After a nationwide search, 5 rounds of interviews, and 3+ months serving in the acting role, City Manager Lazzaretto is happy to announce that Lisa Flores has been selected to serve as the City’s next Development Services Director. Lisa has been with the City since 2003 (longer than Jason even) and has over 30 years of Planning experience, having also served the Cities of South Pasadena, Rancho Palos Verdes, Commerce, and Chino Hills. She has Masters in Public Administration

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

March 11, 2026, at 4:52 PM On March 11, 2026, at approximately 4:52 PM, the Arcadia Police Department responded to The Shops at Santa Anita after receiving a call from an individual who reported himself in possession of a firearm and making active threats to a patron. Officers arrived on scene and, out of an abundance of caution, initiated a temporary lockdown of the mall while conducting a systematic search of the property. Police personnel cleared the facility during the in

WIND DAMAGES NEW TREES AT NEWCASTLE PARK Last weekend, we had some significant winds, which caused minor issues throughout town, mostly in the form of twisted streetlights and a few tree limbs falling. Fortunately, we don’t have any reports of injuries or significant damage. We did have some damage to our newly planted trees at Newcastle Park. In total, 11 trees had fallen limbs or snapped at their trunks. The trees are outside of their original warranty period and wouldn’t b

In March of this year, the City approved revisions to the hotel since the brand changed from Indigo to the Hilton hotel at 125 W. Huntington Drive. The approved changes include exterior changes to the art deco design, connecting the freestanding tower to the building relocating the guest rooms, banquet room, the bar area, and the pool to the rear of the building.

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

On Wednesday, February 25, the City of Arcadia hosted a seminar on “Preventing Coronary Artery Disease”, presented by Ray Matthews, MD. The seminar was held at the Arcadia Community Center and was attended by 45 individuals. The next seminar, “New Frontiers in Diabetes Medicine: What You Need To Know” presented by Brad Kimura, MD, will be held on Wednesday, March 25, at the Arcadia Community Center at 6pm.

On Thursday and Friday, February 19 and 20, a total of 31 seniors had their taxes prepared free of charge thanks to our dedicated AARP volunteers. Tax preparation services are available by appointment every Thursday and Friday from 9am-12pm. To qualify, participants must be 50 years or older and meet low-income guidelines.

On Thursday, February 19, 19 seniors participated in the monthly Taste the Town excursion, a program that introduces participants to a different Arcadia restaurant each month. This month, the group visited LAN Noodle, known for its freshly made, hand-pulled noodles. LAN Noodle offers more than 10 varieties of hand-pulled noodle dishes, served in traditional soups and stir-fry preparations. Participants sampled a wide selection of noodle dishes along with handmade cold appetiz

On Tuesday, February 10, seniors had the opportunity to receive free blood pressure screenings at the Arcadia Community Center, thanks to the dedicated nurses from USC Arcadia Hospital. With the support of volunteers, a total of 9 seniors participated in the health check. Free blood pressure screenings are offered every second Tuesday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Arcadia Community Center.

On Monday, February 9, 22 seniors participated in the California Friendly Plant Workshop presented by Arcadia Public Works. Attendees received valuable information on how to build healthy soil, create water-efficient irrigation systems, support plant health, and implement effective techniques for reusing rainwater.

City Manager reported a while back about a group of streetlights in the Catalpa Road area west of the Arboretum that have been out due to outdated and failing 6.6V equipment. The City made the repairs it could make and has been pressuring SCE for months to carry out the repairs they need to do to get the system back up and running. SCE would rather abandon the systems completely and have been reticent to spend the time and money for the repairs. While we absolutely will need

Attached is the second annual report provided by Chief Suen and his staff to give the community updates on activities in the Fire Department. To sum things up, the Department was busier than ever providing better care than ever. Here is a link to the Report if you’d like to share it with your circles: 2025 Fire Dept. Annual Report .

On Tuesday, the City Council discussion turned toward the total improvements along the Baldwin Ave. corridor over the past few years. Attached is a memo from the Development Services Department detailing the three projects we have undertaken to beautify, enhance safety, and move traffic through the Baldwin Business District. When all three projects are completed, the City will have spent almost $6.2 million in funds on a total budget of nearly $7 million. The best part is, as

GUIDANCE FOR FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT Last week, a concerned resident asked about what they could/should do if ICE conducted enforcement at their place of business. We prepared the information below to assist with that and thought you might also appreciate seeing the guidance, which is based on information from Chief Nakamura and other local, state, and federal agencies: FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT Immigration is a federal responsibility, with laws established at t

On Wednesday, January 28, the City of Arcadia hosted a seminar on “Joint Health & Mobility”, presented by Kamran Movassaghi, MD. The seminar was held at the new location, Arcadia Community Center and was attended by 36 individuals. The next seminar, “Preventing Coronary Artery Disease” presented by Ray Matthews, MD, will be held on Wednesday, February 25, at the Arcadia Community Center at 6pm.

On Monday, January 26, 12 seniors participated in a Real Estate Fraud Workshop presented by the Department of Real Estate. The workshop provided valuable information on current real estate fraud schemes, safety tips to help prevent fraud, and an overview of programs available to compensate victims for qualifying losses.

- 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