Arcadia Political Fallout Widens After Wang Resignation, Raising Questions Over Race, Rivalries and City Hall Pressure By Staff Writer ARCADIA, Calif. — The resignation of former Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has placed City Hall under intense public scrutiny. But in the days following her departure, the controversy has expanded beyond the federal case itself and into a broader political conflict involving current and former city officials, accusations of racialized rhetoric,

As we continue to explore options for sharing the costs of engaging a regional wildlife specialist from the CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, a resident on Oak Meadows Road in the Santa Anita Oaks neighborhood captured a video of a mountain lion walking casually through their yard. See the link below. https://ring.com/share/70ef7807-2821-4af2-aa64-39cc27df0899 We are working with the neighborhood to further educate them on dealing with wildlife, but it certainly is a shock to see

By: J. Whitaker Staff Writer Arcadia — The first City Council meeting following the federal indictment involving former Mayor Eileen Wang drew heightened public attention Tuesday evening, as residents packed council chambers seeking answers, accountability, and reassurance about the city’s path forward. The May 19 meeting marked the first public forum since news of the indictment emerged, and the atmosphere reflected a community grappling with uncertainty, frustration, a

Investigative Analysis : Arcadia’s Federal Corruption Shockwave: How One Criminal Case Risks Fueling Political Division, Community Fear, and Dangerous Stereotypes By Staff Writer The federal criminal case involving Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has shaken one of Southern California’s most prominent suburban communities and triggered a rapidly intensifying political and cultural debate that now reaches far beyond the legal allegations themselves. According to the Department of Jus

ARCADIA, CA – City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto released the following statement regarding Eileen Wang’s resignation from the Arcadia City Council. Hello Arcadia, On Monday, May 11, federal authorities announced criminal charges against Eileen Wang for acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government. She has also resigned from the Arcadia City Council, vacating her position as Mayor. We understand this news raises serious concerns, and we want to be direct with our com

ARCADIA, CA – After 34 years of dedicated service to the Arcadia Police Department, Police Chief Roy Nakamura has announced his retirement. His final day with the department will be July 31, 2026. Chief Nakamura has served as Arcadia’s Police Chief since 2021, marking a unique place in Arcadia’s history as the first Asian American and first Japanese American to lead the department. “I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had during my career in law enforcement, and I than

ARCADIA, CA – Law Day is recognized nationally in May each year and aims to deepen the understanding of the legal profession and celebrate the role of law in our nation’s history. The annual Law Day event in Arcadia has taken place for over two-decades and puts the value of legal service into action by offering 20-minutes of free legal counseling from volunteer attorneys specializing in the areas of real estate, immigration, landlord-tenant, personal injury, estates & trusts,

The City of Arcadia will host a commemorative event in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. The event will take place at Santa Anita Park and will feature a drone show, live music, games, contests, giveaways, and more! To support the success of this event, the City has sponsorship opportunities for businesses and organizations interested in participating in this historic celebration. Sponsors will receive recognition through event promotions and on-s

Investigative Report: Arcadia’s Political Feud Escalates as Competing Narratives Collide at City Hall By Staff Writer Arcadia, CA — In a city long known for stable governance and one of the safest public safety records in the San Gabriel Valley, a prolonged political feud has increasingly spilled into newsletters, social media campaigns, and city council meetings. At the center of the conflict is former Arcadia Mayor and Councilmember April Verlato, whose recent email newsle

As a foothill community, Arcadia has repeatedly faced the threat of fast-moving wildfires, most recently during the 2025 Eaton Fire and the 2020 Bobcat Fire. With fire season now a year-round concern, the Arcadia Fire Department and the United States Forest Service have partnered to establish a Joint Fire Training Center in Arcadia to strengthen local preparedness and meet growing regional training needs. The facility will be constructed on 30,000 square feet of land at the A

- By Staff Writer Arcadia has long been known for its orderly civic culture, measured decision-making, and relatively low-drama local politics. That reputation is now being tested. In recent weeks, a petition and accompanying messages warning of a “backroom deal” tied to a proposed drug treatment facility have circulated widely among residents. The language is urgent, the imagery stark, and the implication unmistakable: that city officials quietly allowed a controversial proj

The County Board of Supervisors is considering a ½ cent sales tax to support public healthcare services. The measure, known as the “Healthcare Funding Restoration Act,” is sponsored by St. John Healthcare, which receives substantial funding through County Health programs. The measure would be placed on the June primary ballot and would be a general tax, requiring a simple majority to pass. Given that most cities (including Arcadia) are already at or near the local sales tax l

The Fiscal Year 2024-25 annual financial audit has been completed and is available on the City’s website. Attached is a summary of the changes between the budget and the final audited figures. Specifically, the year ended with a positive balance of $4,678,325, whereas the budget anticipated a deficit of $2.6 million after the labor agreements were adopted and expected to effectively break even with the data we had available in June 2025. As is the case with many years, our ac

ARCADIA, CA – The City of Arcadia is deeply saddened to announce the passing of former Mayor James “Jim” Helms, who died at the age of 100. A beloved community leader, veteran, attorney, and philanthropist, Jim Helms leaves an extraordinary legacy of service in Arcadia and throughout the San Gabriel Valley. “Former Mayor Jim Helms was one of Arcadia’s greatest lights, a man whose integrity, brilliance, and quiet strength shaped this city for generations. To me, he was not

When the City Charter was updated to include an automatic rotation of the Mayor, City prepared a schedule for the first five rotations. With the coming transition in February, that original cycle will be completed. Below and attached is an updated schedule for the next five years. We will update the names for 2028 and beyond after the 2026 elections are completed.

On Monday, November 10, over 100 participants attended the annual Veterans Day Celebration at the Arcadia Community Center. This lunch and ceremony honored and recognized Military Veterans throughout the City of Arcadia. Veterans who attended received care packages from Operation Gratitude and Operation Care and Comfort, fresh orchard leis, and picture frames. A video was presented to honor the Veterans, along with a performance from the Arcadia Marching Band and the Reaction

ARCADIA, CA – The City of Arcadia became the latest to sign a Venue City Games Agreement with LA28, the Olympic and Paralympic Organizing Committee in Los Angeles. Approved by the City Council at its meeting on Tuesday, November 4, the agreement defines the roles and responsibilities of both the LA28 Organizing Committee and the City of Arcadia. LA28 identified Arcadia, home to the renowned equestrian center at Santa Anita Park, as an ideal staging area for the Games. During

Arcadia, CA — Former Arcadia City Councilmember April Verlato has re-emerged at the center of controversy, this time as the driving force behind an effort to recall sitting Councilmember David Fu. The move has stirred frustration and disbelief among residents and city insiders, many of whom view it as an act of retaliation and a calculated attempt to reassert control over a council that has increasingly distanced itself from her influence. A Retaliation Disguised as Reform Th

On October 28, 2025, at approximately 7:45 p.m., the Arcadia Police Department responded to a reported theft of softball equipment at Lojewski Field, Eisenhower Park (601 North 2nd Avenue, Arcadia). The investigation determined that on October 27, 2025, at around 10:00 p.m., two softball pitching machines were last seen secured inside the locked batting cages. On October 28, 2025, at about 7:30 p.m., the batting cage door was discovered removed from its hinges and the two pit

October 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at approximately 12:54 p.m., the Arcadia Police Department responded to a report of a home invasion robbery in the 1100 block of West Foothill Boulevard. Responding officers learned that four suspects forced entry into the residence through the front door. At least one suspect was armed with a firearm, and another was armed with a knife. The suspects tied up the victims inside the home before stealing jewelry and th