District Attorney Jackie Lacey finds no crime or wrongdoing in horse deaths. Prosecutor says there is no evidence owners, jockeys or trainers knowingly raced injured animals at Santa Anita Park over the past year. Since July 2018, 56 horses have died at Arcadia race track. Of those, 34 died while running on Santa Anita's main dirt track. Santa Anita Park averages about 2.04 deaths per 1000 racing starts, according to the Jockey Club. The national average in 2018 was 1.68 deaths per 1000 starts. The District Attorney's report includes 27 recommended changes to improve safety and reduce fatalities. See also same story at Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, December 26, 2019.
California Horse Racing Board (CHRB): ban more drugs, release tests. The CHRB wants California Governor Gavin Newsom to pursue changes to state law that would allow the agency to immediately release results of a positive horse drug test and permit more stakeholders, including jockeys and track veterinarians, to access a horse's medical history. Currently, drug test results are confidential. The changes are part of an effort to curb equine deaths and improve safety at California race tracks. Nearly 40 horses have died at Santa Anita Park in the last year.
The Southern California News Group gives grades for affordable housing in area cities. Every city and county in California is required to plan for adequate housing across income levels but actually building those homes is largely a goal rather than a requirement. Arcadia got an overall D Minus grade.
57-year-old Richard Henry Solis of Arcadia faces two felony counts of grand theft from elder and six counts of petty theft from elder. The alleged crimes involved Solis claiming the victims had injured him with their vehicles and then asking for money for medical expenses or stealing their belongings, reportedly stealing $100,000 from the victims.
Breeders' Cup 10th Santa Anita Park visit overshadowed by another equine death. 70,000 attended Saturday's event. Terry Miller recaps the race day, which ended with racehorse Mongolian Groom being euthanized after suffering a serious fracture. Earlier in the day, protesters angered by 36 horse deaths since last December, stood outside Santa Anita Park urging the end of horse racing in California. Ricardo Santana in photo.
Arcadia Woman's Club invites local residents to holiday fashion show fundraiser on Saturday, November 9 at the historic clubhouse at 324 South First Avenue. The cost is $50 per person.
Santa Anita Park: another horse dies; summary on its way. Death is fifth in month; The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) report on past meet is due in December. GQ Covergirl, a 6-year-old mare trained by Doug O'Neill injured her front legs Friday on Santa Anita's training track and was euthanized.
Dorothy Denne honored at Arcadia Police Foundation event, a fundraiser for K-9 Program. She has been a longtime volunteer at Arcadia Police Foundation and has spearheaded efforts to bring K-9 program back to Arcadia Police Department since 2015.
Dorothy Denne, longtime Arcadia humorist, "Mother of the Force" honored by Arcadia Police Foundation at the Arcadia Police Foundation's Halloween Hoopla. Arcadia Mayor April Verlato and her husband attended. For 20 years, Dorothy wrote a weekly column called "Dorothy's Place" in Arcadia Weekly. She was a teacher for her career and has been a volunteer at the Arcadia Police Department. In 2015 she spearheaded the effort to bring back the K-9 program.
Ringing in the Rose Queen. Camille Kennedy of La Salle High School is crowned 2020 Rose Queen of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. One woman on the Royal Court of princesses is Rukan Saif of Arcadia High School. The others are Mia Thorsen of Marshall Fundamental School, Emilie Risha of Flintridge Sacred Heart, Reese Saporito of Marshall Fundamental School, Michael Wilkins of Marantha High School and Cole Fox of South Pasadena High School. Laura Farber is the Tournament of Roses President.
Man charged with kidnapping, beating ex-girlfriend in Arcadia. Robert Michael Mendez faces one count each of kidnapping and criminal threats and three counts of injuring a girlfriend or child's parent.
Ex-boyfriend of Arcadia woman charged with kidnapping. The ex-boyfriend's name is Robert Michael Mendez, age 27. The woman was hospitalized. Doorbell camera footage showed a man dragging a woman.
Robert Michael Mendez was arrested for attempted murder and kidnapping of his estranged girlfriend, on the 1500 block of South Santa Anita Avenue, near Camino Real Avenue.
Stronach Group and Santa Anita Park issue statement following the death of a 3-year-old colt named Emtech, euthanized on September 28. Two-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Mario Gutierrez was tossed off in the incident. Santa Anita park will be reviewing the factors that could have contributed to Emtech's injury. Veterinarians Dr. Dionne Benson and Dr. Dana Stead were employed to euthanize and investigate.
A royal contest. The Rose Court field of 617 entrants trimmed to 25 finalists for the 2020 Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Those from Arcadia High School include Rukan Saif and Sydney Chang.
Arcadia opens first Veterans' Administration (VA) clinic in the San Gabriel Valley area in eight years, called the Interim San Gabriel Valley Community Based Outpatient Clinic, located at 7 West Foothill Boulevard, Arcadia. It is called interim because this is a temporary location. This is a branch of the West Los Angeles VA Hospital. In an email from Gene Glasco, elected City Clerk, after years of advocacy, this veterans health clinic had its grand opening celebration on August 23, 2019.
Arcadia City Council member and Mayor Pro Tem Roger Chandler said he wouldn't want the basketball courts rebuilt because he doesn't like the "type" they attract. The old courts have been demolished already and City Council eventually recommitted to an improvement plan that permanently eliminates Eisenhower Park's basketball courts. Chandler's comments prompted an immediate uproar from residents in attendance. Council member April Verlato said his use of the phrase "the type" could be perceived as racist but doesn't think he meant it that way, but he should apologize. The renovated park will cost nearly $6.3 million, including a baseball diamond and large picnic area.