SECTION B 

Mountain View News Saturday, February 14, 2026 
SGV MOSQUITO’S DIRECTOR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS 
MVCAC PRESIDENTIAL CITATION AWARD
NEWS BRIEFS 

SUPERVISOR BARGER ISSUES STATEMENT FOLLOWING 
VOTE ON PROPOSED COUNTY SALES TAX 

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued the following statement today after 
casting her “no” vote on placing a Countywide general sales tax increase for healthcare on 
the ballot: 

“Backfilling federal funding cuts on the backs of County taxpayers is not acceptable. Los 
Angeles County residents are already stretched thin. Last year, Bloomberg News reported 
that Los Angeles now has the highest sales tax rates of any major metropolitan region 
in the nation. This proposed half-cent increase would push us even higher, making our 
County less affordable for families and less appealing for consumers to shop and businesses 
to operate. We are risking imposing higher everyday costs and small businesses and 
employers choosing to leave Los Angeles County altogether. 

The healthcare challenges our County faces are real. This is a serious issue that demands 
serious solutions. We should be demanding stronger commitments from our state’s legislators. 
Making things more expensive—especially for those who can least afford it—without 
real guarantees or accountability is not the answer. Placing a burden on taxpayers, with no 
certainty that the dollars will be spent as intended, is not responsible fiscal policy. 
If the County is going to ask voters to approve a tax, it should be a special tax that provides 
clear purpose, enforceable accountability, and real transparency—not a general tax which 
can be used for other County needs. My vote reflects a commitment to affordability and 
doing right by the taxpayers of Los Angeles County.” 

POLICE INVESTIGATE DEATH ON ARROYO DRIVE 

South Pasadena police are investigating the circumstances of an individual found deceased 
at a popular overlook on Arroyo Drive. A man's body was located on a bench that 
overlooks the Arroyo and is a popular destination for people to watch the sun set. Traffic 
during the morning rush hour had to be diverted on the busy roadway while police conducted 
their investigation. 


Director of Scientific Programs Tristan Hallum with MVCAC Presidential Citation Award 


Trustee Doornik (Glendora) and Trustee Estrada (Baldwin Park) with District Manager Farned and 
Director Hallum at MVCAC Conference 

West Covina, Calif. — Tristan Hallum, Director of Scientific Programs at the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito 
& Vector Control District (SGV Mosquito/District), was honored with the Presidential Citation 
Award at the 94th Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California (MVCAC) Annual Conference, 
held in Rancho Mirage, California.
The MVCAC Presidential Citation Award recognizes individuals whose exceptional leadership, innovation, 
and service have made a significant impact on vector control and public health in California. 
Hallum was recognized for his groundbreaking leadership during the Eaton Fire emergency mosquito 
control response in 2025, which resulted in a historic first for the vector control industry.
During the wildfire recovery effort, Hallum successfully led SGV Mosquito through the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance process— establishing a new precedent for 
FEMA reimbursement of wildfire-related mosquito control by a vector control district.
“Tristan’s work during the Eaton Fire fundamentally changed how vector control is viewed in emergency 
management,” said SGV Mosquito District Manager Jason Farned. “His persistence, creativity, and 
scientific leadership opened the door for districts across the state and nation to access critical federal 
resources to protect public health after disasters.” 

Historically, vector control agencies have faced challenges meeting FEMA eligibility requirements, 
which focused on documented increases in adult mosquito populations and laboratory-confirmed 
disease transmission. Hallum reframed the District’s case by demonstrating that the rapid expansion 
of mosquito habitat caused by wildfire damage—within a region already experiencing endemic and 
locally transmitted disease—constituted an imminent public health threat.
This innovative interpretation, supported by the California Department of Public Health, the Los Angeles 
County Department of Public Health, and ultimately approved by the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC), resulted in federal authorization for mosquito abatement and larvicide 
treatments in the Eaton Fire burn area. 
“It’s an honor to receive this award, and it reflects the collaborative efforts of the District’s staff in response 
to the Eaton Fire,” said Hallum. “I’m grateful for the distinction and look forward to continuing 
our work to protect public health.” 
MVCAC President and Executive Committee members recognized Hallum’s contributions as an extraordinary 
advancement of MVCAC’s mission to protect public health through leadership, science, 
and innovation. 

About SGV MosquitoSGV Mosquito is one of five vector control districts in Los Angeles County. Year-round, the agency monitors 
stagnant water sources, such as gutters, storm drains, channels and non-functional swimming pools. 
The agency also routinely monitors populations of adult mosquitoes using traps and tests groups of adult 
female mosquitoes for the presence of WNV and other mosquito-borne diseases. In addition, the agency 
submits samples from dead birds, such as crows, for testing, which can provide insight into the spread of 
WNV. 

ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN, HALL OF FAME PHOTOGRAPHER, TO 
SPEAK AT USC TROJAN AFFILIATES PROSPECTIVE MEMBERSHIP 
RECEPTION ON MARCH 5th 


Andrew D. Bernstein, 
Hall of Fame Photographer, 
will speak to the 
USC Trojan Affiliates 
on Thursday, March 5, 
2026 at a private home 
in the San Gabriel Valley. 
The meeting will 
begin with hearty refreshments 
at 6:15 p.m. 
followed by the program 
and meeting at 

6:45 p.m. 
Andrew D. Bernstein 
is widely recognized for his decades-long career documenting 
professional sports and cultural icons. A 
Hall of Fame photographer, Bernstein’s images have 
appeared in thousands of publications worldwide 
and in major advertising campaigns, as well as books 
he co-authored with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant. 

 Bernstein has served as team photographer for 
multiple Los Angeles professional sports franchises 
including the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, and Dodgers. 
He holds leadership roles within prominent sports 
and entertainment venues including Cypto.com 
Arena, and Nokia Theater LA Live. Bernstein has 
been the photographer for the United States Olympic 
national basketball team since the 1992 "Dream 
Team". He has since extensively covered all USA 
gold medal-winning teams. He has worked commercially 
on advertising campaigns for Shaquille O'Neal, 
Kobe Bryant, Mia Hamm, LeBron James, and others 
for brands including Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Pepsi, 
Coca-Cola and Icy Hot.

 Bernstein hosts the weekly podcast “Legends Of 
Sport” and is co-founder of the platform. Legends Of 
Sport produced Vanessa Bryant’s new book “Mamba 
& Mambacita Forever.” Autographed books will be 

available for purchase at the meeting.
USC Trojan Affiliates, a women’s organization located 
in the San Gabriel Valley, supports the University 
of Southern California and welcomes all interested 
women to attend its meetings and events. This 
meeting will focus on new member recruitment and 
all women parents, alumni, and friends of USC are 
encouraged to attend. The group meets five times a 
year at various homes and locations within the San 
Gabriel Valley and hosts additional social and cultural 
events while raising needed scholarship funds 
for USC students. It currently supports scholarship 
for five students who attended local San Gabriel Valley 
high schools.

 USC Trojan Affiliates is in its tenth year of contributing 
money to its scholarship endowment 
fund of $100,000, (now well over the initial funded 
amount) using these dollars to support its scholars. 
Members also volunteer at the Pasadena Showcase 
House (April) to earn funds and participate in the 
USC Trojan Affiliates Benefit (February), USC Day 
of SCervice (March 21), Clothes for Cash (March 
29), Swim With Mike (April 11), San Marino Motor 
Classic (June 14), Town and Gown of USC Holiday 
Boutique (Fall), and other programs to support the 
University and its students. 

 Past meetings have included Paint Nights, authors, 
physicians, entertainers, USC professors, and more. 
The last meeting of the 2025-2026 program year will 
take place on Thursday, May 7th and will feature 
Sarah Jane Sherman, Emmy winning voice director, 
voice over artist, and casting director at a local restaurant 
in the San Gabriel Valley. 

For information, reservations, and 
to learn the location of the meeting, please contact 
Trojan Affiliates Membership Chairman Terry Leahy 
by March 1st at terry.leahy17@gmail.com.