The City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Unified School District, in a joint effort with the Youth Master Plan Committee, kicked off the opening of the first summer youth center.
The Apache Pit, a new after-school teen center in the heart of the Arcadia High School campus, is funded and operated by the school district and Arcadia's Youth Services Coordinating Council. The project opened in mid-October.
Stephanie Liu of La Canada High School was winner of Representative David Dreier's Youth Volunteer Award Program. A ceremony was held at the Arcadia Community Center.
Twenty-three high school students from throughout the San Gabriel Valley were honored for their volunteer community service. The 2003 Youth Volunteer Award program was held at the Arcadia Community Center. Those recognized from Arcadia are Kelly Cole, Hannah Han, Jennifer Hsieh, and Heather Sayers.
Arcadia City Council has accepted a federal grant of $125,000 to place a uniformed police officer on the campuses of the city's three middle schools. The program is called Youth and Educational Support (YES).
The police department has a regular schedule of reorganizing with Officer Mike Cervantes returning to patrol duty after being a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer. Filling the DARE position will be Officer Brian Ortiz. Officer Toni Caylor will be working with students as the YES (Youth and Educational Support) officer at Arcadia High School. Background information on each officer is provided.
After 21 years with the Arcadia Unified School District, superintendent Mimi Hennessy, 63, is retiring. Her last day will be July 1, 2008, and Joel Shawn will take her place.
California's minimum wage increase is going to force some restaurants to hike food prices, cut back on employee hours and reduce advertising. McGrath's Fish House in Arcadia may be forced to reduce employee hours. The minimum wage is now $7.50 per hour. Another 50 cent increase goes into effect January 1, 2008.
The Arcadia Redevelopment Agency is apparently making some progress in a project to improve the area around the Rusnak Mercedes-Benz dealership. The project, known as the Morlan Place Center, has been the topic of closed-door discussions with property owners around the Huntington Drive site. The city has extended offers to at least two property owners to move to 620 E. Live Oak, so that Morlan Place Center can be developed.
The City of Arcadia and Arcadia City Council are working on plans for a new civic center and multipurpose facility that would be located next to City Hall and the newly constructed police station. The project would use money from the capital construction fund and is not part of the city's general fund.
Fifty-seven high school students throughout the San Gabriel Valley participated in Congressman David Dreier's annual Youth Volunteer Award program. Winners will be presented and honored today.
City contemplates approval of Phase Two of Arcadia Public Library's Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan outlined the current budget, proposed budgetary increases, and proposed plans for improvement of the library's facilities and staffing needs.
Arcadia Public Library opens "Teen Center," with a new collection dedicated especially to teenagers. It is located in the northeast corner of the adult reading room.
In the election for Arcadia Unified School District board members, it seems incumbents Joann Steinmeier and Janet Chew are ahead. Steinmeier is seeking to extend her five terms on the school board.
Arcadia Unified School District kicked off the 2001-2002 school year with its annual Back to School Barbeque. Kiwanis Club of Arcadia sponsored the event.
The city council voted 4 to 1 in closed session not to accept Kare Youth League's offer of $2 million to purchase 1.5 acres of the Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course, which is owned by the city and is more than 20 acres in size. Councilman Gary Kovacic thinks the property is more valuable than Kare Youth League's offer.