January

La Crescenta neighbors Burbank and La Cañada Flintridge kicked off the New Year by receiving top honors from the Tournament of Roses Parade judges. The Burbank Tournament of Roses Association Float won the Mayor Award for the most outstanding float from a participating city while the entry from the La Cañada Flintridge won the Crown City Innovator Award for the most outstanding use of imagination, innovation and technology.

The 133rd Rose Parade took place on the morning of Jan. 1 with a parade theme of Dream. Believe. Achieve. Dr. Robert B. Miller, the president of the Tournament of Roses Association, described the theme as celebrating education’s ability to open doors, open minds and change lives.

The local YMCA locations held their 2022 open house events on Saturday, Jan. 8. All three family YMCA locations – Crescenta-Cañada (CCY), Verdugo Hills (VHY) and Crescenta Valley (CVY) – showcased their programs and offered discount membership pricing. The event was free to attend and served as an opportunity for residents of the community to tour the facilities, try out various programs offered, meet the team and enter to win giveaways.

Senator Anthony Portantino was joined by educational leaders during a press conference to announce Senate Bill 830, a measure that would determine supplemental funding for K-12 schools based on the daily average student enrollment numbers. Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board of Education President Kelly Gonez and California School Employees Association (CSEA) President Matthew “Shane” Dishman joined the Senator in support of SB 830. LAUSD and CSEA sponsored the bill. The list of education organizations in support of the bill is expecting to increase.

California schools scrambled to respond to a rapidly growing outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Spurred by the arrival of the omicron variant, LA County reported more than 20,000 new cases of COVID-19 each day for the first week in January/last week of December, the largest number of new cases since vaccines became available to the public almost one year ago.

Glendale Unified School District students, staff and administrators returned to school campuses following winter break. They were greeted with newly implemented safety protocols resulting from the rapid spreading of the highly transmissible omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. All students and employees were required to receive a negative COVID-19 test before returning to campus. Other protocols were in place for those who tested negative and could return to campus.

After surviving a recall challenge, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he was optimistic about the future as he unveiled a $286 billion budget proposal. While the plan is massive, about 9% bigger than last year’s record state spending proposal, it includes a surplus projected to be between 31 and 45 billion dollars. About $21 billion of that money will be used as a discretionary surplus but according to a California law that sets the state’s spending limit (or Gann limit), it is likely that about $2 billion in surplus funds will need to be returned to the taxpayers.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept. – Special Victim’s Unit asked for the public’s help in identifying the man who sexually assaulted a juvenile female at the Crescenta Valley Skate Park at Crescenta Valley Park. The assault occurred near the skate park bathrooms. The skate park normally has several skaters on-site and authorities are hoping someone saw something that could help them identify the suspect.

Much of the area spent the weekend without power after strong Santa Ana winds downed trees, and power lines, causing blackouts and damage to vehicles and homes. While the Verdugo mountains provided significant protection for much of the Crescenta Cañada Valley, gusts of more than 80 mph were reported in multiple locations around the area according to the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

February

Crescenta Valley High School’s Instrumental Music department (CVIM) featured the “world famous” jazz band at a special Jazz Night Under the Stars from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The event – a fundraiser benefitting the award-winning CVHS jazz band and music department – marked an official return after being canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of district wide safety measures implemented in response to the highly transmissible omicron variant, though, the annual event took place outdoors in the CVHS quad.

Montrose Search and Rescue team members rescued a two-year old German shepherd dog – Onyx – after he and his owner, an injured hiker, were separated. The reunion was full of tears, laughter … and barks.

At a Glendale Unified School District board meeting Greg Krikorian, longtime board member, announced that he would not be running for another term. For about 21 years Krikorian had served on the school board. He had raised his five children in the district and felt it is time to move on.

A series of fires swept through the Crescenta Valley including a house fire in the 2900 block of Alabama Street, the 3300 block of Encinal Avenue and the 3000 block of Prospect Avenue. No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.

The Montrose Shopping Park Association held its annual Valentine’s Day rose giveaway, which featured “Charlie Chaplin” who handed out roses to passersby. The seven-women musical group Monday@JoJo’s also performed. The MSPA was unable to celebrate the event in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions in Los Angeles County. Event Coordinator Dale Dawson emphasized how excited they were to be back on the corner again this year and have the opportunity to connect with and show appreciation for residents in the community by offering free long stemmed roses.

The Public Health of Los Angeles County issued a modified LA County Health Officer Order recommending that it no longer required masking at outdoor mega events and outdoor spaces at K-12 schools and childcare centers. This was done due to the declining COVID hospital admissions.

Concerns were raised regarding the proposed biking/walking path known as the Verdugo Wash Vision. Concerns about the proposed path included how near the path would be from homeowners’ property. The route of the path is proposed to begin at Crescenta Valley Park and extend for about nine miles connecting to a bike path near the Golden State (5) Freeway. Additional concerns raised during meetings with residents in the Whiting Woods and Sycamore neighborhoods included what law enforcement agency would be responsible for patrolling the area since CV Park is within the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, which is under the jurisdiction of the LA Sheriff’s Dept., while Sycamore Woods, Mountain Oaks and Whiting Woods are under the Glendale Police Dept. jurisdiction. Other concerns include fire danger, since the proposed path is in an extreme wildfire area, and if the City of Glendale will have funding and resources to maintain the paths.

Nurses at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital were in front of the medical facility to bring awareness of what they feel is unfair treatment by the hospital administration. The nurses stood with signs asking for support and letting the community know they are “essential not expendable.” During the demonstration they received numerous “honks” of approval from passing motorists. The nurses were part of the California Nurses Association and were in negotiations that were postponed in early 2020 due to the pandemic.

Al fresco dining returned to the Montrose Shopping Park. In June 2020, COVID-19 restrictions closed the doors of restaurants to indoor dining. In response, the City of Glendale – one of many communities in Los Angeles County and nationwide – established outdoor seating for diners, helping restaurant owners and their staff. Further restrictions were put in place that discontinued outdoor dining; when these were canceled, outdoor “parklets” were installed that allowed diners to return to local restaurants.

March

 The Glendale City Council voted to contribute $5,000 to the July 4 fireworks show at Crescenta Valley High School.

The Rosemont Middle School Spartans won yet another season of GUSD Middle School flag football after going undefeated in six games. This is the ninth consecutive season that Rosemont has had at least a share of the district title. The victorious season was led by Athletic Director Andre Andreas and Head Coach Nick Leon with significant coaching assistance from former Crescenta Valley High School football players including Josh Silverman, Carson Center, Jacob Aguilar and Armen Erdoglyan.

The Glendale City Council voted unanimously to delay the purchase of any fossil-fuel-powered engines, at least until the end of the calendar year, for the Grayson Power Plant to give Glendale staff the chance to explore every possible clean and renewable energy alternative. A week later, councilmember Vrej Agajanian voiced his reconsideration of the issue.
“I’m not happy with my vote on Grayson last week,” he said.

Local female businesswomen, including Realtor Phyllis Harb, Maureen and Jessica Palacios, and baker Youna Karlsson were among the women highlighted as part of Women’s History Month.

Bone-chilling cold and other brutal conditions met local volunteers who traveled to Ukraine to establish a safe path for the country’s children and for future rescue volunteers.

About 400 vehicles gathered at the parking lot at Regal/United Artists theaters in La Cañada to take a last ride to memorialize and honor Rick Chew and Victor Luchessi, two well-known “gear heads” who were also strong community supporters. Both had recently died.

Ukrainian citizen Irina expressed gratitude to a local Boy Scout troop that was instrumental in helping her escape from Ukraine and relocating to the United States.

After 40 years of planning, fundraising and relentless hard work, the Stone Barn Nature Center at Deukmejian Wilderness Park finally opened its doors to the public. With a final price tag of $11.3 million, mayor Paula Devine said the project was “worth every penny.” Monies came from private donors, grants and Los Angeles County Improvement funds.

Crescenta Valley High School 589 Falkon robotics team competed in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition in Port Hueneme – and came home regional winners.

“It’s completely chaotic but it’s really fun,” said Ethan Lee, a freshman and member of 589, speaking of the competition that hosts teams from all over the world.

The Glendale Community Services & Parks Dept. welcomed the pickleball community at various locations within the city. It introduced its newest addition for individuals with Parkinson’s and their caregivers at Pacific Park & Community Center. Volunteers from Glendale’s pickleball players conducted a demonstration of the sport to those who attended and wanted to learn more. The goal was to introduce the sport and provide a means for persons with Stage 1 and Stage 2 Parkinson’s to get out and be active while they still can.

Thousands of workers and members of the labor union United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) in central and Southern California voted to authorize a strike. Negotiations were ongoing for the third week in March; however, union workers at Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions and Albertsons voted to call a strike if necessary. There has not been a date set for the strike.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for individuals 50 years of age and older. The booster can be given to individuals at least four months after receiving their first booster dose.

April

According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in California was $5.823, nearly nine cents lower than one week earlier and nearly 10 cents lower than the record high of $5.919 recorded on March 29. In Los Angeles County, prices were even higher than the state average with a gallon of regular unleaded in the county currently averaging $5.94, 13 cents lower than the record $6.07 recorded on March 28. Meanwhile, nationwide, the average price of regular unleaded is down to $4.164, nearly 17 cents lower than the March 11 peak of $4.331.

City of Glendale Mayor Paula Devine passed the gavel to councilmember Ardy Kassakhian.

Deputies were alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area of Hillard Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in La Cañada Flintridge. They searched for the vehicle and found it driving eastbound on Foothill Boulevard from Angeles Crest Highway. They confirmed the vehicle was reported stolen and initiated a traffic stop. The suspects were detained without incident. After being interviewed, both suspects were arrested for taking a vehicle without owner’s consent. The CV Station received another Flock Safety alert for a stolen vehicle in the area of Foothill Boulevard from State Route 2. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Fontana on March 29. A deputy found the vehicle parked at La Cañada Boulevard and El Vago Street in La Cañada Flintridge. A single occupant was detained without incident. After a vehicle theft investigation, the suspect was arrested for taking a vehicle without owner’s consent.

Glendale Police Dept. hosted its first “Big Saturday” – a day filled with mural-painting and conversation – at Horace Mann Elementary School. Officers worked alongside 50 selected fourth and fifth grade student leaders to paint a total of eight murals throughout the campus.

Each mural was visually unique in appearance but collectively promoted words of encouragement, leadership and inspiration. Amy Tate, GPD police service officer (PSO), said the goal of the event was to foster connection between students and officers, inspire creativity and remind the students that they’re never alone.

The Northwest Glendale Homeowners Association (NGHA) hosted the first candidate forum of the 2022 election season, hearing from all eight candidates running for three available seats on the Glendale City Council.

Dozens of cyclists, neighbors, community members and civic leaders gathered in Sunland to remember the life of Jeff Knopp as part of the first Yellow Bike Project Memorial installation. It was more than five years ago when Knopp, a husband, father and Marine Corps veteran, was riding his bicycle as part of his daily fitness routine when he was hit from behind and killed on a narrow stretch of Foothill Boulevard near his home that didn’t have a bike lane.

The Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station welcomed Robert Hahnlein as its new captain. Hahnlein officially took the lead at the station on April 17 but was acting captain for several months.
Hahnlein followed Todd Deeds, who was named captain of the CV Sheriff’s Station in 2019 but stepped down due to medical issues. The new captain was chosen by a committee that included community members.

Faye’s Intimate Apparel closed its doors after 73 years following the death of longtime owner Pat Grant. It was the store’s original owner Faye Snow who worked alongside Montrose Shopping Park founding families, including the Graysons, Draymans, Gelsingers and Frank Roberts, who really did put their community first and worked to create a shopping area that would stand the test of time.

The Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Hometown Country Fair returned to Crescenta Valley Park after being canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The Glendale City Council held the first of seven budget study sessions, heard a third-quarter financial report, and previewed the budget for FY 2022-23 as well as five-year general fund projections.

After many, many hours of weed pulling, organizing, fundraising, sweeping, raking and backbreaking boots-on-the-ground volunteering, the Verdugo Hills Cemetery celebrated its grand centennial event. The centennial event included walking tours and video presentations of the cemetery’s past including the 1978 flood that devastated the cemetery. The “Hills of Peace” cemetery, as it was known, was established in 1922 when local pioneer Marshall Hartranft donated a four-acre parcel of land in Tujunga for his friend Parson James Wornum, who had died that year. Wornum and his wife, known as “Aunt” Jenny, were laid to rest at the cemetery.

The Crescenta Valley Town Council welcomed the public back to the La Crescenta Library for its first regular in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated large in-person gatherings more than two years ago.

MAY

The Glendale City Council approved a 10-year lease agreement with SAS Entertainment for the operation of the Alex Theatre. Last year, the council voted 3-2 to contract with the private vendor rather than Glendale Arts, the organization that had been running the venue since 2008.

The USC Verdugo Hills Hospital held a celebratory opening of its newly developed Interventional Radiology/Cardiac Catheterization Lab (IR Cath Lab). The lab had been in construction for just over a year and marks a huge leap in the hospital’s ability to provide immediate help for those suffering with cardiac complications.

From “hanging around the fence at Riverside Raceway” to being inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Motorsports Hall of Fame (WCSCMHOF), Ken Sapper has had one heck of a ride.

There have been a lot of turns around the track for Sapper but each time he has proven to be a really good driver, a really good racer and a winner.

City of Glendale Fire Chief Silvio Lanzas announced his retirement after a 30-year career in public service with 26 years as a firefighter.

Dozens of parents, teachers, and students packed the Glendale Unified School District board meeting to speak their minds on the application of a 10-year-old state law that mandates the teaching of contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into educational textbooks and the social studies curricula in California public schools.

The CV Town Council hosted the CV Prayer Breakfast at the American Legion Memorial Hall.

During an investigation into an alleged assault with a firearm in Tujunga, Los Angeles Police Dept. identified a male suspect who led them to the La Crescenta neighborhood of the 2400 block of Rockdell Street.

LAPD obtained a search warrant and attempted to make contact with the suspect who refused to exit the home.
The LAPD SWAT – Special Weapons And Tactics – team was called in and a standoff began. After a three-hour long standoff, the suspect surrendered and was taken into custody without incident.

The Fifth Annual Armed Forces Day car show took place at CV Park and was held in memory of one of the Posts’ own, Roy Allmon, USAF. Allmon served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1964 and was an active member of the American Legion, VFW and Kiwanis and supported several organizations throughout the area, especially those that supported veterans and children.
Those who participated in the Armed Forces Day car show competed for awards in 14 different categories with a special award presented in Allmon’s name for “best of show.” His family members were the judges for this award.

Through the financial support of the City of La Cañada Flintridge, the community-based Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Support Group and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station unveiled a new mobile command post.
The mobile command post will be activated when there are large emergency events, like wildfires and earthquakes, said Sgt. John Gilbert. The station has an older mobile trailer that, in the past, was used at several events including along parade routes as a proactive tool in case of emergencies. It was also used during the 2016 Creek Fire in Kagel Canyon in the Angeles National Forest.

Several venues held commemorations for Memorial Day including at Forest Lawn Glendale, the City of Glendale, which partnered with the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce and Montrose Shopping Park Assn., for the Annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial in Montrose, Glendale City Hall and Two Strike Park. All were free to attend.

The Balcony of LA hosted one of several free movie nights in CV Park.

JUNE

The Montrose Shopping Park Association held its annual Arts & Crafts Festival. The weekend of festivities marked an official return to its “normal” schedule post pandemic. The Festival was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic and the date was moved several times in 2021, ultimately settling in October, which was the first (and only) time the Festival was scheduled in the fourth quarter of the year. More than 250 artists, crafters, food vendors, California Certified Farmers, musicians and entertainers made their way to Montrose with some vendors planning to come from as far away as Arizona and Mexico.

Thousands of students staged walkouts at schools and college campuses across the country to demand stricter gun control following the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 students and two teachers dead. Starting at noon over 150 Crescenta Valley High School students left class and headed outside to protest. They were accompanied by supportive teachers and parents. The hour-long protest was part of a nationwide call for school walkouts organized by Students Demand Action, a group affiliated with the pro-gun-control group Everytown for Gun Safety.

Members of the Dad’s Club set up the raceway for the Lincoln 500 at Lincoln Elementary School. The race among students on trikes circling the campus blacktop celebrated its 40^th anniversary.

The JPL community created a gift – a hand stitched quilt – for its new lab director Dr. Laurie Leshin. “We thought wouldn’t it be cool to make her a present with a personal touch,” said JPL employee Julia France.

After two years of virtual learning and distance activities, a moment of “normal” returned to schools as students moved forward in their academic career through graduation and promotion.

COVID-19 vaccines were approved for children from age 6 months to 5 years. This announcement came after a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel unanimously voted to authorize the use of Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also approved the vaccines.

The Rosemont Middle School bid farewell to Rod Yonkers, the music director for the school who started the music program over 30 years. The “Rosemont Bowl” marked the final concert of the 2021-22 school year and the very last show.

The 20th Annual Old Town Montrose Car Show featured 300 vehicles ranging from classics, exotics, custom hot rods and even antiques on display along the 2200, 2300 and 2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue. There were also motorcycles to check out.

The Crescenta Valley Weekly lost one of its own when weather watcher Sue Kilpatrick died unexpectedly.

July

Facemask mandates for LA County were still in question by the LA County Board of Supervisors. The County had seen a slight decrease in COVID-19 numbers as positive test numbers fluctuated.

 Several organizations volunteered many hours to help others. The Crescenta Cañada Lions Club held a food-raiser for the Bailey Center in Tujunga. CV Chamber of Commerce hosted barbecue and bingo at St. Luke’s of the Mountains. Bruce’s Twisted BBQ provided a hearty dinner. The funds were dedicated toward the Chamber’s scholarship program.

The Balcony of LA Summer Movie Night, held at Crescenta Valley Park in partnership with the LA County Parks and Recreation, saw over 400 people turn out to see “The Bad Guys,” a fun, family-friendly flick. The event was free to attend.

A notice to residents in the CV Park and Mountain Oaks area were warned to use caution when walking the paths as a bear was seen also enjoying the park.

At a meeting of the Glendale City Council, Mayor Ardy Kassakhian announced that the City of Glendale Community Services & Parks was awarded $285,000 in Measure A Technical Assistance grant funds to support planning and pre-development services to create new parks and facilities in and around Glendale.

August

The Metropolitan Water District prepared to repair the pipeline that brings precious Colorado River water to Southern California. The repairs would affect outdoor watering for most Los Angeles County residents from Sept. 6 to Sept. 20. Residents were asked to suspend outdoor watering for those 15 days.

During a meeting with the GUSD school board concerning the renewal of the LASD School Resource Deputy (SRD), newly sworn-in board member Ingrid Gunnell stated she could not vote for or promote police on campus. This prompted several members of the community and school staff to speak on the benefits of having an on-campus SRD and provided the opportunity to clarify that although in some areas of the nation school resource officers may have a negative reputation, in GUSD they are a positive force that works closely with school administrators and counselors. All board members, except Gunnell, voted to renew the SRD contract.

California residents received notices from their waste management companies of how to comply with the state’s mandatory organic waste collection SB 1383. This law went into effect in 2022 and required every jurisdiction in California to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses.

Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency regarding monkeypox, which bolstered the state’s vaccination efforts in regard to monkeypox.

Los Angeles and the world mourned the passing of Vin Scully, the legendary sports broadcaster. Scully passed away on Aug. 3; he was 94 years old. He was the voice of the Dodgers, the play-by-play announcer from 1950 to 2016.

September

Montrose Search and Rescue celebrated at Crescenta Valley Park 75 years of service to the community. MSAR team members are volunteers who are available 24/7 to respond to lost hikers, traffic collisions, fire, flood and everything in between.
Several dignitaries were part of the day’s festivities including Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger who said, as a hiker, for everyone present who hikes to “stay on the trail.”
State Senator Anthony Portantino also recognized the MSAR and presented a proclamation from the California State Senate. Mary Hovagimian, representative for Congressman Adam Schiff, read from a proclamation the congressman read into the U.S. congressional record on Sept. 13 honoring MSAR.

The City of Glendale announced the appointment of Bradley Calvert as its next director of the Community Development Dept.

State Senator Anthony J. Portantino received the 2022 Senate Legislative Champion Award from the California Alliance of Child and Family Services during its Homecoming Conference. The state senator was honored for championing policies that promote the social, emotional and behavioral wellbeing of children and families. 

LA County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion introduced by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn that authorized their formal and public condemnation of Azerbaijan’s recent attacks on Armenia.

The Board committed to send a five-signature letter to United States congressional representatives that denounced the unprovoked attacks that took place on Sept. 13 and killed more than 200 people.

Concerned citizens packed the Glendale City Council chambers to hear the future of the highly debated 535-acre Scholl Canyon Landfill. The landfill is currently topped off at 1,400 tons of garbage every day. For the City of Glendale coffers, the landfill generates $12 million annually. 

The Council voted to close the Scholl Canyon Landfill by December 2025.

The Glendale Fire Dept. announced the appointment of its newest fire chief Timothy Ernst at the Glendale City Council meeting. Chief Ernst is a 35½-year veteran of the California fire service, rising through the ranks to assistant chief in the Los Angeles Fire Dept.

October

Oktoberfest was back after a pandemic hiatus. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people poured onto Honolulu Avenue to enjoy beer, brats and pretzels.

Glendale Police Chief Carl Povilaitis retired after over three decades of serving the City of Glendale. Povilaitis spent most of his life as a Glendale police officer, so when asked how he planned to go from being connected 24/7 to having some real free time, he replied, “I hear it is an adjustment.”
“I tell people there is no better profession on the face of the Earth,” Povilaitis said. “I think it’s a noble profession.”

Brian Landisi was named the new Clark Magnet principal.
“Dr. Landisi is a proud Glendale Unified alumnus,” said Dr. Vivian Ekchian, Glendale Unified superintendent. Tiffany Hirdler was announced as assistant principal.

Glendale Teachers Association (GTA) members demonstrated in front of the Glendale Unified School District office just prior to the board’s monthly meeting. They were disputing additions to the collective bargaining agreement. The district and GTA had been in negotiations since January in an attempt to reach wage agreements that date back to the 2020-21 school year.

Los Angeles City Council was at a standstill after a leaked recorded conversation, which included derogatory racial comments, sparked protests and reactions from across the city, state and nation. The conversation was among Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de Leon, Gil Cedillo and LA County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera.

The leaked audio was initially posted on the website Reddit. City officials could be heard making several racially insensitive remarks, mocking Council colleagues and talking about the recent redistricting maps proposed by the LA City’s redistricting commission. Martinez and Herrera resigned from their positions

Glendale Police Dept. Captain Robert William held an outreach event to present information on the dangers of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. Department detectives are also speaking at community events on the dangers of fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is being traced in everything right now,” he said. “The [drug] cartels are making a lot more money.”
Crescenta Valley Town Council also held a fentanyl outreach meeting.

The Glendale City Council voted for Alternative 1 regarding the La Crescenta Avenue Rehabilitation Project. This alternative would reduce the number of car lanes on La Crescenta Avenue to one lane in each direction with separate, dedicated bike lanes on each side. A left turn lane would be in the center. The concern voiced by those who live close to the affected area near La Crescenta and Honolulu avenues were worried about the possible cut-through traffic if there were reduced lanes; however, in the end the Council voted to move ahead with that alternative.

The Crescenta Valley Town Council hosted a town hall meeting at the La Crescenta Library concerning mental health. A panel, consisting of Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Glendale Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Vivian Ekchian and LA County of Mental Health lead manager James Coomes, presented information and answered questions. Barger said the topic of mental health and children is near to her heart.

 Halloween events were back after the pandemic isolation of years past. There were several local trick-or-treat events including Spooktacular at the Dads’ Club and the Montrose Halloween Spooktacular.

 At its weekly meeting the goal of the Glendale City Council was to create historic districts to protect and enhance neighborhoods; however, the designation had become increasingly complicated. The Council voted to streamline the process.  

November

Jesse Villarreal, 22, was struck by a vehicle and killed as he ran across the Ocean View Boulevard overpass of the Foothill (210) Freeway on Nov. 5.

Outreach meetings were announced concerning the Scholl Canyon biogas project. The Council asked staff at Glendale Water and Power to come back to the council with more information on the project.

Nov. 16 was a blustery day to say the least. Damage due to high winds was not as bad as it could have been but it was enough to remind residents what Santa Anas are all about. The winds in the foothills’ area saw gusts from 35 mph to 50 mph. The higher winds were more western, above Altadena, according to Kristen Stewart, meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The winds were strong locally but on Magic Mountain Truck Trail in the Santa Clarita area winds were recorded at 104 mph.

On Nov. 16, 25 members of Sheriff’s Academy Class #464 where injured when an SUV drove into a group of about 75 cadets on a training run near the STARS (Sheriff’s Training Academy and Regional Services) Explorer Academy in South Whittier.
The Glendale Police Dept. had three recruits in the affected LASD Academy class. Only one of those recruits reported an injury. The recruit was transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution but released shortly after arrival, according to Sgt. Jackson, spokesman for GPD.

December

The Crescenta Valley High School boys’ cross-country team finished third in the Division 1 state cross-country championships at Woodward Park in Fresno. This is the first time in program history that Crescenta Valley reached the podium in the state championship meet.

Clark Magnet High School Robot team 696, the Circuit Breakers, celebrated a first place win at the Gene Haas Foundation Beach Blitz held at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo.
Dino Hunter, a senior at Clark, was the lead electrical person and programmer with 696. He said the team’s winning robot was the fastest and more consistent in its performance.

After two years of isolation the Montrose Christmas Parade made its way once again along Honolulu Avenue. Participants said the viewing crowd seemed larger than in years past. Everyone was excited about seeing the local bands, Boy Scouts and other organizations celebrate the holidays. And in this year’s parade a girl 15-year-old named Ruby got to live out her dream of being in the parade and waving to all in the community she loves so much.
Though Ruby is minimally verbal that does not mean there is ever any doubt about what she wants and what she is thinking.
“Her daddy has this really cool car that’s red and she loves driving in the car,” Bedevian said.
Though Ruby can’t exactly articulate, “I want to be in the parade” her parents knew this was something she would enjoy. She is very social and loved waving at everyone.

Verdugo Hills Hospital celebrated 50 years serving the community. From the start the hospital was community-focused and that is what the current CEO of USC-VHH first noticed when he walked in the hospital doors almost 20 years ago.
Dr. Armand Dorian, CEO USC-VHH, said that though he had worked in about a dozen hospitals before coming to Verdugo Hills Hospital the feel of the hospital “is warm and the people are smiling.”

Jean Maluccio, longtime community supporter and volunteer, died in December. She was the foundation of many local events in the Crescenta Valley. She was the one person many went to for support, and the one who knew just what to do.

The Montrose Search and Rescue team completed the first rescue in LA County using new iPhone 14 Apple technology utilizing satellite communication. It is a combination of two technologies: a crash–detection on the cellphone that is triggered when there has been a crash and the technology that places a 9-1-1 call that indicates the crash.

Los Angeles County mourned the passing of P-22, the mountain lion that was as part of LA as the Hollywood sign. The California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, along with wildlife biologists with the National Park Service, made the decision to euthanize P-22 due to the severity of the injuries he suffered after being hit by a car. He was captured and tranquilized earlier out of concern for his wellbeing due to his advanced age, declining health and his recent attacks on pets in residential areas. P-22’s final resting place will be the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park.