Graphic art by Ted Amoroso and Mike Mera for the Boulevard Sentinel

Boulevard Sentinel to close

Dear readers of the Boulevard Sentinel, After a 26-year run, the Boulevard Sentinel is closing. In the weeks to come, we will be finalizing details of the closure, including reaching out personally to many of the readers, sources and advertisers who have been the backbone of this long adventure in hyper-local journalism. Bill Hendrickson, the […]

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Rocio Rivas has won the race to represent Highland Park and other nearby communities on the L.A. Unified school board. | Image from Facebook

Election 2022: Rocío Rivas wins local school board seat in a race with big implications for public education

By T.A. Hendrickson

Rocío Rivas, an expert in education policy, has won the Los Angeles Unified school board race to represent District 2, which includes Highland Park, Cypress Park and other communities in and near Northeast Los Angeles.

Rivas’ victory signals a shift on the seven-member school board because it creates a 4-3 majority of members who favor unionized traditional public schools over generally nonunion charter schools, . . .

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L.A. County Supervisor-elect Lindsey Horvath will join NELA’s Supervisor Hilda Solis and three other women on the powerful Board of Supervisors. | Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Election 2022: Women will continue to run L.A. County following wins in races to represent NELA and the San Fernando Valley

By T.A. Hendrickson

Los Angeles County made history in 2020 when an all-female Board of Supervisors took the reins of county government.

This year, history has repeated itself.

Two of the Board’s five seats were up for election this year and both were won by women, ensuring an all-female Board for at least another two years.

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Hugo Soto-Martinez, councilmember-elect for Council District 13, and Eunisses Hernandez, councilmember-elect for CD 1, will represent several communities in Northeast L.A. | Photo composition by Mike Mera.

Election 2022: What the City Council vote results mean for Northeast Los Angeles

By T.A. Hendrickson Come December, much of Northeast Los Angeles will be represented by two new Los Angeles City Council members.  Hugo Soto-Martinez, a labor organizer, has unseated incumbent City Council member Mitch O’Farrell in Council District 13, which includes Atwater Village, Elysian Valley and parts of Glassell Park, according to vote tallies released on […]

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Councilmembers Gil Cedillo (left) and Kevin de León, under pressure to resign, shown here at a City Council meeting last week. | AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu

Meetings tonight in Eagle Rock and Highland Park to call for resignations of Councilmembers Cedillo and De León

By T. A. Hendrickson The neighborhood councils of Eagle Rock and Highland Park will hold special meetings Monday evening to craft responses to the racist comments heard in a secretly recorded discussion among Councilmembers Gil Cedillo (Council District 1) Kevin de León (CD 14), then City Council President Nury Martinez and a former high-ranking labor […]

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Nury Martinez, Kevin de Leon, Gil Cedillo. Even President Biden has joined the calls for their resignations. | Image by FoxLA.com

How Northeast L.A. can weigh in on the City Council scandal

By T.A. Hendrickson It is Day Two of the latest and arguably ugliest scandal ever to engulf the Los Angeles City Council and Councilmembers Nury Martinez, Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo are clinging to their council seats. But  calls for their resignations keep multiplying, including one this afternoon from President Joe Biden.   Residents […]

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NELA’s State Senator Maria Elena Durazo is the author of two closely watched bills now on the desk of Governor Gavin Newsom. | Image on Twitter

Deadline looms for two bills authored by NELA’s State Senator Maria Elena Durazo

By T.A. Hendrickson State Senator Maria Elena Durazo, who represents Northeast Los Angeles, is the author of two closely watched bills now on the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom – Senate Bill 951 and SB 731. The deadline for the bills to become law or be vetoed is Sept. 30. SB 731 is about sealing […]

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An invitation to meet Eunisses Hernandez, councilmember-elect for Council District 1

By T.A. Hendrickson

Eunisses Hernandez, the Los Angeles City Councilmember-elect for Council District 1 will be the featured guest on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the “At Home with….” series of Zoom meetings sponsored by the Glassell Park Improvement Association. Information on how to join “At Home with Eunisses Hernandez” can be found at https://www.gpia.org/. |Wednesday, Sept. 28 | 6:30 p.m.

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The "Project" arrow on the above map of Scholl Canyon shows where Glendale Water & Power wants to build a methane-burning power plant. The "Main access road" is Figueroa St. in Eagle Rock. | Drawing by Glenoaks Canyon Homeowners Association.

Scholl Canyon power plant on hold for four months

By T.A. Hendrickson

The Glendale City Council voted on Tuesday to delay consideration of two contracts to build a methane-burning power plant at the Scholl Canyon landfill in the hills above Eagle Rock.
The delay, for four months, is intended to provide time to find answers to questions about the proposed power plant raised by the public and by Kassakhian, Brotman and Asatryan.

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Dance workouts at Pony Sweat are not about perfection. They’re about moving your body to the music in a way that feels good. | Image by Pony Sweat

The best dance workout in L.A. is in Glassell Park, and that’s just one of NELA’s dance offerings

By T.A. Hendrickson
When the Los Angeles Times went looking for the best dance workouts in L.A., it found Pony Sweat in Glassell Park. Described by its founder Emilia Richeson-Valiente as “fiercely noncompetitive,” the twice weekly workout won raves from the Times for its great play list “designed to help you let go of any idea of perfection and simply move your body in a way that feels good.” More workouts abound. T, A, Hendrickson tells you about them here, too.

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Why is State Senator María Elena Durazo smiling? Because two of the bills she fought for have been signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. | Photo from Twitter

NELA’s State Senator Durazo notches major legislative victories

By T.A. Hendrickson State Senator María Elena Durazo, who represents Northeast Los Angeles, notched two victories this week when Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 731 and SB 951, two reform bills authored by Durazo. SB 731 will automatically seal conviction and arrest records for those who have done their time and have […]

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The entrance to the Scholl Canyon landfill on Figueroa St. in Eagle Rock. Will the site become a park? A power plant? Other? | T. A. Hendrickson/Boulevard Sentinel

Glendale voted last week to close the Scholl Canyon landfill. Votes this week could advance a plan to build a power plant at the site, despite wide opposition

By T.A. Hendrickson

The five-member Glendale City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to close the Scholl Canyon landfill as soon as it reaches capacity, estimated to occur in December 2025. That closure date was the earliest of four options under consideration.

The big question now is what will happen to the site once the dump is closed. It’s on the Glendale City Council agenda for Sept 20. To get up to date on the situation, read more here.

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4 a.m. bar bill defeated; NELA’s Assemblymember Carrillo voted to pass the bill while NELA’s city councilmembers opposed it

By T.A. Hendrickson

The State Assembly has defeated a bill – SB 930 — to extend last call at bars in selected California cities from 2 a.m. currently to 4 a.m. The vote to kill the bill, on Aug. 24, was 31 to 25, with 24 Assemblymembers not voting.

The defeat in the Assembly means that the bill will not come before the State Senate.

Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, a Democrat who represents Northeast Los Angeles, voted with the losing side to allow a later last call.

SB 930 was the fifth try since 2013 to extend last call in California

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Photo | Calmatters.org

L.A.’s eastside, including NELA, hit hard by monkeypox; at-risk people prioritized for vaccines

By T.A. Hendrickson Nearly half of the 1,105 monkeypox cases in Los Angeles County for which geographic information is available have been reported in the health-service area that includes Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock, Echo Park, Highland Park, Hollywood, downtown Los Angeles, Los Feliz, Silver Lake and West Hollywood, the Los Angeles Times has reported. About […]

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City Councilmember Gil Cedillo (at podium, right) endorsed mayoral candidate Rick Caruso (left) at a rally in Pico-Union on Aug. 11. | Photo by T.A. Hendrickson/Boulevard Sentinel

Gil Cedillo endorses Rick Caruso as mayoral candidates compete for Latino vote

By T.A. Hendrickson Gil Cedillo, the Los Angeles city councilmember representing much of Northeast L.A., today endorsed Rick Caruso for Mayor of Los Angeles. Cedillo (Council District 1) announced his support at a rally/press event at La 27th Street Restaurante Nicaragüense in Pico Union. The theme of the event, emblazoned on placards held aloft by […]

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Bars would stay open until 4 a.m. in selected California cities under a bill now making its way through the state legislature. | Photo Daisy Barringer/Thrillist

NELA city councilmembers oppose Sacramento’s latest drive to keep bars open until 4 a.m.

By T.A. Hendrickson

For the fourth time since 2017, State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) is championing a “4 a.m. bar bill” that would let local governments in selected California cities participate in a five-year pilot program to extend last call from 2 a.m. currently to 4 a.m. 

As in years past, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo, who represents Northeast Los Angeles, is a co-author of the bill – SB 930.

And once again, the L.A. City Council has voted to pass a resolution opposing Sacramento’s drive for extended bar hours. There’s more. Click here to continue on with our story.

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Protesting against the US Supreme Court's overturn of a woman's federal right to choose an abortion | Photo Daily Bruin

Leaders in NELA react to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade

By T.A. Hendrickson Elected officials representing Northeast Los Angeles have condemned the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending a woman’s constitutional right to abortion. In statements issued after the decision was announced, local officials said the ruling was shocking in its disregard for women, legal precedent and public opinion, and further […]

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Latest vote tally clarifies election outcomes

By T.A. Hendrickson

Final certification of election results in Los Angeles County will not take place until July 1, but the latest update of the primary vote in L.A. County, leaves no doubt as to what comes next in local races.

Here’s the tally as of Tuesday, June 28 at 2:37 p.m.

Here’s the tally as of Tuesday, June 28 at 2:37 p.m.

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A section of the LA River in Cypress Park. A Master Plan to create open, public space along the entire length of the river has been approved by L.A. County. | Photo by T.A. Hendrickson/Boulevard Sentinel

L.A. River Master Plan, rejected by local environmental groups, is approved by L.A. County

By T.A. Hendrickson At their board meeting on Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Supervisors approved the final Los Angeles River Master Plan, a document to guide the development of 51 miles of continuous open space along the river from Canoga Park to Long Beach, including key sites in Northeast Los Angeles.   The five-member Board […]

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Councilmember Gil Cedillo (CD 1), center, joined by community leaders and other city officials, broke ground recently on a project to build interim housing in Northeast Los Angeles for up to 130 homeless individuals. | Photo courtesy of CD 1

Construction starts in Cypress Park on interim housing for the homeless

By T.A. Hendrickson Councilmember Gil Cedillo (CD-1) and other city officials broke ground last week on a 34-unit housing project in Cypress Park for up to 130 homeless individuals. Named “Northeast New Beginnings Community,” the project is part of the city’s Interim Housing Program to provide temporary housing and supportive services to the homeless as […]

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Samples of the scrumptious offerings at Bagel + Slice | Courtesy of Bagel + Slice

Bagel+Slice opens in Highland Park. It’s the closest you’ll get to New York City without getting on a plane

By T.A. Hendrickson After years in the planning and pop-up phase, Bagel+Slice has officially opened in Highland Park, occupying the coveted corner restaurant space in the Oxy Arts building on York Boulevard. The owner and chef is Bradford Kent – co-founder of Blaze Pizza, a nationwide chain, and owner of Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria in […]

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Illustration by Chanelle Nibbelink for CalMatters

Voting in Northeast Los Angeles: What you need to know now

By T.A. Hendrickson

We’re in the home stretch of the 2022 statewide primaries. Voting by mail began on May 10. The last day to register online to vote is Monday, May 23; after that you have to register and vote in person. Voting in person begins on Saturday, May 28. The final day to send in your ballot or vote in person is Election Day, June 7.

Questions you may have about voting are covered in detail by the L.A. Country Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at lavote.gov. For the basics on procedures, locations and choices in the 2022 primaries, read more here:

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This Metro rendering shows two eastbound lanes on Colorado Boulevard merged into one at Eagle Rock Boulevard.

Lane reductions on Colorado Blvd. approved by Metro Board of Directors

By T.A. Hendrickson

Metro’s recommendation to reduce much of Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock to one traffic lane in each direction will come before the Metro Board of Directors at its regular board meeting on Thursday, April 28 at 10 a.m.

The Board will consider the lane reductions as part of its review and potential certification of the Final Environmental Impact Report on Metro’s planned bus rapid transit line between North Hollywood and Pasadena

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Under Metro's recommended plan, Colorado Boulevard will have one traffic lane each way from Eagle Rock Boulevard to Linda Rosa Avenue. This Metro rendering from 2021 shows two eastbound lanes merged into one at Eagle Rock Boulevard.

Losing lanes on Colorado: How we got here, what comes next

By T.A. Hendrickson Metro’s plan to reduce much of Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock to one traffic lane each way was approved on Wednesday by the Planning and Programming committee of the Metro Board of Directors. The lane reductions are a feature of the Metro bus rapid transit (BRT) route through Eagle Rock on the […]

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Colorado/Eagle Rock Transition to one travel lane | Metro Presentation

Lane reductions on Colorado Boulevard to be voted on Wednesday in key Metro Board committee

By T.A. Hendrickson The Metro proposal to reduce much of Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock to one traffic lane each way will come up for a vote on Wednesday, April 20 in the Planning and Programming Committee of the Metro Board of Directors. The committee vote will be followed next week by a vote on […]

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The Nation of Language will be at the Lodge Room in Highland Park on Saturday, Mar. 19 and Sunday, Mar. 20.

15 fun things to do around NELA this weekend and beyond

By Pablo Nukaya Petralia and T. A. Hendrickson Whether you’re into food, theater, music, dance, art or books, there’s something for you in and near Northeast L.A. this weekend and in the weeks to come. Here’s a rundown: FOOD Tickets are on sale now for the 5th Masters of Taste food and beverage festival at […]

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The hillside fire in Eagle Rock and Glendale on August 25, 2019 was set when a firework was thrown into the homeless encampment under the 2 Freeway | Photo by Jennifer Hase

No trial or possible jail for accused in attack on homeless in 2019 that set fire to the hills above Eagle Rock; judge approves mental health treatment instead

By T.A. Hendrickson

Daniel Nogueira, 28, who threw a lit firework into the homeless encampment under the 2 Freeway in Eagle Rock in 2019, injuring two and setting the hills afire, will be placed in a mental-health treatment program rather than face trial and possible jail, the judge in the case said today.

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A demonstration in Glendale in 2019: The movement for clean energy in Glendale and NELA has grown larger and more impassioned as climate change has worsened. | Photo by Bill Hendrickson/Boulevard Sentinel

Another chance to stop Glendale from polluting the air in NELA

By T.A. Hendrickson

In a tactical victory for clean-energy advocates in Glendale and Eagle Rock, the Glendale City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to delay the purchase of five new gas engines for the Grayson power plant in Glendale.
“The climate emergency is a clear and present danger, and the public is demanding we do better,” said Glendale Councilmember Dan Brotman. L.A. Councilmember Kevin de León is helping to achieve a solution. Read more about it here.

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A message chalked by students on a walkway at Occidental College reads, “Protect Oxy AAPI.” The College administration is facing criticism by students, faculty and staff for its handling of an anti-Asian text exchange between two students. | Photo by: Grace Meadows/The Occidental

At Occidental College, fallout continues from racist, anti-Asian text exchange between two students

By T.A. Hendrickson

Occidental College President Harry J. Elam, Jr. will make another attempt on Monday to address the uproar over the College’s handling of a racist anti-Asian text exchange between two students that came to light on
Feb. 1.
The text exchange at the heart of the matter began with one student texting her friend: “all asian people need to die.”

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Photo | Daniel Schwen/Wikimedia Commons.

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council supports zero bail for lower-level offenses

By T.A. Hendrickson and Bill Hendrickson 

The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council has weighed in on an issue that is bound to be front and center in this year’s race for mayor of Los Angeles, namely, whether people accused of misdemeanors and lower-level felonies should be required to post cash bail to avoid pre-trial detention. Bail for such offenses has not been required in L.A. since March 2020. 

In a recent letter to the L.A. City Council, the ERNC firmly opposes an effort by Councilmember and mayoral candidate Joe Buscaino (Council District 15) to reinstate bail.  To understand the ERNC position read on.

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The Trader Joe's in Eagle Rock was one of several store locations robbed during a crime spree in 2020 | Photo by Google 2020

Man who robbed Trader Joe’s in Eagle Rock and other locations sentenced to 21 years

By T.A. Hendrickson

A Huntington Park man was sentenced on Monday to 21 years in federal prison for 21 armed robberies or attempted armed robberies of Trader Joe’s stores throughout Southern California, including the Eagle Rock location on Sept. 9, 2020, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said on Monday. Read more here.

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Vaccination rates are trending up among middle and high school public school students in NELA. | Getty Images

NELA public schools make vaccine progress

By T.A. Hendrickson As of Dec. 1, the Covid-19 vaccination rate among public school students ages 12 and up was 84% in Northeast Los Angeles, an encouraging sign that the vaccine requirement by L.A. Unified School District is working. The 84% vaccination rate in NELA schools works out to 9,033 students ages 12 and up […]

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The Throop House in Garvanza will be considered for historic cultural monument status. | Photo by Charles Fisher

Throop House in Garvanza clears first hurdle on way to historic cultural monument status

By T.A. Hendrickson

The Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) of the city of Los Angeles voted unanimously on Nov. 18 to consider the nomination of Throop House in Garvanza for Historic Cultural Monument status, the Highland Park Heritage Trust announced today.

The vote is an important hurdle to clear, but there are more hurdles to come. There’s more. Read on.

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Councilmember Gil Cedillo in front of the Champions of Change mural in Lincoln Heights. "It is important to have murals that educate ourselves and others about our history," he said.

New mural honors the greats of Lincoln Heights

By T. A. Hendrickson The newest mural in Los Angeles, by artist Sergio Daniel Robleto, is arguably the most inspiring.  Located in Albion Riverside Park in Lincoln Heights and entitled “Champions of Change,” the mural depicts six people from Lincoln Heights who have changed the world for the better. “The Champions of Change mural is […]

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Kevin de León, city councilmember for Council District 14, will head the Homelessness and Poverty committee. | Photo by David Butrow/L.A. Times

Kevin de León named to head Homelessness and Poverty committee; appointment is significant for policy and politics

By T.A. Hendrickson 

Councilmember Kevin de León has been appointed chair of the Los Angeles City Council’s Homelessness and Poverty Committee. He replaces Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas who was suspended from office after his recent indictment on federal corruption charges.  Read what KDL had to say about his appointment here.

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Workers at El Super in Highland Park are in line to share in wages, damages and interest for COVID-related labor violations by the grocery store chain. | Photo by Yelp

El Super workers in Highland Park to receive back pay for employer’s COVID-19 violations

By T.A. Hendrickson

Workers at the El Super grocery store on York Boulevard in Highland Park are in line to share in $412,000 in wages, damages and interest assessed today by the California Labor Commissioner against the El Super grocery store chain.

The York Boulevard location was one of 38 El Super stores where the employer failed to provide or delayed supplemental paid sick leave and other benefits. There’s more. Click photo above.

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A 16-year old high-school student receives a vaccine administered by a registered nurse from AltaMed Health services in Los Angeles. | Photo by Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images.

Some 4,000 eligible NELA students are not yet vaccinated

By T.A.Hendrickson

It has been five weeks since the Los Angeles Unified School District required all students 12 and older to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Under the mandate, students need to have a first shot by Nov. 21 and a second one Dec. 19.

But so far, parents of unvaccinated students in Northeast L.A. aren’t exactly rushing to get shots for their kids.

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Kevin de León | Photo from the KDL Facebook page.

Kevin de León vows to give NELA full attention as he runs for mayor; his critics are skeptical

By T.A. Hendrickson Since City Councilmember Kevin de León announced his candidacy last week for mayor of Los Angeles, many local commenters have said that the race will devour the time he might otherwise have spent on issues in Northeast L.A. The Boulevard Sentinel asked De León to respond to that, especially with regard to […]

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One of Metro's options would reduce much of Colorado Boulevard to one car lane each way. Another option would retain two car lanes each way | Image by Metro

Metro lays out options for Colorado Boulevard: Winners and losers come into focus

By T.A. Hendrickson At a pair of Zoom meetings on Thursday, Metro staff presented two options now under consideration for a bus rapid transit (BRT) route on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. The Eagle Rock route is one segment of a proposed BRT line from North Hollywood to Pasadena (NoHo-Pas). Under both options for Eagle […]

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Under the new mandate, L.A. Unified will require all eligible students ages 12 and up to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by year end. | Photo by AP

What the school vaccine mandate means for Northeast L.A.

By T.A. Hendrickson 

The new COVID-19 vaccine mandate by the Los Angeles Unified School District could be a tall order for Northeast Los Angeles.

The mandate requires all eligible LAUSD students ages 12 and up to get vaccinated by year end. But as of Thursday, September 9, when the mandate was issued, only 57% of NELA residents ages 12 to 17 had at least one shot.

Click the photo to read more.

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The Scholl Canyon landfill, in the hills above Eagle Rock, is the site of a proposed biogas power plant. | Photo by Doc Searls/Flickr Creative Commons

Eagle Rock hangs in the balance as Glendale officials grapple with Scholl Canyon

By T.A. Hendrickson The future of Glendale’s Scholl Canyon landfill, located in the hills above Eagle Rock, remains in question following a meeting last week in which Glendale officials split on the path forward. At the meeting, the Glendale Water and Power (GWP) Commission voted to proceed with a GWP plan to build a biogas […]

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Two restaurants on the L.A. Times’ new ‘best burrito’ list are in Highland Park. | Photo by Mariah Tauger / L.A. Times; illustration and animation by Martin Gee / For the Times)

For the best burritos in L.A., head to Highland Park

By T.A. Hendrickson Two restaurants in Highland Park have made it onto the Los Angeles Times’ new list of “Best Breakfast Burritos in L.A.,” by Times’ food critic, Bill Addison. Jugos Azteca offers a burrito “riddled with bacon and chorizo, scrambled egg, avocado slices and splotches of Monterey jack cheese disappearing into clouds of potato,” […]

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Art created in 1976 and 1977 at the Mechicano Art Center in Highland Park by (from left) Carlos Almaraz, Guillermo Bejarano and Judithe Hernández | Photos from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, image courtesy of Highland Park Heritage Trust

Chicano history in Highland Park gains official recognition

By T.A. Hendrickson

The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to grant Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM) status to two locations in Highland Park where Chicano art and culture flourished in the 1970s.

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Kevin de Leon has called the recall effort against him a misguided attack on the democratic process. | Photo Sacramento Bee

Kevin de León files a blistering official response to recall effort; recall proponents stand firm

By T. A Hendrickson Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León has filed a blistering, official response to the recall Notice of Intent that was served on him last month by five local residents.  “A handful of 5 individuals, most of them political extremists, are weaponizing the recall process against the voters of the Los […]

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Back to school in L. A. amid a rise in COVID-19 cases. | photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Measuring COVID and vaccination in schools in Northeast L.A.

By T.A. Hendrickson In the two weeks before school started on Monday, more than 3,600 students and staff in the Los Angeles Unified School District tested positive for COVID-19, said LAUSD officials on Tuesday, August 17. The data are not broken out by school, but 502 of the 3,600 positive cases were in LAUSD’s “Local […]

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Board District 5, shown in white on the map, stretches from Northeast L.A. to Southeast L.A. via a ribbon of communities on the eastern border of L.A. with Alhambra and Monterey Park. School Board district maps will be redrawn as part of the redistricting process.

Redistricting will affect NELA’s schools; the time to speak up is now

By T.A. Hendrickson If you could design the ideal school district, what would it look like? In a nutshell, that is the question on the table on Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m., when the redistricting commission of the Los Angeles Unified School District will hold a virtual meeting on  how to redraw the boundaries of […]

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This design, part of the Housing Innovation Challenge, shows one possibility for fast, relatively inexpensive housing for the homeless. | Image: KCRW

L.A. City Council adopts goal, proposed by Kevin de León, for 25,000 housing units for the homeless by 2025

By T.A. Hendrickson

In a 13-0 vote today, the Los Angeles City Council approved a motion to set a Homeless Housing Goal of creating at least 25,000 new housing units by 2025.

The motion is a key feature of “A Way Home,” a multi-part plan by CD-14 Councilmember Kevin de León to tackle homelessness in L.A.

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La Cuevita in Highland Park is one of at least eight bars in Northeast L.A. that are requiring proof of vaccination or proof of a recent negative COVID test. | Photo from totalhappyhour.com

Several local bars want proof of patrons’ COVID status

By T.A. Hendrickson
The requirement to show vaccination- or negative-test status is becoming increasingly common as employers recognize the health threat to employees and customers from the Delta variant. Here’s a listing of several of them.

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Kevin de León, City Councilmember for CD-14, has become the target of a recall effort launched by five local residents. | Photo by David Butow / Redux Pictures

Keeping an eye on the effort to recall Kevin de León

By T.A. Hendrickson

In the nascent effort to recall Councilmember Kevin de León, the next move is his: De León has until August 9 to file a response with the City Clerk to the recall Notice of Intent that was served on July 19 and published on July 22 in The Daily News and La Opinion. To read what comes next and when and more, click the photo above.

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Image | Anbriy Onufriyenko via Getty Images

Vaccinations slow in Northeast L.A. as COVID-19 cases rise; elected officials take action

By T.A. Hendrickson Over the past three weeks, vaccination rates in Northeast Los Angeles have barely budged, despite increases in  COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths from the Delta variant. In a data update on July 29, the L.A. County Public Health Department reported that 72% of Eagle Rockers age 16 and up have had at […]

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The anti-camping ordinance passed by the L.A. City Council prohibits sitting, sleeping or storing possessions on public property at many locations in the City | Photo by Bill Hendrickson/Boulevard Sentinel

Anti-camping law passes City Council; NELA councilmembers vote in favor

By T.A. Hendrickson

Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León, the city councilmembers representing Northeast Los Angeles, voted with a majority on the City Council on Wednesday to prohibit homeless camping on public property near schools, day-care centers, parks, libraries, designated freeway underpasses and other locations.

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Aerial view rendering of the homeless shelters planned for 7570 N. Figueroa St in Eagle Rock, across from the Eagle Rock Recreation Center | Image: Board Report 6/17/21 / LA Department of Recreation and Parks

Final approval granted for homeless pallet shelters in Eagle Rock

By T.A Hendrickson

The commissioners of the Board of Recreation and Parks (RAP) approved the plan today to build 48 small, prefabricated shelter units for the homeless. Details after the click.

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CD 14 Councilmember Kevin de León speaking at the groundbreaking of the 115-unit pallet shelter community for the homeless coming to Highland Park | Image: Facebook page of Kevin de León

Kevin de León and city agency officials break ground on site for homeless pallet shelters in Highland Park

By T.A. Hendrickson City Councilmember Kevin de León of Council District 14, joined by city agency officials and neighborhood leaders, broke ground on Tuesday morning  on a 115-unit pallet shelter community for the homeless coming soon to Highland Park. Each of the pallet shelters, also known as tiny homes, will include built-in fold-up beds, shelves, […]

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Photo by Ted Amoroso / BoulevardSentinel.com

Metro will study two options for Colorado Boulevard

By T.A. Hendrickson

At a meeting on May 19 on the proposed North Hollywood-to-Pasadena bus rapid transit line, the Metro Board Planning and Programming committee unanimously approved a Metro staff recommendation to advance two potential design options for Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock to the project’s next planning stage.

One of the design options would reduce Colorado Boulevard to one car lane each way, affecting traffic; the other would retain two car lanes each way, affecting curbside parking and/or the median. Both options would establish dedicated bus lanes on the boulevard and maintain the boulevard’s buffered bike lanes.

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Metro's one-car-lane-each-way proposal for Colorado Boulevard should be delayed and subject to greater scrutiny, said City Councilmember Kevin De León.

Kevin de León tells Metro to slow down its push for one-car-lane-each-way on Colorado Boulevard, calls for study of an alternative route option

By T.A. Hendrickson

Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León, called on Metro today to delay moving forward with its proposal for a bus rapid transit (BRT) route in Eagle Rock that would reduce much of Colorado Boulevard to one car lane each way.  

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A scene from the 2021 Winter show at Renaissance Arts. The performance was produced and presented by students working remotely.

Top Award for Renaissance Arts Academy in Glassell Park

By T.A. Hendrickson

Renaissance Arts Academy, a K-12 public charter school in Glassell Park, has won an Exemplary Arts Education Award for 2021 from the state Department of Education.

Renaissance Arts is one of six schools in Los Angeles and 27 statewide to receive the award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in arts education.

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The attack in April on an elderly woman in Eagle Rock came amid a surge of anti-Asian violence and demonstrations against the violence. | voanews.com |

Alleged attacker of woman on a Metro bus in Eagle Rock pleads not guilty to multiple charges, including a hate crime allegation

By T.A. Hendrickson Prosecutors have alleged a hate crime in their criminal complaint against Yasmine Beasley, 23, of Palmdale, who has been charged with felony elder abuse and misdemeanor battery for allegedly assaulting a 70-year old woman on a Metro bus in Eagle Rock on April 9, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles […]

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Metro’s rendering of the one-car-lane-each-way proposal for Colorado Boulevard shows one car driving east toward Maywood Avenue and one parked car. The reality would be more crowded conditions for cars, though bicyclists and pedestrians would benefit.

Metro to present proposal to reduce much of Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock to one car lane each way

By T.A. Hendrickson

The push is on for a bus rapid transit (BRT) route through Eagle Rock that would reduce Colorado Boulevard to one car lane each way between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Mount Helena Avenue.

Metro will present the one-car-lane-each-way proposal at a public Zoom meeting on April 1. Read More.

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Arson and assault charges have been filed -- and not-guilty pleas entered -- in connection with the hillside fire in Eagle Rock and Glendale on August 25, 2019. | Photo by Jennifer Hase

Not-guilty plea entered in 2019 attack on homeless encampment in Eagle Rock and resulting hillside fire

By T.A. Hendrickson Daniel Nogueira, 27, pleaded not guilty on April 14 to felony charges connected to an attack in 2019 on the homeless encampment under the 2 Freeway in Eagle Rock and a resulting fire that scorched 45 hillside acres in Eagle Rock and Glendale. Specifically, Nogueira has been charged with arson, using an […]

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The memorial shrine to Andres “Andy” Sierra at the W. Broadway homeless encampment under the 2 Freeway, Feb. 28, 2021. | Photo by Jane Demian

Homeless man in Eagle Rock encampment died of drug overdose, coroner finds

By T.A. Hendrickson  “Acute methamphetamine toxicity” caused the death of Andres Sierra, 62, the homeless man who died on February 23 in the encampment under the 2 Freeway in Eagle Rock.  In reporting the cause of death, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner also noted that Sierra had other significant medical conditions, including heart disease. […]

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This lot on N. Figueroa St. in Eagle Rock will be the site of prefab shelter units for the homeless under a motion approved on Wednesday by the City Council | Photo by T. A. Hendrickson/BoulevardSentinel.com

City Council approves motion to build prefab shelters for the homeless in NELA

By T.A. Hendrickson A motion by CD 14 City Councilmember Kevin de León to build small, prefabricated shelter units for the homeless in Eagle Rock and Highland Park was unanimously approved on Wednesday by the Los Angeles City Council.  In Eagle Rock, the units — known as “pallet housing” — are slated for the parking lot […]

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This lot on N. Figueroa St. in Eagle Rock would be used for prefab shelter units for the homeless under a motion approved on Thursday by the City Council’s Homelessness and Poverty Committee. | Photo by T. A. Hendrickson/BoulevardSentinel.com

Motion to build prefab housing units for the homeless in NELA clears key committee in City Council

By T. A. Hendrickson A motion by CD 14 Councilmember Kevin de León to build small, prefabricated housing units for the homeless in Eagle Rock and Highland Park was approved on Thursday by the City Council’s Homelessness and Poverty Committee. The motion will likely come before the full City Council in the next week or […]

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These reporters from Occidental College will help the Boulevard Sentinel cover more local stories, in English and Spanish. Bios on each are included below.

Meet the Team: The NELA Neighborhood Reporting Partnership signs up new members

By T. A. Hendrickson and Matthew Reagan
In October, the Boulevard Sentinel and The Occidental, the campus newspaper of Occidental College, announced the NELA Neighborhood Reporting Partnership (NELA NRP) — a professional collaboration between the two papers to bolster coverage of Northeast Los Angeles while offering Oxy’s reporters valuable local news experience. The Occidental has selected 13 student journalists to participate in the partnership this spring semester. Meet the Team.

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Andres “Andy” Sierra, shown here in a photo from 2019, died recently in the tent encampment on W. Broadway in Eagle Rock. | Photo by Joel Sappell/Boulevard Sentinel

Homeless man dies in his tent in Eagle Rock

By T. A. Hendrickson
Andres “Andy” Sierra, a longtime unhoused resident at the homeless encampment on W. Broadway in Eagle Rock, died in his tent on February 23. He was 62.

Sierra suffered from severe arthritis of his knees and other health conditions, said Jane Demian, the co-chair of the Eagle Rock chapter of the SELAH anti-homelessness coalition. Click on photo above to read more.

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Sources: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Pasadena Public Health Department, City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Census Bureau | The New York Times

The unequal toll of the pandemic in NELA’s neighborhoods

By T.A. Hendrickson

“Frankly horrifying.” That’s how Barbara Ferrer, the head of public health in Los Angeles County has described the evidence showing that low-income communities of color have been hit much harder by the pandemic than richer, whiter communities. Check the evidence here.

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"Buy Local" raffle winner Monica Alcaraz (right), said the $150 gift certificate is the 'first time I've ever won anything." At left is Ace Aguilera, owner of Comics VS Toys, where Alcaraz chose to spend the money. | Photo by Bill Hendrickson / Boulevard Sentinel

Winner is chosen in “Buy Local” raffle

By T. A. Hendrickson
Monica Alcaraz, a resident of Highland Park, is the winner in the Boulevard Sentinel’s latest “Buy Local” raffle. The Sentinel awarded Alcaraz a $150 gift certificate to use at the local merchant of her choosing. For Monica: “This is the first time I ever won something!” Ace Aguilera, proprietor of Comics vs. Toys, got the $150 and immediately took out his first ad in the Boulevard Sentinel! There’s more here.

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Yolanda González (above) will have a solo exhibition of her paintings and prints at the Bermudez Projects art gallery in Cypress Park, Nov. 14 to Dec. 26. | Photo by John S. Rabe

Art in NELA now: Where to buy it, view it, create it

Picks from the people who bring you the Boulevard Sentinel Here’s how to experience art in NELA now:  The Bermudez Projects art gallery in Cypress Park is a focal point this holiday season for buying and viewing art.  A major artwork from a major exhibition is on display now in the seating area of Go […]

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NELA Neighborhood Reporting Partnership: The Boulevard Sentinel and The Occidental announce local reporting collaboration

The Boulevard Sentinel is pleased to announce the NELA Neighborhood Reporting Partnership (NELA NRP), a professional collaboration between the Sentinel and the Community News section of The Occidental, the campus newspaper of Occidental College.

NELA NRP represents an investment both in student journalists and in reliable journalism for the communities of NELA.

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Your walk becomes a workout – and your reward is this beautiful view – when you ascend the 196 steps of the Eldred Street stairs in Highland Park. | Photo by T.A. Hendrickson

10 Ways to Turn a Walk into an Adventure

Picks from the people who bring you the Boulevard Sentinel If you have been taking walks to stay fit and alleviate boredom during the pandemic – or if you haven’t been walking but need to get moving – here are 10 ways in or near Northeast L.A. to turn a walk into an excursion or […]

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If found guilty as charged, José Huizar could spend the rest of his life in prison | Photo Los Angeles Downtown News

Mr. Huizar, How Do You Plead?

By T.A. Hendrickson    José Huizar is scheduled to enter his plea to federal corruption charges on Monday, August 3 at 11:30 a.m. at the Edward R. Roybal federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. Huizar, the L.A.  City Councilmember for Council District 14, is expected to appear via videoconference.    Huizar, 51, stands accused of running a criminal enterprise from his perch at City Hall, enriching […]

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