VOLUME 20 NO. 17VOLUME 20 NO. 17SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026 
$50,000 REWARD 
Earlier this week, California Governor offered 
a $50,000 reward for information that solves 
any of more than two dozen cold cases across 
the state, including two each in Los Angeles 
and Orange counties. 
``Every family deserves answers and jus-
tice,'' Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. 
``These rewards send a message that every 
case matters, every victim matters, and that 
we are all working toward increased account-
ability. If you know something, it is your duty 
to come forward.'' 
The LA County cases included in the re-
wards offers are: -- the Nov. 20, 2021, killing 
of 13-year-old Iran Moreno, who was killed by 
a stray bullet that came through his bedroom 
window in the 900 block of North Raymond 
Avenue in Pasadena. Anyone with informa-
tion was asked to call Pasadena Police Depart-
ment Lt. Keith Gomez at 626-744-451; and the 
January 2022 fatal shooting of Tioni Theus, 16, 
whose body was found along the Harbor (110)
Freeway near Manchester Avenue in South 
Los Angeles. Authorities said the teen told her 
family on Jan. 7 she was meeting a friend to go 
to a party. Her body was found two days later. 
Anyone with information was urged to 
contact the California Highway Patrol at 
323-644-9550. 
ASSEMBLYMEMBER 
HARABEDIAN HONORS 
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 
REMEMBRANCE DAY 
2026 marks the 111th year since the start 
of the Armenian Genocide, the systematicmassacre and displacement of over 1.5million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire.
In the Capitol and Assembly District 
41, Assemblymember John Harabedian 
(D-Pasadena and Sierra Madre native), standsas one with other descendants of this heinous 
stain on human history.
The California Armenian Legislative CaucusFoundation gathered on Monday, April20th in a remembrance luncheon honoringthe Armenian community. Harabedian 
presented the Armenian National Committeeof America with a certificate commemoratingtheir advocacy efforts on behalf of the Armeniancommunity.
The only Armenian in the Legislature,
Harabedian also presented House Resolution97, which acknowledges the atrocities of the 
Armenian Genocide and raises awareness of 
the warning signs of systematic violence. HR 97 
passed the Assembly, recognizing April 24, 2026as the Day of Commemoration of the 111thAnniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
“As an Armenian American and Chair of the 
LIFELONG SIERRA MADREAN BEN SMITH PASSES AWAY 
VOLUME 20 NO. 17VOLUME 20 NO. 17SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026 
ASSEMBLYMEMBER

$50,000 REWARD 

HARABEDIAN HONORS

Earlier this week, California Governor offered 
a $50,000 reward for information that solves ARMENIAN GENOCIDE 
any of more than two dozen cold cases across 
the state, including two each in Los Angeles REMEMBRANCE DAY 
and Orange counties. 

2026 marks the 111th year since the start 
``Every family deserves answers and jus-of the Armenian Genocide, the systematic 
tice,'' Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. massacre and displacement of over 1.5 
``These rewards send a message that every million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire. 
case matters, every victim matters, and that In the Capitol and Assembly District 
we are all working toward increased account-41, Assemblymember John Harabedian 
ability. If you know something, it is your duty (D-Pasadena and Sierra Madre native), stands

as one with other descendants of this heinous

to come forward.'' 

stain on human history.

The LA County cases included in the re-The California Armenian Legislative Caucus

wards offers are: -- the Nov. 20, 2021, killing Foundation gathered on Monday, April

of 13-year-old Iran Moreno, who was killed by 20th in a remembrance luncheon honoring

a stray bullet that came through his bedroom the Armenian community. Harabedian 

window in the 900 block of North Raymond presented the Armenian National Committee

Avenue in Pasadena. Anyone with informa-of America with a certificate commemorating

tion was asked to call Pasadena Police Depart-their advocacy efforts on behalf of the Armenian

ment Lt. Keith Gomez at 626-744-451; and the community.

January 2022 fatal shooting of Tioni Theus, 16, The only Armenian in the Legislature,

whose body was found along the Harbor (110) Harabedian also presented House Resolution

Freeway near Manchester Avenue in South 97, which acknowledges the atrocities of the 

Los Angeles. Authorities said the teen told her Armenian Genocide and raises awareness of 

family on Jan. 7 she was meeting a friend to go the warning signs of systematic violence. HR 97 

to a party. Her body was found two days later. passed the Assembly, recognizing April 24, 2026

as the Day of Commemoration of the 111th

Anyone with information was urged to 

Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

contact the California Highway Patrol at 

“As an Armenian American and Chair of the

323-644-9550. 

LIFELONG SIERRA MADREAN BEN SMITH PASSES AWAY 

welcoming persona.” 

“Ben, such a beautiful soul. You will be so missed. Rest in love.” 

Sierra Madre Mayor Kris Lowe, who knew Ben when they were kids, 
posted: ”Can’t imagine not growing old with you, but we sure had a great 
time growing up together! Love you so much and I miss you! Everyone 
does! City of Hope thought you were someone famous because of the 
amount (of) loved ones who came to be with you. Leukemia took you way 
too quickly! Thanks for watching over us from above and be sure to show 
your parents that you are ok and signal them that you’re watching over 
them! Love you my brother!!” 

And from Ben’s friend of 37 years, Craig Middlebrook: ”Over the years, 
we shared so much life together. We have skied up and down the great 
state of California. We backpacked through the High Sierras. We've even 
Honky Tonked in Nashville, Tennessee and we had a lot of fun—parties, 
holidays, vacations, and just the simple times of hanging out…I was 
blessed to live with you for a few years in Sierra Madre. You didn’t have 
to open your home to me—but that’s just who you are. You welcomed me 
in without hesitation…You are loyal, caring, trustworthy, supportive, sincere—
and full of love. Those aren’t just words; they’re the way you lived 
your life every single day. You will be honored by so many of us, because 
you meant so much to so many…Life won’t be the same without you here. 
That’s something we all feel…I just want to say—thank you, Ben. For your 
friendship. For your kindness. For the way you made life better just bybeing in it.” 

From his brother Emile: “My brother Ben was the kind of person who 
could make you laugh anywhere – on a ski run, behind a computer, talking 
about the weather of singing karaoke like he owned the room. He 
was my first best friend, and I’ll carry him with me for the rest of my life.” 
And a final comment from his mother…” Ben is, now, in his Lord’s arms 
and safe. He knew from his birth that he belonged to him and was sealed 
as his own, forever….” 


Armenian Caucus, it is critically important thatwe formally recognize the historical reality ofthe Armenian Genocide and pay tribute to the

1.5 million Armenians who were murdered,”
said Harabedian. “As we reflect on this horrific 
injustice, we also celebrate the strength,
resilience, and unity of the Armenian diasporain California and our many contributions tocommunities across the state.” 
Honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocideand standing in solidarity with the community,
Harabedian’s office was also represented atcommemorations in Pasadena and Montebello. 
The Sierra Madre social media pages lit up at the beginning of the week as 
word spread that lifelong Sierra Madre resident, Ben Smith, passed away 
on Tuesday, April 21 following an intense battle with leukemia. He was 52 
years old. Numerous posts and hundreds of comments were posted by 
those who knew Ben and wanted to express their grief at the loss.
Ben Smith was born March 3rd of 1974. He was the son of Sierra Madreans 
Ray and Linda Smith. He attended Gooden School in its early years. 
The years at Gooden influenced Ben well into adulthood. The school, 
which has a strong reputation for its arts and music programs, surely influenced 
his passion for karaoke. 

Another passion of his was skiing. When the Gooden students were invited 
to Mt. Waterman to learn to ski, Ben whizzed down the face of Waterman 
before the rest of the children could figure out how to put their 
skis on. Ben and his father (a longtime member of Sierra Madre’s volunteer 
fire department and the Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Team) 
worked for many winters on the Volunteer Ski Patrol at Mt. WatermanBen was also an unabashed fan of the Dodgers. Ben’s friends will also attest 
to his love of space, regularly, receiving texts alerting them to satellite 
launches out of Vandenburg, or that the International Space Station will 
be visible tonight. A favorite memory for him and his family was camping 
out with thousands of others to observe the space shuttle Columbia,
landing, before being ferried on top of a 747 to return to the KennedySpace Center. 

His love of space was, also, certainly encouraged by his fascination with 
the weather and meteorology. If the sky looked threatening, it was Ben 
that his friends went to for the latest in weather, as he, always, stayed apprised 
of the current weather situation, and due to his schooling, he knew 
what he was talking about. 

Ben attended Maranatha High School, followed by studies at Glendale 
Community College and Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff and 
Glendale Community College before matriculating to UC Davis, where 
he graduated in 1997 with a degree in Atmospheric Science and as a 
meteorologist. 

Following graduation, Ben worked for the National Weather Service and 
as a support engineer at EarthLink. In 1997, he co-founded Village Domain 
with Alan Tierney and David Backus. A pioneer during the Internet's 
era of rapid growth, Village Domain hosted many of Sierra Madre's 
earliest websites and email addresses. After Tierney and Backus moved 
on to other ventures, Ben continued operating the business on his own, 
running it until his passing with a dedicated focus on design and hosting 
services for his local community.. 

One person I spoke with told me about the time he noticed her squinting, 
and he got a pair of reading glasses for her to make it easier. When she 
was done, he refused to let her return them, as he said he didn’t want to 
see her struggling with reading. 

Ben is survived by his parents, longtime SM volunteer fireman Ray Smith, 
and mother Linda Smith, as well as an older brother, Emile Smith. A memorial 
will be held sometime in the future at a date to be determined. 

Many of the social media mentions commented on what a good man he 
was, and the depth of his heart and soul. Just a small sampling of those 
comments posted by those close to him include: 

“He will be so dearly missed. I always loved hearing him sing. Praying for 
his family.” 
“Too many great memories. My heart hurts too much.” 
“Ben was such a lovely person. He will be missed.” 
“Never easy when someone is taken before their time. It all seems so unfair. 
Especially a good human who brought joy to all he knew.” 
“Ben was good, kind, and a generous friend to all.” 
“Great singer, always called and crushed the Karaoke deep cuts. Kind, 


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626.688.2273 

DRE #00541631 


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