2 articles. 1. Racing returns at Santa Anita. The historic Santa Anita racetrack reopened Friday for racing amid concerns for horse safety and the future of the track and the industry. There were no deaths in eight races Friday, which had been closed for racing since March 5.
2. Back in the saddle: racing resumes without incident after 26-day closure.
41-year-old female Xiaolin Li, a resident of Arcadia, was stabbed and murdered on January 7, 2014 at an apartment in the 900 block of Arcadia Avenue. The arrested suspect was identified as the victim's father-in-law Li Zhu, a 68-year-old resident of Arcadia. The motive appears to be related to an on-going dispute within the family. The victim and suspect resided together.
210 Freeway sound wall is finished. The Metro project, which started in 2009, consists of 2 miles of sound walls along westbound and eastbound lanes of the 210 Freeway between Santa Anita Avenue and California Avenue in Arcadia and Monrovia, paid with Measure R funds. The sound walls provide at least 5 decibels of noise reduction. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held. Several Arcadia residents near Victory Chapel on N. First Avenue, where the sound wall ends, are disappointed the barrier doesn't extend farther west.
2010 U.S. Census data shows that 12 San Gabriel Valley cities, including Arcadia, saw the percentage of owner-occupied homes rise, something that experts said was extremely uncommon following the housing crisis. 63.1% of Arcadia's homes are owner-occupied, while 36.9% are occupied by renters. Other cities' figures are shown in chart. Arcadia's vacancy percentage is 5.3%. Vacancy rates are determined by the U.S. Census Bureau by sending out canvassers to homes that did not respond to Census mailers.
2011 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) scores show a majority of area schools are progressing. California's STAR program assesses public school students' knowledge of the math, English and science in grades 2 through 11. At Arcadia Unified School District, these are the percentage of students who scored proficient or advanced in core subjects: English-Language Arts 83.9%; History 76%; Mathematics 82.4%; Science 84.7%; Science end of course 80.4%. STAR scores from other area schools are given.
Actor George Takei, discusses social media, justice, and his family's internment, which started at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. He spoke at Cal Poly Pomona.
Actress and model Bo Derek has photographed jockey Chantal Sutherland nude, inside Santa Anita Park's elegant Turf Club Chandelier Room, for June's Vanity Fair magazine.
The Adams' Pack Station, owned by Deb Burgess, in the Chantry Flat area, 3 miles up a road starting from the top of Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia, fights to remain open as it faces costly upgrades required by the Los Angeles County Health Department. Forest authorities want it to remain a historic landmark, which would limit the amount and types of renovations that can be done.
After a five-year hiatus, Arcadia City Council is considering reinstating a policy that would let property owners pay to be assigned a more auspicious house number, which some believe would improve the value of their home. The number 4 in a street address is considered a bad omen in many Asian cultures. In Mandarin language, the word "four" sounds like the word for death, while the number eight is considered lucky, because it sounds like the word for prosper. Arcadia's Asian population is approaching 60% and most potential buyers will be Asian. In a 3-2 vote, Arcadia City Council endorsed the move in principle and directed staff to report back on the costs involved.
All aboard: Gold Line extension opened yesterday with free rides, and nearly 30,000 people jammed into the 6 new stations from Arcadia to Azusa. Photos of the grand opening.
Altrusa Club of Arcadia celebrated 52 years. Arcadia Mayor John Wuo presented the club with a special commendation from the city for its service to the community.
An overnight break-in occurred at Burlington Coat Factory in Arcadia, at 1201 S. Baldwin Avenue. Employee found a jewelry display case had been smashed open. Arcadia police searched the store but no suspect was found. It was not clear what, if anything, had been stolen, other than the jewelry from the case.
Arcadia aims to upgrade city library. The library is getting community feedback at a community needs assessment forum tonight and has hired an outside party to create a survey written in three languages. The goal is to determine what barriers they need to overcome to bring more people to the library and which programs and services need improvement, particularly in the technology sector.
Arcadia Apaches set the stage for historic CIF victory. For the first time in 40 years, Arcadia High School football team will go to the CIF-SS Division 8 championship game, by beating Alta Loma in the semifinals. Arcadia High School is already the champ of the Pacific League.
Arcadia Association of Realtors cancels city council candidate forum that had been scheduled for March 7 at the Arcadia Public Library. But since the city elections have moved from "at large" elections to district elections, the public would be better served by other, upcoming district-specific forums.
Arcadia based Cub Scouts go Supernova. Four Scouts recently earned the highest accomplishment a Cub Scout can receive for science, technology, engineering and math. Gianni Carrano, Vincent Docimo, Ian Parsons and John Short, fifth graders at Holy Angels School in Arcadia and members of the school’s Cub Scout Pack 114, achieved the Supernova Award.
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce opened its 50-year-old time capsule which was buried when the iconic chamber building was built in 1965. It contained some film which deteriorated. A new time capsule was buried.
Arcadia Chess Club meets on Monday nights. The club is open to members of the U. S. Chess Federation and has annual dues of $10. For more information, visit arcadiachessclub.com.
Arcadia City Council actions proving to be divisive. Charges of campaign finance misdeeds and board racism alleged. Arcadia finds itself a town divided with feelings split about Councilman Sho Tay, who was passed over last month when it came time for his ceremonial turn for mayor. On one side, several people are accusing Tay of campaign finance fraud for spending money, donated to him, on behalf of two other candidates. Others are accusing City Council members of racism for bypassing the selection of Tay for mayor during its annual reorganization.