Arcadia-Monrovia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2070 announced this week that it has created a scholarship fund to memorialize local service members who have been killed in combat. Clint Stamps is Commander of Post 2070.
Business profile on Pieology, a restaurant in Monrovia that serves artisan-style customized pizzas. Franchisees Stanley Poon, James Poon, and George Li are Arcadia High School graduates.
Arcadia Unified School District revives middle school athletics. In 1995, the middle school sports program was dismantled when the district transitioned junior high to the middle school model (6th-8th grades), then the focus veered heavily toward academics. On December 3, 2015, First Avenue Middle School faced off with Dana Middle School for the first time in two decades.
Arcadia City Council rejected a proposed draft resolution last week that several argued would give city-designated homeowner associations (HOA) too much power. During a study session, the Council discussed amending and consolidating the five HOAs' development standards, design guidelines and design review procedures into one cohesive document. Some argued the draft would give the associations' Architectural Review Boards (ARB)--which have architectural design review authority over the association area--too much control over the size of homes, setbacks and other issues. ARBs should look favorably on someone's dream home plans "unless it was so garish and outlandish that it might negatively affect property values," said Councilman Bob Harbicht. Opposition from Kevin Tomkins and Laurie Thompson.
Santa Anita Park suffers 24th horse death of season. Horse "Commander Coil" sustained a fatal shoulder injury and had to be euthanized, despite new safety measures that had been put in place March 15. Trained by Marcelo Polanco and owned by Jose Romero.
Zoning codes: Arcadia measure on mansionization qualifies for ballot. If adopted the initiative would create a citywide floor area ratio (FAR) which would set much tighter restrictions on square footage. Lisa Mussenden said it could be on the ballot as soon as November 2016 or as late as April 2018. Saving Arcadia is the group behind the initiative.
Arcadia residents hoping to vote to curb home sizes. Groups want city to have a lot less 'mansionization' and are circulating a petition for a ballot initiative that aims to set square footage regulations for new residential development projects.
Santa Anita Park opens Friday September 27 for 23-day Autumn Meet. A team of equine veterinarians, including Dr. Dionne Benson and Dr. Dana Stead, will oversee every aspect of Santa Anita Park's training and racing operation.
Arcadia Police Department Chief Guthrie has implemented an Area Command Community Partnership Program to effectively address crime issues and improve quality of life issues in the City of Arcadia in its five geographic areas (same as voting districts).
Exploring new opportunities within Arcadia Police Department. Youth ages 14-18 are encouraged to join the Explorer Program, where they may experience a civilian ride-along, searches for evidence, command post operations, crime prevention surveillance, and more.
Arcadia High School students and staff, Mr. Christopher Schultz (Track and Field coach), aid victims of Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm that struck the coast of South Texas.
Fired Arcadia High School cross country coach James O'Brien questions reason for dismissal. The Arcadia Unified School District's Board of Education upholds its decision to not reappoint Mr. O'Brien as head coach for the 2013-2014 year. He will continue to teach at Arcadia High School.
Birth-tourism sites not easily detected.Terry Moore-Corse, a code enforcement officer in Arcadia has encountered three maternity homes in the past six years, most recently in 2009, when a resident reported "a lot of pregnant women" coming out of a house. Beyond building code and business license violations, there is nothing illegal about coming into this country to give birth, according to the U.S. State Department, which issues visas. Maternity tourism is a money-making cottage industry in which wealthy women from Asia pay anywhere from $25,000-35,000 to have American-born infants.
Santa Anita Park race track draws 44,000 plus fans on this season's opening day December 26. Hero John Shear (photo) returns to track duties as paddock guard after saving a child's life last spring. Jockey Mike Smith rides Mr. Bossy Pants to win the 7th race (photo).