition highlights 
Pasadena’s ongoing efforts to 
not only meet the requirements 
of the Phase I MS4 permit, 
but to approach stormwater 
management through integrated 
planning, funding, and project 
delivery. Following the adoption 
of our Stormwater Master Plan 
in 2022, the City has taken a 
strategic approach to building a 
resilient and sustainable urban 
water program.

 To date, Pasadena has secured 
approximately $68 million 
in external grant funding, 
including Measure W (Safe, 
Clean Water Program), 
Proposition 68, and Caltrans 
agreements, to support six major 
regional stormwater capture 
projects. These projects are 
designed to meet water quality 
goals while also delivering 
meaningful community 
benefits. In addition to reducing 
runoff and improving water 
quality, they introduce new 
green space, expand public 
access, and include features 
such as gardens, educational 
elements, and recreational trails.

 A key factor in this success was 
the establishment of Pasadena’s 
first dedicated Stormwater 
Program Section within Public 
Works. Created in 2023 using 
Measure W Local Return funds, 
this team is responsible for 
policy development, technical 
planning, grant administration, 
and interdepartmental 
coordination. The City’s 
first Stormwater Program 
Administrator now leads this 
effort and has played a central 
role in guiding program 
implementation.

 Hosting the CASQA conference 
locally provides an opportunity 
to highlight this work. City staff 
will formally accept the award 
on September 15, participate 
in technical sessions, and lead 
a field tour to showcase several 
of our stormwater projects, 
including the Berkshire Creek 
Restoration.

 To attend the Conference 
register here: casqa.org/events/
annual-conference/attendee-
registration.

PPD First Flag 
Flown after 
the Flames

 
Pasadena police flew the 
first flag at the department’s 
training facility Tuesday 
six months after Eaton Fire 
consumed the department’s 
inaugural flag. 

 Pasadena Police Department 
(PPD) staff arrived the 
morning of, January 8, at 
headquarters to find its 
flagpole was no longer 
standing. The fire also 
consumed PPD’s inaugural flag 
displayed at the Department’s 
training facility. More than six 
months later, a new flagpole 
was installed, and first flag 
hooked and raised by Chief 
Gene Harris. “Members from 
the department observed in 
silence as the 50 stars and 
13 stripes rose to meet the 
afternoon sky, bestowing a 
sense of closure to our first 
responders.”

 This ceremonial flag was 
dedicated to the department 
and will eventually be 
displayed at the Pasadena 
Police Department’s training 
facility.

 For more happenings at the 
Pasadena Police Department, 
please visit our website: 
cityofpasadena.net/police.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com