Hoop dreams snuffed in Arcadia park contretemps. Larry Wilson, columnist, gives his opinion about Arcadia City Council member Roger Chandler's remarks about basketball attracting a "type" of people to Arcadia.
The parents of Alice Zhang have filed a $5 million claim against the city of Arcadia, arguing the "dangerous" crosswalk on the 600 block of West Duarte Road should have been changed long ago. Alice Zhang was a pedestrian hit by a car there, driven by Bowen Du, and was killed. The parents are Ruixia "Nancy" Liang and Yongjian "Richard" Zhang. The crosswalk "has been known to be dangerous for a long time," said attorney David Casselman, who is representing the parents. The city reacted by putting in an experimental crossing signal (flashing yellow lights) that proved insufficient.
Arcadia man Larry Roger Beck, 66 years old, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for killing his girlfriend's toddler son in Louisville, Kentucky 43 years ago. He admitted to shaking the 20-month old Michael Sanders, which was a factor that caused the child's death.
Measure A makes waves. The debate on repealing the Utility User's Tax (UUT) is coming to a head. Measure A is opposed by City of Arcadia workers. It is supported by Larry Papp and California Tax Limitation Committee, backed by TeaPAC, part of the Tea Party's Tax Revolt. See hard copy in VF Arcadia-City Council-Elections-2016.
Six Arcadia police recruits graduate from Rio Hondo Police Academy. They are pictured with Arcadia Police Chief Bob Guthrie and captains Larry Goodman and Paul Foley. They will be swon in as police officers and start their two week orientation on July 16. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 10-July 19, 2018.
Sushi Kiyosuzu puts sophisticated spin on Japanese. Restaurant review of Sushi Kiyosuzu by Merrill Shindler. It is at 921 S. Baldwin Avenue. This is figure skater and bronze medalist Mirai Nagasu's parents' restaurant.
Erica Wu's parents are ready to cheer for their daughter, competing in table tennis in the summer Olympics in London, UK, on August 3. Wu, 16, was born and raised in Arcadia and attends Westridge School in Pasadena.
Online post on alleged bullying creates stir. Arcadia Unified School District says accounts contain inaccuracies. Parents Eli Tsou and Jenny Yang of seven-year-old Jeremy Tsou, who fractured his skull, say Arcadia Unified School District is not doing enough about bullying.
Arcadia Unified School District fights for fair funding in Sacramento at the 2018 California State Parent Teacher Association (CA PTA) Legislation Conference.
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.
Parents and children rallied at three Arcadia middle schools, in an effort to prevent the potential layoffs of 105 Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) teachers and staff, blamed on an anticipated budget shortfall of at least $2 million next school year. Since the campaign started in late January, Arcadia Educational Foundation (AEF) has raised about $225,000, which will be presented to the AUSD. That is enough to save 3 teachers' positions.
Yongjian "Richard" Zhang and Ruixia "Nancy" Zhang, the parents of Alice Zhang, have filed a lawsuit against the City of Arcadia and the driver who struck and killed Alice. The lawsuit, filed in August, alleges that "the dangerous condition" of the crosswalk on the 600 block of West Duarte Road was a significant factor in Alice's death. The Zhangs are asking for unspecified general and special damages. The complaint also alleges that driver Bowen Du's negligence was a "substantial factor" in the teen's death.
MI Developments, the parent company of Santa Anita Park, announced the formation of the Preakness 5.5 bonus program, which could mean an additional $5.5 million for the winning connections of the middle leg of horse racing's Triple Crown in 2011.
Measure A seeks to repeal utility users tax in Arcadia, on the April 12 ballot. The utility users tax is a source of revenue expected to generate $7 million for the city this year. Arcadia charges residents 7% for gas, water, and electricity, and 5% for telephone on utility bills. The city estimates each household pays less than $10 per person per month on average. The tax is 12.5% of the city's $54.9 million general fund budget. If repealed, it would mean a 12.5% cut to city services, including cutting 12 police officers, closing a fire department, increasing blight, street sweeping would be reduced from weekly to every other week. Programs for children and seniors would be eliminated and library and museum hours would be reduced significantly. Larry Papp helped author the initiative.
The failure of local school districts to release teacher misconduct records has parents and residents expressing concerns about child safety and government transparency. In the wake of recent sexual misconduct scandals in Los Angeles Unified School District, Pasadena Star News requested teacher misconduct records from 28 school districts in San Gabriel Valley. Of those, only Arcadia Unified School District complied fully with the request. The other 27 school districts either refused to turn over documents, asked for clarification or requested more time to look through their records.
Rides are hard to find for seniors. Dial-a-Ride, meant for home-bound elderly, being misused shuttling school children. In 2014 consultant group IBI Group recommended three changes--new fixed routes for the general public, a shuttle service from the Metro Gold Line station to popular locations in the city, and a return to Dial-a-Ride service to seniors and disabled. The changes were planned to coincide with the Gold Line opening in march but after hearing concerns from students and parents, city officials agreed not to cut off the Dial-a-Ride service to the general public until the end of the school year.
In the wake of the firing of Arcadia High School cross country coach James O'Brien, twelve alumni, students and parents, have joined forces in an intensive effort to recall Arcadia Unified School District Board members Cung Nguyen, Kay Kinsler, and Lori Phillipi. The recall petition is headed by Esmond Wei. One issue is a list of O'Brien's alleged CIF violations that Arcadia High School formally sent to CIF officials. According to Wei, Arcadia High School's principal refused to let O'Brien see the letter. Wei said support for O'Brien is growing. See also p. 8 for related story.