11 Arcadia High students named National Merit Scholarship Program semifinalis
Arcadia High School continues its 28-year streak of seeing a double-digit number of students represented in the renowned National Merit Scholarship Program. This year, 11 Arcadia High students are counted among less than 1% of high school seniors across the nation that have been named 2022 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, who now have the opportunity to vie for one of nearly 7,500 scholarships that collectively total close to $30 million.
The 33rd Annual Crystal Ball to benefit USC Arcadia Hospital was held on November 5 at the Pasadena Convention Center and raised $694,000 for the USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation. Paul Rusnak of Rusnak Auto Group was honored.
210 Freeway closure creates 5-mile backup for 5 days. 605 Freeway also affected by work on a bridge. Caltrans is repairing a 50-year-old concrete bridge on the 210 Freeway spanning the San Gabriel River. Most affected were motorists and truckers from eastern Los Angeles County and Inland Empire, driving the preferred route into Irwindale, Duarte, Arcadia, Monrovia, Pasadena, and San Fernando Valley.
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.
582 coronavirus cases in the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia has 18 documented cases now. There could be more cases in the SGV as the availability of COVID-19 tests is limited
2020 ELECTIONS - Outcomes for boards of college districts - Open seats draw range of challengers to lead local higher education. Citrus Community College
In Area 2, Laura Bollinger had an early lead over Joseph Hamer Salas for the Citrus Community College District race.
The Citrus Community College District encompasses Azusa, Bradbury, Claremont, Duarte, Glendora, Monrovia, and portions of San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona, Arcadia, Covina and Irwindale. The district enrolls more than 20,000 students.
2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade's Rose Court profiled with their hobbies. Sahanna Rajinikanthan, one of the Royal Court, is from Arcadia and enjoys baking. She made it to the state championship for the VEX Robotics Competition and enjoys volunteering as a singing coach in the language of Araneri, passing on her Indian culture to her students.
2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court eager to uphold traditions. The 2023 Royal Court has been selected. They are Salia Baligh, Sahanna Rajinikanthan, Bella Ballard, Zoe Denoncourt, Michelle Cortez-Peralta, Uma Wittenberg, and Adrian Crick. Sahanna Rajinikanthan is from Arcadia High School.
The 2024 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Royal Court has a Halloween moment. They spent the evening trick-or-treating at the Tournament House in Pasadena. Naomi Stillitano of Arcadia, who was crowned the Rose Queen last week, was dressed as Cupid from the movie "Valentine's Day."
Affirmative action vote splits Asian-Americans. Community members take part in a "No on Proposition 16" rally at Arcadia County Park on August 8. Prop 16 would legalize race-aware decisions in public college admissions, hiring, and contracting. This is a divisive issue among Asian-Americans. Some view it as racist. One banner reads, "Keep discrimination illegal."
An honored tradition: 2023 Pasadena Tournament of Roses unveils Royal Court. The seven members receive $7500 in educational scholarships. They are Salia Baligh, Sahanna Rajinikanthan, Bella Ballard, Zoe Denoncourt, Michelle Cortez-Peralta, Uma Wittenberg, and Adrian Crick. Sahanna Rajinikanthan is an Arcadia resident and a senior at Arcadia High School.
Another homeless village set to open in Baldwin Park. 16-unit tiny home complex will house families in need. It's called Serenity Homes, 13167 Garvey Avenue in Baldwin Park. Senator Susan Rubio, D-West Covina, celebrated the opening with elected officials from all over the San Gabriel Valley, including from Arcadia, Azusa, Glendora, La Puente, Monrovia, San Marino, South Pasadena, Temple City and Mount San Antonio College. It is the second tiny homes village opening in Baldwin Park within a year and serves as a model for how cities can expand homeless services.
Appeals court in Kentucky rejects Bob Baffert's bid to halt ban. Signage outside Baffert's barn at Santa Anita Park was removed as part of a California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) rule that mandates any trainer who is suspended for 60+ days be banned from all CHRB-licensed facilities.
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 Assemblyman Ed Chau appointed by California Governor Gavin Newsom as Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, with biographical information. Chau was elected to represent the 49th Assembly District in November 2012, which includes Arcadia. He was in private practice for nearly 20 years before his election and served on Montebello Unified School District Board. His law degree is from Southwestern University.
Arcadia Assisteens Auxiliary accepting applications February 1-28. It is a co-ed auxiliary that provides community service opportunities for high school students. Assisteens staff the Book Buddies Program, in partnership with Arcadia Public Library, and volunteer at the Assistance League of Arcadia's Bargain Box Thrift Shop. A group photo of Assisteens is shown.
Arcadia City Council poised for historic changes. In a pair of firsts, the Arcadia City Council will have majority of women and three Asian-American members on the dais. New council members are:
District 2--Sharon Kwan
District 3--Eileen Wang
District 5--Dr. Michael Cao
See hard copy in VF City Council (2020-2029)
Arcadia doctor helps found PPE donation group. Dr. Karen Tsai, co-founded DonatePPE.org along with Bay Area engineer Deyu Kong. The organization has donated some 2.2 million items of PPE (personal protective equipment) to hospitals, schools and homeless shelters during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.