GPS in bait package leads to arrest of two Canoga Park women who drove through Arcadia in a stolen car. The arrested women are Devon Ricco Menendez and Unique Rios. The GPS-equipped decoy package was left out in the southeast portion of the city. See also Mountain Views News, p. 7, March 26, 2016. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 12, March 31, 2016.
Tournament of Roses Parade Royal Dreams. Thirty-four teens named court finalists. Next up is selection of queens, princesses for January 1, 2017. A few students from Arcadia High School are finalists (in photo). See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 3, September 29, 2016.
Suspect in Arcadia burglary in the 200 block of Monte Place, Steve Gainer, was arrested following a high-speed chase. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 12, March 31, 2016.
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.
Six candidates vying for two seats on Arcadia City Council in the April 12 all-mail-in ballot. Current Mayor Gary Kovacic is terming out this year and Councilman Mickey Segal is not seeking re-election. Among those running are three former city councilman-- Peter Amundson, Bob Harbicht, and Sheng Chang. Also running are Burton L. Brink, Paul Van Fleet, April Verlato, an attorney and community activist. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 15, January 28, 2016.
Anti-mansionization goes to the ballot. Zoning code issue continues as anti-mansionization group Saving Arcadia (an outgrowth of Save the Arcadia Highlands) takes it to the ballot in April 2018. At issue are Floor Area Ratios (FAR). See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 17, April 7, 2016-initiative did not make it onto ballot because of signature discrepancy.
Arcadia Police and City Clerk investigate Arcadia City Council candidate Sho Tay's mail-in election ballot collection effort. Tay had enlisted the help of students from the Democratic Club at Arcadia High School to offer residents of Arcadia stamps for the mail-in postcard. See hard copy in VF City Council Elections 2014.
An activist group called Save the Arcadia Highlands is suing the City of Arcadia over two residential developments that Arcadia City Council approved in February, citing possible violations to "specific provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Planning and Zoning Law, filed March 12. The addresses involved are 29 East Orange Grove Avenue and 1600 Highland Oaks Drive. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 17, March 19, 2015.
Tournament of Roses announces 2016 Royal Court. Two girls are from Altadena, four from Pasadena and one from Arcadia. Rose Princess Rachelle Chacal Renee Liu lives in Arcadia, but goes to San Marino High School. See also Pasadena Star News, October 6, 2015, p. 1
Hale Corporation to break ground August 13 on medical building in Arcadia. It will be a four-story office building, built as a joint-venture partnership with The Stronach Group. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, August 20, 2013 and Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, August 15, 2013.
PETA sues Arcadia over cruel plan to snare, slaughter coyotes. In the lawsuit, PETA alleges that because City Council voted to approve the plan on February 21 without first performing an environmental impact assessment, which is required under the California Environmental Quality Act, its decision is illegal. See also Pasadena Star News, p. A3, March 4, 2017.
PETA and City of Arcadia reach deal over coyote plan. Group had sued after city planned to start trap-and-kill program. Arcadia will pay $15,000 to settle the lawsuit that contended the city council approved the contract without an environmental report mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 10, July 6, 2017.
Basketball court returns to Arcadia's Eisenhower Park renovation plans. Arcadia City Council voted 3-to-2 to add one full basketball court. See also hard copy in VF Parks.