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.
9-year-old Maria Lugo came to Arcadia Arcadia Methodist Hospital from Mexico to have a steel plate removed from her chin. It was a follow-up surgery to a softball-size tumor removal she had in April, 2008, at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. Dr. Jon Tyrell, a member of LIGA International, and Dr. B.S. Chandrasekhar operated on her. LIGA International is a non-profit group of medical experts, pilots and volunteers who travel to clinics in Sinaloa, Mexico several times a year.
Virginia Brown recalls memories of early Arcadia having chicken farms everywhere. She has lived in Arcadia since her birth in 1917. Her father Scott Lee came to Arcadia in 1907 to dig water wells. Lee was a graduate of Throop Institute, which became California Institute of Technology. Her mother was Delia Chandler. Virginia Brown talks about where her family lived and her family's friendship with Anita Baldwin. The article includes a photo of Virginia Brown and her parents.
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.
73-year-old Jesus Plasencia Lopez from El Monte has been arrested for a fatal hit-and-run. He allegedly drove a Saturn that hit Guey-Ying Wu and her husband Chia Wu at Santa Anita Avenue and Camino Real Avenue in Arcadia. Lopez is being held at Los Angeles County Jail on $50,000 bail.
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Michael Oddenino against Arcadia High School softball coaches Ed Andersen and Don Riggio. Oddenino claimed Riggio yelled at his daughter causing her emotional distress.
Christina Aragon, Assistant Superintendent of business services at Arcadia Unified School District, totaled her district car that she uses as a personal vehicle. It is part of her salary package. Arcadia School Board members and Superintendent Mimi Hennessy defended Aragon in media coverage.
Foothills Middle School music teacher Sandra Ragusta resigned after 12 years, after receiving her lowest employee evaluation since 1990. She tried to withdraw her resignation but Arcadia Board of Education decided not to give Ragusta her job back.
Kate Linder, an actress on television soap opera The Young and the Restless, got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was raised in Arcadia and graduated from Arcadia High School. Her parents are Ralph and Molly Wolveck. She also keeps a job as a flight attendant.
Peggy Zabel, a computer aide at Hugo Reid Elementary School, went on a road trip on historic Route 66. The trip totaled 6,240 miles and she e-mailed her journal and photos to students at Hugo Reid Elementary School.
Luanne Cayer (photo) retires from Arcadia Unified School District after 34 years. She started as a bus driver in 1967. Her last job was Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation.
Mount Wilson Vista Girl Scout Council will host a benefit dinner to raise funds for its "Pathway to Promise" program. The program reaches out to girls in underserved areas such as Montebello, El Monte, Rosemead and San Gabriel.
Donna McCreadie, 62, of Arcadia is one of five recipients of the Horace Mann National Education Association Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. She teaches economics at Temple City High School. Her award is $10,000.
Attorney Michael Oddenino is seeking $3 million from the Arcadia Unified School District on behalf of his daughter who was yelled at by her coach Don Riggio. Oddenino is suing for assault, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, a civil rights violation and sex discrimination.