After months of preparation and more than $300,000 expenditures in the aftermath of the Santa Anita II fires that diverted a wall of mud from homes, the fire-ravaged hillside seemed to be holding despite the rain storms.
Arcadia Planning Commission voted 5-0 to reject a proposal for a crematory to be built on First Avenue, next to Arcadia Mortuary at 500 S. First Avenue. The application came from Jim Larkin, who operates Arcadia Mortuary. The proposal drew criticism from neighbors and other Arcadia residents, with pickets.
Writer Charles Cooper continues his series of articles called "Memories of Arcadia" with a history and description of the U.S. Army Balloon School that was at Camp Ross (or Ross Field) in Arcadia during World War I. The balloon school was located on the current site of Arcadia County Park.
First Avenue PTA honored three volunteers for their commitment and support of children at First Avenue Middle School and their community. The three were Elizabeth Renfrew, Pat Medina, and Teri Deimel.
Authorities have released Joshua Connole of Pomona, a suspect in the August 22 vehicle vandalisms labeled by FBI as acts of ecoterrorism. More than $2 million in damage was caused by vandals claiming affiliation with the Earth Liberation Front. High-end sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and other vehicles at the Rusnak Mercedes Benz dealership in Arcadia, Advantage Ford in Monrovia, Clippinger Chevrolet in West Covina, and Duarte Mitsubishi were torched and spray painted.
Lisa Melinda Welchert was convicted on charges related to an Arcadia traffic fatality on February 9, 1999 that killed John Chan. The police were not held liable.
Asians make up more than 47% of the city's total population of 53,421. The largest group is Chinese-American. John Wuo discusses what makes Arcadia such an attractive city for Asians.
Santa Anita Park concluded its 2002-2003 season on April 20 with a total of more than $1 billion wagered during the 85-day meet. Average daily handle was $11.8 million, representing a decrease of approximately 2% from 2002.
Elizabeth Cox, Josh Silverman, and Corey Stubbs were honored by Mayor Mickey Segal for saving the life of crossing guard Richard Bauer. The students were making a video about life in Arcadia when he had a heart attack. They called 911.
On April 4, First Avenue PTA held their Honorary Service program and talent show. Many parents and a teacher were honored including 6th grade teacher Linda Davis, and Shuchen Tay, Jim and Sandy Rider, Jeff and Mary Ann Laun.
Arcadia city council will vote on an ordinance prohibiting loitering by members of street gangs. The ordinance defines a "criminal street gang" as three or more people with a primary activity to commit offenses, such as murder, assault, robbery, or drug-related crimes. There are eight active Asian gangs within the city.
An industrial fire at Altos Tire Company, on Longden Avenue, in Irwindale, near Monrovia and Arcadia, burned for more than 3 hours. Arcadia Fire Department and Monrovia Fire Department assisted. Arcadia firefighter Don Smith (photo) from Station 105, battles the fire atop one of the company's largest ladders.
Hall of Fame jockey and Sierra Madre resident Gary Stevens is doing well after a fall that injured his lung and shoulders at the Arlington Million. Stevens, in his first acting role, starred as George "The Iceman" Woolf in the Universal film, Seabiscuit. Stevens has won the Santa Anita Derby.
Cable television's Learning Channel show "Junkyard Wars" brought a challenge to Westfield Shoppingtown Santa Anita. Competitors were given 10 minutes to build a gravity-powered vehicle from assorted pieces of junk, wheels and miscellaneous items.