Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, January 20, 2018

Mountain View News Saturday, January 20, 2018 

ARCADIA UNIFIED 
NAMED TO THE 
COLLEGE BOARD’S 
PRESTIGIOUS AP® 
DISTRICT HONOR 
ROLL FOR SECOND 
CONSECUTIVE 
YEAR 


For the second consecutive year,
the Arcadia Unified School 
District has earned a spot onthe College Board’s prestigiousAP® District Honor Roll. Of the 
thousands of school districts 
across the nation, Arcadia Unified is one of only106 school districts to receive this honor for back-
to-back years. 

“It is very uncommon for districts to win this awardin consecutive years,” shared the College Board.
“The requirements to win are the same each year,
with recipients defying the expectation that expanding 
access to students of all backgrounds automatically 
results in a decline in the percentage of 
exam scores.” 

Arcadia High School’s expansive advanced placement 
(AP) and Honors program offers students 20AP courses and eight Honors courses. Beginningits “open access” format in the 2014-2015 schoolyear, which allows all students to enroll in AP andHonors courses without having to meet additionalprerequisites, Arcadia High has seen a steady increase 
in the number of students enrolling in APand Honors courses. The pass rate on AP Examshas also remained exceptional. In 2017, 2,420 APExams were taken, which is over 150 more thanthe total number of tests taken in 2016. These exams 
were taken by 1,212 students with a remarkable 
87.5% pass rate. In 2017, more than 4,000 colleges 
and universities around the world receivedAP scores for college credit, advanced placement,
or both, and/or consideration in the admissions 
process. 

“Our goal in Arcadia Unified is to empower studentsto take command of their learning experiences,” 
expressed Arcadia Unified Superintendent Dr. David 
Vannasdall. “Having made this list for multipleyears validates the work our teachers and staff doto inspire our students to elevate their educationaljourneys through access to AP and honors courses.” 

To be included on the 8th Annual AP® District Honor 
Roll, Arcadia Unified had to increase the number 
of students participating in AP, while also increasing 
or maintaining the percentage of studentsearning AP exam scores of 3 or higher. Specifically,
the College Board analyzed AP data from 20152017 
for the following criteria: 


Increased participation/access to AP by at least 4%
in large districts, at least 6% in medium districts,
and at least 11% in small districts;

Increased or maintained the percentage of AmericanIndian/Alaska Native, Black/African American,
Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific 
Islander students taking exams and increasedor maintained the percentage of American Indian/
Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/
Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanderstudents scoring 3+ on at least one AP Exam; and

Improved or maintained performance levels whencomparing the 2017 percentage of students scoring 
a 3 or higher to the 2015 percentage, unless thedistrict has already attained a performance level atwhich more than 70% of its AP students earn a 3 
or higher. 

“Congratulations to all the educators and administrators 
in this district who have worked to clear a 
path for more students of all backgrounds to participate 
and succeed in AP,” said Trevor Packer, headof AP and Instruction. “These educators and administrators 
are fostering a culture in their schoolsand classrooms that allows students to face new 
challenges and build the confidence to succeed.” 

Arcadia Unified is one of only five districts in LosAngeles County to be named to the prestigious2018 AP® District Honor Roll and was also awarded 
this distinction in 2010 and 2017. Arcadia HighSchool has been distinguished as a U.S. News andWorld Report Gold Medal School three times,
an honor bestowed on less than 3 percent of themore than 19,000 schools in the country. Newsweek 
named Arcadia High on its Top Public HighSchools in America list. The Home of the Apacheswas also recently identified by Niche.com as beingin the top 2 percent of the best public high schoolsin California. For the second consecutive year, Arcadia 
High’s 2017 graduating class had at least onestudent accepted into every Ivy League school inthe country. 

For more information about the Arcadia Unified 
School District, please visit www.ausd.net. 

ARCADIA POLICE BLOTTER 


For the period of Sunday, January 7th, through Saturday,
January 13th, the Police Department responded to 827 callsfor service, of which 107 required formal investigations. Thefollowing is a summary report of the major incidents handledby the Department during this period. 

Sunday, January 7:

At about 9:29 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on avehicle in the area of Baldwin Avenue and Arboretum Wayfor expired registration. Upon contacting the driver, theofficer discovered the 29-year-old male from Long Beachwas driving without a license. He was cited and released inthe field. The vehicle was left legally parked.

Just after 3:45 p.m., an officer responded to Sephora,
400 South Baldwin Avenue, regarding a theft report. A lossprevention specialist witnessed and detained a suspect whoconcealed over $450 worth of items in her purse beforeexiting the store, failing to make payment. The 31-year-oldfemale from Alhambra was cited and released at the scene. 

Monday, January 8:

At approximately 10:10 a.m., an officer was dispatched toLicha Construction, 124 North First Avenue, regarding atheft report. A suspect was seen entering a janitor’s closetand exiting with 20 rolls of bathroom tissue. Furtherinvestigation revealed the suspect had two outstandingwarrants for his arrest. The 66-year-old male from Pasadenawas arrested and transported to the Arcadia City Jail forbooking.

Around 8:00 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop ona vehicle for an equipment violation while patrolling thearea of Foothill Boulevard and Michillinda Avenue. An 
investigation revealed the driver was in possession of drugparaphernalia and methamphetamine. He also had an 
outstanding warrant for his arrest. The 43-year-old malefrom Pasadena was arrested and transported to the ArcadiaCity Jail for booking. 

Tuesday, January 9:

At approximately 5:24 p.m., officers responded to aresidence on the 2300 block of South Second Avenue 
regarding suspicious circumstances. Two suspects disguisedas law enforcement officers knocked on the victim’s door. 
When the victim answered, she noticed a vehicle that 
resembled a law enforcement vehicle. The suspects claimedto be DEA agents with a search warrant to seize weapons.
One suspect detained the victim while the other suspectstole over $100,000 worth of jewelry and cash along withseveral handguns. The investigation is ongoing.

Just before 10:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to aresidence on the 700 block of West Sharon Road regardinga home invasion robbery that had just occurred. Aninvestigation revealed a female suspect knocked on the doorand asked to use a phone. When the victim opened the garagedoor, two suspects entered and held the victim at gunpointwhile they attempted to kick in the door leading into thehome. The suspects fled when they were unsuccessful, into adark colored sedan where the third suspect was waiting.
The suspects are described as two black females, 
approximately 5’4”, 17 to 19-years-old, with thin builds and ablack male approximately 19 to 20-years old, 6’01” or 6’ 02”
with a goatee.

Around 11:24 p.m., officers responded to the 700 blockof Estrella Avenue regarding the report of a home invasionrobbery that had just occurred. An investigation revealed 

that a female suspect knocked on the door and asked to usetheir phone. When one of the victims opened the door, threesuspects entered the home and held the family at gunpointwhile they ransacked the home. The suspects fled with thevictims’ cash, cellphones, tablets and jewelry.
The suspects are described as two black females, 
approximately 5’7”, 20-years-old, with thin builds and ablack male, approximately 6’04”, thin build, with a goatee. 

Wednesday, January 10:

At about 1:48 p.m., an officer conducted a traffic stopon a vehicle in the area of Camino Real Avenue and Tenth 
Avenue for an equipment violation. Upon contacting thedriver, the officer discovered the 29-year-old male fromMonrovia was in possession of drug paraphernalia, drivingwith expired registration and no proof of insurance. He wascited and released in the field. 

Thursday, January 11:

Around 7:45 p.m., an officer responded to a residence onthe 1100 block of West Duarte Road regarding a theft report.
The victim stated that he ordered a vacuum cleaner online 
worth approximately $500. He tracked the package andconfirmed it had been delivered to his home. An unknown 
suspect stole the package from his front porch and fled thescene in an unknown direction. 

At approximately 9:27 p.m., officers responded to aresidence on the 100 block of West Norman Avenue 
regarding a burglary in progress. The victim heard the soundof glass breaking from a front window. An investigationrevealed the window had been damaged but did not fullybreak. No suspects were seen, and no witnesses were located. 

Friday, January 12:

Just after 2:43 p.m., an officer patrolling the area of SouthFirst Avenue and California Street stopped two bicyclistsfor a municipal code violation. An investigation revealedone subject, a 43-year-old female from Pomona, had fouroutstanding warrants for her arrest. The second subject,
a 29-year-old male from Pomona, had one outstandingwarrant for his arrest and he was in possession of a stolendriver’s license. Both subjects were arrested and transportedto the Arcadia City Jail for booking.

Just before 4:04 p.m., an officer was dispatched toAbercrombie and Fitch, 400 South Baldwin Avenue, 
regarding an embezzlement report. A female employeewas detained by Loss Prevention officers for stealing almost$1,200 over the period of one month. The 18-year-oldfemale from San Gabriel was arrested and transported to theArcadia City Jail for booking. 

Saturday, January 13:

At approximately 10:36 a.m., an officer responded to the400 block of East Santa Clara Avenue regarding a vehicleburglary report. The officer discovered an unknown suspectcut chains connected to the bed of the victim’s truck and 
stole his gardening equipment. The investigation is ongoing.

At around 10:37 p.m., an officer conducted a trafficstop on a vehicle on the 600 block of Duarte Road for anequipment violation. Further investigation revealed that thedriver, a 19-year-old male from Arcadia, had an outstandingwarrant for his arrest. He was arrested and transported to theArcadia City Jail for booking. 

HAVE AN ISSUE OR QUESTION?

Come to the Monrovia Arcadia Duarte Town Council 


By Joan Schmidt

January’s Monrovia Arcadia Duarte Town Council waswell attended-40+ and many stayed past the meeting toobtain more information or just visit.

There were two great guest speakers: Arcadia PDCommunity Services Officer Mike Vercillo and ShereeJohnson, Adventist Health Glendale Foundation. Mike 
gave his excellent presentation on Proposition 64 whichlegalizes recreational use of cannabis. He explained it ispermitted in your home, backyard, but not public places.
Visit hhp://cannabis.lacounty.gov. for further info.
Ms. Johnson, Health Liaison works tirelessly to preventchildren from smoking. She gave a staggering statistic-
in the US, 1200 die daily as a result of smoking andspoke of various cities’ regulations such as Monrovia-
no smoking in any City park. She mentioned a “Sting 
operation.” Of 26 licensed to sell tobacco stores, 11 were 
willing to sell to underage youths! Ms. Johnson visitsclassrooms- as young as 2nd grade to educate children.
Visit ahglendalefoundation.org.

Debra Mendelsohn, Senior Field Deputy for SupervisorBarger noted that one year ago, the Supervisor took office.
Since then, the Supervisor has sponsored “Station SquareConcerts” with the City of Monrovia, “MAD CommunitiesDay” at the Fair, “Winter Wonderland” at Pamela Park; 
she had supported renovations at Pamela Park and a newLive Oak Library. Mrs. Mendelsohn has attended EVERYTown Council Meeting, and addresses residents’ concerns.
Traffic issue at Mayflower/Longden, Arcadia-now there’s a4 way Stop Sign. Drainage issues at Plymouth School-afterFOUR years, Terrence Williams alerted Mrs. Mendelsohn 

Save the Date - Monrovia’s State of the CityAddress set to Take Place on Monday, January29, 2018, at Studio Movie Grill at 7 p.m. We 
wanted to let everyone know that our annualState of the City Address is scheduled totake place on Monday, January 29, 2018, at 

and it was resolved, Residents question Mrs. Mendelsohnabout various issues and she contacts appropriate countyagencies.

Next was Deputy April Nelson, our Liaison as well 
as seven OTHER unincorporated areas. Dep. Nelson 
attends EVERY meeting and gives crime trends. Shesuggests methods of crime prevention and encouragesNeighborhood Watch. She has dealt with code violationsand answered traffic questions. She also had a hand inthe new 4-way stop sign. At Pamela Park, she is greatlyconcerned with children walking from Maxwell Schoolto the great afterschool programs at the Park. They NEEDsidewalks. She also is alarmed about the exit from the Park 
to Pamela Rd. and is working tirelessly to get a 3-way stopsign.

Deputy Nelson introduced the OSS (Operation SafeStreets) Team currently at Temple Station. Because theyare under Headquarters, they are able to attain additionalfunds. They include Sergeant Brian Richardson, andDetectives Carlos Millan and Sal Picarella, who explainedthe Gang Injunction and how it expedites gang membersleaving our areas. When questioned about preventingyouths entering gangs, we were told of the Sheriff’sDepartment’s VIDA Program, Afterschool Sports andother YAL activities. 

Sam Estrada gave an update on Pamela Park’s activities,
(See Dec.30 issue) and wonderful Library programs wereexplained.

Please come to the February 21 Town Council Meetingat Pamela Park, 2236 Goodall Ave., Duarte at 7pm. Youwon’t be disappointed! 

Studio Movie Grill in Old Town, at 7:00 p.m.
Additional details will be provided in thecoming weeks, but we did want to let everyoneknow about the event in hopes that you willsave the date and join us as we take a look backat 2017 in Monrovia! 

MONROVIA POLICE BLOTTER 



During the last seven-day period, the Police 
Department handled 425 service events, resulting 
in 76 investigations. To see a complete listing ofcrimes reported, go to http://www.crimemapping.
com/map/ca/monrovia for crime mapping. For PoliceDepartment news and information, visit our websiteand follow us on Twitter. 

Alcohol Offense / Suspended License January 11 at

8:17 a.m., a caller reported a suspicious vehicle withtwo males inside parked in the area of Alta Vistaand Concord. The subjects left the area but officerswere able to locate the vehicle which had expiredregistration. Further investigation revealed therewas an open container of alcohol in the vehicle andthe driver had a suspended license. The driver wascited and the vehicle was stored. 
Possession of Methamphetamine / Parole Violation –
Suspect Arrested January 11 at 1:31 p.m., an officer wason patrol in the 1600 block of S. Myrtle when he noticeda suspicious subject standing by the men’s bathroomat Station Square. The officer made contact with thesubject and during the search of the subject, officersfound he was in possession of methamphetamine.
The subject was also on active parole. The suspect wasdetained and taken into custody. 

Apprehension of Wanted Felon January 11 at 7:11p.m., detectives were conducting surveillance inan attempt to apprehend a wanted felon in the 800block of S. Magnolia. The subject was eventuallyseen and as officers moved in to arrest him, he fled. 
A short foot pursuit ensued until the subject hid ina fenced area in the 200 block of W. Huntington. A 
containment was set up, outside agencies includingK9 Units responded to assist as well as a PoliceHelicopter. Once secured, a K9 announcementfrom the helicopter was made and the suspectsurrendered. The suspect was arrested and taken 

into custody without incident. 

Domestic Violence – Suspect Arrested January 12 at

5:42 a.m., officers were dispatched to a business in the900 block of S. Fifth on the report of a disturbance.
The female was visiting her ex-boyfriend, theydrank and began to argue. The male subject hit thefemale, she sustained several visible injuries due tothe altercation. The male was arrested for domestic 
violence. 
Non-Injury Traffic Collision / Driving Under theInfluence of Alcohol – Suspects Arrested January 13at 3:23 a.m., an officer was on patrol in the 100 blockof W. Central and noticed a traffic collision that had 
just occurred. The vehicles had pulled to the side ofthe road. The officer made contact with them and 
further investigation revealed both drivers wereunder the influence of alcohol. Both drivers were 
arrested and taken into custody. 

Theft / Evading a Peace Officer – Suspect Arrested

January 13 at 7:12 p.m., officers were dispatchedto a business in the 500 block of W. Huntingtonregarding a subject stealing merchandise. While theofficers were enroute, the suspect fled in a vehicle.
Officers caught up to the vehicle after a short pursuiton the 210 freeway eastbound when the suspectexited at Myrtle. The suspect was arrested and taken 
into custody. Outside Assist (Lost Hiker) January14 at 3:47 p.m., a caller reported he was lost inCanyon Park. The hiker left the trail and became 
disoriented. An air unit checked the area but was 
unable to locate him. The dispatchers called hiscell phone numerous times before they were able toreach him. When they reached him, they explainedto the caller step by step how to send his locationover the phone. The phone died shortly thereafter.
Search & Rescue were contacted for assistance and 
shortly after the lost hiker was located. 

WE WANT TO KNOW... WHAT DO YOU THINK 
ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ALLOWING TATTOO 
SERVICES AS AN INCIDENTAL USE IN OLD TOWN? 

Recently, the City received a request to allow 
businesses in Old Town Monrovia to include 
tattoos as a service they provide. Currently,
tattoo businesses are not allowed in Old Town, 
and to facilitate the request, an amendment tothe Monrovia Municipal Code will be required.
However, before moving further in the process, theCity Council asked staff to reach out to Old Townstakeholders to get the community’s thoughts aboutthe proposed change. As proposed, the change inthe City’s regulations would allow tattooing as anincidental use. 

Specifically, the use would be secondary to aprimary business type and the amount of floor areait could occupy would be limited to a small portionof the overall business. This is similar to the way 

Monrovia regulates massage businesses, where in OldTown, massage can be offered as one of the servicesprovided by a business as long as it does not occupymore than 20% of the floor area of the business. The 
City is interested in your thoughts regardingtattooing in Old Town, and in order to gather asmuch feedback as possible, an online survey has beencreated. The survey will be available through January25, 2018, and take only a few moments to complete.
To access the questionnaire, please click here to startthe survey. City staff will report on the feedbackwe receive in February 2018, and if you have anyadditional comments / questions, please contactCraig Jimenez in the Community DevelopmentDepartment at cjimenez@ci.monrovia.ca.us. Thanksin advance for your time and assistance! 

Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com