Creative Housing Options in Arcadia (CHOA). Local efforts to address the lack of affordable housing and homelessness. On Saturday, April 20, 2024, a group of about 30 community members met at The Hills Church in Arcadia for a 2-hour "Sharing Session" to learn about what is being done in the city to address these issues. Safe Parking Programs were discussed. Arcadia City Council member Eileen L. Wang and Arcadia Mayor April Verlato attended.
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.
Arcadha High School welcomes community to Spring Preview Open House on Thursday, 4:00-6:30 at 180 Campus Drive. All are invited to see what it's like to be a student at Arcadia High School.
High school track and field notes. Local athletes starting to leave an impression. The Covina Invitational takes places March 29-30, Arcadia Invitational takes place April 5-6, and Mt. SAC Relays on April 18-20, but there are some standout competitors such as Reena Hsieh of Arcadia and Arcadia juniorLayla Roslan.
Bridging the digital divide: Brenda J. Trainor to illuminate the importance of broadband internet access, at Arcadia Coordinating Council meeting on February 5, at Villa Catrina, 251 North Santa Anita Avenue, Arcadia.
Rose Parade 2024. SOI RV Club is a primo event for RV enthusiasts. The Sports Coach Owners International (SOI) has been organizing Rose Parade rallies for 45 years. They park at Santa Anita Park and attend multiple events including Equestfest, Bandfest, and some horse racing at the track.
Arcadia City Council members standing, left to right: Michael Cao, April Verlato, Eileen Wang, Sharon Kwan, and Paul P. Cheng. Seated is Gene Glasco, retiring as City Clerk as of April 16, 2024. Photo taken April 16, 2024 outside Arcadia City Council Chambers.
The USC Arcadia Hospital helds its Crystal Ball fundraiser on October 7 to honor cardiologist Dr. Heiner Vogelbach for his 40 years of dedication to USC Arcadia Hospital (formerly Methodist Hospital). The entertainment was by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Some of Vogelbach's career information is included.
Arcadia High School teen Naomi Stillitano is the new Rose Queen. Naomi is a dancer, actor, born in Italy, is the 135th person crowned. Includes some biographical information.
Los Angeles County Court official says zero-bail policy working as intended. Risk is deciding factor in determining if suspect is released without payment. Zero bail eliminates the financial requirements for release from all but the most serious offenses prior to arraignment. Police will instead cite and release, or book and release, suspects for a majority of misdemeanors and some felonies. Serious and violent crimes (such as killing, kidnap, robbery, assault with deadly weapon), are not eligible and still retain previous bail amounts. More than a dozen LA County cities have joined a lawsuit attempting to reverse the policy. Attorneys for the cities, include Whittier, Downey, Beverly Hills, and Arcadia, argue the Superior Courts have balanced the system too heavily in favor of offenders, so much that "victims and public safety are given a zero value."
Indictment implicates Baldwin Park's ex-city attorney Robert Tafoya in $70,000 bribery scheme to help secure cannabis permit from a vote by Councilman Ricardo Pacheco. Special agents with the FBI and IRS arrested former Compton Councilmember Isaac Galvan, 36, and another person, a 50-year-old Arcadia resident, who is the owner and operator of a cannabis grower that obtained a permit in Baldwin Park.
Arcadia Unified School District celebrates successful 10th annual #ArcadiaFirstDay social media campaign with pictures of the first day of school. It has become a cherished tradition in the community.
La Verne's mayor Tim Hepburn to lead as President of San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. The other newly elected leadership includes: Claremont Mayor Ed Reese, first VP, Arcadia Mayor Pro Tem April Verlato, second VP, and City of Industry Mayor Cory Moss, third VP.
What is the horse racing industry doing to prevent catastrophic injuries? The deaths of 7 horses at the home of the Kentucky Derby has once again intensified the debate over the safety of horse racing. How common are injuries and deaths? There have been a spate of deaths in recent years, most notably 30 at Santa Anita Park in 2019. Those led to a series of safety reforms that spread nationally. Article also answers the questions, Why are horses euthanized after a limb injury? Are there treatment alternatives? What is racing doing to address injuries? Who was Barbaro and why did he matter?
Officials urge students to seek out new program that addresses mental health crisis in Los Angeles County schools. Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn urges students to take advantage of the county's School Threat Assessment Response Team (START) program, which helps assess and respond to potential school threats. The campaign's tagline, "If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't" was developed through focus groups at Saugus and Arcadia High Schools. People can access START by telephone at 213-739-5565 or email: START@dmh.lacounty.gov to connect with a mental health professional.
Editorial. Carlos Aguilar writes about Tongva natives' "Creation Myths and all of this rain." He warns that Santa Anita Dam above Sierra Madre runs the risk of overflowing as do several other 14 dams built in the first half of the twentieth century.
Arcadia Mayor Paul Cheng proclaimed April 2 Education and Sharing Day calling for renewed focus on moral and ethical education. Mayor Cheng presented the proclamation to representatives of Chabad of Arcadia and the greater San Gabriel Valley. Chabad of Arcadia offers Jewish education, community and social service programming for families of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations.
CEO Ikenna Mmeje begins managing USC Arcadia Hospital. Ikenna "Ike" Mmeje will lead expansion of access to specialized healthcare and research to the San Gabriel Valley while overseeing all management and operations of the hospital. The hospital was formerly Methodist Hospital of Southern California and is now run by Keck Medicine. Mmeje replaces former president and CEO Dan Ausman, who has retired. Mmeje served as CEO of both Memorial Care Long Beach Medical Center and Miller Children's and Women's Hospital in Long Beach. He previously held CEO and COO roles with Tenet Healthcare.
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.