Obituary/death notice. Wilfred C. "Bill" Stroud of Arcadia, who started with a store in Pasadena and built the Stroud's chain into the largest specialty linen retailer in California, died at age 77.
Arcadia Fire Department's recent reconfirmation of being a "Class 1" department by the Insurance Services office may result in lower insurance premiums for area businesses.
An eastern extension of the Metro Gold line from Pasadena to Clarement has not been funded but government leaders and residents are planning for the trains to go east. Cost of the extension may top $1 billion.
California's minimum wage increase is going to force some restaurants to hike food prices, cut back on employee hours and reduce advertising. McGrath's Fish House in Arcadia may be forced to reduce employee hours. The minimum wage is now $7.50 per hour. Another 50 cent increase goes into effect January 1, 2008.
The Hugo Reid Family sculpture created in 1937 by sculptor Preston Prescott is being moved from the Arcadia County Park to the Arcadia Historical Museum. Details of the move are given. See also May 2, 2003 and May 3, 2003.
Macy's will relaunch at more than 800 sites nationwide, after parent company Federated Department Stores acquired May Department Stores in August 2005. The Robinsons-May in Arcadia became property of the Westfield Group and plans for the site have not been announced.
A suspect, described as a Chinese woman in her mid-50s, 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, may have attempted to kidnap a 7-year old girl from Holly Avenue Elementary School. She was unsuccessful and may have mental health issues.
The Arcadia City Council is considering changes to fees charged by the city through the Development Services Department. One change might be a $25 fee for new business license applications. The fees may increase for design review of new commercial projects and appeals from an architectural review board to the Planning Commission. The General plan amendment fee may drop and tentative tract maps for condos may drop. The city plans to increase fines for code violations.
Ya-May Christle of Arcadia sued the city of Los Angeles and former Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michael Berkow in May, 2006, claiming she was demoted three levels for objecting to Berkow's alleged sexual misconduct with other LAPD officers. No settlement has been reached.
Investigators have concluded that the failure of a pump on a fire engine was likely caused by a mechanical and/or design defect. The failure occurred on July 4 at a car accident scene where David Contreras died. Chief Dave Lugo may pursue litigation with manufacturer Kovatch Mobile Fire Apparatus. See related story, Arcadia Weekly, July 11, 2002, p. 8 and Arcadia Weekly, July 18, 2002, p. 1.