An activist group called Save the Arcadia Highlands is suing the City of Arcadia over two residential developments that Arcadia City Council approved in February, citing possible violations to "specific provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Planning and Zoning Law, filed March 12. The addresses involved are 29 East Orange Grove Avenue and 1600 Highland Oaks Drive. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1, 17, March 19, 2015.
Arcadia City Council delays vote on Arcadia Highlands home building projects. Council will address the matter again on February 3, to allow for more time to vet newly received petitions from area residents and a detailed letter from an attorney representing a leading opponent of the developments, that the City received last week. Both projects, one at 1600 Highland Oaks Drive, the other at 29 East Orange Grove Avenue, and both designed by Robert Tong of Arcadia-based Sanyao International Inc., involve the demolition of vintage homes to make room for larger residences.
Arcadia City Council Recap: Council ends tutor feud and moves future elections. Arcadia Police Chief Robert Guthrie was honored for his exemplary performance, two Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade princesses from Arcadia, Lauren Buehner and Sidney Grace Pickering, were recognized, and Arcadia man Roshan Akula (pictured) announced his campaign to run for U.S. House of Representatives.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson defends his speaker of choice at next month's Mayor's Community Breakfast. He has invited H. B. London, of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes same-sex marriage. Residents and activists upset about this choice are organizing two counterevents of their own. Activists are planning a "peaceful" demonstration March 4 outside Arcadia Community Center and a bar-b-que at Pasadena's Unitarian Church for all families. Focus on the Family was founded in Arcadia by Dr. James C. Dobson and believes marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Amundson said the event is not about sexuality but about the Arcadia family.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson's selection of Reverend H. B. London, Jr. to speak at the community breakfast on March 4, is drawing criticism from some residents and gay-rights activists. London is a vice president of ministry outreach at Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage. Some residents are asking Mayor Amundson to reconsider and they feel Focus on the Family delivers hateful messages. The city estimates it will pay between $5000 and $5500 for its contribution to the event, which will include the speaker's plane fare.
Arcadia police officer Luis Vicuna received the Arcadia Police Department's Life Saving Medal last week for helping save the life of 76-year old James Chen, who collapsed at the Arcadia Sports Fitness Club late last year. Pictured are Arcadia Police Chief Robert Sanderson, Officer Luis Vicuna and Captain Gene Gioia.
Arcadia Unified School District (AUSD) Deputy Superintendent Robert Leri has resigned. Arcadia High School Principal David Vannasdall will take on the additional role of Deputy Superintendent March 1 and leave his job as principal at end of school year to become Deputy Superintendent. Other personnel changes within the school district. AUSD is trying to cover a projected $7 million annual budget deficit with a proposed 5-year parcel tax. Arcadia Educational Foundation is doing its annual solicitation.
Arcadia Unified School District releases records of two teacher misconduct investigations that resulted in dismissals. The first was 48-year-old Robert Harbicht, a substitute teacher who was found drunk at work. The second was Phillip Sutliff, dismissed from the district in 2007 and sentenced to 12 years in state prison for sexual misconduct (rape) with a girl at Arcadia High School.
Arcadia Welfare and Thrift celebrates 80 years with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Pictured are Arcadia Mayor Robert Harbicht, Arcadia Welfare and Thrift President Terry Totten, and a large group of supporters and friends. The store has helped the less fortunate, particularly the homeless.
California Philharmonic Orchestra officials held a press conference and said they do not know why the county decided to end a 15-year run of concerts at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden with them. The press conference was held at Cal Phil's new office in Arcadia. In attendance were Cal Phil founder and Music Director Victor Vener, his son Andre Vener (the orchestra's CEO), Robert W. Miller (member of the Cal Phil board), Michael Arnold (principal clarinetist), Barbara Hicks (volunteer) and 20 protesters who had picketed at the Arboretum, in reaction to the ouster of the orchestra.
A Chevron gas station in Arcadia is charging $5.15 for premium gas. Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr., has directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to take emergency steps to increase the state's gasoline supply by selling the "winter blend" early, to bring down fuel prices. Gas prices have skyrocketed over the past week due to a shortage caused by shutdowns at Tesoro and Exxon refineries.
City of Sierra Madre police must find another way to deal with officer shortage after Arcadia balks at sharing officer. Sierra Madre officials had hoped Arcadia could help through a contract between the cities where one Arcadia officer would help patrol areas of Sierra Madre at night and backup would be available as needed. Arcadia City Council said they could not spare an officer for such a contract. See also Arcadia Weekly, February 4, 2016, pp. 1, 14.
David Tran, the owner of Huy Fong Foods (makers of Sriracha hot chili sauce), defends his factory, saying, "We don't make tear gas here." Superior Court judge Robert H. O'Brien on Tuesday, ordered Huy Fong Foods, Inc. to cease operations believed to be causing a smell that the City of Irwindale said has created a "public nuisance" and immediately changes to mitigate the odor. David Tran, CEO and founder, is an Arcadia resident.
Decision 2018: Arcadia's April election is for three City Council seats, for Districts 2, 3 and 5, for 4-year terms. Candidates are Tom Beck, Roger Chandler, Robert Harbicht, Joyce Platt, Sho Tay, and Jolly Wu.
Ex-boyfriend of Arcadia woman charged with kidnapping. The ex-boyfriend's name is Robert Michael Mendez, age 27. The woman was hospitalized. Doorbell camera footage showed a man dragging a woman.
A federal investigation of a San Gabriel Valley-based Asian crime syndicate led to the arrests of 18 suspected Red Door gang members in several San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia. The effort was dubbed "Operation Paint it Black." Authorities seized seven guns, 12,500 ecstasy pills, 2,230 marijuana plants and a Lamborghini. The 18 were indicted on drug trafficking and international marriage fraud charges.
H. B. London, Jr., of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage, spoke at the 2011 Mayor's Community Breakfast, about the importance of compassion and unconditional love in the family. Outside there were some 90 protestors that support the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.