Teen brothers, ages 15 and 16, beaten to death in their home on 400 block of Fairview Avenue, just west of Holly Avenue. The suspect is their uncle by marriage, who is believed to have fled to China. The FBI was working with Chinese authorities. The victims appeared to have suffered "blunt force trauma." The suspect was already being sought in an attack on his wife. His wife filed a restraining order against him and began divorce proceedings.
Arcadia Host Town Committee met with the Trinidad-Tobago Head of Delegation Candy Berman-Harper and Trinidad policeman and fireman Ferdinand Bibby. Arcadia is one host town for the upcoming Special Olympics, which run July 25-August 2. There will be 100 Special Olympians, coaches, and mentors from Trinidad-Tobago and Kyrgyz Republic staying in Arcadia and enjoying meals, programs, and tours around town. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 16, March 12, 2015.
New legislation gives city clerks statewide authority to sanctify marriages. Gene Glasco, Arcadia City Clerk, has authority to marry couples in California.
New season began at Santa Anita Park on December 26. This season's opening day drew 41,000 fans, a significant increase over last year's turnout and a morale boost for the iconic venue that has been protected by National Registry of Historic Sites since 2006. In order to appeal to a younger crowd, the clubhouse space has been reconfigured, and the strictly reinforced dress code of yesteryear has been eliminated, along with the private Turf Club--now called Turf Terrace and is open to the public. The decor of the Chandelier Room has gone mid-century modern and the Directors' Room can be rented out for private parties. Gene Simmons of rock band KISS is a marketing advisor and the new management policy seems to be "anything goes." (Photos)
Breeders' Cup: Sport of Kings shines in Southern California at Santa Anita Park. The main attraction on Saturday, the second day, was the Classic, a 1 1/4 mile race that featured California Chrome and several other top thoroughbreds, including Jim Rome-owned horse Shared Belief, Robert Evans-owned horse Tonalist and Bob Baffert-trained Bayern. In photos: fans Quela Ransom and Daniel Ferguson of Los Angeles, David Bryant of Houston, jockey Martin Garcia riding Bayern to win the Breeders' Cup Classic, while Jamie Spencer and race horse Toast of New York follow in second place. See also p. A3 and fashions p. A7.
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.
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.
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.
17-year-old Arcadia High School student Courtney Chou Lee has been named the 91st Rose Queen. Six other young ladies are princesses including another AHS student, Lauren Valenzuela. The Rose Queen and her royal court will reign over the 120th Rose Parade and the 95th Rose Bowl. Article contains some quotes from Courtney Lee's parents, Andrew Lee and Ulanda Lee.
Kate Linder, an actress on television soap opera The Young and the Restless, got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was raised in Arcadia and graduated from Arcadia High School. Her parents are Ralph and Molly Wolveck. She also keeps a job as a flight attendant.