Mountain Views-News Saturday November 22, 2025 

DUARTE PUBLIC SAFETY ASSISTS IN 
SUCCESSFUL RESCUE OF STRANDED 
TEEN HIKER 

The City of Duarte Public Safety Department is sharing information regarding a successful multi-
agency rescue that took place on Thursday, November 20, in the foothills above Bradbury Canyon. 

At 6:33 PM on Thursday, November 20, a 15-year old hiker called 911 after becoming stranded in 
deteriorating weather conditions. The teen had set out earlier in the day but was unable to make his 
way out as rain and cold weather intensified. 

The Duarte Public Safety drone team deployed immediately and located the teen on a ridge approximately 
half a mile northeast of Bliss Canyon Road using thermal imaging. This rapid identification 
allowed responding crews to focus their search area and coordinate an effective response. 

Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, SMSR, along with the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department, 
deployed resources and moved through heavy brush and unstable terrain to reach the teen. SMSR 
teams arrived at approximately 8:30 PM, conducted a medical assessment, and determined he was 
mildly hypothermic. Crews provided dry clothing, warming measures, and assisted him downhill 
to an extraction point. A Los Angeles County Fire Department helicopter then hoisted the teen 
from the ridge for further medical evaluation. SMSR personnel later hiked out safely. 

“This rescue showed the strength of coordinated public safety response,” said Larry Breceda, Director 
of Public Safety for the City of Duarte. “Our new drone program proved essential in quicklylocating the hiker and giving ground crews the information they needed. I’m proud of the teamwork 
between our Public Safety staff, the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’s Department, Sierra Madre 
Search and Rescue, and LA County Fire. Their quick actions ensured this young man received the 
help he needed.” 

Public Safety officials also commended the teen for calling 911 immediately and sheltering in place, 
which helped rescuers locate him efficiently in challenging conditions. 

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES 
IN YOUR AREA BY SHOPPING 
AT THE PASADENA RESTORE! 

The holiday sales at the Pasadena ReStore are starting soon, and you don't want to 
miss out on supporting local small businesses this holiday season! 

After wrapping up Black Friday shopping, head over to the San Gabriel Valley ReStore to support 
local small businesses. On November 29, shoppers will enjoy 30% off donated items from the Re-
Store as part of the Small Business Saturday celebration. 

The Pasadena ReStore is more than a shopping destination it’s a hub for creativity, community, 
and connection. With more than 20 local vendors and artists, visitors can browse vintage finds, 
upcycled goods, and handcrafted pieces perfect for holiday gifting. Selected vendors will also offer 
exclusive discounts ranging from 15%–50% off. 

At the Pasadena ReStore local retailers are featured in the Vendor Marketplace, which offers local 
businesses a vibrant space to share their creativity and connect with the community. It’s a unique 
opportunity for artists to showcase handcrafted pieces and repurposed treasures. Their creations 
help make the ReStore a destination filled with character, purpose, and local pride. 

Rebecca, from Los Angeles Bohemian Decor in Booth B7 at the Pasadena ReStore, shared what 
makes this space so special: 

“As a vendor at the Pasadena ReStore, I love being part of a space where creativity, community, 


and second-life treasures come together, there’s truly no better place to shop small and shop with 
purpose.” 

There are plenty of reasons to join the Small Business Saturday sale: a portion of proceeds supports 
affordable housing across the San Gabriel Valley, and every purchase uplifts local entrepreneurs. 

Skip the holiday mall crowds and discover meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts at the Pasadena ReStore 
while supporting your community at the same time. 

Store Information: 
Pasadena ReStore 
Phone: 626-387-6900 
Address: 32 N. Sierra Madre Blvd, Pasadena, CAStore Hours: 
Tues–Sat: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM 
Sun: 12:00 AM- 5:00 PM 

About Habitat for Humanity ReStores

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that 
sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials, and more to 
the public at discounted prices. Proceeds support Habitat's mission and local work.To shop, donate 
or volunteer, visit sgvrestore.org 

About San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity

Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, a small group of committed volunteers 
founded San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity in 1990. Fueled by the generosity of volunteers 
and donors, we’ve served over 400 families in our local community and abroad. Families and 
individuals partner with Habitat to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial 
support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families 
achieve the strength, stability, and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. 

Habitat for Humanity has a strong reputation and a long history of helping communities recover 
from disasters, including hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Habitat is committed to the long-term 
rebuilding and will work to ensure families, particularly those most vulnerable, impacted by the 
Eaton Fire have a safe and affordable place to call home.
To learn more, visit sgvHabitat.org. 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY TREASURER 
AND TAX COLLECTOR REMINDS 
PROPERTY OWNERS OF 
UPCOMING FIRST INSTALLMENT 
DELINQUENCY DATE 

ELIZABETH BUENROSTRO GINSBERG, Los Angeles County Treasurer and 
Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the first installment of the 202526 
Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes delinquent if not received by 5:00 

p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service (USPS) postmarked on or 
before Wednesday, December 10, 2025. “To avoid late penalties, property owners 
should not wait until the last day to make payment; please pay early” saysTreasurer and Tax Collector Buenrostro Ginsberg. 
Mrs. Buenrostro Ginsberg advised, “Property owners may find it difficult to 
reach an agent on the telephone. However, property owners may view the 202526 
Annual Secured Property Tax Bill, make online electronic check (eCheck) 
payments, or obtain tax payment history for the past three fiscal tax years on the 
Los Angeles County Property Tax Portal at propertytax.lacounty.gov. Property 
owners may also submit inquiries at ttc.lacounty.gov/ public-inquiries or call 
the toll-free Property Tax Information Line at 1(888) 807-2111, where automated 
information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” 

PROPERTIES IMPACTED BY THE JANUARY 2025 WILDFIRES 

For property owners impacted by the wildfires, the Governor signed Executive Orders 
(EOs) suspending penalties, costs, and interest on late property tax payments for properties 
located in Zip codes 90019, 90041, 90049, 90066, 90265, 90272, 90290, 90402,91001, 91024, 91040, 91103, 91104, 91106, 91107, 91367, 93535, or 93536. The EOs 
remain in effect until April 10, 2026. 

PAYMENT OPTIONS 

PAYMENTS – The Treasurer and Tax Collector (TTC) only accepts U.S. currencydrawn on U.S. based financial institutions. 

PARTIAL PAYMENTS – TTC recommends property owners pay the total amount 
due. However, if property owners are unable to do so, TTC accepts partial payments, 
which reduce the amount of penalties imposed. 

PAY ONLINE – Go to propertytax.lacounty.gov to make online payments 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week up until 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the delinquency date. All online 
payment options provide immediate email confirmation. Please note that TTC does 
not accept online payments for installment plans (Four-Pay and Five-Pay Plans). 

AUTOMATED MONTHLY PAYMENTS – TTC has partnered with an independent 
platform that enables property owners to make automated monthly payments toward 
property taxes. The service is designed to help property owners spread payments into 
manageable installments. There is no cost to pay by bank account through Automated 
Clearing House (ACH). Credit and debit card transactions incur a 1.99 percent service 
fee. For assistance, please contact the platform’s support team at support@easysmartpay.
net. 

PAY BY ELECTRONIC CHECK – There is no cost to property owners for eCheck 
payments. The Annual Secured Property Tax Bill contains the Assessor’s Identification 
Number (AIN) needed to complete the transaction. Each eCheck transaction is limited 
to $2,500,000.00. 
A step-by-step video on how to make an eCheck payment is available at ttc.lacounty.
gov/pay-your-property-taxes. The video is accessible in multiple languages.
When paying by eCheck, the bank account must be ACH-enabled, meaning the transaction 
can settle through the ACH Network. If the bank account has a debit block 
to prevent unauthorized organizations from debiting the account via ACH, property 
owners must notify banks to authorize ACH debits from Los Angeles County with a 
debit filter with the Company Identification Number of 0 0 0 0 0 7 9 1 6 1. 

PAY BY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD ONLINE – Pay online by using major credit cards 
or debit cards. Each online credit/debit card transaction is limited to $99,999.99, including 
a cost, currently 2.22 percent of the transaction amount (minimum $1.49 per 
transaction). 

PAY BY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD OVER THE TELEPHONE – TTC accepts major 
credit and debit card payments over the telephone for current year taxes only. To payby telephone, call toll-free 1(888) 473-0835. The Annual Secured Property Tax Bill 
contains the AIN, Year, and Sequence needed to complete the transaction. Each credit/
debit card transaction is limited to $99,999.99, including a cost, currently 2.22 percent 
of the transaction amount (minimum $1.49 per transaction). Please note that TTC 
does not accept payments for defaulted taxes or installment plans (Four-Pay and Five-
Pay Plans) over the telephone. 

PAY BY MAIL – Please use the envelope(s) enclosed in the Annual Secured PropertyTax Bill and include the payment stub from the tax bill. If paying both installments, 
please include both payment stubs. Do not mail cash or attach staples, clips, tape, or 
correspondence. Mail property tax payments to the Los Angeles County Treasurer and 
Tax Collector, Post Office Box 54018, Los Angeles, CA 90054-0018. Do not mail payments 
to any other address. 

Propertytax payments must be received or USPS postmarked by the delinquency date 
to avoid penalties. To “Avoid Penalties by Understanding Postmarks,” visit ttc.lacounty.
gov/avoid-penalties-by-understanding-postmarks. 

PAY IN PERSON – TTC accepts cash, check, money order, cashier’s check, and major 
credit cards and debit cards at 225 North Hill Street, First Floor Lobby, Los Angeles, 
CA 90012, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday, 
excluding Los Angeles County holidays. Each in-person credit/debit card transaction 
is limited to $75,000.00, including a cost, currently 2.22 percent of the transaction 
amount (minimum $1.49 per transaction). 

ONLINE BANKING OR BILL PAYMENT SERVICES – TTC DOES NOT recommend 
using these services to pay property taxes. The USPS does not postmark the envelopes 
these firms use to mail the payment. In the absence of a postmark, TTC determines 
penalties based exclusively on the date TTC receives payment. 

THIRD PARTY NOTIFICATION PROGRAM 
Property owners can designate a third party (e.g., a friend, family member or agency) 
to receive a copy of past due notices. While third parties are not responsible for paying 
the property tax bill, they can remind property owners that their property taxes maybe in default, or of the need to take action to prevent loss of the property in the event 
of a tax sale. Senior citizens, individuals with language limitations, and others who 
require special assistance may benefit from this program. To enroll, visit ttc.lacounty.
gov/third-party-property-tax-notification-program. 

EMAIL NOTIFICATION SERVICE 
To receive property tax-related emails regarding special notices and upcoming events, 
such as annual property tax deadline reminders, property owners may subscribe to 
Email Notification Service at ttc.lacounty.gov/eNotify. 

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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