Arcadia Chamber of Commerce takes Bank of America, Ralphs Grocery Co., Albertsons and Washington Mutual to task for not joining the Chamber of Commerce.
Arcadia stockbroker Richard Robert Russo was found guilty of first-degree murder for killing his wife Carmen one year ago. He faces 50 years to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Twenty-three high school students from throughout the San Gabriel Valley were honored for their volunteer community service. The 2003 Youth Volunteer Award program was held at the Arcadia Community Center. Those recognized from Arcadia are Kelly Cole, Hannah Han, Jennifer Hsieh, and Heather Sayers.
Arcadia City Council has approved a 10% increase in the amount of city funds allocated to the Chamber of Commerce. The total will be $55,000 this year. The Chamber also receives subsidized rental in a city-owned building.
Arcadia has been named a Tree City USA for the ninth year. To be a Tree City, a community must have a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance.
Stephanie Liu of La Canada High School was winner of Representative David Dreier's Youth Volunteer Award Program. A ceremony was held at the Arcadia Community Center.
Arcadia City Council has approved $55,000 to the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce for services such as providing information on the city to brokers, real estate agents, merchants, business people, new residents, and the general public. The Chamber prepares a monthly community calendar, a business hotline, a newsletter, an annual Civic Directory, a bi-annual map and a business directory. The city also lets the Chamber use the building they're in for no charge.
John Wuo was named the new mayor of Arcadia on Tuesday, April 19. He is the first Asian-American to be appointed to serve in the position for a full year. He wants to build a community auditorium.
On December 5, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce will honor Gary L. Thomas, Arcadia resident and the 2003 President of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association. Thomas, a 41 year member was elected to the Executive Committee in 1995.
Richard Russo, 50, of Arcadia, surrendered to police after an all-night standoff at his home on Arbolada Drive. In the morning Carmen Russo was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds and Richard Russo was arrested. Two children ages 6 and 11 are staying with family.
Richard Robert Russo, convicted in the murder of his wife Carmen, hanged himself with a bedsheet in his cell at Wasco State Prison. He died Sunday, October 15, 2006.
A jury hears defendant Richard Robert Russo's conversation with Arcadia policeman Bruce Smith as he says, "I killed my wife." Russo's wife Carmen had about 18 bullet holes in her body. Russo is charged with murder and two counts of child abuse. They lived in the exclusive Santa Anita Oaks neighborhood of Arcadia.