Huge California conservation bill heads to vote in Congress today. The Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act, or House Resolution 803, seeks to preserve 1 million acres of public land in California. Part of it is the San Gabriel Mountains and Rivers Protection Act, authored by Rep. Judy Chu-D. to extend the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument designation by adding 109,143 acres of the western front-facing Angeles National Forest. This includes popular hiking areas within Chantry Flat, located just north of Arcadia.
Bobcat Fire continues to wreak havoc. Nearly 24,000 acres burned above foothill communities, north of Monrovia, and still spreading out of control yesterday as firefighters contended with powerful winds. The fire has burned 23,890 acres of pristine forest lands. It was 6% contained. Evacuation warnings are still in effect in Monrovia, Arcadia, Azusa, Sierra Madre, Duarte, Pasadena, Altadena & Bradbury.
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla seeks wilderness protections, introduced in a bill covering 1 million acres of land and 500 miles of rivers. Padilla's bill incorporates the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act, written by Representative Judy Chu, D-Pasadena. Under this provision, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, established by President Barack Obama in 2014 will be expanded by 109,143 acres to include front facing portions of the Angeles National Forest north of Sierra Madre and Arcadia and into the forest's western edge near Santa Clarita.
House passes preservation bill on a bipartisan vote. The Protecting America's Wilderness and Public Lands Act, or House Resolution 803 seeks to conserve 1 million acres of public land in California, much of it in Southern California. HR 803 incorporates two local measures, including the San Gabriel Mountains Foothills and Rivers Protection Act that will protect the Angeles National Forest, located just north of Arcadia.
Native American tribes seek expansion of national monument with more than 100,000 acres. Indigenous leaders say more parts of the San Gabriel Mountains are "sacred lands." They are calling on the Biden administration to go further in protecting the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.
Public lands: additions sought for San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, push bid to expand area by 109,000 acres by designating the western Angeles National Forest as part of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. The San Gabriel Mountains are north of Arcadia.
San Gabriel Mountains monument expands. United States President Joe Biden OKs sabout 106,000 acres added to federally protected area with promise for more resources.
San Gabriel Mountains: Bobcat Fire grows, but Arcadia lifts evacuation warning. The fire has burned more than 19,796 acres. as of yesterday evening. It was 0% contained.
Sounds of silence. Santa Anita Park like an old west ghost town as horses race without fans. No fans in attendance at the races yesterday due to the coronavirus COVID-19. Only media, owners, trainers, and essential personnel were in attendance. By Art Wilson.
License revocation upheld for internet studios run by couple Dr. Susan Block and Maximillian Lobkowicz. City says sex therapist Dr. Susan Block and husband allow people to sleep there overnight in the business building on Las Tunas Drive that is zoned for office use. City revoked their license on July 28. The couple appealed but the city's Planning Commission upheld the decision. The couple will appeal again.
Bobcat Fire, on its 9th day in the San Gabriel Mountains, continued to grow north of the San Gabriel Valley. It had charred 38,299 acres Monday with containment at 3%. The fire has crossed to west side of Santa Anita Canyon. On Sunday, residents in Arcadia and Sierra Madre who live north of Elkins Avenue and east of Santa Anita Avenue were ordered to evacuate. About 305 homes were in the evacuation zone. Most are in Arcadia and 32 are in Sierra Madre.
Some evacuation orders lifted-Bobcat Fire. Sierra Madre and Arcadia residents okayed to return to their homes starting yesterday (Wednesday) at 4 PM. By Wednesday evening the fire had grown to 46,263 acres with containment still at 3%.
The 2024 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court has a Halloween moment. They spent the evening trick-or-treating at the Tournament House in Pasadena. Naomi Stillitano of Arcadia, who was crowned the Rose Queen last week, was dressed as Cupid from the movie "Valentine's Day."
Housing grades for Los Angeles County jurisdictions. Every city and county in California is required to plan for adequate housing across income levels. This is Southern California News Group's fourth housing permit report card. Arcadia has received an overall D grade, same as last year.
For the wonderfully weird, Monarch rules. Amid theatrical decor, try a martini with vinegar and Slippery Egg Crab Fried Fun. There is no destination in San Gabriel Valley like Monarch at 1212 South Baldwin Avenue. Merrill Shindler reviews the restaurant opened by the Leon family, who first brought us their take on Peruvian-Chinese cooking at Chifa in Eagle Rock. Monarch is serving modern Chinese cuisine.
Fire crews in the Angeles National Forest brace for Santa Ana winds. The Bobcat fire is burning in the San Gabriel Mountains. Residents of Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Bradbury, and Sierra Madre were told to prepare for possible evacuation. It has burned 4900 acres, north of Azusa,
Bill seeks addition to forest landscape. Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, hopes to expand San Gabriel Mountains National Monument by 100,000-plus acres with the San Gabriel Mountains Protection Act, written by Representative Judy Chu. The San Gabriel Mountains are north of Arcadia.
Mayors ask for zoning bill veto. 27 San Gabriel Valley cities urge Governor Gavin Newsom to kill legislation that changes single-family lots to allow zoning for up to 4 units. This is Senate Bill 9, introduced by Senator Toni Atkins. The San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments advocates for addressing the affordable housing shortage by rezoning vacant and nonviable commercial properties and providing incentives to affordable housing developers to build on that land. SGVCG's letter in opposition was signed by Alhambra, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bradbury, and others.
Fong out to early lead in election. Democrat Mike Fong garners 70% of first votes, is ahead by 39 percentage points in the 49th Assembly District race against Republican Burton Brink. The 49th District is comprised of 10 San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia. The seat was vacated by Ed Chau-D-Monterey Park, who left his post early for an appointment to the Los Angeles County Superior Court judge's bench.
Chen Suen becomes first Asian American fire chief in Arcadia. He takes over from Barry Spriggs who retired November 8, after 29 years of service. Suen is an Arcadia resident. He emigrated from Taiwan. He graduated from Arcadia High School, and attended Loyola Law School, UC Irvine, and Santa Ana College, before spending the last 18 years with Arcadia Fire Department.