Longtime Arcadia City Clerk Gene Glasco retires. Glasco has served 12 years as its elected City Clerk. In 2022, Arcadia voters approved an update to the City Charter that eliminated the position of the elected City Clerk. With Glasco's retirement, the City Manager will appoint a City Clerk. Most of the traditional City Clerk duties are currently performed by professional staff in the City Manager's Office, ensuring uninterrupted service to the public. Photo of Glasco with Arcadia City Council. See press release dated April 18, 2024 in VF for full-text.
Taste of Arcadia Has Been Canceled. Last Thursday afternoon, the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce announced the cancellation of Taste of Arcadia 2020, which would have been held on Sept. 28.
The Taste of Arcadia is an annual event which showcases local food vendors and other businesses in a festive atmosphere at the L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Normally, the event sees over 1,500 members of the public attend to sip and sample food, wine and distilled liquors. This might be the first time the event has been canceled in its nearly 40 year history.
Arcadia kicks off 2020 City Council election. Final candidates in District 1 are Mayor April Verlato running for reelection and newcomer Yuli J. Sira. Verlato is currently on the last year of her first term on city council and she as elected mayor her last year. She is an attorney with Verlato and Roberts law firm in Arcadia. She is a native of Arcadia, with a long list of endorsements, including former mayors of Arcadia. Sira is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. District 4 has two candidates--longstanding council member and former mayor Peter Amundson and newcomer Paul Cheng. Amundson has completed three terms on City Council and served twice as mayor. He is an Arcadia native, with a long list of endorsements. Paul P. Cheng is a highly publicized attorney specializing in business operations and commercial realty transactions. He previously ran for Arcadia City Council in 2010. Also up for reelection is City Clerk Gene Glasco. He is running unopposed.
Arcadia city considers ban on some restaurant takeout containers (polystyrene, aka Styrofoam). Restrictions on straws, utensils also under review. Arcadia Council Member Tom Beck introduced the idea and Council Member Paul Cheng is enthusiastic about it. Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager and Development Services Director, said the City will work with restaurants and the Chamber of Commerce to implement the ordinance. The Cheesecake Factory is already using eco-friendly containers and utensils.
One-year-old ejected from vehicle in Arcadia after a brief police chase in Pasadena. The one-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 28-year-old woman who was driving, suffered minor injuries. The car crash was at Huntington Drive near Sunset Boulevard.
Arcadia's Vietnam War Monument redecorated by Chris Tran and his fellow Boy Scouts Troop 104, with funds donated by Jason Lee, an Arcadia lawyer and City Council candidate for District 5. The City of Arcadia's 24th annual tribute to Veterans and Military Families will be held on Saturday, May 28, 10-1 at Arcadia County Park. The event is hosted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Arcadia Unified School District's Profiles in Excellence returns as an in-person ceremony after a 2-year halt due to the pandemic. Profiles in Excellence recognizes 12 certificated staff and 12 classified staff. The recipients reflect the district's tagline--Imagine, Inspire and Inquire--and go above and beyond in helping the students, teachers, families and the entire district. Photo of the recipients.
A driver killed, two passengers injured when car hits power poles and a fence about 11:30 PM on Sunday, February 21, near Las Tunas Drive and El Monte Avenue.
Arcadia Unified School District earns California Pivotal Practice (CAPP) award from the state. It recognizes a school and/or school district for taking an innovative, proactive approach to reimagining teaching, learning, and important school services during the pandemic, where California schools saw State-mandated distance learning for the 2020-2021 school year. Arcadia Unified School District and Holly Avenue Elementary received CAPP honors.
Arcadia faith leaders voice support for peaceful protests. Members of Arcadia Interfaith Action Group--representing the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh faith community--vehemently condemn the "senseless murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer." The group recognizes "that people of color are much more likely to be the victims of such violent treatment by law enforcement personnel."
Community rallies around Arcadia Donuts' owners Francois Ung and Shally Ung. In recent weeks, they've been doing fundraisers for victims and survivors of the mass shooting at a Monterey Park dance studio one year ago, which claimed the life of their friend Andy Kao. Surveillance video shows someone broke into Ung's car and stole the fundraiser money. A Gofundme is set up if people want to help the couple recover the money.
Two corporate executives found guilty in first-ever criminal prosecution for failure to report under the Consumer Product Safety Act. Simon Chu, 68, of Chino Hills, and Charley Loh, 65, of Arcadia, found guilty. They sold defective dehumidifiers manufactured by Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai in China. See hard copy in VF.
Wrapping up spring season's biggest takeaways and outstanding efforts in high school sports. Recognized for his outstanding effort is Antoine Sims, Arcadia High School football coach who was hired during the pandemic.
Arcadia couple accused of 60 Freeway hit-and-run that killed girl. CHP alleged 39-year-old Priscilla Cornejo was driving the wrong way when she crashed into the victims' car. Angelique Zarate died as a result. Johnathon Cornejo, 33, was charged with murder and being an accessory after the fact.
Arcadia Senior Services is partnering with Arcadia Chinese Association to celebrate Chinese New Year on Friday, February 3, at the Arcadia Community Center, 365 Campus Drive. It's an event for age 50 and over and the cost is $10 per person.
Man arrested after shooting in Arcadia. A 47-year-old man was arrested Wednesday, August 10, for shooting and injuring an Arcadia police officer (shot in the jaw), the suspect's 73-year-old mother (shot in the chest) and the neighbor across the street (shot in the eye with stray bullet). All three are stable and expected to survive. The shooting and standoff happened at 2500 block of Greenfield Avenue due to a family dispute. The 26-year-old Arcadia officer has been with Arcadia Police Department for 6 months and has 3 years of previous law enforcement experience.
Arcadia announces public hearing on city council redistricting, where draft maps will be reviewed. It will take place on March 1, 2022 at City Council Chambers, 240 West Huntington Drive, at 7:30 PM.