Measure R, by which voters approved a half-cent sales tax last November, was to fund dozens of new transportation projects across Los Angeles County. However, rather than launch new projects, several San Gabriel Valley cities plan to use the windfall to keep municipal bus routes and Dial-a-Ride shuttles in operation. Arcadia may store up some of the funding it is due to receive, 290,000 this year and $496,000 next year, for a larger project down the line, said Transportation Services Manager Linda Hui. Possible projects include funding part of a grade separation at a future Gold Line station in Arcadia, or funding other Gold Line station enhancements, such as shuttle services. Street improvements are also a possibility for Arcadia.
An elderly couple in Arcadia was robbed outside their house on the 300 block of West Duarte Road by two teenagers. The robbers took the man's wallet and his wife's wedding ring and watch.
In William Cottrell's trial, the jury never got to hear evidence about his Asperger's Syndrome. Judge R. Gary Klausner ruled that Asperger's could not be introduced at trial as a legal defense. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Klausner's ruling was a mistake and tossed out Cottrell's arson convictions, leaving only the conspiracy count. Last week Cottrell was re-sentenced to the original 100-month term for the conspiracy conviction, after prosecutors declined to retry the arson counts. One reason federal officials declined was because they did not want Asperger's Syndrome established as a viable legal defense.
The unemployment rate in every city in the San Gabriel Valley either went down or stayed flat last month, for the first time in several months, according to state numbers. Still, economists say many people are out of work now compared to this time last year. A chart shows Arcadia has 2000, or 7.3% unemployment. A chart shows numbers for nearby cities.
William Cottrell's (aka Billy Cottrell), a former Caltech physics student who was in prison for participating in firebombing 100 vehicles in the San Gabriel Valley (Duarte, Arcadia, West Covina) in 2003, will be resentenced. The federal court has dropped arson charges against him but he remains convicted on a conspiracy charge. He could be released or face more prison time.
Kevin Modesti writes about the race horse Zenyatta, winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park. Zenyatta stunned the world's fastest thoroughbreds with a last-to-first rally in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Zenyatta is owned by Jerry and Ann Moss. Jerry Moss is the co-founder of A & M Records (with Herb Alpert) and was named after an album by 1980s rock group The Police.
The Breeders' Cup, known as the world championship of horse racing, was held at Santa Anita Park last Friday and Saturday. The event has helped the local economy in Arcadia, with an estimated $50 million spent on restaurants, hotels, wagering, taxis, etc.
Isaac Campbell, an Alhambra man charged with the murder of Liya "Jessie" Lu, appeared in court for a hearing on Tuesday and was ordered to return to court December 3, 2009. He is being held on $1 million bail. He allegedly stuffed her body in a trash can in Arcadia.
Monica Rodriguez, a 27 year old pregnant woman from El Monte, died at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. The family believes she died of complications from the H1N1 virus (swine flu). The family is considering legal action against Greater El Monte Community Hospital because she went there to be treated October 14 and 15, but was sent away with medicine and cough syrup, instead of admitting her.
Oak Tree Racing has begun at Santa Anita Park. Opening day drew a crowd of 17,239, a number that slightly eclipsed last year's opening day attendance, but the on-track handle of $1.88 million fell by about $315,000 compared to last year's opening day.
Carol Libby and Scott Hettrick of the Arcadia Historical Society are both on the Baldwin Adobe Restoration Committee, which wants to restore the Hugo Reid Adobe on the grounds of the Los Angeles County Arboretum. They want to re-create the adobe as it was in its heyday, when Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin lived there from 1875 until he died in 1909.
Tamara Kato owned the Arcadia franchise of Comfort Keepers, an in-home care service. She celebrated her business' one year anniversary this week. She employed about 30 caregivers that visit and live in clients' homes to help clients enjoy some company and maintain their independence.
The Thoroughbred Racing Association of California is trying to put together a bid for Santa Anita Park, with plans to run it as a nonprofit arm of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. Santa Anita Park race track was to be auctioned this week but no acceptable opening bid was made.
Robert Seares, born in Pasadena in 1909, had an amazing career as a journalist, photographer, and police official. He was chief of police in Arcadia and remained there for 15 years until retirement. He wrote a memoir called "Eighty Years: a Memoir." A copy is in the Pasadena Museum of History library.
Bankrupt Santa Anita Park race track will not go on the auction block Tuesday as planned because no acceptable opening bid has been offered. The sale of the track has been postponed. The track has court-sanctioned access to operating funds at least until the first quarter of next year.
Los Angeles County's median home price is rising. In July, 2009, it was $339,430, up from $319,860 in June 2009, but well below $395,240 a year ago. Broker Chris Vigil thinks the market has hit rock bottom. Arcadia's median home price in July 2009 was $663,000, up from $626,500 a year ago (July, 2008). A chart shows figures from surrounding cities.
A state law scheduled to take effect in September is expected to set standards in the massage industry. Arcadia City Manager Don Penman commented that the new law may not stop people who want to commit a crime and do illegal acts. In the last few months of 2008, Arcadia shut down seven massage busineses for illegal activities.
Arcadia's median home price dropped to $719,000, down 3.2% in June 2009 from June 2008. A chart shows June median home prices in San Gabriel Valley areas.
Survivors of a bus crash on Santa Anita Avenue that happened 50 years ago, on July 14, 1959, recall the accident. The bus had been carrying a group of boys from a Catholic summer camp at Chantry Flat. Brakes failed coming down the steep grade of Santa Anita Avenue. The crash killed 3-year-old Cory Matson. The driver was Brady Bolt. Ken Kramer shares his story of the crash in a separate, related article on p. A4.
In this ailing economy, San Gabriel Valley property values have dropped significantly, as reflected in the county's home assessments. The county property roll is at $1.1 trillion, a nearly 1% decrease compared to 2008. Homeowners will have smaller tax bills but cities are having to reduce services and employees as they lose businesses, sales tax revenue, and property tax revenue. See a chart of Los Angeles County Assessor's Office property values report showing Arcadia and neighboring cities. Arcadia is a city whose 2009 value increased 2.2% compared to last year.