Arcadia Fire Chief Kurt Norwood announces his retirement. He began his career in Arcadia in March, 1987 as a firefighter. His last day will be July 9. See also Mountain Views News, p. 6, June 18, 2016.
Guns and hoses: local firefighters speak out on first responders and the Utility Users Tax (UUT) aka Measure A. The repeal of the UUT would result in dramatic loss of service in fire and police departments. Photo includes Brian Ursettie, Nick Wiegand, Chen Suen, Jeremy Conrad, Thomas Devlin, Kevin Valentine.
Arcadia police officer Luis Vicuna received the Arcadia Police Department's Life Saving Medal last week for helping save the life of 76-year old James Chen, who collapsed at the Arcadia Sports Fitness Club late last year. Pictured are Arcadia Police Chief Robert Sanderson, Officer Luis Vicuna and Captain Gene Gioia.
An ancient Chinese maternity tradition, from the Sung Dynasty (960-1275 AD), known as "Zuo Yue Zi," is translated as "doing the month."It refers to the care of a Chinese woman during the first month after giving birth. The practice is explained here by Wei-Chen Tung, a former registered nurse at Arcadia Methodist Hospital and now an assistant professor of nursing at University of Nevada, Reno. The practice requires new mothers to follow a strict diet and rest for 3-4 weeks following a pregnancy. Tung says a lot of Chinese women still practice this, so hospitals should be aware of this part of Chinese culture. Maternity tourists--women who want to come to the United States to give birth to a full-fledged American citizen, have given rise to businesses that cater to them, such as the maternity home that was shut down in the 1300 block of South Palm Avenue in San Gabriel on March 8. It had been 5 townhomes illegally converted into a maternity home.
In a letter sent to Mayor Tom Beck, the HQH Chinese American Equalization Association demands district voting in Arcadia. The association claims at-large system dilutes influence. According to 2010 U.S. Census, Asians represent 60% of the city's population of 56,364 and about 46% of its registered voters. The letter points out that no more than 2 Asian Americans have served on Arcadia City Council at the same time. Beck said Arcadia doesn't have the problem of Asians being underrepresented.
Arcadia couple Edward Chen, aka Jianqiao Chen, Jian Qiao Chen, and Jian Chen aka Jing Jiang and Jean Jiang, accused of fraud involving defrauding investors through EB-5 visa schemes. The couple's companies raised more than $22.5 million from 45 Chinese investors, purportedly to build an interior design center in Ontario and a condominium building in Los Angeles. See also "Arcadia couple faces court hearing for stealing $12 million," Arcadia Weekly, p. 1,3 October 5, 2017.
Arcadia City Council approves $30,000 for officials' trip to China and Taiwan. The purpose is to foster a better understanding of Asian culture in order to better serve Arcadia, which is heavily populated by residents from China and Taiwan. Establishing sister city relationships with Chinese and Taiwanese municipalities is another goal of the trip. See VF Sister City.
Documents reveal fraud case against Arcadia-based Gemcoin, a cryptocurrency investment scheme. The Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) ultimate goal is to make Gemcoin chief Steve Chen return alleged fraudulently acquired millions with interest, pay hefty fines, and ban him from the securities business.
Arcadia teachers and students unite for Measure A, the renewal of a parcel tax that helps provide stable school funding for Arcadias, on March 7 ballot. Previously approved in 2012, Measure A would authorize a "qualified special tax of $288 per parcel of taxable real estate property," an increase of $60 over the 2012 proposal. Citizen homeowners age 65 and over would be able to exempt their primary residence from the tax.
A federal investigation of a San Gabriel Valley-based Asian crime syndicate led to the arrests of 18 suspected Red Door gang members in several San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia. The effort was dubbed "Operation Paint it Black." Authorities seized seven guns, 12,500 ecstasy pills, 2,230 marijuana plants and a Lamborghini. The 18 were indicted on drug trafficking and international marriage fraud charges.
Thomas Seaman, investigator of alleged Gemcoin fraud, issues first report. It reveals mounting evidence of fraudulent activity by Arcadia businessman Steve Chen a.k.a. Li Chen or Chen Li, whose business was at 135 E. Live Oak Ave., currently in receivership.
Why is council member Mayor Pro Tempore Sho Tay spending campaign money after being appointed for an extended second term because he was the only candidate in his 3rd District. Campaign contributions Tay received from Tony Chen and James Chou have been spent on mailers in both Districts 2 and 5 to support candidates Bob Harbicht and Roger Chandler.