Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How an Altadena gas station helped create America’s biggest lottery winner

Coming up: A Tribute and Dinner Show to the music of Stevie Nicks & Fleetwood Mac on the Altadena Patch calendar

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Friday January 9th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Altadena! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How an Altadena gas station helped create America’s biggest lottery winner
  • How volunteers finally kicked a 500-pound bear out of an Altadena home
  • Why an Altadena man still has a 550-pound bear under his home

Also on today's calendar: The Jester's Court at Ice House Comedy Club - California Room and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Altadenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Altadenafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Friday: Sunshine, with a high of 63 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 69, low: 50.
  • Sunday: Beautiful with clouds and sun, with a high of 73 and low of 50 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Largest Lottery Payouts in U.S. History (alot.com) — An Altadena resident, Edwin Castro, holds the record for the largest Powerball win in U.S. history, turning a local gas-station ticket into nearly a billion-dollar payout. His win also brought a $1 million bonus to Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, whose owner says the money will help support his children and grandchildren.
   

• Bear Finally Evicted From LA County Man's Home (patch.com) — An Altadena homeowner has finally reclaimed his house after a 500‑pound bear that camped out in his crawlspace for weeks was coaxed out and scared off for good. A Lake Tahoe-based nonprofit crawled under the Altadena home to flush the bear, then helped install electric “unwelcome mats” so it couldn’t return, ending the noise and worry for the resident.
   

• News of the Weird: Week of January 8, 2026 (shepherdexpress.com) — One quirky news roundup item spotlights an Altadena resident who’s been sharing his home’s crawlspace with a 550‑pound black bear since November, despite traps and wildlife officials’ efforts. While the bear saga continues here, the column also roams from Italian villages to New Zealand and beyond with other offbeat stories.
   

📸 Around Altadena

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Altadena

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events
    Friday January 9
  • The Jester's Court at Ice House Comedy Club - California Room
    The Ice House , 24 N Mentor Ave , Pasadena
    7:30 pm
    • Saturday January 10
  • Knitting and Crochet Club
    Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
    1:00 pm
  • Music Grows On Trees w/ Melinda Sullivan + Larry Goldings
    Healing Force of the Universe , 1200 E Walnut St , Pasadena
    2:00 pm
    • Sunday January 11
  • PASADENA, CA - KPOP STARS
    Marshall Fundamental Secondary School , 990 Allen Ave , Pasadena
    5:30 pm
    • Tuesday January 13
  • Walk-in Tutoring With Dennis
    Harbor Gateway Branch Library Harbor City -
    12:30 pm
    • Wednesday January 14
  • Walk-In Tutoring With Cheri
    Playa Vista Branch Library
    10:00 am
  • Walk-In Tutoring With Margie
    Playa Vista Branch Library
    10:00 am

📣 Altadena Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Altadena PatchAM possible:

  • Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
    Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
  • LA Fire Justice — (626) 684-3315
    Holding Southern California Edison Accountable

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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🪧 Patch Classifieds

  • Lvg Rm Couch
    Cream colored, modern, 90-inch L, 36-inch D, cushions, arm covers. $200 money order. Call Tori 626-318-6988. (More info)

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Rubio's Ready, Sporting a New "Altadena" Cap
    Rubio the Bear is ready for whatever the days ahead may bring, as he's now sporting a cap that will make sure that folks know where he's from -… (Nextdoor Janes Village)
  • Dear Neighbors,
    Heartfelt hellos from a day that must be filled with sadness and reflection for so many. I’m a veteran documentary artist / photojournalist who… (Nextdoor Central Altadena)
  • The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Lot Associate in Pasadena. Apply here.
  • Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. posted a job opening for Veterinary Hospital Receptionist in Pasadena. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Altadena here.

🗞 Nearby News

Pasadena

San Marino

Los Angeles

Ok Altadena! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I really dig you!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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