Asian-Americans face cultural barriers in health care. Patients and workers say hesitancy for services is rooted in communication. USC Arcadia Hospital uses a handheld device and tablet computer to aid patients in translating the medical services they seek.
Homeless count has massive overtones. Canvass has huge expectations because of political pressure and new programs, including the governor's move to conect homeless population with mental health services in the CARE Courts. The Los Angeles County total homeless count is 65,111 in 2022, that is a 2% increase from the count done in 2020. Arcadia's homeless count was 106 in January 2020 and in February 2022, it was 174, an increase of 68.
Arcadia announces August 17 public hearing on City Council redistricting. Every 10 years, after the US Census, the City Council District Map is realigned to reflect Arcadia's current population.
Updated homeless ordinance in Arcadia raises more questions than answers. Arcadia installs 65 "No Camping" signs within city limits. The anti-camping ordinance, updated in 2021, makes accommodations for people experiencing homelessness that are camping by necessity, but does so in a way that is consistent with case law and includes restrictions on where, when and in what manner camping is allowed on public property.
Rise of anti-Asian racism during the pandemic. "Skyrocketing spike" of anti-Asian violence says President Joe Biden. After a white gunman was charged with killing 8 people, 6 of whom were Asian, at 3 Atlanta-area spas, President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris condemn violence against Asian-Americans. People in the San Gabriel Valley are rallying to "Stop Asian Hate."
Arcadia City Council elections make history. For the first time, Arcadia City Council will have majority Asian and majority female representation. Unofficial results for Arcadia:
District 2--Sharon Kwan
District 3--Eileen Wang
District 5--Dr. Michael Cao
Representative Judy Chu (District 28) makes special speaking appearance at Arcadia High School on February 3, 2023. She spoke about monumental issues and legislation on topics like gun control, abortion, and more, hosted by Arcadia Young Democrats. The event called "What's New with Representative Chu," was the first of its kind at Arcadia High School. Chu, the first Chinese- American woman ever elected to Congress, has had a 22-year career in politics.
Homeless numbers count due today. First tally since 2020 Pandemic start, affects nonprofit services, political races, and government. Karen Roberson, Founder and Director of Family Promise of San Gabriel Valley, a nonprofit that provides temporary shelter to unhoused families in Rosemead, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monrovia and Arcadia, said finding homeless families can be a difficult task and believes that population is undercounted.
Arcadia City Council poised for historic changes. In a pair of firsts, the Arcadia City Council will have majority of women and three Asian-American members on the dais. New council members are:
District 2--Sharon Kwan
District 3--Eileen Wang
District 5--Dr. Michael Cao
See hard copy in VF City Council (2020-2029)
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.
Caridad Papa is 110 years old, a super centenarian, whose wish is no more wars. She is a longtime parishioner of Holy Angels Catholic Church in Arcadia. She is a former resident of Arcadia. She grew up in The Philippines, married, raised 5 children, and settled in California. Candy Colayco is her daughter.
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.
Application deadline looms for Arcadia small-business grants totaling $1 million. The applications are due December 29, 2022 and the program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The grants can be used for physical improvements to a company's place of business, updating digital marketing and branding and other improvements focused on attracting new customers. Contac Arcadia Economic Development Division for more information.
Tiny house homeless plan draws opposition. Council tables proposal to build shelters at park. The city will create a citizens committee to help study the issue. The city is looking into costs, infrastructure and grants for the proposed complex of tiny shelters, in response to the growing number of unhoused people in Arcadia. Homelessness in Arcadia grew from 85 in 2019 to 117 in 2020.
Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto has appointed Captain Roy Nakamura as the city's 30th police chief. He is a 28-year veteran of the Arcadia Police Department. He succeeds Chief Robert T. Guthrie, who is retiring. Nakamura is the first police chief of Japanese and Asian descent in a city that once temporarily incarcerated Japanese and Japanese-Americans at Santa Anita Park. Arcadia's population is currently 60.8% Asian.
Arcadia Invitational attracts the best. Two-day meet to represent more than 600 schools in track and field from California and nearly 30 other states. The meet is today and tomorrow at Arcadia High School. See also Pasadena Star News, p. B2, April 7, 2022--Pushing himself, Covina's Kerry Smith hoping for big weekend at Arcadia.
New risk rises from wildfires. Smoke can make people more subject to COVID-19, experts say. Smoke inhalation can weaken the immune system and make people more vulnerable to respiratory infections, including the novel coronavirus. Smoke from nearby Bobcat Fire shrouds Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia (in photo).
Taiba among trainer Bob Baffert's 5 winners on opening day at Santa Anita Park, in front of a crowd of 41,446. The crowd, Santa Anita park's largest on opening day since 46,514 showed up in 2016.