The cause of the excess chlorine in the Arcadia County Park swimming pool that sent 17 children to the hospital on July 19 was found to be human error. Workers at the pool mistakenly primed the chemical pump twice, allowing up to 20 extra gallons of chlorine into the water.
The Arcadia County Park swimming pool will be closed for the summer, to be demolished and rebuilt at a later date. The pool is 70 years old and officially known as the Norman S. Johnson Aquatic Center. On July 19, a chlorine spill sent 17 children to the hospital. The repairs would cost $80,000, so the County chose to not reopen the pool for the three weeks left of this summer.
Two men were arrested on Camino Grove Avenue and 6th Avenue in Arcadia. They were Thomas Zion, 24, of Arcadia, and Juan Manuel Rodriguezzendejas, 31, of Altadena. Zion allegedly hit Rodriguezzendejas with an ax handle as Rodriguezzendejas was wielding a screwdriver.
Arcadia High School alumnus Ray Fu is on the Team USA Chemistry Olympiad Team, to compete in the International Chemistry Olympiad in Azerbaijan, July 20-29.
Arcadia firefighter/paramedic Michael Herdman was remembered as a devoted father and animal lover, at a memorial service yesterday, at Arcadia Performing Arts Center. Hundreds attended. His body was found June 27 in Sespe Wilderness in Ventura County. He went missing June 13. See also Arcadia Weekly, July 10, 2014, p. 1, 20 and Mountain Views News, July 12, 2014, p. 6.
Songwriter and composer Marvin Hamlisch dies at age 68. He had been the Principal conductor of Pasadena Pops Orchestra. His last concert was July 21 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Arcadia jet fighter pilot Richard Norton killed in Twentynine Palms crash. He was a U.S. Marine and a major. He died in the F/A-18C Hornet crash on July 28, during a training exercise.
Obituary/death notice. James W. Robinson, also known as John W. Robinson, author of hiking guide Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels, has died at age 88.
At the request of the Medical Board of California, the license of Dr. Zhiwei Lin, an Arcadia-based neurologist, was temporarily suspended starting July 28, pending a determination of his fitness to practice medicine. He allegedly sold prescriptions for controlled substances, such as Vicodin, to an undercover federal agent.
Thomas McKernan, Arcadia resident, recently retired as CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern California. He had worked with the Auto Club for 46 years. On May 1, he was succeeded by Robert Bouttier. McKernan has been elected to chairman of the Auto Club's board of directors. He will continue with several national responsibilities, including serving on the National AAA board of directors, chairing its planning and strategy effort. He will serve as vice chair of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
Arcadia businesses are eager for extended race season at Santa Anita Park to increase their own business. The live racing season will be extended by 11 weeks next year, through July 5, pending approval of California Horse Racing Board, due to the closure of Betfair Hollywood Park in Inglewood.
Spotlight on multi-specialty law firm Vincent W. Davis & Associates, based in Arcadia, with six offices throughout the Los Angeles area. Founder and lead attorney is Vincent W. Davis. His firm represents just ordinary people. 90% of the firm's clientele is blue collar workers.
Construction of the Gold Line Bridge in Arcadia, over the 210 Freeway, will cause eight more full overnight eastbound lane closures through March 17, between Rosemead Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue.