An apartment fire caused the death of a 7-year-old boy despite the efforts of bystanders. The boy's mother and sister escaped injuries. The fire apparently started with a Christmas tree.
California Superior Judge Glenn M. Pfau, a 30-year resident of Arcadia, died December 13 at age 67. He is probably best known for being the first California trial judge to rule the state's death penalty law unconstitutional.
City Council has approved a new project called Postal Alert. It provides for special stickers to be placed in mail boxes. When the mail carrier notices signs of trouble such as uncollected mail, he notifies his supervisor who directs a follow up. After October 1, participants may obtain a registration card and instructions from Arcadia post offices or the Senior Citizens office.
The death of former Arcadia Police Chief Charles Mitchell does not affect the $117,864 consulting contract between him and the city. The money due Mitchell will be paid in monthly amounts of $4,911 to his estate.
The death of Sean O'Brien who was killed walking across Campus Drive from the High School, has caused increased concern over the need for greater traffic safety measures in the area.
Despite the protests of relatives and friends of the victims, 21 year old Arcadian Jim Bates will face only misdemeanor charges for the freeway deaths of two people. Bates drove across three traffic lanes in an attempt to make the Baldwin Avenue offramp of the Foothill Freeway. The accident happened on April 16, 1982.
Edie O'Hair is in charge of the battle against overdue books at the Arcadia Library. Approximately 1,500 overdue notices are logged each month with a grand total of about 5,000 missing books.