Residents hear about Pasadena's past, present, and future at WPRA annual meeting

"The WPRA, an effective and influential association comprised of residents who live near the Arroyo Seco, held its annual meeting Wednesday and elected new officers, presented awards and heard from three speakers - John Van de Kamp, Mic Hansen, and Mayor Terry Tornek - about Pasadena's past, future and present. About 175 southwest Pasadena residents gathered at Sequoyah School. Tornek saluted the WPRA, calling it 'remarkable.'" Pasadena Now

In remarks to WPRA, Mayor Tornek begins to unveil his agenda

"In his first public remarks since being sworn in, Mayor Tornek talked about accountability at City Hall, the city's failure to communicate effectively to residents, and restoring the luster of being a model city. Tornek's made his frank comments about City Hall at the annual meeting of the WPRA." Pasadena Now

Outgoing Mayor Bill Bogaard thanks a grateful city

"In his final remarks as Mayor, Bill Bogaard offered his 'profound gratitude' to a city he has served diligently for 16 years. 'We've had something good going in Pasadena. I'm glad to be a part of it,' Bogaard said in his final remarks from the Mayor's chair in City Council Chambers Monday night. 'My overriding memory of the city is this is a city that will prosper. Thank you,' Bogaard concluded, 'very, very much.'" Pasadena Now

Mayor Tornek declares city's 'daunting' problems can be solved 

"Incoming Mayor Terry Tornek delivered a short speech in the City Hall Courtyard Monday evening, saying Pasadena 'is a great city and we are facing some serious challenges' but he concluded by saying he's 'confident that we've got what it takes to solve these problems.' Tornek's remarks came shortly before he was sworn in." Pasadena Now

Gene Masuda elected vice mayor, new council and mayor officially sworn in

"A three-part ceremony laced with light-hearted laughter saw the dissolution of one City Council and the swearing in of the next at Pasadena City Hall Monday afternoon and evening. Bill Bogaard became a private citizen once again, as did Vice Mayor Jacque Robinson. Mayor Terry Tornek was officially sworn in as Pasadena's new Mayor, along with incoming Tyron Hampton and re-elected Margaret McAustin, Gene Masuda, and Steve Madison as Councilmembers. As the Council's first business, Councilmember Gene Masuda was unanimously elected Vice Mayor." Pasadena Now

Labor board to decide nurse union vote at Huntington Hospital

"Just days after calling on the National Labor Relations Board to examine questionable votes, the California Nurses Association filed an objection comprised of 41 charges with federal labor regulators, claiming Huntington Hospital intimidated nurses there seeking to unionize. The objection, if upheld, could nullify the vote. Last week, a union official said that 175 disputed ballots in the election two weeks ago were cast by ineligible employees. The administration leads the election 539 to 445. Both sides will make their arguments in front of the labor board. After reviewing evidence, the head of the board will make the final decision." Pasadena Weekly

ACLU Pasadena to host forum on police-community relations

"At this month's forum on Tuesday, May 12, the ACLU has invited three experts who can help the public better understand the dynamics involved in police interactions with black and brown communities, from law enforcement, legal, activist, and victim family perspectives. Panelists include: Cheryl Dorsey, a retired LAPD sergeant who has emerged as an expert on police conduct issues and author of The Creation of a Manifesto, Black & Blue, a scathing look at LAPD internal processes; Elbie "Skip" Hickambottom, attorney with Gronemeier & Associates, representing the NAACP and the shooting victim's family in the Kendrec McDade lawsuit; and Khafre Dixon, activist, actor, and brother of two siblings who died in separate and suspicious circumstances while in law enforcement custody." Pasadena Now

Jake's of Old Pasadena closes

"After decades in Pasadena, a popular hamburger restaurant and sports bar has closed its doors for good, citing rising real estate costs. Jake's of Pasadena, at Colorado Boulevard and Mills Place, closed April 30, restaurant representatives said in a written statement." Pasadena Star-News

Nepal native raises relief funds following devastating earthquake

"Kapil Adhikari, owner of Himalayan Café and Himalayan Collection in Old Pasadena and a native of Gorkha, Nepal, has launched a relief campaign to help his fellow countrymen and women recover from the worst earthquake to hit Nepal since 1934. Adhikari has registered a nonprofit under the name Himalayan Helping Hand. Email him at himalayanhelpinggroup@gmail.com or call (626) 676-3550.The quake is responsible for more than 7,000 deaths and has left tens of thousands of people homeless." Pasadena Weekly

Firefighters return from Nepal after earthquake relief trip

"In the wake of last month's devastating 7.8 earthquake in Nepal, three Pasadena firefighters traveled to the region to aid in rescue and recovery efforts in villages farther away from the nation's capital. The group arrived in Kathmandu, the nation's capital, at 11:30 a.m. on April 30, about five days after the earthquake. The team spent the next four days in remote villages that had not yet received any assistance. In each village they visited, they worked with locals to set up medical clinics and food distribution centers and triaged the area to determine what other resources people would need once they left. Most areas they assisted were without power or running water and the people suffered from various ailments following the earthquake, including bone fractures, abrasions, muscle aches, dehydration and diarrhea. The team ended up treating more than 400 people in just four days." Pasadena Star-News