Arcadia AAUW presents Carol Dennis with their 2012 Woman of Achievement Award. Past President Betty Harris received a certificate from the National AAUW for her 50 years of membership.
Arcadia city officials are cracking down on "maternity tourism" boarding houses by dedicating a full-time police detective to investigate the issue. Maternity or birth tourism is a phenomenon in which women, often from China, pay a handsome fee to have their babies in the United States, so the children can be citizens. While that is not illegal, at least five establishments have been shut down for violations, such as unlawfully operating boarding house businesses in residential zones.
There’s something about Mary. Mary Hansen (photo) honored by Arcadia Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Fellow award for service “above and beyond,” according to Arcadia Rotary Club President Pat Dolphin. Mary was also selected as 2018 Senior of the Year because of her 46-plus years of volunteer work throughout Arcadia.
Four men try to rob an Arcadia couple outside their home near Lovell Avenue and Camino Real Avenue. They are in the jewelry business and just got home after attending a trade show. The couple believe the robbers followed them home. Anyone with information should call Arcadia police detectives.
Television show “Trading Spaces” transforms teachers’ lounges at First Avenue Middle School and Holly Avenue Elementary School. Shown in photo “Trading Spaces” host Paige Davis and Arcadia Unified School District educators Karalee Nakatsuka, Megan Forbes, Regina Ringo and Teresa Oakland. The show airs on the TLC network.
Arcadia Unified School District school board refuses to reinstate James O'Brien as the cross country coach. The school board expressed appreciation for all the individuals who shared their perspectives on the Arcadia High School cross country program at the Board of Education meetings. Mr. O'Brien continues to be employed as a teacher at Arcadia High School. Coaching assignments are made on a year-to-year basis.
In a unanimous vote, Arcadia City Council deals a blow to builder KVH Design Group, rejecting the developer's appeal and their plans to build a nearly 7,000 square foot two-story single-family house at 211 Monte Place. The Highlands Homeowners Association (HOA) Architectural Review Board (ARB) had turned down the plans on grounds that the proposed home was "incompatible in mass and scale to the surrounding buildings in the neighborhood." Arcadia City Council agreed.
Arcadia Historical Society goes dramatic. Board members are forming a repertoire group called "Arcadia History Lives" and will, upon request, perform live skits recreating characters from Arcadia's past. Board members in photo shown in costume, including Beverly Street as Alice Billings (first president of Arcadia Woman's Club).
Housing grades. Every city and county in California is required to plan for adequate housing across income levels. This newspaper grades each jurisdiction in the state by looking at lower-income housing permits. Arcadia got an F.
Rise of anti-Asian racism during the pandemic. "Skyrocketing spike" of anti-Asian violence says President Joe Biden. After a white gunman was charged with killing 8 people, 6 of whom were Asian, at 3 Atlanta-area spas, President Joe Biden and VP Kamala Harris condemn violence against Asian-Americans. People in the San Gabriel Valley are rallying to "Stop Asian Hate."
Arcadia Fire Department and Monrovia Fire Department resonded to a fire that destroyed a vacant Arcadia house in the 1300 block of South First Avenue. The house was in the process of being sold and was in escrow. The damage is estimated at $300,000.
Arcadia's Jason Lee donates $10,000 to Arcadia Police Foundation. He presented the check to Mary E. Hansen, the founding board member and Vice President of the Arcadia Police Foundation.
Arcadia Unified School District's Board of Education took no action to reinstate fired coach James O'Brien as head cross country coach of Arcadia High School.