Reporter

Anissa Rivera

Anissa Rivera covers Whittier and surrounding areas for the Southern California News Group.

Col. Lisa Costanza, U.S. Army (Ret.) California National Guard, and Joe “Peppy” Sciarra, 101, World War II veteran, at the 104th annual Memorial Day observance on May 25 in Whittier. (Photo courtesy of Hector Islas)

Every day a gift with Joe ‘Peppy’ Sciarra, 101, of Arcadia on the way to America’s 250th

May 30, 2026 at 4:39 p.m.

Joe "Peppy" Sciarra, 101, will mark America's 250th with memories of the world of the Greatest Generation.

Outside the Pasadena Job Center Shelene Hearring, who lost her home and business Two Dragons Marshal Arts, speaks to the press before departing on a charter bus with other Eaton fire survivors to Sacramento to demand a rescue plan for Altadena and Pasadena’s recovery on Monday, May 18, 2026. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

A diverse busload of Altadenans rolls into Sacramento with a post-fire ‘SOS’

May 18, 2026 at 7:58 p.m.

Almost 500 days after the Eaton fire, survivors board advocacy bus to Sacramento. Here are their demands, and proposed solutions.

File photo. (Photo by Victoria Le, SCNG)

Arcadia braces for questions, prepares to pick new mayor, as city reacts to councilwoman’s resignation

May 17, 2026 at 5:08 p.m.

Arcadia residents look to city leaders after mayor resigns amid charges of acting as agent for Chinese government. On Tuesday, leaders will look to filling Eileen Wang's seat while fielding...

Monrovia’s brother bear cubs explore their new outdoor habitat at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center on May 12. The cubs’ mother, known as Blondie to her Monrovia supporters, was euthanized shortly before the cubs were brought to the center, after she swiped at a woman walking her dog in Monrovia on March 14, leaving her with minor injuries. (Photo courtesy of San Diego Humane Society)

Monrovia’s orphaned bear cubs move into outdoor habitat in San Diego County

May 14, 2026 at 5:27 p.m.

Blondie's two boy cubs are hitting developmental markers. Their latest: exploring a new habitat.

Mel and Jennifer McMullen, of Whittier, show young photos of themselves as they are celebrating their 80th Wedding Anniversary. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

A Whittier couple’s ‘greatest adventure’: 80 years of marriage, with some good fortune along the way

May 13, 2026 at 8:23 a.m.

Melvin and Jennifer McMullen, of Whittier, credit their World War II love story to a matchmaking brother, and enough good fortune to last 100 years. Here's their story.

Sandy Masuo stands before an oak tree in the Chinese Garden of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens on May 8. The Huntington offered a guided tour and discussion on landmark oak trees on its grounds, as part of a series of events in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. (Photo by Anissa Rivera, Pasadena Star-News, SCNG)

California trees have grown through a lot of history. The Huntington trains its lens on landmark oaks on America 250

May 21, 2026 at 5:06 p.m.

The Huntington honors the national tree, on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Jennifer McMullen, 101, of Whittier, worked as a riveter at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank in 1944. One of the women was later immortalized as “Rosie the Riveter,” a symbol of the women who helped win the war by working in aircraft factories. (Photo by Keith Durflinger, Contributing Photographer)

For Mother’s Day weekend, we turn to moms at least 100 years old for their wisdom

May 9, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

Centenarian mothers have some thoughts on their favorite lifetime appointment.

It was relatively well-known that Eliot Art Magnet School in Altadena would need to be demolished after the damage it sustained from the Eaton fire. But there’s word now that the school’s beloved bell tower and attached buildings will need to be demolished. More than 40 community supporters who want to preserve it rallied on Lake Ave. on Wednesday, March 6, 2026. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

‘This tower is our compass’: Altadena reacts over prospect of Eliot Arts Magnet tower coming down

May 6, 2026 at 6:25 p.m.

Altadena residents are pushing back against comments made by Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco about rebuilding Eliot Arts Magnet without the original tower. Here's what you need to...

Lisa Calderon Assembly District 56 candidate. Courtesy photo

Lisa Calderon, AD-56 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 6, 2026 at 10:52 a.m.

Ahead of the election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates vying to represent you.

The Register has your definitive Voter Guide for the 2026 midterm elections. (Illustration by Bay Area News Group)

Mike Netter, SD-22 candidate, 2026 primary election questionnaire

May 5, 2026 at 9:26 p.m.

Ahead of the election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates vying to represent you.

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