Mountain View News Saturday, June 27, 202644 
Minimum Final Community Event44 
Minimum Final Community Event
Police Nab 10,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks 

WageRate set to 
Increase 


City of Pasadena officialsannounced a reminder 
to local employers and 
employees that the 
citywide minimum wagewill increase, startingWednesday, from $18.04to $18.57 per hour for allbusinesses, regardless of 
size.

 The Pasadena City Counciladopted the city’s minimumwage ordinance on March14, 2016. These rules wereimplemented prior to 
the State of California’s 
minimum wage legislation,
and the state’s minimum 
wage requirements do 
not override Pasadena’s 
ordinance. Pasadena’s 
minimum wage follows 
a distinct schedule 
that includes higher 
incremental increases. 
After several planned 
annual adjustments, the 
Pasadena minimum wageis now updated each yearbased on changes in theConsumer Price Index. 
This new rate will remain 
in effect until June 30, 2027, 
when the next adjustment 
will occur.

 As of April 1, 2024, 
the State of California 
established a $20.00 perhour minimum wage foremployees of “national fast-
food chain” establishments. 
This state requirementapplies to all qualifyingfast-food businesses 
operating within Pasadenaand supersedes the city’sminimum wage when anemployer meets the state’s 
definition of a national 
fast-food chain. For more 
information on the state’s 
fast-food minimum 
wage, visit the CaliforniaDepartment of IndustrialRelations at Dir.Ca.gov/
Dlse/Faq_MinimumWage.
htm.

 The Planning & 
Community DevelopmentDepartment, Code 
Compliance Division, 
administers Pasadena’s 
minimum wage ordinancethrough outreach, 
education, training, and 
coordinated enforcement 
with the California 
Department of IndustrialRelations / Division 
of Labor Standards 
Enforcement. For more 
information or to file a 
complaint related to the 
Pasadena minimum wageordinance, contact Code 
Compliance Manager JonPollard at (626) 744-6831or JPollard@

 CityOfPasadena.net,
Additional resources are 
available at CityOfPasadenaet/Planning/CodeCompliance/
MinimumWage-
Ordinance/. 

Pasadena police arrested foursuspects last week in connectionwith thousands of ponds illegalexplosive fireworks, being storedin Los Angeles , intended for sale
Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris 

in Pasadena, Sierra Madre andsurrounding communities.

According to officials, on 
June 19 the Pasadena Fire 
Department Arson Investigationteam assisted the Pasadena Police 
Department Street Crime unitand executed a search warrant in 
the City of Los Angeles.

 According to a press statement, 
an extensive investigationled them to discover illegalexplosive fireworks beingstored at 6316 Whittier Blvd. ,
intended for distribution in the 
Los Angeles and San GabrielValley cities, including Pasadenaand Sierra Madre. Due to 
homemade explosives beinglocated during the execution ofthe warrant, LASD Bomb Squadalso responded to collect theexplosive devices.
“We have to evaluate it 
[fireworks] on its potentialdanger, and I think that’s itsdeadly,” said Pasadena PoliceChief Gene Harris. “We’ve seen 
explosives throughout the city, 

throughout the county, in thepast where people have beeninjured, up to and includinglosing digits... really injuringtheir body up to and includingfatalities. We think it is veryegregious and certainly worthall of the effort, finance andresources... to make sure thinks 
like this don’t happen.”

 In total, the Pasadena PoliceDepartment (Street Crime 
Unit) and the Pasadena 
Fire Department (Arson 
Investigator) located and 
seized approximately 10,000 
pounds of illegal explosivefireworks (including improvisedexplosive devices), a largequantity of marijuana products,
an unregistered firearm withhigh-capacity magazines, and 
documentation indicative of the 
sales of the illegal fireworks, theysaid.

 The fireworks’ estimated resale 
value is $120,000, Harris said.

 The names of the suspects werenot given. 

AAS Honors Rep. Judy Chuwith Award for Public Service 

The American Astronomical 
Society (AAS) has named 
US Representatives Judy Chu(CA-28) and Don Bacon (NE


02) as the 2026 recipients ofthe AAS Award for Public 
Service to the Astronomical 
Sciences. The award recognizesindividuals who have performedoutstanding public service insupport of astronomy, planetaryscience, and related fields. 
Representatives Bacon andChu are being honored for theirstrong and forthright supportof scientific research at NASA 
and other US federal agencies,
within and beyond the hallsof Congress. The award willbe presented during the 248thmeeting of the AAS in Pasadena,
California.

 “Representatives Bacon andChu have shown how powerfulbipartisan leadership can be 
in advancing the astronomicalsciences,” said Andrew Baker,
co-chair of the AAS’s Committee 
on Astronomy and Public Policy.
“Their work in Congress hashelped build broad support for 
NASA science, the National 
Science Foundation, STEM 
engagement, and the researchenterprise that underpins USleadership in discovery and 
innovation.”

 Bacon and Chu have served as 
co-chairs of the CongressionalPlanetary Science Caucus sincere-establishing the caucus in2024. In that role, they haverallied strong bipartisan supportfor NASA’s Science Mission 
Directorate and related federal 

science programs, spearheadinga series of letters to congressionalappropriators requesting robustfunding for NASA science infiscal years 2025, 2026, and2027. Their fiscal year 2027 
letter was signed by 101 of theircolleagues in the US House ofRepresentatives.

 The two lawmakers have also 
spoken publicly and forcefullyin support of NASA science 
during recent federal budgetdebates. As co-chairs of the 
Planetary Science Caucus, theyhave emphasized the importanceof NASA’s science programs 
to US leadership in spaceexploration, scientific discovery,
technological innovation, 
national security, and the 
nation’s highly skilled scienceand engineering workforce.

 In addition to their NASA-
focused efforts, Bacon has 
advocated for continued US 
investment in ground-basedastronomy, including support foradvancing the Giant MagellanTelescope and the Thirty MeterTelescope within the frameworkof the US Extremely LargeTelescope Program. Chu, whosedistrict includes Pasadena 
and the site of the 248th AAS 
meeting, has been a longstandingadvocate for science, education,
and public service.

 The AAS Award for Public 
Service to the Astronomical 
Sciences is given to up to 
two individuals who have 
demonstrated outstandingleadership and accomplishmentin the development of science 
policy. 

Police said the investigationis ongoing and is believed tobe related to a criminal street 
gang enterprise which smugglesthe fireworks from the state of 
Nevada. 

Parks After 
Dark Returns

 City of Pasadena Parks,
Recreation and CommunityServices Department(PRCS) officials announcedWednesday the 15th annualParks After Dark (PAD) 
program is returning this 
summer with free family-
friendly activities, sports, 
movies, swimming, and 
special events throughout 
Pasadena parks.

 Running July 9 throughAug. 14, Parks After Darktransforms local parks intovibrant gathering spaceswhere residents can connect 
with neighbors, stay active,
and enjoy summer eveningstogether. This year’s programwill also feature hands-
on STEM activities led byscientists and engineers fromCaltech at select events. 
Program highlights include:

-Parks After Dark Kickoff 
Festival – Thursday, July 9, 6–9p.m., Robinson Park, featuringfree food, games, arts and 
crafts, music, and communitysports activities.
-Movies in the Park – Fridays,
July 10–Aug. 8, at parks 
throughout Pasadena.
-Foam & Glow Frenzy –
Thursday, July 16, Villa ParkeCommunity Center. 
-World Cup Soccer 
Tournament with Dena 
United – Friday, July 24,
Robinson Park. 
-Aztec Dance Toltecayotl –
Saturday, July 25, Villa ParkeCommunity Center.
-Teen Neon Party – Thursday,
July 30, La Pintoresca TeenEducation Center. 
-Aqua Boogie Nights – 
Saturdays, July 11–Aug. 8,
featuring evening recreationswims at Kennedy and VillaParke pools. 
-Parks After Dark also 
includes adult and youthbasketball leagues and adultsoccer leagues throughout the 
summer. 
All activities are free unless 
otherwise noted. Registrationis only required for select 
programs.

 For a complete scheduleand program details, visit 
CityOfPasadena.net/Parks-
And-Rec or call (626) 7446530. 


for the Jefferson Park 
Stormwater Capture Project 


The City of Pasadena PublicWorks Department is set tohost the fourth and final publicoutreach event for the Jefferson 
Park Stormwater Capture 
Project Feasibility Study on 
Wednesday, July 15, from 10 

a.m. to noon at the Jefferson 
Branch Library, Children andTeen Services. 
Community members areinvited to view the refined 
above-ground park design thataddresses community feedback,
as well as to share input andconnect with the project team.

 In addition, project partnerAmigos de los Ríos will leadyouth-based educational 
activities, exploring 
sustainability, watershed 
connections, and native ecology.

 The Feasibility Study willevaluate both underground 
stormwater capture 
infrastructure and potential 
above-ground park 
enhancements, focusing 
on strategies to improvestormwater runoff managementand address water quality 
compliance while creatingmeaningful park improvements,
such as new recreation areas 
and play structures, outdoorclassrooms, and enhanced 
urban greening, among otherpotential improvements to be 

considered.

 This fourth public outreachevent for the project is thefinal opportunity to participatein the planning process and 
provide feedback to help shapethe feasibility study. To ensurebroad community participation,
the city has hosted a series of 
bilingual community events,
such as pop-up activities at thepark, meetings for interestedparties, community surveys, andpartnerships with surroundingcommunity partners.

 The city secured a $191,180Public Education and 
Community Engagement grantlast year from Los AngelesCounty’s Safe, Clean Water 
(SCWP) Program to support 
a comprehensive outreach 
and engagement plan that will 
accompany the Feasibility Study.
The grant funding, awardedthrough the voter-approvedSCWP Program, ensures thatresidents play a central role inshaping the project’s vision anddesign.

 The Jefferson Branch Library islocated 1500 E. Villa Street.

 For more information visit: 
bit.ly/JeffersonParkProject 
or contact the Stormwater 
Program Administrator 
at SWAdministrator@
cityofpasadena.net. 

Pasadena Launches Free 
NOAA Fire Weather Radios 

The City of Pasadena is set 
to distribute free National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA)
weather radios in partnershipwith County of Los AngelesOffice of EmergencyManagement (OEM) startingsometime this month.

 According to officials, theNOAA Weather Alert Radios 
are provided by a grant programintended for City of Pasadenaresidents living within High FireHazard Severity Zones and for 
areas where communications 
can be challenged by poor cellcoverage and/or power outages.
Find out if your home is in theFire Hazard Severity Zone by 
visiting:

CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/

Fire-Hazard-Severity-Zones/.

OEM is authorized to use 
NOAA alerting signals to alertthe public in LA County aboutwildfires, earthquakes and otherdisasters by sending out analert message over the NOAAweather radio frequencies. 

NOAA weather radio is a great 
step towards a more prepared 
household.

 To receive a radio, you mustregister online using this 
form and provide all requiredinformation (these radios wereobtained through a grant, andthis information will onlybe used for grant auditing 
purposes). Any incompleteforms will not be processed.
Once the form is submitted 
and processed, residents will beassigned a location/date/timefor pick up.

 Radios are available on a 
first-come, first-served basis 
and limited to one radio perhousehold.

 For help filling out theform, please reach out 
to PreparedPasadena@
CityOfPasadena.net or call FireAdministration (626)744-4655.

You can learn more about the 
radios and watch the NOAA 
Weather Radio Virtual TrainingSession here: Ready.LaCounty.
gov/Emergency-Notifications/ 


8:00 am – 
10:00 am 
B-4 Parade Start 
Free 
Coffee, Juice, Pastries, Music 
550 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 1907-2026: 119 Years 

SierraMadre’s 


Woman’sClub 


Founded February 1907 – “Living the Volunteer Life In Friendship”\ 
Wistaria Thrift Shop Closed 5/31–9/2: Opens 9/3 626-355-7739 
Please Hold Your Clean, Gently Used Donations 5/30-7/5 (10 am) 
SierraMadreWomansClub.org SierraMadreWomansClub 


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