Where the News Hides Out

Pasadena Star-News stuff: I was going to link to the announcement about the Open Space Now gathering planned for May 19, but I realized you would have scroll through the news about one (of the two) shootings that happened in Pasadena on Monday to get to that item…

…and that is just wrong.

There was a double homicide in Pasadena on Monday. It is reported in today’s paper (9 May) as one dead and one wounded (Man shot to death is identified), but I went to a meeting of the Northwest Service Area Advisory Board last night (sponsored by Pasadena Police Department), and the second victim died yesterday afternoon.

About 9 hours after the first shooting, there was another shooting. This 16-year old victim is still alive (at least of the time of last night’s meeting). Police personnel also reported on a stabbing that occurred on Monday between the two shootings, but this seems to have not made it into the Star-News at all.

I didn’t go to “J” school (as journalists call it), but it strikes me as odd to put this “hard news” in Around Pasadena, buried on page 2 of the Local News section–right where the police (? say it ain’t so!) or the developers want it, no doubt.

Pasadena residents will never be able to address complex issues of gang violence if they don’t even know there is gang violence in this city. Notice I say residents, because the police cannot solve this problem. C’mon Star-News, time to step up. I don’t want to read about how the Pasadena Fire Department is saving pets on page one of Local News (with color photos), then read about our dead and wounded young men on page two.

My thoughts are with the families of the victims.

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From the Pasadena Star-News:

Open Space Now schedules meeting

PASADENA – Pasadenans are invited to join with their neighbors and the leaders of a new group called Open Space Now to discuss why it’s vital to preserve the city and region’s natural open space.

The kick-off event will be held Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to noon at Eaton Canyon Park and Nature Center 1750 N. Altadena Drive.

For additional information, contact Joan Aebi at joanaebi@netscape.net or (626) 792-0576.