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Senior Earns Historic All-State Choir Spot
El Monte Union senior Alexander Gonzalez made El Monte High School (EMHS) history with his selection to the prestigious California Choral Directors Association’s (CCDA) All-State Honor Choir, making him the first Lion to ever earn a spot among the top 300 vocal talents in the state. Gonzalez, who began his choir journey as a freshman…
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California Home Sales Dip with Rising Rates
California’s housing market faced a challenging start to 2025 as heightened mortgage rates precipitated a substantial decline in home sales for January. The latest data indicates a 10% decrease in closed sales of existing single-family homes compared to December of the previous year. This marked a drop to 254,110 from 282,490, pulling these transactions to…
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Nationwide Rent Growth Eases: Impact on San Gabriel Valley
In an illuminating new report by CoreLogic, findings revealed a moderated pace in the growth of U.S. single-family rents at the close of 2024. December witnessed a modest 1.8% year-over-year increase in rent prices, underscoring a trend towards stabilization after a period of rapid hikes. The CoreLogic report outlines that the full-year average rent growth…
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El Monte Housing Market: Prices Drop, Sales Rise
In January 2025, the El Monte housing market experienced a significant shift, indicating new trends that could influence decisions for both homebuyers and sellers in the area. According to the January edition of the El Monte Monthly Market Report, the median price for existing single-family homes in the city fell to $825,000, marking a steep…
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El Monte Achieves A+ Bond Rating
On February 21, 2025, the financial resilience of El Monte received a significant endorsement as S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed its A+ credit rating for the city. This rating is not just a testament to the city’s healthy monetary policies but also marks an improvement from its previous standings, indicating a stable and promising financial outlook.…
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Small Business Confidence Retreats in January
January witnessed a notable retreat in small business confidence as the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index fell to 102.8 after four consecutive months of gains. This decline of 2.2 points marks the first downturn after a period of relative buoyancy where the index had consistently stood above the four-year average.…
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Financial Preparedness for Natural Disasters
Natural disasters can strike unexpectedly, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake, as seen in the recent Eaton Fire in the San Gabriel Valley. The fire underscored the critical need for residents to safeguard their financial well-being against such calamities. Here’s a guide on how to brace financially for future emergencies, drawing insights from…
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How to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance
In the wake of a disaster, recovering and rebuilding can be daunting. Fortunately, relief is accessible through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which offers various ways for victims to apply for disaster assistance. Understanding these options can significantly alleviate some of the stress associated with post-disaster recovery. We outline here the processes you can…
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Eaton Fire Aftermath: A Housing Market in Crisis
In the wake of the catastrophic Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County, the destruction of thousands of homes is beginning to send shockwaves through an already strained housing market. This profound loss exacerbates the housing shortage, with immediate and severe impacts expected on both the rental and purchase markets in the surrounding neighborhoods. As many…
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Key Club Supports Girls on The Run
On December 14, Whittier Narrows Park in South El Monte played host to the inspiring Girls on the Run Los Angeles 5K, an event that not only celebrates the power and potential of young girls but also brought together community members to support a transformative cause. Among the enthusiastic supporters were the dedicated members of…