Santa Anita Park looking for a brighter future. When Aidan Butler, Executive Director of California Racing Operations for The Stronach Group took over at Santa Anita about a year ago, he couldn't have envisioned the road blocks his first year--heavy rains that postponed opening day, the COVID-19 pandemic, recent brush fires that forced the fall meet to be postponed. He discusses the difficulties this year, the new turf chute and the future.
Santa Anita Park to delay start of fall meet, due to poor air quality of Bobcat Fire, to September 25. The Red Cross is using Santa Anita Park as the evacuation zone for people, including many of our horsemen, whose homes are less than 2 miles from here.
Santa Anita Park targets May 15 to resume live racing. Track makes plan to race when county stay-at-home order could be lifted, pending approval from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Fisher family reunion celebrated during Monrovia Day. Forty-four descendants of Julian Fisher and Gladys Fisher are still around in this area. Julian Fisher was Monrovia's first African American police officer and his father was recruited to come work on Lucky Baldwin's race horses. Julian and Gladys Fisher had 11 children.
A recent report filed in federal court says Gemcoin's scam collected $164 million. Initially, investigators linked Gemcoin to $32 million in fraudulent investment. Steven Chen, his company U.S. Fine Investment Arts Inc., and Gemcoin (digital currency backed by precious gem reserves and amber mines) are accused of a "worldwide pyramid scheme."
PAC contributes heavily to Bob Harbicht's campaign coffers: Nevis Capital, LLC named. Developer Jeff Lee says there is discrimination in Arcadia over his Highlands property and potential development.
Guns and hoses: local firefighters speak out on first responders and the Utility Users Tax (UUT) aka Measure A. The repeal of the UUT would result in dramatic loss of service in fire and police departments. Photo includes Brian Ursettie, Nick Wiegand, Chen Suen, Jeremy Conrad, Thomas Devlin, Kevin Valentine.