# Whittier Informed
> Independent local news covering Whittier. Clear reporting that explains what decisions mean for residents.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [About Us](https://www.whittierinformed.com/about.md) - Learn about Whittier Informed, an independent newsroom covering City Hall, elections, development, and community issues across Whittier and surrounding communities.
- [Community Standards](https://www.whittierinformed.com/community-standards.md) - Our guidelines for comments and discussion at Whittier Informed, including what’s encouraged and what may be removed.
- [Contact](https://www.whittierinformed.com/contact.md) - Contact If you need to get in touch with Whittier Informed, whether you have information to share, a question, or something that needs attention, use the options below. Got a tip or story idea? Email: tips@whittierinformed.com If something in Whittier doesn’t add up, or if you’ve seen something you…
- [Graphics](https://www.whittierinformed.com/fundraising-graphics.md)
- [Get The Newsletter](https://www.whittierinformed.com/newsletter.md) - Get The Newsletter The newsletter is the most direct way to stay connected to Whittier Informed. Whether you follow Whittier Informed on social media or visit the website from time to time, it's easy to miss a post, overlook an article, or never see an important update because of a busy schedule or…
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.whittierinformed.com/privacy-policy.md) - WHITTIER INFORMED PRIVACY POLICY Date Last Updated: 4/9/2026 Whittier Informed LLC (“Organization,” “we,” or “us”) wants you to be familiar with how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information. This Privacy Policy (the “Policy”) describes our practices in connection with information tha…
- [Standards & Transparency](https://www.whittierinformed.com/standards-transparency.md) - Read about Whittier Informed’s editorial standards, reporting process, corrections policy, and commitment to independent journalism.
- [Support Whittier Informed](https://www.whittierinformed.com/support-us.md) - Support Whittier Informed Decisions get made in Whittier every week that affect where you live, how your tax dollars are spent, and what your neighborhood looks like in five years. Most of it happens quietly. Whittier Informed covers it so you don't have to dig. Everything we publish is free, with…
- [Terms of Use](https://www.whittierinformed.com/terms-of-use.md) - Whittier Informed Terms of Use Last Updated: 5/5/2026 1. Consent to Terms These Terms of Use (“Terms”) are entered into by and between you (“User” or “you”, or “your”) and Whittier Informed LLC (“Whittier Informed LLC”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). By using https://www.whittierinformed.com or by engaging…

## Posts
- [How La Serna Parents Built a Girls' Wrestling Program From the Ground Up](https://www.whittierinformed.com/how-la-serna-parents-built-a-girls-wrestling-program-from-the-ground-up.md) - Girls' wrestling is one of the fastest-growing high school sports in the country. La Serna's team has grown from six athletes to 17 over the past year.
- [Arrest Made in 2024 Pizzamania Arson Fire](https://www.whittierinformed.com/arrest-made-in-2024-pizzamania-arson-fire.md) - LASD says the fire that destroyed the 50-year-old restaurant was intentionally set. The suspect faces an arson charge and is also tied to a separate fire in Riverside.
- [Man Sentenced for Stealing Identity of Teen Buried at Rose Hills in Whittier](https://www.whittierinformed.com/man-sentenced-for-stealing-identity-of-teen-buried-at-rose-hills-in-whittier.md) - The case was tried in Idaho, but the trail leads back to a grave at Rose Hills, where the real Obregon has rested since 1977.
- [146 Three-Story Condos Proposed for The Quad in Whittier](https://www.whittierinformed.com/146-three-story-condos-proposed-for-the-quad-in-whittier.md) - The Design Review Board's September 10 vote covers architecture only. The bigger decisions on this long-anticipated project still lie ahead.
- [21-Unit Townhome Project Would Replace South Whittier Home](https://www.whittierinformed.com/21-unit-townhome-project-would-replace-south-whittier-home.md) - Los Angeles County will decide whether to approve the project October 7. The developer is asking to waive nine development standards.
- [Who Will Own Your Data on Whittier's New $6,500-a-Month Website?](https://www.whittierinformed.com/who-will-own-your-data-on-whittiers-new-6-500-a-month-website.md) - A police software contract got rejected over data concerns. A bigger website deal didn't face the same questions.
- ["Healthy" Is the Word Standing Between Whittier's Trees and the Chainsaw.](https://www.whittierinformed.com/healthy-is-the-word-standing-between-whittiers-trees-and-the-chainsaw.md) - No-bid contracts totaling $800k, a private meeting, and a recording of the city manager — here's what's driving Whittier's next move on trees.
- [Tired of Uptown's Empty Storefronts? These Residents Are Doing Something About It](https://www.whittierinformed.com/tired-of-uptowns-empty-storefronts-these-residents-are-doing-something-about-it.md) - There's a grassroots effort mapping Uptown Whittier's vacant storefronts and surveying residents on what should fill them.
- [Whittier Gives Middle Managers a 17% Raise, Following the Executives' 27%](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-gives-middle-managers-a-17-raise-following-the-executives-27.md) - The raise passed even as the city's own budget shows a growing deficit and frontline workers keep negotiating over who pays for medical coverage.
- [Whittier Approves $4.7 Million in Sewer Fees, Nearly All Through Your Property Tax Bill](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-approves-4-7-million-in-sewer-fees-nearly-all-through-your-property-tax-bill.md) - Sewer pipes, spill response, and capital repairs are funded through a charge most residents never see on a monthly bill.
- [Whittier Approves $6.6 Million in Landfill Expansion and Two Years of Fee Increases](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-approves-6-6-million-in-landfill-expansion-and-two-years-of-fee-increases.md) - Trash from outside Whittier will cost less to dump than Whittier's own by next year — and the city hasn't said how it will repay the millions it's borrowing to build more landfill space.
- [Whittier PD Holds Public Viewing on Its Military Equipment Report](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-pd-holds-public-viewing-on-its-military-equipment-report.md) - See how often WPD's drones, armored vehicle, and other military-grade gear were actually deployed in 2025.
- [Whittier Council Adopts New Rules for How City Responds to ICE](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-council-adopts-new-rules-for-how-city-responds-to-ice.md) - The rules came together after ICE was seen near the Whittier Public Library, and after Police Chief Aviv Bar explained to the council exactly how ICE ends up waiting outside for someone to be released.
- [The Groves Is Running Out of Parking. The City Approved a New Bar and Lost Its Backup Plan](https://www.whittierinformed.com/the-groves-is-running-out-of-parking-the-city-approved-a-new-bar-and-lost-its-backup-plan.md) - A five-story storage project next door promised shared parking. Residents fought back, and days later, the Planning Commission denied it.
- [Council Approves $428,000 Armored Vehicle for Whittier Police](https://www.whittierinformed.com/council-approves-428-000-armored-vehicle-for-whittier-police.md) - From search warrants to active shooter scenes, here's when and why Whittier police actually use an armored vehicle.
- [Council Rejects Police Software Contract Over Privacy and Bidding Concerns](https://www.whittierinformed.com/council-rejects-police-software-contract-over-privacy-and-bidding-concerns.md) - A sole-source contract, vague data-use terms, and no competing bids left three council members unconvinced. Two others voted yes.
- [Whittier Aims to Cut DUI Crashes by 10% With Cannabis Tax Grant](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-aims-to-cut-dui-crashes-by-10-with-cannabis-tax-grant.md) - The $130,000 grant covers overtime for a year of DUI patrols and a device that lets officers confirm suspected drugs on the spot.
- [Council Approves Police Drone Program as Part of Larger $3.4 Million Axon Deal](https://www.whittierinformed.com/council-approves-police-drone-program-as-part-of-larger-3-4-million-axon-deal.md) - Drones will soon launch from fixed locations around the city and reach some calls before officers do, piloted remotely from the police station.
- [A Proposed 5-Story Storage Project Pitches a Parking Solution for The Groves](https://www.whittierinformed.com/a-proposed-5-story-storage-project-pitches-a-parking-solution-for-the-groves.md) - The proposal would add public parking next to The Groves, but it also asks the city to transfer public land, rezone the property and approve cleanup of a former auto-salvage yard.
- [Who Pays for Parking in Uptown Whittier?](https://www.whittierinformed.com/who-pays-for-parking-in-uptown-whittier.md) - Homeowners, a hospital, and a few big landowners all factor into who pays for Uptown parking.
- [Whittier's Frontline Workers Are Fighting Back](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittiers-frontline-workers-are-fighting-back.md) - While city executives received raises totaling roughly 27% over three years, frontline workers say they're being left behind.
- [LA Fitness Whittier Is Becoming Club Studio. Here's What That Means](https://www.whittierinformed.com/la-fitness-whittier-is-becoming-club-studio-heres-what-that-means.md) - Same building, same owner — but a very different price tag.
- [Whittier's New Disaster Plan Shows Who Faces the Greatest Risk](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittiers-new-disaster-plan-shows-who-faces-the-greatest-risk.md) - From a $7 billion earthquake threat to year-round wildfire risk, the new hazard plan spells out what a major disaster could cost.
- [Whittier Is Voting on Term Limits. But Everyone Starts at Zero](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-is-voting-on-term-limits-but-everyone-starts-at-zero.md) - The Whittier City Council voted Tuesday to let residents decide two things: when city elections are held, and whether to impose term limits for the first time.
- [Whittier Has 194 Miles of Sewer Pipe, Some of It From 1917. A Contract Typo Got Us Looking](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-has-194-miles-of-sewer-pipe-some-of-it-from-1917-a-contract-typo-got-us-looking.md) - A typo in a routine sewer contract got us looking into the underground infrastructure most Whittier residents never think about.
- [Korean Beer Chain To Open First U.S. Location In Uptown Whittier](https://www.whittierinformed.com/korean-beer-chain-to-open-first-u-s-location-in-uptown-whittier.md) - The storefront still has the murals from an Indian restaurant that never opened. Now a Korean beer chain is moving in.
- [PIH's New Three-Story Medical Building Hits a Milestone](https://www.whittierinformed.com/pihs-new-three-story-medical-building-hits-a-milestone.md) - More services coming to Whittier by 2027 — but questions remain about a stretch of public land the city is giving up and added traffic.
- [Measure ER Passes. Whittier's Sales Tax Rate Going Up To 11%](https://www.whittierinformed.com/measure-er-passes-whittiers-sales-tax-rate-going-up-to-11.md) - Measure ER brings Whittier's sales tax to 11% starting October 1, while directing $1 billion a year to the county's healthcare system.
- [605 Detours Aren't Going Away. Whittier Wants More Influence Over What Happens Next](https://www.whittierinformed.com/605-detours-arent-going-away-whittier-wants-more-influence-over-what-happens-next.md) - Anyone who drives the 605 knows how freeway construction can spill onto city streets. Whittier wants a seat at the table when those decisions get made.
- [Three Budgets Passed Tuesday. One Raises Your Water Bill](https://www.whittierinformed.com/three-budgets-passed-tuesday-one-raises-your-water-bill.md) - Most residents only heard about the city budget. But two more budgets passed Tuesday night.
- [Whittier Approved The 2026-27 Budget. Here Is What Changed And What To Watch](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-approved-the-2026-27-budget-here-is-what-changed-and-what-to-watch.md) - The General Fund is projecting a $3.9 million shortfall. The city is using reserves to cover it, and those reserves are shrinking.
- [Three Artists Compete To Paint Guirado Park's New Mural](https://www.whittierinformed.com/three-artists-compete-to-paint-guirado-parks-new-mural.md) - The Art in Public Places Committee is reviewing three finalist proposals for a $70,000 mural at Guirado Park. Here is what each artist brought back.
- [Whittier's New Congressional District Produces a Surprise in Early Primary Results](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittiers-new-congressional-district-produces-a-surprise-in-early-primary-results.md) - Republican Mitch Clemmons is leading Democratic incumbent Linda Sánchez in early returns from Tuesday's CA-41 primary — but ballots are still being counted.
- [The Rules for Speaking at Whittier City Council Just Changed](https://www.whittierinformed.com/the-rules-for-speaking-at-whittier-city-council-just-changed.md) - Whittier's new council dropped the speaker card requirement and set a flat two-minute limit for all speakers — changes that roll back policies put in place by the administration that was voted out in April.
- [Parking at The Groves Could Reach Maximum Capacity](https://www.whittierinformed.com/parking-at-the-groves-is-already-strained-two-new-businesses-could-push-it-to-maximum-capacity.md) - Ever ended up parking by Stater Bros. to get to Rodeo 72? The city's own data explains why — and two new businesses could make it worse.
- [Metro Holding Public Hearings on Planned E Line Extension to Whittier](https://www.whittierinformed.com/metro-holding-public-hearings-on-planned-e-line-extension-to-whittier.md) - LA Metro is holding public hearings this month on a planned rail extension that would eventually bring the E Line to Whittier — making the city the final stop on the line. Here's what the project involves and how to weigh in.
- [What Is Measure ER? A Whittier Voter's Guide to the June 2 Sales Tax Measure](https://www.whittierinformed.com/what-is-measure-er-a-whittier-voters-guide-to-the-june-2-sales-tax-measure.md) - Six L.A. County health clinics have already closed. Federal cuts to Medi-Cal are projected to cost the county $800 million a year. On June 2, voters will decide whether to fill part of that gap with a half-cent sales tax increase.
- [The Old Joann Fabrics on Whittier Blvd Is Being Split Into 3 Businesses](https://www.whittierinformed.com/the-former-joann-fabrics-on-whittier-boulevard-is-getting-three-new-tenants-we-dont-know-who-yet.md) - This stretch of Whittier Blvd is now zoned for high-density housing. The redevelopment was approved just months before the change took effect.
- [The Councilman Who Fought to Bring a Train to Whittier Is Leaving Office](https://www.whittierinformed.com/the-councilman-who-fought-to-bring-a-train-to-whittier-is-leaving-office.md) - Fernando Dutra lost his Whittier City Council seat on April 14 — and under state law, that means he loses his Metro Board seat too. He's the current Board Chair, and the person most responsible for bringing the future light rail to Whittier. He's been fighting for it since 2008.
- [Whittier Has No Plans For Whittier Boulevard](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-has-no-plans-for-whittier-boulevard.md) - In 2025, the state transferred ownership of Whittier Boulevard to the city along with $16.7 million to help cover future costs. But the city has no plan for the road. Will $16.7 million be enough?
- [2 Homes Built in the 1900s Are Coming Down. 9 Market-Rate Townhomes Are Going Up](https://www.whittierinformed.com/2-homes-built-in-the-1900s-are-coming-down-9-market-rate-townhomes-are-going-up.md) - A development proposal that would demolish two single-family homes in Uptown Whittier and replace them with nine three-story market-rate townhomes is heading to its first official public hearing on May 14 at Whittier City Hall.
- [Whittier Is Spending More Than It Makes: The City's Own Numbers Show It Getting Worse](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-is-spending-more-than-it-makes-the-citys-own-numbers-show-it-getting-worse.md) - The city is projecting a $3.6 million deficit for the coming fiscal year — and its own five-year plan shows it growing to more than $9 million by 2029-30. Two years ago, the city was projecting a surplus for this same year. Here's what changed, and what it means.
- [Historic Night in Whittier: First Latino-majority Council, New Mayor, Doubled Turnout](https://www.whittierinformed.com/historic-night-in-whittier-first-latino-majority-council-new-mayor-doubled-turnout.md) - Whittier's April 14 election delivered a series of milestones that haven't been seen in the city's 128-year history — and in some cases, ever.
- [Available, But Not Accessible: Whittier's Spanish-Language Outreach Under Question](https://www.whittierinformed.com/available-but-not-accessible-whittiers-spanish-language-outreach-under-question.md) - When the Whittier City Council approved a federal transit equity plan, one councilmember raised a question that goes beyond transportation: is the city actually reaching its Spanish-speaking residents, or just making resources available and hoping they find them?
- [What The 2026 Whittier Election Data Shows: Turnout, Voting Trends, And What Comes Next](https://www.whittierinformed.com/what-the-2026-whittier-election-data-shows-turnout-voting-trends-and-what-comes-next.md) - Whittier's 2026 election drew the highest turnout the city has seen in recent April cycles — but the data behind the numbers tells a bigger story about who votes, where, and why the date of an election matters more than most people realize.
- [PIH Health Whittier Hospital Names New Nursing Chief as ER Visits Near 80,000 a Year](https://www.whittierinformed.com/pih-health-whittier-hospital-names-new-nursing-chief-as-er-visits-near-80-000-a-year.md) - A new nursing leader is taking the helm at PIH Health Whittier — and her appointment comes as California's nursing shortage is projected to grow significantly over the next decade.
- [After ICE Costume Scandal and Election Power Shift, Planning Commissioner Resigns](https://www.whittierinformed.com/after-ice-costume-scandal-and-election-power-shift-richard-quirk-resigns.md) - A Whittier Planning Commissioner who sparked controversy over an ICE-themed costume party video has resigned — three days after the election, where the City Council majority that had repeatedly declined to act on calls for his removal were voted out.
- [How Whittier's City Hall Was Reshaped Three Weeks Before the Election — Part 2](https://www.whittierinformed.com/before-the-election-whittiers-police-unions-got-three-years-of-raises-part-2.md) - Three weeks before the April 14 election, Whittier locked in three years of police raises. Here's what's in the contracts the new council is inheriting — and what it will cost.
- [How Whittier's City Hall Was Reshaped Three Weeks Before the Election — Part 1](https://www.whittierinformed.com/how-whittiers-city-hall-was-reshaped-three-weeks-before-the-election-part-1.md) - Three weeks before the April 14 election, Whittier's outgoing council reshaped city hall. New positions, new contracts, and a costly severance package now await the new council elected to change things.
- [Whittier's longest-serving leaders face stunning defeat in early election results](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittiers-longest-serving-leaders-face-stunning-defeat-in-early-election-results.md) - Whittier has not seen margins like these in a long time. Early results from Tuesday's city election show challengers leading incumbents by nearly 40 points in the mayor's race and by similar margins in both council districts.
- [Whittier Announced a Roller Rink. We Confirmed It's Not Coming](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-announced-a-roller-rink-we-confirmed-its-not-coming.md) - The City announced a roller rink was coming to the Whittier Packing House. The mayor repeated it days before an election. The developer told us it's not going to happen.
- [City Council Approves $4M in New Settlements for Sexual Abuse of Minors by Whittier Police, Bringing Total Payouts to $7.5M](https://www.whittierinformed.com/city-council-approves-4m-in-new-settlements-for-sexual-abuse-of-minors-by-whittier-police-bringing-total-payouts-to-7-5m.md) - Teenage girls who joined Whittier's Police Explorer program hoping to pursue law enforcement careers were allegedly groomed and sexually abused by the officers entrusted with their supervision. The city has now agreed to pay $7.5 million. More lawsuits may be coming.
- [Whittier Ends Hadley Tow Contract After Owner's Arrest — Following Years of Documented Issues](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-ends-hadley-tow-contract-after-owners-arrest-following-years-of-documented-issues.md) - Hadley Tow, a Whittier-based towing company, is at the center of a nearly $6 million insurance fraud scheme that landed its owner in custody on March 11, 2026.
- [The Murals at Rodeo 72 Weren't Supposed to Be There](https://www.whittierinformed.com/the-murals-at-rodeo-72-werent-supposed-to-be-there.md) - The developer was supposed to build sculptural steel pavilions with historic photos of the Nelles School. Instead, they painted contemporary street art and asked the city to approve it after the fact.
- [Mayor Joe Called Whittier a "Red City." Here's What the Data Shows](https://www.whittierinformed.com/mayor-joe-called-whittier-a-red-city-heres-what-the-data-shows.md) - Mayor Joe called Whittier a "red city" at a Republican campaign event on Sunday. But when party labels appear on the ballot, Whittier voters have consistently chosen Democratic candidates. Here's what the numbers show.
- [Whittier Election Heats Up As "Chainsaw Joe" Sign Targets Mayor With 20 Years on City Council](https://www.whittierinformed.com/whittier-election-heats-up-as-chainsaw-joe-sign-targets-mayor-with-20-years-on-city-council.md) - For two years, the plan to remove more than 100 trees from Uptown Whittier has divided the community, sparked a lawsuit, and triggered a state investigation into the mayor. Now it has become the centerpiece of the April 14 election.
- [Whittier Keeps Considering — and Delaying — Stop Signs Its Own Traffic Engineers Rejected](https://www.whittierinformed.com/city-council-may-vote-to-approve-stop-signs-its-own-traffic-engineers-rejected.md) - Whittier's traffic engineers rejected stop signs at Anaconda and Hornby — twice. The Council approved them anyway in 2022. The signs still aren't up. Now the vote to formalize it keeps getting delayed.

## Optional
- [RSS Feed](https://www.whittierinformed.com/rss/)
- [Sitemap](https://www.whittierinformed.com/sitemap.xml)
- [Full content of pages and posts](https://www.whittierinformed.com/llms-full.txt)