Twelve seniors out of 783 were denied diplomas because of their failure to pass a battery of state-mandated basic skills tests. They are the first to be denied diplomas under the Pupil Proficiency Law of 1976. Arcadia's test requires ninth grade level competency.
Arcadia will have to start over again in its effort to secure federal funds for its Dial-A-Ride program. The Urban Mass Transit Authority would not approve the agreement with Community Services because of a protest over bid procedures.
Hundreds of Arcadians attended the reception held at historic Anoakia where they toured the house and grounds and picked up their copies of the new history book ARCADIA: WHERE RANCH AND CITY MEET.
The school board discussed the possibility of implementing AIDS education at the 7th grade level. There is currently a 2.5 day session in the 10th grade that discusses the problem.
In search of $50,000 in additional money for education, the Arcadia Unified School District has kicked off a district-wide energy conservation program in an effort to cut energy usage for each school by 10% compared with last year.
Supervisors listen to protests over prison site. Five sites, including the Owl Landfill in Irwindale, have been recommended by the county-wide Criminal Justice Committee.
Within the next 6 months a left turn signal will be installed at the corner of Duarte and First Avenue in an effort to avoid the many accidents that have occurred at that intersection recently.
An international businessman was abducted from his Arcadia home and later released the same evening after his abductors demanded he pay them $1 million. He was told that he would be contacted the next day with instructions about where to put the money, but no money has been paid. This is the first kidnapping of this type in Arcadia, although there have been four other kidnappings in the San Gabriel Valley since last October.
It appears likely the Arcadia City Council will make a 180 degree turn at the July 6 meeting, when the proposed ban on wood roofs will once again be on the agenda. At the meeting last week Pellegrino and Lojeski had apparently changed their minds. In any case the second reading has been held over to the next meeting. Concerned citizens were given a chance to speak on the issue during the time reserved for audience participation.
Focus on the Family, and Arcadia-based Christian organization dedicated to the preservation of the home, is about to move into new offices in Arcadia. The organization, which has grown rapidly over the past few years, currently has 310 employees and occupies offices in 7 separate buildings in Arcadia. The new building, located on Foothill Blvd., will be completed around the first of October.
A $7,500 grant from the Arcadia Auditorium Foundation will provide performing arts opportunities for students of all grade levels in the Arcadia Unified School District.
The architectural firm of Sevar and Associates and Dave Szany and Associates have relocated their offices in the restored and remodeled Southern Counties Gas Building. The building, constructed in 1926, is one of the original buildings on First Avenue. It was the home of the Gas Company for 33 years.
Kel Mason selected to receive annual Humanitarian Award. Award presented by San Gabriel Valley Human Relations Committee to persons who have contributed time and effort toward betterment of the community.
The Arcadia Unified School District again ranked among the top 10% of statewide districts in the latest California Assessment Program (CAP) results. CAP scores were based on tests given to 3rd and 6th grade students last May in math, reading, and writing as well as tests given to 8th-graders in reading, math, history and science.