Arcadia firefighter Michael Herdman, who went missing and was found dead on June 27 at the bottom of a cliff in Los Padres National Forest, had drugs in his system when he died. Ventura County Medical Examiner toxicology report said he had alcohol, Ecstasy, and Adderall in his body.
Arcadia firefighter Mike Herdman died instantly after falling from a cliff in the Sespe Wilderness of the Los Padres National Forest. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office said Herdman died in a fall from the edge of the mountain or cliff. It was ruled an accidental death. See also Arcadia Weekly, July 3, 2014, p. 1, 20.
Arcadia firefighter/paramedic Michael Herdman was remembered as a devoted father and animal lover, at a memorial service yesterday, at Arcadia Performing Arts Center. Hundreds attended. His body was found June 27 in Sespe Wilderness in Ventura County. He went missing June 13. See also Arcadia Weekly, July 10, 2014, p. 1, 20 and Mountain Views News, July 12, 2014, p. 6.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson defends his speaker of choice at next month's Mayor's Community Breakfast. He has invited H. B. London, of Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes same-sex marriage. Residents and activists upset about this choice are organizing two counterevents of their own. Activists are planning a "peaceful" demonstration March 4 outside Arcadia Community Center and a bar-b-que at Pasadena's Unitarian Church for all families. Focus on the Family was founded in Arcadia by Dr. James C. Dobson and believes marriage is meant to be between a man and a woman. Amundson said the event is not about sexuality but about the Arcadia family.
Arcadia Mayor Peter Amundson's selection of Reverend H. B. London, Jr. to speak at the community breakfast on March 4, is drawing criticism from some residents and gay-rights activists. London is a vice president of ministry outreach at Focus on the Family, a conservative Christian group that opposes gay marriage. Some residents are asking Mayor Amundson to reconsider and they feel Focus on the Family delivers hateful messages. The city estimates it will pay between $5000 and $5500 for its contribution to the event, which will include the speaker's plane fare.
Arcadia police arrested Michael Kelly, 44, on suspicion of killing his 47-year-old brother Brian Kelly. Brian Kelly's body was found inside the apartment they shared in the 800 block of Fairview Avenue.
Arcadia resident Kathleen Tiemubol named to Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services' advisory board. It is one of Los Angeles County's largest private providers of children's mental health services.
Arcadia Unified School District's First Avenue Middle School music teacher Michael Danielson is one of only 16 teachers to be recognized as a 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year.
The body of missing Arcadia firefighter Mike Herdman was found by rescuers in the Sespe Wilderness yesterday. He went missing June 13. Cause of death is pending an autopsy. Herdman would have turned 37 tomorrow. He is survived by a wife and 6-year-old daughter.
The body of missing Arcadia firefighter Mike Herdman was found yesterday by rescuers in the Sespe Wilderness, after disappearing on June 13. He was identified by dental records. Body was found 1,200 feet above the Sespe River Bottom, where he and fellow Arcadia firefighter Taylor Byars were camping. He is survived by a wife, Bridget Herdman, and 6-year-old daughter.
Bulldozers finished demolishing the 11 acres of oak tree woodlands in Arcadia, at the Los Angeles County Santa Anita Dam Sediment Placement Site yesterday. Four environmental activists, called "tree-sitters," were booked on trespassing and obstruction, then were later released. Los Angeles County Public Works said demolishing the 179 trees to make room for sediment dredged from nearby dams is a flood control effort necessary to ensure public safety. The bitter debate continues. Activists claim the project was not transparent to the public and media.
California Philharmonic Orchestra officials held a press conference and said they do not know why the county decided to end a 15-year run of concerts at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden with them. The press conference was held at Cal Phil's new office in Arcadia. In attendance were Cal Phil founder and Music Director Victor Vener, his son Andre Vener (the orchestra's CEO), Robert W. Miller (member of the Cal Phil board), Michael Arnold (principal clarinetist), Barbara Hicks (volunteer) and 20 protesters who had picketed at the Arboretum, in reaction to the ouster of the orchestra.
David and Kathleen Berkus, of Arcadia, donate $5 million to Occidental College, creating an endowment that will enhance the college's ability to stay current with the latest advances in technology. In recognition of the Berku family's donation, the dormitory Rangeview Hall will be renamed Berkus Residence Hall. A formal dedication will take place September 29. David Berkus is a 1962 Occidental College graduate.
A day after the Arcadia County Park was closed for sending people exposed to excess chlorine to the hospital, the pool remained closed yesterday while Los Angeles County supervisors ordered a top-down safety review for all 27 county pools. The Arcadia pool will remain closed until the problem can be fixed to ensure public safety.
Ex-boyfriend of Arcadia woman charged with kidnapping. The ex-boyfriend's name is Robert Michael Mendez, age 27. The woman was hospitalized. Doorbell camera footage showed a man dragging a woman.
A federal investigation of a San Gabriel Valley-based Asian crime syndicate led to the arrests of 18 suspected Red Door gang members in several San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia. The effort was dubbed "Operation Paint it Black." Authorities seized seven guns, 12,500 ecstasy pills, 2,230 marijuana plants and a Lamborghini. The 18 were indicted on drug trafficking and international marriage fraud charges.