26 local schools earn high honors, the 2023 California Distinguished Schools award, including Hugo Reid Elementary, Camino Grove Elementary, Highland Oaks Elementary, Rancho Learning Center, Baldwin Stocker Elementary, Holly Avenue Elementary and Longley Way Elementary School from the Arcadia Unified School District.
210 Freeway closure returns this week. For second time in a month, motorists face delays during a 5-day shutdown for bridge construction, closing eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway from the 605 Freeway interchange to Irwindale Avenue. The delays may be more pronounced in the weekday afternoon during peak hours through Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, and Irwindale, as the eastbound lanes detour from 6 lanes into 3 lanes.
All Arcadia Unified School District's elementary schools earn historic acclaim in California's coveted 2023 Distinguished Schools Program. The award winning Arcadia elementary schools are Hugo Reid Elementary, Camino Grove Elementary, Highland Oaks Elementary, alternative learning program Rancho Learning Center, Baldwin Stocker Elementary, Holly Avenue Elementary and Longley Way Elementary School.
Anita Baldwin statue to be unveiled at Le Méridien Hotel in Arcadia
The Anita May Baldwin statue at the Le Méridien Hotel will be unveiled on Monday, Oct. 25, 2021 at 11 a.m. Anita is the daughter of city founder, Elias Jackson "Lucky" Baldwin. The statue will be featured on the opposite end of the Huntington Drive islands’ hotel property.
“We are very excited to be bringing Anita back to Arcadia,” said Mayor Sho Tay in a statement released by the city. “I would like to thank the Shen, Liu and Chen Families, Jeff Lee, the Dextra Baldwin McGonagle Foundation, Heather D. Gibson and Margaux L. Gibson, and the Arcadia Historical Society, for their generous donations.”
“On behalf of the Baldwin family, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Arcadia City Council, the Arcadia Historical Society, the Le Méridien Hotel and all those who have supported this effort to pay homage to my great-great grandmother, Anita May Baldwin,” said Margaux Gibson. “This magnificent statue of Anita will showcase a strong woman who was ahead of her time. I am proud to call Anita May Baldwin my great-great grandmother, and I am truly proud to be a part of this historic project.”
The Anita statue was sculpted by local artist and southern California native Alfred Paredes — who created the Lucky Baldwin statue on the corner of Huntington Drive and Holly Avenue — and is aptly named, “A Legacy of Charity” in honor of Anita’s contributions to life in early Arcadia and throughout California.
Arcadia Announces Limited Reopening of City Facilities by Appointment. The City of Arcadia is reopening City Hall to the public for services by appointment only for essential activities in response to the revised Safer at Home Order issued by Los Angeles County on May 13, 2020. These include building permits, inspections, and planning related services. Tennis courts are now open for modified use. All players must abide by posted rules and those who ignore the guidelines will not be allowed to play.
Arcadia announces public hearing on city council redistricting, where draft maps will be reviewed. It will take place on March 1, 2022 at City Council Chambers, 240 West Huntington Drive, at 7:30 PM.
Arcadia City Council approves a temporary permit for an inflatable Fun Box play area in the parking lot of The Shops at Santa Anita mall (formerly Westfield Santa Anita mall, name was changed in 2022). It will run from March 1 through May 23. The Shops at Santa Anita is at 400 S. Baldwin Avenue.
Arcadia couple accused of 60 Freeway hit-and-run that killed girl. CHP alleged 39-year-old Priscilla Cornejo was driving the wrong way when she crashed into the victims' car. Angelique Zarate died as a result. Johnathon Cornejo, 33, was charged with murder and being an accessory after the fact.
Arcadia Extends Suspension of Overnight Parking and Street Sweeping Enforcement. Due to extensions and new restrictions to the ongoing COVID-19 Safer at Home and in the Community Health Order, many residents are staying at home and may have limited parking options. Therefore, overnight parking and street sweeping enforcement will remain suspended until further notice.
Arcadia residents, business owners, and visitors should be aware of timed parking zones in business and commercial areas. With businesses still in a limited reopening phase, timed zones in business and commercial areas will be enforced. Pay attention to the posted parking signs when you park to avoid receiving a citation.
Arcadia High School Choral Program concludes year with First Annual Choir Night Cafe benefit concert on May 20 at Arcadia Performing Arts Center. 2022 has been a year marked with change, with a new director and a return to in-person performances following distance learning due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Choral Program consists of Concert Choir and Chanteurs.
Arcadia Invitational attracts the best. Two-day meet to represent more than 600 schools in track and field from California and nearly 30 other states. The meet is today and tomorrow at Arcadia High School. See also Pasadena Star News, p. B2, April 7, 2022--Pushing himself, Covina's Kerry Smith hoping for big weekend at Arcadia.
Arcadia Invitational Track and Field event scheduled for May 7, 8. It is the signature event in the area this year with many of the top athletes in the state performing at Arcadia High School. See also Pasadena Star News, p. B2, May 2, 2021 about Arcadia Invitational being limited to runners from California due to COVID-19 restrictions. No spectators.
Arcadia Methodist Hospital set to announce partnership with USC. Bryan Green (or Brian Green) will discuss the hospital's new partnership with USC at the Arcadia Community Coordinating Council meeting on April 4. Includes biographical information on Green.
Arcadia's historic Derby Restaurant may be relocated. A mixed-use project may take the place of The Derby and Embassy Suites at 211 East Huntington Drive - 233 East Huntington Drive. Local historian Sandy Snider expressed concern that the 99 year-old building may end up being razed. George Woolf bought the Derby in 1938, originally named Proctor Tavern when it operated in 1922. Councilman Paul Cheng supports the relocation of The Derby. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 2, August 13, 2020 for "The Derby-what's next?"
Arcadia's Vietnam War Monument redecorated by Chris Tran and his fellow Boy Scouts Troop 104, with funds donated by Jason Lee, an Arcadia lawyer and City Council candidate for District 5. The City of Arcadia's 24th annual tribute to Veterans and Military Families will be held on Saturday, May 28, 10-1 at Arcadia County Park. The event is hosted by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.
Arcadia to suspend large events for seniors due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) concerns. Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Arcadia is suspending all large scale public events (100 or more in attendance) featuring a high concentration of older adults (55 and over) in order to help slow the transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is in response to guidance received from the California Department of Public Health. The suspension will initially be in effect through April 15, 2020, but may need to be extended further.
Arcadia Transit Dial-a-Ride temporary modifications--offering transit assistance to senior/disabled riders who are self-isolating and who may need help by allowing caregivers of registered riders to use Dial-a-Ride to do essential errands for them.
Arcadia Unified Launches Mental Health Mondays. As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, the Arcadia Unified School Districts (AUSD) has decided to launch Mental Health Mondays. Each Monday, for the remainder of the school year, AUSD will provide mental health resources to help support everyone navigating the coronavirus pandemic and school closures simultaneously. In addition to helping support students, these resources are also available to AUSD parents, staff, and community.
Arcadia woman Ruixue "Serena" Shi, 37, pleaded guilty to soliciting $22.8 million in funds for a condominium and hotel project scheme. The crime is one federal count of wire fraud, which has a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 3, 7, October 28, 2021.
Ash Wednesday with precautions. The season of Lent begins with alternative and virtual ways to observe the Christian ritual, in the era of COVID-19. Fabrizio Renna is shown after a drive-thru Ash Wednesday.